2026 NFL Draft Thread

[bbgun]

Bad news for us. That's one less good player bumped down to #12.

 

[dbair1967]

Bad news for us. That's one less good player bumped down to #12.

Yep, unfortunately.

 

[icup]

it seems the cowboys are interviewing DC's with a master's degree in the secondary

it looks like this year has top end safeties and swiss army knives

maybe its an indication of what they want to spend their draft capitol on ?

 

[dbair1967]

it seems the cowboys are interviewing DC's with a master's degree in the secondary

it looks like this year has top end safeties and swiss army knives

maybe its an indication of what they want to spend their draft capitol on ?

Good observation.

Looks like heavy DB draft for us, and it's needed. We dont have one legit safety and with trading Diggs and Bland with serious health questions, CB is a massive need as well.

LB and edge rusher/s would be other areas of help wanted.

 

[dbair1967]

Dane Brugler mock 1.15.26

2026 NFL Mock Draft: How does Dante Moore’s decision affect Round 1?

A weak quarterback class took another hit with Moore opting to stay at Oregon, and there will be a trickle-down effect in Round 1.

www.nytimes.com

12. Dallas Cowboys: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State​

The last time the Cowboys had multiple top-20 picks, in 2005, they went with two defenders (Demarcus Ware and Marcus Spears). That is the expected approach for Dallas in the upcoming draft, too.

At 6 feet 4 and 240 pounds with 4.5 speed, Styles is a freak of nature. He doesn’t miss tackles, and his read-react skills get better with every game.

20. Dallas Cowboys (from GB): Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson​

Terrell, the younger brother of Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell, doesn’t have elite size — and it shows at times versus bigger targets. But he does have NFL-level athleticism and competes like a linebacker. Over the last two seasons, Terrell has combined for 25 passes defended and eight forced fumbles. He has a “Honey Badger” aura to him.

 

[icup]

 

[icup]

 

[dbair1967]

 

[dbair1967]

Kiper Big Board 1.12.26 (before final draft eligible decisions were made)

Big Board
1. Fernando Mendoza QB Indiana*
2. Dante Moore QB Oregon*
3. Jeremiyah Love RB Notre Dame*
4. Arvell Reese LB Ohio St.*
5. Francis Mauigoa T Miami*

6. David Bailey OLB Texas Tech
7. Caleb Downs S Ohio St.*
8. Sonny Styles LB Ohio St.
9. Carnell Tate WR Ohio St.*
10. Kenyon Sadiq TE Oregon*

11. Jordyn Tyson WR Arizona St.*
12. Makai Lemon WR USC*
13. Spencer Fano T Utah*
14. Reuben Bain Jr. DE Miami*
15. Jermod McCoy CB Tennessee*

16. Keldric Faulk DE Auburn*
17. Akheem Mesidor DE Miami
18. Kayden McDonald DT Ohio St.*
19. Olaivavega Ioane G Penn St.*
20. Kadyn Proctor T Alabama*

21. Caleb Lomu T Utah*
22. Peter Woods DT Clemson*
23. Mansoor Delane CB LSU
24. Zachariah Branch WR Georgia*
25. Denzel Boston WR Washington*

 

[dbair1967]

Kiper Position Rankings 1.12.26

Offense

Position Rankings

Quarterbacks
1. Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
2. Dante Moore, Oregon
3. Ty Simpson, Alabama
4. Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss
5. Drew Allar, Penn State
6. Carson Beck, Miami (Fla.)
7. John Mateer, Oklahoma
8. Garrett Nussmeier, LSU
9. Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt
10. Taylen Green, Arkansas
Just missed: Sawyer Robertson, Baylor

Running backs
1. Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
2. Jadarian Price, Notre Dame
3. Emmett Johnson, Nebraska
4. Kaytron Allen, Penn State
5. Jonah Coleman, Washington
6. Nicholas Singleton, Penn State
7. Demond Claiborne, Wake Forest
8. Mike Washington Jr., Arkansas
9. Le'Veon Moss, Texas A&M
10. Noah Whittington, Oregon
Just missed: Seth McGowan, Kentucky

Fullbacks/H-backs
1. Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt
2. Justin Joly, NC State
3. Michael Trigg, Baylor
4. Oscar Delp, Georgia
5. Tanner Koziol, Houston
6. Terrance Carter Jr., Texas Tech
7. Josh Cuevas, Alabama
8. Dae'Quan Wright, Ole Miss
9. Marlin Klein, Michigan
10. John Michael Gyllenborg, Wyoming
Just missed: Lawson Luckie, Georgia

Wide receivers
1. Carnell Tate, Ohio State
2. Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
3. Makai Lemon, USC
4. Zachariah Branch, Georgia
5. Denzel Boston, Washington
6. KC Concepcion, Texas A&M
7. Chris Brazzell II, Tennessee
8. Germie Bernard, Alabama
9. Ja'Kobi Lane, USC
10. Chris Bell, Louisville
Just missed: Bryce Lance, North Dakota State

