2026 Mock Draft Thread

[mayoclinic]

Yup, I read that. Had you in mind when I posted it, figured you would throw it right back in my face. Fair is fair.

I may well be wrong. I just don't see it.

 

[mayoclinic]

Simulators are silly, since they depend on a big board that may be ridiculous. But they can be fun.

PFN still has the Pats picking at #13. Trading around, I snagged a 2027 3rd round pick from KC, plus the following:

15. Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio St.
49. Quincy Rhodes, EDGE, Arkansas
51. CJ Daniels, WR, Miami
119. Jonah Coleman, RB, Washington
120. Zakee Wheatley, S, Penn St.
154. Mateen Ibirogba, DT, Wake Forest
160. Caden Green, OL, Missouri
184. Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego St.
196. Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami
199. Michael Trigg, TE, Baylor
232. Cade Pieper, IOL, Iowa

I think I could live with that, though I missed out on WR Chris Bell (20) and RT Fa'alili Fa'amoe (35).

 

[stelfans]

Decided to join the fun and make the first of the year.
19. Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio St.
54. Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri
86. Zakee Wheatley, S, Penn St.
113. Kade Pieper, IOL, Iowa
121. Hezekiah Masses, CB, California
159. Makhi Hughes, RB, Oregon
197. Brian Parker II, OL, Duke
202. Taurean York, LB, Texas A&M
224. Eli Raridon, TE, Notre Dam
224. Ian Strong, WR, Rutgers

It’s not sexy but hits on most needs.

 

[manxman2601]

Decided to join the fun and make the first of the year.
19. Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio St.
54. Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri
86. Zakee Wheatley, S, Penn St.
113. Kade Pieper, IOL, Iowa
121. Hezekiah Masses, CB, California
159. Makhi Hughes, RB, Oregon
197. Brian Parker II, OL, Duke
202. Taurean York, LB, Texas A&M
224. Eli Raridon, TE, Notre Dam
224. Ian Strong, WR, Rutgers

It’s not sexy but hits on most needs.

Brian Parker is sexy!

Excellent mock.

 

[mayoclinic]

The main thing about my PFN mock is that I'm really getting excited about the depth of this draft.

Right now PFN's board has the following players at 150 or below:

150. Jake Slaughter, OC, Florida
163. Trevor Goosby, OT, Texas
168. Mateen Igbirogba, DT, Wake Forest
171. Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri
173. Jake Golday, LB, Cincinnati
175. Gennings Dunker, OL, Iowa
178. Caden Green, OL, Missouri
193. Rod Moore, S, Michigan
203. Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego St.
215. Romello Height, EDGE, Texas Tech
217. Brian Parker, OL, Duke
244. Cristen Miller, DT, Georgia
252. Caleb Tiernan, OT, Northwestern
256. Ian Strong, WR, Rutgers
266. Mikail Kamara, EDGE, Indiana
280. Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami
281. Michael Trigg, TE, Baylor
284. Taurean York, LB, Texas A&M
288. Kade Piper, IOL Iowa
331. Jacob Rodrriguez, LB, Texas Tech

Sure, some of those rankings are ridiculous. But look at how deep the player pool is.

If the Pats could only choose their entire draft from those players, I could still envision a draft that could compare with the Pats' better ones in the past 15 years.

Imagine:

1. Romello Heights, EDGE
2. Ian Strong, WR
3. Caden Green, OL
4a. Mateen Ibirogba, DT
4b. Chris Johnson, CB
5. Brian Parker, OL
6a. Rod Moore, S
6b. Akheem Mesidor, EDGE
7a. Michael Trigg, TE
7b. Jacob Rodriguez, LB

That would not be a half bad draft, IMO. I'd stack that up against 2013-2024 (excluding Drake Maye).

 

[mayoclinic]

New mock from Luke Easterling, order based on updated SB odds:

https://athlonsports.com/nfl/2026-nfl-mock-draft-updated-1st-round-ty-simpson-dante-moore-fernando-mendoza-lanorris-sellers

He has the Pats taking Arvell Reese at 15. I could probably get on board with that.

