The Ringer Fantasy Football Show

Episode: 2026 NFL Draft 101: DK's Top-Five Mock, This Year's Jaxson Dart, Top WRs, and the Four Loko Era

Hosts: Danny Heifetz, Danny Kelly (DK), Craig Horlbeck

Date: January 30, 2026

Overview

This episode serves as a comprehensive primer for the 2026 NFL Draft, tailored for fantasy football fans. Danny Heifetz, Danny Kelly, and Craig Horlbeck break down DK’s current top-five mock draft, quarterback prospects (and why the class might “suck”), the wide receiver and running back pools, and the overall “meat and potatoes” vibe of this year’s class. The group leavens analysis with classic Ringer banter—complete with Tony Hawk references, the Four Loko drinking era, and tales from Craig’s days as an extra on TV and game shows.

Main Themes

• Introduction to the 2026 NFL Draft prospects and class dynamics
• The top quarterbacks (or lack thereof) and why the class is regarded as weak
• Deep dive into DK’s top-five board/mocks and positional strengths/weaknesses
• Debates over positional value (e.g., safety, WR2 in the top five, RB in the first round)
• Nostalgia for past draft classes and the “Four Loko Era”

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Does This Year's Draft Class "Suck"?

Timestamp: 03:02–05:45

• DK: “Yes.” (03:21) — Simply put, he sees a lack of top-tier quarterbacks, which drags down the perceived quality.
• Breakdown: There's a clear top player at some positions (e.g., RB Jeremiah Love), but massive drop-offs after that, especially at fantasy-relevant spots.
• Danny Heifetz: “It feels like there is talent at the top, but the gap between that top tier and then there’s just large gaps in certain positions. Quarterback is obviously the big one, but honestly, a lot of fantasy ones, too.” (05:15)

2. Quarterbacks: Panda Watch & Mendoza Mania

Timestamp: 05:32–16:32

Fernando Mendoza (Indiana), QB1

• Unquestioned QB1; may be the only first-round QB.
• DK’s Comp: “Flacco on the field, Russ on the mic.” (07:16)
  • DK: “Stylistically, he kind of reminds me of Joe Flacco…But on the mic, man, he is like, polished, derogatory, just too, too polished.…Fernando Mendoza has kind of the similar vibes [as Russ], where he’ll get asked a question on the field and then look directly at you in the camera and answer…It’s just really funny.” (07:16)
  • “Polished, but authentic” (Craig, 09:01)
• Heifetz: Details why Mendoza’s stock rose, with specific highlights from big games: “What separates me with Mendoza is that he played at his best against the best teams…that was a completely different kind of game than the way they beat Oregon…But NFL-level competition, I think Indiana just kind of smashed all these other teams. And I think Mendoza like ton of RPOs. I think as much RPOs as anyone in college football probably. But the pro style traits are all there.” (11:47)
• Debate over “ceiling”: Mendoza is high floor, maybe not MVP, more Goff/Ryan/Cousins—“It’s hard for me to talk about his ceiling when, you know, you got guys like Burrow, who is like a similar body type to him.” (DK, 15:24)

Quarterback Class Comparison

• Mendoza would slot around Cam Ward from the prior year, below 2024’s elite (Caleb, Jaden Daniels, Drake May). (10:36–11:16)
• Expectation: “Mendoza will go first overall…[then] Simpson will be on that round one, two sort of tier or whatever. He might go late round one if someone wants to take a chance on him, get that 5th-year option or whatever. But probably round two, and then you get like Nussmeier and whoever else…probably third round-ish or more.” (DK, 23:34)
• All other QBs heavily flawed— might see Nussmeier get a start in 2-3 years, but no obvious year-one starters outside Mendoza. (23:34)

3. QB2 Debate: Ty Simpson, Garrett Nussmeier, and Others

Timestamp: 17:15–25:22

• Heifetz: “The consensus number two guy is going to be Ty Simpson from Bama…I don’t like that he’s entering the draft because he couldn’t go back to Bama…So I don’t love any of these guys.” (18:35)
• DK: Nussmeier gets some love: “I think it’s such a funny class because Ty Simpson…is 23 with one year of starting experience…Nussmeier, what I’ve seen is listed at like 6’1” 205ish…his dad is a coach in the NFL…So I think to me, Nussmeier is the most interesting one.” (21:56–22:14)
• General Consensus: "All these quarterbacks are flawed. It’s weird.” (Heifetz, 22:50)
• Drew Aller: Drew Aller of Penn State is high-upside, could be developed but is very raw—compared to Joe Milton: “You watch like a 3, 5 minute montage of the best Drew Aller throws and you’re like, this should be the number one pick of the draft…it kind of reminds me of Joe Milton a little bit where you’re betting on sort of the traits, but the floor is like, terrible.” (25:22, DK & Craig)

