2026 Mock Draft Thread

[Clonamery]

Looked at PFSN for the 1st time in a week this morning.

They finally have Sievereld listed (#52).
And Brennen Thompson listed at #114.
Lewis Bond at #182.
Ted Hurst at #256.
Cody Hardy listed at #566.

Move changes:
They brought Stukes down to #132.
Freeling at #318 (a ways to go).
Strangely they put Jelani McDonald at #160 (was #105) and Carter Smith to #174 (was #130 something).
Brian Parker to #103 (from #168).
Matt Gulbin to #115 (from #400 something).
Clev Lubin to #126 (was about #250). A lot of the Edges have come down 30-40 spots.

 

[borisman]

As much as we need an Edge guy early in the draft (barring we sign one in FA and if Chaisson is gone), Anthony Hill would be a HUGE upgrade to our defense and LB corp.
He is extremely versatile and would become a pro bowler very quickly. I have no doubt. Oh, and you can also line him up on the edge occasionally.
On a side note for edge guys, our very own Elijah could make a big leap in year 2. No need to Ponder, just give him more snaps.

 

[Clonamery]

As much as we need an Edge guy early in the draft (barring we sign one in FA and if Chaisson is gone), Anthony Hill would be a HUGE upgrade to our defense and LB corp.
He is extremely versatile and would become a pro bowler very quickly. I have no doubt. Oh, and you can also line him up on the edge occasionally.
On a side note for edge guys, our very own Elijah could make a big leap in year 2. No need to Ponder, just give him more snaps.

Much talked about in the Linebacker Thread.

 

[mayoclinic]

New mock from Dane Brugler:

Browns trade up to No. 1, Raiders take Dante Moore in 2026 NFL mock draft

Could the 2026 draft mirror the 2016 version, when high-profile trades resulted in QBs being picked at Nos. 1 and 2?

www.nytimes.com

If the Patriots (1) pick at 32 and (2) pick who he mocks, I will be very, very happy.

 

[manxman2601]

New mock from Dane Brugler:

Browns trade up to No. 1, Raiders take Dante Moore in 2026 NFL mock draft

Could the 2026 draft mirror the 2016 version, when high-profile trades resulted in QBs being picked at Nos. 1 and 2?

www.nytimes.com

If the Patriots (1) pick at 32 and (2) pick who he mocks, I will be very, very happy.

I can see you being very happy with Freeling at 32. There were a lot of my favorites off the board at that point. Oregon and Siereveld would probably have been my other options. I think it’s a little rich for Freeling personally but I could get on board considering all though those who were gone.

 

[mayoclinic]

I think he is a 1st round tackle. I have him graded ahead of Fano and Mauigoa at RT. I think locking down top 10 bookend tackles to protect Drake Maye is priceless.

JMHO.

 

[manxman2601]

I think he is a 1st round tackle. I have him graded ahead of Famo and Mauigoa at RT. I think locking down top 10 bookend tackles to protect Drake Maye is priceless.

JMHO.

I certainly like that he’s a legitimate swing tackle and for that reason I can get on board.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

On a side note for edge guys, our very own Elijah could make a big leap in year 2. No need to Ponder, just give him more snaps.

It is very encouraging that our scouting department found and signed Ponder. I am not sure our scouting department changed much so I am not sure how we did so well last year unless the management was more engaged? I am not saying this was an all-time draft year but it was definitely good enough to maintain a dynasty if this draft success rate is repeated every year. The coach and QB are the major pieces for sustained success, but the team also needs to find FAs and draft well.

 

[mayoclinic]

I can see you being very happy with Freeling at 32. There were a lot of my favorites off the board at that point. Oregon and Siereveld would probably have been my other options. I think it’s a little rich for Freeling personally but I could get on board considering all though those who were gone.

I would take Freeling over any other OL in this draft. An IOL like Vega, Sievereld or Pregnon might fill a more immediate need, but I have Freeling graded higher and the chance to lock down bookend OTs is more valuable to me.

