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

[Voice_of_Reason]

He's like @Voice_of_Reason's guy Ryan Grant if was good. Joking.

That’s the guy whose name u couldn’t remember in a post yesterday and didn’t look it up.

Maybe I blocked him from my memory.

I still remember, the Ravens signed him, there was some outrage, and I think they found a reason to undo the signing.

But Jay kept telling me he could replace Pierre Garcon. If Jay would have just kept his damn mouth shut, he would have served himself better.

“I’ve got Ryan Grant and I’m ready to go” or some such idiotic nonesense is what spewed from his dumbass mouth.

 

[KDawg]

Watching a lot of Denzel Boston this weekend. It feels like a hipster position by some that he's up there with the top 3 Wrs -- and I hate having hipster takes. But I am on board that train in a big way. He IMO is in that top tier category -- unless he runs something bad in the combine.

He's such a physical player, as a blocker and with contested catches. Even though he's not a big YAC guy, he's decent, he runs hard, he just doesn't have a lot of wiggle in open space.

He played so much X, I wonder if it would take some time to adjust to Z albiet he played some Z.

Really good with possession type throws, comebacks, slants, shallow crossers. And ditto in the red zone including with fades.

Had moments as a punt returner and while I don't think he should major in that, he can at least do it in the pros as a backup in case Lane gets injured, etc.

He's not this smooth deep ball seperator like Tate. He has some moments on that front but defenders are draped on him often on that count.

But he's almost like a TE, making catches at the seam, with CBs draped on him, seperating well in tight space in the red zone.

He doesn't IMO have the body control of Tate but is more physical at the catch point.

He comes off like a smart-aware player especially versus zone and in the red zone.

Really fun to watch him run block. Tate is a get in front of you run blocker and he finds his man. Boston is better IMO at it, more physical, more attitude, charges deep down the field at times blocking. He also seels his routes well when he isn't getting the ball. I didn't pay super attention to his releases, I'll rewatch for it.

Well I am clamoring for a bigger seperator, Boston IMO seperates enough underneath that I can take it. Especially with Ertz gone, a reliable weapon on the 2nd level and in the end zone would be welcome.

I've comp'd him to Drake London before, I think he's a different twist from London but is a similar flavor. Tate to me is more Devonte Admas-Smith. I'd slightly favor Tate over Boston. But Boston I think has leapfrogged Tyson for me. And I do love Lemon, but I value outside WRs over slots.

Love me some Denzel Boston.

 

[philibusters]

I watched Harold Perkins Jr. against Oklahoma. He’s an intriguing athlete, but I don’t think he’s a fit for the Commanders. To me, he’s similar to Kain Medrano both in the role he played in college (primarily overhang) and in overall caliber (late Day 3 type). For the right team, he could be a fun sixth- or seventh-round flier.

Pass Rush / Spy: He blitzed off the edge a handful of times. Each time he was picked up. If he doesn’t come through unblocked, he’s probably not getting home. He’s not particularly physical and isn’t going through anyone. There’s no real power element to his rush. They used him as a spy roughly ten times. That’s where he was more effective. He’s very athletic — both fast and fluid — and when he triggers downhill, he closes quickly. As a spy, he’s useful because he’ll be more athletic than most quarterbacks. Against non-elite rushing QBs, that role works for him.

Run Defense: He’s actually decent at scraping in the box. If he stays clean, he can scrape over a gap or two and make a play. The problem is what happens when someone gets hands on him. If an offensive lineman, tight end, or even a running back gets into him, he’s probably not disengaging. There’s no real punch. Against pullers, his best counter is to try to avoid them with quickness rather than take them on physically. There isn’t much pop in his tackling either — runners tend to fall forward through contact. He has real sideline-to-sideline speed and good change of direction. He’s generally disciplined with his gap fits. But the lack of physicality is a major issue. He also can’t set an edge. On a couple snaps where he was aligned as an overhang and had to set the edge on a tight end, the edge was soft.

