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

[HTTR]

Digesting the list of tiers from KDawg and SIP….

You guys couldn’t be further apart on Baily and Bain. Makes me nervous about both.

At WR, I have to agree free agency doesn’t look good at all and we simply MUST get some weapons for Jayden. Pierce is not the answer at what he will cost. So I too think Aiyuk is a good gamble. And if we get a good tight end and a stud RB, I think we can get by with Aiyuk or maybe a mid-tier guy or two. Then, starting next year we could really lean in to WR in the draft going forward as Jayden becomes expensive.

The love for Love is unmistakable. Most think taking a RB this early is taboo, but if you want to add star power to this team, he seems about as close to a sure thing as you can get. And when you add his receiving skills, that’s definitely a nice toy for Jayden that to me would help as much as any of the receivers we are talking about.

Downs similarly seems like a no doubt about it prospect. Downs and Love remain my top two. I get the argument about positional value matching our need (WR, Edge) but I want to prioritize star power, and getting the best possible talent with this pick. It is absolutely essential that we hit on this pick. So I’d rather worry about positional value and future salary cap savings…in the future.

 

[Bulldog]

Aiyuk is still injured and has had an uneven recovery period in SF, in fact his pace of recovery and rehab was a major issue for the team.

After all of the 'lessons' we learned about having veteran players who are injury prone get injured yet again I don't want to count on a guy that isn't likely physically ready to play when you are going to sign him.

I want us to at least have guys healthy or at 95% when we put ink to paper so to speak.

The other thing with Aiyuk is how much of a distraction he was in regards to his contract.

If you sign him to a one year deal and he has decent number halfway through the year does he do what did in SF and starting politicking for an extension and cause discord while games are still being played?

That's not the kind of focused player I would sign as a GM.

Not at his age with that particular injury. A torn ACL for a wide receiver is potentially one that can compromise some speed and speed is a significant factor in Aiyuk's game. He's not a guy like Michael Irvin or AJ Brown that can use size and win contested balls even after losing a half-step as they get to or near 30.

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

I've been on Downs all along, now I'm getting convinced he may not be there. I don't want to have to face him twice a year, the Giants are going to be tough.

 

[Primus Porcus]

Digesting the list of tiers from KDawg and SIP….

You guys couldn’t be further apart on Baily and Bain. Makes me nervous about both.

At WR, I have to agree free agency doesn’t look good at all and we simply MUST get some weapons for Jayden. Pierce is not the answer at what he will cost. So I too think Aiyuk is a good gamble. And if we get a good tight end and a stud RB, I think we can get by with Aiyuk or maybe a mid-tier guy or two. Then, starting next year we could really lean in to WR in the draft going forward as Jayden becomes expensive.

The love for Love is unmistakable. Most think taking a RB this early is taboo, but if you want to add star power to this team, he seems about as close to a sure thing as you can get. And when you add his receiving skills, that’s definitely a nice toy for Jayden that to me would help as much as any of the receivers we are talking about.

Downs similarly seems like a no doubt about it prospect. Downs and Love remain my top two. I get the argument about positional value matching our need (WR, Edge) but I want to prioritize star power, and getting the best possible talent with this pick. It is absolutely essential that we hit on this pick. So I’d rather worry about positional value and future salary cap savings…in the future.

One thing I will say is that, imho, the WR position is trending the way RB did a handful of years back, where you're finding quality much deeper in the draft. Personally i attribute it to how many high flying offenses are out there going full spread where your 3rd and 4th WRs are getting so many more reps than in years past. That's not to say we can just sit back and 'expect' to take a guy in the 6th round and he'll be a wrecker... but I do think it means the odds of hitting on a later pick can happen with a bit more frequency. The gaps between the physical ability from the guy in the 1st round vs the guy that may be available in the 7th is smaller than it has been.

J. Michael Sturdivant from Florida after starting at UCLA is projecting to be a day 3 pick, as late as the 7th round. This is his scouting report on Draft Buzz. Again, i'm not saying you go into the draft expecting to take him in the 7th round and he solves your problems, but a scouting report that reads like this on a day 3 pick used to be a unicorn.

