Post Combine?&quot;What I Would Do...

Post Combine?"What I Would Do...

adrianlesnar · 2026-03-03T09:25:33-08:00

The goals of this mock draft are to plug immediate goals, be realistic about what positions I can and cannot upgrade in only one offseason, and to create a least one major strength on the team. I decided that major strength should be defense, as I trust Shanny to raise the ceiling of the offense. The goal with the defense was to prioritize block deconstruction on the front end, and to become more multiple on the back end. Free Agency: Connor McGovern, C 3 years, $43,500,000 Standout trait: Pass blocking This team needs an upgrade at center. We have been skirting by each year with "good enough." Brendel gets high marks because he is often making the right block at the right time. But his physical attributes are so underwhelming, that even making the right play doesn't always produce a good play. This needs fixing. Brady Christensen, OL 2 years, $5,750,000 Standout trait: Versatility Christensen can back up all 5 spots on the line. And before his injury, he was showing to be talented enough to where, should an injury on the OL open up an opportunity for him to play, he may not give the job back. Trades: Mac Jones to NYJ for pick 2.44 and Breece Hall, RB (3 years, $37,500,000) Breece Hall brings 3-down ability, and explosive plays as a run and pass option, while also providing youth at the position. He gets a 3-year deal so he can cash in on one more age 28 deal when this one expires. To me, this should be a no brainer to the Jets as well. They have 3 premium picks before pick 44...2, 16 and 33. They also have a ton of premium capital in 2027, which is by all accounts a better class, especially at QB. They can get 2 defensive pillars this year, trade 33 for BTJ, pair him with the QB who made him productive in Mac Jones on a 2 year 30-40 million contract, and if it doesn't work out, draft a replacement in 2027. Christian McCafferey to MIN for pick 4.117 It hurts to let a core member of the team go, but I'd rather let him go a year early for something rather than a year late for nothing. He was still wildly effective—tops in the NFL—but at his age, his efficiency and big play ability is diminishing. I do not expect him to stay healthy if he is expected to get 400 touches again this year. Brandon Aiyuk to WAS for pick 5.145 Idc, idc. You want Washington and Washington wants you? Then they can pay. Jake Brendel and pick 4.138 to LAC for pick 4.123 2027 7th to HOU for Xavier Hutchinson, WR Standout trait: Reliability We don't have anybody with the body type of a traditional x-receiver. I flirted with the idea of signing Mike Evans, but based on his "demands" of his next team, I assume he is going to want and receive an expensive contract, that I can't gamble on someone who has gotten more injury prone in his advanced age. Instead, we get Brock Purdy's #1 weapon from his college days, a good prospect who underproduced behind a true #1 in Nico Collins, and someone who can directly replace Jauan Jennings utilization, lined up out on the perimeter, or as a power slot. He is not the speedster or #1 WR we need, but Shanny doesn't rely on the prototypical X- WR as a #1. Most in the NFL don't. He is going to give us a reliable body while allowing for someone to develop behind him. Draft: 1.27 Omar Cooper Jr, WR Standout trait: Ability to get Shanahan aroused Omar blends the skill and utilization of players like Aiyuk, Deebo, Luther Burden and Rashee Rice. He probably makes Shanahan wake up wondering why his underwear smells funny, and he might even be able to see the field in year 1!!!!! 2.44 Emmanuel Pregnon, OG Standout trait: 11" hands Pregnon checks every single box and is the type of ready-made player who can come in to start at LG from day 1, giving you at minimum above average to very good play for 2 contracts. His massive hands and long arms are the real stand out traits, but he hits the thresholds technically and athletically while bringing some real power and nastiness to the OL. This is a smooth, instant starter to fill the largest hole on our OL. 2.58 Malachi Lawrence, EDGE Standout trait: Burst It was between Lawrence and R Mason Thomas, who I had higher than Lawrence pre-combine. But if my edge rusher is going to be undersized, I need him to test as an elite athlete. Combine isn't everything, but it was the differentiating factor here. I've seen Lawrence comped to Brian Burns, my 2nd biggest draft crush ever, but I actually comp him to the only player I've ever crushed even harder for, Josh Sweat. I'd like to see Lawrence develop more of a power profile, but hes got top end length, elite burst, enough flexibility to not make it a weakness, and some of the most active hands in the class. 3.92 Gracen Halton, DT3T Standout trait: Athleticism Deconstruct block. Penetrate. Pressure QB. Repeat. 4.106 VJ Payne, S Standout trait: Versatility One of my favorite players in the class. In run support, both from the box and from depth, he hits like a truck. He can outmatch tighends and big slots in man coverage from the slot. And he has blazing speed with super long arms to not only stay in phase deep down the field, but to play the catch point and break up the pass. 4.123 Landon Robinson, DT3T Standout trait: Knee-drop technique and contact balance This guy has natural leverage to get under guys, strength to hold up double teams, and burst to get into the backfield. 4.127 DeMonte Capehart, DT1T Standout trait: Block deconstruction While not a space occupying nose tackle, he can lineup at 1T and stack and shed with the best of em. He also has untapped athletic upside, kinda like everyone else on this Clemson line. I found an old tweet of mine from January 2025 where I had him mocked to us in the 2025 draft, and then another from immediately after he announced going back to school where I had him mocked to us in the 1st round of the 2026 draft. Here, we get him in the 4th. 4.133 Jaishawn Barham, LB Standout trait: Versatility Will play off ball and walk down to the line of scrimmage and rush the passer 4.139 Oscar Delp, TE Standout trait: Athleticism at Y-TE He wasn't healthy (hairline fracture in foot), but he is a Y-TE who can block, but also has the athleticism to be utilized in the passing game 5.145 J. Michael Sturdivant, WR Standout trait: Speed I had to dig deep into my "watch list" to find a name I had placed an asterisk next to in 2024. He is a big body perimeter receiver who runs a 10.4 100m and can hit 23mph on the GPS. This team is clamoring for a big, deep threat, and Sturidvant may be who we have been looking for. PFA Carsen Ryan, TE UDFA Mark Gronowski, QB Primary Roster: QB: Brock Purdy, Mark Gronowski RB: Breece Hall, Jordan James OL: Trent Williams, Emmanuel Pregnon, Connor McGovern, Dominic Puni, Colton McKivitz, Brady Christensen WR: Ricky Pearsall, Omar Cooper Jr, Xavier Hutchinson, Jacob Cowing, Jordan Watkins, J. Michael Sturdivan TE: George Kittle, Jakes Tonges, Oscar Delp DE: Nick Bosa, Mykel Williams, Bryce Huff, Keion White, Malachi Lawrence DT: Alfred Collins, CJ West, Evan Anderson, Gracen Halton, DeMonte Capehart, Landon Robinson LB: Fred Warner, Nick Martin, Dee Winters, Jaishawn Barham CB: Deomodore Lenoir, Renardo Green, Upton Stout S: Malik Mustafa, VJ Payne, Marques Sigle BONUS ROUND: 2027 1 Koi Perich, S 2 Charles Jagusah, LT 3 Anto Saka, EDGE 2028 1 David Sanders, RT

