2026 Mock Draft Thread

DoubleDeluxe said:

It's good, but a pipe dream.
You aren't getting Parker and Orange where you got them.

Click to expand...

Some mocks you get lucky.

One-If-By-Sea said:

I agree, but it seems like there are R1 guys, McDonald, Banks and Woods, and then R5/R6 guys, Corleone, Capehart, and Van den Berg, to clog the holes. Not sure we need a R1 guy when the R5/R6 guys seem quite good and we have four R6 selections. There seems to be so many DTs this year, we could possibly add a 2nd one as a UDFA? Did the Pats know this and that is why they let Tonga go?

Click to expand...

Rounds 5-6 sounds like a good place to find a traditional-type NT.

Got 2 extra picks by trading down from 31 to 33 for #140, then from 140 to 146 for #206. Had some good luck but forgot at the end to look for a backup QB. Barham is listed as a LB but is an edge.

Ok this mock is a doozy! I got a trade back offer so I decided to take the extra value. I still got the players I wanted plus a couple of guys who slipped.

#36. Dropping back near the top of the 2nd round, I was pleased to see Blake Miller still available and scooped him up pronto.
#60. The expected run on edge players happened so I had to move up from 63 to secure Michigan pass rusher Derrick Moore.
#79. I simply could not believe Chris Bell slid so far. I had to move up to grab the premium WR prospect in the 3rd.
#98. Another incredible slide. It would not have been odd at all to take Iheanachor in the 2nd round. So again I moved up just a smidge to secure Iheanachor to anchor the right side of the OL.
#125. Skyler Bell is really productive. He could be a chain mover and felt like a good double dip value in the 4th.
#131. Delp offers a good blend of athleticism, size, blocking, and catching potential so it felt nice to pick him up with our second 4th rounder.



Our later picks were more meat and potatoes than exciting as we're just looking to fill depth positions here.



#176. Elarms-Orr is a solid run defender who can learn behind the veterans and hopefully contribute in the near future.
#198. CB Prysock offers a nice size at 6'3 and could potentially cover TEs on seam routes without being overmatched.
#202. RB Kaelon Black is just a solid runner who produced in the lead back role for national champion Indiana.
#244. QB Cole Payton offers a dual threat at QB. He ran a 4.56 40 and has durable size at 6'3 232. He will hold a clipboard for a while but the athleticism is there.

The trade down in the 1st was key to this draft since I was still able to secure at least a red chip OL talent in the early 2nd. Then I used my extra draft stock to make a few move ups when I saw players of value slip. How did I do?

Draft moves details: vjcpatriot'S MOCK DRAFT

I've evolved to this approach of targeting Orange at 63 & Coleman at 95 because they're so impactful:
31. OT, Blake Miller or Max Iheanachor - pray that one of them is there
63. DT, Domonique Orange, Iowa State - a big playmaking nose who'll be there at 63 but not at 95
95. RB, Jonah Coleman, Wash - 5'9, 225, power and vision, different style than our current backs
125. Edge, Jaishawn Barham, Mich - the many other top edges are gone, but he could still be there - maybe trade up here
131 WR, will be several good choices - eg DeZhaun Stribling, Jeff Caldwell
171 CB Devon Marshall, NC State - should still be there
191. G, will be several good choices - eg Logan Taylor, Jeremiah Wright
198 LB, will be several good choices - eg Jack Kelly, Owen Heinecke
202 Safety - Wydett Williams, Miss
212 QB - Haynes King, Georgia Tech
247 DT - Uar Bernard

I traded back from 31 to 34, picked up #104 in the process, gambled on Max and won. The first four six picks I really like. Kilgore sounded like another culture guy. I took Lane based on length at 6'4". Roush and Raridon were a coin flip for me, and then Raridon didn't go until the next round. I almost took Llewellyn at #171 and then got him at #191. Taylor I picked because I guessed they'd have good intel on him from Billy O. Robertson should make it as a QB3. Curry was 2nd best BPA (2BPA?), and Daniels was BPA.

