Chris Pratt says this lesson from Parks and Rec led him to sprain his ankle on Mercy: 'I wanna br...

&34;Break as much stuff as you can. It's always better.&34; Chris Pratt says this lesson from Parks and Rec led him to sprain his ankle on Mercy: 'I wanna break that' &34;Break as much stuff as you can. It's always better.&34; By Mike Miller Mike Miller Mike Miller is the executive editor on the movies team at . He previously worked as a writerreporter for PEOPLE and TMZ. EW's editorial guidelines January 21, 2026 9:00 a.m. ET Leave a Comment :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/chrisprattmercy2011626f946b53fbd0c442b88ec7ad2b2ab187f.jpg) Kali Reis and Chris Pratt in 'Mercy'.

"Break as much stuff as you can. It's always better."

Chris Pratt says this lesson from Parks and Rec led him to sprain his ankle on Mercy: 'I wanna break that'

"Break as much stuff as you can. It's always better."

By Mike Miller

Mike Miller

Mike Miller is the executive editor on the movies team at . He previously worked as a writer-reporter for PEOPLE and TMZ.

EW's editorial guidelines

January 21, 2026 9:00 a.m. ET

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Kali Reis and Chris Pratt in 'Mercy'. Credit:

Justin Lubin/Amazon MGM Studios

Chris Pratt spends most of his new sci-fi thriller *Mercy *strapped to a chair — but he still managed to sprain his ankle pretty badly during production.

Last year, the *Guardians of the Galaxy *star revealed on Instagram that he had sustained the injury on the fourth day of filming. Along with a photo of his considerably swelled ankle, he wrote, "I have such a great stunt team! AND I sometimes try to get in there and do some of my own stuff. Today, daddy caught a metal post to the ankle. Should be interesting moving forward."

Asked for more details on the incident in a recent interview with *, *Pratt says he hurt himself while filming a scene that occurs early in the film, when his highly intoxicated character, Det. Chris Raven, is arrested by his colleagues in a bar.

Chris Pratt in 'Mercy'.

Justin Lubin / Amazon MGM Studios

"It's essentially almost a comedic bit sequence that happens as my character's apprehended when I'm drunk. I'm in a blackout, and I fight against a bunch of cops," he explains. "It was in that sequence where I'm being tackled against a booth at a bar, and my foot just flew up."

While that might sound like an accident, Pratt admits there's more to the story.

"I knew if I could kick my feet up, it would make it more of a violent crash," he continues. "And I kicked my feet up high enough to hit a neon sign...I wanted to try to break the sign because of my old *Parks and Rec* days, like break as much stuff as you can. It's always better."

Unfortunately, the sign wasn't a prop. "It was a piece of the bar," Pratt adds. "I was like, 'I wanna break that.' And I hit it with my foot, and it's a metal post sticking out of the wall, holding this thing up. It just hit right into that soft tissue and wrecked my ankle."

Chris Pratt's brother had a VERY embarrassing wardrobe malfunction while filming his cameo in their new movie

Chris Pratt recalls wanting to get 'much fatter' on 'Parks and Rec'

The good news is that, afterward, Pratt spent most of the shoot in a chair. "I'm really grateful that I was just sitting down, 'cause I could not walk for at least a couple of weeks."

After his character is arrested for murdering his wife, he's sent to stand trial — but the justice system works a little differently in the near-future Los Angeles of *Mercy*. Instead of facing a jury of their peers, accused persons are strapped to a chair, brought before an AI judge (played by Rebecca Ferguson), and given 90 minutes to prove their innocence before the supercomputer determines their fate. Given the charges against him, failure to convince the judge of his innocence means immediate execution for Det. Raven.

Whether he's doing a TV comedy like *Parks and Rec *or a blockbuster action flick like *Jurassic World*, Pratt is known for his physical performances. Playing a character who spends most of the film's runtime trapped in a metal chair was a unique challenge, and part of what drew him to the role.

Chris Pratt in 'Mercy'.

Amazon MGM Studios

"This is a high-paced edge-of-your-seat thriller, and I was gonna be responsible for very little of the physical action that contributed to that," he admits. "I've never worked in a thriller genre before, but I have contributed to physicality. Whether it be flipping over tables on* Parks and Rec*, or falling on roller blades, or dance-offs, or big physical running away from dinosaurs, there's been a certain physicality with a lot of the roles that I played. So yeah, I was definitely intrigued by being just the emotional core."

While he still got to get in on some of the stunt work, he notes that with *Mercy*, "My role was to play the reactionary emotional piece to what is otherwise a very thrilling and action-packed movie."

***Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our EW Dispatch newsletter.***

So, how did he find the experience?

"I loved it, man. I really loved it," he says. "Every job you do, you're learning, and you should continue to learn. And I've definitely learned a lot on this...I loved that it was a serious challenge."

See if Det. Raven can prove his innocence when *Mercy *hits theaters on Friday.**

- Sci-Fi & Fantasy Movies

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Chris Pratt says this lesson from Parks and Rec led him to sprain his ankle on Mercy: 'I wanna br...

&34;Break as much stuff as you can. It's always better.&34; Chris Pratt says this lesson from Parks and Rec...

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The former New England Patriot previously suggested some famous Bostonians for the role. Tom Brady is pulling for this Oscar winner to play him in a biopic: 'He's a special guy' The former New England Patriot previously suggested some famous Bostonians for the role. By Daysia Tolentino :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/DaysiaTolentinoauthorphotob1c9bf2343cf4cf7b77759eeb9f69e8d.jpg) Daysia Tolentino Daysia Tolentino is a writer at . She has written for since 2025. Her work has appeared in NBC News, Vulture, GQ, and InStyle. EW's editorial guidelines January 16, 2026 10:00 p.m.

The former New England Patriot previously suggested some famous Bostonians for the role.

Tom Brady is pulling for this Oscar winner to play him in a biopic: 'He's a special guy'

The former New England Patriot previously suggested some famous Bostonians for the role.

By Daysia Tolentino

Daysia Tolentino

Daysia Tolentino is a writer at *. *She has written for * *since 2025. Her work has appeared in NBC News, Vulture, GQ, and InStyle.

EW's editorial guidelines

January 16, 2026 10:00 p.m. ET

Tom Brady attends Los Angeles Premiere Screening Of Paramount Pictures' '80 For Brady' in 2023. Credit:

Jon Kopaloff/Getty

Tom Brady is game for a fellow GOAT to play him in a biopic.

The 7-time Super Bowl champion is currently working on a multi-part documentary series in partnership with the new Fanatics Studios. During the studio's launch, Brady was asked to cast a potential biopic about his life.

While the former New England Patriot previously proposed Bostonians like Matt Damon and Mark Wahlberg, this time he entertained a different actor: Leonardo DiCaprio.

"I like Leo, man, he's a special guy," Brady told Access Hollywood. "We've got a lot of times to kind of hang out and talk and [he's] such a deep thoughtful guy. He's got a tremendous perspective on a lot of things and we've had a lot of fun together."

Leonardo DiCaprio attends the 'One Battle After Another' London Premiere in 2025.

Karwai Tang/WireImage

When pressed by Access Hollywood if DiCaprio should bet out the other prospects, the retired NFL quarterback said he'd be glad to cast the star if he was up for it.

"We gotta write a good script first," Brady joked.

Now that Brady and DiCaprio have become friends, perhaps the door is open for future collaborations between them. The two were spotted catching up on a yacht at the top of the new year.

See Leonardo DiCaprio's real 1991 'Teen Beat' interview mentioned at Golden Globes

Teyana Taylor adds more confusion to Leonardo DiCaprio's viral Golden Globes moment: 'Wasn't me!'

Leonardo DiCaprio in 'One Battle After Another'.

Warner Bros. Pictures

While DiCaprio has played many different roles, he rarely plays an athlete. The last, and only, time he laced up for a part was in 1995's *The Basketball Diaries*.

***Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our EW Dispatch newsletter*.**

Any new projects will have to wait though, as Leo is now in the full swing of award season following his performance in *One Battle After Another*. While he lost the Golden Globe for Best Actor — Musical or Comedy to Timothée Chalamet, his costar Teyana Taylor snagged the prize for Best Supporting Actress. The film was awarded Best Motion Picture — Musical or Comedy at the Globes, inching closer toward its predicted Best Picture win at the Oscars.