Mar 3, 2026 at 1:21 PM

fan49
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Love it.

ps brendle is not good enough. He's trash. 37th in pressures allowed.

colton might be good enough. Might

Mar 4, 2026 at 1:06 AM

Memphis9er
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Breece Hall got tagged, it would cost two first rounders to get him.

Mar 4, 2026 at 7:21 AM

adrianlesnar
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Originally posted by Memphis9er:
Breece Hall got tagged, it would cost two first rounders to get him.

They can still trade him.

The two firsts is if he signs with another team as a free agent.

Mar 4, 2026 at 7:04 PM

adrianlesnar
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Mar 10, 2026 at 8:25 AM

adrianlesnar
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https://jonledyard.substack.com/p/read-optional-free-pod-2026-nfl-draft

Pretty validating pod. I think im pretty set on the players in this draft being "my guys"

Id love to fit in Avieon Terrell, Malik Muhammad and Iheanachor, but I think im really happy with the players in the mock.

Mar 12, 2026 at 6:01 AM

adrianlesnar
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Osa naturally replaces Gracen Halton

Mar 13, 2026 at 9:27 AM

adrianlesnar
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The "Omar Cooper Jr is gone" trade down mock:

Trade Mac Jones for 2.44 (SERIOUSLY, FREAKING DO THIS. MORE ON HOW SCREWED WE ARE LATER)
Trade 1.27 for 2.53, 3.76, 3.99 (Pretty steep drop, but hard to find a QB needy team that makes sense. Two 3rd make it worth it, potentially)

2.44 Malachi Lawrence, EDGE
2.53 Emmanuel Pregnon, IOL
2.58 Germie Bernard, WR
3.76 Jaishawn Barham, LB/EDGE
3.99 Landon Robinson, DT
4.106 DeMonte Capehart, DT
4.127 Oscar Delp, TE
4.138 VJ Payne, S
4.139 Jude Bowry, OL
UDFA: Carsen Ryan, TE
UDFA: Mark Gronowski, QB
UDFA: Jager Burton, IOL

2027
1 Koi Perich, S
2 Charles Jagusah, OL

My concerns are at CB and OL. CB I do feel you can find starters later in the draft (2027), FA, or via trade. Wouldn't be expecting a star, but a starter. Or they could choose to pay up like the Rams did this offseason.

