DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk NFL Draft 2026 Published Mocks

The latest Dan Brugler mock from The Athletic - I am quite a big fan of Dan's drafting reports on players.

1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
2. New York Jets: Arvell Reese, edge, Ohio State
3. Arizona Cardinals: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
4. Tennessee Titans: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
5. New York Giants: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
6. Cleveland Browns: Spencer Fano, OL, Utah
7. Washington Commanders: David Bailey, edge, Texas Tech
8. New Orleans Saints: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
9. Kansas City Chiefs: Rueben Bain Jr., edge, Miami
10. Cincinnati Bengals: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
11. Miami Dolphins: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
12. Dallas Cowboys: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
13. Los Angeles Rams (from ATL): Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
14. Baltimore Ravens: Vega Ioane, G, Penn State
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
16. New York Jets (from IND): Makai Lemon, WR, USC
17. Detroit Lions: Kadyn Proctor, OT/G, Alabama
18. Minnesota Vikings: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
19. Carolina Panthers: Akheem Mesidor, edge, Miami
20. Dallas Cowboys (from GB): Keldric Faulk, edge, Auburn
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
23. Philadelphia Eagles: Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State
24. Cleveland Browns (from JAX): Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
25. Chicago Bears: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
26. Buffalo Bills: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
27. San Francisco 49ers: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
28. Arizona Cardinals (from HOU)*: Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
29. Los Angeles Rams: KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
(Note: The Rams have traded this pick to the Chiefs as part of a package for CB Trent McDuffie, a league source told The Athletic.)
30. Denver Broncos: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
31. New England Patriots: T.J. Parker, edge, Clemson
32. Seattle Seahawks: Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina

Given this scenario at #6 and #24 - I'd personally be looking at WR Tate or Caleb Downs at #6. And Ty Simpson would be hard to pass up at 24. It wouldn't address the OL ... Looking at the board I see a lot of love for Freeling. Assuming no trade down maybe Freeling at 6 and Tyson at 24 is a pretty good combination.

As ever I am starting to feel a little optimistic. Stroll on April 23rd.

The athletic latest 1st round - again not sure if it is pay wall so will just post the CLE picks. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/71...l&campaign=711528&userId=4624222

6. Cleveland Browns: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
A former five-star recruit who lived up to his hype, Mauigoa was a three-year starter for the Hurricanes and team captain of a squad that made it to the national title game. The Browns need a lot of help up front, and the 6-5 1/2, 330-pounder should be a good fit. Some scouts told The Athletic they think he might be better as a guard (he has 33 1/4-inch arms). His coach, Mario Cristobal, has raved about Mauigoa’s versatility, power and technique, saying he could play at any of the five offensive line spots and do well.

24. Cleveland Browns (from Jacksonville): KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
With the Browns getting some O-line help earlier with Mauigoa, receiver is the big need to help spark a suspect offense. Concepcion’s wheels should help a lot. This guy has dazzling playmaking ability. He’s stronger than you think at 6-0, 196. In 2023, he was the ACC Rookie of the Year at NC State, with 839 receiving yards and 320 rushing yards, averaging almost eight yards per carry. At A&M last season, he averaged 14 yards per offensive touch. He is a terror for opponents as a punt returner, averaging 18.2 yards and taking two back for touchdowns in 2025. He’d be projected to go sooner if his hands were more reliable. Last season, he had seven drops, according to PFF.

“He torches guys with his burst,” said an SEC DC. “You gotta know where he is because he could kill you with bubble screens or slants, and he’s gone before you know it and no one is catching this dude. His hands are shaky. If he can become more consistent, he’ll be a star in the NFL.”

I'd be happy enough with this draft. I think PFF have Mauigoa as the 7th best player in the draft. Tate, Fano and Downs all available in at #6 ... I'd bet on a trade down 2-4 spots if this was the case come draft day. Unless they covet Downs or Tate - I don't think there is a player they gotta take, and a small move down would get you draft capital in 2027 that will possibly be crucial.

Why does this factor not push him out of the first round? Haven't we had enough guys with "potential" who had bad hands in college?

There are a lot of draft reviews out there - this happens to be from the same place as the mock draft simulator:

WR Rank #4

PFF #35 - ESPN #40 - The Athletic #22 - CBS Sports #31


KC Concepcion will be a darling of analytically-minded evaluators after his true freshman breakout at NC State. In his very first collegiate season, Concepcion caught 71 passes for 839 yards and 10 TDs, and added 320 yards on the ground at 7.8 yards per attempt -- good for 1,159 total yards from scrimmage and a total yardage share over 25%. His second season at NC State was much less efficient, but in a new environment in 2025, Concepcion was able to reclaim his standing in the NFL Draft pecking order.

At 5'11", 187 pounds, Concepcion is a human joystick with incredible throttle control, change-of-direction, and spatial feel -- traits that lend well to natural separation, RAC ability, and usage versatility. He can still clean up focus drops at times, but his hand technique and catch-point control is otherwise sound. He's an incredibly dynamic RAC weapon, and he's shown he can beat press coverage with calculated quickness and bouts of targeted physicality, suggesting true impact starter and multi-alignment upside as a movement-Z receiver.

I'd say 24 would not be a reach. If he has burst, separation and can beat press man coverage ... that's no small thing.

Until he beats coverage and drops the ball, then it becomes a big thing.

I don't have him in my top 6 receivers, because of his hands...I have him at #37 overall. So, if he were there at #39, after taking Tate at #6, I would take a flyer on him if someone better doesn't drop down at a place of need. No way I would want to rely on him as the first option. I also don't want to spend a top ten pick on a guard.

I think that could possibly be at least one of the Plan B options. I think Plan A would be to trade down to accumulate another first round pick for a very rich QB draft next year. If Plan A fails you can always resort to Plan B. Everyone in business should have multiple contingency plans.

Just my opinion ........I have heard a lot of people wanting to trade down, but I think they are going to be disappointed, because I see a small handful of "great" players, and a bunch of guys who are good, and the kind you build your team with, nut not guys you typically rate so highly trhat you go blowing assetts trading up on. I just don't think there will be a lot of trade down opportunities that would bring value.