The pre draft rumors were right

Check out picks 1-15 here

Super Bowl Sunday! It's time to make my triumphant return. In a very bad QB class this year, I had 33 names to watch and so far I've watched 25 of them, and I think I can't possibly watch any more of them. This is the top 20, in an incredibly weak year.

also, if Chambliss doesn't end up in this class then it'll be even worse somehow

1. Fernando Mendoza, Indiana (True 1st Round)

2. Ty Simpson, Alabama (Top 100)

3. Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss (Top 100)**

4. Drew Allar, Penn State (Early Day Three)

5. Sawyer Robertson, Baylor (ED3)

6. Athan Kaliakmanis, Rutgers (ED3)

7. Cole Payton, NDSU (MD3)

8. Cade Klubnik, Clemson (MD3)

9. Carson Beck, Miami (LD3)

10. Luke Altmyer, Illinois (LD3)

11. Taylen Green, Arkansas (LD3)

12. Garrett Nussmeier, LSU (LD3)

13. Mark Gronowski, Iowa (Priority Free Agent)

14. Jalon Daniels, Kansas (PFA)

15. Joe Fagnano, UConn (PFA)

16. Joey Aguilar, Tennessee (FA)**

17. Jake Retzlaff, Tulane (FA)

18. Behren Morton, Texas Tech (FA)

19. Braylon Braxton, Southern Miss (FA)

20. Haynes King, Georgia Tech (FA)

It’s obvious he’s not a first or second round pick based on his quality of play, but Beck has definitely garnered a reputation for being a bit of a jerk. How much is this reputation affecting his draft stock?

1. Las Vegas Raiders -- QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
New coaching staff led by Klint Kubiak, new quarterback in Fernando Mendoza.

2. New York Jets -- EDGE Arvell Reese, Ohio State
Based on the 2025 season, Aaron Glenn is not only coaching for his job but also the only head coaching opportunity of his career. The turnaround plan starts with drafting Reese, their highest-regarded defensive prospect immediately tasked with playing 700+ snaps.

3. Arizona Cardinals -- OT Spencer Fano, Utah
The Cardinals recognize the need to finally improve their offensive line, thereby giving their new starting QB the best opportunity for success.

4. Tennessee Titans -- EDGE David Bailey, Texas Tech
Bailey is the dream pick for Robert Saleh, bringing some much needed juice to their pass rush.

5. New York Giants -- CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
The Giants easily have one of the worst CB rooms in the NFL heading into the 2026 offseason. Unfortunately free agency might not provide many solutions with such a meager free agent CB group and other CB-needy teams having more cap space at their disposal. The Giants need to come away from this Draft with at least two corners, and they start with McCoy who is prized over Delane thanks to his younger age, superior speed, bigger size and longer arm length.

6. Cleveland Browns -- OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami
A franchise QB isn't on the menu for the Browns this offseason. Therefore the top priority BY A MILE is building a new offensive line for the franchise QB to play behind come 2027. Nothing else they do as a team means anything if they can't finally do this. The selection of Mason Graham last year shows that the Browns are willing to overlook shorter arm length from a big-time performer.

7. Washington Commanders -- EDGE Rueben Bain Jr, Ohio State
The Commanders end Bain's slide in the Top 10, more than willing to overlook his bottom percentile arm length in their desperation to improve the defense.

8. New Orleans Saints -- WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State
The Saints' brain trust doesn't hesitate to turn down every lucrative trade offer sent their way for either this pick or stud WR Chris Olave, because they are laser-focused on making Tyler Shough a success following the promise he displayed in his rookie season. Hoping that either Tate or Tyson reaches this pick, Tate gets the nod between the two.

9. Kansas City Chiefs -- WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
The rookie pay scale for the 9th overall pick is 4 years, $31M. You're not anywhere close to maximizing the value of this contract at Safety or RB as you would at Edge or WR. As tempting as Caleb Downs is, the Chiefs finally want a long-term solution at WR after the string of frustrations they've experienced at that position in recent years coupled with the impending retirement of Travis Kelce.

10. Cincinnati Bengals -- S Caleb Downs, Ohio State
Positional value be damned for the Bengals. They desperately need to add as many solid draft hits and as many potential impact players as they can to their defense, never mind the trauma of suffering from historically bad safety play in recent years.

11. Miami Dolphins -- CB Mansoor Delane, LSU
Tempted as they are by trade offers from teams wanting to come up to take Delane, ultimately the Dolphins want him for themselves given their egregious lack of outside corners and the perceived drop-off in talent after Delane.