That brings us to the OL. Despite my issues, I still don't see a way to force OL picks in this year's draft...the value and player pool don't lineup with the resources. For example, I like Iheanachor, but I do not think he's a day 1 guard. He'd make a great redshirt OT, either for the right or left side, but I don't think we're in position to use a top 50 pick on a redshirt player. I do believe Trent Williams will work itself out, and that he will retire a 49er after 2 more years of play. But whats after that? As it stands, him and Brendel are both free agents next year, at (I believe) ages 39 and 35 respectively, and no one on the roster behind them, and very few options in FA to replace them....thats a problem. And thats BEFORE you consider that before we think about next year, we dont even have a starting LG for this year! Maybe Toth was the heir apparent at center? Well hes a FA next year too. I don't see why Jet's wouldn't extend Joe Tippman, but he is likely to be next years top FA center, so maybe he will be the answer?

For now, we get a starting LG immediately. I believe we still have time to figure out Trent Williams, and we can use a high draft pick to find a day 1 starter (or trade for one) when the time comes. Center, I don't see any easy fixes, and they really backed themselves into a corner here. I think Jude Bowry has a chance to stick anywhere on the line..future LT, future RT, guard...maybe even center. We will see.

Either way, going into THIS season, I think the draft at least gets us where we have 0 immediate holes, and clear areas of strength.

Mar 20, 2026 at 7:02 PM

adrianlesnar
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Update:

Trade Mac Jones for 2 3rds (PIT)

1.27 Malachi Lawrence, EDGE
2.58 Germie Bernard, WR
3.76 Keylan Rutledge, LG
3.99 Jaishawn Barham, LB/EDGE
4.106 Jude Bowry, OT
4.127 DeMonte Capehart, DT
4.138 Oscar Delp, TE
4.139 VJ Payne, S
UDFA: Carsen Ryan, TE
UDFA: Mark Gronowski, QB

2027
1 Koi Perich, S
2 Charles Jagusah, OL
3 Anto Saka, EDGE
4 Ian Strong, WR

Malachi Lawrence is now a first rounder. Bernard is closer to Cooper that other pass rushers are to Lawrence, so I gotta make the call.

Sucks to see Landon Robinson go, but hard decisions must be made.

I can see Rutledge and Bowry competing for LG day 1. My money on Rutledge. Between them two and Jagusah, we at least have a chance to find our LT, LG and C of the future by arranging those three in some fashion.

Mar 25, 2026 at 11:52 PM

adrianlesnar
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These b*****ds just refuse to trade mac. The lack of additional capital changes things.

No trade mock:
1.27 Emmanuel Pregnon, LG
2.58 Treydan Stukes, DB
4.106 Jude Bowry, OT
4.127 DeMonte Capehart, DT
4.138 Jaishawn Barham, LB/EDGE
4.139 Antonio Williams, WR

Apr 9, 2026 at 8:14 AM

#10

adrianlesnar
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Okay, I think I've watched, read and researched all that i am going to watch, read and research this cycle. Time to call my shot.

Deepest position: I believe i previously said S, which is still believe is really deep, but if I think to which position do I feel will still have options for the 49ers in the 4th round, its WR. I like all kinds of receivers in all rounds...Omar Cooper Jr, KC Concepcion, Denzel Boston, Germie Bernard, Bryce Lance, De'zhaun Stribling, Antonio Williams, Skyler Bell, J. Michael Sturdivant, etc.

