Mock Draft Monday 4/6 '26
Free Smoke
Free Smoke
- NCAA Men’s Final
- Jets Mock Draft
- YouTube Rabbithole
Alright @YouTheReader,
Today’s tune is Drake’s Free Smoke. This is the first song off his More Life album, which is technically considered a Mixtape Playlist for whatever reason.
I don’t think we need a whole lyrics breakdown on Drizzy drunk texting J. Lo the day after Easter, so…
On to the ball…
Another year of a ridiculously late NCAA Championship Final because of the West Coast, even though both schools are in the Eastern Time Zone, and only 25% of the United States lives on West Coast time. UConn and Michigan have only played each other three times on the hardwood, with the Huskies winning twice. These two programs have never met in March (or April). UConn is seeking their 7th National Championship and 3rd in 4 years, while the Wolverines have just one title from 1989.
For the Huskies, despite all their recent success under Dan Hurley, they enter Monday night as a decided underdog. Their top player throughout the season, and especially the tournament, has been their big man in Tarris Reed Jr. The senior center is averaging 20.8 points, 13 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game in the NCAA Tournament. UConn has been pretty fortunate to have beaten the likes of Duke and Illinois with PF Alex Karaban struggling of late. The super senior has shot just 2 of 13 from 3-point range since the Elite 8, but has come up clutch when needed. This seems like a game where Karaban is due, since he shot 44% from deep in the three games prior to his cold stretch. Braylon Mullins backed up his game-winner over Duke with a 15-point performance in the Final Four. The freshman star shooter may have a tough time from deep, given that Michigan has allowed its opponents to hit just 28% from beyond the arc in their last 4 games. This game may come down to the unsung play of UConn’s veteran backcourt of Silas Demary Jr. and Solo Ball. I think the pair of tough guards has the ability to get into Michigan’s Elliot Cadeau’s head a bit with their no-nonsense approach.
Michigan embarrassed Arizona in the much-anticipated Final Four matchup on Saturday night. The Wolverines were up as much as 27 points in the middle of the 2nd half, despite their best player, Yaxel Lendeborg, playing on a compromised leg. Lendeborg is expected to play through an MCL sprain in the National Championship, but was running around with a noticeable hobble in the 2nd half against Arizona. Stepping up while Lendeborg was playing hurt was Michigan big man Aday Mara, who scored a season-high 26 points. The 7’3” Spaniard center will still have help at full-strength from Morez Johnson Jr. to match up against Tarris Reed Jr. Michigan’s Elliot Cadeau has been playing very well in the NCAA Tournament. The junior PG from West Orange, New Jersey, has averaged 11 points and 9 assists in the tournament, while recording a double-double over Arizona. I would’ve liked UConn’s chances as an underdog before the Lendeborg injury, but now that Michigan may be playing with 4.5 players, I think we get an championship upset.
Prediction: 73-71 UConn (+6.5 Huskies & Under 144.5)
*Trade Proposal*
The Jets trade down from #2 to #8 with the New Orleans Saints for multiple picks.
Round 1
- Rueben Bain Jr. might have T-Rex arms, but they produced 12 sacks, 15.5 TFLs, and 68 QB Hurries last season. He’s got insane bend and is a polished pass rusher. During the College Football Playoffs and Championship Game, it would’ve been no surprise for Bain Jr. to be the first player off the board after Fernando Mendoza. The NFL Draft narratives have done him no favors, but he’d be a steal at #8. Vega Ioane has three full seasons of starting experience at Left Guard. He hasn’t allowed a sack in the past two seasons, and last year, he didn’t even allow a QB hit. Part of the reason that Penn State’s backfield of Kaytron Allen and Nic Singleton will get drafted this year is because of the run-blocking of Ioane. While the Jets don’t necessarily have a hole at either guard position, this pick could shift Joe Tippmann back to center.
Round 2
- Kadyn Proctor falling out of the 1st Round would be a bit surprising, but if he’s available at #33, it’s worth the gamble. ‘Bama’s Blindside tackle improved a ton from his rough freshman season, where he allowed 12 sacks, but I think NFL scouts will still be wary of poor technique. That said, there aren’t too many people who are 6’7” and 370 lbs. who possess his kind of athletic explosiveness. While he wouldn’t be a Day 1 starter this year for the Jets, it couldn’t hurt to have a plethora of young depth at the offensive line unit the year before they take a QB in the 1st Round next year. Jacob Rodriguez was a turnover machine this past season, producing four interceptions and seven forced fumbles. Wouldn’t be a bad idea to have him learn behind Demario Davis and compete for playing time with Jamien Sherwood. Germie Bernard would be a nice compliment to Garrett Wilson. Despite all the warranted hype surrounding Ryan Williams after his freshman season, Bernard emerged as ‘Bama’s go-to WR throughout last season in crunch time. I doubt he’ll ever be a bona fide #1 WR, but Bernard has plenty of potential as a versatile #2.
Round 4
- If the Jets could land any mid-round QB, I’d hope the dart throw was Drew Allar, but I get the impression another team will take him by Night 2 of the draft. Garrett Nussmeier isn’t coming off a disappointing senior season that finished with him getting benched against ‘Bama. The son of the New Orleans Saints’ OC, Doug Nussmeier, has the look of a fundamentally sound pocket passer, but there are concerns about his size and durability. While he also has some interception concerns (24 career INTs), he improved his draft stock somewhat after being named Senior Bowl MVP. Max Llewellyn has only one year of starting experience as a senior, but contributed situationally during his junior year at Iowa. The past two seasons, Llewellyn has produced 17.5 TFLs, 12 sacks, 17 QB Hits, 51 QB Hurries, and 3 forced fumbles. His signature pass-rush move, an inside spin, looks pretty lethal.
Round 5
- Pat Coogan was a 2-year starter for the Fightin’ Irish and is coming off a Championship season with Indiana. Fernando Mendoza wouldn’t accept the Rose Bowl MVP, making sure Pat Coogan was given the honor, which was the first time an offensive lineman received the award since 1944. Coogan just seems like a good locker-room guy with one year of strong production in Curt Cignetti’s scheme. Kind of surprised he’s being graded as a Late 3 prospect, but would be worth adding to a young offensive line group.
Round 7
- Andre Fuller is a 6-year, mid-major prospect, which would explain why he’d fall to the 7th Round. He had a great ‘25 super senior season with 11 pass deflections and his first career interception. At 6’1” with 4.49 speed, Fuller is a fine late-round gamble. Nick Folk’s signing with the Falcons means the Jets have a need at Kicker. Never saw him kick once in college, but Florida’s Trey Smack is one helluva name. In three seasons as the Gators’ kicker, Smack went 53 for 64 on Field Goal attempts, including 10 of 13 from 50+ yards out.
