Way Too Early 2026 Mock
Promoted to WalterFootball.com:
Way Too Early 2026 Mock
(Jan 22, 2026)
What the hell, I'm bored.
Round 1
Picks 1-16
Picks 17-32
This may have gone unnoticed by too many, but the Detroit OL was not close to the level it had been in the previous couple of years. LT Taylor Decker is aging, C Frank Ragnow retired, and G Kevin Zeitler departed in free agency. Perhaps Lomu can be a guard initially, and perhaps he can form a bookend with Penei Sewell in time.
Cisse is a man coverage CB, and with as often as Brian Flores blitzes, his corners are often asked to play 1-on-1 outside.
A big-time defender for the middle of the field for Ejiro Evero's defense, assuming that Evero doesn't get a head coaching gig somewhere.
Yes, more help in the secondary for Dallas with its second pick of the 1st Round. They sorely, sorely need it.
I'm not sold on Simpson, not by a long shot, but the Steelers need to take a swing at the position yet again. Yes, the last time they did that, Kenny Pickett did not work out. But as they usher in a new era with Mike Tomlin departing, I'm guessing that they hire a young coach like Chris Shula and perhaps they are actually ready to let a young guy sink or swim.
Zion Johnson hits free agency after his 5th-year option was declined, and the former 1st Round pick produced 4 middling seasons in LA. We know that Harbaugh wants to build through the trenches, and after the injuries a season ago to both tackles, Ioane would be a welcomed presence at this juncture as the likely #1 pure guard in the class.
I firmly believe that AJ Brown's time in Philadelphia has come to a close and that he will be traded this offseason. As a result, another ready-to-play WR could be needed, so enter Tate.
Cleveland goes OL again in the 1st Round with the intriguing potential of World. Their entire OL is up for free agency and while 1 or 2 of them may be back, it's a great bet that at least one of the 2 picks in this round will be spent at this position.
It's no secret that the Bears need to improve their pass rush, so Parker could fit the bill.
Brandon Beane, you somehow scapegoated Sean McDermott to your owner, even though it was your roster management that led to the horrific WR corps that you gave Josh Allen this season. The Bills need a boundary receiver that can win on the outside.
Hood would seem to be a guy who will test well athletically, and if he does, he could be a 1st Round pick. The 49ers are recovering from a cavalcade of injuries on the defensive side of the ball.
It may not matter if CJ Stroud torpedoes Houston's season again next year in the playoffs, but one thing the club needs to improve is its OL. Dunker could be a solution at either RT or a guard spot.
The Rams have not typically targeted linebackers early in drafts, but this regime has an affinity for Texas players, so I will take a stab at one here.
The Pats add to their talent base in getting after the top AFC QB's.
More high-end talent for a unit that led the NFL in sacks in 2025.
A McDonald for coach Macdonald's already-strong DT crew!
Picks 1-16
Picks 17-32