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

DWinzit said:
You're right about the defensive players. I am hoping there are a bunch that pop out but so far..eh
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TJ Parker has looked great - but the game film doesn’t back his Senior Bowl work. I’m on the fence with him. Need to see him in game.
 
KDawg said:
TJ Parker has looked great - but the game film doesn’t back his Senior Bowl work. I’m on the fence with him. Need to see him in game.
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He has although much of his big action has not shown a great deal of counter moves. I am getting the feeling he is taking advantage of the NFL coaching and hope the same for some of these other guys. It is such a great experience for them.

They have talked a lot about the OL and Edge being the most talented groups. I am anxious to see the LB's and DB's shine
 
DWinzit said:
He has although much of his big action has not shown a great deal of counter moves. I am getting the feeling he is taking advantage of the NFL coaching and hope the same for some of these other guys. It is such a great experience for them.

They have talked a lot about the OL and Edge being the most talented groups. I am anxious to see the LB's and DB's shine
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I’m not sold on the OL group as a whole. Guys like Slaughter have popped but… I’m not sold. I do think the edge class is legit across the board, though.
 
KDawg said:
I’m not sold on the OL group as a whole. Guys like Slaughter have popped but… I’m not sold. I do think the edge class is legit across the board, though.
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Agreed on the Edge class and if we don't dip into it at least once it would be almost negligent.
 
A linebacker that has popped is Rodriguez from Texas Tech. Need to spend some more time watching his games. Hes a walking forced fumble.
 
KDawg said:
A linebacker that has popped is Rodriguez from Texas Tech. Need to spend some more time watching his games. Hes a walking forced fumble.
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Absolutely, I mentioned him in a post yesterday. The announcers have really talked his play up and the fact that he processes really well and should be a good green helmet guy. He was doing most of the defensive calls. He has great anticipation and can move well sideline to sideline however he isn't really timed fast I believe.
 
These were to other defenders that stood out to me and her are minor write ups on them

CB Colton Hood (Tennessee) has continually been in the hip pocket of receivers so far. While receivers have typically run deep sideline routes against him, it has been difficult for anyone to do anything but try to reach over the top of him at the catch point.

Bud Clark, SAF, TCU​

Clark is an undersized safety prospect at 6-1, 185 pounds, but you’d never know it by the way he plays. The TCU product was awesome in 1-on-1s, remaining incredibly sticky in man coverage.
He had an excellent PBU in team drills when he broke downhill to cover a crossing route and had an interception in 1-on-1s, when he worked through the catch point and fought the ball out of the receiver’s hands.
 

Tuesday's biggest takeaway​

The defensive line class stood out on Day 1. With many of the perceived top players at the position not participating in the Senior Bowl -- only two players (Zion Young, Lee Hunter) in my overall my top 32 are here -- there's an opportunity for risers to increase their draft stock, as there are fewer elite prospects to distract scouts. That's the case for this deep group of defensive linemen.

On Tuesday, Young, Hunter, Caleb Banks (Florida) and T.J. Parker (Clemson) all looked like top-40 players in a class with average talent. But the 2026 class is lacking overall, which could put those four closer to the overall top 25 given their standout play in the first practice session. Hunter was the best player I saw on the field throughout two practices (more on that later), but Parker and Young both won consistently with power and length while using speed to close on the ball in team sessions. And Banks, who is returning from a season-ending foot injury, was as impactful as expected. You're going to hear a lot about this defensive line class in the next three months. Tuesday was a great introduction. -- Miller
www.espn.com

Senior Bowl practices for 2026 NFL draft: Best QBs, prospects

Here are the top NFL draft risers from the second day of Senior Bowl practices, including an FCS QB who is making a statement.
www.espn.com www.espn.com
 
If you haven't watched Jacob Rodriguez all year you missed out. Dude is a stud. Not big and not tremendously fast but great instincts. Think he was big 12 DPOY and Butkus award winner. He can play. Go back to all the tape on Bailey and watch #10
 
DWinzit said:
Absolutely, I mentioned him in a post yesterday. The announcers have really talked his play up and the fact that he processes really well and should be a good green helmet guy. He was doing most of the defensive calls. He has great anticipation and can move well sideline to sideline however he isn't really timed fast I believe.
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Yeah Rodriguez, pre-Senior Bowl and so far during too has major hype. He has some sick stats, tackles, picks, forced fumbles, a 93 PFF score.
 
Zion Young, I've talked about previously way back, I am guessing drops to the early third. Emotional player. Baggage with his DUI. But comes off like an old school Ravens or Steelers player. Tough, plays angry. Good size, can stop the run, good motor, so so first step IMO

 
some early pass rushing stats

Screen Shot 2026-01-29 at 7.51.04 AM.png
 
On stats alone, this Akheem Mesidor jumps out.
 
skinsinparadise said:
Yeah if he wasn't going to be 25.5 when the season started, he likely would go top 10
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I’d argue with the NFL the way it is and the frequency that teams trade/let players go and players want to get traded that this should no longer be a detriment to drafting a superior football player.
 
KDawg said:
I’d argue with the NFL the way it is and the frequency that teams trade/let players go and players want to get traded that this should no longer be a detriment to drafting a superior football player.
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It should be. When you spend a top 10 pick on a player, you have a reasonable expectation that the guy you are picking will be a great player for you into a second contract, which is generally signed mid to late 20s.

This guy will be 31 when he starts his 2nd contract.

I will say that, if I am picking in the 20s where there is a meaningful rise in bust rate, a guy who feels like a bit of a surer thing like him is worth it
 
method man said:
It should be. When you spend a top 10 pick on a player, you have a reasonable expectation that the guy you are picking will be a great player for you into a second contract, which is generally signed mid to late 20s.

This guy will be 31 when he starts his 2nd contract.

I will say that, if I am picking in the 20s where there is a meaningful rise in bust rate, a guy who feels like a bit of a surer thing like him is worth it
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Yeah, I disagree. If I peg a guy as a high end prospect and that he is one of the top in his position and will immediately make me better (these are major caveats), I don’t give two shits if he’s 26. 31 is still an age where guys are producing. And, if you are able to get 5 good years out of a first rounder non-QB you’re doing really well.

I wonder how many first rounders wind up not making it to 26 with their drafted team.

We worry WAY too much about things outside of football.

That said…if you don’t think the guy is worth that then you simply don’t take him.
 
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