Early 2026 Binkies

[mayoclinic]

We're 6 months away from the 2026 draft, and 6 months in to our "watch". I think we're collectively getting a feel for the overall shape of the draft, and for individual prospects.

Time to start thinking about binkies. My early list, limited to 10 across all 3 days:

- Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio St. My uber-binky, favorite defensive player since Aaron Donald. I think he will be a HOFer. Top 10 pick.

- Chris Bell, WR, Louisville. I love his game - his physicality, his explosiveness. Top 40 pick.

- Kade Pieper, IOL, Iowa. Probably won't come out, but just ridiculous athleticism and country farm boy strength. Day 2/3.

- Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia. Former TE and basketball player, gives me Seabass vibes. Flying under the radar right now. Day 2/3.

- Austin Siereveld, OL, Ohio St. 4 position lineman, likely projects best to guard. Strong, physical, smart, versatile. Day 2.

Niki Prongos, OT, Stanford. Like Monroe Freeling, looks like a tackle. Rapid riser if he declares. Day 2,/3.

- Mateen Ibirogba, DL, Wake Forest. A wrecking ball on the DL. Reminiscent of Milt Williams, but more disruptive. Day 2.

- Jake Golday, LB, Cincinnati. So versatile, so fluid in coverage. Day 2.

- Zakee Wheatley, S, Penn St. So versatile, would open up so many creative options, especially if combined with a LB like Reese/Golday. Day 2/3.

- Jelani McDonald, S, Texas. See Zakee Wheatley, but even more athleticism and explosiveness. Will be a fast riser. Day 1-2.

- Keionte Scott, DB, Miami. Versatile chess piece at S or slot CB. Day 2/3.

Removed:- Julian Brent, CB, Arkansas. I love big, physical CBs. Testing may play a big role in final eval. Day 2/3.

That's 9. Edit: Jelani McDonald makes 10.

These are not necessarily the "best" players, but they are "my guys" as of right now. There are dozens of other players that I really like and would be thrilled to get, many near-binkies, but I tried to keep the list short.

These are guys who I feel unusually strongly about. Some of my favorite players do not generate the same level on Barwin-like irrational enthusiasm (Keldric Faulk, Dillon Thieneman, Sonny Styles), so I've left them off.

I think I can guess a few of Manx's. Some were very tempting to add, but I'll leave them for him.

Who are your early binkies? Please keep to 10 or less, and not just top-40 players. Who gets you viscerally excited? Who are you willing to claim as "yours", and take a stand for?

 

[mayoclinic]

Manx may have just found my 10th binky for me. Jelani McDonald VERY intriguing.

 

[manxman2601]

Makai Lemon
David Bailey
Akheem Mesidor
Brian Parker II
Michael Taaffe
Jacob Rodriguez
Kyle Louis

Borderline

Zakee Wheatley
Jadarian Price
Romello Height
Julian Neal

 

[mayoclinic]

Kyle Louis the only surprise for ne on your list, also thought Wheatley and Price would make full binky status for you.

 

[manxman2601]

Kyle Louis the only surprise for ne on your list, also thought Wheatley and Price would make full binky status for you.

I think there are 3 criteria that make a binky for me.

1. Outstanding value - Akheem Mesidor
2. Great Patriots fit - Brian Parker, Michael Taaffe
3. Highlight film that wows - Machai Lemon, Kyle Louis

Wheatley and Price are both very close but they don't quite get to me on the same emotional level as those other ones. Julian Neal's highlight reel matched no 3 above but I need to know more about his speed/athleticism.

 

[mayoclinic]

I agree it's partly a visceral thing. Who's film gets me excited? Who do I think is flying under the radar? Who do I think is on a trajectory to break through?

Ultimately, Who am I going to go against the grain for and claim as my own?

I include Arvell Reese only because I was jumping up and down for him well before he was a Consensus 1st round pick.

 

[manxman2601]

I agree it's partly a visceral thing. Who's film gets me excited? Who do I think is flying under the radar? Who do I think is on a trajectory to break through?

Ultimately, Who am I going to go against the grain for and claim as my own?

I include Arvell Reese only because I was jumping up and down for him well before he was a Consensus 1st round pick.

Reese is a legit binky for you. You were very early there.

 

[mayoclinic]

The interesting thing for me about my list as that bot a single one of these players was high on my list 6 months ago.

Looking forward to who emerges of the 2nd half of the season, and beyond. I feel like college football has changed tremendously in the past few years as a developmental system. So much more depth.

 

[dliverey44]

I agree it's partly a visceral thing. Who's film gets me excited? Who do I think is flying under the radar? Who do I think is on a trajectory to break through?