- Celebrities & Creators

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Tom Brady is pulling for this Oscar winner to play him in a biopic: 'He's a special guy'

The former New England Patriot previously suggested some famous Bostonians for the role. Tom Brady is pulling for this Osca...

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She also opens up about why she famously dropped an fbomb accepting the award: &34;I fing curse all the time, but you cannot curse on network television.&34; Melissa Leo says winning an Oscar wasn't good for her career: 'I never wanted it' She also opens up about why she famously dropped an fbomb accepting the award: &34;I fing curse all the time, but you cannot curse on network television.&34; By Lauren Huff :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/PXL202501060627063092a245c0a56a194868af7b6a47af56223c.

She also opens up about why she famously dropped an f-bomb accepting the award: "I f---ing curse all the time, but you cannot curse on network television."

Melissa Leo says winning an Oscar wasn't good for her career: 'I never wanted it'

She also opens up about why she famously dropped an f-bomb accepting the award: "I f---ing curse all the time, but you cannot curse on network television."

By Lauren Huff

Lauren Huff

Lauren Huff is an award-winning journalist and staff writer at ** with over 12 years of experience covering all facets of the entertainment industry.

EW's editorial guidelines

January 16, 2026 6:49 p.m. ET

Melissa Leo accepts award onstage during the 83rd Annual Academy Awards. Credit:

Michael Caulfield/WireImage

Apparently, Melissa Leo would *not* like to thank the Academy.

The actress, who won Best Supporting Actress for *The Fighter* back in 2011, is sharing her brutally honest thoughts about her win, including that she believes it's had a negative impact on her career.

"Winning an Oscar has not been good for me or my career," she said recently in a reader Q&A with *The Guardian*, adding, "I didn't dream of it, I never wanted it, and I had a much better career before I won."

Leo made the remarks in response to a fan question asking, "What goes through your mind when you stand up to receive an Oscar?"

"One loses one's mind," she said in response. "I had won a lot of prestigious awards for *The Fighter* that season, and sat in that great gigantic theater thinking: 'Well, it certainly is possible.' Kirk Douglas came out to present the Best Supporting Actress award, opened the envelope and called my name. I was so delighted to meet him — that was all I was thinking about."

Melissa Leo arrives at the 2024 Governors Awards.

Steve Granitz/FilmMagic

She continued, "I turned to the house, which in most theaters, you can see by looking a little above your own eyesight. In the Dolby Theatre, you have to raise your chin like you're about to scale Mount Everest. Every single actor, director and producer you recognize, is staring you in the face. I then cursed, and I'm still sorry I cursed."

Leo is referring to herself dropping the f-bomb on stage while accepting the honor in 2011. "Yeah, I am kind of speechless. When I watched Kate two years ago, it looked so f---ing easy," she said at the time, referring to Kate Winslet, who had won Best Actress for *The Reader* two years prior.

In *The Guardian*, she clarified with a few more f-bombs, saying, "I f---ing curse all the time, but you cannot curse on network television. Thank God for the 10-second delay, which was introduced for f---ing idiots like me."

See where 20 Academy Award winners keep their Oscars

2026 Oscar predictions: Who will be nominated at 98th Academy Awards?

Leo isn't the only Oscar winner to say publicly that the honor may not be all it's cracked up to be. Marcia Gay Harden, who won Best Supporting Actress for the 2000 movie *Pollock*, told the *Los Angeles Times* in 2003 that the award was "disastrous on a professional level."

"Suddenly the parts you're offered and the money become smaller. There's no logic to it," she added.

***Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our EW Dispatch newsletter.***

- Awards Shows & Events

- Academy Awards

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Melissa Leo says winning an Oscar wasn't good for her career: 'I never wanted it'

She also opens up about why she famously dropped an fbomb accepting the award: &34;I fing curse all the time, but you cann...

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Sarah Michelle Gellar has changed her mind about one of her most infamous movies: 'I've had a who...

The &34;Buffy the Vampire Slayer&34; alum says the project was &34;not the movie I set out to make.&34; Sarah Michelle Gellar has changed her mind about one of her most infamous movies: 'I've had a whole trajectory' The &34;Buffy the Vampire Slayer&34; alum says the project was &34;not the movie I set out to make.&34; By Raechal Shewfelt :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/RaechalShewfeltauthorphotoc49d3a3b6aa442f588f2bbc0de804e09.jpg) Raechal Shewfelt Raechal Shewfelt is a writer at . She has been working at EW since 2024.

The "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" alum says the project was "not the movie I set out to make."

Sarah Michelle Gellar has changed her mind about one of her most infamous movies: 'I've had a whole trajectory'

The "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" alum says the project was "not the movie I set out to make."

By Raechal Shewfelt

Raechal Shewfelt

Raechal Shewfelt is a writer at **. She has been working at EW since 2024. Her work has previously appeared on Yahoo and in American *Journalism Review* and *The Shreveport Times*.

EW's editorial guidelines

January 16, 2026 6:36 p.m. ET

Sarah Michelle Gellar reflects on 'Scooby-Doo'. Credit:

Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty

Sarah Michelle Gellar has been upfront about the fact that she went into the 2002 live-action version of *Scooby-Doo* thinking that it would be more for adults than for kids and families, and she was unhappy that it didn't turn out that way.

But more than two decades later, she's come to accept it for what it is.

"I've had a whole trajectory with this movie," Gellar, who played Daphne, said on a recent episode of Evan Ross Katz's *Shut Up Evan Podcast*. "Because there was a time where I really was upset about it. And it was not the movie I set out to make."

But the *Buffy the Vampire Slayer* alum said she's actually now a fan of it.

"Now, in hindsight, all these years later, I totally appreciate it," Gellar said. "And I love it and it'll totally make me laugh. But there was a time where it was like a disappointment in the sense of, you know, what we were sold was not what it was."

Sarah Michelle Gellar, Linda Cardellini, Matthew Lillard, and Freddie Prinze Jr. in 'Scooby-Doo'.

Jasin Boland/Warner Bros

At the time, Gellar said, she was young — "like 22" — and "wanted to make the sexier, more esoteric version, but that's not what the audiences wanted."

In fact, *Scooby-Doo*, which costarred Gellar's husband Freddie Prinze Jr., whom she married the same year the movie came out, as Fred, as well as *Scream*'s Matthew Lillard (Shaggy) and *Freaks and Geeks* alum Linda Cardellini (Velma), was a hit, much to the chagrin of critics. It even spawned a sequel, *Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed,* which was released in 2004 and even more disliked by reviewers.

Both films were directed by Raja Gosnell, who was also at the helm of Drew Barrymore's *Never Been Kissed* in 1999 and the comedy *Big Momma's House*, with Martin Lawrence and Nia Long, in 2000. They featured the Mystery Inc. gang from the animated series created in the 1960s investigating cases.

Sarah Michelle Gellar defends reboots: 'It means that your work resonates'

Sarah Michelle Gellar's cameo was so secret, her 'I Know What You Did Last Summer' scene partner didn't know about it

And Gellar wasn't the only one who had expected a more mature take that, for one thing, featured a kiss between her Daphne and Cardellini's Velma.

***Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our EW Dispatch newsletter.*****

James Gunn himself, who's now known for writing and directing movies such as 2021's *Suicide Squad* and *Guardians of the Galaxy*, and penned the *Scooby *scripts, wrote on his verified Facebook account in June 2017 that he also had mixed feelings about what had become of his work.

"I had loved the character of Scooby-Doo since I was a kid and was excited at the prospect of making a live action film with 2002's cutting CGI technology(!!)," he wrote. "Yes, it was not exactly what we planned going out - I had written an edgier film geared toward older kids and adults, and the studio ended pushing it into a clean cut children's film. And, yes, the rumors are true - the first cut was rated R by the MPAA, and the female stars' cleavage was CGI'd away so as not to offend. But, you know, such is life. I had a lot of fun making this movie, regardless of all that. And I was also able to eat, buy a car, and a house because of it."

Watch Gellar's full conversation about the movie above.**

- Children & Family Movies

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NFL mock draft roundup: Updated predictions for Bills, 49ers, Bears

NFL mock draft roundup: predictions for Bills, 49ers, Bears Ayrton Ostly, USA TODAYJanuary 21, 2026 at 6:05 AM 0 The NFL divisional playoffs are in the books and four teams are heading home to watch the rest of the postseason with us. Buffalo, San Francisco, Houston and Chicago all saw their seasons come to an end a few weeks earlier than they would've hoped. One of those four Buffalo is facing major changes this offseason. The Bills are searching for a new head coach for the first time since 2017.

