>> Hello friends, it's your buddy Lou Pickney with you here with a DKDB update.
March 3rd, 2026.
I go through a couple of mock drafts here during the course of this update.
Bunch of new ones came in.
I'll be reacting to Cody Williams of Fansided and Jordan Reed of ESPN.
I put the best of the best in the DKDB.
It's my human curated, expert curated 2026 NFL box draft database.
No AI, no tandem efforts, no committees, just the best analysts from major websites and top independents.
There's a whole bunch in there.
You click on a name, it takes you right to the very latest mock draft from that particular analyst.
Couple of news items to talk about.
First, Kyler Murray will be released by the Arizona Cardinals.
Now, this is hardly a surprise.
I've heard for months and months that Murray's contract made it was be very difficult to trade him.
Borderline untenable between salary cap ramifications and whatever hit a new team involved would be taking on.
So even if they could possibly do it with the numbers, trying to find a an interested partner proved perhaps too difficult.
So it hasn't happened yet because they have to wait for the start of the new league here.
All this has to do with the salary cap.
So Kyler Murray be released after seven seasons in Arizona.
Report here on NFL.com.
So, we'll see where Murray ends up.
There are clearly some teams that could use a new quarterback.
And this is not exactly a bumper crop as far as quarterback prospects go in the NFL draft.
But then the question is, well, if it didn't work for Murray and Arizona, why would it work for another team elsewhere?
There's one bit of news.
the other an interesting decision by the Cincinnati Bengals and I think this will have a direct impact on that number 10 overall selection in the draft that Cincinnati has cuz they're not going to be franchise tagging edge rusher defensive end Trey Hendrickson that had been the expectation there was I thought there was a certain inevitability this has been going on for a long time now.
But as noted here on NFL.com, Craig Hendrickson said, "Heading to the open market, if they would have tagged, here's the thing.
If they would use that franchise tag on them, that would have cost Cincinnati nearly $24.5 million for one season.
After five years, Hendrickson will be a highly soughtafter free agent.
Hendrickson out from Cincinnati, not being franchise tagged.
Kyler Murray to be released by Arizona.
Those are the two big news stories of the day out of the NFL.
We'll go ahead now and have reaction.
You got to put the best of the best here in the DKDB.
There are all sorts of new mocks that have come out after NFL combine.
I anticipate I'll have my latest mock draft coming later this week.
Be calling a men's lacrosse game tomorrow up at Sewanee.
So, I don't want to get short spaced on time, but perhaps Thursday of this week will have that.
So, let's get my reactions here to first Cody Williams from Fansighted.
I encourage you to go and read these various mock drafts for yourself.
There's some valuable information in there.
I'll have the links to these respective mock drafts in the description of the YouTube video.
So, Cody Williams from fansited at number one has Fernando Mendoza quarterback Indiana to the Raiders.
Practically everybody's going to have that.
If they don't, that's probably a sign you've got a questionable source or somebody that really has a major scoop, but it's probably the former and not the latter.
The Mendoza to the Raiders at one, Arll Reese to the Jets at two.
I don't think the Jets have necessarily decided yet, but the anticipation is they're going to get one of the top edge rushers there.
Whether it's a unique player like Reese that's a hybrid linebacker/ edge or someone else.
number three.
So trade that is mocked here with the Washington Commanders moving up from number seven to number three to take Ohio State linebacker Sunny Styles.
That would be quite the move if that happened.
Styles started his career in Columbus, Ohio as a safety, transition to linebacker.
He could really play both.
He had a tremendous showing at the NFL combine one of the freaks of the combine this year.
Notes description right here.
It's my reaction to the latest mock draft from Cody Williams.
A fan cited at four.
The Tennessee Titans get Texas Tech edge David Bailey.
I strongly suspect the Titans will go edge rusher here at four.
Perhaps they would consider Notre Dame running back Jeremiah Love.
We'll see.
A lot of evaluation that'll have to be done for the Titans.
We'll see what happens in free agency.
I don't think the Titans will go after a receiver here at four based on what I've heard about their plans for free agency and targeting at least one top tier wide receiver.
At five, Francis Maui Noah to the New York Giants.
Maui Noah very successful right offensive tackle.
The Giants go with an O line.
And quite the block right there by Maui Noah leading the way.
That's what Cody Williams of fan side it has here at five at six.
Monroe Freeling to the Browns.
Quite a lot of talk about Freeling coming out of the combine or the breakouts as far as offensive line prospects.
