2026 NFL Draft Buzz: Rising Prospects and Position Counts

In this episode of 'Move the Sticks,' Daniel Jeremiah and Bucky Brooks dive into the 2026 NFL Draft landscape, analyzing positional trends, rising prospects, and draft board dynamics. They begin with a data-driven exercise comparing current draft projections to historical averages over the past five years, assessing how many players are likely to be selected at each position in the first three rounds. The hosts express skepticism about quarterback depth, predicting fewer than six quarterbacks drafted in the first three rounds due to teams prioritizing skill-position players and waiting until later rounds. They highlight rising edge rusher Mason Thomas and offensive tackle Monroe Freeland as key players gaining momentum as the draft nears. The conversation turns to positional depth, with strong consensus that offensive tackles will be heavily drafted—likely exceeding the historical average of 5.4—driven by elite talent like Fano, Maui Noah, and Blake Miller. Wide receivers and defensive backs are also expected to see above-average selections, while defensive tackles and off-the-ball linebackers are projected to fall short of historical averages. The hosts emphasize the importance of balancing personal evaluations with historical trends to improve draft accuracy. The episode closes with reflections on the mental and logistical challenges of building mock drafts and draft boards.