Way Too Early 2026 Mock, Version 2.0
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Way Too Early 2026 Mock
(Jan 22, 2026)
The Super Bowl is over and before you know it, the combine will be underway. I am already making some changes to my first mock, with my pick changes noted. In fact, I'm going to keep making changes to my changes, ha, so check back for updates. I'll have a Version 3.0 after the Combine is over.
Round 1
Picks 1-16
Picks 17-32
There will not be another pick here; if by some miracle the Raiders pull off a stunning trade for Lamar Jackson or something like that, then the team trading into this spot would be picking Mendoza anyway. New coach Klint Kubiak walks into a situation with Mendoza and a ton of cap space. We'll see if the Raiders can do anything with it and if Mendoza is a hit.
The Jets are saved by Dante Moore foolishly deciding to return to school, because he would have been an incredible reach at #2 overall in this weak QB class. Instead, how about infusing some high-end talent back into the defense? (The offense is actually surprisingly filled with building blocks other than at QB.) I know Charlie has Simpson going #2 here, but I simply cannot see it. He's just nowhere close to that caliber of QB. If this pick isn't Reese, I'd think it would be whomever the Jets saw as the premier defensive player, and if that's not Reese, the 2 best candidates apart from him would be David Bailey and Caleb Downs, and I can't see Downs (because he's a safety) going #2 overall.
EDIT: I'm switching Bailey and Reese in the mock. Bailey is seen as more pro-ready, and perhaps this Jets regime doesn't think it has the luxury of waiting on Reese to develop.
EDIT: I'm switching Bailey and Reese in the mock. Bailey is seen as more pro-ready, and perhaps this Jets regime doesn't think it has the luxury of waiting on Reese to develop.
Here's another team that needs a long-term solution at QB, as Kyler Murray will not be back and as Jacoby Brissett (who has a year left on his contract) is just a possible bridge guy. But like the Jets, I can't see Arizona forcing a QB pick here. Instead, perhaps Mauigoa will be seen as a nice bookend to Paris Johnson on the OL. If Arizona didn't want to go with the first OT, I could see one of Reese/Bailey here.
The Titans are in desperate need of talent at WR for Cam Ward. However, to me this feels a bit early for the likes of Tyson, Lemon, or Tate. Instead, how about a blue-chip defender for new coach Robert Saleh? In terms of the WR need, the Titans are loaded with cap space, so in addition to possibly looking at WR's later in the draft, perhaps the team will be in on some guys in free agency such as Alec Pierce, Wan'Dale Robinson, etc. I don't see an OT in play here since the team has invested a lot of early OL picks recently.
EDIT: As I mentioned, I've moved Bailey up to #2 and Reese down to #4 here. If there is any concern with Reese needing a little bit of time to develop, the Titans have that luxury, and Robert Saleh is a coach that you want to develop under. Say what you want about Saleh, but he damn sure knows how to coach defense.
EDIT: As I mentioned, I've moved Bailey up to #2 and Reese down to #4 here. If there is any concern with Reese needing a little bit of time to develop, the Titans have that luxury, and Robert Saleh is a coach that you want to develop under. Say what you want about Saleh, but he damn sure knows how to coach defense.
We saw the Chargers take Joe Alt a couple of years ago when there was speculation that they could go WR. Well, here's another Harbaugh brother, and I have no doubt that he has final say over personnel (sorry, Joe Schoen). Perhaps he will also elect to subscribe to the notion that protecting the QB is paramount, and if so, Fano could be in play. The other considerations in play here could be the WR1 as they see him, or perhaps Caleb Downs. If the pick were a WR, I'd have to think that the team is concerned with the injury recovery and/or the injury history of Malik Nabers. If they took Downs, then perhaps Harbaugh would be thinking of the impact of Kyle Hamilton on his Ravens teams recently.
***Pick Change from Kaydn Proctor***
Yes, the Browns need to rebuild their entire offensive line. But upon further review, I don't think Proctor is seen as a top-10 selection due to some up-and-down tape, potential weight issues, and, well, the recent history of 'Bama OL's in the NFL is spotty at best. I believe that Fano or Mauigoa would be in play here, if available. In this mock they are not, so perhaps it could come down to two in-state Ohio Staters, Downs or Carnell Tate. I believe it's an open race for WR1 at this point, and that I was too low on Tate before. Ohio State WR's have been big hits in the NFL lately. I will give the nod to Tate, at this early juncture.