Right now my Tier 1 looks like:

1. Arvell Reese. Goes #3 in this mock.
2. Caleb Downs. Goes #10.
3. David Bailey. Goes #8.
4. Yhonzae Pierre. Not in this mock.
5. Rueben Bain. Goes #6.

Freeling is next for me.

 

[manxman2601]

I would take Freeling over any other OL in this draft. An IOL like Vega, Sievereld or Pregnon might fill a more immediate need, but I have Freeling graded higher and the chance to lock down bookend OTs is more valuable to me.

Right now my Tier 1 looks like:

1. Arvell Reese. Goes #3 in this mock.
2. Caleb Downs. Goes #10.
3. David Bailey. Goes #8.
4. Yhonzae Pierre. Not in this mock.
5. Rueben Bain. Goes #6.
Freeling is next for me.

I'm just watching his all-22 film at the moment. Started with Alabama - very good, then Tennessee - not great. I will watch one or two more and come up with a mini scouting report.

 

[mayoclinic]

Tennessee was his worst game. Early in the season, and he was battling injuries the first half of the season, so I tend to discount it.

From. Auburn on (still injured for that game) he has been lights out, in both run and pass.

 

[mayoclinic]

Another mock I love, from Ryan Roberts and Rob Gregson:

https://atozsports.com/nfl-draft/2-round-2026-nfl-mock-draft-ty-simpson-jeremiyah-love-rueben-bain-jr-fernando-mendoza-dante-moore/

At #32, they has the Pats taking binky Yhonzae Pierre:

Pierre is the kind of player that fits the Vrabel mold, and with a big opportunity in the SEC championship and hopefully beyond, a riser in the NFL world could soon turn into a household name.

Amen. Pierre currently #4 on my board, after Arvell Reese, Caleb Downs, and David Bailey. Re-sign K'Lavon Chaisson, draft Pierre, and the Pats will have a strong EDGE rush for 2026 and the long term.

At 32 they gave the Pats taking Texas CB Malik Muhammad. Monroe Freeling, Niki Prongos and Austin Siereveld are all not in this mock or available.

My perfect Pats mock:

32. Yhonzae Pierre EDGE

64.Monroe Freeling, Niki Prongos, or Austin Siereveld

96. Jelani McDonald, Zakee Wheatley S or Jake Golday, LB

4a. Best OL

4b. Keiontre Scott, CB/S

 

[borisman]

It looks like a good draft to slide down a bit and get an extra 3rd. Then you have multiple picks in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th rounds.
Enough to add some much needed quality depth. We also have a ton of 6th round picks and we don't need any K, P or LS this year.
I'd like to push some of those 6th rounders into the 2027 draft.
I guess it all depends on what we do in free agency and possibly releasing some players to create more cap space. But other than Jennings I don't see too much space that needs to be created by releasing players, unless Onwenu is considered overpriced.

 

[stelfans]

It looks like a good draft to slide down a bit and get an extra 3rd. Then you have multiple picks in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th rounds.
Enough to add some much needed quality depth. We also have a ton of 6th round picks and we don't need any K, P or LS this year.
I'd like to push some of those 6th rounders into the 2027 draft.
I guess it all depends on what we do in free agency and possibly releasing some players to create more cap space. But other than Jennings I don't see too much space that needs to be created by releasing players, unless Onwenu is considered overpriced.

3rd round looks like the sweet spot of this draft. I would not object to that.

 

[manxman2601]

How about something like this?

Round 1 - TJ Parker or Cashius Howell

Round 2 - Austin Siereveld, Carter Smith or Cayden Green

Round 3 - PJ Williams

Round 4 - Keionte Scott

Round 4 - Eli Raridon or Oscar Delp

Round 5 - Treydan Stukes or Jyaire Hill,Tacario Davis

Round 6 - Trade up for Keylan Rutledge

Priority FA - Cody Hardy, TE, NC State

Yes, prospects like Jake Golday, Jacob Rodriguez, Mesi-Adore and Wheatley are still on my list and I would happily substitute them into the above list but the above hits what I think are our biggest needs. Edge rush, Interior OL and RT, an Austin Hooper replacement and secondary depth.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

How about something like this?

