Some LB stats
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The 2026 Draft Thread - 1st Round - 7th overall
- Thread starter Canadian Hog
- Start date
Rodriguez has some sick stats, I am curious to see how these guys run. I rewatched the Ohioo State-Indiana game -- if you judged the Ohio State defenders purely on that game, Styles was the one who stood out the most, stud in that game.
Anthony Hill, if you want sacks, double A blitzes, 17 career sacks in college
I've watched some Golday reminds me of Leo Chanel.
I got to watch CJ Allen.
Anthony Hill, if you want sacks, double A blitzes, 17 career sacks in college
I've watched some Golday reminds me of Leo Chanel.
I got to watch CJ Allen.
method man
The Starter
I’ve been thinking more about Faulk. As skinsinparadise alluded to, as an even front DE or wide 9 EDGE, he is not interesting. He is Phillip Daniels
However, given the traits and skill, how do we feel about him as an impact 3-4 DE in odd front? I believe he played on the interior some this year.
As much as we are focused on the lack of EDGE pressure, the only times we really felt interior linemen all season last year was Payne in a few games early and Newton in the Dallas game. Just a reminder Kinlaw had no sacks this year. We were interested in Milton Williams I believe last offseason and it was a huge miss by AP not to snag him
However, given the traits and skill, how do we feel about him as an impact 3-4 DE in odd front? I believe he played on the interior some this year.
As much as we are focused on the lack of EDGE pressure, the only times we really felt interior linemen all season last year was Payne in a few games early and Newton in the Dallas game. Just a reminder Kinlaw had no sacks this year. We were interested in Milton Williams I believe last offseason and it was a huge miss by AP not to snag him
Faulk has the measurables, but how has his production looked?
method man
The Starter
Too rich, especially given all the talented off ball LBs available in FA
method man
The Starter
Almost same number of QB hits as last year but 1.5 sacks vs 9 in 2024. Good argument he got a bit unlucky
I feel like Hill is a great fit but barring a trade back he is out. He will go late first to early 2nd.
Based on his 40 time you'd think Rodriguez is a little slow for the requirements but you are right that he could fit and should be available in the 3rd round
I am thinking of LBs who can wreck the game -- forced fumbles, picks, sacks.
RWJ
The Starter
I like Rodriguez in the later 3rd round.
For Faulk I like him better inside. I don't think he has the speed-bend-get off to thrive off the edge but inside he can bully people. But I think I'd like Woods better if they go for the interior, i know different body type, etc, but doesn't hurt to have a nose type but can be disruptive too ala a Vita Vea.
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I am not sure Rodriguez is a great fit. I want to see what he tests at. Intellectually he fits, but I’m not sure he does athletically.
Hill won’t be there.
Louis from Pitt, maybe?
Styles really is the best bet.
Hill won’t be there.
Louis from Pitt, maybe?
Styles really is the best bet.
RWJ
The Starter
I like Styles and I know skinsinparadise does too. Just my opinion, KDawg. I really hope we can land Downs at #7. He'd be the perfect p/u for Jones's D. That's just me though. I don' think Hill is there at #71. Of course, if we trade down, he may be there depending on what we do and where we are in the draft. If Downs is gone, we may be able to move down a few positions and still nab Styles in the first.
philibusters
The 1st Round Pick
Three draft scenarios
At pick 7 Downs and Styles are on the board
Sceneario 1: You give up picks 7 and 145 and get back 13 and 61 and 209
Scenario 2: You give up 7 and 145 and get back 16, 44, and 193
Scenario 3: You give up 7 but get back 24 and 39
how would you rank those and which would you accept
At pick 7 Downs and Styles are on the board
Sceneario 1: You give up picks 7 and 145 and get back 13 and 61 and 209
Scenario 2: You give up 7 and 145 and get back 16, 44, and 193
Scenario 3: You give up 7 but get back 24 and 39
how would you rank those and which would you accept
Kyle Louis is a good call. He had a great Senior Bowl week showing his speed, versatility, tackled well, moved through traffic well and looked very good in coverage
philibusters
The 1st Round Pick
He had an amazing Senior Bowl week. I think our front office has to watch the tape and decide if he is worth pick 71. We already have a similar player in Kain Medrano who is a dime backer who they hope can develop into a Will. These smaller faster LB's are basically the Will insidebacker on neutral downs and a dime backer on passing downs. I think Louis can definitely be a dime backer. So the question is will he be physical enough on early downs to be the Will backer which is a stack linebacker than is going to have deal with physicality. Realistically year 1 you are going to have Luvu so you could try to adjust him to the physicality and give him most of his reps as a dime backer. But the question is whether he is worth pick 71 cause he very likely going in 3rd or 4th and will be gone by pick 145.