Ultimately, Who am I going to go against the grain for and claim as my own?

I include Arvell Reese only because I was jumping up and down for him well before he was a Consensus 1st round pick.

You are on Reese the way I was Jihad Campbell last year. It kinda hurts when they go to a team you don't like.

 

[dliverey44]

Diego Pavia- I love watching him play, but do not want him on the Pats. I do not think he would be a very backup QB

Will Huggins- big TE at Oklahoma. Older prospect, not a starter but I am related to him so he is a "my guy"

I not dug in much yet so these are my first 2. LMAO

 

[mayoclinic]

We do not choose our binkies, they choose us.

 

[mayoclinic]

My absurdly early 2027 binky mock draft:

1(32) Jelani McDonald, S, Texas

2(64) Kade Pieper, IOL, Iowa

 

[manxman2601]

My absurdly early 2027 binky mock draft:

1(32) Jelani McDonald, S, Texas

2(64) Kade Pieper, IOL, Iowa

If we don't draft Fluff Bothwell I'll be gutted. What a great name for someone playing a physical sport.

 

[mayoclinic]

Future Jete?

 

[mayoclinic]

2 of my binkies injured yesterday and didn't finish their games: Jelani McDonald vs. Vanderbilt and Jake Golday vs. Utah. Neither looks major right now.

 

[mayoclinic]

Update my list, adding Stanford OT Niki Prongos and Miami DB Keionte Scott. I took off Julian Neal - still love his game, but moved him to "near-binky" status for now.

Arvell Reese an early uber-binky, but far out of reach.

OL: Monroe Freeling, Austin Siereveld, Niki Prongos, Kade Pieper
WR: Chris Bell
DL: Mateen Ibirogba
LB: [Arvell Reese], Jake Golday
S: Jelani McDonald, Zakee Wheatley, Keionte Scott

 

[mayoclinic]

My binkies on the Consensus Big Board:

[7. Arvell Reese]
33. Chris Bell
87. Zakee Wheatley
93. Mateen Ibirogba
106. Austin Sievereld
128. Jake Golday
134. Kade Pieper
147. Jelani McDonald
213. Keionte Scott
324. Monroe Freeling
NR. Niki Prongos

Will be interesting to see where they end up.

I'd be over the moon if the Pats ended up with:

1. Chris Bell, WR
2. Zakee Wheatley/Jelani McDonald, S
3. Austin Siereveld, OL
4a. Jake Golday, LB
4b. Kade Pieper, IOL
5a. Keionte Scott, DB
5b (trade up). Monroe Freeling / Niki Prongos, OT

It would never happen.

 

[mayoclinic]

My "Gimme" list as of right now:

LB: Gimme Sonny Styles, Jake Golday, or Anthony Hill. Jacob Rodriguez for depth.

DB: Gimme Jelani McDonald, Zakee Wheatley, or Keiontre Scott, Wouldn't complain about Chris Johnson or Julian Neal.

IOL: Gimme Kade Pieper, Austin Siereveld, Cayden Green or Carter Smith. Wouldn't complain about Vega Ioane, Emmanuel Pregnon, Chase Bisontis, or Brian Parker.

RT: Gimme Monroe Freeling, Blake Miller, or Niki Prongos. Wouldn't complain about Max Iheanachor, PJ Jennings, Fa'alili Fa'amoe, or Isaiah World. Austin Siereveld, Cayden Green and Carter Smith also options (see IOL).

 

[mayoclinic]

The above is based not just on player grading, but scheme/fit:

1. I want Manx's "most athletic OL in the NFL". Kade Pieper the most athletic IOL, would complement Jared Wilson. I think Siereveld, Green and Smith are more athletic than the current interior OLs like Ioane, Pregnon and Bissontis, so I gave them priority. I think Freeling, Miller and Prongos would be highly athletic RTs. Maybe I should have added Goosby.

2. I want a versatile LBs who can play off ball or on the line, and drop into coverage. Styles and Golday my top 2 realistic possibilities. Jacob Rodriguez just damn good, should eventually take Spillane's role.

3. I want virtual chess pieces at DB who can play deep FS, nickel, rush, and be force players in the run D. Dillon Thieneman also an option.

 

[mayoclinic]

I'm going to officially drop Arvell Reese, even though he was my binky long before he was a consensus high 1st round pick. And I'm going to substitute:

- Yhonzae Pierre, EDGE/LB, Alabama.

Another RS Sophomore, along with Jelani McDonald and Kade Pieper. Long, violent and disruptive, fits Mike Vrabel's type.

I've got him penciled in at #32 to the Pats.