- - NFL mock draft roundup: predictions for Bills, 49ers, Bears

Ayrton Ostly, USA TODAYJanuary 21, 2026 at 6:05 AM

0

The NFL divisional playoffs are in the books and four teams are heading home to watch the rest of the postseason with us. Buffalo, San Francisco, Houston and Chicago all saw their seasons come to an end a few weeks earlier than they would've hoped.

One of those four - Buffalo - is facing major changes this offseason. The Bills are searching for a new head coach for the first time since 2017. Reigning MVP Josh Allen and company fell short in the divisional round for the fourth time in the last six years.

Buffalo and the others can turn to the offseason to improve their rosters and ramp up for another run in 2026. Free agency is a good way to find a few good starters and depth pieces but the best way to find difference-makers is through the NFL Draft.

The 2026 NFL Draft lacks star power at quarterback but teams looking for help at defensive line, interior offensive line, wide receiver and even tight end could be in luck. This is an especially good year to need a linebacker too.

Now that another four first-round picks are locked in, how could the 2026 NFL Draft shake out? We've tapped the latest projections from experts at CBS Sports, Fox Sports, Pro Football Focus and FantasyPros to predict how the first round will go come April.

Here's how they compare:

2. New York Jets – Arvell Reese, LB/DE, Ohio State

" data-src=https://ift.tt/FWL9p7E class=caas-img data-headline="2026 NFL mock draft: Where do College Football Playoff top stars rate?" data-caption="

2. New York Jets – Arvell Reese, LB/DE, Ohio State

">2. New York Jets – Arvell Reese, LB/DE, Ohio State

" src=https://ift.tt/FWL9p7E class=caas-img>3. Arizona Cardinals – David Bailey, DE/OLB, Texas Tech

" data-src=https://ift.tt/8Y7Tm9M class=caas-img data-headline="2026 NFL mock draft: Where do College Football Playoff top stars rate?" data-caption="

3. Arizona Cardinals – David Bailey, DE/OLB, Texas Tech

">3. Arizona Cardinals – David Bailey, DE/OLB, Texas Tech

" src=https://ift.tt/8Y7Tm9M class=caas-img>4. Tennessee Titans – Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

" data-src=https://ift.tt/W5HQfJ0 class=caas-img data-headline="2026 NFL mock draft: Where do College Football Playoff top stars rate?" data-caption="

4. Tennessee Titans – Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

">4. Tennessee Titans – Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

" src=https://ift.tt/W5HQfJ0 class=caas-img>5. New York Giants – Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

" data-src=https://ift.tt/7JChDjl class=caas-img data-headline="2026 NFL mock draft: Where do College Football Playoff top stars rate?" data-caption="

5. New York Giants – Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

">5. New York Giants – Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

" src=https://ift.tt/7JChDjl class=caas-img>6. Cleveland Browns – Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (Fla.)

" data-src=https://ift.tt/9hRzLI7 class=caas-img data-headline="2026 NFL mock draft: Where do College Football Playoff top stars rate?" data-caption="

6. Cleveland Browns – Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (Fla.)

">6. Cleveland Browns – Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (Fla.)

" src=https://ift.tt/9hRzLI7 class=caas-img>7. Washington Commanders – Rueben Bain Jr., DE, Miami (Fla.)

" data-src=https://ift.tt/LEf67hw class=caas-img data-headline="2026 NFL mock draft: Where do College Football Playoff top stars rate?" data-caption="

7. Washington Commanders – Rueben Bain Jr., DE, Miami (Fla.)

">7. Washington Commanders – Rueben Bain Jr., DE, Miami (Fla.)

" src=https://ift.tt/LEf67hw class=caas-img>8. New Orleans Saints – Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

" data-src=https://ift.tt/LaHNgYC class=caas-img data-headline="2026 NFL mock draft: Where do College Football Playoff top stars rate?" data-caption="

8. New Orleans Saints – Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

">8. New Orleans Saints – Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

" src=https://ift.tt/LaHNgYC class=caas-img>9. Kansas City Chiefs – Keldric Faulk, DE, Auburn

" data-src=https://ift.tt/ANCovM7 class=caas-img data-headline="2026 NFL mock draft: Where do College Football Playoff top stars rate?" data-caption="

9. Kansas City Chiefs – Keldric Faulk, DE, Auburn

">9. Kansas City Chiefs – Keldric Faulk, DE, Auburn

" src=https://ift.tt/ANCovM7 class=caas-img>10. Cincinnati Bengals – Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

" data-src=https://ift.tt/HbP1Tpc class=caas-img data-headline="2026 NFL mock draft: Where do College Football Playoff top stars rate?" data-caption="

10. Cincinnati Bengals – Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

">10. Cincinnati Bengals – Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

" src=https://ift.tt/HbP1Tpc class=caas-img>11. Miami Dolphins – Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

" data-src=https://ift.tt/HX85Awy class=caas-img data-headline="2026 NFL mock draft: Where do College Football Playoff top stars rate?" data-caption="

11. Miami Dolphins – Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

">11. Miami Dolphins – Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

" src=https://ift.tt/HX85Awy class=caas-img>12. Dallas Cowboys – Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

" data-src=https://ift.tt/rhEA9Tu class=caas-img data-headline="2026 NFL mock draft: Where do College Football Playoff top stars rate?" data-caption="

12. Dallas Cowboys – Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

">12. Dallas Cowboys – Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

" src=https://ift.tt/rhEA9Tu class=caas-img>13. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta Falcons) – Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

" data-src=https://ift.tt/5pPSrzU class=caas-img data-headline="2026 NFL mock draft: Where do College Football Playoff top stars rate?" data-caption="

13. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta Falcons) – Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

">13. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta Falcons) – Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

" src=https://ift.tt/5pPSrzU class=caas-img>14. Baltimore Ravens – Peter Woods, DT, Clemson

" data-src=https://ift.tt/XOoVvuh class=caas-img data-headline="2026 NFL mock draft: Where do College Football Playoff top stars rate?" data-caption="

14. Baltimore Ravens – Peter Woods, DT, Clemson

">14. Baltimore Ravens – Peter Woods, DT, Clemson

" src=https://ift.tt/XOoVvuh class=caas-img>15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Cashius Howell, OLB, Texas A&M

" data-src=https://ift.tt/hrmi3Md class=caas-img data-headline="2026 NFL mock draft: Where do College Football Playoff top stars rate?" data-caption="

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Cashius Howell, OLB, Texas A&M

">15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Cashius Howell, OLB, Texas A&M

" src=https://ift.tt/hrmi3Md class=caas-img>16. New York Jets (from Indianapolis Colts) – Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

" data-src=https://ift.tt/nYGAx87 class=caas-img data-headline="2026 NFL mock draft: Where do College Football Playoff top stars rate?" data-caption="

16. New York Jets (from Indianapolis Colts) – Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

">16. New York Jets (from Indianapolis Colts) – Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

" src=https://ift.tt/nYGAx87 class=caas-img>

18. Minnesota Vikings – Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina

" data-src=https://ift.tt/Q3mSqxR class=caas-img data-headline="2026 NFL mock draft: Where do College Football Playoff top stars rate?" data-caption="

18. Minnesota Vikings – Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina

">18. Minnesota Vikings – Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina

" src=https://ift.tt/Q3mSqxR class=caas-img>19. Carolina Panthers – Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

" data-src=https://ift.tt/wIH3fMB class=caas-img data-headline="2026 NFL mock draft: Where do College Football Playoff top stars rate?" data-caption="

19. Carolina Panthers – Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

">19. Carolina Panthers – Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

" src=https://ift.tt/wIH3fMB class=caas-img>20. Dallas Cowboys (from Green Bay Packers) – Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

" data-src=https://ift.tt/2uK9YTc class=caas-img data-headline="2026 NFL mock draft: Where do College Football Playoff top stars rate?" data-caption="

20. Dallas Cowboys (from Green Bay Packers) – Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

">20. Dallas Cowboys (from Green Bay Packers) – Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

" src=https://ift.tt/2uK9YTc class=caas-img>21. Pittsburgh Steelers – Makai Lemon, WR, USC

" data-src=https://ift.tt/r16UMFH class=caas-img data-headline="2026 NFL mock draft: Where do College Football Playoff top stars rate?" data-caption="

