Draft Day

The months of evaluation and speculation are over, it's time for all the selections to be made, the dreams to come true and the 2026 season to officially commence!

But first, one last mock draft about the Purple and the shot at all 32 of tonight's selections!

Here is the last edition.

At 24 Baltimore and McVay came with later first round picks in swap. The tie-breaker was the two-for-one from LA which would still allow Minnesota to get an impact player right away but also have another swing in the top 100.

That still allowed me to choose between Grey Zabel (OL), Nick Emmanwori (S) & Walter Nolan (DT). Had another short slide offer presented itself considering those three options I would have taken it but absent that, I went with the player least likely to last that long tonight

Grey Zabel (NDSU)

At 90 Alfred Collins (Texas DT) & Ashton Gillotte (Louisville Edge) were the primary focuses. With the future of the middle of the defensive line more in question than the outside Collins got the edge but both may be in play when the real clock starts at 97 as well.

Collins

The opportunity to reinforce and address needs continued with Cal's Nohl Williams & Ohio State's Denzel Burke. In the gadget scheme that Brian Flores likes to run Williams would have more appeal but as long-term developments, each corner is worth remembering.

Williams

So if the draft unfolds that way then only safety would be among the consensus top needs yet to be addressed. With 139 that could be the direction the team goes but my guy had me leaning in a more surprising direction - receiver.

Pat Bryant (Illinois) and Isaac TeSlaa (Arkansas) could each add an element to the offense as options for McCarthy alongside Jefferson & Addison. The former Hog could even go so far as to be a version of DK Metcalf which would be lethal for all opposing defenses!

Isaac TeSlaa

The simulation continued to break in favor of the Purple with a pair of top-level athletes at safety (Kitan Crawford/Nevada & JJ Roberts/Marshall) available to be developed behind Harrison Smith and the rest. Each could fit the philosophy of the DC so after flipping a coin I landed on Crawford.

To sum it up - Five picks, hitting all the remaining question marks before the rookie free agent bonanza, including adding the regions top player. That would be an A+ outcome by the braintrust!

Now for full first round attempt (No trades)

Tennessee - Cam Ward (QB)

Cleveland - Travis Hunter (CB/WR)

New York (G) - Abdul Carter (Edge)

New England - Will Campbell (OT)

Jacksonville - Mason Graham (DT)

Las Vegas - Ashton Jeanty (RB)

New York (J) - Tyler Warren (TE)

Carolina - Will Johnson (CB)

New Orleans - Shedeur Sanders (QB)

Chicago - Armand Membou (OT)

San Francisco - Jalon Walker (LB)

Dallas - Shemar Stewart (Edge)

Miami - Derrick Harmon (DT)

Indianapolis - Colston Loveland (TE)

Atlanta - Jahdae Barron (CB)

Arizona - Tet McMillan (WR)

Cincinnati - Mykel Williams (Edge)

Seattle - Grey Zabel (OL)

Tampa Bay - Kelvin Banks jr. (OT)

Denver - Matthew Golden (WR)

Pittsburgh - Tyler Booker (OL)

San Diego - Walter Nolen (DT)

Green Bay - Mike Green (Edge)

Minnesota - Nick Emmanwori (Safety)

Houston - Josh Simmons (OT)

LA (R) - Jihaad Campbell (LB)

Baltimore - Nic Scourton (Edge)

Detroit - Donovan Ezeiruaku (Edge)

Washington - Trey Amos (CB)

Buffalo - Kenneth Grant (DT)

Kansas City - Josh Conerly jr. (OT)

Philadelphia - James Pearce jr. (Edge)

Now let's see who picks where and how close the positions and players prove to be!

Enjoy these great hours!