Yes, the Browns need to rebuild their entire offensive line. But upon further review, I don't think Proctor is seen as a top-10 selection due to some up-and-down tape, potential weight issues, and, well, the recent history of 'Bama OL's in the NFL is spotty at best. I believe that Fano or Mauigoa would be in play here, if available. In this mock they are not, so perhaps it could come down to two in-state Ohio Staters, Downs or Carnell Tate. I believe it's an open race for WR1 at this point, and that I was too low on Tate before. Ohio State WR's have been big hits in the NFL lately. I will give the nod to Tate, at this early juncture.
***Pick Change from Rueben Bain Jr.***
While I could see Bain being in play here, perhaps the lack of arm length will be held against him, despite the awesome game tape. I say this because Adam Peters comes from a 49er front office that values length among its DL's, but that doesn't mean that Peters will draft the same way. In any event, Downs has a case for being the safest defensive player in this entire draft. On a team devoid of defense talent everywhere, Washington could be smart to take the double or triple here.
While I could see Bain being in play here, perhaps the lack of arm length will be held against him, despite the awesome game tape. I say this because Adam Peters comes from a 49er front office that values length among its DL's, but that doesn't mean that Peters will draft the same way. In any event, Downs has a case for being the safest defensive player in this entire draft. On a team devoid of defense talent everywhere, Washington could be smart to take the double or triple here.
***Pick Change from Jordyn Tyson***
I certainly believe that the Saints could be in play for one of the top 3 WR's here and had Tyson here before. But it really does appear that Love is going to have such a high draft grade, perhaps the highest since Bijan Robinson at RB, and so I'm going to get him into the top 10. This spot to the Saints or #9 to the Chiefs certainly makes sense. The Saints really think they have something in QB Tyler Shough, but with Alvin Kamara appearing to be on his last legs and nothing behind him, this gives Shough and coach Kellen Moore another building block on offense.
I certainly believe that the Saints could be in play for one of the top 3 WR's here and had Tyson here before. But it really does appear that Love is going to have such a high draft grade, perhaps the highest since Bijan Robinson at RB, and so I'm going to get him into the top 10. This spot to the Saints or #9 to the Chiefs certainly makes sense. The Saints really think they have something in QB Tyler Shough, but with Alvin Kamara appearing to be on his last legs and nothing behind him, this gives Shough and coach Kellen Moore another building block on offense.
***Pick Change from Mansoor Delane***
If Love is off the board, we could see the Chiefs looking at the best possible defenders instead. While Delane or McCoy certainly make some sense, I could see Brett Veach preferring Bain, whose tape is awesome and whose motor fits with prior draft picks like George Karlaftis. I will note that there has been a lot of chatter that the team could trade Trent McDuffie for a 1st Round pick, and if so, perhaps Veach would look to this pick or a pick later in this round to take a CB.
If Love is off the board, we could see the Chiefs looking at the best possible defenders instead. While Delane or McCoy certainly make some sense, I could see Brett Veach preferring Bain, whose tape is awesome and whose motor fits with prior draft picks like George Karlaftis. I will note that there has been a lot of chatter that the team could trade Trent McDuffie for a 1st Round pick, and if so, perhaps Veach would look to this pick or a pick later in this round to take a CB.
***Pick Change from Keldric Faulk***
Well we know that Duke Tobin goes for measurables. Hence, the poor-looking Shemar Stewart pick last year. This defense is a disaster, and Trey Hendrickson will be moving on, so maybe Tobin tries another DL for a second consecutive year. However, I could also see Tobin having interest in the CB1. Delane is not considered to be an explosive athlete, but McCoy is. At least, he was based on his 2024 game tape. This pick is contingent on McCoy looking explosive at the combine. If he doesn't, all bets are off, and I'd probably switch away from CB and back to Faulk.
Well we know that Duke Tobin goes for measurables. Hence, the poor-looking Shemar Stewart pick last year. This defense is a disaster, and Trey Hendrickson will be moving on, so maybe Tobin tries another DL for a second consecutive year. However, I could also see Tobin having interest in the CB1. Delane is not considered to be an explosive athlete, but McCoy is. At least, he was based on his 2024 game tape. This pick is contingent on McCoy looking explosive at the combine. If he doesn't, all bets are off, and I'd probably switch away from CB and back to Faulk.
