But, as I begin to gear up for the season and start my studies on the 2027 NFL Draft class, I can’t help but feel like this is the year when “next year’s class” bears tremendous weight. I’ve done all the summer scouting I’m going to do on this class, so I figured it’s time to reset, look at the group as a whole, sort these dudes into buckets, and share my findings. Let’s preview what is shaping up to be one of the more hallowed quarterback classes in NFL history.

The Headliners

Barring injury or a major down-trend in 2026, I’m comfortable projecting each of these four guys as cornerstone pieces worth building around. I see these four as the true “franchise guys” in this class.

Arch Manning, Texas - I liked Manning’s tape a lot more than I thought I would after seeing how his 2025 season panned out. He didn’t exactly get off to a hot start last season, but man, he corrected course down the stretch and started to show why he’s such a highly touted prospect. I found an inconsistent quality to his game…I’d like to see the ball come out quicker sometimes, he made some unnecessarily risky throws, and the ball placement is clearly impacted greatly when he’s under pressure. But, you still see the elite talent - drive on deep balls, wiggle and acceleration as a runner, and a natural fluidity as a passer (it looks easy to him). Where I was surprised was in his ability to just get out there and run that Texas offense. He seems a lot more comfortable “playing quarterback” than I initially gave him credit for. I don’t think he’s a lock to be QB1 next spring, but if he irons out some of those inconsistencies, he will live up to that franchise quarterback expectation.

Darian Mensah, Miami - I’m putting Mensah in with the headliners because I think he’s going to have a season at Miami that will have him skyrocketing up boards. His game against Clemson last season is such a clutch performance - it was the first game that made my “favorite tape I’ve watched this cycle” list for the 2027 Draft Guide. Mensah just isn’t as talented as the other guys in this tier of quarterbacks. I mean, you have to call it like you see it, right? There’s a raw arm talent element of Mensah’s game that is just lacking when you compare it to Manning, LaNorris Sellers, and Brendan Sorsby. He’s closer to Dante Moore, but even Moore has him beat in my opinion. He’s not a dynamic runner either. He has some wiggle in the pocket, and he can certainly move the chains on occasion. But, he’s not a threat to tuck the ball and churn rushing yardage. Where he excels, and where I think he’s probably second to only Moore in this class, is in his ability to read a defense and process in real time. That’s his elite trait - he makes some really advanced throws for a college quarterback, leading receivers open, throwing into tight windows, and throwing accurately under pressure. By season’s end, I won’t be surprised if we’re calling him the most NFL-ready quarterback in this class, and I already think he can start quite early in his NFL career.

Dante Moore, Oregon - Moore is the top dawg in this class heading into the 2026 season in my opinion. There is a calm demeanor to his game that no one else in this class has. The feet are calm, he makes an effort to reset them on the move, and he can execute the Oregon offense well under pressure. He occasionally puts the ball in harm’s way. But, I like his ability to run an offense, read and process in real time, and he’s talented enough as a passer to make every NFL throw. He can really rip the ball up the seam, and he can drop it in the bucket down the sideline. I wouldn’t say he’s the most dynamic rusher, but he has some wiggle and can make defenses pay if they don’t account for him. Some of his throws do seem a bit predetermined - like he’s locking in on his target off the snap and not doing anything to look off a safety or pump fake. He had an ugly interception in the Northwestern game because of this. But, those moments feel like blips to me. If I had to guess as to why Moore developed a reputation as a “boring” prospect among fans, I’d say it’s because he doesn’t have a lot of those splash/wow plays on his tape. He’s not the guy that’s accumulating SportsCenter Top 10 plays, but he’s just so consistently good that I don’t think you truly appreciate it unless you sit down with a candle lit and some brown water (neat) in hand and watch the way he manages a game. He’s NFL-ready and he’s talented enough to make an instant impact - I’m already excited about the possibility of seeing him pair up with Bobby Slowik in Miami.

LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina - I’ve heard analysts place Sellers as high as QB2 in this class, and while I can’t quite get there with him just yet, I do see the vision. My biggest hangup with Sellers is just how far he has to go in terms of ball placement. I think he’s better as a passer than some analysts will give him credit for, but he still has to become more accurate if he’s truly going to become the top-five-caliber quarterback he has the talent to become. Some of it is probably the byproduct of playing for multiple offensive coordinators behind a shoddy at best offensive line. I do get the sense that he’s more of the rein-it-in type than the start-from-scratch type. But, the inconsistent ball placement is an issue for me. That said, he has the most talented arm in this class. He can effortlessly sling the ball 50 yards down the field with the flick of a wrist. He can put zip on the underneath stuff to fire balls into closing windows quickly. And, though it’s not consistent, he does flash the ability to take some off the ball and throw with touch. His super power is in his rushing ability, where he has some juice, but more importantly, he’s so damn tough to bring down. He’s competitive as all get-out and when he gets moving, you just can’t stop him with a half-ass tackle attempt. With a good season and improvement in the accuracy department, there’s no doubt in my mind that Sellers will be a top 10 pick - he just has to realize that potential.

First Round Hopefuls

These guys need some work, but with a good year, they could ascend to that “headliner” first round status.

Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss - You can’t help but appreciate the stones on Trinidad Chambliss. I love his story, how he rose to the occasion at Ole Miss, and I do think he can really rip it as a passer. To me, there’s a little Bo Nix in his ability to run in the open field. But, the consistency when it comes to touch passes, and the accuracy when it comes to ball placement are both major question marks heading into 2026. He has talent, and he has heart - there’s no question about that. For me, it’s about the whole “playing quarterback” aspect of the evaluation that needs a little tweaking.

Sam Leavitt, LSU - Leavitt is equipped with pure talent - arm and legs alike. He can effortlessly drive the ball down the field, and he can throw some beautiful rainbows. As a runner, he has some juice too. I won’t argue with the fact that Leavitt is probably one of the 2-3 most talented quarterbacks in this class. But, there is a predetermined nature to his game - he seems to lock in on his target and stare them down. I can’t get a sense of what his natural feel for the position is like, and I think that leads to some inconsistent tape. Luckily, he’s working with Lane Kiffin at LSU this year, who has proven he can turn talent into first round draft picks. If Leavitt improves in how he reads defenses and runs an offense, he has the talent to be a top 10 pick.

