An interesting 1 round mock from Mike Renner at CBS Sports:
2026 NFL mock draft: Fernando Mendoza stays at No. 1; Steelers, Jets target QBs
He has the Pats taking TJ Parker at #9. Keldric Faulk (13) and Spencer Fanu (15) still available.
No Arvell Reese, CJ Allen, or Anthony Hill. No Mansoor Delane, Dillon Thieneman, or Isaiah World.
No LaNorris Sellers or Drew Allar. Fernando Mendoza (1), Garrett Nussmeier (4), John Mateer (7), Dante Moore (12) and Josh Hoover (25) are the QBs taken.
What is more interesting, he has about 10 guys who aren't in the usual 1st round suspects:
10. Trevor Goosby, OL, Texas. 6'7" 312#.
"Goosby impressed in his spot starts last season and has looked even better taking over for Kelvin Banks Jr. this fall.
He's a gifted mover who can pass protect at a high level. He'd be a big upgrade from Braxton Jones on the left side."
16. Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee. 6' 195#.
"If Jermod McCoy ever gets back healthy this season, the Vols will undoubtedly have the best cornerback duo in college football. That's because Hood has emerged after transferring from Colorado as a lockdown cornerback in his own right. ]b]Through four games this season, Hood has allowed four catches on 17 targets for only 32 yards[/b]."
22. Olaivavega Ioane, OG, Penn St. 6'4" 328#.
"Ioane is the best true guard in the country.
He has yet to allow a pressure this season at left guard for the Nittany Lions."
23. Quincy Rhodes, DL, Arkansas. 6'6" 275#.
"Rhodes is one of the biggest risers in college football this season in his first year as a starter. The 6-foot-6, 275-pounder has 18 pressures already this season. He's still raw, but the physical tools are good enough to still go high."
26. Kade Pieper, IOL, Iowa. 6'4" 290#.
"Jim Harbaugh has affectionately referred to offensive linemen as "weapons" in the past. If there's any offensive lineman in this potential class that fits that bill, it's Pieper.
He's the single most athletic offensive lineman in the country with an unmatched ability to locate defenders in space. While he's undersized with limited length playing out of position at guard right now, he'd be a perfect center for Greg Roman's offense."
27. Cayden Green, IOL, Missouri. 6'5" 324#.
"Green was a true freshman starter at Oklahoma in 2023 before transferring to Missouri. He was a left guard the past two seasons before kicking out to left tackle this fall. While he's ideally a guard at the next level, he has a versatile body type."
28. Anthony Lucas, EDGE, USC. 6'5" 285#.
"Lucas showed promise early on last year before a lower leg injury ended his season early. He's looked even better early on this year."
30. Kayden McDonald, DL, Ohio St. 6'3" 326#.
"McDonald has taken over for Tyleik Williams as the run-stuffer on the Buckeyes defensive front, and it's been like Williams never left. He overpowered the middle of Texas' line in a big Week 1 win."
I love mocks like this where someone has clearly watched film and isn't afraid to go outside of the box. Great way to identify targets to scout.
Very interesting that he has 4 IOL going in the 1st round (22 Ioane, 24 Conner Lew, 26 Pieper, 27 Green).
