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

[Dlts20]

Premium position. Goes back to what I posted earlier the contract Pierce got compared to Walker who is a much better player. We may never pick this high again anytime soon and we don't know if Terry or Aiyuk will be back next year.

 

[Kalu44]

I’m all in on Styles, even if Love/Tate/Downs are there. I know we need to provide JD5 with weapons, but he did just fine in his rookie year with the lack of weapons he had. It was the defense that blew it for them that year. Tate is good, but not in the elite WR category.

If Styles is added, I think the front 7 would be top 10 in the league. I think he will be a great LB for the next 10+ years. He tests off the charts and is still learning. With a much improved defense, JD5 would not need to be Superman and be pressured to put up 30 pts each week. Sometimes the best offense is a good defense. Getting back to Love…the shelf life of a RB is not nearly as long as a LB, so I’m investing my eggs in the player who should have the longer career. Speaking of having a long career, Downs worries me with the potential for chronic injuries, so I’d pass on him unfortunately.

In any event, free agency worked out in a way that left two big holes at WR and RB, so my dream of adding Styles won’t become reality anyway.

 

[Dlts20]

I’m all in on Styles, even if Love/Tate/Downs are there. I know we need to provide JD5 with weapons, but he did just fine in his rookie year with the lack of weapons he had. It was the defense that blew it for them that year. Tate is good, but not in the elite WR category.

If Styles is added, I think the front 7 would be top 10 in the league. I think he will be a great LB for the next 10+ years. He tests off the charts and is still learning. With a much improved defense, JD5 would not need to be Superman and be pressured to put up 30 pts each week. Sometimes the best offense is a good defense. Getting back to Love…the shelf life of a RB is not nearly as long as a LB, so I’m investing my eggs in the player who should have the longer career. Speaking of having a long career, Downs worries me with the potential for chronic injuries, so I’d pass on him unfortunately.

In any event, free agency worked out in a way that left two big holes at WR and RB, so my dream of adding Styles won’t become reality anyway.

You still want him even though we have Chenal, Luvu, and Magee?

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

There are just good arguments for Tate, Love or Styles. This is so crazy. Love is a game changer, probably the best player of the 3. I had brought up the cost of a free agent WR when compared to a back, safety or linebacker and it just makes sense to draft your good receiver as that's pretty much the only way to acquire one without a serious overpay. But Styles could anchor a defense the way great linebackers can anchor a defense and if you can get a guy like that you have to pull the trigger.

I honestly can't decide and I've got a month to stew over this.

 

[skinsinparadise]

I paid a lot of attention to Croskey-Merritt because this team was linked to him, so I dove in. The idea that he only played one game was a big part of the narrative for his fall in the draft but the other part was the mystery about whether he can catch the ball. It was a narrative, too.

In today's NFL, its important. It's like being a good pass rusher who can't stop the run -- unless you are elite at pass rushing, you are likely going to be a rotational player versus the edges who can do it all. Same idea with running back.

 

[skinsinparadise]

There are just good arguments for Tate, Love or Styles. This is so crazy. Love is a game changer, probably the best player of the 3. I had brought up the cost of a free agent WR when compared to a back, safety or linebacker and it just makes sense to draft your good receiver as that's pretty much the only way to acquire one without a serious overpay. But Styles could anchor a defense the way great linebackers can anchor a defense and if you can get a guy like that you have to pull the trigger.

I honestly can't decide and I've got a month to stew over this.

Of those three, I wouldn't stew too much, I think one if we are lucky will fall to 7, mostly likely Tate. I doubt it will be a choice between those three at 7. I'd be surprised if 2 out of the three are there. And there is a chance all three might be gone.

For me if by wild happenstance all three are there:

1. Love
2. Styles
3. Tate

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

Of those three, I wouldn't stew too much, I think one if we are lucky will fall to 7, mostly likely Tate. I doubt it will be a choice between those three at 7. I'd be surprised if 2 out of the three are there. And there is a chance all three might be gone.

For me if by wild happenstance all three are there:

1. Love
2. Styles
3. Tate

I think I reverse Styles and Tate.

But I also think that might depend on what else they do at WR. They NEED another WR. Is Love a luxury and Tate a need?

I am not a 100% BPA guy, because I think position value and need always facto in in some way. You don't want to reach, but you also can't have gaping holes on your roster. It's tricky.

If they go into the draft with the WR room they have now, then I think they have to take Tate. Even though I prefer Love.

If they sign Jennings, then they can do whatever they want.