Jayden Maiava, USC - There’s a polished quality to Maiava’s game that I didn’t necessarily expect to find when watching his tape. He has some really nice throws when he looks off a safety and then layers it over a linebacker. He seems comfortable under pressure, and is a decent timing thrower. He consistently puts the ball where only his guy can get it. He has some decent arm talent and wiggle as a runner, but I wouldn’t call him “dynamic.” My big hangup with him is how willing he is to allow his throwing motion to devolve quickly. He’s far too comfortable throwing across his body, off his back foot, etc. when the play breaks down. If he continues to show his strengths off at USC while showing he can rein in some of the reckless play, he could be a major riser this season.

Don’t Be Surprised If…

These are potential “buy low” candidates whose stock has fallen over the last year, but could right the ship quite easily because of their talent.

Nico Iamaleava, UCLA - He is undoubtedly one of the most physically gifted quarterbacks in this class. He throws with natural torque, he runs with acceleration, and he has the confidence to throw any ball he needs to (for better or for worse). But, he has to improve the decision-making and show he can read a defense. If he does that, he could very well ascend to first round status.

John Mateer, Oklahoma - I make no apologies for how much I love John Mateer. I watched some of his Washington State tape thinking he’d be in the 2026 Draft, but he opted to go back to Oklahoma. Catching up on his fabled Michigan game got me hyped up for his potential. To me, his ceiling is Gardner Minshew’s ability to run an offense with Cam Ward’s mentality and arm talent. That’s based on tape though, and there’s an entire dynamic about who the person is that we can’t get from watching tape - so, with that in mind, we’re going to pretend we never heard him at SEC Media Days say, when asked about reading SEC defenses, “there’s not really any time to think. If someone is open you just throw it to them.” Mateer is consistently off with his timing, and he does make some reckless decisions that you just have to live with with a quarterback like him. But, he has the arm talent to play in the NFL. He’s built like a linebacker (which, I’ve heard some analysts say isn’t a good thing for the quarterback position (it can impact his torque and throwing motion)), and runs like a fullback. And, he can certainly run that Oklahoma offense. I think he’s underrated, but let’s see how he recovers from that thumb injury that led to some really bad tape down the stretch in 2025. If he irons out some of the decision-making stuff and can grow to be more of an anticipatory passer, I won’t be surprised if he’s the guy that sneaks into the last few picks of the first round.

Brendan Sorsby, Free Agent - Man, I get the hype. I really do. You watch just five plays of Sorsby, and you’re going to witness a little nugget that will have you salivating about his potential. He has an effortless rocket of an arm, he runs the ball like Josh Allen, and he makes a handful of legitimate WOW throws in every game. But, he is so raw in terms of his ball placement that it freaks me out. I’m no quarterback guru, so I don’t know what exactly he needs to change to get right, but he has some wild misses in every game. For every bucket, it feels like he has three wild misses, and that’s just too off for my liking. I think he’s a guy that needs to go somewhere where he can sit and develop for a while, but who knows? It only takes one team to really covet that skill set to make him a first rounder. I heard Todd McShay, on a recent episode of The McShay Show, say that he’s already been invited to the Senior Bowl, and most expect him to be there. He needs a killer week in Mobile to really get some of that first round buzz back.

Two Years of Eligibility Left

I didn’t do any tape study on these guys, despite seeing all of their names on mock drafts. I just don’t know that it’s an acceptable use of summer scouting time right now. The way the game is trending with NIL and the transfer portal, I think guys are going to lean towards staying in college longer. I won’t be surprised if a couple of these guys declare for 2027, but to me, why enter a loaded class and decrease your chances of going top 10 or in the first round? Declare in 2028 and maybe you’re the top dawg.

• CJ Carr, Notre Dame

• DJ Lagway, Baylor

• Drew Mestemaker, Oklahoma State

• Julian Sayin, Ohio State

Tape Study Pending

I didn’t get around to these guys, but they each have their own fans in draft circles.

• Josh Hoover, Indiana

• Drake Lindsey, Minnesota

• Demond Williams, Washington

Still Exist

These guys figure to be a part of the 2027 class, and while they’re not exactly entering the season with a ton of buzz, they’ve all been heralded in their own right at some point along the way, and could theoretically benefit should they bounce back in 2025.

• Jackson Arnold, UNLV

• Byrum Brown, Auburn

• Aidan Chiles, Northwestern

• Noah Fifita, Arizona

• Kevin Jennings, SMU

• Avery Johnson, Kansas State

• Gunner Stockton, Georgia

• Conner Weigman, Houston

A Historic Class

The record for quarterbacks drafted in the first round is six (set in 1983 and matched in 2024). The record for quarterbacks drafted in a seven-round draft is 17. When the draft was at 12 rounds in 1976, 25 quarterbacks were drafted. I wouldn’t be surprised to see all three of those records broken next spring.

Where this class bucks the “next year’s class” curse is not in its depth of generational prospects. Instead, it is a brute force of sheer volume.

I just listed 25 quarterbacks! When I ask myself who among the list could theoretically make a push for a first round drafting…that is to say, “would it surprise me to see this guy go on a run that takes him to the first round?”…I look at 15 names and say “yeah, there’s a timeline in the multiverse where that could happen.” FIFTEEN NAMES! That’s not even including NC State’s CJ Bailey, who has his fair share of supporters. Personally, I think Bailey is more of a 2028 prospect, but who knows? Say what you will about Dylan Raiola, but he’s a talented kid that is technically eligible for the 2027 Draft. There’s Dylan Lonergan at Rutgers. There’s Jaden Rashada at Mississippi State. There’s Max Johnson at Georgia Southern. And, that’s not even taking the FCS crop of quarterbacks into account. There are 30+ bodies that could feasibly make a case for being drafted next spring. Somebody pick my jaw up off the floor.

I know you’re all probably chuckling at me here - “there goes Stoney and his affinity for late-round/UDFA players again.” And, I get that. I’ve earned that throughout the years. I don’t have an issue with it, and I do not apologize for it. But, I’m telling you all that when people say this is lining up to be a historic quarterback class, this is why - there are so many horses in the race that it’s unlike anything I’ve seen before. They’re lining up at the track, and we’re only a few weeks away from guns firing and the race starting. It’s going to be fun to watch all season long.

