Okay, so, today I’m diving into something I’ve been messing around with for a bit – the 2026 NFL Mock Draft. Yeah, I know it’s way early, but it’s fun to think about, right? And who doesn’t love a good draft prediction?
First off, I started by looking at the teams and where they might be in a couple of years. It’s not just about who’s bad now, but also who might be losing key players or who might be in a rebuilding phase by 2026. I spent a good chunk of time just reading up on team news, contracts, and all that jazz. I even looked at some articles about the 2024 and 2025 drafts to get a sense of the flow, you know?
Then, I got into the players. Man, there are some exciting prospects for 2026. I started making a list of names I kept seeing pop up. Guys like Arch Manning, the QB from Texas – everyone’s talking about him. And then there’s this wide receiver, Zachariah Branch, from Southern Cal, who looks like he could be a real game-changer. I dug through articles, and forum discussions. You wouldn’t believe the hype around some of these guys!
- Arch Manning, QB, Texas – This guy’s got the pedigree and the skills. I kept seeing his name linked to the New Orleans Saints. Makes sense, right? They might need a new QB by then.
- Zachariah Branch, WR, Southern Cal – Super fast, great hands. I could see him going early.
- Elijah Pritchett, OT, – I know, not as flashy as a QB, but every team needs a solid offensive line. Plus, I saw some talk about the Atlanta Falcons needing a replacement for Jake Matthews soon. So, I penciled him in there.
I started piecing together a mock draft, round by round. It was tough! So many variables. I used the current draft order as a starting point, but honestly, it’s all going to change. I played around with different scenarios, like, “What if this team trades up?” or “What if that team really needs a defensive end?” It’s like a giant puzzle. And there was this Nic Scourton, DE, guy, whom everyone seems to think is great, that I had to fit in there somewhere, too.

I even checked out this Mockout Sim Engine thing. It’s supposed to be super realistic, with trade logic and everything. I ran a few simulations, just to see what it would come up with. Pretty cool, but I still liked making my own picks better. It is my project after all, gotta see it through my own lens.
After hours of tinkering, I finally had a first-round mock draft that I was মোটামুটি happy with. It’s definitely going to change, like, a million times before 2026, but it was a blast to put together. And hey, who knows, maybe I’ll be right about a couple of these picks. That would be awesome!
Anyway, that’s my 2026 NFL Mock Draft adventure so far. It’s a work in progress, but it’s been a fun ride. If you’re into this kind of stuff, give it a try! It’s a cool way to learn about the teams and the up-and-coming players.
Cheers!