4. DK’s Top 5 Big Board & Mock Draft Breakdown

Timestamp: 26:06–41:55

1. Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

2. Caleb Downs, S

• Heifetz: “Reminds me in a way of Kyle Hamilton…you go into the draft and everyone’s like, wait, you can’t take him because he’s a safety…But he’s just, Caleb Down’s been the best defender college football for two years…” (26:52)
• DK: “He’s a do-it-all kind of defender. He blitzes, he covers, he can defend the run. He’s very instinctive. His, you know, he’s always around the ball…” (29:14)

3. Arvell Reese, LB/EDGE, Ohio State

• Hybrid “tweener” LB/Edge—rare athletic tools, high ceiling, risky if not deployed properly
• DK: “His skill set to play on the edge as a dedicated pass rusher… it’s kind of the same conversation we were having with [Micah Parsons] coming out. Is he going to play off the ball or is he going to be on the edge, or both?” (32:49)
• Heifetz: “If Arvell Reese goes to the Seahawks, he actually would win DPOY before his rookie contract [ends]…” (32:36)

4. Francis Ma Yoga, OT, Miami

• Physical, not a “freak all time,” but nasty, dependable, high floor: “He’s an ass kicker. He just plays so physical, tough, dependable…I think he’s got a really, really high floor.” (35:03)

5. Wide Receiver Debate for Giants

• Craig: “I’ve seen your mock. A lot of mocks are giving the Giants a wide receiver. Do you agree with that?” (41:06)
• Heifetz: “I hate it…It’s not you, it’s…everybody is giving the Giants receiver this pick, and it makes me want to tear my hair out…The Giants need a right tackle.” (41:12)

5. Wide Receiver Class: Quality, Not Quantity at the Top

Timestamp: 45:03–49:59

• Carnell Tate (Ohio State):
  • DK’s comp: “Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater—tall, gangly, weird ability to contort in the air and land on his feet.” (45:14)
  • “He’s probably a number two receiver at the next level.” (48:10, DK)
• Makai Lemon (USC): Undersized, Steve Smith comparisons, great hands, YAC threat.
• Jordan Tyson (Arizona State): Comped to Christian Watson—“twitchy athlete, big plays down the field...” (48:30)
• Casey Concepcion (Texas A&M): Like Khalil Shakir—“really good body control, makes some incredible catches, RAC, big time playmaker” (49:00)
• Denzel Boston (Washington): Comp to Courtland Sutton, a “good player, but not sure if I'd take that in the first round,” per Craig. (51:23)

Craig: “You're comparing these guys to Khalil Shakir, Christian Watson, Doug Baldwin...If you knew you were getting Doug Baldwin, would you draft him in the first round?” (49:59)

DK: “Yeah, 100%... Have you seen some of the dog players come out of the first round?” (50:26)

Conclusion:

• Good, not historic WR class: lots of “number two” types, no clear Chase/Jefferson-tier player.

6. Running Backs: Jeremiah Love—Generational?

Timestamp: 51:47–55:57

• Jeremiah Love (Notre Dame): “Probably the best back, but gap to the rest of the class is massive.”
• DK's Comp: Travis Etienne—explosive, but not Bijan/Saquon/Gibbs-caliber. "The Jeremiah Love hype has probably gotten a little out of hand." (52:03)
• “I do think Jeremiah Love’s like a special player…can do it all, a little thin, but the receiving is awesome, hurdles people, etc.” (53:00, Heifetz)
• Discussion: When is it “ok” to draft an RB high? Consensus: fits as “the final piece” for a loaded roster, but not as a foundational building block. “Running back is still dependent on five other offensive linemen to make them better.” (55:02, Heifetz)

7. Edge & D-Line: The Worm and the Aesthetic Outliers

Timestamp: 36:38–61:40

• Peter Woods (Clemson): Compared to Shai-Hulud, the Dune Sandworm, for his disruptive, overwhelming style.