If I had to go ahead and rank these guys based on who I’ve watched, I’d have ‘em at:

1. Dante Moore, Oregon

2. Darian Mensah, Miami

3. Arch Manning, Texas

4. LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina

5. John Mateer, Oklahoma

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What I saw out of Hill struck me as more of what the Titans already have at linebacker - he’s an enforcer in the run game that can fly downhill and flare out to defend the flats when he needs to. I didn’t see a turn-and-run sideline-to-sideline coverage specialist. So, I admit that I had cast Hill off as a guy that probably didn’t fit what the Titans wanted! But, that’s the beautiful thing about football. You guys always hear me talk about this sport being one big gray area. I can look at Hill and see one thing. Someone else can look at Hill and see another. Through discussion and film study, we can find some common ground. That’s essentially what I’ve decided to do here.

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This was a difficult mock draft, very likely the most difficult one I have ever done. I cannot wait for this to be over.

1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

2. New York Jets: David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech

David Bailey is the best pass rusher in the class. And according to Cover Two Insider Ross: He also has a higher CFB Rating than Reese and we know Woody’s boys love them those ratings.

3. Arizona Cardinals: Arvell Reese, EDGE, Ohio State

All of that effort into smokescreens and they don’t get a trade done. They end up taking Arvell Reese praying it doesn’t turn out like their other failed attempts.

4. Tennessee Titans: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

It’s Love. It’s always been Love. Don’t ever doubt me.

5. New York Giants: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

Chalk pick, I don’t believe the Tyson stuff.

6. Cleveland Browns: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

Another popular trade team, but they’re building for 2027 and the Browns have no WRs outside of Jerry Jerry. So, they’re gonna take a look in their own backyard and grab the safest WR prospect available

7. Washington Commanders: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

It don’t matter if you’re playing zone or man. Cover 3 or Cover 0. Delane is the dude in this draft class at CB and it’s gonna be a while in this mock before we see a 2nd CB come off the board.

8. New Orleans Saints: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

With Delane off the board, they’re gonna hop over to help Shough and pair Tyson with Olave.

9. Kansas City Chiefs: Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami

The top 3 playmakers are off the board. The top cornerback is off the board. I don’t think they’re going to go OL this high, but I do think they’re happy to get Bain Jr.

10. New York Giants: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

Chalk pick.

11. Miami Dolphins: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami

Vegas tells you Spencer Fano is the likely pick here, but that’s because it believes Mauigoa is already gone, but Mauigoa doesn’t fit anywhere above, imo. So, the first tackle comes off the board and gets to stay in the area.

12. Dallas Cowboys: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

Cowboys want defense. Thieneman is the best defender. The Cowboys are a popular pick to trade up, but it seems difficult to get one done. So, they’re going to protect the backend with the best DB left.

13. TRADE - Detroit Lions (via LA Rams): Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

The Lions and Rams have traded with each other before, and the Lions want to move ahead of other OL needy teams and get their guy that many predict they’ll take a few picks later. It’s not costly, and the Rams get a little boost later in the draft.

14. Baltimore Ravens: Olaivavega Ioane, iOL, Penn State

My chalkiest selection is this one, as I have the Ravens taking the player most commonly mocked to them. It makes sense from a need standpoint after the Ravens lost two interior offensive linemen in free agency; it makes sense from a value standpoint as Ioane profiles as a day-one starter and the best guard in the class; and it makes sense from a reporting standpoint as most mock drafters right now are slotting Ioane to Baltimore.

15. TRADE - Pittsburgh Steelers (via Tampa Bay): Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

The Bucs can afford to trade back because they have no massive, glaring need. The Steelers need an OT, and the two seem like a match made in heaven. After seeing the Lions trade up, the Steelers trade up.

16. New York Jets: Makai Lemon, WR, USC

The Jets who are also building for 2027, take Makai Lemon to be the WR2 to Garrett Wilson.

17. TRADE - Los Angeles Rams (via Detroit): Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana

Come on. Do I need to spell it out?

18. Minnesota Vikings: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren

Vikings need someone to replace Harrison Smith. Best safety available, huge drop off from here.

19. Carolina Panthers: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

I went back and forth between this pick and KC Concepcion. I landed on Sadiq because of how Bryce reads the field, but can also see the field. KC is a perfect target, but I think Sadiq can be seen easier for the lil fella.

20. Dallas Cowboys: Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn

This seems like such a Dallas Cowboys pick. I could see Corner, but they already grabbed a defensive back. I think Faulk slides in nicely and has tons of upside for the Cowboys.

I also think this is a prime spot for the Cowboys to trade back and the Cardinals to trade up for Ty Simpson.

21. TRADE - Tampa Bay Buccaneers (via Pittsburgh): Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami

Tampa Bay needs some pass rushing juice and Bowles system will suit Mesidor just fine.

22. Los Angeles Chargers: Peter Woods, DL, Clemson

Screw the insiders and analysts. They’re getting beefy in the trenches and I am going to have not just one…but TWO interior defenders go in the 1st round even though the analysts think none will!

23. Philadelphia Eagles: Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State

Look, they don’t need an OL right away, but they need one next year. Learn from Lane Johnson and blossom, young Maxwell.

24. Cleveland Browns: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia

With offensive tackle having yet to be addressed, the Browns get much better value here with this pick.

25. Chicago Bears: Kayden McDonald, DL, Ohio State

Down with the draft patriarchy.

26. Buffalo Bills: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

This one hurt the most, but fielding a squad of Boston, DJ Moore, and Khalil Shakir, is gonna take this team to the Super Bowl this year.

27. San Francisco 49ers: TJ Parker, EDGE, Clemson

After last year’s rash of injuries, they fortify the defensive end position with some long arm youth.

TRADE — 28. Arizona Cardinals (from Houston): Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama

The Texans have really no holes. The Cardinals need a QB. With the 49ers and Seahawks, division foes, taking up late round real estate, they Cardinals turn to a familiar face as a trading partner.

29. Kansas City Chiefs: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

Like Justin I went back and forth with this one, offensive tackle or corner. I am sticking to my guns and going Jermod McCoy.

30. Miami Dolphins: Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee

I am a crazy person. I went back-to-back Tennessee players. Am I pandering to that fan base? No, those hillbillies just got lucky.

31. New England Patriots: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson

Morgan Moses is an old sack of moldy taters. Time to shore up the trenches for Houghtailing in 2027.

