The 2026 Draft Thread - 1st Round - 7th overall

I'm concerned about WR. We have to (I repeat HAVE to) find a legit #2 for Jayden. Are there WRs in this year's draft worth the #7 pick? Who are the best options in Free Agency?

Please God - do not let us go into season 3 with other teams castaways or washed up veterans at the top of the WR rotation. We need someone who strikes fear in CBs hearts.
 
I need more games up for most of these players to land on hard takes so hopefully the youtube gods come through soon

Another funky mock below. Agree with the points of not taking mocks seriously until post combine

 
Boone said:
I'm concerned about WR. We have to (I repeat HAVE to) find a legit #2 for Jayden. Are there WRs in this year's draft worth the #7 pick? Who are the best options in Free Agency?

Please God - do not let us go into season 3 with other teams castaways or washed up veterans at the top of the WR rotation. We need someone who strikes fear in CBs hearts.
Click to expand...

Draft: Tate, Tyson

FA: Pierce, Doubs, Shaheed, W. Robinson, Jennings
 
Boone said:
I'm concerned about WR. We have to (I repeat HAVE to) find a legit #2 for Jayden. Are there WRs in this year's draft worth the #7 pick? Who are the best options in Free Agency?

Please God - do not let us go into season 3 with other teams castaways or washed up veterans at the top of the WR rotation. We need someone who strikes fear in CBs hearts.
Click to expand...
This is a tough one. I don't disagree at all that I want Daniels to have weapons, but I think I want edge even more. This is the biggest problem of not having that second rounder. While you can get gems in the third, you should get starters in the first and second. By the third, you need to get a little lucky.
 
Boone said:
I'm concerned about WR. We have to (I repeat HAVE to) find a legit #2 for Jayden. Are there WRs in this year's draft worth the #7 pick? Who are the best options in Free Agency?

Please God - do not let us go into season 3 with other teams castaways or washed up veterans at the top of the WR rotation. We need someone who strikes fear in CBs hearts.
Click to expand...

Back up the Brink's truck for Colts WR Alec Pierce. He's IMHO precisely the type of WR JD needs and would thrive in our offense.
 
The Chump Bailey said:
Back up the Brink's truck for Colts WR Alec Pierce. He's IMHO precisely the type of WR JD needs and would thrive in our offense.
Click to expand...
I agree. Like him a lot, and seemed to really come into his own this season. Legit field stretcher, yet has become a better route runner. If they could somehow nab both Pierce and Pitts, JD would have some serious weapons to work with, and would give Peters some flexibility in the draft.
 

​

Here are my notes from the October 30 Daft on Draft episode on the edges.

Two important caveats up front:

  1. This episode is two months old.
    They didn’t have all the late-season tape, postseason context, or the information we have now in January 2026. Some evaluations may look different today.
  2. This is James and Cory discussion, not consensus scouting.
    A lot of the value is how they disagree and what traits they prioritize, not just who they like.
With that in mind, here’s the breakdown, translated into something readable. They scouted six edges.

Reuben Bain​

Bain really pops because he wins early. James cited data showing him in the 90th percentile in get-off, but only around 44% in top speed, which tracks on tape — he’s more bursty than fast.

His go-to is the club-rip (knock down the tackle’s outside arm, then clear inside with the rip), which is much more about get-off and timing than arm length. Length helps, but it’s not the driver.
His second main move is the hump — basically lifting the lineman upright with lower-body power, then tossing him aside. That move is all about core and leg strength, with timing second.

The big takeaway: Bain is effective because he’s efficient, not flashy. He’s good against both the run and pass, even if he’s not a traits unicorn.