21. Pittsburgh Steelers – Makai Lemon, WR, USC

">21. Pittsburgh Steelers – Makai Lemon, WR, USC

" src=https://ift.tt/r16UMFH class=caas-img>22. Los Angeles Chargers – Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State

" data-src=https://ift.tt/tyuaFZK class=caas-img data-headline="2026 NFL mock draft: Where do College Football Playoff top stars rate?" data-caption="

22. Los Angeles Chargers – Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State

">22. Los Angeles Chargers – Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State

" src=https://ift.tt/tyuaFZK class=caas-img>23. Philadelphia Eagles – Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State

" data-src=https://ift.tt/QizOACt class=caas-img data-headline="2026 NFL mock draft: Where do College Football Playoff top stars rate?" data-caption="

23. Philadelphia Eagles – Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State

">23. Philadelphia Eagles – Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State

" src=https://ift.tt/QizOACt class=caas-img>24. Cleveland Browns (from Jacksonville Jaguars) – KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M

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24. Cleveland Browns (from Jacksonville Jaguars) – KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M

">24. Cleveland Browns (from Jacksonville Jaguars) – KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M

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25. Chicago Bears – Caleb Banks, DT, Florida

">25. Chicago Bears – Caleb Banks, DT, Florida

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26. Buffalo Bills – Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

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27. San Francisco 49ers – Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

">27. San Francisco 49ers – Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

" src=https://ift.tt/C8aFRbc class=caas-img>28. Houston Texans – Emmanuel Pregnon, G, Oregon

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28. Houston Texans – Emmanuel Pregnon, G, Oregon

">28. Houston Texans – Emmanuel Pregnon, G, Oregon

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31. Denver Broncos – CJ Allen, LB, Georgia

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31. Denver Broncos – CJ Allen, LB, Georgia

">31. Denver Broncos – CJ Allen, LB, Georgia

" src=https://ift.tt/Tato2UJ class=caas-img>32. Seattle Seahawks – Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee

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32. Seattle Seahawks – Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee

">32. Seattle Seahawks – Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee

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1 / 322026 NFL mock draft: Where do College Football Playoff top stars rate?1. New York Jets - Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana2026 mock draft roundup1. Las Vegas RaidersCBS Sports: QB Fernando Mendoza, IndianaFox Sports: QB Fernando Mendoza, IndianaPro Football Focus: QB Fernando Mendoza, IndianaFantasyPros: QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana

CBS Sports: "The 2026 NFL Draft is similar to 2025 in that there is only one quarterback worthy of No. 1 overall consideration. The Raiders are expected to take that player, but the real questions begin post-Fernando Mendoza selection. Las Vegas' roster is not in a state to support a rookie quarterback. Tight ends Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer are good pieces, along with running back Ashton Jeanty, but they need another receiver and multiple offensive linemen."

Pro Football Focus: "Heading into the College Football Playoff National Championship game, the Indiana quarterback has produced a 6.1% big-time throw rate and a 2.5% turnover-worthy play rate. Compare that to the 6.3% and 3.3% rates, respectively, that we saw from Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward in his final college season, and it's clear that Mendoza is worthy of being drafted first overall."

2. New York JetsCBS Sports: LB Arvell Reese, Ohio StateFox Sports: LB Arvell Reese, Ohio StatePro Football Focus: Edge David Bailey, Texas TechFantasyPros: LB Arvell Reese, Ohio State

Fox Sports: "New York will likely take the best player available here. A big riser on draft boards over the past few months, Reese has cemented himself as the clear-cut best linebacker in this draft. Due to his elite speed for his size, he can drop back into coverage as an off-ball backer or line up on the edge and rush the passer. Reese has 6.5 sacks and two passes defended on the year, and 112 total tackles in two seasons for the Buckeyes."

Pro Football Focus: "The news that quarterback Dante Moore is staying at Oregon for another season is a blow to the Jets, who could have either selected him at No. 2 overall or traded the pick for serious draft capital... the most logical route would be to target one of the top defensive players in the draft. Bailey's 81 quarterback pressures in 2025 led all FBS edge defenders, and while he's not as refined a prospect as Penn State's Abdul Carter was last year, he is more than good enough as a pass rusher to be worthy of a top-five selection."

3. Arizona CardinalsCBS Sports: OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami (FL)Fox Sports: OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami (FL)Pro Football Focus: S Caleb Downs, Ohio StateFantasyPros: OT Spencer Fano, Utah

CBS Sports: "The offensive line should be a point of emphasis for Arizona's next football coach, and Jonah Williams is slated to hit free agency. Francis Mauigoa is a building block for a fresh start on offense, which likely does not include Kyler Murray."

FantasyPros: "Ideally, the Cardinals would trade down a few spots, get some more capital and draft him a bit later, though. As for Fano as a prospect, he moves extremely well, but he's a bit slender, build-wise, for an offensive lineman. Worst-case scenario, Fano is a "set-it-and-forget-it" guard for years to come."

4. Tennessee TitansCBS Sports: Edge Rueben Bain Jr., Miami (FL)Fox Sports: S Caleb Downs, Ohio StatePro Football Focus: Edge Rueben Bain Jr., Miami (FL)FantasyPros: Edge Rueben Bain Jr., Miami (FL)

Fox Sports: "Downs might be the smartest football player in this draft, having lined up all over the field during his time at Alabama and Ohio State. This past season, he played 44 snaps on the defensive line, 241 in the box, 146 at slot corner, nine at wide corner, and 240 at free safety. For his career, he's totaled 256 tackles, 163 solo tackles, 10 passes defended and six interceptions."

Pro Football Focus: "Bain is likely to be a polarizing prospect if his measurements come in as expected, but it's hard to ignore his dominance in his final college season... His size should allow him to kick inside in obvious passing situations, too, giving him the type of versatility that can maximize his impact."

5. New York GiantsCBS Sports: WR Carnell Tate, Ohio StateFox Sports: OT Spencer Fano, UtahPro Football Focus: WR Carnell Tate, Ohio StateFantasyPros: WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State

CBS Sports: "New York has bigger needs than receiver, but do not overthink the board. It is entirely possible Wan'Dale Robinson leaves in free agency, Darius Slayton has struggled to stay healthy, and Malik Nabers is coming off an injury. Carnell Tate would provide more confidence going into Year 2 with Jaxson Dart. Tate is a bigger body with great body control and a feel for playing in space."

FantasyPros: "This spot, like the Cardinals, is another potential trade-down spot... but I'm taking the best receiver in the draft in Jordyn Tyson. Tyson does have the two injuries in 2022 and 2024 that ended his seasons, but if those medicals come back clean, Tyson will be a perfect No. 2 WR alongside Malik Nabers in an offense with Jaxson Dart, Cam Skattebo, under new head coach John Harbaugh."

6. Cleveland BrownsCBS Sports: WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona StateFox Sports: WR Carnell Tate, Ohio StatePro Football Focus: WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona StateFantasyPros: WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State

CBS Sports: "Cleveland may use every pick in this draft on receivers and offensive linemen. (I'm only partially joking.) Jordyn Tyson is a big-time player with the ball in his hands; the only concern is that he battled injuries during his collegiate career."

Fox Sports: "Tate is next in the long line of pro Buckeye receivers. At 6-3, 195 pounds, he's a big receiver who can dominate in the red zone while also serving as a deep threat. This year, he's one of 12 Power 4 receivers to have nine receiving touchdowns and over 800 receiving yards. He is the instant offensive boost the Browns have so desperately needed."

7. Washington CommandersCBS Sports: S Caleb Downs, Ohio StateFox Sports: Edge Rueben Bain Jr., Miami (FL)Pro Football Focus: Edge Cashius Howell, Texas A&MFantasyPros: S Caleb Downs, Ohio State

Pro Football Focus: "The Commanders will dream that one of the top two edge defenders falls to them at No. 7 overall, but if not, Howell would be a solid consolation prize. The Texas A&M standout earned a 90.3 PFF pass-rush grade and produced a 19.8% PFF pass-rush win rate in 2025."

FantasyPros: "While safety may not be the most alluring position to take in the top 10, Caleb Downs may very well be the best overall player from this class. The Commanders get an easy win here at pick No. 7."

