+- Simulation Soccer League (https://forum.simulationsoccer.com)
+-- Forum: Player Development (https://forum.simulationsoccer.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=5)
+--- Forum: Capped Point Tasks (https://forum.simulationsoccer.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=23)
+---- Forum: Articles (https://forum.simulationsoccer.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=46)
+---- Thread: S26 Mock Draft (/showthread.php?tid=9676)
S26 Mock Draft - AustinP0027 - 2026-05-26
Having spent 2 years now over in the ISFL, one of my favorite articles to read are mock drafts from new users. You forget how jaded you can be on drafts when you’ve gone through so many of them. You start to learn the history of teams, history of users, what recreate is chasing stats or trophies, and generally a lot of the mystery of the league is completely gone. That works out really well if you’re managing a team or helping to keep it running, but it’s really boring if you’re reading a mock! The chaos of seeing a new user decide how they think teams will behave is always the most entertaining part.
And so, I figured I’d put my money where my mouth is so to speak. I’m completely new here, don’t have a clue how these things normally run. Obviously this means I’m going to get it perfect right?......Right?
Starting out! There are 73 players to be drafted in the s26 class. 73! That means they all have to find homes, and that means I somehow need to clear out some space in rosters to accommodate that.
Starting with Majors. If I’m looking at things right, I only see one player in Majors who is currently retiring. Andres Pedrillo from Liffeyside Celtic FC. They’re might be more as the season comes to an end, but I’m not going to guess at that, so we’re sticking with just 1 spot opening in Majors. I’m assuming the call up would be Kaspars Kalinins just based on TPE alone.
That move opens a spot in Minors. BUT, that still leaves 72 other players that need to find a spot. So, drastic actions have to be taken. In order to try and get as many spots as possible, I’ve decided to drop everyone in minors who is currently inactive.
And so, with no notice and zero fanfare, 48 players have been unceremoniously cut from their teams. That’s too bad. I really feel for them. Tough way to go. Other generic condolences here.
That leaves us with these openings on Minors teams. You don’t have to memorize then, there isn’t a quiz.
| Team | CAM | CD | CDM | CM | GK | LAM | LD | RAM | RD | ST | Grand Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AF Masques Sacrés | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | ||||
| Athênai F.C. | 2 | 1 | 3 | ||||||||
| Cairo City | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | |||||||
| CS Rova Mpanjaka | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | |||||
| F.C. Kaapstad | 2 | 2 | 2 | 6 | |||||||
| Inter London | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | ||||||
| Krung Thep FC | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||||||||
| Montréal United | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | |||||
| North Shore United | 2 | 1 | 3 | ||||||||
| Rapid Magyar SC | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | |||||
| Seoul MFC | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
Before we jump straight into drafting, though, it’s important to get a quick glimpse of the prospects.
ACADEMY DRAFT SUMMARY
Total Players - 73
Active Players - 58
Inactive Players - 15
I’ll tell you right now so you’re not disappointed later. I’m not filling spots for everyone. In fact, I’m probably stopping after 36 players (3 rounds).
Let’s just look at active players, then. Specifically, their position and average TPE.
| Position | Avg Active TPE | Active Players |
|---|---|---|
| CAM | 366.60 | 5 |
| CD | 356.67 | 6 |
| CDM | 378.00 | 3 |
| CM | 358.75 | 8 |
| GK | 341.00 | 5 |
| LAM | 377.17 | 6 |
| LD | 310.00 | 1 |
| LM | 343.00 | 1 |
| LWB | 362.25 | 4 |
| RAM | 352.80 | 5 |
| RD | 353.50 | 2 |
| RWB | 369.33 | 3 |
| ST | 366.67 | 9 |
Nine Strikers to place? I might have bitten off more than I can chew. Are you allowed to just skip a position? Hang on, I’m being handed a note. Oh. Right then. Here we go.
In the real draft, there are too many variables to accurately predict. You need to know who said they would switch positions, who has a team they refuse to go to or maybe, only want to go to. You also need to know about trades.
I’m going to ignore all of that. It’s too much. So instead, it’s about positions available after my purge. Oh, and there are two additional items that I think factor into the weight.