32. Seattle Seahawks: Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State

I think they may trade out of this pick, but I think the late run of corners spooks them a little. I think Chris Johnson could start right away and be an impact player for Mike Mac’s Defense

Titans Full 7 Round Mock Draft

1.01: Jeremiah Love, RB, Notre Dame

2.35: Emmanuel Pregnon, RG, Oregon

3.66: Joshua Josephs, EDGE, Tennessee (I don’t think Rutledge will be here, but if he is Rutledge > Josephs)

4.101: Malik Muhammad, CB, Texas

5.142: Jager Burton, C, Kentucky

5.144: Kaleb Elams-Orr, LB, TCU

6.184: Jeff Caldwell, WR, Cincinnati

6.194: Nick Barrett, DI, South Carolina

7.255: Deshon Singleton Jr., S, Nebraska

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HBCU Combine

Guys that the Titans met with either at the HBCU Combine, local Pro Days, or something else according to some random meeting tracker thing that I found on Reddit.

EDGE Noah Miles, Howard - I couldn’t find any exact info on when exactly the Titans met with Miles. I just saw his name on that list and started digging. I mean, really…it’s not that deep. I love watching players. I don’t even care if that list was wrong. When it comes to finding hidden gems, they can come from anywhere - that’s the entire spirit of digging! Nonetheless, I watched maybe three snaps of Miles and immediately thought, “yeah, the Titans definitely have a type.” He’s not a striking RAS guy, and that shows up in pursuit situations. He has a bit of a narrow build. And, his instincts in space seem to really lag - I noted a couple of plays when he seemed to freeze and couldn’t get the legs moving quick enough to get back to the play. But, there’s a promising skillset with Miles - he has some length, he can sink his hips and extend his arms to set the edge. He has some burst out of his stance. He’s a quick penetrator when he beats the offensive lineman in front of him off the first step. He has some pop in his hands. Most promising of all, he’s a persistent player - he may not be the fastest, but he plays hard and that’s rewarded sometimes with a pressure or tackle for loss. This is absolutely a dude I’d love to see come to Titans camp this summer.

OL Cameron Smith, Alabama State - I can’t recall the last time I’ve seen such a disparity between lower body and upper body strength in a prospect. Smith has an awesome lower body build with bulging thighs. But, it’s the upper body strength that gives me concern. Just 19 reps on the bench press at the HBCU Combine, and that limitation shows up on tape. He has some grip strength, and will occasionally grab a guy by the collar and toss him to the curb. But, by and large, he just doesn’t create a lot of jolt with his upper body, and while his feet seem steady on a consistent basis, if a guy gets into his chest, he can easily control Smith and knock him off balance. He’s quite wobbly in that regard. However, there is some real lower body drive with Smith. If he locks in on a guy in run-blocking, he can straight up move that dude. THAT is where my face lights up watching his tape. He’s versatile - in the games I watched, he was lined up at left tackle and right guard. Alabama State wasn’t afraid to pull him. Using his numbers from the HBCU Combine, he’s just a 1.65 RAS guy as a guard. And, I would say that probably tracks when you see him get in space. But, I really like Smith’s drive as a run blocker, his nasty demeanor, and I think he’s a guy that you might want to see what you can mold him into once he gets into an NFL strength and conditioning program. We’re talkin’ about a practice squad player, but I’d be curious to see what he could turn into in a couple years.

EDGE James Stewart, Tennessee State - The Titans have had two touchpoints with Stewart so far this draft cycle - one at TSU’s Pro Day and the other at the Titans local Pro Day. And, I’ll say that there's a good reason for them to be so interested. Stewart’s game fits in Robert Saleh’s defense quite well. He plays a lot of wide-aligned defensive end in a 4-man front, and he’s a straight line power rusher that plays hard and has a little fire in his hands. He shows good hip sink and arm extension to create a wedge when setting the edge and can dent the tackle inside to really pinch the edge as a run defender. I have some major questions about the traits because he doesn’t look like the twitchiest guy, and when plays get into space, he seems to have a hard time running them down. He keeps his feet moving throughout the echo of the whistle, but I did notice a couple of failed attempts to wrap up a rusher. But, he fits the prototype for this defense with a good build and a hard-charging demeanor. He has a floor as a bull rusher, and occasionally, he’ll cross inside and swim over a guard or center, but the tool kit needs a bit of work. He has the potential to be a fun and powerful developmental rotational rusher.

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The draft process is too long.

For months, we dissect prospects, analyze team needs, and turn over the same ideas. Then, suddenly, something flies in out of left field, and the mock draft community is left tearing up their predictions and composing a new prognostication in the final hours.

That is the position I find myself in after the Giants dealt DT Dexter Lawrence to Cincinnati for the 10th overall pick over the weekend. My “one-and-only” mock draft was published last Thursday. But I’m now left in a unique situation where I am publishing, for the first time ever, a second, official, “final” mock draft.

As always, the impossible goal is to go 32 for 32 on team-player pairings. That’s what matters most to me in this exercise, so keep that in mind when it comes to the many trades I’ve orchestrated. I’m less interested in accurately predicting trade parameters than I am in nailing as many players as I can to the correct teams. So let’s see how close we can get in this, the most unpredictable of years…

1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

No change at the top, at least not at number one overall. The only sure thing in this entire draft is that the Raiders are taking their quarterback.

2. New York Jets: Arvell Reese, EDGE, Ohio State

This pick has flipped from Reese to David Bailey and now back to Arvell Reese over the last few weeks. With conflicting reports on both sides that feel impossible to parse, I’m following the money on this one. The books have shifted back to Reese being the favorite, and after I was fully convinced this would be Bailey last week, I’m now back on Reese to New York.

TRADE — 3. Kansas City Chiefs (from Arizona): David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech

Kansas City sends picks No. 9 and No. 40 to Arizona for pick No. 3.

There is a lot of smoke surrounding a possible jump up the board for Kansas City, the latest coming Monday from Todd McShay. With Bailey sitting there at No. 3, the Chiefs take advantage of a rare chance to pick in the top ten by turning that into a top-three selection, where they take the most productive pass rusher in the class. Arizona passes on Jeremiyah Love despite recent reports while picking up extra capital; could they use that to find their quarterback? Stay tuned…

4. Tennessee Titans: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

I’ve been on Love to the Titans since January, and I’m not changing my tune now. The only reason Love wouldn’t be the pick at No. 4 is because the Cardinals took him at No. 3. Mike Borgonzi could be tempted to go another way if David Bailey or Arvell Reese fall to him here, but I think Love is at the very least the number three player on the Titans draft board, if not two or even one.

