2026 Mock Draft Thread

[mayoclinic]

1. Bar a few re-signings and depth, our defense is excellent. Gonzo and Woodson were chef's kiss.

2. The offense was shocking. There's a lot of work needed to be done in the off/pre-season. I have no idea what Josh McDaniels was up to yesterday.

3. For the first time I'm prepared to admit that Will Campbell might be better off moving inside. However, I am concerned that adding a rookie LT doesn't fix the problem in the short term.

I had major questions about Will Campbell pre-draft, but I wouldn't rush to judgment. His struggle have mostly been post-injury.

One advantage of a guy like Lomu or Freeling is that they can be used at either tackle spots. If Campbell doesn't work out at LT, k8ck him inside to guard and use Lomu/Freeling at guys.

4. The WRs weren't much better. They couldn't get open consistently.

5. The offensive struggles weren't just a one off. They've struggled throughout the playoffs.

6. My heart hurts at the thought, but Freeling/Lomu probably jump over Mesidor as priorities.

"Protect the Drake" has to be the #1 priority. Always has been for me, and I am a defense first guy.

7. OT double dip incoming?

Freeling/Lomu round 1 and Crownover tound 3?

8. It doesn't help in the short term, see the rookie struggles this year, but this is the first time I've thought the draft should be an offensive rather than defensive one largely.

9. But for all that, and this is important, WE GOT TO THE SB IN YR ONE OF THE REBUILD! Let's not forget that.

 

[mayoclinic]

Nick Baumgardner 3 round mock:

2026 NFL Mock Draft: After Super Bowl LX, how might first three rounds look?

Fernando Mendoza seems destined to be a Raider, but how many other quarterbacks will crack the top 100?

www.nytimes.com

I love Keionte Scott, hate the mock.

 

[stelfans]

I'm not opposed but the one advantage to drafting a LT is that you move Campbell and Wilson one place inside which plays to both their strengths. That would negate a need for Lindebaum and while I don't know enough about Edwards, we'd then be replacing one expensive guard with another one. I'm not saying no to either however.

I did see someone say that Campbell could become our Joe Thuney and Wilson has looked out of place at guard - and I'm not seeing much improvement. One of the sacks attributed to Campbell yesterday was on Wilson.

I have 2 issues with that.
1-We don’t know if a LT will be available in the draft. I don’t even know if there is 1.
2-Giving up on Campbell at LT could either kill the kid or transform him in a all pro guard. I’m all for it, but if that happens is a huge flop by the coaching staff. Having Lowe in there could have been a much better decision.

 

[manxman2601]

Just thinking through a more offensive mock.

FA - Re-sign Hawkins, Tonga and Chaisson. sign a FA EDGE.

Round 1 - LT

Things will become clearer after the combine. For now (preferences in bold)

Freeling - The favourite but may not be available
Lomu - His size and strength concern me as a day one starter. Good pass blocker though.
Iheanachor - His inexperience and lack of LT experience are concerns.

Sans Freeling, it's not necessarily the quick fix we need. works for the long-term though.

Round 2 - WR maybe but up in the air. Maybe a TE. Maybe Stukes.

Omar Cooper Jr would be the priority here. Maybe Antonio Williams. Otherwise, Max Clare possibly. TE is a hard one - do you look for the future Henry or the replacement or an immediate Hooper replacement.

Round 3 - Dametrious Crownover

Future RT.

Round 4A/B - I would be happy to double dip at WR here if we don't get one in the 2nd. Otherwise, a TE and WR.

Josh Cameron and Stribling are my preferences. Cyrus Allen too although he's probably a day 3 guy. Otherwise, Raridon, Klein or Delp as immediate Hooper replacements that could upgrade to future Henry replacement.

Rest of Day 3

Defensive depth. Someone who could return kickoffs.

 

[manxman2601]

I have 2 issues with that.
1-We don’t know if a LT will be available in the draft. I don’t even know if there is 1.
2-Giving up on Campbell at LT could either kill the kid or transform him in a all pro guard. I’m all for it, but if that happens is a huge flop by the coaching staff. Having Lowe in there could have been a much better decision.

1. Tell the bolded to your 2024 self . I'm making assumptions there based upon consensus. i don't know what your 2024 self thought of Lowe tbh.

2. I still like Campbell and have been an advocate of keeping him at LT. however, the evidence is starting to build that his lack of length is giving him problems. And those aren't fixable.

3. A sign of a good coaching team is the willingness to adjust. I'm all for having a Joe Thuney redux at LG for the next decade.

4. Your point about what LTs are available is a good one. Freeling probably goes ahead of 31, Iheanachor and Miller are RTs and Lomu isn't the strongest. It's a long-term ploy, not a short term fix, for sure.

 

[manxman2601]

Must read from Brandon Thorn

 

[PatsFan2]

1. Bar a few re-signings and depth, our defense is excellent. Gonzo and Woodson were chef's kiss.

2. The offense was shocking. There's a lot of work needed to be done in the off/pre-season. I have no idea what Josh McDaniels was up to yesterday.

3. For the first time I'm prepared to admit that Will Campbell might be better off moving inside. However, I am concerned that adding a rookie LT doesn't fix the problem in the short term.

