NFL mock draft 2026: SB Nation’s community mock draft results
Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza (15) smiles as he celebrates after the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. | Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Welcome to the 20th annual SB Nation NFL community mock draft! Each draft season, the mock GMs at our NFL team communities come together for a very fun mock. This year’s includes a Dexter Lawrence trade and the related shifts to the draft order, and some other surprises — plus a no-brainer, unsurprising selection from Silver & Black Pride for the Raiders at No. 1. Guess who it is?
Below you’ll find analysis of all of this year’s picks. Do you agree with these picks? Hate the picks? Let us know in the comments.
Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza (15) smiles as he celebrates after the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. | Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Welcome to the 20th annual SB Nation NFL community mock draft! Each draft season, the mock GMs at our NFL team communities come together for a very fun mock. This year’s includes a Dexter Lawrence trade and the related shifts to the draft order, and some other surprises — plus a no-brainer, unsurprising selection from Silver & Black Pride for the Raiders at No. 1. Guess who it is?
Below you’ll find analysis of all of this year’s picks. Do you agree with these picks? Hate the picks? Let us know in the comments.
NFL mock draft 2026: Los Angeles Chargers select Chase Bisontis, OG, TAMU
Edwards and Ball have been two of the best players in the 2020 class and will lead a Minnesota team that could have the best offense in the league. Of course, Ball can be a tricky guy to play with. He’s an incredibly ball-dominant guard who struggles on the defensive end, and his shot selection can get him into trouble.
The Wolves will need him to buy into their team defense, which they’ve become accustomed to during the Edwards and Rudy Gobert eras, to maintain continuity on that side of the ball.
On the other hand, I think this is exactly what Minnesota needed offensively, as long as Ball can stay in control. Too often during the playoffs, we saw Anthony Edwards run point for the Timberwolves, and the offense looked clunky. Having a great playmaker to run their offense who isn’t 38-year-old Mike Conley should become so valuable when their offense runs dry in the playoffs.
However, with Reid now gone, Gobert will be the main option at center, which has caused its own issues in the playoffs. Minnesota will need to add a floor spacing option at center to run when teams are completely ignoring Gobert on defense.
Then, for Charlotte, this trade seems like a bit of a shock. I really liked Ryan Kalkbrenner in his rookie season as the Hornets center, but Reid is an immediate upgrade. The Hornets needed help in the front court, but I’m shocked to see that come at the expense of Ball. Charlotte was one of the best offenses in basketball down the stretch in 2026, so moving on from your franchise point guard is quite the surprise.
They acquired some solid draft capital in this move as well, something that could pay dividends if Ball doesn’t work out in Minnesota. The Hornets have multiple options at guard, but will need to find a true point guard to run their offense if they want to take the next step and become a playoff team next season.
This feels like a wildly high-ceiling, low-floor trade for both teams. The upside is there, especially for Minnesota, but if things go south, the Wolves will regret giving up a ton of capital just to see Edwards leave in free agency.
Hopefully, the eccentric personalities of Ball and Edwards work well with one another, because there might just be a new contender in the West. Minnesota’s odds to win the Western Conference have jumped from 3% to 18% on betting markets, so it might be time to bet them before their odds spike even more.
Edwards and Ball have been two of the best players in the 2020 class and will lead a Minnesota team that could have the best offense in the league. Of course, Ball can be a tricky guy to play with. He’s an incredibly ball-dominant guard who struggles on the defensive end, and his shot selection can get him into trouble.
The Wolves will need him to buy into their team defense, which they’ve become accustomed to during the Edwards and Rudy Gobert eras, to maintain continuity on that side of the ball.
On the other hand, I think this is exactly what Minnesota needed offensively, as long as Ball can stay in control. Too often during the playoffs, we saw Anthony Edwards run point for the Timberwolves, and the offense looked clunky. Having a great playmaker to run their offense who isn’t 38-year-old Mike Conley should become so valuable when their offense runs dry in the playoffs.
However, with Reid now gone, Gobert will be the main option at center, which has caused its own issues in the playoffs. Minnesota will need to add a floor spacing option at center to run when teams are completely ignoring Gobert on defense.