Kendrick “Fault” (Faulk)
Faulk is a toolbox defender alignment-wise: he can line up at 3-tech, 4i, 5-tech, and wider. The issue is how he wins. James is pretty critical of his hands and pad level, noting that he plays high, which might point to stiffness. That stiffness shows up in turn of direction — he can turn the corner at depth (7 yards), but not tightly. Despite that, he’s a plus run defender, even if he occasionally gets put on the ground due to pad level. What’s interesting is that he uses the double-swipe ghost move a lot — a move that usually favors flexible, bendy rushers — despite not really having those traits. Cory pushes back on the stiffness critique, arguing the limitation is more in knees and ankles, not hips, since Faulk can knife through gaps in the run game. James floated Gregory Rousseau as a stylistic comp. His win profile is almost perfectly split: 41% power, 41% speed, 17% inside, which kind of explains why he feels like a tweener on tape.



Cashius Howell​

Howell is the opposite of Faulk in a lot of ways. Short arms, but elite explosiveness and flexibility. Probably the best bend in the class, and notably, he can bend through contact, not just around it. What surprised them both is that he’s not a run-game liability. He’s not a plus run defender, but he doesn’t get wrecked either, which matters for a lighter speed rusher. One of the most interesting points: Howell does a great job stringing moves together. Everything looks the same at first, so tackles don’t get early tells. He’ll ghost to set up a rip or even a bull. Only 12% of his wins come from power, so he’s still speed-first, but the sequencing is advanced.



TJ Parker​

This was the harshest evaluation in the episode. Parker arguably has the heaviest hands in the class, and that’s doing a lot of the work for him. Those heavy hands make him solid at setting the edge and allow him to be respectable (not good) at bull rushes, long-arm, and the hump.

The problem: he’s extremely stiff. James called him the stiffest EDGE they evaluated. His bend is bad, counters are limited, and once he loses leverage, the rep is basically over — no secondary effort, no plan B. Despite having heavy hands, he hasn’t figured out how to turn leverage into wins. Over the past year and a half, 13 of his wins came from long-arm, and his second best move only produced five wins.

James has him as EDGE11 and thinks he probably should go back to school.


Matayo Uiagalelei​

This one was more split. Matayo flashes power through the chest, but mostly against lower competition. James, who’s watched more, sees signs of life as a power rusher. Cory, who’s watched less, is pretty low. He can be solid vs the run, but he gets washed more than you’d like for a 275-pound guy, which is a red flag. His bend is decent for his size, hands have improved a lot from last year, and his motor is solid. Not heavy-handed, but heavier than last season, which kind of sums him up: trending up, but still projection-heavy.


David Bailey​

This was the centerpiece of the discussion.
James said Bailey rivals Abdul Carter in explosiveness, and that absolutely shows. He builds speed as he turns the corner, and every path to the QB feels like a straight line because he beats tackles to the spot — even good athletes like Spencer Fano.

Bailey used to be a pure speed guy with the occasional long-arm. In 2025, he rounded out his plan, with 20% of his wins now coming from power, up from 2024. His move set is deep: ghost, inside spin, cross-chop, inside counter — often after knifing through chip help.

James flat-out called him the best pass rusher in the class. The concern is run defense. Cory framed it as a scheme question: in Over fronts, a weakside EDGE like Bailey is protected against inside runs and mostly only stressed by weakside outside zone. In those schemes, his pass rush value easily outweighs the run issues.

Cory says his hands aren’t heavy. James disagrees, pointing to games (Houston, among others) where Bailey launched tackles into orbit.

They both agree on the big picture: Bailey is elite at what he’s elite at, and if you ask him to be that guy, he’s special.

 
Slotball said:
I agree. Like him a lot, and seemed to really come into his own this season. Legit field stretcher, yet has become a better route runner. If they could somehow nab both Pierce and Pitts, JD would have some serious weapons to work with, and would give Peters some flexibility in the draft.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately (for us but good for him), his value has skyrocketed this year thanks to much improved QB play.
 
burgold said:
This is a tough one. I don't disagree at all that I want Daniels to have weapons, but I think I want edge even more. This is the biggest problem of not having that second rounder. While you can get gems in the third, you should get starters in the first and second. By the third, you need to get a little lucky.
Click to expand...
The silver lining of having a really shitty year is that despite not having a 2nd or 4th round pick we actually have more draft capital than we did last year.

our first round pick is light years better than last year and our 3rd round pick is only ten behind our second from last year.
 
heisenberg said:
The silver lining of having a really shitty year is that despite not having a 2nd or 4th round pick we actually have more draft capital than we did last year.

our first round pick is light years better than last year and our 3rd round pick is only ten behind our second from last year.
Click to expand...