8. New Orleans SaintsCBS Sports: RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre DameFox Sports: DL Peter Woods, ClemsonPro Football Focus: WR Makai Lemon, USCFantasyPros: WR Makai Lemon, USC

Fox Sports: "While Clemson had a down year, Woods has too many tools for any team looking for a dominant defensive lineman to pass on. At 6-3, 315 pounds, he's reported to have a lean muscle mass percentage of 77%. He's also another player who was a freshman All-American in 2023 and posted a dominant follow-up campaign in 2024 while playing both defensive end and tackle for the Tigers. Woods finished 2025 with a career-high 30 tackles along with two sacks."

Pro Football Focus: "Rookie quarterback Tyler Shough showed enough in 2025 for the Saints to want to build around him with a playmaker like Lemon. The USC star logged an 81.0 PFF receiving grade against man coverage, caught 66.7% of contested targets and dropped just 2.5% of the catchable targets thrown his way this season."

9. Kansas City ChiefsCBS Sports: DL Peter Woods, ClemsonFox Sports: RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre DamePro Football Focus: RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre DameFantasyPros: RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame

CBS Sports: "Kansas City appears to be a team in transition. It needs an infusion of young impact players on both sides of the ball as it works to return to glory. Peter Woods was overrated early in the draft process but is now undervalued. In theory, Woods is the heir apparent to Chris Jones, and the hope is Omarr Norman-Lott can still develop into a complementary piece."

FantasyPros: "The Chiefs' running game was borderline unwatchable in 2025. With quarterback Patrick Mahomes coming off a torn ACL, handing the ball or dumping it off to one of the best running back prospects in recent memory is a great move."

10. Cincinnati BengalsCBS Sports: CB Jermod McCoy, TennesseeFox Sports: Edge Keldric Faulk, AuburnPro Football Focus: DL Peter Woods, ClemsonFantasyPros: OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami (FL)

CBS Sports: "Jermod McCoy sat out the entire 2025 season, but his film resembled that of a top-10 overall pick in 2024. If the medical check comes back clean, Cincinnati would be getting a great player at a position of need. Defense is once again expected to be a point of emphasis for a franchise that has struggled to identify defensive contributors in the draft."

Fox Sports: "Faulk is a monster at 6-6 and 288 pounds, and he displayed an incredible ability to blow past offensive tackles in the SEC over the past two seasons. He posted 11 tackles for loss, seven sacks and 45 total tackles for the Tigers in his true sophomore season in 2024."

11. Miami DolphinsCBS Sports: CB Mansoor Delane, LSUFox Sports: CB Mansoor Delane, LSUPro Football Focus: CB Mansoor Delane, LSUFantasyPros: CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee

Fox Sports: "No cornerback in Power 4 had a higher pass coverage grade on PFF than Delane at 90.9. In 357 coverage snaps, he gave up just 13 receptions for 147 yards and no touchdowns with opposing QBs sporting a 26.7 passer rating when targeting him. Miami needs immediate help at the position, with four cornerbacks on injured reserve at the end of the season. Delane should be an instant starter for them."

FantasyPros: "The Dolphins desperately need some answers in the secondary, and while Jermod McCoy didn't play in 2025 due to a torn ACL, he may be healthy enough to compete at the NFL Scouting Combine, where, if healthy, he'll show how excellent an athlete he is. In 2024, McCoy showed excellent ball skills, and the Dolphins could use someone like that."

12. Dallas CowboysCBS Sports: Edge Keldric Faulk, AuburnFox Sports: LB CJ Allen, GeorgiaPro Football Focus: LB Arvell Reese, Ohio StateFantasyPros: Edge David Bailey, Texas Tech

CBS Sports: "Keldric Faulk is a long, powerful pass rusher who does not turn 21 until the beginning of the 2026 season. Dallas needs young, impactful players at all three levels of the defense. Donovan Ezeiruaku had some good moments as a rookie, so the two can develop together."

Fox Sports: "The heartbeat of Georgia's defense this year, Allen is a tenacious tackler who thrives in the run game and can also cover receivers in the slot. Dallas has bolstered its defensive line with Kenny Clark and Quinnen Williams, but it needs an off-ball backer with a high IQ to prevent explosive plays at the second level."

13. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta)CBS Sports: OT Spencer Fano, UtahFox Sports: OT Kadyn Proctor, AlabamaPro Football Focus: CB Jermod McCoy, TennesseeFantasyPros: CB Mansoor Delane, LSU

Fox Sports: "Matthew Stafford is the current MVP favorite with no signs of slowing down. At 37 years old, everything the Rams do from a roster construction standpoint should and will likely be with the intent of winning a Super Bowl immediately. Proctor is a specimen at 6-7, 366 pounds and has given up just five sacks in the last two seasons (according to PFF). Rob Havenstein is 33 years old and dealing with injuries, making this an ideal fit for Los Angeles."

FantasyPros: "I'd like to see the Rams get a bigger cornerback to complement their current room. However, Mansoor Delane brings so much positional versatility that he'd be excellent under head coach Sean McVay in a defense that needs more defensive back talent."

14. Baltimore RavensCBS Sports: WR Denzel Boston, WashingtonFox Sports: Edge David Bailey, Texas TechPro Football Focus: OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami (FL)FantasyPros: OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama

CBS Sports: "Baltimore has the same decision-makers in place to make selections, so fans should not anticipate a shift in philosophy. The Ravens will continue to stockpile picks, but it will be interesting to learn whom the franchise tabs as the next head coach and the personnel that person will need to execute his schemes on each side of the ball. Denzel Boston is a big body with a skill set that complements Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman."

Pro Football Focus: "Mauigoa is listed as a tackle, but he would begin his NFL career at guard for the Ravens, where they are unlikely to re-sign right guard Daniel Faalele — who earned a 57.2 overall grade in 2025. Mauigoa is an excellent pass blocker who earned an 85.4 PFF pass blocking grade on true pass sets this past season. He was also no slouch in the run game, earning a PFF run-blocking grade above 74.0 on both gap and zone concepts."

15. Tampa Bay BuccaneersCBS Sports: LB Sonny Styles, Ohio StateFox Sports: LB Sonny Styles, Ohio StatePro Football Focus: LB Sonny Styles, Ohio StateFantasyPros: LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State

Fox Sports: "If it weren't for Arvell Reese, Sonny Styles would be getting a lot more recognition as a Buckeye linebacker. In his past two seasons at Ohio State, he's totaled 183 tackles, 95 solo tackles, eight passes defended, seven sacks, and two forced fumbles. He hits like a truck and can move well in space."

FantasyPros: "With Lavonte David set to be a free agent and turning 36 later this month, the Buccaneers could look for a linebacker replacement in Sonny Styles... Styles started his career at Ohio State as a safety, so he'll offer positional versatility and fit the modern game. I'd bring back David, so long as he wants to continue playing, and have him mentor Styles as he learns the position further."

16. New York Jets (from Indianapolis)CBS Sports: DL Kayden McDonald, Ohio StateFox Sports: CB Jermod McCoy, TennesseePro Football Focus: WR Denzel Boston, WashingtonFantasyPros: DT Peter Woods, Clemson

CBS Sports: "New York traded away Quinnen Williams at the deadline, and the position had already been a need. The Jets could add a few bodies to the interior this offseason. Kayden McDonald has a high floor as a run defender, and teams will not feel comfortable taking him this early unless they are sold on his potential contributions as a pass rusher."

FantasyPros: "After trading Quinnen Williams, the Jets reload with Peter Woods, a player who didn't have the best season, but who has all the tools to help replace some of the production lost in the Williams trade."

17. Detroit LionsCBS Sports: Edge David Bailey, Texas TechFox Sports: CB Avieon Terrell, ClemsonPro Football Focus: OT Kadyn Proctor, AlabamaFantasyPros: Edge Keldric Faulk, Auburn

Fox Sports: "The brother of All-Pro corner A.J. Terrell, Avieon has had a ton of production in three seasons at Clemson, recording 25 passes defended, 125 total tackles, eight forced fumbles, four sacks, and three interceptions in 1,860 defensive snaps played in that span. Avieon will be a great compliment to a secondary already featuring Kerby Joseph, Brian Branch and Terrion Arnold."

FantasyPros: "The Lions need a Robin to go with their Batman in Aidan Hutchinson. Keldrick Faulk can play in various spots along the defensive line. For a Lions team that needs more pass-rushing help, Faulk feels safe."