Pass Defense: He did have an interception off a deflection that he returned to the four-yard line. It was more of a fortunate play — he wasn’t in tight coverage and the ball was tipped at the line — but he finished it and looked explosive on the return. Otherwise, the coverage was uneven. In man coverage, he got beaten twice — once on a switch release (which is tricky), and once on a double move. There was also a blown coverage on an inverted Cover 2 look where he likely misplayed it (though it’s possible the corner was responsible). He mostly played hook/curl or flat in zone. He’s not particularly instinctive. He’s a little better than someone just covering grass, but he lacks awareness of what’s developing behind him — like dig routes entering his zone. His speed gives him some recovery ability against tight ends, which helps.

Overall: He’s a small 6'1", 220-pound linebacker who likely projects as a good special teamer and maybe, over time, could develop into a Will linebacker. Some fanbases will get excited about the athletic traits, but he’s a project. Right now, he looks more like a depth player with special teams value than someone you build a defense around.

Heres roughly the first third of the video I watched...

 

[skinsinparadise]

Just saw this. McShay is one of my favorites in the draft media him saying this makes me feel even better about Boston

 

[skinsinparadise]

So Giants, taking Caleb. Nagy the best play caller ever, and apparently headed to the SB?

Judging by twitter and mock drafts Giants going Tate or Downs

 

[skinsinparadise]

KC Concepcion. Overall, I like him but more of a #2 or strong #3 than 1. But he's a complementary weapon to a good #1 IMO. Sort of a quicker and less physical Luther Burden-Deebo. Can run more of a route tree than Deebo though.

Hands are befuddiling because he seems sure handed with difficult punts, and can make some acrobatic catches yet overall his hands are inconsistent. But just a pure playmaker with the ball in his hands he's electric -- special on that front -- for that reason alone he will be a good pro IMO, the skill jumps out too much. High floor for that reason. If he can work on his hands with a jug machine or whatever he has the potential to be very good -- again because for a dude with some bad drops he also has some amazing catches, too.

He's a dude in a big spot in a game where I'd trust him big time as to making a YAC driven play, shallow cross, jet sweep, etc -- but not the dude I'd throw the ball in the end zone to or against a ball hawk CB. So to me there is a lot of varainace with his play but more good than bad. He's kind of like the YAC version of Darius Slayton -- dangerous player but consistenly inconsistent. To his credit though, teams would have to game plan for him. He's inconsistent but dangerous.

I don't think he's the WR I'd want for this team because IMO I don't see a #1 type with him -- he's more of a complementary player IMO then a featured one. I'll say though if he were in Washington, him and Lane would be the best punt return duo in the NFL. Lane is a very good punt returner but Concepcion IMO is even better.


Pros
Elite YAC player, he accelerates so fast after catching the ball, elusive, too, he's going to make some big plays on that count in the NFL

Good seperator. some nice double moves, can decelerate when needed

Shallow crosses and digs and screens -- he can catch them and take off from them

dangerous on handoffs and sweeps surprised they didn't do more of them

Is a feisty seperator in the end zone, can make some plays in the end zone. and again makes some good catches but also some bad drops/


Cons:
for a deep threat in theory, he isn't that great at tracking the ball but in his defense his QB didn't put much air under the deep throws. Part of the reason why I dig Tate is there is a skill to deep ball tracking and he has it big time -- not sure that Concepion does.

Mostly teams played off coverage against him so tough to tell how good his releases are

drops, can be a body catcher at times albiet makes some incredible catches so the inconsistency is befuddiling

 

[skinsinparadise]

Concepcion and Tate are like mirror opposites of skill sets.

Tate -- so sure handed, so good at tracking the ball, good run blocker, meh as to YAC

Concepion -- inconsistent hands, so so tracking the ball, electric YAC player, meh run blocker

Watching some more Tate right now. He has maybe the softest hands as a WR I've ever seen. I wish he was more of a YAC guy and three level type WR. But his ball tracking ability IMO is elite -- Desean Jackson level and his hands are glue.