Purchased TPE Breakdown
| Purchased TPE | Player Count |
|---|---|
| 18 | 13 |
| 15 | 2 |
| 14 | 1 |
| 12 | 1 |
| 11 | 2 |
| 10 | 3 |
| 9 | 1 |
| 7 | 17 |
| 6 | 3 |
| 0 | 30 |
First is Training purchased. You’ll see varying ranges of training TPE purchased across the class. Those at the top who have purchased their full 18 are more likely to go sooner mostly due to activity, but I want the range of purchasing to influence draft (meaning, a small boost to someone who has purchased 15 vs someone who has purchased 10).
Top Bank Balances
| Name | Position | Bank Balance |
|---|---|---|
| Barry McGlynn (Definia) | CAM | $16,002,500 |
| Jack Pow (Jack_Pow) | RAM | $10,566,250 |
| Joe Mormor (Haramcha) | LAM | $10,563,750 |
| Dennis van Huntelrooy (Jeanious) | ST | $8,251,250 |
| Ignignokt (AustinP0027) | CDM | $7,407,500 |
| Umaq Yupanqui (Rancidbudgie) | GK | $5,985,000 |
| S Sei (xyan) | CDM | $5,131,250 |
| Kaz Okada (DidYouSeeThatLudicrousDisplay?) | CD | $4,390,000 |
| Kairo Vox (Hoodz_91) | LAM | $4,373,750 |
| Martin Krpan (ChiefVito) | CD | $4,026,250 |
Bank Balances is the second factor. Some of this goes along with purchased training, but outside of that, I want to include some sort of bump for players with higher bank balances, especially if they already have enough to purchase training when the new season hits.
So, with Position need, TPE, purchased training, and bank balances, I came up with the following rough formula for placement.
60% of weight - Raw TPE (high earners are high activity)
20% of weight - Position Need (teams need to fill gaps)
10% of weight - Purchased TPE (the more you’ve purchased, the better engaged you are)
10% of weight - Bank Balance (Players with more money can earn better)
REMEMBER, Position need is based on the fact that I kicked 48 players out of Minors, not based on actual need, which is more intricate.
| BLACK FOREST & MONTREAL | Round 1 | Pick 1Selected Player: Barry McGlynn (Definia) | Position: CAM
417 TPE - 18 Training Purchased -- 16.0025 Bank Balance
I’m really glad the formula put Defina 1OA here, because those are all the rumblings I’ve heard (and agree with). High TPE, and while Montréal doesn’t need a CAM, high bank balance and likely flexibility mean a rock solid number 1 pick.
| ROME & LONDON | Round 1 | Pick 2Selected Player: Reece Munro (Riipsaw) | Position: CM
418 TPE - 18 Training Purchased -- 0.72125 Bank Balance
High TPE paired with London losing a CM to inactivity means this is a big pick. Bank Balance isn’t the highest, but purchased full TPE, so that’s a next season concern.
| BLACK FOREST & MONTREAL | Round 1 | Pick 3Selected Player: Dennis van Huntelrooy (Jeanious) | Position: ST
418 TPE - 18 Training Purchased -- 8.25125 Bank Balance
A striker? 3rd overall? Well, Montréal took advantage of 2 of the top 3 picks giving them flexibility at 1OA. They lost a Striker in the purge, and Jeanious is tied for 2nd overall in TPE, PLUS has enough money in the bank already to purchase training right away.
| BUENOS AIRES & ATHENAI | Round 1 | Pick 4Selected Player: S Sei (xyan) | Position: CDM
416 TPE - 18 Training Purchased -- 5.13125 Bank Balance
Athênai needs TWO CDMs, and xyan is a great pickup here. High TPE, Fits giant position hole for Athênai, plus they aren’t very far off purchasing all of next season’s training right away, so you get a great high activity user to fill a key need.
| SHANGHAI & MAGYAR | Round 1 | Pick 5Selected Player: STAR SCREAM (Starscream) | Position: CM
417 TPE - 18 Training Purchased -- 0.125 Bank Balance
Tied for 3rd in overall TPE, purchased the full amount of training, and fits a spot that Magyar needs two of. The bank balance being so low is a potential concern, but knowing you have a full season to earn gives Starscream some runway to jump into the first round.
