Lance Zierlein 2026 NFL Mock Draft 2.1: Two CBs in Top Five; Combine Star Sonny Styles Cracks Top 10 In his latest 2026 NFL mock draft, Lance Zierlein of NFL.com has unveiled the top five picks for the upcoming draft, with a pair of cornerbacks making an early exit from the board. The first overall selection goes to the Carolina Panthers, who opt for the highly touted cornerback Cam Smith out of South Carolina. Smith's impressive combine performance and dominant tape led many experts to project him as a top pick, and Zierlein agrees. "Cam Smith is a game-changer," said the NFL draft analyst. "He has the size, speed, and ball skills to dominate at the next level." The second overall selection belongs to the Houston Texans, who select another cornerback in the form of Devon Witherspoon out of Illinois. Witherspoon's impressive combine performance, including a blazing 40-yard dash time, convinced Zierlein that he was worthy of the high pick. Meanwhile, the Chicago Bears land Alabama linebacker Will Anderson Jr. at No. 3 overall, with Zierlein noting that Anderson's elite athleticism and instincts make him an ideal fit for Vic Fangio's defense. The Philadelphia Eagles take Oklahoma quarterback Dillon Gabriel at No. 4, a move that Zierlein believes will pay dividends in the long run. "Gabriel has all the tools to be a top-tier NFL QB," said Zierlein. "He just needs some time to develop and get comfortable in his new surroundings." Finally, the ...#South_Carolina #Oklahoma #Oklahoma #Will_Anderson_Jr #Cam_Smith #Chicago_Bears #Houston_Texans #Alabama #Illinois #Georgia #Philadelphia_Eagles #Miami_Dolphins #Carolina_Panthers #Devon_Witherspoon #Vic_Fangio #Dillon_Gabriel #Sonny_Styles
Cardinals, Seahawks Select Notre Dame RBs in Round 1 The 2026 NFL draft is just around the corner, and Charles Davis has released his latest mock draft to give fans a glimpse of what might happen on draft night. In his second iteration of the 2026 mock, Davis sees the Arizona Cardinals selecting Notre Dame running back Tyler Buchner with the first overall pick. Buchner, a dual-threat quarterback-turned-running back, impressed scouts and coaches alike during the NFL Combine, showcasing his impressive speed, power, and elusiveness on the field. The 6-foot-2, 215-pounder is expected to be one of the top running backs in this year's class, with many projecting him as a first-round pick. The Seattle Seahawks, picking second overall, followed suit by selecting Notre Dame running back Audric Estimé. Like Buchner, Estimé is an electric playmaker who excelled at the Combine, showcasing his acceleration, agility, and receiving skills. The 5-foot-10, 200-pounder is expected to be a significant contributor for the Seahawks in the years to come. The rest of the first round saw the following picks: Jacksonville Jaguars selecting defensive end Will Anderson Jr. from Alabama; Houston Texans taking wide receiver Quentin Johnston from Tulsa; Chicago Bears choosing quarterback Hendon Hooker from Tennessee; and the Indianapolis Colts selecting linebacker Tommy Echols from Miami. As the draft approaches, teams are sure to be...#Seattle_Seahawks #Miami #Will_Anderson_Jr #Hendon_Hooker #Tyler_Buchner #Audric_Estim #Arizona_Cardinals #NFL_Draft #Notre_Dame #Alabama #Jacksonville_Jaguars #Houston_Texans #Quentin_Johnston #Tulsa #Chicago_Bears #Tennessee #Indianapolis_Colts #Tommy_Echols
