2026 Mock Drafts Thread. It’s that time of year again.

[Chopper0080]

That's the problem though. I don't think there's anyone who will live up to #3, and Downs and Love have a better chance than anyone.

If I am going to gamble, I am going to gamble on a player who plays a position that has most impact.

Kyle Hamilton is the highest paid S in the NFL. He was drafted in the 1st round. Budda Baker had more INTs than Hamilton last year.

Ashton Jeanty was a great college RB who projected well to the NFL. He went to a bad team with a bad offensive line and had what many would call a disappointing rookie season. When you have a player who plays a position with such a short lifespan, you can't afford to give away seasons because your team sucks and you have to throw OR the line sucks and he is getting sub 4.0 yards per carry.

Bailey. Reese (if you plan to play him at EDGE). Mauigoa. All better options IMO even if they may be riskier. There is part of me that is tempted to add Ty Simpson to that group.

 

[Chopper0080]

If you get the QB and OL right in FA, maybe you can talk me into considering Love. But MLF better run him into the dirt if they did.

 

[Harry]

It's tough to see a 275lb player being successful as an interior tackle in a division that is so run heavy. Also, there isn't a way to play both Nolen and Bain together inside, ever. I don't agree that this is really an option.

Bain has a large frame so if he knew he would be playing inside he could add maybe 15 pounds. He’s already extremely strong and agile. I don’t think he would sacrifice much of that with this adjustment. BTW I’m not the only observer suggesting he could add weight and play inside.

 

[Adrian]

Donnie Druin

@DonnieDruin
·
1h


Arizona is a "possibility" to take an edge rusher at No. 3 according to NFL Media's Daniel Jeremiah. DJ says he'd be "a little surprised" if one doesn't go before the fourth pick. Cites New York alongside AZ and Arvell Reese/Rueben Bain/David Bailey as possibilities to go early

 

[Cardiac]

I saw a mock draft that had us trading our #3 pick to the Cowboys for their 2 first round picks this year. We took OT and then Ty Simpson. I like that a lot.

 

[Stout]

If you get the QB and OL right in FA, maybe you can talk me into considering Love. But MLF better run him into the dirt if they did.

Absolutely. Don't baby him. RBs have a short shelf life anyway, so milk every last drop of production out of him.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

I saw a mock draft that had us trading our #3 pick to the Cowboys for their 2 first round picks this year. We took OT and then Ty Simpson. I like that a lot.

I’d prefer their 12 this year and their first and third next year. Then trade down to late teens from 12 for another first next year. Take a tackle with late teens pick this year. End up with 3 firsts and two thirds next year for potential trade to get the QB we want next season.

 

[Cardiac]

I’d prefer their 12 this year and their first and third next year. Then trade down to late teens from 12 for another first next year. Take a tackle with late teens pick this year. End up with 3 firsts and two thirds next year for potential trade to get the QB we want next season.

Sure but I think mine is more realistic

 

[daves]

The Athletic posted their Mock Draft 1.0 today:

1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
2. New York Jets: Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State

3. Arizona Cardinals: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
The Cardinals had brief discussions* with the Raiders on a package that would include quarterback Kyler Murray and the No. 3 pick for the chance to draft Mendoza. (*By “brief,” we mean we could hear laughter coming through our Slack channel.) All good. The Cardinals can use free agency to settle their QB situation and the draft to bolster their offensive line. Arizona’s performance up front last season was terrible, so immediate help is needed. At 6-foot-6 and 325 pounds, Mauigoa has great size and a mean streak the Cardinals need. Along with left tackle Paris Johnson Jr., he gives them solid building blocks up front. Baby steps. — Doug Haller

 

[BritCard]

If I am going to gamble, I am going to gamble on a player who plays a position that has most impact.

Kyle Hamilton is the highest paid S in the NFL. He was drafted in the 1st round. Budda Baker had more INTs than Hamilton last year.

Ashton Jeanty was a great college RB who projected well to the NFL. He went to a bad team with a bad offensive line and had what many would call a disappointing rookie season. When you have a player who plays a position with such a short lifespan, you can't afford to give away seasons because your team sucks and you have to throw OR the line sucks and he is getting sub 4.0 yards per carry.