18. Minnesota VikingsCBS Sports: CB Avieon Terrell, ClemsonFox Sports: WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona StatePro Football Focus: CB Avieon Terrell, ClemsonFantasyPros: CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson

Fox Sports: "Tyson could easily go top 10 or 15 in this draft, depending on how badly teams want a receiver. While it might seem like a surprise for the Vikings to draft him, Jordan Addison is on the last year of his deal and will likely command a big contract given his production as the second option over the past three seasons. Tyson is a big-bodied receiver at 6-2, 200 pounds, and he catches everything thrown at him. In two seasons with ASU, he's caught 136 balls for 1,812 yards and a whopping 18 touchdowns."

FantasyPros: "The Vikings have two cornerbacks ready to go for next season in Isaiah Rodgers and Byron Murphy Jr., but neither (more so Murphy) played exceptionally well this season. Avieon Terrell would be perfect in a Brian Flores-led defense due to his aggressive play style. He'd platoon as a rookie, but could take over an outside spot full-time with Rodgers a free agent in the 2026-27 season."

19. Carolina PanthersCBS Sports: WR Makai Lemon, USCFox Sports: TE Kenyon Sadiq, OregonPro Football Focus: DT Kayden McDonald, Ohio StateFantasyPros: DT Kayden McDonald, Ohio State

CBS Sports: "Carolina has greater weaknesses than wide receiver and has invested significant draft capital into the position to little avail beyond Tetairoa McMillan. Makai Lemon is a smaller slot receiver who is grounded through the catch, a complement to McMillan's skill set."

Fox Sports: "Sadiq is the best tight end in the draft, and it's not close. He can run, block well and has great hands. His eight receiving touchdowns were the most of any tight end in FBS, making him a big-time red zone threat, as well... Bryce Young has taken a huge step this year. A lot of that progress has to do with the addition of wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan in last year's draft. Expect the Panthers to continue to give their young QB offensive weapons."

20. Dallas Cowboys (from Green Bay)CBS Sports: CB Colton Hood, TennesseeFox Sports: CB Brandon Cisse, South CarolinaPro Football Focus: Edge Keldric Faulk, AuburnFantasyPros: WR KC Concepcion, Texas A&M

Fox Sports: "Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland both dealt with injuries this season, and the Cowboys' defense is giving up 251.5 passing yards per game, which is the worst mark in the league. Cisse is a tough corner who isn't afraid to tackle and has 10 passes defended over the past two seasons, and he gave up just 18 receptions and one TD in 2025 (PFF)."

FantasyPros: "If the Cowboys are unable to retain George Pickens, KC Concepcion would be a fantastic backup plan to complement CeeDee Lamb. He had some drop issues in college, but if he works out those kinks, he'll be incredible against man coverage and electric with the ball in his hands."

21. Pittsburgh SteelersCBS Sports: QB Ty Simpson, AlabamaFox Sports: QB Ty Simpson, AlabamaPro Football Focus: WR KC Concepcion, Texas A&MFantasyPros: OT Caleb Lomu, Utah

CBS Sports: "Pittsburgh will have a new head coach for the first time in nearly two decades, so the direction at quarterback is fascinating. If the team wants to get off the hamster wheel of signing a veteran every year, it will either need to continue taking chances on prospects who may be available to it, like Ty Simpson, or tank and be in a position to draft one next year. The choice has been made in this exercise, but a very real one awaits the franchise."

FantasyPros: "Broderick Jones just hasn't worked out in Pittsburgh, and it's time to take someone like Caleb Lomu, who may have a bit more development ahead of him. He's an excellent athlete; however, and should shine as a pass protector under the right coaching. While Mike Tomlin may no longer be the Pittsburgh Steelers' head coach, the organization has a long track record of bringing in strong coaching candidates, which will be great for Lomu."

22. Los Angeles ChargersCBS Sports: IOL Olaivavega Ioane, Penn StateFox Sports: Edge R Mason Thomas, OklahomaPro Football Focus: IOL Olaivavega Ioane, Penn StateFantasyPros: IOL Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State

Fox Sports: "Thomas is one of three SEC players to have recorded over 15 sacks and three forced fumbles in the last two seasons, and has demonstrated elite speed off the edge. While he's a bit undersized at 6-2, he's an ideal fit for a Chargers defense that needs a speed-rusher."

Pro Football Focus: "Offensive line issues crippled the Chargers in the playoffs, and while tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt will return from injuries in 2026, the team needs big improvements on the interior. Ioane is the best pure guard in this class, having logged an elite 90.9 PFF pass-blocking grade on true pass sets in 2025. He would immediately upgrade the unit and provide more protection for quarterback Justin Herbert."

23. Philadelphia EaglesCBS Sports: TE Kenyon Sadiq, OregonFox Sports: OT Caleb Lomu, UtahPro Football Focus: TE Kenyon Sadiq, OregonFantasyPros: Edge T.J. Parker, Clemson

CBS Sports: "When Philadelphia felt Zach Ertz's career was nearing the end, it made the decision to move on from a fan favorite in favor of first-round pick Dallas Goedert. Goedert is scheduled to become a free agent in March. Sadiq is an off-ramp much the same way Goedert had been for Ertz."

FantasyPros: "The Eagles could bring back Jaelan Phillips, but in the event they don't, T.J. Parker could be an option for them. That said, it's also possible Parker goes much higher than this. Parker took a step back in production this season with five sacks compared to 11 in 2024, but he would thrive on an Eagles defensive line where multiple other players will demand attention. He has a skill set that should immediately translate to the NFL."

24. Cleveland Browns (from Jacksonville)CBS Sports: OT Caleb Lomu, UtahFox Sports: IOL Emmanuel Pregnon, OregonPro Football Focus: OT Spencer Fano, UtahFantasyPros: IOL Gennings Dunker, Iowa

Fox Sports: "The Browns desperately need an offensive lineman, having given up 51 sacks this season. But with the sixth pick, it's hard to imagine that Mauigoa or Fano will be available at that point, hence our projection of Carnell Tate. Pregnon is arguably the best guard in the draft, recording a pass block grade of 88.2 on the year — the seventh highest of all FBS guards with at least 300 pass blocking snaps."

Pro Football Focus: "If the Browns can come out of the first round of April's draft with an upgraded offensive line and more skill-position talent, it will have been a successful first night. Fano took a step back in 2025 but still earned 80.0-plus PFF grades as a run blocker and in pass protection. His 2024 season was even better, though, headlined by a 92.6 PFF overall grade that made him one of the top players in this class coming into the season."

25. Chicago BearsCBS Sports: DT Caleb Banks, FloridaFox Sports: Edge LT Overton, AlabamaPro Football Focus: DT Christen Miller, GeorgiaFantasyPros: DT Caleb Banks, Florida

Fox Sports: "Overton fits the mold of all the past Alabama defensive linemen over the past decade in that he's incredibly athletic, nasty, physical and relentless. At 6-5, 283 pounds, he can play inside and can thrive in multiple schemes. Chicago can go with an offensive player here, but Overton has the potential to be a game-wrecker for it if he's available."

FantasyPros: "Andrew Billings and Chris Williams are free agents, and not only that, but Billings had a terrible season. Caleb Banks can line up anywhere along the defensive line, and his explosiveness should help the Bears' interior."

26. Buffalo BillsCBS Sports: S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, ToledoFox Sports: WR Makai Lemon, USCPro Football Focus: Edge T.J. Parker, ClemsonFantasyPros: WR Denzel Boston, Washington

CBS Sports: "Buffalo hardly addressed the safety room last offseason despite it being a need. The position remains a need entering this offseason. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren is a versatile player and represents a continued investment of team resources in the defense."

Pro Football Focus: "The Bills fell short in the playoffs again, but the production they got from veteran edge defender Joey Bosa — who is now set to head to free agency — should reinforce their desire to invest in the position. Parker is coming off a season where he tallied a 15.5% PFF pass-rush win rate and proved capable as a run defender, earning a 77.5 PFF run-defense grade."

27. San Francisco 49ersCBS Sports: OT Monroe Freeling, GeorgiaFox Sports: DT Kayden McDonald, Ohio StatePro Football Focus: OT Caleb Lomu, UtahFantasyPros: Edge Cashius Howell, Texas A&M

CBS Sports: "Trent Williams' time will eventually come to an end, considering he will be 38 prior to next season. The 2026 season is the final year of his contract. Even if Monroe Freeling does not start next season, the team would theoretically have an in-house replacement who benefited from learning under a Hall of Fame tackle for a year."