Tight ends
1. Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon
2. Joe Royer, Cincinnati
3. Dallen Bentley, Utah
4. Jack Endries, Texas
5. Max Klare, Ohio State
6. Eli Raridon, Notre Dame
7. Lake McRee, USC
8. Chamon Metayer, Arizona State
9. Sam Roush, Stanford
10. Peter Clarke, Temple
Just missed: DJ Rogers, TCU

Offensive tackles
1. Francis Mauigoa, Miami (Fla.)
2. Spencer Fano, Utah
3. Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
4. Caleb Lomu, Utah
5. Trevor Goosby, Texas
6. Caleb Tiernan, Northwestern
7. Gennings Dunker, Iowa
8. Isaiah World, Oregon
9. Carter Smith, Indiana
10. Brian Parker II, Duke
Just missed: Blake Miller, Clemson

Interior offensive linemen
1. Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State
2. Emmanuel Pregnon, Oregon
3. Connor Lew, Auburn
4. Matt Gulbin, Michigan State
5. Cayden Green, Missouri
6. Logan Jones, Iowa
7. Jake Slaughter, Florida
8. Trey Zuhn III, Texas A&M
9. Alex Harkey, Oregon
10. Billy Schrauth, Notre Dame
Just missed: DJ Campbell, Texas

 

[dbair1967]

Kiper Position Rankings 1.12.26

Defense and Special Teams

Defensive ends
1. Rueben Bain Jr., Miami (Fla.)
2. Keldric Faulk, Auburn
3. Akheem Mesidor, Miami (Fla.)
4. Zion Young, Missouri
5. Quincy Rhodes Jr., Arkansas
6. Dani Dennis-Sutton, Penn State
7. Caden Curry, Ohio State
8. Kenyatta Jackson Jr., Ohio State
9. LT Overton, Alabama
10. Jack Pyburn, LSU
Just missed: Ethan Burke, Texas

Defensive tackles
1. Kayden McDonald, Ohio State
2. Peter Woods, Clemson
3. Lee Hunter, Texas Tech
4. Caleb Banks, Florida
5. Christen Miller, Georgia
6. Zxavian Harris, Ole Miss
7. Darrell Jackson Jr., Florida State
8. Tim Keenan III, Alabama
9. Domonique Orange, Iowa State
10. Cameron Ball, Arkansas
Just missed: Tyrique Tucker, Indiana

Off-ball linebackers
1. Arvell Reese, Ohio State
2. Sonny Styles, Ohio State
3. CJ Allen, Georgia
4. Anthony Hill Jr., Texas
5. Jake Golday, Cincinnati
6. Josiah Trotter, Missouri
7. Taurean York, Texas A&M
8. Justin Jefferson, Alabama
9. Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech
10. Cian Slone, NC State
Just missed: Shad Banks Jr., UTSA

Outside linebackers
1. David Bailey, Texas Tech
2. T.J. Parker, Clemson
3. Cashius Howell, Texas A&M
4. Yhonzae Pierre, Alabama
5. R Mason Thomas, Oklahoma
6. Joshua Josephs, Tennessee
7. Jaishawn Barham, Michigan
8. Derrick Moore, Michigan
9. Keyron Crawford, Auburn
10. Romello Height, Texas Tech
Just missed: Harold Perkins Jr., LSU

Cornerbacks
1. Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
2. Mansoor Delane, LSU
3. Avieon Terrell, Clemson
4. Brandon Cisse, South Carolina
5. D'Angelo Ponds, Indiana
6. Colton Hood, Tennessee
7. Chris Johnson, San Diego State
8. Keionte Scott, Miami (Fla.)
9. Julian Neal, Arkansas
10. Davison Igbinosun, Ohio State
Just missed: Jadon Canady, Oregon

Safeties
1. Caleb Downs, Ohio State
2. Kyle Louis, Pitt
3. Dillon Thieneman, Oregon
4. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo
5. Bray Hubbard, Alabama
6. Kamari Ramsey, USC
7. Zakee Wheatley, Penn State
8. A.J. Haulcy, LSU
9. Jalon Kilgore, South Carolina
10. Zechariah Poyser, Miami (Fla.)
Just missed: Keon Sabb, Alabama

Kickers and punters
1. Brett Thorson, Georgia (P)
2. Lucas Carneiro, Ole Miss (PK)
3. Peyton Woodring, Georgia (PK)
4. Dominic Zvada, Michigan (PK)
5. Tate Sandell, Oklahoma (PK)
6. Cole Maynard, Western Kentucky (P)
7. Trey Smack, Florida (PK)
8. Ryan Eckley, Michigan State (P)
9. Will Ferrin, BYU (PK)
10. Drew Stevens, Iowa (PK)
Just missed: Jack Stonehouse, Syracuse (P)

Long-snappers
1. Luke Basso, Oregon
2. Hank Pepper, USC
3. Rocco Underwood, Florida
4. Beau Gardner, Georgia
5. Ben Anderson, Oklahoma

 

[dbair1967]

 

[dbair1967]

Interesting late rd kid. 6'3, 230.

