The Athletic Football Show: Building the Beast — 2026 NFL Draft Order Takeaways & Dane Brugler's All-Rookie Team

Episode Date: January 7, 2026 | Host: Dave Helman | Guest: Dane Brugler

Episode Overview

In this episode of "Building the Beast," Dave Helman and draft expert Dane Brugler break down the newly settled top of the 2026 NFL Draft order, discuss the domino effect of underclassman declarations (particularly Dante Moore), and analyze intriguing franchise scenarios heading into draft season. They also preview the college football semifinals and take a deep dive into Dane’s All-Rookie team for the 2025 NFL season.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Onset of Draft Season – The “Bat Signal” Moment

• Draft order is officially locked for non-playoff teams
  • Raiders secure the #1 pick; top 18 selections are set.
  • Dane’s “bat signal” moment: seeing the countdown clock during Steelers-Ravens, realizing they’re under 110 days to the draft.
  • “The level of anxiety that I got was through the roof because it's like, oh my gosh, we're almost under 100 days until the draft's going to be here and just feels like there's so much more work to do—even though we've been working on this since June.” — Dane Brugler (03:45)
• The real start to draft season coincides with finality of the order and anticipation of underclassmen QBs’ decisions—Dante Moore in particular.
  • “We are a team looking for a coach that has to wait for the Super Bowl run to be over. Like, we're just waiting to find out if Dante Moore is part of this draft class or not and how that's going to affect things.” — Dave Helman (05:03)

2. Draft Order Details & Scenarios

Raiders at #1 — The Fernando Mendoza Debate

• Strong belief Mendoza will be the pick, but not set in stone.
  • Fan excitement already snowballing: “Did you see the video of Raiders fans singing ‘Fernando’ by ABBA outside their stadium?” — Dave (06:49)
• Mendoza is not a surefire, unassailable #1 (like Maye or Caleb Williams before).
  • Personality discussion: Mendoza’s “robotic” and buttoned-up persona will draw scrutiny during the process.
  • “We're not saying this. We just, we're anticipating what the noise is going to be…these are the things that get talked about and Mendoza will not be immune from that.” — Dane (12:36)
• Notable comparison: Cam Ward’s traits vs. Mendoza’s control.

Jets at #2 — The “Wild Card”

• Historically awful offense (no receiver over 400 yards!). Might not be QB-or-bust—depends on if Dante Moore declares.
  • “If Dante Moore does come out and he's there or say something crazy happens at one, it's not a foregone conclusion that they go quarterback here.” — Dane (14:10)
  • Decision at 2 depends on Moore, and whether a non-QB steps up as best player available.
• If Moore declares: Jets have the leverage of drafting or trading the pick; if not, chaos (and perhaps an unlikely non-QB at #2).
  • “Odds are somebody will want Dante Moore at number two, like some team that really needs one.” — Dave (16:43)
  • “He was born in Cleveland. I'm just saying, you never know.” — Dane (17:13)

Browns at #6 — Searching for Identity

• Browns' needs: QB is unsettled (didn’t get Cam Ward last year), but also clear needs at WR and offensive line.
  • Looking to fill gaps if QBs go early: “You're crossing your fingers that Jordan Tyson and Spencer Fano… are still on the board at 6, or at the very least one of them.” — Dane (19:09)
• Context: New staff, possible GM continuity, potential to trade up.

Rams at #13 (via Atlanta) — Calculated Aggression?

