{"id":215246,"date":"2025-07-17T22:07:14","date_gmt":"2025-07-17T22:07:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/215246\/"},"modified":"2025-07-17T22:07:14","modified_gmt":"2025-07-17T22:07:14","slug":"espn-ranks-top-14-players-with-best-chance-to-be-no-1-in-2026-nfl-draft","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/215246\/","title":{"rendered":"ESPN ranks Top 14 players with best chance to be No. 1 in 2026 NFL Draft"},"content":{"rendered":"

With 134 Division I FBS programs across the country, there are plenty of players hoping to hear their name called in the 2026 NFL Draft<\/a>. However, only one player will be the first off the board next spring. On Thursday, ESPN released rankings<\/a> for the players with the best odds to be the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.<\/p>\n

For the past three seasons, a quarterback has been the top-pick in the draft. Most recently, the No. 1 pick was Miami<\/a>\u2018s Cam Ward<\/a> \u2014 a player who was relatively an unknown only a year prior. ESPN included some similarly unexpected prospects in its rankings while also listing several high-profile players.<\/p>\n

In the end, the players will have to earn NFL scouts\u2019 respect on the field. With 14 total players to cover, let\u2019s dive into ESPN\u2019s predictions for the No. 1 pick in 2026.<\/p>\n

ESPN gives LaNorris Sellers a 15% chance of being the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Sellers burst onto the scene last season after sitting his freshman campaign behind South Carolina\u2019s Spencer Rattler<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Sellers was phenomenal, tallying 2,534 passing yards and 18 touchdowns while only throwing seven interceptions. However, Sellers legs are what really make him a special prospect. When Sellers couldn\u2019t find a receiving target, he routinely scrambled for massive gains, totaling 674 rushing yards and seven TDs last season.<\/p>\n

\"CadeCade Klubnik, Clemson \u2013 \u00a9 Jerome Miron-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

ESPN believes Cade Klubnik is just as likely to be the No. 1 pick next year. Riley completed 63.4% of his pass attempts last season for 3,639 yards and 36 touchdowns, compared to just six interceptions. His 36 passing touchdowns were the third-most in the country and the most of any returning player.<\/p>\n

Klubnik didn\u2019t shy away from stiff competition, either. Klubnik logged 262 passing yards and four touchdowns in Clemson\u2019s win over SMU<\/a> in the ACC Championship. He followed up the performance with a 336-yard, three-touchdown showing against Texas in the College Football Playoff<\/a>.<\/p>\n

From the day he stepped on campus at Penn State, Drew Allar has been considered an elite NFL<\/a> prospect. With three years of experience under his belt, Allar must show NFL scouts he\u2019s ready for the next level this year.<\/p>\n

Allar had a career year last season, racking up 3,327 passing yards and 24 touchdowns, compared to eight interceptions. However, Allar failed to lead Penn State against its two biggest competitors for the Big Ten crown: Oregon<\/a> and Ohio State<\/a>. He\u2019ll have to get over this hump in the upcoming season to be in the No. 1 pick conversation.<\/p>\n

Garrett Nussmeier is the final member of ESPN\u2019s \u201cserious contenders\u201d to be the No. 1 draft pick next year. Alas, the group wouldn\u2019t have been complete without him. While Nussmeier doesn\u2019t have the strongest arm in the country, he has the rare ability to time his passes downfield for gigantic gains.<\/p>\n

Nussmeier\u2019s exceptional passing skills led to him amassing 4,052 passing yards last season, along with 29 touchdowns. In contrast, Nussmeier\u2019s willingness to look downfield can occasionally cause him trouble. He threw 12 interceptions last season and will have to be more efficient this fall.<\/p>\n

\"Fernando\u00a9 Rich Janzaruk\/Herald-Times \/ USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Fernando Mendoza transferred from California to Indiana this offseason. Mendoza notched 3,004 yards and 16 touchdowns with six interceptions last season. At 6-foot-5, 225 pounds, Mendoza boasts elite size and will be a player NFL scouts intensely watch this year.<\/p>\n

\u201cI really liked Mendoza\u2019s tape,\u201d an NFC area scout told ESPN. \u201cHe\u2019s the one to circle that could be a bigger riser, and Cignetti has a great track record with transfer QBs.\u201d<\/p>\n

ESPN is giving TJ Parker the best odds of any defensive player in the country to be first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Parker was a wrecking ball last season, tearing through opposing defenses and collecting 57 tackles, 11 sacks and six forced fumbles in the process.<\/p>\n

For his efforts, he was named an All-ACC Second-Team selection. Now, ESPN expects Parker to ramp up his defensive efforts to an even higher level and leave NFL scouts hungry for more.<\/p>\n

If you asked college football fans across the country who they believe will be the No. 1 pick next year, the most popular answer would be Arch Manning. Alas, ESPN is only giving Manning a 10% chance to take home that honor.<\/p>\n