He was already talked about as a late first, but Cody's not al alone in saying this that Freeling could go possibly not just top 10, but number six overall to Cleveland.
What does Cleveland think about Utah offensive tackle Spencer Fono?
We'll find out soon enough at seven.
So, this is part of that projected trade that Cody had.
I think [laughter] Kansas City has the nine pick in real life.
So here the Chiefs trade to seven and get Miami edge rusher Ruben Bane Jr.
Now the Chiefs are going to have a few different options at nine or at seven if they trade up.
I suppose they're going to have to make some tough decisions relative to the salary cap.
Edge rusher could be a need for them.
So here it's the Chiefs going with Ruben Bane Jr.
from Miami.
Edge rusher going to the Chiefs at seven.
At eight, the New Orleans Saints get Carnell Tate, wide receiver, Ohio State.
He's got that remarkable ability to get open in 3 seconds or less.
Tremendous hands.
He just doesn't drop passes.
Adding that kind of a reliable target for Tyler Shuck in that Saints offense could be the move.
at eight.
At nine, the Arizona Cardinals trade back and get Jeremiah Love at number nine.
That would be a bold move cuz I think love to the Cardinals is a distinct possibility, especially after that tremendous showing at the combine.
But even before then, love was a known commodity.
He was seen as by far the top running back prospect in this class.
like he could be the only first round running back taken and he could go number three overall.
Just a unique player.
He's a really good receiver out of the back field and that I think is the most important element.
Something that people will not necessarily realize off hand.
But look, if you're not a good receiver as a running back, you're just not going to go in the first round.
That's just not going to happen.
[laughter] Or you've got to have some other really truly remarkable traits.
Anyway, love the card.
If the Cards can trade from 3 to nine and still get Jeremiah Love, then that's a big win for Arizona if they can pull it off.
We'll see.
Number 10.
Speaking of big wins, Caleb D still on the board, the safety from Ohio State going to the Bengals at 10.
At 11, Mansour Delane, LSU corner, transfer from Virginia Tech who had a great 2025 season in Baton Rouge.
He would fill a major need for the Dolphins.
So I like that a lot if he's on the board.
Delane to the Dolphins at 11.
Number 12, Cody Williams of Fanid says Zelen Fedaman to the Cowboys.
[snorts] Well, I think the Cowboys want you to get that hard-hitting safety out of Oregon.
They can't just wait for number 20.
Not with Minnesota there at number 18 with a glaring need at safety.
So here Cody says Dylan to the Cowboys at 12.
At 13, Germod McCoy, quarterback, Tennessee, going to the Rams.
The Rams also have a pick at number 29.
The thought is they would likely target either a receiver or a corner here.
Maybe an offensive lineman, but here is Germod McCoy.
Still waiting on McCoy to have that 40-yard dash time that they say he's recovered and he's good to go.
He had a torn ACL and one of his knees in January of last year.
So, here he goes to the Rams at 13.
At 14, Jordan Tyson to the Baltimore Ravens.
Tyson when he's healthy, just a tremendous dynamic playmaker, a real difference maker.
And watch the Arizona State Texas Tech game from last year.
If you want to see Jordan Tyson against a top-notch defense showing what he could really do against some high-end competition here, the Ravens get him at 14.
It's my reaction to the latest mock draft from Cody Williams of Fanight.
At 15, the Buccaneers go with linebacker CJ Allen out of Texas, out of Georgia, excuse me.
Think about Anthony Hill Jr.
out of Texas.
So if Allen an offball linebacker goes to the Bucks at 15 and Woodfield a linebacker need Yeah, I see that G on my helmet there Lou over Georgia Allen.
Great career with the Bulldogs going to the Bucks at 15.
At 16, Caleb Banks to the Jets, which is interesting.
The Jets have a need at defensive tackle.
Remember they traded Quinnon Williams last year.
So, here's the Jets going with Banks, who only played in two games last season because of injury.
Some people think Banks will go midfirst and some are like, "Nah, he's day two." So, we'll see.
At 17, Spencer Fono slides a bit, but a nice pickup here for Detroit for one of the top offensive tackles in this class.
I heard talk about a lot of teams and a lot of different things, but I've heard talk of the Lions very seriously considering offensive tackle here at 17.
They get Funo.
That's a nice pickup.
At 18, Avon Terrell to Minnesota.
And while Harrison Smith retires and yes, that creates a need at safety.
Terrell, one of the top corner prospects, solid player out of Clemson.