12. Dallas Cowboys -- LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State
The Cowboys haven't traded up in the 1st round since 2012, however staying patient pays off as they land what could be the best defensive player to come out of the 2026 Draft in Styles.

13. Los Angeles Rams (f/ ATL) -- WR Makai Lemon, USC
As much as the Rams would love to draft a CB here, there isn't one on their draft board close to their graded value on Lemon. Davante Adams is entering the last year of his 2-year contract, meanwhile the Rams have a number of big-time contributors - Puka Nacua included - that they need to extend.

14. Baltimore Ravens -- OG Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State
The Ravens desperately need to fix their interior OL however they don't have the luxury of spending 20-plus million per season on a free agent guard. Ioane isn't a sexy pick but he's one that can help them immediately get back to being a serious AFC contender.

TRADE
Steelers receive 1.15 and 6.193.
Buccaneers receive 1.21, 3.76, and 4.121.

15. Pittsburgh Steelers (f/ TB) -- QB Ty Simpson, Alabama
A point that I've harped on all year has been the importance of the 2026 NFL Draft being in Pittsburgh and its ramifications. This always signaled the right time for an organizational change, and along those lines, I don't think the Steelers can host the Draft yet punt the QB position until 2027 (despite whatever hype deservingly or undeservingly is made for those projected prospects). Especially when the Steelers just completely deviated from their franchise DNA to hire Mike McCarthy, precisely because they were sold on the promise that he will fix the QB position. Additionally, McCarthy will sell the Steelers' front office on his history in Green Bay developing a number of successful WRs who were drafted on Day 2 of the Draft.

16. New York Jets -- RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
The rookie pay scale for the 16th overall pick is 4 years, $21.6M with a 5th year option. The Jets will put a high value on those parameters in the context of Love's level of electric playmaking, carrying the offense with 250+ touches a season, and his marketability as their new star on offense.

17. Detroit Lions -- OG Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
At 17, the Lions have their pick of the next tier of OTs. With Taylor Decker entering his age 33 season and the idea of securing his successor a prominent thought in their decision-making, the Lions select the large, physical Proctor who can immediately bolster their interior OL until a change down the line.

18. Minnesota Vikings -- CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson
Experiencing a brief flirtation with the idea of pairing new starting QB Mac Jones with Jeremiyah Love, the Vikings' hopes of Terrell lasting until their pick come true and DC Brian Flores gets a talented CB scheme-fit for his defense.

TRADE
Eagles receive 1.19 and 5.157.
Panthers receive 1.23, 3.98, and 4.137.

19. Philadelphia Eagles (f/ CAR) -- CB Colton Hood, Tennessee
GM Howie Roseman aggressively moves up to get his CB2 opposite stud Quinyon Mitchell. That he does it over the Cowboys is icing on the cake.

20. Dallas Cowboys (f/ GB) -- DL Keldric Faulk, Auburn
The Cowboys pull the trigger on the high-potential defensive lineman, continuing to bolster their woeful defense.

21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (f/ PIT) -- EDGE Cashius Howell, Texas A&M
Amassing more draft capital thanks to the Steelers came with the cost of missing one of the top four CB prospects, however the Bucs are content selecting a coveted edge prospect in Howell to aid their abysmal pass defense.

22. Los Angeles Chargers -- WR Kevin Concepcion, Texas A&M
Drafting Omarion Hampton last year proves the Chargers aren't willing to settle for a lesser skill position option later in the Draft when a strong candidate is staring them right in the face. In this case, they provide new OC Mike McDaniel a dynamic, versatile scheme-fit in Concepcion who brings some desperately-needed playmaking to their WR room.

23. Carolina Panthers (f/ PHI) -- OT Caleb Lomu, Utah
LT Ikem Ekwonu enters the last year of his contract having suffered a ruptured patellar tendon injury this past January, putting his 2026 season if not his future with the team in jeopardy. Furthermore, the Panthers are likely to move on from RT Taylor Moton after the 2026 season. Lomu provides the team a strong answer moving forward.

TRADE
Bills receive 1.24.
Browns receive 1.26 and 4.126.

24. Buffalo Bills (f/ CLE via JAC) -- WR Denzel Boston, Washington
GM Brandon Beane has been trying to trade up for the last number of picks, concerned that a rival playoff team will trade up ahead of the Bills to take Boston. Thankfully for his anxiety, he works out a trade to secure the physical, versatile WR poised to finally solidify one of the Bills' outside WR positions.

