Yates' Crystal Ball: Why His Early 2026 Projections Miss the Mark on One Key Position
Field Yates dropped his 2026 two-round mock draft, and it’s always fun to peek this far ahead. He’s got some interesting choices, like Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers going No. 2 overall to the Carolina Panthers. Look, Ewers threw for over 3,400 yards and 22 touchdowns last season, leading the Longhorns to a Big 12 title and a College Football Playoff berth. The talent is there, no doubt. But the Panthers' situation feels a bit too fluid right now to lock in on any quarterback, especially after Bryce Young's struggles in 2023.
Key Analysis
He also has Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka as the first receiver off the board at pick No. 8 to the New Orleans Saints. Egbuka's a smooth route-runner, and his 2022 season, with 1,151 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns, showed his ceiling. He battled injuries a bit in 2023, but still managed 515 yards. The Saints desperately need offensive firepower if Derek Carr isn't the long-term answer, and a talent like Egbuka would certainly help.
Here’s the thing: Yates has only two running backs, TreVeyon Henderson (Ohio State) and Quinshon Judkins (Ole Miss, now Ohio State), going in the entire first two rounds. Henderson, who ran for 926 yards and 11 touchdowns last year despite missing time, is projected at No. 27 to the Dallas Cowboys. Judkins, with back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons at Ole Miss, lands at No. 58 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Both are dynamic players. Henderson averaged over 6 yards per carry in 2023, and Judkins had 15 rushing scores in 2022.
Breaking It Down
But only two backs in 64 picks feels like an underestimation of the position’s value, especially two years out. Every year, we see a surprise or two. Remember when Bijan Robinson went eighth overall in 2023? Or Jahmyr Gibbs at No. 12? Running backs get devalued, then a team falls in love with one.
**The Offensive Line Overlook**
What This Means
Yates' draft also feels a bit light on offensive linemen in the top half of the second round. He has LSU's Will Campbell as the first tackle off the board at No. 11 to the Indianapolis Colts, which makes sense given Campbell's consistent play since his freshman year. He’s been a rock at left tackle. And Notre Dame's Joe Alt, another top tackle prospect, went No. 5 overall in the 2024 draft, so the premium for that position is real.
But after Campbell, there's a bit of a gap before we see more O-linemen. Penn State's Olu Fashanu was a projected top-10 pick in 2024, and he went 11th. The demand for elite protectors is constant. I'd argue that by 2026, with the way the league is trending, teams will be even more desperate for plug-and-play tackles. Protecting your franchise quarterback is paramount. Teams like the Steelers, who took Troy Fautanu at No. 20 this year, are always looking to fortify the trenches.
Looking Ahead
Real talk: Yates has Florida State defensive end Patrick Payton going No. 26 to the Philadelphia Eagles. Payton recorded 7 sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss in 2023. He's got the measurables and production. The Eagles love to cycle pass rushers, so that pick tracks. He also has Alabama edge rusher Nic Scourton (transfer from Purdue) at No. 37 to the Commanders. Scourton had 10 sacks last year. The pass rush market always stays hot.
My bold prediction? By the time the 2026 draft rolls around, at least one running back will crack the top 20, and we'll see four or more offensive linemen go in the first 25 picks. Teams will always prioritize protecting their investments under center.