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
NFL Draft Predictions 2026: Reid's Pick Analysis As the NFL draft approaches, teams are getting ready to make their picks. ESPN's Jordan Reid has shared his mock draft predictions for Rounds 1 and 2, giving us an early look at what might happen in the first two rounds of the 2026 draft. In the first round, Reid predicts that the Jacksonville Jaguars will select defensive end Will Anderson Jr. with the third overall pick. This move would give the Jaguars a much-needed boost on defense and help them rebuild after a tough season. Next up, the New York Jets are expected to take quarterback Hendon Hooker at number four. With their current situation under center, adding a talented young arm like Hooker could be just what they need to turn things around. The Houston Texans will likely pick defensive tackle Bryan Bresee with the fifth overall selection. The Texans have struggled on defense in recent years, and adding someone like Bresee would help shore up that side of the ball. At number six, the Carolina Panthers are predicted to select edge rusher Osi Nnadi. With their lack of depth at linebacker, Nnadi's skills could be a game-changer for the Panthers' defense. The Chicago Bears will likely pick quarterback MJ Morin at number seven. After trading away their starting QB, the Bears need someone to lead the charge on offense, and Morin looks like that guy. In the second round, Reid sees the Arizona Cardinals taking wide receiver Jalon Jones with the 35th overall pick. With DeAndre Hopkins no longer in town, the Cards could use a new target for quarterback Kyler Murray. The Seattle Seahawks will likely pick cornerback Cam Smith at num...#Will_Anderson_Jr #Hendon_Hooker #Bryan_Bresee #Osi_Nnadi #MJ_Morin #Jalon_Jones #Cam_Smith #Jihaad_Campbell #Broderick_Jones #Shane_Lee #Jordan_Reid