5. New York Giants: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

Styles to the Giants at five is becoming the consensus amongst mock drafters. Now a recent rumor has started to spread that they actually don’t want Styles and could use this pick on Jordyn Tyson. And there are other guys in play, including Caleb Downs, Carnell Tate, or even an offensive linemen. But this feels like a potential late smokescreen in my opinion to divert attention away from the Buckeyes linebacker, so I’m sticking with what we know: the Giants really like Sonny Styles.

TRADE — 6. New Orleans Saints (from Cleveland): Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

New Orleans sends picks No. 8 and No. 132 to Cleveland for pick No. 6.

Midway through last week, reporting emerged from numerous sources that the Browns really want to trade down, while the Saints have been one of the few teams reportedly willing to trade up. Reporters close to the Saints have made it clear that wide receiver is not only a need but a priority entering Kellen Moore’s second season, and they have been widely connected to Tate throughout the predraft process. Pairing Tate with Chris Olave gives the Saints an explosive one-two punch of former OSU receivers and will allow Moore to get the most out of second-year quarterback Tyler Shough. It wouldn’t shock me at all if they made the same move but took Tyson instead of Tate.

TRADE — 7. New York Jets (from Washington): Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

New York sends picks No. 16 and No. 44 to Washington for pick No. 7.

With their top two targets in Styles and Tate off the board, the Commanders pick up some Day 2 capital (where they were light entering the draft) and allow the Jets to aggressively target the wide receiver they covet. There’s a lot of momentum behind Tyson’s push for the top 10 following his private workout last Friday, and the Jets have been linked to receivers with their second of two first-round picks since January. With the last week of buzz, there’s very little chance of Tyson lasting to pick No. 16, so the Jets do what they have to do to secure him at No. 7.

TRADE — 8. Cleveland Browns: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

The Browns move down a couple spots and still get their guy in Fano, who has been frequently reported as a target of interest for Cleveland. It would be a bit of a surprise to see him go before Francis Mauigoa, but there are concerns surrounding a herniated disc in Mauigoa’s back, and the Browns reportedly love Fano, who started the past two seasons at right tackle for Utah but manned the left side as a true freshman in 2023.

TRADE — 9. Arizona Cardinals (from Kansas City): Francis Mauigoa, OT/G, Miami

The Cardinals find their right tackle at No. 9, where Mauigoa will likely compete to start right away for Mike LaFleur’s new offense. In the worst-case scenario, Mauigoa settles in as an above-average guard. It’s a high-ceiling, high-floor first pick for LaFleur’s tenure in Arizona. If the Cardinals truly can’t move out of the No. 3 pick, I actually think Mauigoa is the more likely fallback plan. I’m not buying the reported interest in Love, and I don’t think the Cardinals would be so keen to move back if they actually liked the top two edge rushers in the class. Bad teams don’t pass on elite defensive end prospects, which tells me the Cardinals don’t actually view Bailey and Reese as elite-level prospects.

10. New York Giants: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

Some speculation out there currently points to a draft debate in New York over Styles or Downs at pick No. 5. Well in this scenario, the Giants get both. As much as I like Downs, I continue to struggle with placing him in the top ten due to the value of the safety position (or lack thereof). The Giants keep the OSU teammates together on the same defense. It wouldn’t surprise me to see Harbaugh target an offensive lineman or wide receiver, but I think he really likes what Downs could unlock for his defense.

11. Miami Dolphins: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

New general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan is going to take a pure best-player-available approach to this draft given the state of Miami’s roster. Delane met with Miami on a top-30 visit, and represents the purest combination of positional value, talent and ceiling left on the board. Delane would be a home-run first career selection for Sullivan.

12. Dallas Cowboys: Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami

After all the reporting out there about the Cowboys’ desire to trade up for a defender, they are instead able to wait out the top 11 and still get an impact player for Christian Parker’s defensive front. Bain may not fall this far depending on how teams feel about his arm length and off-field incidents, or he could continue sliding down the board if the Cowboys elect to take a cornerback with this pick. I also believe this is Caleb Downs’ floor if the Giants go a different direction.

13. Los Angeles Rams: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia

Everyone wants to project a wide receiver to Los Angeles, notably Makai Lemon or Omar Cooper Jr., but the Rams need to keep Matthew Stafford upright more than they need additional weapons for him. This would set up the future of the Rams offensive line with the best pure left tackle prospect in the class and potentially keep the blindside protected for Stafford’s eventual successor, as well as provide a high quality insurance plan should LA suffer an injury to one of their starting tackles. It’s exactly the kind of smart team-building move the Rams would make when everyone expects them to add an instant-impact playmaker.

14. Baltimore Ravens: Olaivavega Ioane, iOL, Penn State

My chalkiest selection is this one, as I have the Ravens taking the player most commonly mocked to them. It makes sense from a need standpoint after the Ravens lost two interior offensive linemen in free agency; it makes sense from a value standpoint as Ioane profiles as a day-one starter and the best guard in the class; and it makes sense from a reporting standpoint as most mock drafters right now are slotting Ioane to Baltimore.

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

I’ve gone back and forth on this pick, as I think it’s equally probable the Buccaneers take a defensive end like Akheem Mesidor or Keldric Faulk. But Sadiq is the top playmaker on the board and would give new OC Zac Robinson a second TE to pair with Cade Otton. Robinson has spoken this offseason about his preference for two-tight-end sets, and the Bucs need a capable threat to fill that second tight end role.

TRADE — 16. Washington Commanders: Makai Lemon, WR, USC

The Commanders could go a number of directions with their first-round pick, whether they trade down or not. The rumors are they would prefer Sonny Styles or Carnell Tate at No. 7. I do think they want another playmaker for Jayden Daniels, and Lemon is tough, physical and would bring a lot of competitiveness to this offense. Lemon visited the Commanders, so there’s enough connective tissue here for me to comfortably project this pick.

17. Detroit Lions: Kayden Proctor, OT, Alabama

Most analysts expect the Lions to address the loss of Taylor Decker at tackle here or give Aidan Hutchinson a running mate on the opposite edge. Daniel Jeremiah reported the Lions love Proctor, so the combination of value and need are too perfect to pass on. Proctor will need to iron out his inconsistencies, but he does feel like a Dan Campbell type of pick.

18. Minnesota Vikings: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

At this point in the draft process, I think it would be shocking to see the Vikings not take Thieneman after Harrison Smith was designated as a June 1 release. Almost every mock I’ve seen has Thieneman going to the Vikings, and Matt Miller reported that “the front office views him as a seamless replacement for Smith.” I’m not overthinking this one.