"If anybody knows the value of a stud linebacker who brings a ton of versatility and playmaking ability to the table, it’s Mike Vrabel. The Pats’ defense doesn’t have that cornerstone player at the heart of their unit right now, but Reese would be the perfect candidate. He’s got a rare blend of size, athleticism and intelligence that would make an instant impact on all three downs for New England.:

 

[manxman2601]

New mock from Luke Easterling, order based on updated SB odds:

https://athlonsports.com/nfl/2026-nfl-mock-draft-updated-1st-round-ty-simpson-dante-moore-fernando-mendoza-lanorris-sellers

He has the Pats taking Arvell Reese at 15. I could probably get on board with that.

"If anybody knows the value of a stud linebacker who brings a ton of versatility and playmaking ability to the table, it’s Mike Vrabel. The Pats’ defense doesn’t have that cornerstone player at the heart of their unit right now, but Reese would be the perfect candidate. He’s got a rare blend of size, athleticism and intelligence that would make an instant impact on all three downs for New England.:

"Probably?"

 

[mayoclinic]

I'm working my way around to it. Don't want to get too attached.

 

[manxman2601]

I've seen two mocks this week give us Makai Lemon. Love it!

Edit: Make that three.

 

[mayoclinic]

I thought of you when I saw those.

I believe one had the Pats taking Lemon just before Arvell Reese was picked. Twisting the knife.

 

[manxman2601]

I thought of you when I saw those.

I believe one had the Pats taking Lemon just before Arvell Reese was picked. Twisting the knife.

That's a tough choice. One could argue that this team will live or die with Maye's arm so we should ensure he has weapons and I think Lemon is about as perfect a future Diggs replacement as there is in the draft. On the other hand, this defence is becoming a real strength of this team so adding grade A talent to it is also a priority.

If both are on the board when we pick, I'd be fine with either. If both are on the board and we pick someone else, depending on who that is, I'd be very disappointed (unless it's a certain DPR we shan't talk about).

 

[mayoclinic]

What if the draft looks something like this:

1. NY Jets. Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana.
2. Cleveland. Dante Moore, QB, Oregon.
3. Baltimore. Rueben Bain, EDGE, Miami.
4. Miami. Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona St.
5. New Orleans. Peter Woods, DT, Clemson.
6. Las Vegas. LaNorris Sellers, QB, S. Carolina.
7. Tennessee. Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn.
8. NY Giants. Caleb Downs, S, Ohio St.
9. Cincinnati. Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama.
10. Kansas City. Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU.
11. Carolina. Caleb Banks, DL, Florida.
12. Houston. Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami.
13. Arizona. Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio St.
14. Dallas. TJ Parker, EDGE, Clemson.
15. LA Rams (from Atlanta). Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee.
16. Chicago. Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame.
17. Washington. Aveion Terrell, CB, Clemson.
18. LA Rams. Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama.

Not the most outlandish mock I have seen.

In that scenario, the Pats at 19 would have their choice of:

- Makai Lemon, WR, USC
- Spencer Fanu, OT, Utah
- Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
- Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio St.
- EDGE rusher of your choice

Who would you pick?

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

I thought of you when I saw those.

I believe one had the Pats taking Lemon just before Arvell Reese was picked. Twisting the knife.

I still think we will be selecting in the mid-20s so it will not be Makai Lemon af Reese.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

That's a tough choice. One could argue that this team will live or die with Maye's arm so we should ensure he has weapons and I think Lemon is about as perfect a future Diggs replacement as there is in the draft. On the other hand, this defence is becoming a real strength of this team so adding grade A talent to it is also a priority.

If both are on the board when we pick, I'd be fine with either. If both are on the board and we pick someone else, depending on who that is, I'd be very disappointed (unless it's a certain DPR we shan't talk about).

Reese and Lemon are both BPA so either is fine with me - I am not good enough to know to pick one over the other. An Edge might be there too.

 

[stelfans]

Between Lemon, Reese and Sadiq im not really worried. We'd be adding a great talent anyway.