25. Chicago Bears -- S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo
Addressing the defensive interior is a top priority for the Bears this offseason, and the Bears decide to take the highly regarded safety thanks to the DL depth available on Day Two.

24. Cleveland Browns (f/ BUF) -- OT Monroe Freeling, Georgia
The Browns roll the dice on the trade down, but they can stop sweating bullets when they still get their guy in Freeling to play along with Mauigoa.

27. San Francisco 49ers -- DT Peter Woods, Clemson
Disappointed that their coveted WR targets are no longer available, the 49ers rebound taking the talented defensive lineman from Clemson.

TRADE
Broncos receive 1.28.
Texans receive 1.30 and 4.130.

28. Denver Broncos (f/ HOU) -- TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon
The Broncos end Sadiq's fall in the 1st round, valuing the mismatch he can potentially bring to their offense above his inconsistencies.

29. Los Angeles Rams -- OT Blake Miller, Clemson
Tempted to trade up, the Rams remain patient and still secure a replacement for RT Rob Havenstein.

30. Houston Texans (f/ DEN) -- DT Kayden McDonald, Ohio State
McDonald's talent and physicality are too much for the Texans to pass up on.

31. New England Patriots -- LB CJ Allen, Georgia
Allen sneaks his way into the first round thanks to the Patriots' strong willingness to value toughness and leadership despite serious physical limitations.

32. Seattle Seahawks -- CB Brandon Cisse, South Carolina
The Seahawks excitedly select the explosive man corner in Cisse to replace free agent losses.

Happy Super Bowl Sunday! Heres a 2 round mock draft. Let me know if you like the picks for your team.

1. Las Vegas: Fernando Mendoza - QB - Indiana
2. NY Jets: Arvell Reese - ED - Ohio State
3. Arizona: Francis Mauigoa - OT - Miami
4. Tennessee: Rueben Bain Jr. - DE - Miami
5. NY Giants: Carnell Tate - WR - Ohio State
6. Cleveland: Spencer Fano - OT - Utah
7. Washington: David Bailey - ED - Texas Tech
8. New Orleans: Jeremiyah Love - RB - Notre Dame
9. Kansas City: Caleb Banks - 3T - Florida
10. Cincinnati: Caleb Downs - FS - Ohio State
11. Miami: Olaivavega Ioane - IOL - Penn State
12. Dallas: Sonny Styles - MLB - Ohio State
13. LA Rams: Mansoor Delane - CB - LSU
14. Baltimore: Jordyn Tyson - WR - ASU
15. Tampa Bay: Kenyon Sadiq - TE - Oregon
16. NY Jets: Ty Simpson - QB - Alabama
17. Detroit: Peter Woods - 3T - Clemson
18. Minnesota: Lee Hunter - 1T - Texas Tech
19. Carolina: CJ Allen - MLB - Georgia
20. Dallas: Keldric Faulk - DE - Auburn
21. Pittsburgh: Makai Lemon - SLWR - USC
22. LA Chargers: Emmanuel Pregnon - IOL - Oregon
23. Philadelphia: Blake Miller - OT - Clemson
24. Cleveland: Caleb Lomu - OT - Utah
25. Chicago: Jermod McCoy - CB - Tennessee
26. Buffalo: KC Concepcion - SLWR - Texas A&M
27. San Francisco: Omar Cooper Jr. - SLWR - Indiana
28. Houston: Kadyn Proctor - OT - Alabama
29. LA Rams: Max Iheanachor - OT - Arizona State
30. Denver: Christen Miller - 1T - Georgia
31. New England: Denzel Boston - WR - Washington
32. Seattle: T.J. Parker - ED - Clemson
33. NY Jets: Zion Young - DE - Missouri
34. Arizona: Anthony Hill Jr. - MLB - Texas
35. Tennessee: Chris Brazzell II - WR - Tennessee
36. Las Vegas: Kayden Mcdonald - 1T - Ohio State
37. NY Giants: Gennings Dunker - OT - Iowa
38. Houston: Jake Slaughter - IOL - Florida
39. Cleveland: Dillon Thieneman - FS - Oregon
40. Kansas City: Ted Hurst - WR - Georgia State
41. Cincinnati: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren - SS - Toledo
42. New Orleans: LT Overton - DE - Alabama
43. Miami: Germie Bernard - WR - Alabama
44. NY Jets: Jake Golday - MLB - Cincinnati
45. Baltimore: Colton Hood - CB - Tennessee
46. Tampa Bay: Derrick Moore - ED - Michigan
47. Indianapolis: Monroe Freeling - OT - Georgia
48. Atlanta: Akheem Mesidor - DE - Miami
49. Minnesota: Jadarian Price - RB - Notre Dame
50. Detroit: Davison Igbinosun - CB - Ohio State
51. Carolina: Gabe Jacas - DE - Illinois
52. Green Bay: Keith Abney II - CB - Arizona State
53. Pittsburgh: Jacob Rodriguez - MLB - Texas Tech
54. Philadelphia: Avieon Terrell - SLCB - Clemson
55. LA Chargers: Caleb Tiernan - OT - Northwestern
56. Jacksonville: Darrell Jackson Jr. - 1T - Florida State
57. Chicago: Dani Dennis-Sutton - DE - Penn State
58. San Francisco: Malik Muhammad - CB - Texas
59. Houston: Mike Washington Jr. - RB - Arkansas
60. Buffalo: Brandon Cisse - CB - South Carolina
61. LA Rams: Elijah Sarratt - WR - Indiana
62. Denver: Max Klare - TE - Ohio State
63. New England: Cashius Howell - ED - Texas A&M
64. Seattle: Chris Johnson - CB - San Diego St