19. Carolina Panthers: KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M

Panthers GM Dan Morgan said recently that he “wouldn’t hesitate” to take a Round 1 wide receiver for the third straight year. I could also see the Panthers taking an offensive tackle here, but with Freeling and Proctor off the board, I’d expect them to continue adding weapons for Bryce Young instead. Concepcion would bring a dynamic to this offense that Tetairoa McMillan doesn’t possess and help Young reach the next level in his development.

20. Dallas Cowboys: Chris Johnson McCoy, CB, San Diego State

The Cowboys stay put at No. 20 in this mock and land the biggest riser among cornerbacks in the draft. Chris Johnson is an athletic corner with sound technique that can easily turn into a CB1 while having the floor of a very solid CB2. I do think the Cowboys are a candidate to trade back from this spot, but I struggle to identify the team that would move up the board. There’s also talk about Malachi Lawrence possibly being in play here, but I personally don’t see Lawrence as a first-round talent, and anyway I already mocked Bain to the Cowboys at No. 12, filling their edge need.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson

Despite all the reporting linking the Steelers to a receiver, I simply can’t get behind that idea, not after the Steelers have spent back-to-back offseasons trading for receivers and then immediately signing those guys to extensions. Then on Monday morning, it was reported that Broderick Jones has suffered a setback in his recovery from a season-ending neck injury. The Steelers need to solidify their offensive line, and Blake Miller is a reliable starting-level tackle, even if he played 54 straight games on the right side for Clemson when the Steelers might need someone on the left side.

22. Los Angeles Chargers: Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn

Interior offensive line is indisputably the Chargers’ biggest need, but it would be a reach here at No. 22, and edge rusher is also a priority after losing Odafe Oweh in free agency. There’s not much of a direct, reported connection between Faulk and the Chargers, but he has been mocked here by a few experts I trust. I don’t have much conviction behind this selection, but I could see Jim Harbaugh getting excited about Faulk’s explosive traits and his inside-out versatility. I also think the Chargers are a prime trade-back candidate, but I’m not sure which prospects left on the board would motivate a trade-up partner.

23. Philadelphia Eagles: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

Eagles GM Howie Roseman is planning for life after A.J. Brown with the physical, big-bodied Boston going a bit higher here than the consensus may indicate. Adam Schefter spoke on Monday as if the details of the Brown trade had already been negotiated. This trade seems inevitable. The Eagles could alternatively look to replace Brown with a later pick or through their trio of offseason additions (Marquise Brown, Elijah Moore and Dontayvion Wicks), but Boston would be an instant starter opposite DeVonta Smith. The other most likely outcome is they use this pick on a tackle with a Lane Johnson succession plan in mind.

24. Cleveland Browns: Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana

With offensive tackle addressed earlier in the night, the Browns turn to their other big offseason priority, adding a wide receiver. Cooper has met with the Browns on a top-30 visit and would be a steal at No. 24, if he even falls this far.

25. Chicago Bears: Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami

We know EDGE is a priority for Chicago after they were heavily involved in the Maxx Crosby sweepstakes. With minimal free agency investments on the defensive line, Chicago turns to the draft to fill this void. Mesidor is a more polished prospect than most, entering the league at age 25, and he could start right away for Chicago without needing much development time, even if he has a lower ceiling than you might like for a first-round pick.

26. Buffalo Bills: Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State

My first mock draft didn’t have McDonald going in the first round, but there is no harder team for me to figure out right now than the Buffalo Bills. I think they are another prime trade-down candidate, but with only one pick on Day 2, they don’t have much ammunition to return to whomever would trade up to this spot, so I have them sticking and filling their biggest need, a run-stuffing defensive tackle. Peter Schrager mocked McDonald to the Bills at one point, and I could see that reality materializing on Thursday night.

27. San Francisco 49ers: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

San Francisco reworked Trent Williams’ contract to keep him in the Bay Area for two more years, delaying their need to find a left tackle of the future. The first-round receivers have been picked away, and the edge rushers in this range feel like a reach, so I have the 49ers taking the best player available in McNeil-Warren. Parker Hurley, who covers the 49ers, believes McNeil-Warren would be a “strong fit” and “would likely start right away,” and that it would be “hard for San Francisco to pass” on him if he fell to No. 27.

TRADE — 28. Arizona Cardinals (from Houston): Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama

Arizona sends picks No. 34, 104 and 183 to Houston for pick No. 28.

No one knows the Texans better than NFL Network’s Lance Zierlein, who is based in Houston and has covered the franchise for decades. During his Monday appearance on Heed the Call, Zierlein mentioned he thinks the Texans will trade out of this pick, and we’ve heard nonstop reports about the Cardinals’ desire to move back into Round 1 to secure their franchise quarterback. So that’s the scenario I’m projecting.

29. Kansas City Chiefs: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

I’ve gone back and forth at this spot between offensive tackle and cornerback for Kansas City, but ultimately I think the need at corner is too great to pass on one here, especially after I’ve traded away Kansas City’s second-rounder (No. 40 overall). So I’m going with a corner who has received a lot of first-round buzz, but has fallen due to medicals. A physical, man cover cornerback in Kansas City with knee issues? Sounds familiar.

30. Miami Dolphins: Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee

After taking Delane at No. 11, I have the Dolphins taking a second first-round corner because their current depth chart is actually frightening. Currently set to start for Miami is journeyman Darrell Baker Jr., who isn’t bad but is best suited as a team’s fourth or fifth corner, and former 7th-round pick Alex Austin, who graded out at a 42.2 by PFF last season on just 144 total defensive snaps. They need two guys. Hood and Delane would form an awesome tandem in the back end of Jeff Hafley’s defense.

31. New England Patriots: Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State

The Patriots could address the defense here, but the top edge rushers are off the board and the defensive tackles profile more as round two run-stuffers than first-round prospects, especially with McDonald taken by Buffalo. Mike Vrabel went viral for getting physical in drills with Iheanachor at ASU’s pro day, and the Patriots need a long-term right tackle given that Morgan Moses is 35 years old.

TRADE — 32. Jacksonville Jaguars (from Seattle): Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame

Jacksonville sends picks 56, 81 and 100 to Seattle for pick 32.