Weakness is he's not physical at the catch point or with the ball in his hands albiet his contested catch score is actually really good from PFF and is a decent run blocker.

 

[DWinzit]

I still like Boston a lot in a trade down scenario. I see him being a legit WR2 with Terry and JD loving the bigger, stronger, real able handed receiver we lacked.

 

[skinsinparadise]

I still like Boston a lot in a trade down scenario. I see him being a legit WR2 with Terry and JD loving the bigger, stronger, real able handed receiver we lacked.

Sort of like months back when some said trade down for Bailey because he was 10-20 in mocks, I said it wouldn't surprise me if he's top 10 and not a trade down candidate -- am starting to feel that way about Boston if he runs lets say in the low 4.5s.

He's IMO high floor. He's not the seperator Tate is on the deep ball. But he's a menace on the first-2nd level and everywhere in between the numbers, at the seam, outside the numbers, in the red zone. Great hands, strong at the catch point, maybe the best run blocker in this class among WRs.

I can easily see this team digging Boston. When you talk about complementing Terry, Boston might be the best on that count as to his skill set basically both complementing Terry and filling the gap lost with Ertz.

 

[skinsinparadise]

If Ron was making the pick and targeting WR, I think Concepcion would be his guy. It would so fit him.

Take the dynamic WR -- ignore the flaws, look funky and cool by going "outside the box" and taking him top 10 when so many have him slated 20-30.

IMO Concepcion's range in mocks feels right to me. Boston IMO mock drafters are sleeping on.

 

[Riggo44]

I agree with most of your post, but I literally couldn’t care less what any reporter or analyst ranks anything. Some of it is interesting information.

Most of it useless clickbait.

Almost none of it is well informed.

You mean we shouldn't take JoeA_NFL seriously? Oh good. 🤣

 

[DWinzit]

Sort of like months back when some said trade down for Bailey because he was 10-20 in mocks, I said it wouldn't surprise me if he's top 10 and not a trade down candidate -- am starting to feel that way about Boston if he runs lets say in the low 4.5s.

He's IMO high floor. He's not the seperator Tate is on the deep ball. But he's a menace on the first-2nd level and everywhere in between the numbers, at the seam, outside the numbers, in the red zone. Great hands, strong at the catch point, maybe the best run blocker in this class among WRs.

I can easily see this team digging Boston. When you talk about complementing Terry, Boston might be the best on that count as to his skill set basically both complementing Terry and filling the gap lost with Ertz.

The potential first round WR's are an interesting lot with no one standing out. There has been that top 3 group with Boston lagging a little behind. If Tyson didn't have medical flags I see him as a clerk cut #1. My second favorite has been Boston for us all year. He would be my #1 WR target but 7 is too rich. Honestly I feel 7 is too rich for any of the group.

 

[skinsinparadise]

I think with this type of stuff the media-fan perception, etc. lol, I think Conn if I had to pick someone here gets my drift. I get how to hit back on that point and I've had plenty do it for the last 15 years or so but those hit back responses haven't aged well. Although, I do think we are legit getting out of the wilderness so all those old debates will finally become irrelevant. But will see.

Along with all the Snyder craziness and the losing over decades -- it does bother me that this team perception wise isn't considered a winner or cool or interesting so to speak. I've talked about this often from the framework of my kids, working on them becoming fans of this team not living in Washington. For example, I know some Washington fans who don't even bother and just by osmosis let their kids root for other NFL teams including one of my closer family members.

I know the cool response is to say who cares how cool the team is considered or whether other fan bases find this team interesting or not. But lol, bringing it back to my kids. In 2024, I got one of my disinterested in sports kids to actually get excited about this team for the first time in their lifetime. That was fun for me and I took them to multiple games. And my son was into it and was an easy sell for a change. Last year my son checked out and said he can care less about the Commanders. And when we were giving clothes away to charity he dumped almost every Commanders shirts including the Jayden stuff. And lol, that was painful for me to hear considering how much time I've invested and how many games I've taken them to.

