The 2026 NFL Draft: Still Too Early to Panic, But Not Too Early to Plan
Alright, let's be real. The 2026 NFL Draft feels a lifetime away. We just wrapped up the 2024 version, and free agency is barely in the rearview. But for general managers, the board is already taking shape. They're not just scouting college sophomores; they're looking at what their roster *will* be in two years, who's due for a new deal, and where the holes are going to open up. This isn't about predicting specific picks; it's about seeing the writing on the wall for certain franchises.
The Chiefs' Looming Offensive Line Problem
Everyone talks about Patrick Mahomes and his magic, and rightfully so. He threw for 4,183 yards and 27 touchdowns last season. But look beneath the surface. The Chiefs' offensive line, while solid, has some big contracts coming due. Donovan Smith, who started 16 games at left tackle in 2023, was on a one-year deal. Trey Smith, the right guard, will be a free agent after the 2025 season. And Joe Thuney, the left guard, will be 33 by the time the 2026 draft rolls around, with a cap hit north of $20 million. You don't just replace Pro Bowl-caliber linemen with practice squad guys. They've got to start building depth now. Think about a guy like Kelvin Banks Jr. out of Oregon. He's got the size and the athleticism to play tackle, and while he might not be a top-10 pick, he could be a fantastic value in the second or third round to develop. The Chiefs need to get ahead of this, because even Mahomes can't outrun a collapsing pocket every single play.
The Eagles' Defensive Backfield Deja Vu
Remember 2023, when the Eagles' defense absolutely imploded down the stretch? They gave up 35 points to the 49ers, 33 to the Cowboys, and 35 to the Cardinals in consecutive weeks. A huge part of that was the secondary. Darius Slay will be 35 in 2026, and James Bradberry, who struggled mightily last season, will be 33. Avonte Maddox, the slot corner, has dealt with injuries. They tried to address it in the 2024 draft with Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell, but you can't have too many good corners in today's NFL. They need another wave of talent. A player like T.J. Tampa from Iowa State, a physical corner with good ball skills, could be a perfect fit in the mid-rounds. He's got the versatility to play outside or inside, and the Eagles always value defensive backs who can tackle. My hot take? Howie Roseman will prioritize defensive back in the 2026 draft even *more* heavily than he did in 2024, because the 2023 collapse still haunts that building.
Dallas's Never-Ending Search for a Running Back
Here's the thing: the Cowboys have been trying to find their Ezekiel Elliott replacement for years now. Tony Pollard got a big contract, then left for the Titans after a somewhat disappointing 2023 season where he averaged just 4.0 yards per carry. Rico Dowdle and Deuce Vaughn are fine depth pieces, but neither is a bell-cow back. They signed Royce Freeman, but he's a journeyman. This team needs a legitimate threat in the backfield to take pressure off Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb, who combined for 135 receptions and 1,749 yards last year. They keep drafting later-round guys and hoping, but it hasn't worked. A bruiser like Quinshon Judkins from Ohio State, who ran for 1,158 yards and 15 touchdowns for Ole Miss in 2023, would be a game-changer for them. He runs with power and could be available outside the first round. It's time for Dallas to stop messing around and get a real workhorse.
I predict the 2026 draft will see at least three teams trade up into the top-10 specifically for an offensive tackle, proving that premium protection for quarterbacks is finally being valued as much as the quarterback himself.