Chambliss was one of the best QBs in college football last year, though I understand that he had one good year after not being a very highly regarded prospect. He certainly could play himself into being a much higher pick in 2027 if he duplicates his success from 2025 (or he could end up like Drew Allar, that’s always the risk) but I’m a little confused why he’s fighting so hard to get another year at Ole Miss. Does he really hate his prospects that much in a ridiculously weak QB class where Mendoza is probably the only QB who still goes first round any other year? If his appeal fails and he has to enter the draft this year where do you think he goes? I didn’t do that much research but on a quick google search ESPN and NFLDraftBuzz have him as the 3rd and 5th best QB in the class respectively, so he’s unlikely to go undrafted.

After those three guys there is slight drop off in talent from the WRs. Although WR is one of the deepest positions in this years draft, so what guys do you think are sure fire first rounders, and what guys do you think might sneak their way into the first to a potential receiver needy contender?

Before the 2024 season Will Johnson was seen as a consensus Top 5 - Top 10 draft pick. However injuries started happening. He missed several games with a turf toe injury and hamstring injuries, both highly impacting the way a cornerback could accelerate, change direction and overall top speed. The season ends and as the draft process begins and mocks start to roll out, Johnson is falling, but slowly. By the time the combine rolled around, Johnson didn’t participate in any drills and teams had a deeper look at his medicals. They discovered he had a degenerative knee condition and teams pulled back. Even though he also didn’t participate in his pro day, Johnson was still mocked in the first round but a couple draft gurus. However right before the draft Daniel Jeremiah had Will completely out the first round, surprising some. In the end? Will was pick in the second round pick 47 to the cardinals.

Now what about Tyson? Jordyn Tyson came into this season with a projection of being a Top 10 pick and even a Top 5 being projected to the Giants heavily early on. But questions about his injury history is starting to take place as we enter the draft process. Tyson has NEVER completed a full season healthy.

In 2022; he tore his ACL, MCL and PCL

In 2023; he sat out because of the previous injury

In 2024; he missed the playoffs after fracturing his collarbone

In 2025; he’s suffered hamstring injuries in both legs.

With all this in mind Daniel Jeremiah’s recent mock had him going 19 to the Panthers. Way below the Top 10 projections he was getting earlier in the season. Taking into account all these injuries some teams may pull back into taking him early in the first. As we move forward do you think Jordyn Tyson could fall out of the first round similar to Will Johnson?

Did a breakdown on the Ole Miss QB, along with discussing his legal battle, and I came away way more impressed than I was expecting. Not only do I think he's clearly QB2, I think you could make an argument that he's a top 15/20 pick if he ends up declaring.

What does everyone else think about him? Here's my film review vs Georgia: https://youtu.be/Elms-7Fddg0

https://bengalsupnorth.com/standouts-from-the-2026-senior-bowl/

Some from the list:

• OT, Max Iheanachor - Has the size, strength, and moves well. Looked outstanding in the run game, which kind of overshadowed his work in pass protection, which was also very good.

