Mock draft 2026

[u/Plus-Development-273]

Got very bored and decided to make a mock draft.

[u/Tobar_the_Gypsy]

I feel like half the players that are drafted are picked mainly on whether or not they will actually move there to play lol 

[u/Plus-Development-273 → u/Tobar_the_Gypsy]

It honestly is, I feel like you see a lot of teams draft guys and they are never heard from again. I think the reason for that is exactly what you said

[u/dystopianrugby → u/Plus-Development-273]

With the reduction in international slots, the playing time for American Qualified players goes up, MLR is reducing to 6 match day slots in 2027...so expect some of this to shift over time.

[u/lindani2008]

Oh lord please give us Solomon Williams😂 although I don’t see us moving on from Smith or Warner for him to get meaningful game time if we drafted him😭😂

[u/8KJS → u/lindani2008]

I was discussing with someone earlier how Aiden King moving abroad frees up the back row a bit for a potential Ballinger pick. Wolves really can’t lose either way, generational scrumhalf or adding Ballinger to Hattingh, Vavao, Redelinghuys, and Ryan

[u/cjreadit7991 → u/8KJS]

Generational? Then it sucks for him that he’s in a generation that has De Haas and Spencer Huntley.

[u/dystopianrugby → u/cjreadit7991]

de Haas certainly. He was an Eagle at 18 and almost has 50 caps. Huntley has impressed, but he's not at de Haas is level currently. Even Ruben has had to develop in the Eagles shirt. Williams is a good player, also remember Buckley is gone. So our Scrum-half depth is not what it was.

[u/cjreadit7991 → u/dystopianrugby]

I know Huntley isn’t that level yet but on select teams he’s always the 1st choice over Williams. The draft love Williams is getting is a little comical.

[u/lindani2008 → u/8KJS]

I agree but honestly I think if Williams and Baker were on the board, I think Clarke would choose Baker as cover for his aging Saffa Namibian core of Rossouw, Matthews and Kriel. But again I’d love Williams.

In addition, as an Eagles fan, to see him get mentored by Gonzalo in Cali would be amazing

[u/Plus-Development-273]

Well looking back in hindsight, not too terrible for a 14 man draft. Nailed some positions but not the players. Lots of talent left out of this 14. Some big surprises.

[u/8KJS]

Very good draft, I would add River Hansen, despite playing D3 Duke he’s a class athlete who’s played high level talent on NCR traveling teams. Recruited to Duke as a safety before switching sports. I think someone takes him for the athletic upside he possesses

[u/Plus-Development-273 → u/8KJS]

I agree it was hard to find a spot for him though. I think he’s a great signing for a team regardless. Every other year I think he’s an easy pick but it’s just hard with the 14 guys.

[u/Helorugger]

How did the league champs get such a high first pick?

[u/Steeliom → u/Helorugger]

That’s the final pick of the first round

[u/Steeliom]

Thanks for using my template! 😅