T.J. Parker — 2026 NFL Mock Draft Roundup 1.0

With his combination of size, power, speed and bend, Parker has the traits and production to be the first pass rusher drafted in 2026. Following up a solid true freshman campaign, Parker broke out as a sophomore — 11 sacks, 19.5 tackles for loss and a school-record six forced fumbles in 2024 — and he was especially dominant to close the season (12.5 TFL, six sacks, and four forced fumbles over his final six games).

Parker is the second Clemson defender off the board in this instance. He managed 11 sacks last season, but more impressively, also had six forced fumbles. Parker does a great job targeting the quarterback's arm on dropbacks.

The Colts have recently used their first-round picks on edge rushers Kwity Paye (2021) and Laiatu Latu (2024), so we know they're not afraid to invest draft capital at the position. Paye doesn't have a long-term contract and is currently set to play 2025 on the fifth-year option. Parker had a breakout season in 2024, with 11 sacks, 16.5 tackles for loss and 4 forced fumbles. He is a versatile player capable of playing from multiple pre-snap alignments and stances, using his length as a run defender and closing speed in the pass rush.

Parker (6-3, 265 pounds) wreaked havoc on ACC backfields last year, cheating 51 pressures with 35 stops and an 87.4 defensive grade. Tennessee strengthens its defense and adds another young pass rusher alongside 2025 second-round pick Oluwafemi Oladejo.

Usually, it's the draft after taking a first-round quarterback that a team loads up on weapons for their young starter, but since Tennessee used most of its draft capital on that side of the ball, it makes it easy to go after a pass rusher like Parker, who certainly looks the part of a top-10 pick getting off the bus. He really came into his own as a sophomore in 2024 (11 sacks, 19.5 TFL) and could be the most disruptive player in the country on an excellent defense.

Parker is one of those players you can't help but notice when you are studying other players. His quickness off the ball and ability to affect the quarterback are frequent themes on his tape.

The only position even close to quarterback in value to NFL teams is edge rusher, and it is hard not to be excited about Parker's production. He broke Clemson's all-time true freshman record with 12.5 tackles for loss in 2023 and grew that to 19.5 last year, with 11 of them sacks. Even better, Parker is a turnover machine off the edge, forcing an FBS-leading six forced fumbles last year.

Addressing the problem behind center was a natural call for Tennessee at the No. 1 overall pick, but it left the franchise ill-equipped to boost a flagging edge rush, with second-rounder Oluwafemi Oladejo only doing so much to reshape the group. The 6-3, 265-pound Parker, who tied for ninth in the Football Bowl Subdivision with 11 sacks while adding six forced fumbles, could serve as the spark to get the defense going.