Draft Talk - A Ninety-Nine Yards NFL Draft Podcast

QB1 is clear in the 2026 NFL Draft.Everything else? That’s where it gets messy.How does Fernando Mendoza stack up against recent top quarterback prospects — and are teams going to talk themselves into Ty Simpson in Round 1?In this episode, we break down our Top 5 quarterback rankings for the 2026 NFL Draft and dig into one of the most uncertain QB classes in recent years.Mendoza has separated himself at the top — but the bigger question is how he compares to quarterbacks taken in the last five drafts.And further down the board, there’s a real debate around Ty Simpson’s projection and whether he should be anywhere near Round 1.We discuss:• Why Mendoza is the clear QB1• How he compares to recent classes• The Ty Simpson debate — and why teams might overthink it• The lack of depth across the class• Where these quarterbacks could realistically be draftedIf you’re building your 2026 draft board, this episode gives you a clear view of the quarterback landscape — and the key decisions teams will have to make.Chapters00:00 - Intro02:22 - Drew Allar10:09 - Garrett Nussmeier15:00 - Carson Beck21:04 - Ty Simpson29:28 - Fernando Mendoza

Could we really see THREE safeties go in Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft?This class is strong enough to make it happen.In this episode, we break down our Top 5 safety rankings for the 2026 NFL Draft and explore one of the most intriguing position groups in the class.There’s a real conversation about whether three safeties could be selected in the first round — something we rarely see.At the top, Caleb Downs continues to set the standard, but how far ahead is he from the rest of the group?We discuss:• Whether three safeties could go in Round 1 • Caleb Downs and his place in the class • The depth of the position • The Day 2 cluster and key names to watch • How this group compares to recent classesIf you’re building your 2026 draft board, this episode gives you a clear view of where the safety class stands.Timestamps00:00 - Intro02:10 - Zakee Wheatley07:14 - AJ Haulcy12:20 - Emmanuel McNeil-Warren17:20 - Dillon Thieneman23:03 - Caleb Downs30:34 - Traits v ProductionArticle Link: https://thetouchdown.co.uk/2026-nfl-draft-elite-talent-vs-positional-value/

Is there a cornerback in the 2026 NFL Draft class worthy of a Top 10 pick?And how much has the board changed after recent performances?In this episode, we reveal our Top 5 cornerback rankings for the 2026 NFL Draft and break down one of the most intriguing position groups in the class.At the top, there’s a real debate about whether Mansoor Delane belongs in the Top 10.Elsewhere, Jermod McCoy’s stock is under the microscope, and a tightly packed group of Day 2 prospects makes this one of the hardest positions to rank.We discuss:• Whether this class has a true Top 10 corner• The debate around Delane’s projection• What’s happening with Jermod McCoy’s stock• The cluster of Day 2 cornerbacks• How the overall class stacks upIf you’re building your 2026 draft board, this episode gives you a clear view of where the cornerback class stands right now.Timestamps00:00 - Intro02:26 - Chris Johnson07:24 - Colton Hood11:32 - Avieon Terrell17:02 - Jermod McCoy25:57 - Mansoor Delane31:00 - Honorable Mentions

The 2026 NFL Combine always reshapes the NFL Draft conversation.So how much has the top of the board actually changed?In this episode, we run through a full first-round 2026 NFL Mock Draft following the combine and break down how the latest testing results are starting to shape the class. Some prospects helped themselves. Some stayed exactly where they were. And the top 10 might look very different from what it did just a few weeks ago. We discuss: • Which prospect now goes No. 1 overall• The biggest combine risers • Whether the top 10 of the draft has shifted • Early team fits across the first round • Which prospects could continue climbing during the season If you’re tracking the 2026 draft cycle, this mock draft shows how the board is starting to evolve.Note* This was recorded prior to the Ravens trading for Maxx Crosby.

Ohio State could produce the first linebacker off the board in 2026.The real question is whether it will be Arvell Reese or Sonny Styles.In this episode, we reveal our Top 5 linebacker rankings for the 2026 NFL Draft and break down the debate that defined the top of the board.Reese and Styles are ranked one and two. Both project as elite prospects. One analyst even views Reese slightly differently in terms of alignment and role — which only adds to the discussion.We discuss:• What separates Reese and Styles• How scheme and projection influence their value• Whether linebacker still carries Top 5 draft value• How the rest of the Top 5 stacks up• The overall strength of the 2026 linebacker classIf you’re building your board for 2026, this episode lays out the full picture.Who do you have as LB1 — and who gets drafted first?Chapters00:00 - Intro01:47 - Jacob Rodriguez06:55 - Jake Golday11:16 - Anthony Hill Jr.17:03 - CJ Allen21:30 - Arvell Reese26:08 - Sonny StylesLinebacker Debate: 33:56