4. The WRs weren't much better. They couldn't get open consistently.

5. The offensive struggles weren't just a one off. They've struggled throughout the playoffs.

6. My heart hurts at the thought, but Freeling/Lomu probably jump over Mesidor as priorities.

7. OT double dip incoming?

8. It doesn't help in the short term, see the rookie struggles this year, but this is the first time I've thought the draft should be an offensive rather than defensive one largely.

9. But for all that, and this is important, WE GOT TO THE SB IN YR ONE OF THE REBUILD! Let's not forget that.

Double Dip throw something at the wall and see what sticks.

 

[manxman2601]

Double Dip throw something at the wall and see what sticks.

I hope the draft planning is a little more considered than “throw something at the wall and see what sticks”.

 

[stelfans]

1. Tell the bolded to your 2024 self . I'm making assumptions there based upon consensus. i don't know what your 2024 self thought of Lowe tbh.

2. I still like Campbell and have been an advocate of keeping him at LT. however, the evidence is starting to build that his lack of length is giving him problems. And those aren't fixable.

3. A sign of a good coaching team is the willingness to adjust. I'm all for having a Joe Thuney redux at LG for the next decade.

4. Your point about what LTs are available is a good one. Freeling probably goes ahead of 31, Iheanachor and Miller are RTs and Lomu isn't the strongest. It's a long-term ploy, not a short term fix, for sure.

They weren’t drafting a guard at #4 so trying him at LT was always gonna happen.
I’m gonna have revisit Lomu, he was a bean pole the last time I saw him but he is the most interesting guy to me as a pure LT, very good in pass pro.

 

[mayoclinic]

Very nice.

Freeling-Crownover a nice double-up,if you can make it happen.

Nick Baumgardner has Crownover going 58 in his latest mock.

 

[manxman2601]

Mayo will like this but the more I think about the implications of yesterday (the playoffs as a whole to be honest) I find myself increasingly in the "All roads lead to Monroe Freeling" camp to the extent that I think a trade up, if necessary, is the right approach. I'll wait on the combine so we get a better feel for Lomu, Iheanachor and Miller but Freeling is clearly in first place right now for me.

 

[mayoclinic]

Double Dip throw something at the wall and see what sticks.

This from the guy who says "My kingdom for a WR. Any WR."

 

[PatsFan2]

This from the guy who says "My kingdom for a WR. Any WR."

Well we don't have any worth a dam it seems.

 

[PatsFan2]

Mayo will like this but the more I think about the implications of yesterday (the playoffs as a whole to be honest) I find myself increasingly in the "All roads lead to Monroe Freeling" camp to the extent that I think a trade up, if necessary, is the right approach. I'll wait on the combine so we get a better feel for Lomu, Iheanachor and Miller but Freeling is clearly in first place right now for me.

Denzel Boston after a Trade up in the First. Maye is the only Young QB who Have JAG for WR's enough is enough.

 

[manxman2601]

They weren’t drafting a guard at #4 so trying him at LT was always gonna happen.
I’m gonna have revisit Lomu, he was a bean pole the last time I saw him but he is the most interesting guy to me as a pure LT, very good in pass pro.

I agree and that was my thinking too with the knowledge that if he didn't work out at LT, he still had LG. I don't really care about drafting a LG at 4 if he turns out to be a really good one. What was the opportunity cost? Colston Loveland or Tyler Warren? Both good players but I'm not losing sleep over that.

I agree on Lomu - see my post on trading up for Freeling. I think we'll all be revisiting the potential LTs now.

 

[manxman2601]

Denzel Boston after a Trade up in the First.

While our QB is seeing ghosts because he can't be protected?

 

[mayoclinic]

Mayo will like this but the more I think about the implications of yesterday (the playoffs as a whole to be honest) I find myself increasingly in the "All roads lead to Monroe Freeling" camp to the extent that I think a trade up, if necessary, is the right approach. I'll wait on the combine so we get a better feel for Lomu, Iheanachor and Miller but Freeling is clearly in first place right now for me.

I think we should be prepared to trade up but need to see how things play out.

I could see Freeling going as early as Cleveland at #6, which would be out of reach. But a lot of mocks have the Rams taking him at 29, and in that case I would strongly condider a small trade up.

I actually like Max iheanachor ALMOST as much as Freeling at RT. But Freeling offers true LT/RT versatility.

And it sucks, because I am still just as high on Akheem Mesidor.

 

[PatsFan2]

While our QB is seeing ghosts because he can't be protected?

Do you see who Mayes's Peers have for WR's?? An embarrassment of riches compared to ours.

 

[mayoclinic]

Must read from Brandon Thorn

I said this pre-draft. That 77" wingspan is a huge outlier.

I really like Will Campbell. Great kid, tough, athletic smart. Want him to succeed.

 

[manxman2601]

I said this pre-draft. That 77" wingspan is a huge outlier.

I really like Will Campbell. Great kid, tough, athletic smart. Want him to succeed.

I agree it was and I also said that. If he ends up being a pro-bowl LG, I still think it should be considered a successful pick. That's where I was when we drafted him. Try him at LT and if it doesn't work out he could still be an excellent guard.