Bailey. Reese (if you plan to play him at EDGE). Mauigoa. All better options IMO even if they may be riskier. There is part of me that is tempted to add Ty Simpson to that group.

Great players make the most impact.

Of course, it's true that some positions are less valuable than others. What that generally means is that a team can get by with lesser talent at certain positions, safety would fall into that category. Or that the talent available often runs deep such as RB (not this year though).

But greatness is still greatness. Does it matter where you find a great running back if they get you 1500 scrimmage yards and 20 TDs? Is anyone going to say, "Those 1500 yards are great but we drafted him too high though"?

This team lacks stars. None of the tackles blow me away. I like Bain (far more than Bailey) and he's certainly on my list of players to draft. I like Reese, but only as an ILB, not an Edge. I think the best shots of greatness at #3 are Downs, Love, Styles, Bain and Reese in that order.

I completely agree with you in general, it's just the top of the class is weak this year and this team is starved of playmakers. I'd rather have CMC or Honeybadger than Austin Jackson or Terence Steele.

Get a star at #3. Get Freeling, Iheanachor or Miller in the 2nd. (There's an argument that in our division with the Seahawks and Rams iDL that guard is just as important for us).

 

[Chopper0080]

Great players make the most impact.

Of course, it's true that some positions are less valuable than others. What that generally means is that a team can get by with lesser talent at certain positions, safety would fall into that category. Or that the talent available often runs deep such as RB (not this year though).

But greatness is still greatness. Does it matter where you find a great running back if they get you 1500 scrimmage yards and 20 TDs? Is anyone going to say, "Those 1500 yards are great but we drafted him too high though"?

This team lacks stars. None of the tackles blow me away. I like Bain (far more than Bailey) and he's certainly on my list of players to draft. I like Reese, but only as an ILB, not an Edge. I think the best shots of greatness at #3 are Downs, Love, Styles, Bain and Reese in that order.

I completely agree with you in general, it's just the top of the class is weak this year and this team is starved of playmakers. I'd rather have CMC or Honeybadger than Austin Jackson or Terence Steele.

Get a star at #3. Get Freeling, Iheanachor or Miller in the 2nd. (There's an argument that in our division with the Seahawks and Rams iDL that guard is just as important for us).

Budda Baker has been a star S...where did that get the Cardinals?

Maybe I am in the minority, but I would rather have Brian O'Neil than Derwin James.

Also, top 10 OTs have a very high hit rate over the past 10 years. I think it is likely you get better than Austin Jackson.

 

[BritCard]

Budda Baker has been a star S...where did that get the Cardinals?

Maybe I am in the minority, but I would rather have Brian O'Neil than Derwin James.

Also, top 10 OTs have a very high hit rate over the past 10 years. I think it is likely you get better than Austin Jackson.

Budda Baker has only really been a star for a short time. I think he made All Pro in 20 or 21 and it's been downhill since. I said years ago he's not a top 10 safety in the NFL and I've seen very few safety rankings that think he is. He's a good player, no doubt, but Budda's name recognition come from having a memorable name and social media video of him hitting running backs at full speed and flipping up.

I get what you are saying, I would normally agree. I just don't like the tackles. Fano looks skinny for a tackle and Francis Mauigoa looks more like a guard. I think in most other classes both guys go late teens at best.

Even the top edge dudes are nowhere near the top edge guys in previous years. None of them are Abdul Carter. I'm not even sure any are a Kayvon Thibodeaux. I feel like there's less buzz for David Bailey than there was for Mike Green last year and he went 57. Really not a good year to be drafting #3.


Would you rather watch Jeremiah Love or have some mid tackle? I know what I'd prefer. I think Sonny Styles could change this defense. He's the kind of talent that makes other players jobs easier. I'd rather that than reach based on position.

 

[Chopper0080]

Budda Baker has only really been a star for a short time. I think he made All Pro in 20 or 21 and it's been downhill since. I said years ago he's not a top 10 safety in the NFL and I've seen very few safety rankings that think he is. He's a good player, no doubt, but Budda's name recognition come from having a memorable name and social media video of him hitting running backs at full speed and flipping up.

I get what you are saying, I would normally agree. I just don't like the tackles. Fano looks skinny for a tackle and Francis Mauigoa looks more like a guard. I think in most other classes both guys go late teens at best.