Yates mock
www.espn.com
The Titans could easily go wide receiver with this pick to further support quarterback Cam Ward, but Bailey addresses another roster hole that new head coach Robert Saleh would surely be thrilled to tackle. Bailey led the FBS in sacks (14.5) during his lone season at Texas Tech after three seasons at Stanford. A number of those sacks came from his lightning-fast first step -- the best of any collegiate rusher. And he has the instincts to get his hands up in passing lanes.
This is my first curveball, as many early mock drafts have linked the Giants to a wide receiver or offensive tackle in this spot. Those are completely understandable, especially if Wan'Dale Robinson and/or Jermaine Eluemunor depart in free agency. But Downs has my attention as the first pick of the John Harbaugh era.
Perhaps no current coach better understands the value of top-flight safety play, as Harbaugh coached Ed Reed and Kyle Hamilton in Baltimore. While the Giants have starters in Jevon Holland and Tyler Nubin, Downs has the upside to change an entire defense as a force multiplier with his deep range and in-the-box skills.
The Browns have major work to do along the offensive line this offseason and Fano would provide them a tackle to build around. He is an extremely talented player who started the past two seasons at right tackle. Fano has light and nimble feet to match and mirror edge rushers, which contributed to him allowing zero sacks this past season and only one the year before. He will need to add more mass to his frame, but he's got the starter kit to be a standout right tackle in the NFL. The Browns gave up 51 sacks last season, seventh most in the NFL.
The Commanders have made it clear that they need to get younger on defense, so a pass rusher could be tempting here. But they can't overlook their need for another receiver opposite Terry McLaurin. Tate had a fantastic 2025 season and is one of most pro-ready prospects in the class. He's a terrific route runner who makes difficult catches look routine with his awesome hands and body control. Tate averaged more than 17 yards per catch in 2025 and had at least one 40-plus-yard catch in six games. That sort of field-stretching speed and tracking ability could make him an ideal option for quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Quarterback Tyler Shough provides the Saints with plenty of hope going forward, as he finished his rookie season with a 4-1 record. Tyson would be a huge addition to Kellen Moore's offense, which still needs more playmaking alongside Chris Olave. At 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, Tyson is electric with the ball in his hands. He totaled 29 catches, 444 yards and three touchdowns in the final three games he played in 2024 before being knocked out for the season with an injury. His 2025 season was limited by uneven QB play and injuries, but he can be schemed up for as many touches as possible in New Orleans.
2026 NFL mock draft: Yates' first-round pick predictions
Which teams might take a quarterback? Could offensive linemen dominate the first round? Field Yates projects the top 32 picks of the 2026 NFL draft.
4. Tennessee Titans
David Bailey, Edge, Texas TechThe Titans could easily go wide receiver with this pick to further support quarterback Cam Ward, but Bailey addresses another roster hole that new head coach Robert Saleh would surely be thrilled to tackle. Bailey led the FBS in sacks (14.5) during his lone season at Texas Tech after three seasons at Stanford. A number of those sacks came from his lightning-fast first step -- the best of any collegiate rusher. And he has the instincts to get his hands up in passing lanes.
5. New York Giants
Caleb Downs, S, Ohio StateThis is my first curveball, as many early mock drafts have linked the Giants to a wide receiver or offensive tackle in this spot. Those are completely understandable, especially if Wan'Dale Robinson and/or Jermaine Eluemunor depart in free agency. But Downs has my attention as the first pick of the John Harbaugh era.
Perhaps no current coach better understands the value of top-flight safety play, as Harbaugh coached Ed Reed and Kyle Hamilton in Baltimore. While the Giants have starters in Jevon Holland and Tyler Nubin, Downs has the upside to change an entire defense as a force multiplier with his deep range and in-the-box skills.
