GeorgiaDome 2026 Mock Draft

The Lions released Taylor Decker after a decade and need an upgrade at OT. The Lions seem to be the floor for Proctor, who has gained steam over the past week and is seriously being considered by the Browns at #6.

Kayden Proctor is built to be a franchise OT. He has size, strength, and rare athleticism for a man his size. The problem is his performance doesn't match. He whiffs and falls on his heels too much. Everything in his game can be cleaned up with proper coaching and having a mentor like Penei Sewell would benefit his development. This seems like an unsexy but necessary pick for a franchise shedding their losing ways.

*If Proctor is off the board, expect EDGE Keldric Faulk. The Lions are rumored to love him.

Harrison Smith was a Post-June 1st cut ending a solid NFL career. The Vikings need a replacement in the back end.

Dillon Theineman was a fringe 1st rounder at the start of this process but jumped inside the Top 25 after a very solid combine. While I prefer McNeil-Warren from Toldeo, Thieneman is worthy of a 1st round pick and has been linked to the Vikings. He fits what Brian Flores wants in the position and fills a need on the backend.

The Panthers, fresh of an NFC South crown, seem to be accelerating their rebuild acquiring Devin Lloyd and Jalen Phillips. However, it might be time to cut bait on Xavier Legette as he has not been dependable enough. McMillan has been a homerun and Coker can hold his own as a slot or WR3. Canales is too bright of an OC to pass on WR1 potential at #19 and ownership is going to do everything they can to support Bryce Young. Finally my WR1 is off the board at #19.

Jordyn Tyson has all the makings of an elite WR in the NFL. He has the body of an X but the movement skills of a Z. He can win 1v1 on the outside and is a solid route runner with production to match; 61-711-8 in 2025 in 9 games and 75-1101-10 in 2024. He has every trait you want in a #1 WR.

The problem is his injury history. He has missed games in every season suffering knee (2022/23), collarbone (2024) and hamstring (2025) injuries with the hamstring injury still a concern for some NFL teams, which is why he has dropped in the mock from #8 to #19 since February. He is worth the risk in my opinion, even at #8, because he is the only WR1 prospect in this draft. The Panthers would get a steal here and still have Legette as insurance if Tyson were to get hurt.

The Cowboys secured a CB at pick 12 but can now focus on their other three needs of ILB, DE, and OLB. CJ Allen could very well be the pick here but he is gone in this mock. Jacob Rodriguez is a little rich here at 20 but is starting to game momentum and could be a surprise here. Howell/Young won't start over Gary or Ezeiruaku but would add depth but that isn't needed in round 1 for a team looking for starters. Enter Keldric Faulk.

The 6'6'' 285 lb Faulk has all the makings of a solid 5 tech in Dallas. Pairing him with Kenny Clark and Quinnen Williams creates a very strong box that will solve a lot of problems in the backend and in opponents' run game.

Who is the Steelers QB in 26'?

That is a valid question. Most will mock Simpson here to get him in the 1st round but I am not as high on Simpson and have him out of the first round.

What does matter is surrounding whoever is at QB with protection. The Steelers lost Isaac Seumalo to the Cardinals and could use upgrades at both guard positions. Ola Ioane is the top rated guard in the draft and is right down the road from Pittsburgh. The Steelers are always built in the trenches and securing the front line must be a point of emphasis for Mike McCarthy plus Ioane is very close to a Top 10 talent in this class, he is just devalued because the position he plays. He could realistically go at #14 to Baltimore.

The Chargers need a NT and OL help.

Nose Tackle is not often a position taken in round 1. Vita Vea and Jordan Davis are successful exceptions over recent history. The main reason is it is hard to invest a first round pick in a two down player in modern football. Kayden McDonald may be the only one in this draft worthy of consideration but the Chargers have more pressing needs on the OL.

While Alt and Slater return, their interior could use an upgrade and for the longest time Fano/Ioane were the only ones that made sense at #22. There is no doubt the Chargers would take either one here but both are off the board. Instead, Los Angeles has been all over another offensive guard that has seen his stock rapidly climb over the past few weeks in Emmanuel Pregnon.