• Not as obvious a QB suitor as earlier mock drafts; may take BPA, fortify O-line, or take a big swing with extra picks.
  • “…they kind of think differently and in a lot of ways have been on the forefront of, hey, we think this could work. Let's lean into it.” — Dane (40:22)

Giants at #5 — Helping Jackson Dart

• GM Joe Schoen is back, public in support of QB Jackson Dart.
  • Will they draft for O-line/receiver, or shore up defense with “sure thing” prospects like Sonny Styles, Caleb Downs?
  • “Are we doing the Jeremiah Love thing? Like, what are we doing to help Jackson Dart in 2026?” — Dave (23:32)

Chiefs, Commanders, Bengals — Top-Ten Oddities

• Three Super Bowl hopefuls with established QBs in the top 10; rare scenario.
  • Their needs are not at quarterback, so the top-10 could get “weird”—running backs (Jeremiah Love), tight ends (Kenyan Sadiq), defensive studs all in play.
  • “Rarely is… 2024 was so rare where, you know, three badass quarterbacks come out and they go 1, 2, 3.” — Dave (20:48)

Defensive Prospects & Scarcity at Corner

• Discussion of cornerback value and scarcity: “Is there a true top-10 corner?” Debates about Mansoor Delane, Jamod McCoy, Avion Terrell.

3. Draft Unpredictability and Team Philosophies

• This year’s top-10 is considered one of the most unpredictable in years due to:

  • Divergence of opinion at top (especially after Mendoza)
  • QB declarations (Moore, Chambliss), abundance of needs, few blue-chip non-QBs
  • “This will be one of the more unpredictable top tens that I can remember, just because every draft board is going to look very, very different, you know, in both offense and defense.” — Dane (20:56)

• Dane advocates against need-based, obvious drafting: teams often forecast two to three years ahead and surprise with traits-based, or best-player picks.

• “You have to just alter your perception a little bit... Instead of comparing a player to past drafts, compare him to what does he bring to our team.” — Dane (37:00)

4. College Semifinals & Trinidad Chambliss’ Draft Stock

[47:04–56:35]

• Quick preview: Indiana vs Oregon, Miami vs Ole Miss (watch Peach Bowl for Mendoza v. Moore)
• Extensive discussion of Trinidad Chambliss (Ole Miss)
  • Late-season emergence and playoff performance may boost his NFL stock, but waiver for eligibility likely keeps him in college another year.
  • “All it takes is one team every year. There's a reminder of that. Dylan Gabriel was that guy last year… Chambliss, I mean, he's got the resume: big time throws against SEC competition. He's got the athletic instincts, takes care of the football…” — Dane (48:26)
  • “There's a better chance that Chambliss is playing in college next year than the NFL, but the door isn't completely closed.” — Dane (48:26)
• New financial incentives (NIL) for QBs make staying more attractive than ever.
  • “It used to just be a leverage play… But how am I supposed to turn down this many million dollars in hand? …But six figures and a free Dodge Charger… is not the same thing as signing… and being confident you're going to make seven figures.” — Dave (53:52)

5. All-Rookie Team: 2025 NFL Standouts

[58:43–78:47]

Quarterback

• Jackson Dart, Giants: Dual-threat; led rookie QBs in TDs, rushing; played most of year without star WR Malik Nabers.
  • “Jackson Dart had 11 starts and only one of those was with Malik Nabers… The only quarterbacks who had more rushing yards were Josh Allen and Justin Herbert.” — Dane (59:41)
• Tyler Shuck, Saints: Ultimately runner-up but played well down the stretch; “the only rookie QB to win over half his starts.”

Running Back & Skill Positions

• Travion Henderson (Browns): Standout rookie RB
• Receivers: Tet Millen & A. Mecca Buka (“late pushes from Jaden Higgins and Luther Burden”)
• Tight Ends: Tyler Warren (Bears) & Harold Fannin (Browns) (stat-backed over Colston Loveland due to production)

  • Fannin noted as a “unicorn” — productive tight end from Bowling Green who broke out:

    “What he gave to this offense after the catch and moving the chains… when talent meets opportunity. And that's Harold Fannin this year.” — Dane (67:32)

Offensive Line

• Armand Mimbu (Jets): Top rookie tackle, played at an impeccable level.
• Kelvin Banks (Saints): “Played almost every snap until an ankle injury—really high level for a less visible team.”