| XELAJU & MASQUES | Round 1 | Pick 6Selected Player: Joshua Homme III Esquire Limited (o1playz) | Position: LWB
420 TPE - 18 Training Purchased -- 0.7875 Bank Balance
How did our class TPE leader drop all the way down to 6th? Well, to start, not a single team lost a LWB to the purge. That plus bank balance tanks their composite score enough to drop down. If I remember chat correctly, o1playz is willing to swap positions, so I think in reality you see this player get taken much higher up. But for this mock, we follow the scores.
| SHANGHAI & MAGYAR | Round 1 | Pick 7Selected Player: Kairo Vox (Hoodz_91) | Position: LAM
416 TPE - 18 Training Purchased -- 4.37375 Bank Balance
Another strong user, this time tied for 6th in overall tpe (due to all the ties above). Magyar filled their strong CM need above with Star Scream, so they use their second 1st round pick to grab a Hoodz_91 knowing that they have a strong earner, with a solid bank account to support them.
| LIFFEYSIDE & ROVA | Round 1 | Pick 8Selected Player: Joe Mormor (Haramcha) | Position: LAM
407 TPE - 18 Training Purchased -- 10.56375 Bank Balance
Rova’s first pick looks like it reaches a bit with that 407 TPE, but in reality that’s the next level below 416 so this is still top of the class. Add in the $10M bank balance and Rova grabs a best player available type even though they don’t have a LAM need to fill.
| REYKJAVIK & NORTH SHORE | Round 1 | Pick 9Selected Player: Nick Kasak (nckkss) | Position: LAM
416 TPE - 18 Training Purchased -- 0.68875 Bank Balance
North Shore doesn’t need a LAM, but nckkss is tied for 6th overall in TPE. This pick and the pick above it would have been flipped if Haramcha didn’t have such a higher bank account. In both cases it was the best player available, not fitting a team need.
| SAO PAULO & PARIS | Round 1 | Pick 10Selected Player: Jack Pow (Jack_Pow) | Position: RAM
396 TPE - 18 Training Purchased -- 10.56625 Bank Balance
Another BPA pick, and another one where the bank account floats them to the top. 396 TPE is good for 14th overall in the class, but the maxed training purchased plus the large bank account let Jack_Pow sneak into the top 10.
| HOLLYWOOD & CAPE TOWN | Round 1 | Pick 11Selected Player: Dante Von Wolfe (Bloodless) | Position: ST
407 TPE - 15 Training Purchased -- 0.08125 Bank Balance
Another striker!?!? Yep, turns out Cape Town loses two strikers in the mass purge, so they have a very strong need for the position. Dante is the first player drafted so far who hasn’t purchased their full training, but 407 TPE is good for a tie for 9th overall, so that’s already a strong profile.
| HOLLYWOOD & CAPE TOWN | Round 1 | Pick 12Selected Player: Owen Goal (anjro) | Position: ST
402 TPE - 15 Training Purchased -- 0.1675 Bank Balance
Cape Town has two picks, and takes two strikers. Is this realistic? Probably not, but in this draft they have two giant striker sized holes and they need to fill them. Anjro has purchased the same amount of training as Dante, and is just a couple TPE behind, so suddenly Cape Town has a solid core in place.
| BLACK FOREST & MONTREAL | Round 2 | Pick 13Selected Player: Jimothy Erickson (GingerJLD) | Position: CD
405 TPE - 11 Training Purchased -- 0.42125 Bank Balance
Our 11th overall TPE user, GingerJLD still have over 400 TPE and is filling the open CD position that Montréal has. They are running out of time to purchase their remaining training and the bank balance is low, so that’s why you’re seeing the drop into the second round.
| HOLLYWOOD & CAPE TOWN | Round 2 | Pick 14Selected Player: Saphira Brightscales (PidgeyDestined) | Position: CD
387 TPE - 18 Training Purchased -- 2.20625 Bank Balance
My fellow player from Jakarta, PidgeyDestined, jumps me because Cape Town really needs a CD. They lost two. Pidgey is 18th in TPE overall, and has a good start for a bank balance. I think this type of pick actually will be a steal for some team in the real draft based on what I’ve seen from Pidgey in the ISFL.