I did an analysis about a month ago. Tldr is recent hit rate in high 3rd round picks isnt particularly good
 


4. Tennessee Titans (3-14)​

Arvell Reese, Edge/LB, Ohio State*

The Titans are lacking talent throughout their roster and spent the No. 1 pick on QB Cam Ward last year, so they're in position to take the best player available. Reese is arguably the top player in the draft. He's explosive and plays with plenty of physicality. He flipped back and forth between linebacker and edge rusher this season, but I prefer Reese in an edge rusher role in the NFL. He would give Tennessee a talent boost up front to join four-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons. Reese played only 97 snaps at the edge, but his 18.5% pressure rate at that position was seventh best in the FBS.

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5. New York Giants (4-13)​

Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State*

It should be the Giants' main objective to get playmakers around quarterback Jaxson Dart. With Malik Nabers recovering from a torn ACL and Wan'Dale Robinson set to become a free agent after a breakout 1,014-yard season, receiver is a major need for New York. Tate is a polished wideout capable of executing every branch on the route tree. He has sure hands, can separate against all types of coverage and makes plays downfield, as evidenced by his 17.1 yards per catch this season (32nd in the FBS). Tate would provide Dart with a true deep threat who can also work the intermediate levels of the field.

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6. Cleveland Browns (5-12)​

Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State*

Unless they want to package their two first-round picks to move up, the Browns won't be able to pick a quarterback. But they do need pass catchers to join breakout rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr. and veteran wide receiver Jerry Jeudy. Tyson is a creative route runner who can make catches outside the strike zone with his strong hands at the catch point. He's also capable of making big plays after the catch. Durability will be the main thing to watch with Tyson during the predraft process, as he has been derailed by nagging injuries in each of the past two seasons, missing three games in 2025 because of a hamstring injury.

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7. Washington Commanders (5-12)​

David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech

Washington has only two edge players (Dorance Armstrong and Javontae Jean-Baptiste) signed through next season, and both are coming off season-ending injuries. The Commanders need youthful pass rushers, and Bailey was the most productive in the country, leading the FBS with 14.5 sacks this season. He also had 23 tackles for loss, and his 20.1% pressure percentage was the highest of all FBS defenders. Bailey's excellent first-step quickness helps him race past blockers with ease, and he is a rugged defender with a diverse set of pass-rush moves and powerful hands. Bailey's performance against Oregon in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals was one of the best I saw from any defender this season.

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8. New Orleans Saints (6-11)​

Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame*

The Saints seem to have hit with second-round quarterback Tyler Shough, and it's time to get some backfield help. Veteran running back Alvin Kamara will turn 31 before next season and be on the last year of his contract in 2026, so New Orleans would add his heir apparent and the best offensive playmaker in the draft in Love. He is explosive and can also be used by coach Kellen Moore in the passing game. The Saints had the lowest percentage of 10-plus-yard runs (7.8%). Love would fix that, as he finished with the fourth-most runs of 10-plus yards in the FBS this season (39).

9. Kansas City Chiefs (6-11)​

Rueben Bain Jr., DL, Miami*

Bain's game is all about power, as he's a heavy-handed defender who regularly overwhelms blockers at the point of attack. Capable of playing 0- to 9-technique, Bain can play all over the defensive line and has flashed in big moments during Miami's current playoff run. At 6-foot-3, 275 pounds, Bain's measurables might not fit every team's wish list but would work well in Kansas City, where defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has preferred dense and powerful pass rushers. Bain had 8.5 sacks this season and would give a boost to a Chiefs' pass rush that finished with only 35 sacks in 2025, tied for 22nd in the NFL.