Defense

• James Pierce (Falcons): 10.5 sacks as a rookie edge—tied with Jalen Walker for most splash plays.
• Abdul Carter, Donovan Ezraku: Standouts at edge and linebacker.
• Carson Schwechinger (Jaguars): Defensive Rookie of the Year leader—unique stat combination of tackles, TFLs, INTs.
  • “He's the only NFL player this year… with over 150 tackles, at least 10 tackles for loss and at least two interceptions. That's all-pro linebacker play…” — Dane (73:05)
• Secondary
  • Deep group of nickels: Nick Emmanwori (Seahawks), Jacob Parrish (Bucs), Upton Stout (49ers)
  • Standout safeties: Xavier Watts, Malachi Starks
  • “Looking over your list—just what a fun year in the back seven for the NFL, really…” — Dave (74:08)

On Rookie Class Perceptions

• Notable quote:

  “It’s easy to act like a draft class is bad or down or… Where’s the star power? …and then we get to the end… and you look at it on paper and you’re like, holy shit, there were a lot of good rookies playing good football this year.” — Dave (78:01)

6. College Football Playoff Picks

[79:33–84:26]

• Dave and Dane pick Indiana to win over Oregon, but split on the other game:
  • Dave prefers Miami over Ole Miss due to overwhelming roster and pass rush.
  • Dane thinks Ole Miss’ QB Trinidad Chambliss could take them to the title if his eligibility waiver doesn’t come through.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On QB Dominoes:
  “What does that leave the Browns with? …Do they take the same approach where you take the good football player or try to trade back and then look at next year?” — Dane (25:33)

• On Team Needs in Draft:
  “So many people just look at the draft in the first round, in the top 10 and say, oh, what's our biggest need? …It's just not that simple.” — Dane (31:35)

• On the NIL Era:
  “It used to just be a leverage play… But six figures and a free Dodge Charger… is not the same thing as ... being confident you're going to make seven figures.” — Dave (53:52)

Timestamps — Important Segments

• 03:45 — Dane’s “bat signal” for draft season (NBC countdown, work anxiety)
• 09:18 — Raiders picking #1, impact of late-season wins/losses on order
• 14:10 — Jets’ options at #2, Dante Moore's importance to draft dynamics
• 19:30 — Addressing Browns’ needs and non-QB options in the top 10
• 23:32 — Giants at #5: How do they help Jackson Dart?
• 29:48 — Commanders, Chiefs, Bengals: top 10 with franchise QBs
• 35:35 — Cornerback scarcity: Delane, McCoy, and positional “reaches”
• 37:00 — Dane on altering draft perceptions and “impact over slot”
• 48:26 — Trinidad Chambliss’ stock and the NIL-induced shift in draft decisions
• 58:43 — All-rookie team breakdown, QB discussion: Dart vs. Shuck
• 66:15 — Harold Fannin’s “unicorn” rookie season as a 3rd-round TE
• 73:05 — Schwechinger’s case for Defensive Rookie of the Year
• 78:01 — “Bad draft class” myths dispelled by rookie impact
• 79:33+ — Playoff picks: Indiana/Miami/Ole Miss preview

Episode Tone & Style

The conversation is detailed, thoughtful, and layered with a mix of Nerdy Draft Analysis and Lively Banter. Dave and Dane strike a balance between deep dives on minutiae (draft order quirks, eligibility waivers, OL word counts) and larger philosophical musings about team-building, player development, and college football’s new era.

Summary

This episode is required listening for draft enthusiasts and fans of franchises at the top of the 2026 NFL Draft. The hosts dissect the unique scenarios shaping the top order, wrestle with the unpredictability of both prospects and decision-makers, and deliver sharp, nuanced takes on a host of team strategies. The rookie team segment uncovers stars in unexpected spots and reminds listeners that "down draft years" often produce hidden gold. The college playoff preview and NIL discussion further ground the episode in the ever-evolving football landscape. Highly recommended for anyone tracking the draft, rookie contributors, or the front-office drama set to define the 2026 offseason.