| SAO PAULO & PARIS | Round 2 | Pick 15Selected Player: Ignignokt (AustinP0027) | Position: CDM
390 TPE - 18 Training Purchased -- 7.4075 Bank Balance
I fell all the way to pick 15 in my own mock. What hurts me here is that I’m tied for 16th in TPE overall, and the teams that need CDMs had other needs for players above that have higher TPE. Still, I get a boost from purchasing all my training and when this article is graded, I’ll have enough for next season already.
| BUENOS AIRES & ATHENAI | Round 2 | Pick 16Selected Player: Moew enBach (Moew) | Position: GK
393 TPE - 18 Training Purchased -- 1.8075 Bank Balance
Our first Goalkeeper selected. Athênai snags a pressing need as their GK was purged due to inactivity. Moew had a solid 393 TPE, good for 15th overall, and has a start to their bank balance so next season they can buy a little right away. I’m sure Athênai was dreading the though of going any further without selecting a solid GK.
| TENOCHTITLAN & KRUNG | Round 2 | Pick 17Selected Player: Scorp E. Unshark (hhh81) | Position: RD
397 TPE - 7 Training Purchased -- 0.33125 Bank Balance
13th overall in TPE, hhh81 drops because they have only purchased 7 TPE from training and their bank account is at $300K. They’ll need to pick up the media writing if they want to climb any draft boards.
| XELAJU & MASQUES | Round 2 | Pick 18Selected Player: Mullet Man (Ogreishh) | Position: CAM
383 TPE - 14 Training Purchased -- 0.52875 Bank Balance
Ogreishh lands at 22nd overall for TPE, and even though they have purchased 14 training TPE, their low bank account means there would be concern if they are able to max or not. Still, we’re in the middle of the second round, so this is a solid pickup by Masques.
| SHANGHAI & MAGYAR | Round 2 | Pick 19Selected Player: Baptiste Azzola (Liscore) | Position: CM
386 TPE - 10 Training Purchased -- 0.75125 Bank Balance
Repeating story here, decent TPE player, but with a low bank and not full training purchased. Liscore jumps a little here because Magyar needs two CMs after the purge, so they get a boost.
| LIFFEYSIDE & ROVA | Round 2 | Pick 20Selected Player: Blaise N'Kufo (McTruffles) | Position: ST
384 TPE - 12 Training Purchased -- 1.04 Bank Balance
Rova grabs the Striker they need finally with McTruffles. 20th in TPE overall, most of training purchased, but that bank needs to influx of cash.
| REYKJAVIK & NORTH SHORE | Round 2 | Pick 21Selected Player: Christopher Bergmann (Bergmau) | Position: RWB
390 TPE - 11 Training Purchased -- 0.94 Bank Balance
You’ll see some copy/paste here soon. 16th in overall TPE, but not full training purchase and low bank. The fact that no team lost a RWB due to the purge really plummets Bergmau here.
| TOKYO & CAIRO | Round 2 | Pick 22Selected Player: Alex Peña (CRMO15) | Position: RWB
390 TPE - 7 Training Purchased -- 1.175 Bank Balance
Another RWB that loses spots due to no positions open for them. CRMO15 also has low training purchased and low bank.
| CATALUNYA & SEOUL | Round 2 | Pick 23Selected Player: Umaq Yupanqui (Rancidbudgie) | Position: GK
382 TPE - 0 Training Purchased -- 5.985 Bank Balance
Uh oh. Our first drafted player with no training purchased. And oddly, enough bank to purchase a huge chunk. I checked and Rancidbudgie is doing predictions, ACs, and PTs, so I’m not sure why they aren’t purchasing any training to bump their TPE and draft stock higher.
| HOLLYWOOD & CAPE TOWN | Round 2 | Pick 24Selected Player: Martin Krpan (ChiefVito) | Position: CD
367 TPE - 0 Training Purchased -- 4.02625 Bank Balance
A second 0 TPE purchaser, along with some bank to buy more. Not sure what’s going on here.