Fox Sports: "McDonald was an absolute monster in the middle of Ohio State's defensive line, which held opponents to 9.3 points per game and 89.4 rush yards per game. The 6-3, 326-pound defensive tackle has three sacks and two forced fumbles on the year, and would be a huge addition to a defense that won 12 games despite missing Nick Bosa, Mykel Williams and Fred Warner for most of the year."

28. Houston TexansCBS Sports: OT Kadyn Proctor, AlabamaFox Sports: Edge Akheem Mesidor, Miami (FL)Pro Football Focus: IOL Emmanuel Pregnon, OregonFantasyPros: DT Christen Miller, Georgia

Fox Sports: "Mesidor really bolstered his stock in his final year of eligibility, recording 10.5 sacks on the year and dominating offensive lines throughout Miami's CFP run. The only edge rusher that's played 400 pass rush snaps and has a higher PFF grade than him is Rueben Bain Jr., who we have going seventh overall. Mesidor also played in the interior last year, making him a versatile option for a Houston defensive line that features two 31-year-old players in Danielle Hunter and Sheldon Rankins."

FantasyPros: "The Texans have numerous defensive linemen hitting free agency, such as Sheldon Rankins and Tim Settle. Adding Christen Miller helps replenish those losses. At the moment, though, he's a limited pass-rusher. That said, Miller would be heading to a great spot to develop under head coach DeMeco Ryans."

29. Los Angeles RamsCBS Sports: WR KC Concepcion, Texas A&MFox Sports: DT Caleb Banks, FloridaPro Football Focus: CB Chris Johnson, San Diego StateFantasyPros: CB Colton Hood, Tennessee

CBS Sports: "Davante Adams is aging more gracefully than some of his peers because he wins with his attention to detail as a route runner. KC Concepcion gives them depth at a position they have valued during the Sean McVay era while also providing an off-ramp to Adams' time with the organization."

Pro Football Focus: "Johnson is flying under the radar despite his sensational 2025 season. He earned an elite 92.4 PFF coverage grade in 2025 after allowing just 18 receptions and a 16.1 NFL passer rating on throws into his coverage."

30. New England PatriotsCBS Sports: Edge Cashius Howell, Texas A&MFox Sports: Edge T.J. Parker, ClemsonPro Football Focus: OL Gennings Dunker, IowaFantasyPros: Edge R Mason Thomas, Oklahoma

Pro Football Focus: "Although Morgan Moses has been solid for the Patriots this season, he'll be 35 years old in March. New England should set out to find his long-term replacement in this draft. Dunker was better in 2024, logging an elite 90.2 PFF overall grade, but still put together a solid 2025 campaign with 75.0-plus PFF grades in pass protection and as a run blocker."

FantasyPros: "The Patriots were middle of the pack in pressures this season, and K'Lavon Chaisson is set to hit the open market after having a career year. Assuming they're unable to bring him back, Mason Thomas' explosiveness could be a nice way to make up for it. That said, we'll see if Thomas' ankle injuries are cleared. It remains to be seen if his size will be a detriment to his draft stock."

31. Denver BroncosCBS Sports: DT Christen Miller, GeorgiaFox Sports: IOL Olaivavega Ioane, Penn StatePro Football Focus: DT Caleb Banks, FloridaFantasyPros: TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon

CBS Sports: "The defensive line has been a unit of strength for Denver, which has been important for freeing up Jonathan Cooper and Nik Bonitto in pass-rush situations. The addition of Christen Miller ensures the defensive line remains atop the league while also providing depth."

Pro Football Focus: "The Broncos don't have many needs at this point, but it's never a bad idea to acquire more depth along the defensive line. Banks missed most of the 2025 season but flashed as a pass rusher toward the end of the 2024 campaign, with 17 pressures on 92 pass-rushing snaps in the final three games of the year."

32. Seattle SeahawksCBS Sports: Edge Akheem Mesidor, Miami (FL)Fox Sports: Edge Cashius Howell, Texas A&MPro Football Focus: CB Keith Abney II, Arizona StateFantasyPros: WR Chris Bell, Louisville

Fox Sports: "Howell ranks fourth in FBS in sacks since 2022 with 27 to his name in that span, but he's a bit undersized at 6-2, 248 pounds. Still, he has an incredible burst off the edge and would be a great supplement to 33-year-old DeMarcus Lawrence, who has two years left on his contract with Seattle."

Pro Football Focus: "The Seahawks already have some high-profile players in their secondary — Devon Witherspoon and Nick Emmanwori — but cornerback Tariq Woolen is currently headed for free agency. Abney doesn't bring Woolen's size, but as his 77.9 PFF run-defense grade shows, he plays with the type of physicality on which the Seahawks' defense thrives."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL mock draft roundup: New predictions for playoff teams

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NFL mock draft roundup: Updated predictions for Bills, 49ers, Bears

NFL mock draft roundup: predictions for Bills, 49ers, Bears Ayrton Ostly, USA TODAYJanuary 21, 2026 at 6:05 AM 0 The NFL d...

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Defense, buy-in and belief fuel Arizona State’s surge under Molly Miller

Defense, buyin and belief fuel Arizona State's surge under Molly Miller Cydney Henderson, USA TODAYJanuary 21, 2026 at 6:05 AM 0 It's not often you can take head coaching job in women's college basketball without relocating, but that's the "exciting" reality for Arizona State's Molly Miller. "It's kind of unheard of to go up a level and not have to move homes," Miller, who was hired away from nearby Grand Canyon University, told USA TODAY Sports. "The fact that my kids could stay in the same school ... that was just an amazing opportunity for me. And I feel like the timing was right.

- - Defense, buy-in and belief fuel Arizona State's surge under Molly Miller

Cydney Henderson, USA TODAYJanuary 21, 2026 at 6:05 AM

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It's not often you can take head coaching job in women's college basketball without relocating, but that's the "exciting" reality for Arizona State's Molly Miller.

"It's kind of unheard of to go up a level and not have to move homes," Miller, who was hired away from nearby Grand Canyon University, told USA TODAY Sports. "The fact that my kids could stay in the same school ... that was just an amazing opportunity for me. And I feel like the timing was right. The place was right. Arizona State is exploding in athletics ... this is the place to be."

Miller is the latest head coach leading Sun Devils' athletics to new heights. Kenny Dillingham led Arizona State to the College Football Playoff last season and JJ Van Niel took the women's volleyball team to back-to-back Big 12 conference titles in 2024 and '25. And in her first season as women's basketball coach, Miller has transformed a losing program into a contender.

More: Louisville, Iowa rise in women's basketball coaches poll

Arizona State opened the 2025-26 season with a program-best 15 consecutive wins, tying the school record. The Sun Devils beat Kansas last week to improve to 17-2 and 4-2 the Big 12, already better than last season's 3-15 conference record.

"I told 'em the other day, I'm like, 'You've already flipped it now. The hard part is sustaining success,'" Miller said of her squad's turnaround. "When you're facing a conference with such parody in any given night, a win or a loss can have March implications. The Big 12 isn't going to reward potential, it's going to reward night in, night out, daily grind

"It is a hard league with a high standard. So you have to have that one-game-at-a-time mentality."

Buy-in from transfers

Miller joined Arizona State in March 2025 after leading Grand Canyon University — less than 25 miles away — to a 32-3 record and an NCAA Tournament bid. She immediately turned to the transfer portal to rebuild the Sun Devils roster, which returned three players from last year.

From the outside, Arizona State might appear to be a tough sell. The Sun Devils had four consecutive losing seasons and an 11-53 conference record dating back to the 2021-22 season. The program's last NCAA Tournament bid was in 2019. Yet, Miller had no problem getting players on board with her vision to create a winning culture.

"There's an authentic way to get buy-in, and it's all rooted in leadership and clarity and culture," Miller said. "From Day 1, I explained my vision and my standard and the roles to people. And so I think when they know what to expect and they feel valued, then they can commit to a purpose. And so we built trust early."

