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

[skinsinparadise]

My first choice is Caleb Down, the safest pick for a great player on defense. Next is Bain, I'm not going to lose my shit over 1" in arm length, he makes plays. Next is Bailey although his run defense is a huge concern, especially for this team. I don't think Reece is even worth mentioning because I believe he will be off the board.

Feeling like Reese might be on the board at 7, starting to see it a little more recently in mocks, and McShay hit the point in a recent podcast that talking to some NFL teams he's under the impression that Reese might not go as high as some think. I know Reese is the draft media's favorite. But I am getting at least a little indication that the NFL might not be as smitten by Reese as the media. Almost every draft there are some players that the draft media love more or love less than scouts, do.

It's a bit early to land the plane one way or another on Reese but have seen enough crumbs on this to start to think Reese indeed could be in play at 7.

 

[ClaretSkins]

Not seeing much discussion about a small trade down (or even two) on here. Is that because people feel there won't be trade down offers, that there is a big drop off in talent, or because of our history of that strategy not working out well for us?

We have a lot of holes to fill, are missing picks, and have a GM who wants to build through the draft, so it feels to me like it might be in play for the team if the player they covet goes early? I just wondered what those who have studied players in the draft feel the talent level is like from 9-20 if we did decide to move back?

 

[The Brotherhood]

Not seeing much discussion about a small trade down (or even two) on here. Is that because people feel there won't be trade down offers, that there is a big drop off in talent, or because of our history of that strategy not working out well for us?

We have a lot of holes to fill, are missing picks, and have a GM who wants to build through the draft, so it feels to me like it might be in play for the team if the player they covet goes early? I just wondered what those who have studied players in the draft feel the talent level is like from 9-20 if we did decide to move back?

Good questions. My thoughts are that it's a more "open" top 10 than usual and it may just be too tempting having the 7 pick and not using it on a top tier prospect if they're there for us - and free agency comes into play as well, depending on how much we do there with positions of need.

I haven't studied it but some feel there's a drop off around 10 or so. Personally I hope AP utilizes the pick at 7 for some young talent but

 

[The Brotherhood]

Good questions. My thoughts are that it's a more "open" top 10 than usual and it may just be too tempting having the 7 pick and not using it on a top tier prospect if they're there for us - and free agency comes into play as well, depending on how much we do there with positions of need.

I haven't studied it but some feel there's a drop off around 10 or so. Personally I hope AP utilizes the pick at 7 for some young talent but

....... it also makes sense to trade back for more picks.
I've also been pondering this - also interested to hear what others predict on it

 

[burgold]

It really boils down to whether Quinn and Peters think their choice at 7 will wind up elite or not. If they think the answer is "yes" then make the pick. An elite player is worth more than two good/average players especially for this team. Other than Daniels, we have no players who cause opposing coordinators headaches.

Even Terry at his best only tests a defense. He doesn't stress a defense or cause its coordinators to lose sleep. I think Lane and Bill have some potential to scare defensive coordinators but that's unrealized potential at this point and who knows if they'll ever realize it.

 

[The Brotherhood]

It really boils down to whether Quinn and Peters think their choice at 7 will wind up elite or not. If they think the answer is "yes" then make the pick. An elite player is worth more than two good/average players especially for this team. Other than Daniels, we have no players who cause opposing coordinators headaches.

Even Terry at his best only tests a defense. He doesn't stress a defense or cause its coordinators to lose sleep. I think Lane and Bill have some potential to scare defensive coordinators but that's unrealized potential at this point and who knows if they'll ever realize it.

Yeah when you put it like this, general concensus seems to be there's only a slim chance there's one of those elite at 7. Trade back could easily be what happens here.

 

[Always Commander Never Captain]

I think based on amount of higher quality talent in this draft, the team only entertains a trade back if say both OT's and a WR they like less go ahead of them. Which pushes more talent they do like down and available a few spots below.

 

[Conn]

Yeah when you put it like this, general concensus seems to be there's only a slim chance there's one of those elite at 7. Trade back could easily be what happens here.

I think we’re pretty much guaranteed to be looking at an elite prospect at 7. The question is whether enough OL/QB types go before then to mean that there’s multiple elite prospects still on the board, which might (might!) encourage a small trade-back if the right offer is on the table.

 

[Higskin]

I think we’re pretty much guaranteed to be looking at an elite prospect at 7. The question is whether enough OL/QB types go before then to mean that there’s multiple elite prospects still on the board, which might (might!) encourage a small trade-back if the right offer is on the table.