Pregnon looks like the rare miss from initial scouting. Most mocks had him in the 2nd to 3rd round at the end of the season. However, as this process has continued, Pregnon's stock has climbed to the point that he could be a Top 25 pick. The 1st Team All-American is an older prospect (turns 25 in October) but has shown he is a plug and play player now, which is appealing to a number of teams #21 thru #35 that need starting guards.

The Eagles usually are proactive in their replacements. RT Lane Johnson can't last forever and an understudy is needed. While WR will be a need when AJ Brown leaves, he is still on the roster and, unless they want to reach, a target can be obtained in round 2.

Freeling's stock is all over the place. Some project him inside the Top 10 and some see him as a late 1st. The reasoning is solid for both. Freeling has all the tools to be a franchise OT/blind side protector but the production doesn't match. As someone married to an UGA alum that watches every Saturday, Freeling was inconsistent in his lone season as a starter for the Bulldogs. The Eagles could bank on Lane Johnson's mentorship for a season to unlock his potential since the physical traits are present.

The Browns went with WR at 6 and can now turn to OT at 24.

While I like Blake Miller and understand the appeal of Max Iheanaschor, the Browns need a more proven player that can start and play right away and that would be Caleb Lomu, whom the Browns have shown interest in and has experience as a LT and versatility. Lomu isn't a flashy prospect but many believe with an NFL strength program and solid coaching that he can flourish quickly and already has experience as a 2 year starter. He has a higher floor than both the other options.

The Bears need safety help and a running mate for Montez Sweat. I personally would go safety with Emmanuel McNeil-Warren still available but the Bears have been all over Zion Young to the point where if he is at 25, there is no doubt they take him.

The 6'6'' 262 lb Young is prototypical 4-3 DE and is a powerful rusher capable of folding edges. He struggles with a secondary move and shedding blocks once engaged but has a powerful bull rush to fit the run and can develop moves with NFL coaching. Young could go as high as 15 to the Bucs, which some mocks have him. At the very least, Young adds to the EDGE depth which will help the Bears as they look to make a trip to the Super Bowl in 2026.

The Bills could use help at OG, CB, and EDGE.

While Chase Bisontis would be a solid pick, I think the Bills plan on being flashy in round 1. There will be some 1st round corners here but the Bills have to see what they have in last year's 1st rounder Maxwell Hairston. I think the Bills really need to add to their pass rush to be in the mix for the AFC in 26'. As of now they only have Chubb (injury prone) and Rousseau as consistent options.

If there is one thing about Howell, he knows how to get to the QB. Howell is a little undersized as a traditional DE but as a 3-4 rush LB, he fits the mold. He is best off the edge with a quick first step and relentless motor to the QB. As a sub package guy that can build to Chubb's replacement, Howell helps the Bills now.

Every year it's draft a Trent Williams replacement and it never happens. However, it now is becoming a contract issue and this could force the 49ers to seriously look for a successor but reports are that San Francisco does not plan to address it early this year.

Instead San Francisco has been linked to KC Concepcion to add an explosive slot element to Mike Evans and Ricky Pearsall. Christian Kirk was signed but isn't the most dependable WR over the past few years, plus Mike Evans may not make a full season at his age and practicing next to the "Injury Transformer".

Concepcion has always produced dating back to his time at NC State and is a dangerous punt returner. He will be told he is a slot but he is 6' 195 lbs and can play outside as well. He is an electric football player that needs to be more consistent in his catching, especially over the middle.

The Texans need options at OL as they completely rebuild a front that was abused in the playoffs last year by New England. OT's Ersery and Smith are decent pieces but they need competition at all spots to find the best starting five.

Chase Bisontis is in the next tier of guards with Pregnon and Rutledge after Ioane. Graded as a second round pick, Bisontis is very similar to Cooper Beebe but a little more raw at this stage. Bisontis would add competition to Houston's remade OL, particularly at right guard.

The Chiefs lost both starting CBs to the Rams this offseason and seem to be continuing the model of trading them for early round picks and drafting successors. CB is an obvious need in Kansas City and there will be a few available at 29 for them and the fastest riser has been Chris Johnson.

