We’re heading into the final stretch of NFL training camp, preseason, and with college football just days away from kickoff, it’s the perfect time to dive into some of the top questions in football.
In this week’s NFL Draft mailbag, we revisit Tanner McKee’s scouting report and his early progress with the Eagles, break down Texas A&M’s new wideout KC Concepcion, and look ahead to the strongest position group in the 2026 NFL Draft.
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Q: Eagles quarterback Tanner McKee had a strong preseason opener. What was your evaluation of him going into the NFL Draft?
I had a similar grade to where he was actually picked. My projection was a seventh-rounder and he went in the sixth. I ranked him as the 10th best quarterback in the draft; he ended up as the 13th QB taken.
My biggest concerns out of college were his limited mobility and lack of playmaking ability. McKee won’t be a running threat, but his pocket presence has improved and he can buy extra time now. His lack of mobility matters less because he releases the ball quickly, which keeps plays from breaking down.
I also worried about his tendency to force throws. He threw 15 interceptions in 21 college starts. That hasn’t carried over to the NFL so far; he has six touchdowns and zero interceptions over his last three games, including the recent preseason game.
Tanner McKee to Darius Cooper extends the @Eagles' lead 🦅
— NFL (@NFL) August 8, 2025
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A lot of the misjudgment about McKee likely comes from his college situation. He played on a talent-poor team and had to make plays out of necessity. Now, with the Eagles’ weapons, he can operate within a system instead of forcing things.
Looking ahead, I see a team potentially considering McKee as a starter once he hits free agency after the 2026 season, especially if he performs well stepping in for Jalen Hurts over the next two years.
Q: What is your take on new Texas A&M wide receiver KC Concepcion?
The first word that comes to mind when watching KC Concepcion, who spent his first two seasons at North Carolina State, is playmaker. He is one of the most dangerous receivers in the 2026 NFL Draft with the ball in his hands thanks to a combination of quickness, elusiveness, and contact balance, especially for a smaller wideout. That skill set helped him rack up 265 yards after the catch last season and even earn snaps at running back for the Wolfpack.
He is also a crisp route runner who creates separation consistently. That ability helped him set an NC State freshman record with 71 receptions in 2023. His dip in production this past season had more to do with average quarterback play than any decline in his performance.
The main concern with Concepcion is his questionable hands, which is why I currently have him graded as a fourth-round pick. In his first two college seasons, he recorded 12 drops, including an 11% drop rate last year according to Pro Football Focus. He also struggles to secure catches in traffic, a key skill for NFL slot receivers.
Overall, I see a team that values yards-after-catch ability targeting him in the middle rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Q: What is the strongest position in the 2026 NFL Draft?
Going into the season, offensive tackle is clearly the strongest position in the 2026 NFL Draft. I have 12 players graded as first or second-round talent. Utah’s Spencer Fano and Alabama’s Kadyn Proctor are both legitimate top 10 candidates next April.
The position group has serious depth, too. Mid-round prospects like Northwestern’s Caleb Tiernan stand out. He has 30 starts and an impressive 88.9 pass-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus. Another mid-round guy with upside is Notre Dame’s Charles Jagusah. When healthy, he is a strong athlete who can get to the second level easily.
For a day three sleeper, watch Nebraska’s Elijah Pritchett. He transferred from Alabama this offseason and fits well with teams running zone blocking schemes. He is another athlete with potential to develop into a solid contributor.