***Pick Change from Kenyon Sadiq***
With Delane now available, this is a good spot for him on a team that needs a potential lead CB. I still think that Sadiq could go higher than currently expected, but maybe this was a bit early for him. I could also see Tyson or Lemon in play for this pick if available, given the lack of WR depth behind Jaylen Waddle, as I fully expect Tyreek Hill to be cut or traded. (EDIT: Hill was, indeed, cut on February 16.)
With Delane now available, this is a good spot for him on a team that needs a potential lead CB. I still think that Sadiq could go higher than currently expected, but maybe this was a bit early for him. I could also see Tyson or Lemon in play for this pick if available, given the lack of WR depth behind Jaylen Waddle, as I fully expect Tyreek Hill to be cut or traded. (EDIT: Hill was, indeed, cut on February 16.)
***Pick Change from Caleb Downs***
With Downs long gone in this update, Dallas will need to go elsewhere. If I were running the team instead of Jerry Jones, I would probably tag-and-trade George Pickens to one of the teams that might also have AJ Brown interest (now that I don't see him being moved; more on that later), and those teams could include the Bills, Patriots, Chargers, and Titans, just to name four. A Pickens trade would likely net Dallas a Day Two pick, and then they could draft Tyson or Lemon and have a WR2 at a much cheaper cost. However, I don't think Dallas/Jerruh is smart enough to do this, so they will probably just tag Pickens for one year, not give him a long-term deal, and watch as he half-asses it for most of 2026. In an attempt to fill the pass rushing void from the Micah Parsons trade, perhaps Faulk makes sense.
With Downs long gone in this update, Dallas will need to go elsewhere. If I were running the team instead of Jerry Jones, I would probably tag-and-trade George Pickens to one of the teams that might also have AJ Brown interest (now that I don't see him being moved; more on that later), and those teams could include the Bills, Patriots, Chargers, and Titans, just to name four. A Pickens trade would likely net Dallas a Day Two pick, and then they could draft Tyson or Lemon and have a WR2 at a much cheaper cost. However, I don't think Dallas/Jerruh is smart enough to do this, so they will probably just tag Pickens for one year, not give him a long-term deal, and watch as he half-asses it for most of 2026. In an attempt to fill the pass rushing void from the Micah Parsons trade, perhaps Faulk makes sense.
With the emergence of McClendon at RT, I don't see the Rams needing to force a tackle pick here. Lemon should run a good 40 time and is a solid route-runner. Davante Adams won't be around forever, also, so I could see the team opting for another productive WR to pair with Puka Nacua for the long term. The Rams might prefer Tyson to Lemon, so this would be a close call for me, but I will stick with the USC product for now. Given the obvious need for CB's, if either Delane or McCoy were here, they would garner serious consideration as well.
***Pick Change from Peter Woods***
While Eric DeCosta has allowed the DL to fall into a sorry state and while Woods or another DL could certainly be in play here, perhaps the value of Tyson would be too difficult to pass up, if available.
While Eric DeCosta has allowed the DL to fall into a sorry state and while Woods or another DL could certainly be in play here, perhaps the value of Tyson would be too difficult to pass up, if available.
***Pick Change from Jeremiyah Love***
Love is long gone in Version 2.0, so Tampa Bay would have to go in another direction. Cade Otton is a free agent, so perhaps Sadiq would have serious appeal here. However, many have been predicting a LB pick in the 1st Round for a couple of years now for this team. Maybe this is the year, with Styles available, and there are multiple free agents in the LB room.
Love is long gone in Version 2.0, so Tampa Bay would have to go in another direction. Cade Otton is a free agent, so perhaps Sadiq would have serious appeal here. However, many have been predicting a LB pick in the 1st Round for a couple of years now for this team. Maybe this is the year, with Styles available, and there are multiple free agents in the LB room.
***Pick Change from Jermod McCoy***
The Jets once again go defense, and specifically DL, in an effort to infuse youthful talent into Aaron Glenn's team. Without legit improvement on that side of the ball in 2026, it's doubtful that Glenn will get a third year as the head coach. Frankly, he's a bit lucky that he's getting a second year. I could see CB's like Cisse or Terrell in play here as well.
The Jets once again go defense, and specifically DL, in an effort to infuse youthful talent into Aaron Glenn's team. Without legit improvement on that side of the ball in 2026, it's doubtful that Glenn will get a third year as the head coach. Frankly, he's a bit lucky that he's getting a second year. I could see CB's like Cisse or Terrell in play here as well.
Picks 1-16
Picks 17-32