NFL Scouting Combine Approaches, Draft Season Kicks Off
The NFL Scouting Combine is just around the corner, and draft season is officially upon us. It seems pretty clear that Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza is set to be the top overall pick unless, well, something major goes wrong. But what happens afterward? That’s anyone’s guess.
Mel Kiper Jr. is already getting into his first mock draft for the year, and there’s a lot of excitement, or maybe bewilderment, surrounding the latest projections. Kiper has always had a unique take on the draft, often diverging from widespread predictions, so let’s take a closer look.
David Bailey Second on EDGE Rankings
Being the second-best pass rusher in the 2026 class, just behind Arbel Reese, is a tricky position for Texas Tech’s David Bailey. It’s a bit surprising, too, to see him ahead of Miami’s Reuben Bain Jr.—who not that long ago was expected to be the number one pick, especially if the Titans held that slot and didn’t need a quarterback. Bailey, however, made quite the impression late in the season.
The key dilemma for Robert Saleh and the Titans regarding pass rushers is whether they prefer the versatility that Bain Jr. offers or a more refined option like Bailey, who seems to fit a more traditional outside linebacker role.
I mean, Stiles is impressive, but it feels rather early for a middle linebacker to enter the draft. It’s been a while since we’ve seen a linebacker selected without strong pass-rushing abilities, reminiscent of Devin White in 2019 and Luke Kuechly in 2012.
Kiper has rated Stiles as a “top 10 player” in this year’s draft. While that could very well be accurate, it also highlights the current low value associated with the linebacker position. There’s a significant gap between a middle linebacker in the top three and one falling in the top five to ten. Still, the Cowboys have consistently expressed a desire to bolster their pass rush, making Stiles an interesting fit.
Jets Hold on to Quarterback Position
New York definitely requires a quarterback, but I’m feeling a bit hesitant about Kiper’s suggestion of picking Ty Simpson at 16. This team really needs to break free from the cycle of developing young QBs and focus on building a squad that can thrive without relying on inexperienced passers. It seems quite likely that the Jets might land back in the top 10 next year and possibly secure a franchise quarterback then.
Simpson shows promise, sure, but he’s also a gamble. The Jets can’t afford another misstep after their recent upward performance in search of a quarterback.
In our own mock, we had Delane ranked as the top corner and picked 11th overall by the Miami Dolphins. Kiper, however, has him going 18th to the Minnesota Vikings—not too far off. What really caught my attention was Kiper allowing Tennessee’s Jermod McCoy to drop early; that’s a bit unexpected.
If this scenario plays out, it could be a dream come true for the Vikings. They desperately need secondary reinforcements, and getting Delane late in the first round would be a huge win for them.
Could CJ Allen Sneak into the Top 20?
Most analysts are projecting Georgia’s multi-role linebacker CJ Allen to go early in the second round, but given recent history, Kiper might surprise us by selecting him sooner than anticipated. The Carolina Panthers have Allen at 19 in their mocks, which seems reasonable, considering they might lose starter Christian Roseboom to free agency.
However, drafting a linebacker first hints at the Panthers being satisfied with their pass rush, and let’s be real, it still has its issues. It’s an intriguing twist.
Good News for Receivers
This receiver talent is noteworthy, but Kiper appears committed to making the team more aggressive in their pass-catching approach. In our mock, we saw five receivers make it to the first round—which seemed a bit much at first—but Kiper had six on his list.
Perhaps the most surprising aspect was Tennessee’s Chris Brazell II cracking the first round, going to the Bills, while Kevin Concepcion, who is arguably quicker, was left out. There’s something intriguing about Brazell; at 6-foot-5 and 200 pounds, his size doesn’t quite reveal his potential as a player.