Even the top edge dudes are nowhere near the top edge guys in previous years. None of them are Abdul Carter. I'm not even sure any are a Kayvon Thibodeaux. I feel like there's less buzz for David Bailey than there was for Mike Green last year and he went 57. Really not a good year to be drafting #3.


Would you rather watch Jeremiah Love or have some mid tackle? I know what I'd prefer. I think Sonny Styles could change this defense. He's the kind of talent that makes other players jobs easier. I'd rather that than reach based on position.

I mean...Josh Jacobs or Brian O'Neill? Again, I probably lean O'Neill. The big difference for me is that I feel there are many more ways to add talent at RB than OT. For me, the offensive and defensive fronts matter than S or RB. Given the choice, I am going to add talent there early and often.

Re: Mauigoa...I think this is lazy draft work. The idea that he is a OG because he is wide and powerful is very similar to the discourse with Wirfs, Sewell, and Fuaga. He is 6'6, has played OT his entire college career, and has the feet for it. Unless he comes out with baby arms, dude is plug and play from day 1.

Re: David Bailey...I don't really know what buzz you are looing for that he isn't getting. Maybe things change when we get some official size numbers but he was the most productive pass rusher in the power 5, he has good listed measurables, and he is the most polished pass rusher. He dominated in his bowl game vs Oregon.

He was more productive than Abdul carter was in college.
He is the same size as Abdul carter was in college.
He has a more developed pass rush skill set than Carter las year.

Carter went 3 last year. Unless new information comes out, why wouldn't you draft the better version at 3 this year?

 

[BullheadCardFan]

Re: Mauigoa...The idea that he is a OG because he is wide and powerful is very similar to the discourse with Wirfs, Sewell, and Fuaga. He is 6'6, has played OT his entire college career, and has the feet for it. Unless he comes out with baby arms, dude is plug and play from day 1.

I'm liking the idea of having a pair of young T's

He's a top guy and like you say plug and play

Time to build the Oline to help the run game and protect whoever we have at QB

 

[dreamcastrocks]

After the playoffs, that seems to be more of the consensus. If the Cards are going with a run first offense, he seems the best choice if the go RT.

If we are going for a run offense, trade down a bit and give me Love.

 

[Chopper0080]

I'm liking the idea of having a pair of young T's

He's a top guy and like you say plug and play

Time to build the Oline to help the run game and protect whoever we have at QB

He is not my top preference but I think he would be a decent option. Ideally you need to use a top pick on a RT but none of the other guys Monti has brought in have really worked out.

 

[Denny Green Fan]

Great players make the most impact.

Of course, it's true that some positions are less valuable than others. What that generally means is that a team can get by with lesser talent at certain positions, safety would fall into that category. Or that the talent available often runs deep such as RB (not this year though).

But greatness is still greatness. Does it matter where you find a great running back if they get you 1500 scrimmage yards and 20 TDs? Is anyone going to say, "Those 1500 yards are great but we drafted him too high though"?

This team lacks stars. None of the tackles blow me away. I like Bain (far more than Bailey) and he's certainly on my list of players to draft. I like Reese, but only as an ILB, not an Edge. I think the best shots of greatness at #3 are Downs, Love, Styles, Bain and Reese in that order.

I completely agree with you in general, it's just the top of the class is weak this year and this team is starved of playmakers. I'd rather have CMC or Honeybadger than Austin Jackson or Terence Steele.

Get a star at #3. Get Freeling, Iheanachor or Miller in the 2nd. (There's an argument that in our division with the Seahawks and Rams iDL that guard is just as important for us).

How is love gonna get 1500 yards and 20 touchdowns behind this offensive line of misfits?

 

[dreamcastrocks]

How is love gonna get 1500 yards and 20 touchdowns behind this offensive line of misfits?

20 TDs, THAT'S the benchmark? (including pass and rushing) It has only happened what, a couple dozen times in history?

 

[BritCard]

How is love gonna get 1500 yards and 20 touchdowns behind this offensive line of misfits?

Probably the same way James Conner had 1500 yards in 2024 behind the same line. But easier.

 

[BritCard]

20 TDs, THAT'S the benchmark? (including pass and rushing) It has only happened what, a couple dozen times in history?

36 times in the whole history of the NFL for all positions. Only 9 times in the last 10 seasons from running backs. Seems like a good benchmark.