Steve102 said:

I traded back from 31 to 34, picked up #104 in the process, gambled on Max and won. The first four six picks I really like. Kilgore sounded like another culture guy. I took Lane based on length at 6'4". Roush and Raridon were a coin flip for me, and then Raridon didn't go until the next round. I almost took Llewellyn at #171 and then got him at #191. Taylor I picked because I guessed they'd have good intel on him from Billy O. Robertson should make it as a QB3. Curry was 2nd best BPA (2BPA?), and Daniels was BPA.

Click to expand...

Don't care for R Mason Thomas, personally. But can't complain otherwise..

Just a question. When was the last time a Baylor QB had success in the NFL?

DaBruinz said:

Don't care for R Mason Thomas, personally. But can't complain otherwise..

Just a question. When was the last time a Baylor QB had success in the NFL?

Click to expand...

Don't know. Don't really care TBH. Didn't draft him to do anything other than maybe be the 53rd guy on the roster and be inactive on game day.

Steve102 said:

Don't know. Don't really care TBH. Didn't draft him to do anything other than maybe be the 53rd guy on the roster and be inactive on game day.

Click to expand...

Well that's ambitious. Why not pick a guy with some upside that can run the Scout Team, eventually step in to play when needed with similar traits as DM, and maybe 1 day you trade for a 6th rounder? Be bold, my man!

Steve102 said:

Don't know. Don't really care TBH. Didn't draft him to do anything other than maybe be the 53rd guy on the roster and be inactive on game day.

Click to expand...

When I asked about the Baylor QB, I wasn't knocking the pick. I was honestly curious if you knew. Because I don't.

Clonamery said:

Well that's ambitious. Why not pick a guy with some upside that can run the Scout Team, eventually step in to play when needed with similar traits as DM, and maybe 1 day you trade for a 6th rounder? Be bold, my man!

Click to expand...

Sorry, I get really bored at the end of the 6th/7th rounds. Mostly I look for holes in the roster and fill 'em.

DaBruinz said:

When I asked about the Baylor QB, I wasn't knocking the pick. I was honestly curious if you knew. Because I don't.

Click to expand...

That was an interesting google. RGIII is the top of the list I guess.
List of Baylor Bears in the NFL draft - Wikipedia

An attempt at a predictive mock although I have doubts about Iheanachor being there at 31.




1. DDS was off the board at 63 otherwise I'd have taken him. However, I'm very happy getting Crawford who I think has his best football ahead of him.

2. I was really tempted to get Kaleb Proctor at 95 and just draft Will Kacmarek as my only TE but Proctor had gone. So it was between Delp and Roush. This has always been a tough choice but went with both Delp and Kacmarek who compliment each other really well.

3. Trey Moore adds the complimentary speed Eliot Wolf was talking about today.

4. No corner or safety was tough but all the good safeties had gone by the time I was picking in the 4th. I have no idea what they'll do at corner. Prunty in the 7th/UDFA perhaps?

5. Justin Jefferson or Khalil Jacobs as Mapu replacements. Rolder is the Gibbins replacement, future green dot.

Maybe I could have done better at EDGE and I don't like not getting a safety or corner, but other than that, I love this mock.

manxman2601 said:

An attempt at a predictive mock although I have doubts about Iheanachor being there at 31.




1. DDS was off the board at 63 otherwise I'd have taken him. However, I'm very happy getting Crawford who I think has his best football ahead of him.

2. I was really tempted to get Kaleb Proctor at 95 and just draft Will Kacmarek as my only TE but Proctor had gone. So it was between Delp and Roush. This has always been a tough choice but went with both Delp and Kacmarek who compliment each other really well.

3. Trey Moore adds the complimentary speed Eliot Wolf was talking about today.

4. No corner or safety was tough but all the good safeties had gone by the time I was picking in the 4th. I have no idea what they'll do at corner. Prunty in the 7th/UDFA perhaps?

5. Justin Jefferson or Khalil Jacobs as Mapu replacements. Rolder is the Gibbins replacement, future green dot.

Maybe I could have done better at EDGE and I don't like not getting a safety or corner, but other than that, I love this mock.

Click to expand...

I like this other than the Rolder pick.. But that's my own bias and I can admit to it..

