Roundtable: 2026 NFL Draft Match-Making

The Footballguys roundtable shares the 2026 rookies they want matched with their favorite teams.

Matt Waldman's Roundtable: 2026 NFL Draft Match-Making Matt Waldman Published 12/24/2025

© Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images roundtable

Welcome to Week 16 of the 2025 Footballguys Roundtable. Our intrepid panel of fantasy pundits discusses and debates four topics every week. We split the conversation into separate features.

This week's roundtable features these four topics:

Let's roll...

Matt Waldman: Tell us your favorite team and the rookie you most want to see the organization pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. 

Gary Davenport: The Browns have a pair of first-round picks in 2026, although the selection they got from the Jaguars gets worse by the week. The Browns also have a myriad of needs on both sides of the ball, including potentially at quarterback.

This year's class of prospects who work under center isn't overwhelming. The best bet for Cleveland might be a trade back and bolstering the offensive line, which badly needs it, with the addition of a player like Miami offensive tackle Francisco Mauigoa. 

Colton Dodgson: Go Birds! Is there a coordinator who has caught more flak than Kevin Patullo this season? I don't think anyone else has had fans egg their house, so I'm leaning toward no.

It's probably not popular to say I think he's been a scapegoat for an offensive line that's clearly regressed from its elite 2024 form. That's ok, I'm going to say it anyway.

The struggles of the interior offensive line, coupled with Howie Roseman's affinity for building his rosters through the trenches, make it feel realistic that Roseman could aim to add to those spots at some point on Days 1 and 2. Oregon's Emmanuel Pregnon is an interesting name.

Pregnon is a versatile guard with a notable blend of strength and athleticism as a run blocker. It jumped out to me on his combo blocks.

Pregnon is effective at staying in front of pass rushers and rarely gets moved off his spot in pass protection. His fit with the Eagles' timing-based run game, predicated on pull concepts that set up similar looks on play-action, could make him a difference-maker over current starter Tyler Steen.

If Pregnon doesn't climb too high, he would be a nice Day Two addition. 

Joseph Haggan: I'm a huge 49ers fan, and have been since the days of Joe Montana and Jerry Rice. They need wide receiver help. Jajuan Jennings is a free agent, Ricky Pearsall is injury prone, Brandon Aiyuk quit on the team, and they traded Deebo Samuel Sr..

I would love to see them grab Carnell Tate out of Ohio State. He is an exceptional route runner with pro-level tempo. He could work magic with Purdy on slants and intermediate-level routes, opening up the rest of the field. The 49ers currently pick 26th, which may be too late for Tate, but it isn't out of the realm of possibilities.  

Waldman: I just want to see Tate with a good quarterback. San Francisco qualifies.

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