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10. Cincinnati Bengals (6-11)​

Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State*

A safety hasn't been picked in the top 10 since the Jets took Jamal Adams with the No. 6 pick in the 2017 draft, but Downs is one of the three best players in this year's class. His versatility, sure tackling and instincts would eliminate a lot of the problems that Cincinnati had on the back end this season, as coordinator Al Golden's defense gave up a league-high 6.2 yards per play. By contrast, Downs allowed only 3.6 yards per passing attempt into his coverage this season (11th lowest in the FBS). With Geno Stone set to be an unrestricted free agent, Downs could slot into the Bengals' secondary nicely.

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11. Miami Dolphins (7-10)​

Spencer Fano, OT, Utah*

Patrick Paul, Miami's second-round pick in 2024, has developed into a foundation player at left tackle. But the Dolphins need help at the other tackle spot, as 2020 first-round pick Austin Jackson has struggled to stay healthy and will be a free agent after next season. Fano's light feet and movement skills fit ideally into Mike McDaniel's fast-paced scheme. At 6-foot-6, 302 pounds, Fano needs to add bulk to his frame, but his 1.1% pressure rate tied with Mauigoa for the second-lowest rate allowed by an offensive tackle in the FBS this season.

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12. Dallas Cowboys (7-9-1)​

Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

The Cowboys desperately need defensive help, and Styles would give them a building block at the spine of their defense, which allowed a league-high 30.1 points per game in 2025. He would be a massive upgrade to Kenneth Murray Jr., who struggled in every way imaginable this season after being acquired from the Titans. Styles plays an attacking style that uses his excellent instincts, range and awareness. He's a wrap-up-and-finish run defender, but Styles is also an able blitzer (six sacks in 2024) who can create negative plays in the backfield.

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13. Los Angeles Rams (from 8-9 ATL)​

Makai Lemon, WR, USC*

Davante Adams will turn 34 next season and is set to be a free agent following the 2026 season, so the Rams need to draft a receiver who's ready to play immediately to maximize the championship window of quarterback Matthew Stafford, who turns 38 before next season. Lemon could jump right in to join Adams and Puka Nacua. He has a high-level understanding of how to win against all types of coverage and makes contested catches. He had only one drop on 110 targets (79 catches), and his 21 forced missed tackles were 13th most of all FBS receivers. Lemon is labeled as a slot receiver but can play throughout the formation.
 
Bailey is hot at 7. I don't want an insane combine from him, I think is so he goes to the Titans.

 
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skinsinparadise said:
for some reason my above post was duplicated
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You can post Washington getting Bailey as much as you want ;)

Based on yesterdays presser it did make it feel like they were focused on explosive weapons first. I think they would take Love
 
DWinzit said:
You can post Washington getting Bailey as much as you want ;)

Based on yesterdays presser it did make it feel like they were focused on explosive weapons first. I think they would take Love
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It's like asking me with an 80s reference would I want to date Christine Brinkley or Cindy Crawford, I'd b e giddy either way.

But yeah not sure I got that same impression where Peters went to edge when asked about addressing needs.
 
DWinzit said:
You can post Washington getting Bailey as much as you want ;)

Based on yesterdays presser it did make it feel like they were focused on explosive weapons first. I think they would take Love
Click to expand...

Wouldn’t Bailey be an explosive weapon?

Were they speaking solely about the offensive side? If so, I missed that.
 
Peters also specifically mentioned getting pass rushers in free agency and the draft.
 
Chris said:
Wouldn’t Bailey be an explosive weapon?

Were they speaking solely about the offensive side? If so, I missed that.
Click to expand...
Yes they were speaking in terms of offensive weapons mainly through draft and defensive weapons more through FA was my take
 
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