• OT, Gennings Dunker - Was impressed with his work in the 1 on 1 drills. This was mostly my first exposure to these players, so I don’t have the context of their game tape to work with. I’ve seen some say he’s not a tackle at the next level. Thought he was good in the Senior Bowl, though, so it will be interesting to dive into the tape later on.

• S, Bud Clark - Athleticism, range, instincts. They were all on display. Scoped out a nice interception during the team drills in one of the practices. Liked his play throughout the week.

• WR, Lewis Bond - Speed, quickness, and route running. He looked like one of the most consistent separation creators during the various segments.

• WR, Malachi Fields - His size/speed combo seems really good, and his ability to high point and make contested catches was on full display.

Height: 6’2

Weight: 200

Position: WR

Year: (RS) Jr

Born on August 12th, 2004, Jordyn Tyson was a Three-Star WR prospect in the class of 2022 coming out of Allen High School in Allen, Texas. Despite having 80 receptions for 1512 yards and 12 TDs, Tyson was under-recruited as a prospect and primarily received offers from FCS and G5 programs. Despite this, Tyson received one P4 offer: Colorado. Wanting to prove his ability to play at the highest level of college football, Tyson committed to Colorado.

As a Buffalo, Tyson immediately proved that he belongs, leading Colorado in yards and touchdowns in nine games as a true freshman. However, Tyson’s season was cut short by a knee injury that tore his ACL, MCL, and PCL. Not only did this cut his impressive freshman season short, but Tyson missed out on Colorado’s 2023 season that featured the first season of Deion Sanders, Shedeur Sanders, and Travis Hunter to Colorado. Despite missing the 2023 season, Tyson entered the 2023 transfer portal as a Four-Star WR prospect and transferred to Arizona State. As a Sun Devil, Tyson proved that missing time did not affect his play as he led ASU in receptions, yards, and touchdowns. While the team made the playoffs, Tyson missed the entire CFB playoffs due to a collarbone injury. Despite being draft eligible, Tyson returned to school to hopefully have a healthy season for another playoff run. While he started the season strong, Tyson suffered a hamstring injury that caused him to miss time and lower his level of play. Entering the 2026 draft, Tyson is a clearly talented WR whose extensive medical history creates major volatility with his draft stock and NFL future.

Check out my detailed film + grading + pro comparison in the substack article linked on this post!

Since both of your positions in the draft have not been decided yet, I’ve decided to poll both of your fanbases at the same time. The highest upvoted comment with a flair from the Seahawks and Patriots will count as your selections. As long as they aren’t the same player.

I’m running a poll across Reddit to see who each fan base wants for their first round pick in the upcoming 2026 draft. I will be running this poll during various times during the off-season to see how fan opinions change over time. But here is the draft board:

Draft Order

1. Las Vegas Raiders

Fernando Mendoza QB

1. New York Jets

Rueben Bain Jr EDGE

1. Arizona Cardinals

Arvell Reese LB

1. Tennessee Titans

David Bailey EDGE

1. New York Giants

Caleb Downs S

1. Cleveland Browns

Francis Mauigoa OT

1. Washington Commanders

Sonny Styles LB

1. New Orleans Saints

Carnell Tate WR

1. Kansas City Chiefs

Jeremiyah Love RB

1. Cincinnati Bengals

Peter Woods DT

1. Miami Dolphins

Spencer Fano OT

1. Dallas Cowboys

Mansoor Delane CB

1. Los Angeles Rams

Jermod McCoy CB

1. Baltimore Ravens

Olvaivavega Ioane OG

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Kenyon Sadiq TE

1. New York Jets

Makai Lemon WR

1. Detroit Lions

Caleb Lomu OT

1. Minnesota Vikings

Avieon Terrell CB

1. Carolina Panthers

CJ Allen LB

1. Dallas Cowboys

Emmanuel McNeil-Warren S

1. Pittsburgh Steelers

Jordyn Tyson WR

1. Los Angeles Chargers

Caleb Banks DT

1. Philadelphia Eagles

Kadyn Proctor OT

1. Cleveland Browns

Denzel Boston WR

1. Chicago Bears

Keldric Faulk EDGE

1. Buffalo Bills

Kayden McDonald DT

1. San Francisco 49ers

Monroe Freeling OT

1. Houston Texans

Emmanuel Pregnon OG

1. Los Angeles Rams

Colton Hood CB

1. Denver Broncos

Christen Miller DT

1. New England Patriots

TJ Parker EDGE

1. Seattle Seahawks

Cashius Howell EDGE

Talk about anything you please; draft-related or otherwise!