標籤: Projected

A new ESPN NFL mock draft shows a player who is often projected to be picked in the top five this month will fall to the Dallas Cowboys at No. 12 overall.

After another seven win season, the Cowboys need to improve their selection in this month’s NFL Draft. Fortunately for Dallas, they will have a chance to add two top-20 players to the event after acquiring an additional first-round pick before this season’s trade deadline.

Along with their two selections in Round 1 – 12 and 20, respectively – the Cowboys have been linked to a variety of stud prospects, including Tennessee cornerback Jerrod McCoy and Washington receiver Denzel Boston. However, along with two first-rounders, they have also been linked to a top-five trade-up to land one of the best players in this year’s class.

However, they may not need to give up one of those selections in order to bring elite talent to the event. On Tuesday, ESPN’s Peter Scherzer released his new NFL mock draft, and at pick 12, he has the Cowboys getting Ohio State star safety Caleb Downs.

Caleb Downs stats: 68 tackles, 1 sack, 2 forced fumbles, 2 interceptions

He wrote, “Buckeyes defensive coordinator Matt Patricia told me on ‘The Schrager Hour’ that Downs will be the smartest player on whichever team drafts him and should be the face of the franchise.” “The Cowboys need that on defense, even if the safety isn’t given the same importance as a pass rusher or cornerback.

“Downs can team up with Jalen Thompson and Malik Hooker and help cut down the big plays that plagued Dallas last season. If he’s on the board, he’ll be a steal at No. 12.”

There has been much speculation that Downs could go fifth to the New York Giants. Additionally, many draft analysts view him as one of the most NFL-ready players in this year’s class due to his impressive versatility and high football IQ. The All-American and Jim Thorpe Award winner had 68 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, 2 interceptions and a sack last season.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

According to ESPN’s updated NFL Mock Draft, the player who looked likely to be taken early in the top 10 of the NFL Draft will fall to the Miami Dolphins at No. 11 overall.

After a disappointing 7–10 season, change was expected. However, Miami fans got more than they expected. He fired head coach Mike McDaniels and replaced him with Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley. Then they started working on reimagining the roster.

The Dolphins took on a lot of dead cap, breaking up with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, linebacker Bradley Chubb and receiver Tyreek Hill. They then traded veterans Minkah Fitzpatrick and Jaylen Waddle. The bold overhaul has left glaring holes on the roster, especially in the wide receiver room.

That’s why the Dolphins have been linked to several pass catchers with their pick at No. 11 in the draft, including USC’s Makai Lemon and Arizona State’s Jordan Tyson. However, ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper believes a stud WR prospect who many thought could go top five will fall to Miami.

Will Carnell Tate fall to the Dolphins at No. 11 in the NFL Draft?

“Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill are gone. But Carnell Tate’s route-running ability, sure hands and range as a pass catcher will move quarterback Malik Willis to WR1 and boost the Dolphins’ lackluster receiver room,” Kiper wrote in ESPN’s new NFL mock draft.

The Ohio State star has long been considered the top receiver in this year’s class, with projections calling him going to the New York Giants at No. 5 or the Cleveland Browns at No. 6. However, in ESPN’s mocks, he is the second WR off the board after the Browns took Lemon with their first pick.

Some draft pundits, obviously, believe the Trojan star is the best receiver in the 2026 class. But many are impressed by Tate’s all-round skills and ability to make an immediate impact in the NFL. If he loses to the Dolphins at 11, Miami’s decision-makers won’t be disappointed.

Tate had a breakout season in 2025, posting 875 receiving yards and nine touchdowns on 51 catches.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

The 2026 NBA Draft is still a few months away, but there is already a general sense of what the first round of the draft might look like. Mexico’s Kareem Lopez, a projected first-round pick, who is currently playing in the National Basketball League (NBL) in Australia, recently announced his intention to enter the upcoming NBA draft, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.

“Playing in the NBA has been my dream and my goal my entire life,” Lopez said. “Honestly, I remember. I was probably 5 years old, drawing pictures of myself playing in the NBA… You know, it’s pretty special to be in this position right now.”

While Kareem Lopez is expected to be selected in the first round of the NBA draft, what is even more important for the NBL forward is that he is on track to become the first Mexico-born player to be selected in the first round of the draft.

The first round has included players of Mexican descent before, such as Miami Heat forward Jaime Jaquez Jr., none of whom were born in Mexico. Lopez is on track to become the first Mexican-born player since Eduardo Nájera.

Nájera was selected 38th overall in the 2000 NBA draft by the Houston Rockets. He played 12 years in the NBA with the Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors, Denver Nuggets, New Jersey Nets and Charlotte Bobcats.

Lopez has played the past two seasons in the NBL, opting to take the professional route instead of playing college basketball. In recent years, players such as LaMelo Ball, Josh Giddy, AJ Johnson, Alex Sarr, Ousmane Dieng and Ryan Rupert have used the NBL’s Next Stars program as a starting point before entering the NBA Draft.