 

[Bulldog]

Why not go WR in Round 3?

I would go defense at DE/edge at #7 and then look to see where we are after free agency in re WR depth and ability on the outside.

I think it's key that we look for a taller receiver who can play outside, rather than follow on the draft of projected slot receivers like McCaffrey and Lane in 2024 and 2025.

THAT is what we were missing when McLaurin got hurt.

Deebo was an underneath player and then we had mostly a collection of slot receivers and outside guys that were fringe career players like Chris Moore and Tay Martin.

 

[KDawg]

I love these type of conversations good stuff. For me. Combine might shift it for me

I'd be excited

Bailey -- I've been sold on the Bonitto types in recent years, speedy dudes with get off, the forced fumbles, sacks, game wrecker
Love -- homerun hitter, great hands, J. Gibbs part 2. And I wanted Gibbs and I know you did, too
Delane -- I love his profile, want to see how he runs. But heck a low penalty shut down corner is rare in college considering so many of them mug the WRs at that level and can get away with it but can't in the pros
Downs -- best anticipation -- read and react of any safety I've watched doing this.
Tate -- to me he can easily be a Devonte Smith and maybe better in the league, and this coming from a dude who worshipped D. Smith in college

I think we added high end talent

Reese (I see the raw ability and the ceiling but I am not as blown away as the draft media about him)
Styles (I love the Indiana tape, he was everywhere, but he doesn't hit me the way Downs does as to going nonpremium spot where he's that level special and I like the depth at LB in this draft and Fa is stacked at LB
Lemon (I think he actually does have a high floor, and I'd bet on him becoming a very good slot WR, but do I want a slot WR top 10? I am unsure. But maybe.

Excited for their ceiling but very nervous about their floor

Bain (first short arm stud pass rusher, let alone power pass rusher, maybe, but I got no idea)
Tyson (I can see it when some compare him to Diggs, but something off to me about his personality and if you major in 1st level-2nd level catches, I want YAC and that's not his thing). But I am intrigued.

I think Bain has one of the highest floors of any prospect. If he doesn’t pan as a full blown pass rushing edge, he’ll hold his own on the interior and as a run stuffing edge. I’m nearly 100% confident that he isn’t going to bust. It’s just how high is his pass rushing edge ceiling due to the arm length from the edge that is in question.

 

[KDawg]

Digesting the list of tiers from KDawg and SIP….

You guys couldn’t be further apart on Baily and Bain. Makes me nervous about both.

At WR, I have to agree free agency doesn’t look good at all and we simply MUST get some weapons for Jayden. Pierce is not the answer at what he will cost. So I too think Aiyuk is a good gamble. And if we get a good tight end and a stud RB, I think we can get by with Aiyuk or maybe a mid-tier guy or two. Then, starting next year we could really lean in to WR in the draft going forward as Jayden becomes expensive.

The love for Love is unmistakable. Most think taking a RB this early is taboo, but if you want to add star power to this team, he seems about as close to a sure thing as you can get. And when you add his receiving skills, that’s definitely a nice toy for Jayden that to me would help as much as any of the receivers we are talking about.

Downs similarly seems like a no doubt about it prospect. Downs and Love remain my top two. I get the argument about positional value matching our need (WR, Edge) but I want to prioritize star power, and getting the best possible talent with this pick. It is absolutely essential that we hit on this pick. So I’d rather worry about positional value and future salary cap savings…in the future.

I’m all aboard the Love train. I’d probably be more excited for him than Bain

 

[Primus Porcus]

I think Bain has one of the highest floors of any prospect. If he doesn’t pan as a full blown pass rushing edge, he’ll hold his own on the interior and as a run stuffing edge. I’m nearly 100% confident that he isn’t going to bust. It’s just how high is his pass rushing edge ceiling due to the arm length from the edge that is in question.

There in lies the debate... is that worth the 7th overall pick?

 

[HTTR]

Aiyuk is still injured and has had an uneven recovery period in SF, in fact his pace of recovery and rehab was a major issue for the team.

After all of the 'lessons' we learned about having veteran players who are injury prone get injured yet again I don't want to count on a guy that isn't likely physically ready to play when you are going to sign him.