 

[Clonamery]

What if the draft looks something like this:

1. NY Jets. Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana.
2. Cleveland. Dante Moore, QB, Oregon.
3. Baltimore. Rueben Bain, EDGE, Miami.
4. Miami. Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona St.
5. New Orleans. Peter Woods, DT, Clemson.
6. Las Vegas. LaNorris Sellers, QB, S. Carolina.
7. Tennessee. Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn.
8. NY Giants. Caleb Downs, S, Ohio St.
9. Cincinnati. Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama.
10. Kansas City. Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU.
11. Carolina. Caleb Banks, DL, Florida.
12. Houston. Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami.
13. Arizona. Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio St.
14. Dallas. TJ Parker, EDGE, Clemson.
15. LA Rams (from Atlanta). Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee.
16. Chicago. Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame.
17. Washington. Aveion Terrell, CB, Clemson.
18. LA Rams. Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama.

Not the most outlandish mock I have seen.

In that scenario, the Pats at 19 would have their choice of:

- Makai Lemon, WR, USC
- Spencer Fanu, OT, Utah
- Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
- Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio St.
- EDGE rusher of your choice

Who would you pick?

Yes.

 

[manxman2601]

What if the draft looks something like this:

1. NY Jets. Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana.
2. Cleveland. Dante Moore, QB, Oregon.
3. Baltimore. Rueben Bain, EDGE, Miami.
4. Miami. Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona St.
5. New Orleans. Peter Woods, DT, Clemson.
6. Las Vegas. LaNorris Sellers, QB, S. Carolina.
7. Tennessee. Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn.
8. NY Giants. Caleb Downs, S, Ohio St.
9. Cincinnati. Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama.
10. Kansas City. Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU.
11. Carolina. Caleb Banks, DL, Florida.
12. Houston. Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami.
13. Arizona. Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio St.
14. Dallas. TJ Parker, EDGE, Clemson.
15. LA Rams (from Atlanta). Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee.
16. Chicago. Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame.
17. Washington. Aveion Terrell, CB, Clemson.
18. LA Rams. Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama.

Not the most outlandish mock I have seen.

In that scenario, the Pats at 19 would have their choice of:

- Makai Lemon, WR, USC
- Spencer Fanu, OT, Utah
- Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
- Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio St.
- EDGE rusher of your choice

Who would you pick?

I'm with @Clonamery . You can't go wrong with those choices.

 

[mayoclinic]

Kind of a weird 3 round mock:

https://atozsports.com/nfl-draft/3-round-2026-nfl-mock-draft-dante-moore-arvell-reese-john-mateer-fernando-mendoza/

Has the Pats taking Caleb Downs at 19. Hell, yeah. In that mock I would add Jake Golday In the 2nd (goes 62) and Fa'alili Fa'amoe in the 3rd (not included; Austin Siereveld goes u8, Cayden Green 89).

Some interesting picks:

3. Arvell Reese. Great pick, though hard to see the Ravens passing on Rueben Bain.
25. Makai Lemon
26. Jordyn Tyson. Seems awfully low.
29. TJ Parker
33. Chris Bell

 

[manxman2601]

Kind of a weird 3 round mock:

https://atozsports.com/nfl-draft/3-round-2026-nfl-mock-draft-dante-moore-arvell-reese-john-mateer-fernando-mendoza/

Has the Pats taking Caleb Downs at 19. Hell, yeah. In that mock I would add Jake Golday In the 2nd (goes 62) and Fa'alili Fa'amoe in the 3rd (not included; Austin Siereveld goes u8, Cayden Green 89).

Some interesting picks:

3. Arvell Reese. Great pick, though hard to see the Ravens passing on Rueben Bain.
25. Makai Lemon
26. Jordyn Tyson. Seems awfully low.
29. TJ Parker
33. Chris Bell

I just don't think Reese goes 3. He's still a linebacker after all.

 

[Clonamery]

I just don't think Reese goes 3. He's still a linebacker after all.

Who will be picking 3? And all that QB hoopla after the Combine. Hard for him to go 3 whether he deserves it or not.