The Hickory Algorithm
I give my two cents on the NFL Draft 2026. Let's have some fun!
Every year my football buddies and I have a lively Groupme about the NFL Draft (this Thursday already). Since the draft is in the city I grew up in, Pittsburgh, it’s a little extra spicy. I was debating going back up to my old town and hanging out with the fantasy league I have been running for 26 (!!!) years but, once I started hearing from my friends about the absolute apocalypse of traffic that is going to swamp the city with the draft, Penguins playoffs, and the Pirates having a winning season (couple games in but wins are wins) - I’m cool watching it from Hickory.
I’m a total football nerd. I know.
I was introduced to someone last week by:
“This is Chris, he owns the Hickory Algorithm - he knows ball.”
Hahaha. I’ll take it!
This is going to get into some pretty deep football waters ladies and gentlemen so this is the point to scroll past this stuff if you are not a football fan.
Or you can share it with other fellow football fans - Yes! Please!
This is supposed to be fun.
🏈 Away we go 🏈
Above is my round 1 prediction that I will be submitting to most contest sites for predicting the first round of the NFL draft. I do enjoy some trades and a little razzle dazzle in my draft night.
My thoughts of the NFL Draft Class 2026
Grade: C
Strengths: OG, LB, S
My most underrated prospect: WR, Germie Bernard - 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.
Big Spots in the draft
(Picture of first round - scroll up)
Pick 4: Titans
The Titans are fine with a pass rusher but, what the league has recently shown us (looking at you Carolina Panthers) is that if you have a first overall QB, you feed him weapons. As many as you can. Tate is one of the cleanest prospects as far as talent meets character. A great guy to tether to your franchise QB, like, Cam Ward.
Problem is, Andy Reid likes him too. Patrick Mahomes with Tate, Reid, and Kelce sounds like a fun offensive room to be in. All those guys could revitalize that KC offense and isn’t that what they really need?
Reid isn’t afraid of making bold moves. Alex Smith was coming off a season where he was considered in the MVP race when the next draft they traded up for Patrick Mahomes.
I’ve convinced myself that Arizona is taking Ty Simpson. Look at that QB room, you may think Ty Simpson isn’t worth that pick but, he’d be the best NFL QB in that room. No matter how many years I had to hear my buddy Thomas tell me about how good Gardner Minshew is. And no, I’m not looking up how to spell his name.
KC trades their 2 1st rounders to Arizona - Arizona trades down and gets Simpson.
Pick 10: Bengals
Following that Ty Simpson selection wave, The Bengals want out but, did not think Styles would still be there. Knowing a good bit of Cowboy fans, they want nothing more than Downs or Styles to be available here, Bengals can’t fall too far down. Miami is a little worried they won’t get a top WR because that’s who they are calling for(*cough* Jets). They move back one space for 4th and they still both get their guys.
“Cris Collinsworth is such a moron.” - My brother when Cris’ name is mentioned on TV (since 1996)
Pick 13: Rams
*My favorite Pick
Omar Cooper Jr to the Rams is such a dope fit. Puka out here living baby shark, and rumors of Adams being dealt are the reality of the Rams WR room. Even with MVP Stafford, they need an injection in the offense.
Has Adams been talked about being traded for 4 straight seasons now? It sure feels like it.
Anyways, Cooper Jr. reminds me a good bit of when Mike Evans came out of college and how much that helped Johnny Manzel draft stock to become a first round pick. Look I like Mendoza, he’s worth a shot first overall but, I don’t think Cooper Jr is getting nearly the love as he should. His ability to make plays with the ball in his hands is impressive. He gets compared to Deebo but, Deebo Samual is a big WR. Cooper is 20 pounds or so lighter? Is that more impressive or less? I don’t know. Cooper is going to be a good one and the Rams know it. Cooper, Stafford, and McVay drawing up plays the morning of a game day in week 15? I am so here for it. Dynasty bros. Be ready to trade up if this becomes reality.
Pick 16: Jets
They wanted another WR but just couldn’t lock one down with the Bengals trading with Miami. Luckily there is at least one offensive weapon out there that has round 1 talent. TE, Sadiq. While I am not crazy about this prospect I understand why he gets taken here. Now, the Jets can stick to their plan of attacking both lines in the next two rounds.
Pick 19: Panthers
I have Monroe Freeling as my top O line prospect. A plus size. Dude, has wild high end plays for an offensive tackle but you could plug him in at guard and dude would be a blast to watch pull. When people start shooting holes in his game I feel like they are digging pretty deep to find them.
Pick 32: Trade!
Seahawks have 4 picks. Steelers have 12 picks. I think the Seahawks take a RB with their first pick and getting a 2nd, two 3rds from the Steelers will let them do just that. After the top offensive weapons are gone and top end LBs, S, and G’s off the board the Steelers take McDonald from Ohio State at pick 21. He doesn’t fit their size mold but, I do have to say - I have been feeling some Casey Hampton energy in the air with McCarthy talking about past Steeler teams. Don’t forget even with Harmon last year our run defense fell off a cliff without him being in the line up. Junkins and King Henry in the division 4 times a year, run D is high on the priority list. Rooney has been saying it for the last 2 years.
Hearing Rooney and McCarthy talk about past Steeler team makes me think the Steelers can fall in love with a player like Georgia linebacker, CJ Allen, and they will be really considering him at 21.
I don’t think they have any problem rewarding the fans for staying all the way through the first round of the draft on Thursday night in Pittsburgh, PA to land CJ Allen.
Round 2 🏈 Round up
Here we go!
#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.
⬇️HERE⬇️
Hickory Algorithm Mastermind Website
⬆️THERE⬆️
Events:
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.
Connecting you to the algorithm of Hickory, North Carolina.
Chris Goldby is a writer and multimedia storyteller based in Hickory, North Carolina. He owns The Hickory Algorithm a hyper focused lens on Hickory, NC and is a contributing writer and Head of Documentary/Docuseries with Akula Literary Partners.
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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.