As teams finalize their boards, Johnson has emerged as CB3 in this draft and has a pretty good shot of landing in round 1. The 2nd Team All-American enjoyed a strong season at San Diego St. and is a disciplined corner that doesn't beat himself. He does struggle in jump balls against bigger WRs but the rest of his game is worthy of a first round pick. He is projected as an immediate contributor and that appeals to many teams.

The Dolphins continue to take the BPA as they continue their rebuild and taking a chance on a falling prospect is well worth the risk at #30.

Peter Woods was a projected Top 5 pick heading into 2025 by most. The former 5* and #1 DT in the country as a HS senior, Woods played early at Clemson and lived up to it in 2024. 2025 wasn't awful but Clemson as a team disappointed and Woods wasn't nearly as dominate as projected. He started taking risks that didn't pay off and struggled in 1v1 blocks maintaining his ground. NFL offensive lineman with length might control him more than previously thought. However, at pick #30 the Dolphins will love Woods' potential if he can get back to form.

The Dolphins have a huge need at WR but I don't see them taking them here at 30 unless they fall in love with one of them. There will be many WRs available in round 2 such as Boston, Fields, Lane, Branch, or Bell to choose from.

The Patriots will be looking for a OT to pair with Will Campbell since Morgan Moses could be in his final season.

Blake Miller has been a fast riser this offseason and now looks certain to go at the bottom of round 1. He has good size and tools but needs to clean up his hands and feet at the NFL level. The Pats could very well look at Iheanaschor from Minnesota but he is a little more raw at this stage than Miller and the Pats will love his team first mindset and that fact he was a 4 year starter without missing a game.

The Seahawks lost Riq Wooden to the Eagles and resigned Josh Jobe but need depth and competition are needed at CB. Hood is a popular mock here and it fits his range. He stepped up for McCoy this past season. I do think that if Seattle stays at 32, they take a CB but honestly have no idea who. I've had Cisse here for a while but this is the least confident pick I have here.

I firmly believe Seattle trades back and grabs a RB such as Jadarian Price or Mike Washington in the middle or late round 2 and pockets a pick for next year.


Other Notable Prospects not taken in Round 1:

Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toldeo- 2nd rated safety on my board behind Downs and graded as a Top 30 player. Think the Panthers, Bears, and Chiefs could all target him in round 1 but slips to round 2 based on this mock and needs. Will not be there long.

Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio St.- Top rated nose tackle in the draft slips because of position and needs of teams. Still think range is #19-#48. Won't be there long. Falcons could really use him at #48. That seems to be his floor.

Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson- Not his brother but similar game. His slight build will see him struggle with bigger WRs and in the run game especially those that are faster than him (4.64 40). He struggles anticipating break points as well. Round 2-3 graded.

Ahkeem Mesidor, DE, Miami- Lack of length, Injury history, 25 year old rookie. Expect him mid-round 2.

Max Iheanaschor, OT, Arizona St.- Not been playing football long, good physical skills but needs refinement and not projected as a year 1 starter. Expect him late 1 (if a team falls in love or run starts earlier) or early 2.

Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech- 2 down player, relies on size over technique, lack of 1st step quickness. Similar to McDonald, Expect late 1 if DT run starts earlier to early 2nd round.

Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama- Just not a round 1 QB. Takes sacks, got beat up in 1 season of college may not be able to handle entire season, had poor eye discipline late in the season, struggles with layered throws, and taking check downs. Graded as a Round 2-3 QB by most but I honestly wouldn't even think about him until round 5 with the 2027 draft class on deck. I'd rather role with Drew Allar.

Denzel Boston, WR, Washington- Production inconsistent especially against top level competition, gives up chest off line, speed concerns, more of a jump ball/size WR. Round 2.

TJ Parker, DE, Clemson- Tends to stall in run fits or be forced wide, much better in 24 than 25, needs to develop rush tools and run fits or he will be kicked a bunch. Round 2.

Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech- Coverage issues, can be bullied in vertical run game by bigger OL, overruns plays. Actually a top 32 player on my board and see him being like Matt Milano but looks like a late 1st or early 2nd.