Does 49ers GM use artificial intelligence to make NFL draft picks? | The Ricky Cobb Show
The NFL Draft has officially entered the age of AI 🤖🏈 Front offices across the league are leaning toward artificial intelligence to gain an advantage, and 49ers general manager John Lynch put it clearly this week: “If you’re not using it, you’re already behind.” That raises a big question: What exactly are teams like the Dallas Cowboys doing with AI…? Is Jerry Jones using enough of it? That’s where Ricky Cobb comes in. Just when the line between real life and AI begins to blur, things take a wild turn when former President Bill Clinton appears at a Cowboys pre-draft press conference. What’s next? Pure chaos. Two Arkansas legends. A draft. And a hilarious and on-point impersonation of Cobb that brings it all together.
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The long wait is over as the 2026 NFL Draft begins Thursday night in downtown Pittsburgh with what is expected to be a pretty entertaining first round.
The Las Vegas Raiders, owners of the first overall pick, are virtually certain to select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza to start the draft in hopes he can be their franchise for years to come. From there, mock drafts are everywhere, which is always a sign of some fun, and even chaos, as the draft progresses.
However, there are those who have established themselves as first-round talents entering Thursday night, whether through NFL Combine and Pro Day workouts, top-30 visits to different franchises, what they recorded during their college careers, or all of the above.
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Ohio State’s Arvell Reese participates in the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana, on February 26, 2026. (Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
Either way, the prospects have done all they could do; Now it’s up to the teams to determine if they meet what they need to be successful.
Pak Gazette Digital had the privilege of speaking with some of those potential first-round picks before the start of the NFL Draft, and each of them were asked the same question: “What would an NFL team get from you if they called your name on draft night?”
These are some of their responses:
OHIO STATE OLB ARVELL REESE: “I think an NFL team is going to get someone who loves the game, who loves football. Then, they’re going to get someone who plays violently… On top of that, you have to play with relentless effort. So, I think an NFL team is bringing that out of me: someone who plays with relentless effort, someone who expects to play violently. You have to expect to play violently.”
Reese is quite the physical specimen, running a sub-4.5 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine at 6-foot-4 and 241 pounds, and many experts believe he can still grow in his body and his game on the field. He was named an All-American in 2025, racking up 6.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss for the Buckeyes, although his season ended at the hands of the Miami Hurricanes in the first round of the College Football Playoff.
Now, Reese heads to the draft looking for a potentially short night when the clock starts ticking. Some have teased him against the New York Jets at No. 2 overall, and many believe he won’t be available when the top 10 picks are made. Either way, the edge rusher is viewed as an immediate impact player on the defensive line wherever he lands.
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OHIO STATE’S CALEB DOWNS: “I would describe [myself] As a very instinctive player with a great mind for the game, but also with all the physical attributes you will need. A player who, wherever you feel the ball is, that’s where you want it to be. put it in the [point of attack] and he’s going to do what he does.”
Caleb Downs of the Ohio State Buckeyes watches before the College Football Playoff quarterfinal game against the Miami Hurricanes at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on December 31, 2025. (CFP/Getty Images)
A defensive Swiss army knife, Downs has simply made plays throughout his college career, which began at Alabama before transferring to the Buckeyes and helping them win the 2025 national championship.
Like his Ohio State teammate in Reese, Downs is not expected to be available after the first 10 picks, but where exactly he lands remains to be seen. The New York Giants at No. 5 have been a popular spot, especially considering the comparison to Kyle Hamilton, who John Harbaugh coached with the Baltimore Ravens before moving to New York. But teams like the Washington Commanders (No. 7), New Orleans Saints (No. 8) and Kansas City Chiefs (No. 9) are also intriguing to watch, as is a potential trade.
Downs had 164 solo tackles, 1.5 sacks, six interceptions and 12 passes defensed across 44 career college games, earning two All-American nods in the process during his time at Ohio State. If a team is looking for a versatile defender who can excel no matter the assignment, Downs has positioned himself as that man in this draft.
ALABAMA QB TY SIMPSON: “I think it starts with my personality and how I can take over a locker room and a franchise. As a quarterback, you want to go in there, rally the troops and be an influence on the people there. So every 30 visits, every time I talked to a team, every time I Zoomed with them, I hoped to show my personality, my leadership, but also my knowledge of the ball and my football IQ. The tap speaks for itself, but a guy who can get people to raise their game around him is what you want in a quarterback. field. I fully feel like I can do that.”
Simpson’s confidence is what makes him who he is on the football field, whether it’s launching a pass through defenders toward his intended target or using his legs to gain crucial yards. He told Pak Gazette Digital that his Christian faith plays a big role in playing with confidence and freedom, and he has every intention of bringing that to any NFL franchise that wants him.
Ty Simpson of the Alabama Crimson Tide runs the ball against the Indiana Hoosiers in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals at Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California, on January 1, 2026. (Luke Hales/Getty Images)
Will that be in the first round? While Simpson has maintained his position that he has first-round talent, it will be interesting to see if an NFL team feels the same way through the first 32 picks. If they don’t pick him Thursday night, many mock drafts believe they’ll rush him on Friday, perhaps to the Arizona Cardinals, the team with the third overall pick in the first round, but also the second overall pick in the second round. The Jets are also intriguing with four picks in the top 44 (Nos. 2, 16, 33, 44).
Either way, Simpson is excited to get to work and prove himself to whatever franchise lands him this week.
TEXAS TECH LB JACOB RODRÍGUEZ: “I think they’re about to get someone who is consistent. Someone who has great character and integrity, and someone who you want to put in a leadership position. I think it’s someone, especially in the middle of the defense, who can get guys ready to play and have someone who is stable. I’m very excited to get to where I have the privilege of living and playing, but more excited to meet the people, my teammates and all the people I’ll be around.”
Rodriguez wasn’t always the epitome of the modern middle linebacker: He wanted to be a quarterback coming out of high school in North Texas. He initially went to the University of Virginia with that in mind before the Red Raiders believed he could make the switch to defense, seeing him as a safety or middle linebacker.
The transition was worth the risk, as Rodriguez quickly became a defensive anchor for Texas Tech, and truly elevated his play and draft stock during the 2025 season. Rodriguez won the Chuck Bednarik, Bronko Nagurski, Dick Butkus and Vince Lombardi Awards in 2025, and was named a unanimous All-American after accumulating a career-high 128 combined tackles (11 for loss), four interceptions, one sack, six passes defensed and two fumble recoveries, one of which he recovered for six points. His seven forced fumbles led all of college football through 14 games.
Texas Tech defensive back Jacob Rodriguez leaves the field before the game against Oklahoma State at Jones AT&T Stadium on Oct. 25, 2025. (Michael C. Johnson/Image Images)
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Rodriguez’s tape has improved with the season, and he may not even be at his best considering the position change. But there’s no doubt his speed, aggressiveness and high IQ should translate to the NFL.
Will he be a first round pick? That remains to be seen, but he shouldn’t last long in the second round as someone who has established himself as a top prospect in this year’s draft class.