6. Cleveland Browns
Spencer Fano, OT, UtahThe Browns have major work to do along the offensive line this offseason and Fano would provide them a tackle to build around. He is an extremely talented player who started the past two seasons at right tackle. Fano has light and nimble feet to match and mirror edge rushers, which contributed to him allowing zero sacks this past season and only one the year before. He will need to add more mass to his frame, but he's got the starter kit to be a standout right tackle in the NFL. The Browns gave up 51 sacks last season, seventh most in the NFL.
7. Washington Commanders
Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio StateThe Commanders have made it clear that they need to get younger on defense, so a pass rusher could be tempting here. But they can't overlook their need for another receiver opposite Terry McLaurin. Tate had a fantastic 2025 season and is one of most pro-ready prospects in the class. He's a terrific route runner who makes difficult catches look routine with his awesome hands and body control. Tate averaged more than 17 yards per catch in 2025 and had at least one 40-plus-yard catch in six games. That sort of field-stretching speed and tracking ability could make him an ideal option for quarterback Jayden Daniels.
8. New Orleans Saints
Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona StateQuarterback Tyler Shough provides the Saints with plenty of hope going forward, as he finished his rookie season with a 4-1 record. Tyson would be a huge addition to Kellen Moore's offense, which still needs more playmaking alongside Chris Olave. At 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, Tyson is electric with the ball in his hands. He totaled 29 catches, 444 yards and three touchdowns in the final three games he played in 2024 before being knocked out for the season with an injury. His 2025 season was limited by uneven QB play and injuries, but he can be schemed up for as many touches as possible in New Orleans.
good call as to Louis, forgot to include him on my list, he fits the profile
Yates mock
2026 NFL mock draft: Yates' first-round pick predictions
Which teams might take a quarterback? Could offensive linemen dominate the first round? Field Yates projects the top 32 picks of the 2026 NFL draft.
4. Tennessee Titans
David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech
The Titans could easily go wide receiver with this pick to further support quarterback Cam Ward, but Bailey addresses another roster hole that new head coach Robert Saleh would surely be thrilled to tackle. Bailey led the FBS in sacks (14.5) during his lone season at Texas Tech after three seasons at Stanford. A number of those sacks came from his lightning-fast first step -- the best of any collegiate rusher. And he has the instincts to get his hands up in passing lanes.
5. New York Giants
Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
This is my first curveball, as many early mock drafts have linked the Giants to a wide receiver or offensive tackle in this spot. Those are completely understandable, especially if Wan'Dale Robinson and/or Jermaine Eluemunor depart in free agency. But Downs has my attention as the first pick of the John Harbaugh era.
Perhaps no current coach better understands the value of top-flight safety play, as Harbaugh coached Ed Reed and Kyle Hamilton in Baltimore. While the Giants have starters in Jevon Holland and Tyler Nubin, Downs has the upside to change an entire defense as a force multiplier with his deep range and in-the-box skills.
6. Cleveland Browns
Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
The Browns have major work to do along the offensive line this offseason and Fano would provide them a tackle to build around. He is an extremely talented player who started the past two seasons at right tackle. Fano has light and nimble feet to match and mirror edge rushers, which contributed to him allowing zero sacks this past season and only one the year before. He will need to add more mass to his frame, but he's got the starter kit to be a standout right tackle in the NFL. The Browns gave up 51 sacks last season, seventh most in the NFL.
7. Washington Commanders
Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
The Commanders have made it clear that they need to get younger on defense, so a pass rusher could be tempting here. But they can't overlook their need for another receiver opposite Terry McLaurin. Tate had a fantastic 2025 season and is one of most pro-ready prospects in the class. He's a terrific route runner who makes difficult catches look routine with his awesome hands and body control. Tate averaged more than 17 yards per catch in 2025 and had at least one 40-plus-yard catch in six games. That sort of field-stretching speed and tracking ability could make him an ideal option for quarterback Jayden Daniels.
8. New Orleans Saints
Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
Quarterback Tyler Shough provides the Saints with plenty of hope going forward, as he finished his rookie season with a 4-1 record. Tyson would be a huge addition to Kellen Moore's offense, which still needs more playmaking alongside Chris Olave. At 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, Tyson is electric with the ball in his hands. He totaled 29 catches, 444 yards and three touchdowns in the final three games he played in 2024 before being knocked out for the season with an injury. His 2025 season was limited by uneven QB play and injuries, but he can be schemed up for as many touches as possible in New Orleans.
Yeah if we go Tate over Tyson I personally wouldnt be happy at all.
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