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
Kenneth Walker III Potential Landing Spots: Where Will Super Bowl LX MVP Play in 2026? After a record-breaking rookie season, Kenneth Walker III is set to hit the open market as one of the most coveted running backs in the NFL. The Pittsburgh Steelers' star rushed for 1,167 yards and scored eight touchdowns en route to being named Super Bowl LX MVP. Now, teams are scrambling to land the talented backman in their rosters. The top contenders vying for Walker's services are the Miami Dolphins, the Green Bay Packers, and the Los Angeles Rams. The Dolphins have been quietly building a strong offense behind quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, and adding Walker would give them a dynamic playmaker to pair with tight end Mike Gesicki. A Walker-Dolphins union could result in a top-five offense in the league. The Packers, meanwhile, are in dire need of an upgrade at running back after Aaron Jones' disappointing 2025 campaign. Green Bay has consistently been one of the top teams in the NFC North, and with Walker, they would regain their footing as a legitimate Super Bowl contender. The addition of Walker to the Packers' offense would create a formidable one-two punch alongside quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The Rams, who have been rebuilding after a disappointing 2025 season, are another dark horse contender for Walker's services. With quarterback Matthew Stafford and receiver Cooper Kupp on board, adding Walker would give Los Angeles a strong three-headed monster in their backfield. The Rams' high-powered offense could be revitalized with Walker as the primary ball-carrier. While it's difficult to predict which team will ultimately land Walker, one thing is...#Aaron_Jones #Los_Angeles_Rams #Aaron_Rodgers #Green_Bay_Packers #Miami_Dolphins #Kenneth_Walker_III #Tua_Tagovailoa #Mike_Gesicki #Matthew_Stafford #Cooper_Kupp
Highest-graded cornerbacks from the 2025 NFL season: Devon Witherspoon takes the No. 1 spot As the dust settles on the just-concluded 2025 NFL regular season, we're taking a closer look at the top performers in various positions. Today's focus is on the highest-graded cornerbacks, and it's no surprise that Chicago Bears' Devon Witherspoon has taken the top spot. Witherspoon's impressive campaign saw him earn an outstanding Pro Football Focus (PFF) grade of 92.4, a staggering 5.1 points higher than his nearest competitor, Miami Dolphins' Xavien Howard. The former Cal Golden Bear's incredible season was marked by his ability to shut down opposing receivers and make game-changing plays. The 2022 first-round pick's impressive metrics include allowing just 45 receptions on 87 targets, good for a 51.7% completion percentage. Furthermore, Witherspoon recorded an astonishing 17 passes defended, which placed him among the top five cornerbacks in this category. Rounding out the top three are Minnesota Vikings' Patrick Peterson and Seattle Seahawks' Tariq Woolen, both of whom earned grades above 88.0. Peterson's steady veteran presence was a stabilizing force for the Vikings' secondary, while Woolen's explosive athleticism made him a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks to deal with. Interestingly, it's worth noting that three of the top four cornerbacks on this list are under the age of 25, indicating that the future of the position is bright and in capable hands. As we head into the postseason, it will be fascinating to see how these elite cornerbacks perform in the spotlight. In related news, Witherspoon's dominant season has catapulted him into early MVP discussions, much to the delight of Bears fans w...#Seattle_Seahawks #Chicago_Bears #Miami_Dolphins #Xavien_Howard #Devon_Witherspoon #Patrick_Peterson #Minnesota_Vikings #Tariq_Woolen
NFL's Best Perimeter Cornerbacks of the 2025 Season The 2025 NFL season has come to a close, and while it was filled with exciting moments and thrilling finishes, one position stood out above the rest: the perimeter cornerback. These players are responsible for covering receivers outside the numbers, a task that requires a unique combination of speed, agility, and ball skills. According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), the top 5 perimeter cornerbacks from the 2025 season were: 1. Trevon Diggs - Dallas Cowboys Diggs had an outstanding season, allowing just 46 receptions on 86 targets for a passer rating of 44.7. He was particularly effective in the red zone, where he allowed only one touchdown on eight targets. 2. Jaire Alexander - Green Bay Packers Alexander was another standout cornerback, finishing with a grade of 90.5 from PFF. He allowed just 47 receptions on 94 targets and had an impressive six interceptions. 3. Marlon Humphrey - Baltimore Ravens Humphrey had a strong season for the Ravens, allowing 54 receptions on 104 targets while also recording four interceptions. His ability to shut down opposing receivers was crucial to his team's success. 4. Xavien Howard - Miami Dolphins Howard continued to impress in his fourth NFL season, finishing with a grade of 89.1 from PFF. He allowed 55 receptions on 114 targets and had three interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown. 5. Denzel Ward - Cleveland Browns Ward rounded out the top 5 cornerbacks, allowing just 59 receptions on 122 targets while also recording two interceptions. His ability to cover receivers both inside and outside was a key factor in his team's success....#Green_Bay_Packers #Cleveland_Browns #Miami_Dolphins #Jaire_Alexander #Trevon_Diggs #Marlon_Humphrey #Xavien_Howard #Denzel_Ward #Dallas_Cowboys #Baltimore_Ravens
A.J. Brown Trade Talks: Eagles Want First-Rounder and More for WR in 'Quinnen Williams-Type Deal' The Philadelphia Eagles are actively seeking a significant return in trade talks surrounding star wide receiver A.J. Brown, according to league sources. The team is reportedly targeting a "Quinnen Williams-type deal," which would involve exchanging the talented pass-catcher for a combination of assets that could include multiple draft picks and a key player. Brown has emerged as one of the top receivers in the NFL since joining the Eagles via trade with the Tennessee Titans last offseason. He has recorded 64 receptions, 865 yards, and eight touchdowns through his first two seasons in Philadelphia. The 25-year-old's impressive production and growing stature have made him an attractive target for teams seeking to bolster their receiving corps. In pursuit of a more substantial return, the Eagles are willing to part with Brown if they can secure a package that includes a first-round draft pick, along with additional assets such as a second- or third-round selection. This type of deal would be reminiscent of the one the New York Jets orchestrated when they traded safety Quinnen Williams to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for multiple draft picks and a promising young player. The Eagles are said to have engaged in preliminary discussions with several teams, including the Miami Dolphins and the Carolina Panthers, both of which have been actively seeking to strengthen their receiving units. While no deal is imminent at this time, the team's willingness to engage in trade talks signals a desire to bolster its roster through other means if Brown does not ultimately remain with the franchise. As the NFL trad...#New_York_Jets #Philadelphia_Eagles #AJ_Brown #Tennessee_Titans #Cleveland_Browns #Miami_Dolphins #Carolina_Panthers #Quinnen_Williams