In fairness, Manning has limited in-game experience compared to the other players in these rankings. However, when Manning was given a chance to shine last season, he didn\u2019t let it go to waste. In two starts, Manning completed 41-of-his-60 pass attempts for 583 yards and four touchdowns while only throwing two interceptions. He also recorded 29 rushing yards and a touchdown.<\/p>\n

\"\"Mandatory Credit: James Snook-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

John Mateer isn\u2019t a popular name with college football casuals, but ESPN believes his draft stock could rise considerably this season. Mateer transferred from Washington State<\/a> to Oklahoma this offseason, following offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Mateer logged 3,139 passing yards and 29 touchdowns, compared to seven interceptions for the Cougars last season. His arm isn\u2019t his only weapon. Mateer also recorded 826 rushing yards for 15 touchdowns in the 2024 campaign.<\/p>\n

In the simplest of terms, Sam Leavitt is a winner, and NFL teams like to win. Despite Arizona State being picked to finish last in the Big 12 last season, Leavitt boosted the Sun Devils to a conference title and the program\u2019s first appearance in the CFP.<\/p>\n

Leavitt threw for 2,885 yards, 24 touchdowns and 6 interceptions last year. Alas, he often played second fiddle to Arizona State star running back Cam Skattebo<\/a>. With Skattebo off to the NFL, all eyes will be on Leavitt this fall.<\/p>\n

The second defensive player on ESPN\u2019s list is also from Clemson. Peter Woods was a standout for the Tigers last season, collecting 26 tackles, three sacks and a forced fumble.<\/p>\n

With a 6-foot-3, 315-pound frame, Woods is an NFL prototype. Nevertheless, it\u2019s been 31 years since a defensive lineman has been the first player taken off the board in the NFL Draft. Woods will have to piece together a monstrous 2025 campaign to be the No. 1 pick next spring.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not quite as rare for offensive linemen to be the first overall picks in the NFL Draft. The Kansas City Chiefs took Eric Fisher at No. 1 in 2013, and the Miami Dolphins drafted Jake Long at first overall just five years before that.<\/p>\n

ESPN believes Spencer Fano could be next in line. Fano was a 2024 All-American (PFF First Team, AP Second Team, Walter Camp Second Team) and an All-Big 12 First-Team selection. He is entering his junior year and should be stronger than ever.<\/p>\n

Speaking of offensive linemen, there are few better than Kadyn Proctor. Proctor is 6-foot-7, 330 pounds, and has the size that other talented offensive linemen like Fano can only dream of having.<\/p>\n

Proctor effectively uses his size to his advantage in the run-game, bulldozing over his opponents. However, he leaves much to be desired with his inconsistent pass blocking. Perhaps if Proctor improves his pass protection this year, an NFL team will be more willing to take a risk on him in the draft.<\/p>\n

While Isaiah World is as athletic as any offensive linemen in the 2026 draft class, he hasn\u2019t proven himself against elite competition. Of course, he\u2019ll have a chance to fix that this fall, thanks to his decision to transfer to Oregon this offseason.<\/p>\n

World didn\u2019t allow a sack last season, but he drew eight penalties (five for holding, three for unsportsmanlike conduct). He must minimize his errors this season to maximize his draft stock.<\/p>\n

Since the common draft era began in 1967, a safety hasn\u2019t been the first overall pick. Then again, there\u2019s a first time for everything. It wouldn\u2019t be the first time Caleb Downs has made history.<\/p>\n

In his debut collegiate campaign year at Alabama<\/a>, Downs became the first freshman in program history to lead the team in tackles. He transferred to Ohio State for his sophomore and subsequently won the national championship. It\u2019d be a fool\u2019s errand to declare anything out of Downs\u2019 reach, including being the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"With 134 Division I FBS programs across the country, there are plenty of players hoping to hear their…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":215247,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[5242,5782,5792,26735,7,5796,9389,15521,5799,5801,6,15,5806,5992,5809,5810],"class_list":{"0":"post-215246","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-nfl-draft","8":"tag-arch-manning-23-isidore-newman","9":"tag-caleb-downs-23-mill-creek","10":"tag-drew-allar-22-medina","11":"tag-fernando-mendoza-22-columbus","12":"tag-football","13":"tag-garrett-nussmeier-21-marcus","14":"tag-isaiah-world-21-lincoln","15":"tag-john-mateer-22-little-elm","16":"tag-kadyn-proctor-23-southeast-polk","17":"tag-lanorris-sellers-23-south-florence","18":"tag-nfl","19":"tag-nfl-draft","20":"tag-peter-woods-23-thompson","21":"tag-sam-leavitt-23-west-linn","22":"tag-spencer-fano-23-timpview","23":"tag-t-j-parker-23-central"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nfl\/114870855453022257","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/215246","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=215246"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/215246\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/215247"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=215246"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=215246"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=215246"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}