A New York swap for the highest spot within the 2026 draft sees the Jets nab the current Heisman trophy winner. Whereas Mendoza would not match the “creator” mould that is develop into standard on the prime of the draft, he is an ideal match to function the scheme that offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand has introduced over from Detroit. He is a robotic pocket passer who not often makes errors with the soccer.
What Moore lacks in expertise, he greater than makes up for in calm aesthetics. He throws an attractive soccer and is throw-for-throw probably the most correct quarterback on this class. Nobody had extra completely positioned passes outdoors the numbers on this class than Moore. Whereas he hasn’t confronted many prime defenses or confronted a ton of stress, it is easy to see him creating into one thing particular within the NFL.
Bain was the down-in, down-out most impactful defensive lineman in faculty soccer. He collapses tackles in each the run recreation and as a move rusher. Together with his physique sort, Bain might simply be a pressure as an inside rusher within the NFL, too.
Tate is the type of vertical X receiver the Browns offense has been lacking. He hauled in a ridiculous 11 of his 15 deep targets for 453 yards this fall. His 14.4 yards per goal is an eye-popping determine. Most significantly, although, he did not drop a single move all season.
Jaxson Dart goes from having scant receiving choices to arguably probably the most absolutely loaded receiving corps within the NFL with this decide. Tyson is a artful, all-around route runner who creates extra space for himself than anybody within the class. His solely concern is his harm historical past that is brought on him to overlook time in three straight seasons.
It was an up-and-down first season as a starter for Goosby, however by season’s finish there wasn’t a greater offensive lineman in faculty soccer. He was the very best participant on the sector in Texas’ upset win over Texas A&M to cap off the common season. He additionally has expertise on the correct aspect in 2024, as he’d must flip to that aspect in Arizona.
Bailey is a twitched-up athlete who can hunt quarterbacks. His 13.5 sacks led all Energy 4 defenders this fall. The Saints protection has turned a leaf from the Dennis Allen period and will use extra velocity off the sting as an alternative of energy.
Reese is what a contemporary hybrid linebacker appears to be like like. He can rush the passer, drop deep into protection, or run sideline to sideline within the run recreation at a excessive stage. His juice is precisely what the Commanders are lacking of their entrance seven.
The Bengals have not been proper at security since Jessie Bates III left. That might change in a rush with Downs again there. He is a do-it-all security who’s additionally an distinctive tackler.
The Rams will not be drafting prime 10 anytime quickly so long as Sean McVay is their head coach. Due to that, they could take a swing on their subsequent franchise quarterback to apprentice Matthew Stafford within the meantime. Simpson has proven flaws of late in his first season as a starter, however there’s greater than sufficient flashes from him to get enthusiastic about what he might develop into.
Given how this season ended for the Chiefs, the entrance workplace could very properly wish to be certain Patrick Mahomes isn’t within the firing line behind a UDFA offensive deal with once more. Mauigoa would pair with Trey Smith on the correct aspect to create one brutish double-team combo.
Give J.J. McCarthy all of the weapons you can provide him to take the stress off the younger quarterback. Love would give opposing defensive coordinators lots to consider in game-planning conferences with Jahmyr Gibbs-esque residence run capability.
Sadiq’s combination of velocity, YAC capability and physicality within the run recreation is ideal for Mike McDaniel’s offense. He’d be like a souped-up model of Jonnu Smith for them. Athletes like Sadiq are good for at the moment’s NFL, which so typically asks tight ends to dam on the transfer.
Kinds is the right linebacker for a Matt Eberflus protection. He isn’t an amazing blitzer, however Eberflus would not ship linebackers a lot. What Kinds is is an elite tackler (did not miss one deal with all season) who has the very best vary on the second stage within the draft class.
The Ravens guard place has been among the many worst within the NFL this season. Fano would change that together with his fleet toes and fast palms. He begins at proper deal with now for the Utes however appears to be like higher suited to the inside within the NFL.
McCoy has already declared for the draft, making him the largest wild-card prospect within the class. I say that as a result of he did not play a down of soccer this fall after tearing his ACL in January. His tape in 2024 was top-10 worthy, however the harm throws a wrench into that projection. For the Panthers, he’d be price a swing given their want and the way scary their secondary could be if McCoy hits his high-end projection.