19 Kenyan Sadiq had that incredible 40-yard dash time at the combine the top tight end on essentially every list that I've seen of any credibility.
Sadique just a tremendous playmaker and look at that 40 time 4.39 a sub 4440 for a guy that weighs 241 lbs.
Be a nice pickup if he's there for Carolina.
I don't think it's a guarantee he'll be there at 20.
Ake Mezador to the Cowboys.
Deal with Mezador.
He'll turn 25 before the draft.
Is old for an NFL draft prospect.
The Cowboys really like him.
He had a very good season for the Hurricanes.
Lined up opposite Ruben Bane Jr.
That's what Cody Williams of fan side has here at 20.
At 21, Mai Lemon still on the board going to Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh needs a top wide receiver prospect.
He's there.
A nice pickup for the Steelers.
One of my favorite team and player matchups.
I've talked about this many times.
Venga Yuan, offensive guard, Penn State.
Wenger, one of the top interior offensive linemen in this draft.
It's a big need position for the Chargers.
Uh, so I think it makes all the sense in the world if Vang is on the board that he'd go to the LA Chargers at 22.
At 23, Cody Williams says Kellrick Faulk, edge rusher, Auburn going to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Eagles have several different needs.
It would be interesting if Messor went before Faulk, but opinions as always will vary with the different edge prospects.
24.
Cleveland Browns.
So the Browns go with an offensive lineman up at number six, Monroe Freelinger.
Otherwise, they come back at 24 and there's Denzel Boston, 6'4.
He's got the size.
A very good career at the University of Washington.
Not super athletic, but still he's fast, good playmaker.
A matchup challenge for opposing teams.
A 25.
You can stay still there.
Peter Woods, defensive tackle, Clemson.
Woods weighed in under 300 lb, which is unexpected.
The question is, how are you going to utilize Woods?
He's a tremendous pass rusher as an interior defensive lineman, and you just don't run across that very much.
If you believe that you're going to still be strong enough against the run even with a sub 300 pound interior defensive lineman, then perhaps Woods is the move.
The Bears are expected to go with either O line or Dline.
They've got a ton of different possibilities and projections, but here is Peter Woods to Chicago at 25.
At 26, Buffalo Bills, TJ Parker, Edge Rusher, Clemson.
tremendous talent and like a lot of Clemson's defenders last year had a down season.
but he had a really good showing down in Mobile at the Senior Bowl practices.
He should go round one here.
He's still on the board for Buffalo at 26.
And so Parker to the Bills at 27.
Cody Williams says Omar Cooper Jr.
receiver to the 49ers.
The Niners need a receiver.
That's for sure.
anticipation.
Brandon Aayuk won't be back for the 2026 campaign.
So, here the Niners get Omar Cooper Jr.
out of Indiana.
At 28, Houston Texans, Tayen Proctor, very interesting.
Proctor, massive man and yet athletic enough where he could still play guard at the NFL level.
The Texans could use him at a couple different spots potentially.
That could work out well if that's the move at 28.
At 29, Max Aheneaker, offensive tackle, Arizona State, relative newcomer to the sport, didn't start playing until after the pandemic, 2021.
Uh, but he really impressed people, NFL combine.
There's some people that say, "No, he's more a day two prospect." And they're suddenly, well, keep an eye on him for late round one.
And here's the Rams going with Ianre at 29 at 30.
Eli Stowers, Denver Broncos.
Now, there's been talk that Denver wanted a tight end here.
They Some people have projected maybe Kenyon Sadiq.
I don't think that's realistic after Sadiq's tremendous showing at the combine.
Eli Stowers's really talented player for Vanderbilt.
had one of its best seasons ever last year.
So, it'll be interesting to see how talk goes with any potential tight ends that aren't Sadiq.
And perhaps it will be Eli Sto going to the Denver Broncos at 30.
31.
Zion Young from Missouri.
Edge rusher.
New England Patriots.
Patriots have a few different options here at 31.
Some think edge rusher is the move and perhaps it'll be Missou's Zion Young.
Finally at 32 Seattle Seahawks Brandon Cece and to see these certain teams and players matched up quite a bit.
Quarter is expected to be a need position for the Seahawks who are going to lose some players free agency.
So what happens?
You win a Super Bowl and your free agents tend to get targeted with big money deals and there's only so much you can do with a salary cap.
So, it's Cece to the Seattle Seahawks number 32.
So, that's my reaction.
Just click.
There we go.
My reaction to the latest mock draft from Cody Williams.