It would be ideal if we could get New Orleans (#8) or KC (#9) competing for Love at 7.

 

[SkinsFTW]

It would be ideal if we could get New Orleans (#8) or KC (#9) competing for Love at 7.

I don't know why they think this, but I heard on one seriusxm show a guy saying that KC might want to trade up for him.

I'd guess that is total speculation since I'd guess that a RB wouldn't be seen as that important to trade up for.

Anyway, take KCs 3rd and maybe more for that.

 

[method man]

I don't know why they think this, but I heard on one seriusxm show a guy saying that KC might want to trade up for him.

I'd guess that is total speculation since I'd guess that a RB wouldn't be seen as that important to trade up for.

Anyway, take KCs 3rd and maybe more for that.

I don't think we get KC's 3rd. As a comp, in the 2023 draft, the Eagles traded a 4th to move up a slot for Jalen Carter who was a much better prospect

 

[Ashburn Dave]

Feeling like Reese might be on the board at 7, starting to see it a little more recently in mocks, and McShay hit the point in a recent podcast that talking to some NFL teams he's under the impression that Reese might not go as high as some think. I know Reese is the draft media's favorite. But I am getting at least a little indication that the NFL might not be as smitten by Reese as the media. Almost every draft there are some players that the draft media love more or love less than scouts, do.

It's a bit early to land the plane one way or another on Reese but have seen enough crumbs on this to start to think Reese indeed could be in play at 7.

Reese available at 7 is something new. Most of the mocks have him going at 2.

 

[Canuck]

IMO, the only elite talents in this draft are Downs and Love, if either are availbale at 7 you take them, otherwise, put all effort into a trade down, the difference/drop off in prospects at positions of need is not that large. Will Bain be a much better pro that say, Howell or TJ Parker?

 

[KDawg]

It would be ideal if we could get New Orleans (#8) or KC (#9) competing for Love at 7.

I’m not sure passing on Love is a great idea unless the haul is overwhelming.

7->9 isn’t awful and we’d still be able to get a solid prospect. But there’s a chance Bain, Bailey, Love, Styles, Downs are off the board. Might leave us Reese.

8 might leave Styles. I think NO might be going there. But I’m not sure NO is going after RB, either.

This is the kind of trade down I support, though. Very short drop. Add more depth to class. But I’m still not sold on the trade down idea. Not against it either. Still processing.

 

[KDawg]

IMO, the only elite talents in this draft are Downs and Love, if either are availbale at 7 you take them, otherwise, put all effort into a trade down, the difference/drop off in prospects at positions of need is not that large. Will Bain be a much better pro that say, Howell or TJ Parker?

My opinion? Absolutely. But it’s just an opinion. I think Bain is blue chip blue chip.

 

[Canuck]

My opinion? Absolutely. But it’s just an opinion. I think Bain is blue chip blue chip.

Appreciate your take, I know you do your research, I just don't see Bain being an elite pass rusher.

 

[KDawg]

Appreciate your take, I know you do your research, I just don't see Bain being an elite pass rusher.

I actually love this discussion.

What do we consider elite as a pass rusher? 15+ sacks/season? If so; I agree. He probably won’t average that.

But I think he could be a 10 sack guy + a high end run defender.

If 15+ sack guys are the definition of a top edge, what kind of run defense are you looking for? Or is it only a pass rush concern?

 

[Canuck]

I don't think that there is 15+ guy in this draft.

IMO, Bain is at best great v run, avg v pass, I see him as 5-7 sack guy. There is value with that, but if you can trade down, and recoup picks you do that, if possible.

 

[KDawg]

I don't think that there is 15+ guy in this draft.

IMO, Bain is at best great v run, avg v pass, I see him as 5-7 sack guy. There is value with that, but if you can trade down, and recoup picks you do that, if possible.

Hey fair assessment! Thanks!

 

[skinsinparadise]

Reese available at 7 is something new. Most of the mocks have him going at 2.

I look at every mock under the sun, so yeah I know he's been often at 2. I saw him at 7 in a recent PFF mock and then another one recently. Then you got McShay saying recently talking to executives Reese might fall be cause FOs' don't alway love taking projection players.

Logan Paulsen isn't the be all and end all, but he said in a recent podcast after studying him, he doesn't think he is a top 10 player.

I haven't watched him yet. so you got me. I noticed ESPN today asked scouts, and 5 of them had Reese as the top player in the draft.

Certainly more info right now indicating Reese going before 7. but it doesn't feel slam dunk just yet. A lot of draft gossip usually seeps out during the combine.