Then, for Charlotte, this trade seems like a bit of a shock. I really liked Ryan Kalkbrenner in his rookie season as the Hornets center, but Reid is an immediate upgrade. The Hornets needed help in the front court, but I’m shocked to see that come at the expense of Ball. Charlotte was one of the best offenses in basketball down the stretch in 2026, so moving on from your franchise point guard is quite the surprise.
They acquired some solid draft capital in this move as well, something that could pay dividends if Ball doesn’t work out in Minnesota. The Hornets have multiple options at guard, but will need to find a true point guard to run their offense if they want to take the next step and become a playoff team next season.
This feels like a wildly high-ceiling, low-floor trade for both teams. The upside is there, especially for Minnesota, but if things go south, the Wolves will regret giving up a ton of capital just to see Edwards leave in free agency.
Hopefully, the eccentric personalities of Ball and Edwards work well with one another, because there might just be a new contender in the West. Minnesota’s odds to win the Western Conference have jumped from 3% to 18% on betting markets, so it might be time to bet them before their odds spike even more.
#LaMelo #Ball #Timberwolves #Change #Western #Conference #Race #Deadspin.com">LaMelo Ball to Timberwolves Could Change the Western Conference Race | Deadspin.com
This is one of the riskiest trades I’ve seen in a long time. Frustrations had seemed to be building around Anthony Edwards, and he was potentially looking for a way out of Minnesota. Unwilling to lose their franchise star, the Timberwolves chased in on their biggest trade trip in Reid, and gave Edwards his backcourt partner in his career.
Edwards and Ball have been two of the best players in the 2020 class and will lead a Minnesota team that could have the best offense in the league. Of course, Ball can be a tricky guy to play with. He’s an incredibly ball-dominant guard who struggles on the defensive end, and his shot selection can get him into trouble.
The Wolves will need him to buy into their team defense, which they’ve become accustomed to during the Edwards and Rudy Gobert eras, to maintain continuity on that side of the ball.
On the other hand, I think this is exactly what Minnesota needed offensively, as long as Ball can stay in control. Too often during the playoffs, we saw Anthony Edwards run point for the Timberwolves, and the offense looked clunky. Having a great playmaker to run their offense who isn’t 38-year-old Mike Conley should become so valuable when their offense runs dry in the playoffs.
However, with Reid now gone, Gobert will be the main option at center, which has caused its own issues in the playoffs. Minnesota will need to add a floor spacing option at center to run when teams are completely ignoring Gobert on defense.
Then, for Charlotte, this trade seems like a bit of a shock. I really liked Ryan Kalkbrenner in his rookie season as the Hornets center, but Reid is an immediate upgrade. The Hornets needed help in the front court, but I’m shocked to see that come at the expense of Ball. Charlotte was one of the best offenses in basketball down the stretch in 2026, so moving on from your franchise point guard is quite the surprise.
They acquired some solid draft capital in this move as well, something that could pay dividends if Ball doesn’t work out in Minnesota. The Hornets have multiple options at guard, but will need to find a true point guard to run their offense if they want to take the next step and become a playoff team next season.
This feels like a wildly high-ceiling, low-floor trade for both teams. The upside is there, especially for Minnesota, but if things go south, the Wolves will regret giving up a ton of capital just to see Edwards leave in free agency.
Hopefully, the eccentric personalities of Ball and Edwards work well with one another, because there might just be a new contender in the West. Minnesota’s odds to win the Western Conference have jumped from 3% to 18% on betting markets, so it might be time to bet them before their odds spike even more.
The United States has already clinched the top spot in Group D, and will play a third-place team from Group B, E, F, I, or J. For more on who the United States will play, we are tracking that here.
Australia will clinch a spot in the Round of 32 as the second-place team in Group D with a win or draw against Paraguay
Paraguay will advance as the second-place team in Group D with a win against Australia.
Türkiye has already been eliminated.
Here is how tiebreakers work at the World Cup this year.
If two or more teams in the same group are equal on points following the group stage, a three-step process will be followed to determine tiebreakers.
In the first step, the greatest number of points in the group matches between the tied teams will be applied. Then, the superior goal difference from the group matches between the tied teams will be applied, and finally, the greatest number of goals scored in all group matches between the tied teams will be applied.
