2026 NFL Draft Special

<p>Usually, I publish this article on draft day. </p>   <p>Well, this is actually my final article with Prep Redzone. Starting today, I will be in-office with <a href="https://dupanthers.com/sports/football">Davenport</a>.</p>   <p>For my last article, I wanted to do something special. For the past two years, this has been my favorite article to write. </p>   <p>Before all else, this is a fun article. Not meant to give any deep evaluation or ranking- just a fun exercise.</p>   <p>With that said, THANK YOU for supporting me through my 5-year journey with Prep Redzone. I hope you enjoy this final Draft Special. </p>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#1 - Las Vegas Raiders select [player_tooltip player_id='1111167' first='Donald' last='Tabron II']</h2>   <p>Quarterback | Cass Tech </p>   <p>For the second year in a row, Donald goes #1 overall in this mock. The Raiders need a QB, and Donald is QB1 in this draft. This is a no-brainer pick! Welcome to Vegas, Donald! </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#2 - New York Jets select [player_tooltip player_id='977789' first='Jayden' last='Bell']</h2>   <p>Defensive End | Brother Rice </p>   <p>Truly elite defensive ends are a rarity at the NFL level. Even in the first round, this position is pretty difficult to predict. In the top 5, this position is much more predictable. Think Aidan Hutchinson and Myles Garrett. In this mock, Jayden joins former Lions DC Aaron Glenn in New York, trying to reviatalize this defense. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#3 - Arizona Cardinals select [player_tooltip player_id='1689097' first='Dewey' last='Young']</h2>   <p>Offensive Tackle | Kalamazoo Central</p>   <p>Dewey lands in Arizona as the #1 tackle off the board. Arizona saw Dewey as their #1 offensive line prospect on the board, and couldn't pass him up. The Cardinals need for tackle has been solved! </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#4 - Tennessee Titans select [player_tooltip player_id='1687171' first='Gideon' last='Gash']</h2>   <p>WR/DB | Detroit Catholic Central </p>   <p>In this mock, I like Gideon as an added weapon for Cam Ward. Gideon's elite size and athletic traits are extremely hard to pass up. I absolutely love this fit. Welcome to Nashville, Gideon! </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#5 - New York Giants select [player_tooltip player_id='474868' first='Anthony' last='Cartwright III']</h2>   <p>Tight End | Detroit Country Day</p>   <p>There's a ton of excellent talent on the board, but it's hard to pass up an elite vertical threat TE. I feel that Anthony pairs extremely well with Malik Nabers, and he'll be an excellent TE from Day 1. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#6 - Cleveland Browns select [player_tooltip player_id='547739' first='Dakota' last='Guerrant'] </h2>   <p>Wide Receiver | Harper Woods</p>   <p>The Browns are famously a data-driven team, and the data overwhelmingly said to pick Dakota here. Elite speed, extremely versatile, and should be a day 1 WR1 for Sheduer Sanders in Cleveland. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#7 - Washington Commanders select [player_tooltip player_id='1684275' first='Myles' last='Smith'] </h2>   <p>Defensvie End | Farmington </p>   <p>An extremely high-ceiling player. Myles heads to DC as a top-10 pick with plenty of tools to develop into an elite edge rusher. He'll immediately help the Commanders return to the NFC Championship, and keep them out of the top 10 of the draft for a long time. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#8 - New Orleans Saints select [player_tooltip player_id='1669991' first='Deandre' last='Bidden'] </h2>   <p>Wide Receiver | Harper Woods</p>   <p>Another extremely good wide receiver taken in the top 10. Deandre sports incredible speed and elite body control. He joins a very WR-QB friendly Kellen Moore offense, and will slot nicely next to Chris Olave. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#9 - Kansas City Chiefs select [player_tooltip player_id='1113047' first='Holden' last='Niemi']</h2>   <p>Tight End | Dexter </p>   <p>Most NFL teams tout the idea of taking the "best player available" regardless of position, especially in the first round. Even though the Chiefs still have Travis Kelce, he's aging, and their without an elite option at the position. Well, Holden is the answer. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#10 - Cincinnati Bengals select [player_tooltip player_id='1233561' first='Darryl' last='Flemister']</h2>   <p>Defensive Back | Detroit MLK</p>   <p>The run on offensive players comes to an end. This is a combination of desperate need and best player available. The Bengals need help on defense desperately, and Darryl is a perfect fit. He can slot into the defense seamlessly, and become an instant sparkplug. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#11 - Miami Dolphins select [player_tooltip player_id='944415' first='Drew' last='Sheridan'] </h2>   <p>Quarterback | Divine Child </p>   <p>The Dolphins seem to be in full rebuild mode, with the tall task of finding a new Quarterback and having a first-year head coach. Drew heads to Miami, and is immediately slotted into being QB1. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#12 - Dallas Cowboys select Recarter Kitchen </h2>   <p>Defensive End | Muskegon</p>   <p>Last year, the Cowboys shipped away Micah Parsons (EDGE) and added Quinnen Williams (DT). As a result, the Cowboys had a gaping hole at edge. Recarter adds immediate impact for a major position of need! </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#13 - Los Angeles Rams select [player_tooltip player_id='1687444' first='Mylan' last='Griggs'] </h2>   <p>Defensive Back | Cass Tech</p>   <p>The Rams are fortunate to have the Atlanta Falcons first round pick this year. With their pick, they select a very high upside DB in [player_tooltip player_id='1687444' first='Mylan' last='Griggs']. He'll head to LA and immediately start on a team with Super Bowl aspirations. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#14 - Baltimore Ravens select [player_tooltip player_id='1625661' first='Louis' last='Esposito']</h2>   <p>Offensive Guard | Saline</p>   <p>I swear I did not do this on purpose. The Ravens need interior O-Line help, and Louis slots right into left or right guard. Looks like the whole Esposito family is in Baltimore now! </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#15 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers select [player_tooltip player_id='1615678' first='Jakari' last='Lipsey']</h2>   <p>Offensive Tackle | Kalamazoo Loy Norrix</p>   <p>The Bucs grab a really good offensive tackle to protect Baker Mayfield, as well as block for Bucky Irving. Hard to go wrong with an elite OT! </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#16 - New York Jets select Tre Britton III </h2>   <p>Wide Receiver | Belleville</p>   <p>Easily the best player available at this point. Tre joins a New York Jets offense that looks to bounce-back after a poor 2025 season. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#17 - Detroit Lions select [player_tooltip player_id='1158798' first='Antijuan' last='Wilkes']</h2>   <p>Offensive Tackle | Cass Tech</p>   <p>A slightly raw offensive tackle prospect with elite upside. Even if Taylor Decker doesn't retire, Antijuan will be a big part of the Lions' offensive line in 2026. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#18 - Minnesota Vikings select [player_tooltip player_id='1157440' first='Elijah' last='Goins']</h2>   <p>Defensive Back | Dakota</p>   <p>Best player available! Elijah heads to Minnesota with high expectations as Minnesota still searches for a General Manager. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#19 - Carolina Panthers select [player_tooltip player_id='528080' first='Deondre' last='Hill']</h2>   <p>Linebacker | Brother Rice </p>   <p>Carolina gets an awesome off-ball linebacker capable of stopping the run and dropping back into coverage. An all-around LB, the Panthers defense is instantly upgraded. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#20 - Dallas Cowboys select [player_tooltip player_id='1687693' first='Camden' last='Noe']</h2>   <p>Running Back | Portage Central</p>   <p>The best RB on the board, Camden adds immediate value to the already great Dallas Cowboys offense. This puts some pressure off Dak Prescott and allows the entire offense to run with a lot more balance. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#21 - Pittsburgh Steelers select [player_tooltip player_id='1398328' first='Kellen' last='Miller']</h2>   <p>Wide Receiver | UofD Jesuit</p>   <p>Aside from DK Metcalf, the Steelers didn't have many great options at receiver. Kellen slots in very nicely with DK, and he'll be an excellent option in the short-intermediate areas of the field. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#22 - Los Angeles Chargers select [player_tooltip player_id='1277061' first='Jack' last='Carlson']</h2>   <p>In 2025, the Los Angeles Chargers ran 24 different offensive line combinations. A group plagued with injury, and a Jim Harbaugh offense that famously loves to run the football. LAC gets a super high upside tackle who can contribute right away while also taking pressure off the banged-up room. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#23 - Philadelphia Eagles select [player_tooltip player_id='1233478' first='Eric' last='Anderson']</h2>   <p>Offensive Line | Detroit Catholic Central </p>   <p>The Eagles are always looking to gain an advantage in the trenches. Eric gives them that advantage. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#24 - Cleveland Browns select [player_tooltip player_id='1398331' first='Lamarcus' last='Army']</h2>   <p>Defensive Back | Cass Tech </p>   <p>The Browns go defense with their second pick of the first round. Army provides immediate man coverage support and bolsters the Cleveland Secondary in a big way. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#25 - Chicago Bears select [player_tooltip player_id='1681622' first='Dylan' last='Volpe'] </h2>   <p>Defensive Tackle | Port Huron</p>   <p>The first defensive tackle off the board, Dylan gives the Bears an immediate pass rush threat on the interior. If they can develop that elite getoff to be more consistent, then look out! </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#26 - Buffalo Bills select [player_tooltip player_id='1615810' first='Bryce' last='Barbarino'] </h2>   <p>Linebacker | Saline</p>   <p>The Bills get arguably the best off-ball linebacker in this draft. Bryce slots into a Bills defense that continues to chase an ever-elusive Super Bowl. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#27 - San Francisco 49ers select [player_tooltip player_id='977460' first='Tyler' last='Trusel']</h2>   <p>Wide Receiver | Brother Rice</p>   <p>The 49ers receiver situation in 2025 was an absolute disaster. Tyler brings more stability to that group, but more importantly, brings a great skillet. He slots in very nicely as their X receiver. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#28 - Houston Texans select [player_tooltip player_id='977482' first='Julian' last='Taylor']</h2>   <p>Running Back | Cass Tech </p>   <p>Cass Tech's breakout RB lands in Houston, slotting in right next to Woody Marks. The Texans have their QB, and a very promising group of young WRs. Now, they nail down the RB position. This is an incredibly well-rounded team. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#29 - Los Angeles Rams select [player_tooltip player_id='1157439' first='Duke' last='Banta'] </h2>   <p>Quarterback | Detroit Catholic Central</p>   <p>The Rams have found the successor to Matthew Stafford. Duke will likely sit for a year as Matthew plays what looks like one final season. Starting in 2027 or 2028, Duke is going to be QB1 of the Rams. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#30 - Denver Broncos select [player_tooltip player_id='489268' first='Chad' last='Willis']</h2>   <p>Wide Receiver | Orchard Lake St. Mary's</p>   <p>The Broncos need a true X receiver. Courtland Sutton is a good player, but he's not the guy who's going to win you 50/50 balls downfield. Chad slots into a Super Bowl contending team, and provides immediate impact at a position of need. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#31 - New England Patriots select [player_tooltip player_id='1111090' first='Jayden' last='Evans']</h2>   <p>Safety | Harper Woods</p>   <p>As good as the Patriots were in 2025, they do need help at safety. [player_tooltip player_id='1111090' first='Jayden' last='Evans'] solves that problem, and he was very likely the best player still on the board! </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#32 - Seattle Seahawks select [player_tooltip player_id='424593' first='William' last='Tobin'] </h2>   <p>Offensive Guard | Hartland</p>   <p>The Seahawks get a dang good offensive guard to close out the first round. Tobin provides an immediate upgrade to the Seahawks' pass pro and run blocking. </p>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <p>Thank you again for the support. I'll see you at Davenport! </p>

Usually, I publish this article on draft day.