Back on track😈 🎥🔁 pic.twitter.com/neY7DdqQ2q

— Sun Devil WBB (@SunDevilWBB) January 10, 2026

Miller added eight players through the portal, including her entire starting lineup — sophomore Heloisa Carrera (Ole Miss), junior McKinna Brakens (UNLV) and seniors Gabby Elliott (Penn State), Last-Tear Poa (LSU) and Marley Washenitz (Pitt). It's an experienced group that combined for 213 starts at the D-I level heading into the season. Elliott leads the Sun Devils in scoring with a career-high 16.3 points in her fourth program in six years.

"(Elliot) has experience at this level and she's got poise," Miller said. "She raises the competitiveness in practice, because she is a good basketball player, but she also expects a lot out of herself. She leads by example in that she is really wanting to make this last year her best year, because she has had a few stops.

"She's a go-to player for us. She wants the ball in her hands and we want it in her hands."

Miller's Arizona State's roster can be compares favorably to coach Mark Campbell's TCU squad. He took the Horned Frogs to the Elite Eight for the first time in program history with transfer portal additions last season. Arizona State lost to TCU in early January, only one of two losses for the Sun Devils this season, but Campbell praised Miller's effort and said her team has a "legit shot to be a NCAA Tournament team."

"It is so hard to take a program that's at ground zero and you dive into the portal," Campbell said. "To get a team to play together and compete together and share the ball, is really, really hard to do. And their staff and Coach Miller is doing a phenomenal job. I don't think people understand how impressive it is what they're doing. ... They are gong to continue to be a tough out."

Defensive identity

Arizona State's identity is rooted in "defensive consistency," Miller said, which has put a team picked to finish 11th out of 16 teams in the Big 12 preseason poll on everyone's radar. The Sun Devils are holding opponents to 57.1 points a game and averaging 10.68 steals, which both rank fourth in the Big 12.

"This team, out of any team I've ever coached, probably grew the closest, the quickest. So I'm really proud of, from an X's and O's, just the defensive consistency and buy-in, because I'm convicted to that side of the ball," Miller said. "The way this group has come together and bought into the defense, that's been really special."

Washenitz, who's having an efficient season with a career-best 37.5 field goal percentage, said she was instantly attracted to Miller's vision of building a program around relentless defensive pressure.

"I've always been a defensive-minded person, and so to be able to play in Coach Molly's system where she loves defense has been really awesome," Washenitz told USA TODAY Sports. "That was one of my things when I went into the portal. I want to go to a program that's going to win."

Arizona State guard Gabby Elliott transferred from Penn State.What's ahead for Sun Devils

Arizona State is 11-0 at home this season at Desert Financial Arena. The Sun Devils' "defense travels," which also makes them dangerous on the road.

"We kind of have a saying that we always say before the game. It goes, 'In order to win, you have to hate to lose a little bit more than everybody else,'" Washenitz added. "So we definitely take that into every game with it."

The Sun Devils will need that mentality as they gear up for a challenging road trip that includes games against No. 22 West Virginia (15-4, 5-2) and Cincinnati (7-12, 2-5), which beat Audi Crooks and No. 24 Iowa State (14-5, 2-5). A win against West Virginia would be huge for the Sun Devils' resume. According to USA TODAY Sports' latest bracketology, Arizona State is on bubble watch as one of the last four teams in.

"We definitely want to get to the tournament," Washenitz said. "We want to keep building that resume. To end that drought would mean a lot, because I just wanted to come here and make it better and leave it better than how I found it. And I think if we did that, obviously that'd be a no-brainer of the impact that this team has had on the program.

"We've had made so much history and so much growth from previous years that we haven't been able to say that's been done."

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How Molly Miller made Arizona State women's basketball relevant again

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Defense, buy-in and belief fuel Arizona State’s surge under Molly Miller

Defense, buyin and belief fuel Arizona State's surge under Molly Miller Cydney Henderson, USA TODAYJanuary 21, 202...

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Women’s basketball bracket watch: UCLA's case for top seed over UConn

Women's basketball bracket watch: UCLA's case for top seed over UConn Mitchell Northam, USA TODAYJanuary 21, 2026 at 6:06 AM 0 Women's basketball bracket watch: UCLA's case for top seed over UConn UConn and Vanderbilt are the lone remaining undefeated teams in women's college basketball. While Vanderbilt is building a resume that could get the Commodores their first top 16 seed since 2007, it's business as usual for the Huskies. In almost every metric, UConn is No. 1. They lead the nation in NET, Her Hoop Stats Rating and Torvik. They're No.

- - Women's basketball bracket watch: UCLA's case for top seed over UConn

Mitchell Northam, USA TODAYJanuary 21, 2026 at 6:06 AM

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Women's basketball bracket watch: UCLA's case for top seed over UConn

UConn and Vanderbilt are the lone remaining undefeated teams in women's college basketball.

While Vanderbilt is building a resume that could get the Commodores their first top 16 seed since 2007, it's business as usual for the Huskies. In almost every metric, UConn is No. 1. They lead the nation in NET, Her Hoop Stats Rating and Torvik. They're No. 1 in ESPN's bracketology, the AP Top 25 Poll and USA Today's Coaches Poll. They are second in the newest metric the committee is considering this year, Wins Above Bubble, where UCLA is No. 1.

And it's worth considering the possibility of coach Cori Close's Bruins usurping UConn for the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament. Someone making that case will likely point to this: UCLA has and will continue to play a tougher schedule, and the Bruins have more impressive wins.

UCLA is first in NET strength of schedule while UConn is sixth. The average NET of UCLA's opponents ranks third, while UConn is fourth.

And the Bruins have more Quad 1 wins than anyone in the country with a 10-1 record in those games. UConn is 5-0 in Quad 1 games. No other team in the nation has double-digit Quad 1 wins, as Louisville is second with six.

What could make UCLA's resume more impressive than UConn's on Selection Sunday is the Bruins will have the opportunity to pile up several more Quad 1 wins, while the Huskies won't. That's the difference between playing in the Big Ten and Big East.

Other than its game against Tennessee on Feb. 1, the only other chance UConn will have at another Quad 1 win in the regular season will be on Feb. 18 at Villanova if the Wildcats remain in the top 40 of the NET. If Villanova creeps into the top 35 of NET by March, UConn could get another one if they meet the Wildcats in the Big East Tournament.

UCLA, meanwhile, will have six more chances to get Quad 1 victories in the regular season, plus a few more in the Big Ten Tournament. There's a scenario where, if the Bruins run the table in the Big Ten, they'll have more Quad 1 wins than UConn by double digits. And that will give UCLA a real argument to be the No. 1 seed in the Big Dance.

Here's USA Today's projection of the top 16 seeds in the women's NCAA Tournament as of Wednesday, Jan. 21:

1. UConn

2. UCLA

3. South Carolina

4. Texas

5. Vanderbilt

6. LSU

7. Michigan

8. Louisville

9. TCU

10. Iowa

11. Michigan State

12. Kentucky

13. Maryland

14. Tennessee

15. Oklahoma

16. Duke

In the hunt: Ohio State, Baylor, Ole Miss, Texas Tech, North Carolina

Bubble Watch

Last Four In: Iowa State, Virginia, Clemson, Rhode Island

First Four Out: Virginia Tech, South Dakota State, Seton Hall, BYU

As things currently stand, four mid-major teams should have resumes good enough to earn at-large bids into the NCAA Tournament if they don't win their conference tournaments. They are, in order of safest to least safe, Princeton, Fairfield, North Dakota State and Richmond.

Teams from the Power 4 and Big East that are on the bubble should be rooting for these teams to win their conference tournaments, otherwise they would create bid-stealing situations and begin forcing teams to the wrong side of the bubble.

If there's a scenario for a mid-major conference to earn three bids to March Madness — like the Ivy League did last season — the Atlantic 10 has the best chance of making it a reality. It would go something like this: Rhode Island and Richmond continue to pile up wins throughout the rest of the regular season to cement their resumes, and then one of them loses to Davidson in the A-10 title game, giving the Wildcats the automatic bid and putting the Rams and Spiders on the line for at-large nods.

With a handful of teams on the bubble, the ACC is one conference hoping this potential situation doesn't come to fruition.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NCAA women's basketball bracketology: UCLA, UConn battling for No. 1

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Published: January 21, 2026 at 01:27PM on Source: RED MAG

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Women’s basketball bracket watch: UCLA's case for top seed over UConn

Women's basketball bracket watch: UCLA's case for top seed over UConn Mitchell Northam, USA TODAYJanuary 21, 2...

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