Seattle has just four selections in this draft and have openly spoken about their desire to trade back and accumulate more picks. The Jaguars would be a surprising trade-up team, especially for a running back, but it wouldn’t be more shocking than their trade up from No. 5 to No. 2 last year for Travis Hunter. Jacksonville lost Travis Etienne to free agency and the current running back room leaves a lot to be desired. Price is ranked as Daniel Jeremiah’s 34th overall prospect, so this really isn’t that much of a reach, and given the drop-off at the position behind Price, I could see him sneaking his way into the first round to an aggressive team like Jacksonville.

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Let’s just keep it short and sweet, this is StackingTheInbox.com’s FINAL Top-100 Players

1. RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame

2. LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State

3. S Caleb Downs, Ohio State

4. IOL Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State

5. CB Mansoor Delane, LSU

6. EDGE David Bailey, Texas Tech

7. EDGE/LB Arvell Reese, Ohio State

8. EDGE/DL Rueben Bain Jr., Miami

9. OL Francis Mauigoa, Miami

10. CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee

11. WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State

12. S Dillon Thieneman, Oregon

13. OT Monroe Freeling, Georgia

14. OL Spencer Fano, Utah

15. QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana

16. CB Colton Hood, Tennessee

17. WR Makai Lemon, USC

18. WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State

19. TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon

20. DL Caleb Banks, Florida

21. EDGE/DL Keldric Faulk, Auburn

22. DL Peter Woods, Clemson

23. IOL Emmanuel Pregnon, Oregon

24. OT Blake Miller, Clemson

25. EDGE Cashius Howell, Texas A&M

26. WR Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana

27. WR Denzel Boston, Washington

28. OT Max Iheanachor, Arizona State

29. OL Kadyn Proctor, Alabama

30. EDGE Akheem Mesidor, Miami

31. WR KC Concepcion, Texas A&M

32. CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson

33. IOL Chase Bisontis, Texas A&M

34. WR Chris Brazzell II, Tennessee

35. EDGE Zion Young, Missouri

36. S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo

37. WR Germie Bernard, Alabama

38. LB Jake Golday, Cincinnati

39. CB Chris Johnson, San Diego State

40. EDGE R Mason Thomas, Oklahoma

41. LB CJ Allen, Georgia

42. EDGE Gabe Jacas, Illinois

43. OT Caleb Lomu, Utah

44. EDGE Malachi Lawrence, UCF

45. EDGE TJ Parker, Clemson

46. CB Keith Abney II, Arizona State

47. DL Christen Miller, Georgia

48. WR Chris Bell, Louisville

49. LB Anthony Hill Jr., Texas

50. WR Ted Hurst, Georgia State

51. DL Lee Hunter, Texas Tech

52. CB Keionte Scott, Miami

53. CB D’Angelo Ponds, Indiana

54. DL Kayden McDonald, Ohio State

55. TE Oscar Delp, Georgia

56. WR Skyler Bell, UConn

57. TE Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt

58. QB Ty Simpson, Alabama

59. IOL Keylan Rutledge, Georgia Tech

60. CB Treydan Stukes, Arizona

61. EDGE Romello Height, Texas Tech

62. IOL Logan Jones, Iowa

63. LB Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech

64. S AJ Haulcy, LSU

65. CB Devin Moore, Florida

66. WR Zachariah Branch, Georgia

67. IOL Jalen Farmer, Kentucky

68. EDGE Derrick Moore, Michigan

69. CB Brandon Cisse, South Carolina

70. DL Zane Durant, Penn State

71. CB Julian Neal, Arkansas

72. WR Bryce Lance, North Dakota State

73. CB Davison Igbinosun, Ohio State

74. LB Kyle Louis, Pittsburgh

75. IOL Sam Hecht, Kansas State

76. DL Gracen Halton, Oklahoma

77. RB Jadarian Price, Notre Dame

78. IOL Jake Slaughter, Florida

79. RB Mike Washington Jr., Arkansas

80. DL Darrell Jackson Jr., Florida State

81. EDGE Keyron Crawford, Auburn

82. DL Domonique Orange, Iowa State

83. IOL Parker Brailsford, Alabama

84. EDGE LT Overton, Alabama

85. EDGE Dani Dennis-Sutton, Penn State

86. CB Malik Muhammad, Texas

87. WR Antonio Williams, Clemson

88. OL Gennings Dunker, Iowa

89. CB Chandler Rivers, Duke

90. IOL Connor Lew, Auburn

91. S Bud Clark, TCU

92. LB Josiah Trotter, Missouri

93. LB Deontae Lawson, Alabama

94. S VJ Payne, Kansas State

95. RB Kaytron Allen, Penn State

96. S DeShon Singleton, Nebraska

97. CB Ephesians Prysock, Washington

98. LB Jaishawn Barham, Michigan

99. TE Tanner Koziol, Houston

100. S Zakee Wheatley, Penn State

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I love draft week! It’s finally here and I cannot wait. If you do not have plans yet, make sure you guys come hang out with Stoney Keeley and myself:

• Thursday (7p-End) & Friday (6p-End) night at Leipers Fork House of Spirits: 334 Main St #104, Franklin, TN 37064

• Saturday, all day from 11a-5p at their main distillery: 3381 Southall Rd, Franklin, TN 37064

Hopefully you guys can make it. This morning Todd McShay put out 20 things that h is hearing about the 2026 draft in a newsletter. Let’s break down what these 20 things are, what do I believe, and what I don’t.

The Giants and the NFL Draft

Now that the Giants own the 5th and 10th overall pick in the first round, I believe they’re gonna go all out on defense. Sonny Styles and Caleb Downs both have been connected to the Giants when they just had the 1.05 pick, now they’re in a prime spot to get both. McShay agrees:

Let’s start with the Giants, who made a massive splash this week by trading all-world defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II to the Bengals for the no. 10 pick. New York now holds the fifth and 10th selections of the first round, and I’m told they love Ohio State defenders Sonny Styles and Caleb Downs. I wouldn’t be surprised if those two guys end up in New York. The Giants also might not be done dealing.

McShay goes on to his second rumor with the Giants and says it is going to have to be Styles at 1.05 if they want him. Stating that he won’t be there at 10 because “Dan Quinn and the Commanders love him.” Even going as far as saying if both Love and Styles are there at 1.07, that they’ll still go Styles. So, yes I do believe the order has to be Styles then Downs for the Giants if they want the best shot at both.