So yeah maybe this team isn't sexy and fun with the national media this off season. And we don't get the prime time games. And we read articles that its the Bears and not Washington should be signing Trey Hendrickson because the Bears are true contenders. And heck Jayden maybe isn't it. And we are 20 or lower in the power rankings.

And the response is who gives a rats ass? And lol my answer to that is for almost two decades I've gotten that response from other fans on the board saying the perception doesn't match how good this team truly is so let them sleep on us. Let us go below the radar even better! And the problem has been the percpetion too often has been right. But if I can have a dollar for everytime someone told me let the NFL care about other teams let them sleep on this one -- ignore it, we will get the last laugh. Sounds awesome in real time but in the end I rarely did get the last laugh,

Growing up with this team, they were winners. They were considered among the smartest and most consistent winning teams in the NFL. It was my dad who got me into the team eons ago even though I didn't live in DC. I've tried to do the same with my kids and lol have put in ten times the effort that my dad did with me, and its been one heck of a struggle.

And yeah call me crazy but I did enjoy growing up rooting for one of the cool teams. And I've seen even with some of my friends where their kids are Patriot, Ravens Steeler fans that the coolness of the franchise and that includes the perception of them being a winner does matter.

So that's my long winded way of saying while I think the team bounces back next season, I am not going to enjoy the ride of so many counting this team out this off season and relegating back to the uncool class of teams until the season starts. And yes of course I get its just perception BS. But lol I think some people here are lying if they said they didn't enjoy the bonus of not just winning in 2024 but as Todd McShay said before the 2025 draft, welcome to the cool kids table, Washington, finally!!! It's a long off season and being hyped was a blast to me. And I've seen enough posts to know it was a blast for some others, too.

The perception game of fans nationally-national media (having super stars, getting prime time games) and winning typically aren't a mile apart.

Bringing this back on point, I don't think this team can afford a medicore to bad season in 2026. I don't think the average fan are like us who will watch any product no matter what the stakes and what the record is. Harris inherited a mess. And I think two bad seasons in a row would sort of cement this sort of loser pall that's been hovering over this organization. I think most of us here are immune to it because we are used to it and are diehards. But I don't think we are the average fans.

If I had to think of worst teams than this one in recent decades, the Jets would be one of them. Maybe the Browns. Both teams with the reps of QBs go there to die. With that in mind, I don't love the look of people close to Jayden mocking the receiving crew. This team arguably doing much less for Jayden than the other teams have done for the 2024 class QBs.

And the idea of we got the rookie of the year and then year 2 is a big comedown -- isn't some wild we haven't been on this ride before drill. IMO its absolutely imperative that we help Jayden bounce back. lol, its my very long winded way of saying yes it bothers me that some don't think Jayden is the best of that class anymore, yes it bothers me that people close to Jayden are mocking the WR crew, yes it bothers me that Warner says Jayden regressed and the team's response is well yeah but that's on the WRs, and yes it bother me that the Bears especially will give Caleb every weapon under the sun, and we got players off the street and mid round draft picks as supposedly big answers for Jayden. lol, this has to stop.

 

[skinsinparadise]

The potential first round WR's are an interesting lot with no one standing out. There has been that top 3 group with Boston lagging a little behind. If Tyson didn't have medical flags I see him as a clerk cut #1. My second favorite has been Boston for us all year. He would be my #1 WR target but 7 is too rich. Honestly I feel 7 is too rich for any of the group.

I've said this before it feels to me 2023 with the class after Garrett Wilson. You got Olave, Drake London, Jamison Williams. Not quite elite but every good and all so different. I do think post the top 4 there is a noticeable drop off.