Now, let's have the latest from Jordan Reed of ESPN.
Haven't heard from Jordan in a while of my reaction here.
Yeah, except not autoplay.
That's by design.
That's That's a design feature, not a flaw.
So Jordan Reed number one, Fernando Mendoza, quarterback, Indiana, of course to the Raiders.
That's all but a lock.
At two, Arvell Reese Ohio State edge rusher linebacker to the Jets.
Jets will do their due diligence, but coming out of the combine, there's been no, not at least yet any talk of them going in a specific direction.
Maurice, a dynamic playmaker, put him in a lot of different spots.
That Jets defense needs an overhaul.
At three, David Bailey, edge rusher, Texas Tech to Arizona.
Arizona has a needed right offensive tackle, but you don't have to use the number three overall pick to fill it necessarily.
So, here it's Bailey going to Arizona.
Jordan Reed at number four says Ruben Bane Jr.
edge rusher Miami Hurricanes to the Tennessee Titans.
Whatever you might think about arm length with Ruben Bane Jr.
being slightly below that 31 in measurement, which is usually like the sign of a player successful or not as successful.
But Bane has tremendous intensity.
He's got the size.
He can handle the run.
an elite pass rusher.
The word that his interview with the Titans went well at the combine.
And here Jordan Reed of ESPN says Ruben Bane Jr.
the Titans at four.
At 5, it's Sonny Styles, Ohio State linebacker to the Giants.
As Jordan Reed notes, the last time an offball linebacker went in the top five was 2019.
It's been a while.
But on the flip side, Styles is not your typical offball linebacker with the capacity to serve as a defensive back if you need him to.
Very versatile and a great showing in Indie at the Colin at six.
Here we go again.
Monroe Freeling to the Browns.
As Jordan Reed notes here, Freeling St has skyrocketed since the end of the season.
It's a fair assessment.
Offensive tackle out of Georgia.
You're going to the Browns at six.
At seven, Washington Commanders went with Caleb DS, safety from Ohio State.
If it happens, DS would be the first pure safety to go in the top 10 of the NFL draft in 10 years.
At eight, Jeremiah Love.
If Love is still on the board here of the Saints, would be a really nice destination for him.
He's a solid running back and also a gifted receiver out of the backfield at nine.
I think one would go to the Chiefs if he's there.
I think that would be a strong possibility.
But if he's not, Cardell Tate receiver Ohio State.
Jordan Reed has here for the Chiefs at nine.
at 10 Mansoor Delane.
I think considering the lack of franchise tag use.
I think Edge will be a need for the Bengals, but they could go with a corner.
Mansoor Delane one of the very best corner prospects in the draft going here at Cincinnati to 10.
At 11, Jordan Reed says Francis Mauigoa offensive tackle Miami in Miami with Miami Dolphins.
And perhaps if Delane's off the board, that would be the move.
Number 12, Mock trade.
The Jets trade up to get Mai Lemon, wide receiver, Southern Cal, shorthanded, explosive playmaker.
We give a big boost to that Jets offense.
At 13, Kenyan Sadi to the Rams.
Isn't that interesting?
I mean, Sadique impressed people at the combine.
People knew he was good, but he really showed out.
At 14, Olaivavega Ioane guard Penn State to the Ravens.
Quite a bit of talk that Vena might go at 14.
We'll see what happens in free agency for the Ravens.
That might be what they um end up opting for there at 14.
At 15, Tampa Bay Buccaneers go with Kellrich Faulk, edge rusher from Auburn.
Kendrick Faulk, he's got the size to be out there against the run.
Also an elite pass rusher.
At 16, Dylan Theamman.
So, the Dallas Cowboys in this scenario trade up or was they traded these trades?
Okay, I guess they traded down from 12 to 16 here.
So you trade down, you get Dylan Theamman, which if you're wanting to go with a safety, you can trade down maybe as long as you're above Minnesota and get him.
Thean had a great showing at the combine.
I know what was it a 4.3540.
Really good coverage.
Really good player.
He was good at Purdue.
Had a good season at Oregon.
And here he goes to the Cowboys at 16.
This is my reaction to the latest mock draft from Jordan Reed of ESPN at 17.
Jordan Reed says Akim Mezador edge rusher Miami to Detroit.
Think if Mezanor his best destination is going to be a team that is a serious contender this upcoming season just because of his age.
You're not going have to wait to develop him over time, but he might not have as many years well clearly before he hits the age of 30.
If somebody's 22 years old and somebody's 25, well, guess who's getting there three years faster.