I want us to at least have guys healthy or at 95% when we put ink to paper so to speak.

The other thing with Aiyuk is how much of a distraction he was in regards to his contract.

If you sign him to a one year deal and he has decent number halfway through the year does he do what did in SF and starting politicking for an extension and cause discord while games are still being played?

That's not the kind of focused player I would sign as a GM.

Not at his age with that particular injury. A torn ACL for a wide receiver is potentially one that can compromise some speed and speed is a significant factor in Aiyuk's game. He's not a guy like Michael Irvin or AJ Brown that can use size and win contested balls even after losing a half-step as they get to or near 30.

All legitimate concerns. I’m really just looking at him as an inexpensive stopgap. Doesn’t have to be him, just thinking we may not be in position to add a difference maker at receiver, especially in free agency. I don’t want to force it at the expense of our other needs.

 

[HTTR]

I've been on Downs all along, now I'm getting convinced he may not be there. I don't want to have to face him twice a year, the Giants are going to be tough.

Same. And the Giants taking him is my biggest fear. I sent that to some friends of mine that are big Giants fans, and knowledgeable. Like a lot of our fans, the Giants fans seem to be fixated on positional value so there is a decent chance they will pass on him.

 

[KDawg]

There in lies the debate... is that worth the 7th overall pick?

I think so. I think at minimum he’s going to be a great run defender and a 5-7 sack guy.

I think his ceiling is 12-15 sacks/year.

So yes. I think that is worth it.

 

[Primus Porcus]

I think so. I think at minimum he’s going to be a great run defender and a 5-7 sack guy.

I think his ceiling is 12-15 sacks/year.

So yes. I think that is worth it.

Fair.

I absolutely would not classify that production as a failed pick. I would not be upset with Bain...

I will say though that my personal goal is to get All Pro level ability out of a top 10 pick IF POSSIBLE. That's not to say that if a player doesn't make an All Pro in their careers, that it's a failed pick, just that I tend to lean toward getting someone i'm confident can even get there. Jayden is an example of that. He's got the juice, he may never get there because of multiple factors, but he's got the goods. If the juice is on the board, I would hope we take it.

 

[KDawg]

Fair.

I absolutely would not classify that production as a failed pick. I would not be upset with Bain...

I will say though that my personal goal is to get All Pro level ability out of a top 10 pick IF POSSIBLE. That's not to say that if a player doesn't make an All Pro in their careers, that it's a failed pick, just that I tend to lean toward getting someone i'm confident can even get there. Jayden is an example of that. He's got the juice, he may never get there because of multiple factors, but he's got the goods. If the juice is on the board, I would hope we take it.

I agree. But I think where teams make mistakes is they swing for the all ceiling no floor picks and it kills them if they don’t pan out. Whereas if it does it sets them up for a long time.

But I think floor is important in these conversations, personally.

I love taking high ceiling high floor guys over elite ceiling no floor guys.

It is definitely safer. But to me a guy with a high ceiling and high floor is probably actually the BPA if you’re basing the eval on what they’ve actually done on the field.

 

[KDawg]

By the way… I realize I’m beating a dead horse here but if we don’t get Tunsil taken care of #7 may need to be an OT.

Reason I bring it up is we are all kind of acting with the assumption we get Tunsil done and getting our hopes up for various prospects.

OT may be a necessity if we flub this. Just keep that in the back of the mind.

I think it gets done too, for what it’s worth. Just want to make sure everyone has some mental preparation if it doesn’t.

 

[DWinzit]

By the way… I realize I’m beating a dead horse here but if we don’t get Tunsil taken care of #7 may need to be an OT.

Reason I bring it up is we are all kind of acting with the assumption we get Tunsil done and getting our hopes up for various prospects.

OT may be a necessity if we flub this. Just keep that in the back of the mind.

I think it gets done too, for what it’s worth. Just want to make sure everyone has some mental preparation if it doesn’t.

You are not really beating a dead horse, you are correct.