Tate: to me he's a rich man's Devonte Smith. Cross between Smith and D. Adams. Why not elite? doesn't make enough ist level catches, isn't a YAC guy.

Boston -- similar to Drake London, but more of an inbetween numbers guy than Drake. I was a big Drake guy. And the more I watch Boston, I do think his ability is similar. I want to see how he runs.

Tyson -- like A Diggs type, a menace on the first-2nd level. Not elite because IMO if that's where you make your living you need to be a YAC guy, too

Lemon -- great slot WR, I don't think he's an outside guy, but a baller who plays bigger than his size. Sort of a cross between Nuka and Kupp?

 

[Chris]

The only thing that is ‘cool’ is winning. The bandwagon effect has been around a really long time and has now been accelerated by the internet, social media, regular media and the like. Humans want, could be said need, to be associated with success or the appearance of it.

Even in this little corner of the world, one that is populated by loyal and committed fans of this franchise, negativity is always peeking right around the corner and waiting to pounce.

When winning- process is given a pass. When losing- every step, every move, every result is colored and cloaked in hyper criticism. I’m just thankful that those same standards are not applied to one’s own life performance or that of their loved ones.

Just win baby and give me a hit of some of that awesome dopamine. If you don’t I am coming for you and I will take no prisoners.

 

[BayouBrave86]

I watched Harold Perkins Jr. against Oklahoma. He’s an intriguing athlete, but I don’t think he’s a fit for the Commanders. To me, he’s similar to Kain Medrano both in the role he played in college (primarily overhang) and in overall caliber (late Day 3 type). For the right team, he could be a fun sixth- or seventh-round flier.

Pass Rush / Spy: He blitzed off the edge a handful of times. Each time he was picked up. If he doesn’t come through unblocked, he’s probably not getting home. He’s not particularly physical and isn’t going through anyone. There’s no real power element to his rush. They used him as a spy roughly ten times. That’s where he was more effective. He’s very athletic — both fast and fluid — and when he triggers downhill, he closes quickly. As a spy, he’s useful because he’ll be more athletic than most quarterbacks. Against non-elite rushing QBs, that role works for him.

Run Defense: He’s actually decent at scraping in the box. If he stays clean, he can scrape over a gap or two and make a play. The problem is what happens when someone gets hands on him. If an offensive lineman, tight end, or even a running back gets into him, he’s probably not disengaging. There’s no real punch. Against pullers, his best counter is to try to avoid them with quickness rather than take them on physically. There isn’t much pop in his tackling either — runners tend to fall forward through contact. He has real sideline-to-sideline speed and good change of direction. He’s generally disciplined with his gap fits. But the lack of physicality is a major issue. He also can’t set an edge. On a couple snaps where he was aligned as an overhang and had to set the edge on a tight end, the edge was soft.

Pass Defense: He did have an interception off a deflection that he returned to the four-yard line. It was more of a fortunate play — he wasn’t in tight coverage and the ball was tipped at the line — but he finished it and looked explosive on the return. Otherwise, the coverage was uneven. In man coverage, he got beaten twice — once on a switch release (which is tricky), and once on a double move. There was also a blown coverage on an inverted Cover 2 look where he likely misplayed it (though it’s possible the corner was responsible). He mostly played hook/curl or flat in zone. He’s not particularly instinctive. He’s a little better than someone just covering grass, but he lacks awareness of what’s developing behind him — like dig routes entering his zone. His speed gives him some recovery ability against tight ends, which helps.

Overall: He’s a small 6'1", 220-pound linebacker who likely projects as a good special teamer and maybe, over time, could develop into a Will linebacker. Some fanbases will get excited about the athletic traits, but he’s a project. Right now, he looks more like a depth player with special teams value than someone you build a defense around.

Heres roughly the first third of the video I watched...

