Anthony Hill Jr. projected in the first round in this mock draft

[Hank South]

https://www.nfl.com/news/lance-zierlein-2026-nfl-mock-draft-3-0-cowboys-hit-the-jackpot-at-no-12-plus-two-trades

[ArizonaLonghorn]

Hi Hank,

Any chance you, CJ, Gerry and Bobby (or some combo thereof) could give us YOUR mock draft predictions for the Longhorns eligible to be drafted?  The actual slot (not just round) the 6 - 8 guys assumed to be selected this year?  I see the top six on almost every draft board, then Burke and Guilbeau are the two that are iffy on most boards.

CJ did that last year and he nailed eight of them pretty closely (within half a round), was way too optimistic on the same two everyone else missed on (Quinn and Cam Williams) and was too pessimistic on Vernon Broughton (like most everyone else).  But overall he did well. 

What do you say?  Up for the challenge?  The OTF staffer who comes closest wins the coveted Mel Kiper 2026 Award.

[Bunk Moreland]

I think he goes second round, unfortunately. Too many freaks at his position. It’s too bad he didn’t get one year in Muschamp’s system, because I think he would have had a dominant year and likely boosted his draft stock.

[Hank South]

30 minutes ago, ArizonaLonghorn said:

Hi Hank,

Any chance you, CJ, Gerry and Bobby (or some combo thereof) could give us YOUR mock draft predictions for the Longhorns eligible to be drafted?  The actual slot (not just round) the 6 - 8 guys assumed to be selected this year?  I see the top six on almost every draft board, then Burke and Guilbeau are the two that are iffy on most boards.

CJ did that last year and he nailed eight of them pretty closely (within half a round), was way too optimistic on the same two everyone else missed on (Quinn and Cam Williams) and was too pessimistic on Vernon Broughton (like most everyone else).  But overall he did well. 

What do you say?  Up for the challenge?  The OTF staffer who comes closest wins the coveted Mel Kiper 2026 Award.

I'm down to try that. Will bring it up with the team.

[Aspann85]

You can tell this draft was just trying to be different for the sake of being different. The Saints wouldn’t take Lemon over Bain, no shot.

[watty7796]

Ant has first round talent.  PK not putting him in correctly cost him several draft spots.  Could and should have had a few more sacks.

[Burnt Orange Horn]

Mock drafts are like teenage boys having solo dates with a pinup on their wall.

[Here for the Wins]

Much of the NFL draft is based on the perception of what a player can do.  I’m sure there are some whims, like Jerry having a fascination say with Johnny Manziel, that override fit, need, etc.

Presumably these teams have watched every play of every game.  Maybe they look at a stat sheet, but their evaluation of play will be based on the film and how those plays were made.

Hill is an interesting player.  He plays hard.  This year he was very impactful in the 4th quarter versus MSU.  We did fine without him versus the Ags.

Now whether people like the PFF or not, their rationale likely has a similar twist to the NFLs perspective.  Hill isn’t particularly highly graded as a pass rusher.  If I were to argue yeah but, it would be on the side of he hasn’t developed the pash rush element of his game because of practice time rather than in game deployment.  So again the NFL is projecting.  Theres been a question raised on how his physical presence lacks physical development.  His profile does not fit that of a pass rusher and to date the skills don’t show that either.  Many of his sacks are not him beating guys one on one.

He does not play a premium position.  I’m not sure he has a,premium trait or skill or a premium part of his game.  I’d put his best attribute as that he plays hard so maybe that’s his premium.  A second to third round is where he should be expected to go.  It’d be difficult to say he’s a steal before the 3rd and likely into the 4th.  His position simply doesn’t have many guys go until the 3rd.  It’s certainly not a position for which teams reach or take many chances.

[FootLaw]

This guy has Styles dropping out of the top 10 and Bailey going at 3 lol