The best RB in the league last year, Jonathan Taylor, just got 20. The best RB in the league the last 6-7 years, CMC, has a record of 21.

I feel like 20 would be good.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Budda Baker has only really been a star for a short time. I think he made All Pro in 20 or 21 and it's been downhill since. I said years ago he's not a top 10 safety in the NFL and I've seen very few safety rankings that think he is. He's a good player, no doubt, but Budda's name recognition come from having a memorable name and social media video of him hitting running backs at full speed and flipping up.

I get what you are saying, I would normally agree. I just don't like the tackles. Fano looks skinny for a tackle and Francis Mauigoa looks more like a guard. I think in most other classes both guys go late teens at best.

Even the top edge dudes are nowhere near the top edge guys in previous years. None of them are Abdul Carter. I'm not even sure any are a Kayvon Thibodeaux. I feel like there's less buzz for David Bailey than there was for Mike Green last year and he went 57. Really not a good year to be drafting #3.


Would you rather watch Jeremiah Love or have some mid tackle? I know what I'd prefer. I think Sonny Styles could change this defense. He's the kind of talent that makes other players jobs easier. I'd rather that than reach based on position.

Agree with everything but styles.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

How is love gonna get 1500 yards and 20 touchdowns behind this offensive line of misfits?

Free agency and trades and - WHAT? - we have picks beyond the first round?

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

I mean...Josh Jacobs or Brian O'Neill? Again, I probably lean O'Neill. The big difference for me is that I feel there are many more ways to add talent at RB than OT. For me, the offensive and defensive fronts matter than S or RB. Given the choice, I am going to add talent there early and often.

Re: Mauigoa...I think this is lazy draft work. The idea that he is a OG because he is wide and powerful is very similar to the discourse with Wirfs, Sewell, and Fuaga. He is 6'6, has played OT his entire college career, and has the feet for it. Unless he comes out with baby arms, dude is plug and play from day 1.

Re: David Bailey...I don't really know what buzz you are looing for that he isn't getting. Maybe things change when we get some official size numbers but he was the most productive pass rusher in the power 5, he has good listed measurables, and he is the most polished pass rusher. He dominated in his bowl game vs Oregon.

He was more productive than Abdul carter was in college.
He is the same size as Abdul carter was in college.
He has a more developed pass rush skill set than Carter las year.

Carter went 3 last year. Unless new information comes out, why wouldn't you draft the better version at 3 this year?

Isn’t love supposed to be saquon/gibbs/bijan? Josh Jacobs is a terrific rb. But he’s not those guys.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

36 times in the whole history of the NFL for all positions. Only 9 times in the last 10 seasons from running backs. Seems like a good benchmark.

The best RB in the league last year, Jonathan Taylor, just got 20. The best RB in the league the last 6-7 years, CMC, has a record of 21.

I feel like 20 would be good.

It has only happened one time by a Cardinal as far as I can tell. Really high bar being set here.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

Budda Baker has only really been a star for a short time. I think he made All Pro in 20 or 21 and it's been downhill since. I said years ago he's not a top 10 safety in the NFL and I've seen very few safety rankings that think he is. He's a good player, no doubt, but Budda's name recognition come from having a memorable name and social media video of him hitting running backs at full speed and flipping up.

I get what you are saying, I would normally agree. I just don't like the tackles. Fano looks skinny for a tackle and Francis Mauigoa looks more like a guard. I think in most other classes both guys go late teens at best.

Even the top edge dudes are nowhere near the top edge guys in previous years. None of them are Abdul Carter. I'm not even sure any are a Kayvon Thibodeaux. I feel like there's less buzz for David Bailey than there was for Mike Green last year and he went 57. Really not a good year to be drafting #3.


Would you rather watch Jeremiah Love or have some mid tackle? I know what I'd prefer. I think Sonny Styles could change this defense. He's the kind of talent that makes other players jobs easier. I'd rather that than reach based on position.

Sonny Styles isn't changing anyone's defense.

Why do you think that? Have you watched him play or just look at highlights?

He has little change of direction, doesn't read plays well, is not a pass rusher, and is a safety playing LB in college.

An undersized LB with not great instincts doesn't sound like a difference maker to me.
Maybe he'll prove me wrong but I'm very skeptical.