Two rounds, and I’m out of things to say as it’s mostly a repeat going forward. Lower TPE, limited or no training purchased, and low bank accounts. I’ll list the 3rd round, but I’m not doing detailed comments.
| SHANGHAI & MAGYAR | Round 3 | Pick 25Selected Player: Bruce McAllister (Spree) | Position: RAM
367 TPE - 9 Training Purchased -- 0.3375 Bank Balance
| HOLLYWOOD & CAPE TOWN | Round 3 | Pick 26Selected Player: Leonardo Stone (Frostbite) | Position: ST
360 TPE - 7 Training Purchased -- 0.34375 Bank Balance
| TOKYO & CAIRO | Round 3 | Pick 27Selected Player: Josh Harper (JCPro) | Position: CAM
371 TPE - 0 Training Purchased -- 3.61875 Bank Balance
| TOKYO & CAIRO | Round 3 | Pick 28Selected Player: Walter Blanco (NotMissingNow) | Position: LWB
352 TPE - 10 Training Purchased -- 0.505 Bank Balance
| SHANGHAI & MAGYAR | Round 3 | Pick 29Selected Player: Jayson Bryzski (JaytheGreat) | Position: CM
349 TPE - 0 Training Purchased -- 3 Bank Balance
| XELAJU & MASQUES | Round 3 | Pick 30Selected Player: Isaiah Ali (Turbanator) | Position: CAM
352 TPE - 7 Training Purchased -- 0.33875 Bank Balance
| ROME & LONDON | Round 3 | Pick 31Selected Player: Maurjiro Rivers (Maur Rivers) | Position: LWB
355 TPE - 7 Training Purchased -- 0.55625 Bank Balance
| BLACK FOREST & MONTREAL | Round 3 | Pick 32Selected Player: Nacho Kusora (Wahgao) | Position: ST
344 TPE - 7 Training Purchased -- 1.25 Bank Balance
| REYKJAVIK & NORTH SHORE | Round 3 | Pick 33Selected Player: Kaz Okada (DidYouSeeThatLudicrousDisplay?) | Position: CD
343 TPE - 0 Training Purchased -- 4.39 Bank Balance
| SAO PAULO & PARIS | Round 3 | Pick 34Selected Player: Sadie Black (Rezo950inat0r2) | Position: RAM
347 TPE - 7 Training Purchased -- 0.49625 Bank Balance
| TOKYO & CAIRO | Round 3 | Pick 35Selected Player: John McDougal (EggBert1899) | Position: ST
337 TPE - 7 Training Purchased -- 0.025 Bank Balance
| CATALUNYA & SEOUL | Round 3 | Pick 36Selected Player: Felix Pedro (Artemis) | Position: CM
334 TPE - 7 Training Purchased -- 0.025 Bank Balance
And there you have it. A three round mock draft. Towards the top I think it will be close to right just based on TPE and bank, but I know the position need logic is completely wrong so that will affect some players dropping that are in the first round (as well as other jumping even higher in the first than they already are).
It’s interesting to see where players rank, though, with some rough logic around it. Now, we have about two weeks to try and push that draft stock higher, so remember….. Lie to scouts!
Kidding, kidding.
RE: S26 Mock Draft - Definia - 2026-05-26
Such a great write up! Thanks for the ego boost, it's always welcome, my 5head is not big enough.
The laytout of this draft top notch
RE: S26 Mock Draft - Riipsaw - 2026-05-26
All I have to say is that it simply pains me to be beneath McGlynn...
RE: S26 Mock Draft - o1playz - 2026-05-26
My bank balance is an absolute HUGE nerf
I know vank balance might end up having less weight than the 10%, but I think thats a perfect balance point to get a relatively accurate mock. Hopefully when my podcast money comes in I slip up to the top 4
RE: S26 Mock Draft - Bloodless - 2026-05-26
Thank god there wasn't a quiz!
Also the only reason I haven't purchased my full training is because a bunch of my articles have yet to be graded!
RE: S26 Mock Draft - Rancidbudgie - 2026-05-26
I have a great explanation as to why I have not purchased training - I noticed that feature at the start of the season and then completely forgot!
Thanks for the reminder, I've purchased 14 TPE now!
RE: S26 Mock Draft - AustinP0027 - 2026-05-27
(2026-05-26, 11:19 PM)Rancidbudgie Wrote: I have a great explanation as to why I have not purchased training - I noticed that feature at the start of the season and then completely forgot!
Thanks for the reminder, I've purchased 14 TPE now!
This article brought to you by your local TPE reminder agent.
Jumping up the draft board just like that!
RE: S26 Mock Draft - Jeanious - 2026-05-27
Easiest to read mock draft so far! Nice write up!