But for teams looking to win right now, Mezdor could be that extra oomph to get them over the hump.
So that's the projection here for the Lions at 17.
At 18, Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks, the Minnesota Vikings.
That'd be interesting.
Again, team personnel moves that are happening or will happen are going to impact needs and potential moves here in the draft.
So, Banks to the Vikings at 18.
At 19, Spencer Fono to the Panthers.
The Fono slides and the Panthers were their predictions all over the place for him.
If you go, if you say it's best player available, worst knee injury, Ecuano, that could be serious enough to impact things for this upcoming season and beyond.
So here it's Fondo to the Panthers at 19 at 20.
Avon Terrell corner from Clemson going to the Cowboys.
The Cowboys go with Theaman and Terrell go to safety and a corner.
21 Jordan Tyson, Arizona State wide receiver to Pittsburgh.
And nice pickup for the Steelers.
Big boost at receiver.
At 22, Kaden Proctor, offensive lineman from Alabama.
And the thought would be if the Chargers drafted Proctor, they would have him play guard.
He officially weighed in at 352 lbs.
He really is 67, 6' 7 in tall, not the meme.
A massive man and yet athletic enough where he could legitimately play guard in the NFL and do so well enough to be a first round pick.
That is a need spot for the Chargers.
At 23, Caleb Womu, Philadelphia Eagles.
Lu, a younger prospect.
Give him a bit of time and he should be able to develop into a solid performer at the NFL level.
At 24, here's Cleveland going Omar Cooper Jr.
wide receiver out of Indiana.
So, you go with an offensive tackle at six.
They come back at 24.
You go receiver and you get Cooper.
Got a lot of people talking coming out of the combine.
At 25, Peter Woods, defensive tackle Clemson.
So, another thought that the Bears would go Dline at 25.
At 26, Georgia linebacker CJ Allen.
The Bills fill a need at linebacker.
They could go edge.
They could go receiver.
They're switching to a 34 scheme.
And Jordan Reed makes the case here for CJ Allen to the Bills at 26.
27 San Francisco 49ers.
Casey Conception heard that name linked a lot to the ners.
Conception helped his case at the combine a bit better as far as hauling in those passes.
Fewer drops just kind of plagued him at times in his career.
But when he's dialed in, he's a special playmaker.
Here's where he goes to the Niners at 27.
A TW a proposed trade.
I like these proposed trades from these analysts.
The Jordan Reed says the Cards trade up with Houston to get Ty Simpson at 28.
I think this sort of scenario is perhaps the most likely for Simpson.
I've heard the whispers about Simpson possibly being a top 12 pick, which after I give it some thought probably just like that's a sign that whoever's saying that is saying it's not the Rams.
The Rams are a 13, but I've also heard it's not Miami.
Anyway, I still think the most likely if it's not a team like the Rams with multiple first rounders, something like Arizona, they've got a high second trade back up late first, get that fifth year option, which you'd want to have if you can get it.
And here they get Simpson at 28.
And that also jumps the Rams at 29 unless they have ideas of getting Simpson there, which makes it a logical spot to work a trade if they can do it.
Houston would have to be up for it, of course.
Rams at 29.
Okay, Germa McCoy, who slides all the way to 29.
And I think Jordan Reeds shares the same skepticism I have.
And look, I know that McCoy is a solid prospect.
I've seen his 2024 highlight reels.
I know he's a tremendous athlete, but he hasn't run a 40 yet.
Supposedly healthy, but didn't work out at the combine.
He's going to have to prove it.
Are people going to start dropping him outright from their first round mock?
I mean just look at Will Johnson last year is a cautionary tale.
Now, different player, different year, but something to keep in mind.
At 30, Emanuel McNeel Warren, safety from Toledo goes to the Denver Broncos.
63 safety.
Open up that secondary up in Denver.
31 cashes.
Edge rusher.
Texas A&M had 11 and a half sacks last season against some top-notch competition.
arm length of question for Hal as well, but again that was something people knew well before the combine.
Not a shocker to learn that.
So here the Patriots go with an edge rusher.
And finally at 32, Seattle Seahawks Coulson Hood quarter from Tennessee.
That's what Jordan Reed says the Seahawks will do there at 32.
All right, so that's it for this DKDB update.
Be sure to bookmark the DKDB.
Update this on a regular basis, daily, not multiple times in a day.
Keep checking back.
It's going to get more and more interesting as the 2026 NFL draft grows closer.