Do not want. You nailed it with the project. And he’s a project that isn’t worth it imo. Great athlete but a detriment to the overall system. Consistently missed assignments and relied on his athletic ability to get by. Don’t see him amounting to much long term. Even when spying he got worked. Pavia put him in a blender for example. Harold had an Incredible freshman year and it’s been nothing but disappointment since. Much like college, I could see him having a great rookie season and then the tape gets out on him and then he’s consistently taken advantage of in schemes. See, I can admit not every LSU player is going to be a good pro haha

 

[BayouBrave86]

So Giants, taking Caleb. Nagy the best play caller ever, and apparently headed to the SB?

Judging by twitter and mock drafts Giants going Tate or Downs

Really hate the Giants being so high on Downs. He is going to be the future defensive QB of the Giants or us for the next decade if he lands at either spot.

 

[skinsinparadise]

The only thing that is ‘cool’ is winning. The bandwagon effect has been around a really long time and has now been accelerated by the internet, social media, regular media and the like. Humans want, could be said need, to be associated with success or the appearance of it.

Even in this little corner of the world, one that is populated by loyal and committed fans of this franchise, negativity is always peeking right around the corner and waiting to pounce.

When winning- process is given a pass. When losing- every step, every move, every result is colored and cloaked in hyper criticism. I’m just thankful that those same standards are not applied to one’s own life performance or that of their loved ones.

Just win baby and give me a hit of some of that awesome dopamine. If you don’t I am coming for you and I will take no prisoners.

Agree and of course.

Some teams can take a season off (see the Chiefs) and the perception is they are bouncing right back. That's not this team, yet. I think they will bounce back

But yeah maybe its more about the perception coming from a parent. I heard Finlay talk about this a couple of years ago, when he takes his kids out he sees others kids at the park but rarely wearing Washington jerseys even though he's in the DMV. And it seemed to bug him.

It bugs me, too. Some say it shouldn't. But there is no right or wrong answers to that. It's whatever floats your boat.

I'd love to see a SB of course and have my kids celebrate that with me -- and yeah it would bug me a little to see one of my kids wear for an example a Lamar Jackson jersey. Maybe it shouldn't. But it would.

I love watching national sports shows and yeah it does add some fun to it for me to see them talk about Washington instead of it being an after thought -- but that's me. It's a long off season and its a bonus (not the operative drill) to having a team that matters nationally.

But the only reason why I doubled down on that point is like everyone here I loved the ride that they went on in 2024. And yes as a bonus I loved the hype that carried into that off season. And yes I do think it matters as to rebuilding the fan base. And yes I do care about that. Maybe I shouldn't. But I do. I loved the sell outs in the 80s and 90s and having a short run as the most valuable franchise in the NFL. And going to games forever, I've seen the changes, the emptier crowds, the other teams fans invading the stadium, etc.

I agree just win baby is everything. But I do want that relevance that might take some time as a bonus. I was listening to a TV sports expert on Sheehan's show talk even after 2024 that Washington wasn't yet a national TV draw and it just takes time for a national audience to buy into a team that they've considered irrelevant for years. I'd love to see this change. Not because I value buzz over winning but because I do like having a little buzz, too.

I like pizza, but add some topping, and it makes it even better for me -- 8 months talking football after a season ends is a long time.

But my whole point was about lets load up Jayden this off season as close to possible as what the Bears did for Caleb. He's the dude who can clearly turn all of this around.

 

[skinsinparadise]

Really hate the Giants being so high on Downs. He is going to be the future defensive QB of the Giants or us for the next decade if he lands at either spot.

I don't love the rumors of either Downs or Tate to them. I gather you would love to see Tate in NY. But for me he's a perfect complement to Nabers and Dart likes to throw deep.

Downs I agree might be even worse for us because arguably its their secondary which has done that team in -- and Tate can help fix that.

 

[36ST21]

Really hate the Giants being so high on Downs. He is going to be the future defensive QB of the Giants or us for the next decade if he lands at either spot.

Harbaugh isn't dumb. Why would he show his hand so openly? How would that benefit him? Ever heard of the rope-a-dope?