Don't look now, but the 2026 NFL Draft is right around the corner. There are only two weeks left in the NFL regular season, and with numerous teams already out of playoff contention, that means some fan bases are already turning their attention to the offseason.
Latest NFL Mock Draft has Mansoor Delane in elite territory
Two players that LSU fans are eager to see drafted early on are cornerback Mansoor Delane and safety AJ Haulcy. Delane seems to be a surefure First Rounder, as he was arguably the best corner in the country this season. But Haulcy's Draft fate is more up in the air.
LSU fans eager to see where AJ Haulcy lands in the NFL Draft
Earlier this month, ESPN's Mel Kiper had Haulcy slotted at the 8th-ranked safety for the 2026 Draft class in his latest positional rankings. His top selection at the position was Ohio State's Caleb Downs, with Pitt's Kyle Louis and Oregon's Dillon Thieneman rounding out the top three. Based on Kiper's ranking of Haulcy, he would most likely be expected to go in the Second or Third Rounds.
But other NFL Mock Drafts have Haulcy ranked higher and going earlier in the Draft. Saturday Blitz's Nicholas Rome has Haulcy cracking the First Round and getting selected 30th overall by the New England Patriots in his latest 2026 Mock Draft. "This team is still so early in their rebuild that this offseason will be about continuing to add building blocks," writes rome. "LSU safety AJ Haulcy is a ballhawk and an enforcer, and he'd help establish the Mike Vrabel toughness on this defense."
Obviously the exact draft order has yet to be established, and that will undoubtedly play a big role in where Haulcy ends up. But whoever selects the talented safety will be getting a good one. Haulcy was one of the most versatile safeties in all of college football in 2025. According to PFF, he was graded as the top safety in the SEC, excelling in both man and zone coverages. Haulcy was also strong in defending the run, finishing the year with 66 solo tackles while also adding three pressures in blitz packages.
His elite versatility is appealing to NFL teams looking to add another dimension to their secondary. Don't be surprised if Haulcy comtinues to climb in positional rankings and sneaks into the First Round.