Round 1 - TJ Parker or Cashius Howell

Round 2 - Austin Siereveld, Carter Smith or Cayden Green

Round 3 - PJ Williams

Round 4 - Keionte Scott

Round 4 - Eli Raridon or Oscar Delp

Round 5 - Treydan Stukes or Jyaire Hill,Tacario Davis

Round 6 - Trade up for Keylan Rutledge

Priority FA - Cody Hardy, TE, NC State

Yes, prospects like Jake Golday, Jacob Rodriguez, Mesi-Adore and Wheatley are still on my list and I would happily substitute them into the above list but the above hits what I think are our biggest needs. Edge rush, Interior OL and RT, an Austin Hooper replacement and secondary depth.

I think we have 4 6th round picks and a 7th plus a 2nd 7th if White is active for 2 more games out of the last 4 (likely).

 

[manxman2601]

I think we have 4 6th round picks and a 7th if White is active for 2 more games out of the last 4 (likely).

I was combining some of those 6th round picks to trade up. Projecting 6th and 7th round picks is a lottery so I was happy to with the 5 rounds.

 

[manxman2601]

Just did a PFF mock. Unfortunately they don';t give us all our 6th round picks so I had to wing it.

32. CJ Allen, LB, Georgia

I was committed to going BPA with our first pick.. I think Vrabel would really like him. A future defensive leader who leads by example. He is just so good at what he does well. Tackling. Not a bad skill for a linebacker to have.

64. Carter Smith, LG, Indiana

Outstanding run blocking grade and can get a shove on.

96. PJ Williams, RT, SMU

He has only given up 11 pressures all year including strong games against Rueben Bain and Clev Lubin. I was really impressed when I watched him. It's him or Freeling for that RT spot for me.

113. Zachariah Branch, WR, Georgia

I'm hoping he falls because of his size but it's probably wishful thinking. He's becoming my fun new option for the Pats.

132. Malachi Lawrence, EDGE, UCF

I missed out on the early tranche of edge rushers so I went with the guy who's shown promise and has 35" arms.

171. Treydan Stukes, CB/S, Arizona

I had to get a binky (and mature prospect) in there somewhere. He's just super solid in all aspects of the game. A team captain for the last two seasons.

192, Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech

A 340lb NT with outstanding quickness for his size.

193. Logan Taylor, RG, Boston College

He struggled at LT but graded really well when playing RG.

203. Will Kacmarek, TE, Ohio State

A new binky. An outstanding run blocker to replace Austin Hooper.

210. Jyaire Hill, CB, Michigan

That's CB depth sorted. He might never be a starter but he also might be the best value outside corner available at this point in the draft.

245. Justin Jefferson, LB, Alabama

He's a bit undersized at 220lbs but he's Alabama's leading tackler and super quick. From the moment I first saw him, I just got this hunch that he's a Vrabel pick. I can't explain why, it's just a hunch.

 

[mayoclinic]

This just seems lazy to me:

Wilson's 2026 NFL mock draft 3.0: Wide-open QB race creates chaos at the top of board

With no sure-fire franchise QB, front offices could be forced to shift their focus to foundational defensive playmakers.

www.cbssports.com

While I love David Bailey at 32, it doesn't seem realistic. But Quincy Rhodes at 13, several days after he announced he is returning to Arkansas for 2026? That's lame, from a national site.

 

[Clonamery]

=

This just seems lazy to me:

Wilson's 2026 NFL mock draft 3.0: Wide-open QB race creates chaos at the top of board

With no sure-fire franchise QB, front offices could be forced to shift their focus to foundational defensive playmakers.

www.cbssports.com

While I love David Bailey at 32, it doesn't seem realistic. But Quincy Rhodes at 13, several days after he announced he is returning to Arkansas for 2026? That's lame, from a national site.

He probably submitted the article a while ago and the author & editor either didn't keep an eye on it or knowingly let it fly.