  • DK: “Rotund, wide-bodied, explosive guy in the middle…lot of upside as a pass rusher…questions over why production fell off this last season.” (37:19)

• Keldrick Falk: “Trayvon Walker type, big, long, powerful, but not all traits have shown up in production yet.” (38:27)

• David Bailey (Texas Tech): The “Most Aesthetic” Defensive End.

  • Heifetz and DK describe his non-traditional on-field look: "Hand in the dirt, wears #31...black everything, white socks, no gloves, doesn't tuck in his shirt..." (59:08)
  • Comp: Michael Bennett—“The best way I can express it: he was sort of slovenly looking, even though he was one of the best pass rushers of that era. I like it, actually.” (DK, 59:53)

8. Old School Drinking: Four Loko & the Drinking Generational Shift

Timestamp: 80:33–86:56

• The Four Loko Era: Fond (and slightly horrified) reminiscing. “Four Loko feels like an 80s drink. I can’t believe that we were drinking that. They changed the recipe in 2010…” (Craig, 84:18)
• Drinking games: Edward Forty Hands, Brass Monkeys (“orange juice in a 40”), sidewalk slams, and others described. (82:14–83:42)
• Drinks as a generational signifier: “The new generation doesn’t even like to drink anymore, dude.” (DK, 82:40)

9. Memorable Quotes & Moments

On Mendoza:

• “Flacco on the field, Russ on the mic.” – DK (07:16)
• “I didn’t want to like him, but he Ted Lasso’d me.” – Heifetz (13:22)

On the Draft Class:

• “You can't win your draft in the first round, but you can lose it.” – DK (31:51)
• “It’s a good meat and potatoes draft.” – DK (61:52)

On Carnell Tate:

• “Tony Hawk's Pro Skater–tall, kind of gangly, has an unnatural ability to contort in the air and land on his feet.” – DK (45:14)

On David Bailey:

• “He wears number 31. Red flag. No gloves.” – Heifetz (59:08)
• “The best way I can express it: he was sort of slovenly looking, even though he was one of the best pass rushers of that era.” – DK (59:53)

On Four Loko:

• “Four Loko was notorious for its original blackout-in-a-can formula.” – Craig (85:18)
• “Old English…14%. That’s what wine is. With caffeine.” – DK & Craig (86:14)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |-----------------------------------------------|--------------------| | Opening Topic: “Does draft suck?” | 03:02–05:45 | | QB Review & “Panda Watch” | 05:32–16:32 | | Mendoza vs. Previous QBs | 10:36–11:16 | | QB2 Debate | 17:15–25:22 | | Top Five Big Board/Mock Breakdowns | 26:06–41:55 | | WR Class Analysis, Tony Hawk Reference | 45:03–49:59 | | Running Back Class | 51:47–55:57 | | D-Line/Egde Character Profiles | 36:38–61:40 | | Drinking Nostalgia / Four Loko | 80:33–86:56 |

Final Takeaways

• This is a draft of intrigue, not instant stars: There are a few clear top guys at some positions, but massive gaps and question marks for many others, especially at quarterback.
• QB: Only Mendoza is seen as a legit, top-tier NFL starter. Everyone else is a developmental project, a la Nussmeier/Simpson, or high-risk like Drew Aller.
• WR: Deep with “good” players, but lacks blue-chip WR1s. Most top prospects project as “high-end WR2s.”
• RB: Jeremiah Love is good, but not a once-in-a-decade talent.
• If you need OL, DL, Edge, or “meat and potatoes” positions—this is your year.
• Prepare for lots of teams to “eat their vegetables” with trench picks, unless forced to reach for a QB because of need.
• Also, don't let your quarterback pick your running back... and RIP to the original Four Loko.

For the Uninitiated Listener

• Expect a historically thin, QB-light draft at the top, but strong value for offensive/defensive linemen and some exciting skill players who might not have “superstar” ceiling but offer a useful floor.
• The consensus: This is a “builder’s” draft, not an instant fantasy bonanza.
• Be wary of “hype train” picks at skill positions—and always remember: the Four Loko era lives on as a cautionary tale.

Contact and Listener Involvement

• The gang asks for your most embarrassing stories, best man speeches, and original Four Loko tales:
  Email: ringerfantasyfootball@gmail.com

“We were built different back then, you guys.” – DK (82:39)