Last year I kept making similar statements about Terry and just continued receiving responses of "oh that's a no brainer", "he is a Commander" blah blah. At leastt you aren't receiving those responses as Terry was a wake up call. Hopefully Tunsil representing himself turns out to be plus but that could also make the negotiations more difficulty. It will depend on how sold he is on Blough, DQ, Jayden and where he thinks the team is headed.

 

[skinsinparadise]

By the way… I realize I’m beating a dead horse here but if we don’t get Tunsil taken care of #7 may need to be an OT.

Reason I bring it up is we are all kind of acting with the assumption we get Tunsil done and getting our hopes up for various prospects.

OT may be a necessity if we flub this. Just keep that in the back of the mind.

I think it gets done too, for what it’s worth. Just want to make sure everyone has some mental preparation if it doesn’t.

Tunsil is under contract, worst case he plays disgruntled next season and leaves in 2027.

As Keim likes to say this likely isn't apples to apples with Terry.

As Keim doubled down on recently, the issue with the Terry contract is this team judged Terry's market value to be similar to name that 30 plus year old really good WR. And Terry (IMO obnoxiously) wanted a tax payment in essence for playing for this team during the Snyder era and wanted this team to make an exception that he would be different than name that 30 plus year old WR.

In short, according to Keim's take (I assume sources) this team sees Tunsil as top of the market LT and will pay him accordingly. But they disagreed with Terry and his agent that he deserved a special tax bonus for playing for the previous regimes.

 

[skinsinparadise]

You are not really beating a dead horse, you are correct.

Last year I kept making similar statements about Terry and just continued receiving responses of "oh that's a no brainer", "he is a Commander" blah blah. At leastt you aren't receiving those responses as Terry was a wake up call. Hopefully Tunsil representing himself turns out to be plus but that could also make the negotiations more difficulty. It will depend on how sold he is on Blough, DQ, Jayden and where he thinks the team is headed.

I think it is a dead horse, if I am betting on Keim. I think there is a better shot that I am drafted at 7 than they take a LT like Proctor or whomever.

Keim rarely fails with this stuff. Will see. But I've gotten zero indication from any insider this is even remotely on the table so far.

The thing with Terry is as Keim also mentioned, his agent was over the top some the previous time too but Dan asked the FO to cave because he didn't want bad PR at the time.

 

[DWinzit]

Bring Haulcy to Washington, Jake!

If we only had our second rounder still, he is a baller! He is very versatile and a great fit for the most part.

I see questions about him when in man coverage. They have to do with his speed and change of direction abilities in space.

Is that accurate or has he improved in that aspect by chance?

 

[skinsinparadise]

I found more things online to watch these WRs and am about to get more much more obnoxious about these WRs now that I can see more.

Over time, going though players I liked over the years and didn't like -- WR has been my best spot, S probably #2, then RB then TE. Though my worst miss last year was safety -- and that dude killed it with Seattle. I wasn't sure of his instincts and boy was I wrong about that.

Edge I've been the most hit and miss, and I am trying to think of lol where I've gone wrong on them. So I am cautious about pushing an edge too much. Hence with for example Bain, I am just unsure, so if I am unsure I'll land on unsure. I am afraid to take a stand on players I don't feel totally comfortable about predicting.

 

[KDawg]

Tunsil is under contract, worst case he plays disgruntled next season and leaves in 2027.

As Keim likes to say this likely isn't apples to apples with Terry.

As Keim doubled down on recently, the issue with the Terry contract is this team judged Terry's market value to be similar to name that 30 plus year old really good WR. And Terry (IMO obnoxiously) wanted a tax payment in essence for playing for this team during the Snyder era and wanted this team to make an exception that he would be different than name that 30 plus year old WR.

In short, according to Keim's take (I assume sources) this team sees Tunsil as top of the market LT and will pay him accordingly. But they disagreed with Terry and his agent that he deserved a special tax bonus for playing for the previous regimes.

Tunsil doesn’t have to show up. He can take a fine or wait until the end of camp. That hurts us, too. Being under contract doesn’t make a difference.

He’s under contract THIS season. 27 is a void year.

He can also show up and get “injured”. We aren’t in position to rely on a disgruntled player.

Not with Jayden.

Not now.

We have to get something done with him.