NFL Trade Rumors
We’re over a month into both the NFL and college football seasons, so now is a great time to go back and reevaluate what the upcoming 2026 draft class could look like. This far out, specific prospect-to-team fits are difficult to project, but we’ve seen enough through the opening weeks of the season to begin to paint a picture of what different teams are missing.
This mock is much more of a “what I would do” mock than one that’s based on what I think will happen, as are all mocks made this time of year. However, I did include a few players I’m a little lower on but are still considered near-first-round-locks by most in the industry.
A lot is sure to change between now and the end of the college season, let alone the pre-draft circuit, but here’s where things stand as of now. Draft order per Tankathon’s projections, prior to Week 5’s results.
I’ve had Bain going No. 1 overall all summer, and he’s exploded through the first month of the season. With a huge frame and a technical refinement that belies his age, Bain is not only one of the best pass-rushing prospects we’ve seen in years, he’s one of the best run defenders at the position, too. The power Bain plays with is immense and he has the speed and agility to pay it off with a dizzying array of moves. I don’t think there’s a quarterback worthy of this pick, and in that case, Bain is the unquestioned choice here.
Clemson has easily been the most disappointing team in college football this season. With that, many assume that their defensive stars must be struggling, but nothing could be further from the truth. It may not show up in the box score — Woods has yet to record a sack on the season — but when you turn on the tape, he’s just as disruptive as he was a year ago. He got off to a slow start, but over the last two games, he’s been an absolute force in the backfield. His run defense has stayed steady this whole time, and now he’s starting to turn his flashes of greatness into consistent pressure on the quarterback. The Jets have been looking for a running mate for DT Quinnen Williams for some time, and Woods is more than qualified.
The Titans badly need to add talent to this offense, and they should start with 2025 No. 1 overall pick QB Cam Ward’s protection. He’s been pressured on almost half his dropbacks so far this season, which is an impossible situation for any quarterback, let alone a rookie. Fano is the clear top tackle in this class, continuing his dominance as a run blocker and beginning to refine his game as a pass blocker, as well....
