Final Mock Draft
My two round mock draft for the NFL 2026 draft in Pittsburgh, PA.
The reason I love the NFL Draft is the same reason it drives me crazy trying to be a part of it.
I posted what was supposed to be my final mock draft (HERE) but, as the NFL wheel in the sky turns, the Giants go and trade for the 10th overall pick. That threw a massive monkey wrench into the whole thing.
So, let’s go through one last time.
#fortheloveofthegame
First Round
My overall thoughts of the NFL Draft Class 2026
Grade: C
Strengths: OG, LB, S
My most underrated prospect: WR, Germie Bernard - Alabama
My most overrated prospect: OT - Kadyn Proctor - Alabama
Overall Round 1-2 vibe:
With so few offense skilled guys in this draft I think they are going to be highly valued. Especially with guys like AJ Brown and the rest of the available FA WR market isn’t too terrible so if your team needs to tap into it. That means those top draft guys are going to be highly valued. Lemon, Tate, Tyson, and Cooper are going to go higher than people think. OG, S, LBers are going to be taken pretty heavily unlike other draft classes. Expect picks 24-50 to be heavy o line and a push for the next tier of Wide Receivers.
The Pick is in…
Pick 3: KC Trades up for Love
KC has run it back with the same RB room? Reid has to be dying for a little Brian Westbrook and all the other incredible RBs he has had. I can’t believe they keep running Hunt and Pacheco out there for the last two seasons. Patrick Mahomes could use a Carnell Tate or Jordan Tyson but, I think Love would be incredible for the KC Chiefs. I don’t think they need to trade both their 1sts to be move up. Love to KC makes the best Dynasty RB to be drafted in the last 10 years.
Pick 9: Arizona goes down on one knee 💍
The marriage between Arizona and Ty Simpson is something I cannot shake. If I’m wrong, than like all the other ‘experts’ you just are wrong. Jacoby Brissett is holding out for more money. I guess winning one game out of 8 is worth the hold out. They also have Gardner Minshew in the QB. Ty Simpson, no matter what you believe, would be the best QB in that room. If he’s there in the last picks of our dynasty rookie drafts I wouldn’t hesitate to take the guy. Remember when Bo Nix went in the top 12? People lost their minds. Josh Allen at 7? All terrible picks, until they work out.
Pick 19: Carolina takes OT
Georgia OT Monroe Freeling is beast. I believe he is one of the only true LT’s in the draft. He can play RT if needs be and if you needed to play him at guard for a year he would be damn good at that. This dude has incredible high end highlight reel type of tape. It reminds me of watching Troy Fantanu when he was playing OT for Washington. Freeling is another piece for that growing Carolina offense. He will help those short yardage screens and pitches Hubbard can rip off.
Pick 32: Seahawks moving
Seahawks have 4 picks and they have made it known they want more picks. Steelers have the most picks with 12. Steelers will be moving around whether that is the first round or the seconds, if not both. Rumors of the Steelers trading an edge defender, but more importantly they have been shopping their off the ball linebackers.
When the draft comes around I try to listen to what the teams are telling us. Who is on the block, who is being signed, and seeing the positions that are surprising to hear about. Hearing off the ball LBs on the move, the amount of off the ball LBs the Steelers have brought in for predraft visitors and the type of LBs they are bringing in - 32 would be a great spot to move up for a Jacob Rodriguez who is a beast with man coverage or CJ Allen who is a beast with zone coverage. I think they move up for one of these guys. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was Texas LB Anthony Hill either.
Round 2 Mock
Final Thoughts
The draft is my favorite event for the NFL every year. I will be watching at home with my oldest son, deep frying chicken wings, and trying to stay awake through the whole draft.
I used to go out to a local watering hole and sit at a bar all night talking with fellow draft lovers. I hope you have plans to watch the draft or hang out at the house with a planned meal because, well, that’s what’s up.
We all need things to look forward to on our calendar and the NFL Draft is always one of those things for me.
#fortheloveofthegame
We launched our Mastermind group tab on our The Hickory Algorithm website!
I talk about our group a lot in our publication so if you want to see who was in the room last meeting I will be updating this every month.
If you would like to host our once a month mastermind meeting the first Tuesday of every month at 9am, reach out to me.
⬇️HERE⬇️
Hickory Algorithm Mastermind Website
⬆️THERE⬆️
Come see your boy (me):
Hickory Literary Festival
⬆️ LINK for more information ⬆️
Hickory Public Library will host the second annual Hickory Literary Festival on April 25-26, 2026, on the SALT Block.
The festival will offer a variety of vendors, activities, writing workshops, author talks, and entertainment at different locations across the SALT Block.
Swing by and come see your boy on the 25th of this month at the Akula Literary Table with Redhawk Publications.
Past Articles:
The Hickory Algorithm
I’ve known Dan Bryant for going on 2 years now. We have been running in the same networking groups. I’ve had general conversation with him at many after hours events, lunches, and coffee shops. The conversations were never about medicare.