2026 NFL mock drafts: Will Brandon Cisse give South Carolina a first-round pick?

The 2026 NFL Draft is just a week away, and all 32 teams are gearing up to select the newest members to their respective franchises. The South Carolina Gamecocks have a strong NFL draft tradition, having produced 14 first-round draft selections dating back to 1981. The last to be a first-rounder was wide receiver Xavier Leggette in 2024 to the Carolina Panthers. 

The Gamecocks have a few big names in this year's draft, including cornerback Brandon Cisse, safety Jalon Kilgore, running back Rahsul Faison and defensive tackle Nick Barrett. 

Just last month, it appeared as though Cisse was the best chance at the Gamecocks getting a first-round pick for the first time in two seasons. With the draft just a week to go before the action gets started in Pittsburgh, let's take a look at the latest NFL mock drafts. 

For this one, we'll use the latest mocks from The Athletic's Dan Brugler, ESPN's Mel Kiper and CBS Sports' Mike Renner. Brugler's mock covers all seven rounds, Renner has the first three and Kiper's latest is just the first two rounds. 

CB Brandon Cisse

It appears as though Cisse is not projected as a first-rounder, per the latest mocks. Brugler has the former Gamecock getting drafted at No. 40 overall to the Kansas City Chiefs in the second round. 

Kiper has the cornerback joining Aaron Glenn's New York Jets at No. 44 overall via the Dallas Cowboys. 

"The Jets aren't much better in that CB department, Kiper writes, citing the Dolphins' need for a cover corner at No. 43 overall. "After all, they intercepted zero passes last season. I like Cisse's awareness in coverage, and he's fast to the football. He had only two interceptions in college, but he did have 12 pass breakups."

Renner at CBS has Cisse going No. 49 overall in the second round to the Minnesota Vikings.  

S Jalon Kilgore

Also in the second round, Brugler mocks Kilgore landing at No. 60 overall to the Chicago Bears via Buffalo. There, he'd join a safety room consisting of Cam Lewis and Coby Bryant. Kilgore is not included in Kiper's first two rounds, and is also left off of Renner's three-round mock. NFL Mock Draft Database has Kilgore as a projected third-rounder, so he is likely to end up somewhere inside there. 

DT Nick Barrett

Defensive tackle Nick Barrett is the last of the draft-eligible Gamecocks on the latest mock drafts, listed only on Brugler's. He has the South Carolina star staying close to home, getting picked at No. 119 overall to the Carolina Panthers in the fourth round. Barrett is not included in Kiper or Renner's mocks.

RB Rahsul Faison

As you can see, South Carolina running back Rahsul Faison is not included in Brugler's seven-round mock. NFL Mock Draft Database projects Faison to end up being an undrafted free agent, so he could end up on a team that way.   

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