If that cannot determine a tiebreaker, then the teams that are still equal will advance to step two. In this stage, the first step is the goal difference in all group matches, then the greatest number of goals in all group matches, and finally the highest team conduct score (relating to yellow and red cards) will be applied.
If that does not break the tie, then the teams still equal on points will be ranked according to the most recent FIFA World Rankings.
That first step, which reads “greatest number of points obtained in the group matches between the teams concerned” according to FIFA, effectively turns into a head-to-head tiebreaker in the case of ties between two teams.
The United States has already clinched the top spot in Group D, and will play a third-place team from Group B, E, F, I, or J. For more on who the United States will play, we are tracking that here.
Australia will clinch a spot in the Round of 32 as the second-place team in Group D with a win or draw against Paraguay
Paraguay will advance as the second-place team in Group D with a win against Australia.
Türkiye has already been eliminated.
Here is how tiebreakers work at the World Cup this year.
If two or more teams in the same group are equal on points following the group stage, a three-step process will be followed to determine tiebreakers.
In the first step, the greatest number of points in the group matches between the tied teams will be applied. Then, the superior goal difference from the group matches between the tied teams will be applied, and finally, the greatest number of goals scored in all group matches between the tied teams will be applied.
If that cannot determine a tiebreaker, then the teams that are still equal will advance to step two. In this stage, the first step is the goal difference in all group matches, then the greatest number of goals in all group matches, and finally the highest team conduct score (relating to yellow and red cards) will be applied.
If that does not break the tie, then the teams still equal on points will be ranked according to the most recent FIFA World Rankings.
That first step, which reads “greatest number of points obtained in the group matches between the teams concerned” according to FIFA, effectively turns into a head-to-head tiebreaker in the case of ties between two teams.
#World #Cup #advanced #Group">World Cup 2026: How the US advanced out of Group D
The United States Men’s National Team got off to a rousing start at the 2026 World Cup, with a 4-1 win over Paraguay. The USMNT was dynamic, creative, and showed to the entire soccer world that they could be a force to be reckoned with at this tournament.
Now, on the verge of their second match of group play, they have a chance to accomplish another item on this year’s to-do list.
Here are the clinching scenarios for Group D ahead of the final matches in group play.
What are the Group D standings?
Here are the current Group D standings, ahead of the final two matches set for June 25.
Team
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Points
United States
2
0
0
6
1
+5
6
Australia
1
0
1
2
2
0
3
Paraguay
1
0
1
2
4
-2
3
Türkiye
0
0
2
0
3
-3
0
What are the next Group D matches?
There are four matches left in Group D, starting with two on Friday, June 19.
United States 2, Australia 0 Paraguay 1, Türkiye 0
Türkiye vs. United States Paraguay vs. Australia
What are the scenarios for Group D?
Here are the scenarios ahead of the final day of matches, set for June 25. These scenarios involve automatic qualification for the Round of 32 as one of the top two teams in the group. Teams can still advance as a third-place team, and for more on those standings we have you covered here. In addition, teams that are “eliminated” are guaranteed to finish fourth in their group.
The United States has already clinched the top spot in Group D, and will play a third-place team from Group B, E, F, I, or J. For more on who the United States will play, we are tracking that here.
Australia will clinch a spot in the Round of 32 as the second-place team in Group D with a win or draw against Paraguay
Paraguay will advance as the second-place team in Group D with a win against Australia.
Türkiye has already been eliminated.
Here is how tiebreakers work at the World Cup this year.
If two or more teams in the same group are equal on points following the group stage, a three-step process will be followed to determine tiebreakers.
In the first step, the greatest number of points in the group matches between the tied teams will be applied. Then, the superior goal difference from the group matches between the tied teams will be applied, and finally, the greatest number of goals scored in all group matches between the tied teams will be applied.
If that cannot determine a tiebreaker, then the teams that are still equal will advance to step two. In this stage, the first step is the goal difference in all group matches, then the greatest number of goals in all group matches, and finally the highest team conduct score (relating to yellow and red cards) will be applied.
If that does not break the tie, then the teams still equal on points will be ranked according to the most recent FIFA World Rankings.
That first step, which reads “greatest number of points obtained in the group matches between the teams concerned” according to FIFA, effectively turns into a head-to-head tiebreaker in the case of ties between two teams.
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