First round preferences (in pretty firm order):
Myles Garrett, DE
Dexter Lawrence, DT
Trade Down with top 44
Malachi Lawrence, EDGE
Akheem Mesidor, EDGE
Omar Cooper Jr., WR
KC Concepcion, WR/PR/KR
Cashius Howell, EDGE
Emmanuel Pregnon, LG
Kadyn Proctor, OL
Dillon Thieneman, S
Chase Bisontis, LG
Aveion Terrell, CB
Max Iheanachor, OT
Keylan Rutledge, IOL
Caleb Banks, DT
Kenyon Sadiq, TE
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S

"My Guys" in no specific order:
Malachi Lawrence, EDGE
Jaishawn Barham, LB/EDGE
Landon Robinson, DT
DeMonte Capehart, DT
Domonique Orange, NT
Avieon Terrell, CB
Treydan Stukes, DB
VJ Payne, S
Emmanuel Pregnon, IOL
Keylan Rutledge, IOL
Chase Bisontis, OL
Max Iheanachor, OT
Jude Bowry, OT
Omar Cooper Jr, WR
Germie Bernard, WR
Ted Hurst, WR
De'zhaun Stribling, WR
Oscar Delp, TE
Carsen Ryan, TE

[ Edited by adrianlesnar on Apr 9, 2026 at 9:02 AM ]

Apr 18, 2026 at 1:22 PM

#11

adrianlesnar
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Posts: 6,476

Final 3 year plan to perennial superbowl champs

2026
Trade 1 for 2+3+4
Trade 3+4 for 2+6
Trade Mac Jones for 2
Trade Brandon Aiyuk for 6
R2 Malachi Lawrence, DE
R2 Emmanuel Pregnon, LG
R2 Keylan Rutledge, OC
R2 Jaishawn Barham, 52OLB
R4 De'zhaun Stribling, WR
R4 Ephesians Prysock, CB
R4 VJ Payne, S
R4 DeMonte Capehart, DT1T
R6 Carsen Ryan, TE
R6 Rene Konga, DT
PFA: Jager Burton, OC
UDFA: Jaren Kump, IOL
UDFA: Mark Gronowski, QB
UDFA: Michael Heldman, DE

2027
R1 Koi Perich, S
R2 Omarion Miller, WR
R3 Trevor Lauck, RT
R4 Charles Jagusah, OL

2028
R1 David Sanders Jr, LT
R2 Quinton Martin Jr, RB

2028 Key Roster
QB: Brock Purdy, Mark Gronowski
RB: Jordan James, Quinton Martin Jr
OL: David Sanders Jr, Emmanuel Pregnon, Keylan Rutledge, Charles Jagusah, Trevor Lauck, Jager Burton, Jaren Kump
WR: Ricky Pearsall, Omarion Miller, De'zhaun Stribling
TE: Carsen Ryan, Jake Tonges

DL: Nick Bosa, Alfred Morris, Osa Odighizuwa, Mykel Williams, Malachi Lawrence, CJ West, DeMonte Capeheart, Rene Konga, Michael Heldman
LB: Fred Warner, Jaishawn Barham, Nick Martin
CB: Deomodore Lenoir, Ephesians Prysock, Renardo Green, Upton Stout
S: Koi Perich, VJ Payne

[ Edited by adrianlesnar on Apr 23, 2026 at 12:57 PM ]

Apr 24, 2026 at 6:16 AM

#12

adrianlesnar
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Posts: 6,476

Day two wish list:

Trade down
Emmanuel Pregnon
Jaishawn Barham/Cashius Howell/R Mason Thomas
Skyler Bell

Apr 24, 2026 at 9:36 PM

#13

adrianlesnar
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Posts: 6,476

Well damn. Day 3 wish list:

107: Jermod McCoy, CB
127: DeMonte Capehart, DT1T
133: VJ Payne, S
139: Jalen Farmer, OG
179: Rene Konga, DT

And if I can, find a way to get Kyle Louis, LB and Carsen Ryan, TE. Wouldn't be mad at Skyler Bell, WR.

Apr 25, 2026 at 6:09 PM

#14

adrianlesnar
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Posts: 6,476

Final "my guys" list for future reference. Super duper my guys are in bold AND italics. Super my guys are in bold. Regular shmegular my guys are in regular shmegular font.

Malachi Lawrence, EDGE
Jaishawn Barham, LB/EDGE
Landon Robinson, DT
DeMonte Capehart, DT
Domonique Orange, NT
Avieon Terrell, CB
Treydan Stukes, DB
VJ Payne, S
Emmanuel Pregnon, IOL
Keylan Rutledge, IOL
Chase Bisontis, OL
Max Iheanachor, OT
Jude Bowry, OT
Omar Cooper Jr, WR
Germie Bernard, WR
De'Zhaun Stribling, WR
Oscar Delp, TE
Carsen Ryan, TE