I don’t know if I agree that Styles is the pick over Love, but I could see him being the pick over another oft-linked player to the Commanders: Carnell Tate. At the end of the day, I don’t think Styles or Love will be there, but I do wonder if the Commanders make a huge splash to get Styles by trading their 3rd this year and a draft pick in next years draft. It’s not that crazy, the Commanders aren’t a crappy team and don’t have that many holes, so, if they feel like Styles is a big piece for them, why not? (very very slim chance)

The Jets and 1.02

Yeah, I think it’s Reese. It kind of hit me when all of this flip-flopping was going on. Let’s use McShay to get you updated on that:

The industry (myself included) has flip-flopped on what the Jets will do with the second pick over the last couple of months. As recently as last week, I felt confident that David Bailey was the pick. Now, I’ve got a strong lean toward Arvell Reese. New Jets GM Darren Mougey is going to make a risk-averse selection with this pick. Conventional wisdom says that’s Bailey, but I’m not so sure. Reese is the better football player, period. If the Jets have a plan in place for him, he will succeed at the next level. Even if he “fails” to live up to his sky-high potential, he could still be one of the better off-ball linebackers in the league.

If Aaron Glenn was confidently in the Jets future plans, I could see why they would go Bailey. However, I think when it comes down to it, the Jets ownership and his kiddos, saw Brugler’s The Beast where had Reese as the top prospect and said, “Daddy, daddy please draft Reese.” That’s why the Jets cancelled his “30 visit” at the eleventh hour. Ownership wants Reese cause of the ceiling, and they don’t care about the safe player that could help Glenn’s job security.

It’s Reese at Three.

The Cardinals/Titans at 1.03/1.04

Let’s just take this step-by-step:

1. Of all the teams in the top 10, I’m told the Cardinals are working the hardest to move back. That’s the priority for GM Monti Ossenfort.

2. If the Cardinals stick and pick with no. 3, I believe they’ll grab Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love. I’ve been saying for weeks that there’s a powerful voice inside that building pushing for Love. What I didn’t realize was just how much influence that voice had.

3. If Love doesn’t go no. 3 to the Cardinals, I’d expect him to be the pick for Tennessee at no. 4. I don’t see him getting out of the top five. If Love is gone but Bailey is available, I think Bailey could be the pick at no. 4. Don’t rule out Sonny Styles, either. There are some people in the Titans organization who see Styles playing the Fred Warner role in that scheme.

Here’s what I think, and thank you to Brandon Lawson for helping me arrive to this conclusion.

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An actual short introduction!

Sometimes you just need to get things off your chest. Here are two offseason narratives that have had me pulling out my hair. They get said and regurgitated over and over without any independent thought or questioning of said narrative.

Feel free to leave yours in the comments below or start a chat!

Super Bowls & Running Backs

“Only one running back drafted in the top-5 over the last 20 years has ever won a Super Bowl with the team that drafted him!”

Cool story, bro. How about the rest of the positions? In fact, of players that have been drafted in the top-5 since 2004, only 5 have won the Super Bowl with the team that drafted them:

• Reggie Bush, RB, New Orleans Saints

• Eli Manning, QB, New York Giants

• Von Miller, OLB, Denver

• Eric Fisher, OT, Kansas City

• Devon Witherspoon, CB, Seattle

That’s out of 5 out of 110 top-5 players drafted over the last 22-years for an astoundingly low rate of 4.6%. So, by this logic: Never draft a wide receiver top-5. Don’t draft Ja’Marr Chase y’all! Let’s break this down by the positions listed above and see who has the highest hit rate:

1. CB: 14.3%

2. RB: 11.1%

3. OT: 6.7%

4. OLB: 4.2%

5. QB: 3.03%

So, only draft cornerbacks in the 1st round according to this dumb as hell narrative.

Regimes & Premium Picks

“The draft history of those in the front office have never spent a premium pick on non-premium positions.”

Wow, what an exciting tale. But it’s of course got major plot holes. Mike Borgonzi, Chad Brinker, Dave Ziegler, Reggie McKenzie are the front office guys.

Now let’s look at their history of when they were in roles that would directly overlap with the NFL Draft. For example, if you were on the pro side of things you’re likely not being ingrained or exposed to the college side. So, here’s how that goes:

• Borgonzi: 2015-2024 (10 drafts)

• Brinker: 2021-2024 (4 Drafts)

• Ziegler: 2020-2023 (4 Drafts)

• McKenzie: 2008-2018 (11 Drafts)

Obviously excluding Cam Ward last year, but just wanted their actual history they were exposed to on a deep basis. Out of all those drafts, there’s only been one guy who has picked in the top-5, and that is Reggie McKenzie.

• 2014 Draft: Khalil Mack selected at 1.05

• 2015 Draft: Amari Cooper selected at 1.04

The first running back off the board in the 2014 draft? Bishop Sankey in the 2nd round. The first running back in the 2015 draft? Todd Gurley who had torn an ACL in his final college season in November of 2014. Not even these are good examples of what is trying to be pushed by this narrative.

So, these teams that they were in the draft war room for, to see/be involved in the strategies and discussions, there’s only been two of those instances where that team was drafting in the top-5.

Let’s add in the godfather of all of these guys: Ron Wolf. Wolf was drafting from 1991-2000 for the Packers. These guys subscribe to his philosophy, more on that later, and he only adds one addition draft where he was in a position to draft in the top-5. He drafted Jeff Buckley, a cornerback, in 1992. Who played 14 years in the league and is a Super Bowl Champion. Tommy Vardell was the first running back off the board and never got 700 yards rushing.

Not all drafts are the same. This one is unique and should be treated as such.

This is a detour, but just so everyone knows, Ron Wolf was a big BPA guy. Schneider is as well, and in fact, strayed from this philosophy and says that’s what caused a slight lull for the Seahawks. Getting back to that philosophy is what helped them get to the Super Bowl.

Eliot Wolf, the guy on the opposite side, drafted for need in 2024 and then in 2025 specifically went back to his father’s teachings and thus you have the Patriots in the Super Bowl…versus the Seahawks…who stem from the Ron Wolf Tree.

So do these guys here. Very much a Ron Wolf DNA coursing through the roster building veins of the decision makers. Ron Wolf buil his Green Bay rosters using the "Best Player Available" mantra. Drafting talent based on the board and his grades. Staying true to the board. This philosophy focused on long-term talent accumulation over positional desperate drafting.

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