Faulk is a bodily imposing defensive finish who can play each inside and outdoors. He is a dynamo within the run recreation however a piece in progress as a move rusher with solely 31 pressures this previous fall. His instruments are price taking an opportunity on creating given how particular they’re.
The final time an uber-strong defensive deal with from Clemson fell within the draft, it turned out pretty properly for the Giants. You could not discover Woods outdoors the highest 5 in a mock draft previous to the season, however a disappointing junior marketing campaign that noticed him register a career-low 15 pressures might trigger him to slide.
The NFC is trench warfare, and the Bucs are simply including reinforcements right here. Ioane was the very best true guard within the nation this fall. as he was lights out in move safety all season. He allowed solely 4 pressures on 310 pass-blocking snaps.
The Biletnikoff Award winner slots into an offense in determined want of a dependable No. 2 receiver. Lemon often is the most dependable receiver in your complete draft class with solely a 2.8% drop charge for his total profession.
Defensive deal with could not qualify as a necessity for the Eagles, however they are going to proceed to pound the trenches so long as Howie Roseman is the GM. Washington is precisely the type of participant Roseman has coveted in his GM tenure: an enormous, freaky athlete. Washington’s first step is elite for a 330-pounder and generally is a drawback in the correct scheme.
Offensive line often is the greater want, however Allen’s tape could also be tough for head coach DeMeco Ryans to move on. That is as a result of Allen performs the sport precisely the way you’d desire a linebacker to play it. He is a tone-setter on each single play who hits like a brick. It takes a particular expertise to start out at linebacker for Kirby Sensible as a real freshman, and that is Allen.
The Cowboys need assistance anyplace they will get it on their protection, and Delane is simply that at nook. He is obtained the very best man-match tape within the draft class this previous fall with solely 13 catches allowed for 147 yards.
The Bears already have the league’s finest run recreation with a revolving door at left deal with. Including Proctor to it will nearly be unfair to opposing defenses. He can collapse a double workforce in addition to any faculty deal with you may see however comes with some foot-speed issues in move safety.
Ohio State
• Jr
• 6’3″
/ 326 lbs
McDonald is the type of immovable nostril deal with that Jim Harbaugh would like to plant in the midst of his defensive position. Not solely can he eat double groups, however he also can shed to make performs. McDonald led all defensive tackles in faculty soccer in run-stop share this previous fall.
Oregon
• Sr
• 6’5″
/ 318 lbs
Pregnon is an explosive athlete at left guard who’s had a breakout season for the Geese. His capability to play on the transfer could be good for a Kyle Shanahan scheme. He is allowed solely three pressures all season.
Lomu did not fairly repair his play-strength issues from his sophomore to junior seasons, however his fast toes and artful palms might nonetheless entice a tackle-needy workforce just like the Browns to take him within the first spherical. The Browns’ revolving door of tackles has allowed probably the most pressures within the NFL this season.
Parker is yet one more disappointing Clemson defensive lineman. He was within the prime 10 of most mock drafts through the preseason however noticed his stress whole fall from 51 final yr to 41 this yr. There’s nonetheless lots to love from him within the run recreation, however his lack of high-end juice might trigger him to fall.
That is doubtless Tariq Woolen’s final season in a Seahawks uniform, which suggests a cornerback spot needs to be opening up subsequent yr. Terrell’s recreation is not too dissimilar to present Seahawk Devon Witherspoon. Having two of that participant in a single secondary feels unfair.
Smith is without doubt one of the unsung stars on the No. 1 Hoosiers workforce. He is been dominant on the left aspect all season, particularly within the run recreation. He is a left deal with for the Hoosiers, however I might see him slotting in on the correct aspect or inside for the Rams.
Jackson is without doubt one of the most intriguing athletes within the draft class. His mix of size, power, explosiveness and adaptability is what the elites within the NFL appear like. His down-to-down effectiveness, although, just isn’t near what the elites appear like. The excellent news is we have seen progress from him, particularly when diminished down on the inside.
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