 

[dbair1967]

Mosher picking one of my guys late, QB Cole Payton.

Pick No. 12: David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech​

The Cowboys could go in a number of directions with the No. 12 pick, and in this mock draft, both Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles were picked inside the top-10. As were Caleb Downs and Jeremyiah Love, which allowed Bailey to slip to pick No. 12.

Bailey isn’t the most bendy pass rusher in the league, but he’s super productive (19.5 tackles for loss in 14 games), and he’s been productive in four-straight seasons. Pairing Bailey with Donovan Ezeiruaku and the rest of the defensive tackles would give the Cowboys a dominating defensive line to build around moving forward.

Pick No. 20: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU​

There is no doubt that Delane is one of the top-15 players in this class, but he falls to No. 20 due to less-than-desirable measurables. It’s fair to wonder if Will McClay and the rest of the front office would draft a shorter-arm cornerback in Round 1, but Delane is too talented a player to pass up here.

With Daron Bland, Shavon Revel, and Mansoor Delane, the Cowboys would have their three starting cornerbacks going into the 2026 season. Delane and Bland can both play in the slot, which would give the new defensive coordinator plenty of options on the back end.

Pick No. 112: Austin Barber, OT, Florida​

The Cowboys could move on from Terence Steele this offseason and that means they could use more depth on the offensive line. Barber is a massive tackle who is a three-year starter for the Gators at left tackle. He needs a lot of work as a pass blocker, but he is a dominating run blocker who could be a swing tackle in the NFL sooner rather than later.

Pick No. 150: Bishop Fitzgerald, S, USC​

Dallas needs more safety help and there are very few defenders in this class who have been as productive as Fitzgerald over the last few seasons. He’ll have a chance to raise his stock at the Senior Bowl, which could allow him to sneak into the top-125 picks.

Pick No. 177: Lake McRee, TE, USC​

Luke Schoonmaker didn’t show much improvement in 2025 and is set to enter a contract season for the Cowboys. McRee isn’t much of a blocker, but he is a much better mover and a far superior athlete. He might need a year to grow into his body and add some bulk, but he could be a long-term option at tight end if the Cowboys eventually want to move on from Jake Ferguson.

Pick No. 215: CJ Donaldson, RB, Ohio State​

The Cowboys spent a late-round pick on Phil Mafah last season, but he didn’t see the field until Week 18. Mafah dealt with a shoulder injury all season and it’s far to wonder what the long-term outlook is for him with the Cowboys.

Donaldson is a former tight end who converted to running back at West Virginia before transferring to Ohio State. He scored 10 touchdowns for the Buckeyes and 40 for his career. He also has 47 career receptions and might be a better fit for the No. 3 back in Dallas than Mafah.

Pick No. 211: Cole Payton, QB, North Dakota State​

Payton was a one-year starter at NDSU, but he was phenomenal in limited action. He averaged a whopping 12 yards per attempt and is arguably the best deep passer in the class. He needs a lot of development and could greatly benefit from a year or two on the practice squad, but there is talent worth gambling on in this stage of the draft.

Pick No. 225: Eric O’Neil, EDGE Rutgers​

O’Neil has bounced around from school to school, but he was incredibly productive over the last two seasons. At James Madison and Rutgers (2024-2025), O’Neil racked up 28 tackles for a loss and 15.5 sacks. He has added some weight in recent seasons and projects as a 4-3 defensive end in the NFL. The testing numbers will be important for him, but he should be drafted sometime on Day 3.

 

[Dodger12]

Interesting late rd kid. 6'3, 230.

Kellen Moore part deux? Weren't you pimping Kellen Moore hard? Maybe even had him as your sig pic?

 

[dbair1967]

Kellen Moore part deux? Weren't you pimping Kellen Moore hard? Maybe even had him as your sig pic?

Kellen Moore couldn't break a pane of glass from 10 feet.

This kid has legit arm talent and excellent downfield accuracy. On top of being a damn good athlete that can make plays with his legs.

The two are not similar at all.

 

[icup]

so we're back to trey lance again ?

 

[icup]

nope

 

[Doomsday]

nope

"Just as good as a punt..."

 

[dbair1967]

so we're back to trey lance again ?

I don't think I like your tone.

I'm going to review this with forum management and get back to you.