I do not profess to be a well versed "draftnik", but enjoy the exercise of learning more about prospective NFL talent..
38.
Kayden McDonald DT Ohio State A
63.
T.J. Parker EDGE Clemson A+
69.
Caleb Tiernan OT Northwestern A-
95.
Elijah Sarratt WR Indiana A-
125.
Dallen Bentley TE Utah C+
171.
Kendal Daniels LB Oklahoma B-
191.
Mason Reiger EDGE Wisconsin B
198.
Diego Pounds OT Ole Miss C
202.
Bryce Boettcher LB Oregon C-
212.
Wydett Williams Jr. S Ole Miss B-
247.
John Michael Gyllenborg TE Wyoming A

DarrylS said:

I do not profess to be a well versed "draftnik", but enjoy the exercise of learning more about prospective NFL talent..
38.
Kayden McDonald DT Ohio State A
63.
T.J. Parker EDGE Clemson A+
69.
Caleb Tiernan OT Northwestern A-
95.
Elijah Sarratt WR Indiana A-
125.
Dallen Bentley TE Utah C+
171.
Kendal Daniels LB Oklahoma B-
191.
Mason Reiger EDGE Wisconsin B
198.
Diego Pounds OT Ole Miss C
202.
Bryce Boettcher LB Oregon C-
212.
Wydett Williams Jr. S Ole Miss B-
247.
John Michael Gyllenborg TE Wyoming A

Click to expand...

I like 69 but I don't like the player.

So I was doing a Mock this morning with my 1st cup of coffee and Seattle offered me 32 & 64 for 31 & 95. OT's are gone except Proctor (20) and I'm thinking trade back a little for Jacas or Rutledge. I thought about Proctor but I hear Mayo in my head and make the trade. Seattle drafts Bisontis. WTF. Proctor still sitting there. Now Seattle offers me 95 & 2027 1st for 32 & a 3rd (I'm upside down in value but they'll take a 4th instead of the 3rd.). But now Seattle has Bisontis/Proctor and a '27 4th for 64 & a '27. It felt like there was more "play" in the simulator than you normally get and I'm a might embareassed.

Clonamery said:

So I was doing a Mock this morning with my 1st cup of coffee and Seattle offered me 32 & 64 for 31 & 95. OT's are gone except Proctor (20) and I'm thinking trade back a little for Jacas or Rutledge. I thought about Proctor but I hear Mayo in my head and make the trade. Seattle drafts Bisontis. WTF. Proctor still sitting there. Now Seattle offers me 95 & 2027 1st for 32 & a 3rd (I'm upside down in value but they'll take a 4th instead of the 3rd.). But now Seattle has Bisontis/Proctor and a '27 4th for 64 & a '27. It felt like there was more "play" in the simulator than you normally get and I'm a might embareassed.

Click to expand...

So you've got 63, 64, 95? and a 2027 1st?

And traded away 31,32, 2027 4th?

Effectively 31 and a '27 4th for 64 and a '27 1st.

According to the Rich Hill trade chart, that works out perfectly. 385 points each.

Factor in the depth of this class and the top ended nature of '27, I'd be fine with it although instincively it doesn't feel like value.

manxman2601 said:

So you've got 63, 64, 95? and a 2027 1st?

And traded away 31,32, 2027 4th?

Effectively 31 and a '27 4th for 64 and a '27 1st.

According to the Rich Hill trade chart, that works out perfectly. 385 points each.

Factor in the depth of this class and the top ended nature of '27, I'd be fine with it although instincively it doesn't feel like value.

Click to expand...

Yeah, it didn't...the simulator is not usually that aggressive in back to back moves. Day 1 &2 I took Banks/Golday/Stukes/Crawford.

Clonamery said:

Yeah, it didn't...the simulator is not usually that aggressive in back to back moves. Day 1 &2 I took Banks/Golday/Stukes/Crawford.

Click to expand...

Did Seattle and NE even hang up the phone?

Good haul. If you could get AJ Brown for a 2027 2nd leaving us with two firsts, I'd definitely take it.

So close. If I'm not getting Miller or Max at 31 I am trading back every time.