If they sign Deebo, then ... it's a REALLY tough call. In a 2 WR set, you'd likely have
WR1: McLaurin
WR2: Deebo? Or Burks/DBrown/Jefferson?
TE: Chig
TE: Bates/Sinnott
RB: Love

In a 3 WR set:
WR1: McLaurin
WR2: (outside) Burks/DBrown/Jefferson
WR3: (slot) Deebo
TE: Chig
RB: White

Is that better than
WR1: McLaurin
WR2: Tate
TE: Chig
TE: Bates/Sinnott
RB: White

In a 3 WR set:
WR1: McLaurin
WR2: (outside) Tate
WR3: (slot) Deebo
TE: Chig
RB: White

I dunno. Tough call. Love is probably the best of the bunch of them, but the hole you create at outside WR is also massive.

If they sign Aiyuk, I dunno, no idea what that really means.

 

[ES1974]

I paid a lot of attention to Croskey-Merritt because this team was linked to him, so I dove in. The idea that he only played one game was a big part of the narrative for his fall in the draft but the other part was the mystery about whether he can catch the ball. It was a narrative, too.

In today's NFL, its important. It's like being a good pass rusher who can't stop the run -- unless you are elite at pass rushing, you are likely going to be a rotational player versus the edges who can do it all. Same idea with running back.

Yep, one dimensional players have to excel to the highest level at that one skill in order to gloss over the other shortfalls.

 

[Kalu44]

You still want him even though we have Chenal, Luvu, and Magee?

Yes. Magee is still ascending, but we don’t know 100% what we have with him just yet. Luvu had a down year, but many think that was scheme related. I’m very high on Chenal. I’m fine with rotating Luvu and Magee in 3-4 sets, assuming Styles wins the starting job. I just think Styles is going to be a special player. You tend to make room for those types on your roster. I doubt they take him if he is there. I was just stating my preference.

 

[DWinzit]

Yes. Magee is still ascending, but we don’t know 100% what we have with him just yet. Luvu had a down year, but many think that was scheme related. I’m very high on Chenal. I’m fine with rotating Luvu and Magee in 3-4 sets, assuming Styles wins the starting job. I just think Styles is going to be a special player. You tend to make room for those types on your roster. I doubt they take him if he is there. I was just stating my preference.

That's pretty fair, also need Magee to stay healthy.

Both Magee and Chenal are good players that can complement each other moving forward.

Styles is in a league of his own with potential compared to those two and Luvu.

 

[Dlts20]

Yes. Magee is still ascending, but we don’t know 100% what we have with him just yet. Luvu had a down year, but many think that was scheme related. I’m very high on Chenal. I’m fine with rotating Luvu and Magee in 3-4 sets, assuming Styles wins the starting job. I just think Styles is going to be a special player. You tend to make room for those types on your roster. I doubt they take him if he is there. I was just stating my preference.

No way that Luvu will be cool with riding the bench. If it's a 3-4, none of those guys are playing the edge with the other signings we've made. That means 2 inside backers and we already have 3. I feel like Magee deserves to play and Luvu has had a stellar career until last season. I just think that it's going to cause a lot of tension unless we play the 4-3 as our base, which I keep saying is very possible but everyone assumes iirz going to be a 3-4. If we draft Styles then I see a lot of 4-3 imo

 

[clskinsfan]

RB room is set. My wag is WR or Corner in the first now. And that makes a ton of sense on positional value.

 

[Kalu44]

No way that Luvu will be cool with riding the bench. If it's a 3-4, none of those guys are playing the edge with the other signings we've made. That means 2 inside backers and we already have 3. I feel like Magee deserves to play and Luvu has had a stellar career until last season. I just think that it's going to cause a lot of tension unless we play the 4-3 as our base, which I keep saying is very possible but everyone assumes iirz going to be a 3-4. If we draft Styles then I see a lot of 4-3 imo

I hear you, but Magee can get hurt again or Luvu might not bounce back from his bad year. I just think Styles is head and shoulders above either talent wise. Is it an immediate need, no.

 

[Kalu44]

RB room is set. My wag is WR or Corner in the first now. And that makes a ton of sense on positional value.

So drafting for need then over BPA? It’s amazing when need/BPA are one in the same player. I don’t think Tate or the other WRs will be BPA at #7. I could be wrong, if no lineman are taken 2-6.

 

[KDawg]

I don’t think any position is set.

 

[Bulldog]

I don’t think any position is set.

Agree. We have a month to go until the draft and other teams moves now are going to impact what they want to do in April.

If Crosby gets traded that might affect things depending upon where those picks come in the draft back as compensation.

If the Vikings are signing Kyler Murray could it be that JJ McCarthy might be on the move at some point?

 

[skinsinparadise]

I know some would say, what does Steve Smith know about WRs? But for those who are interested its a quick-good listen

 

[skinsinparadise]

I think I reverse Styles and Tate.

But I also think that might depend on what else they do at WR. They NEED another WR. Is Love a luxury and Tate a need?

I am not a 100% BPA guy, because I think position value and need always facto in in some way. You don't want to reach, but you also can't have gaping holes on your roster. It's tricky.

If they go into the draft with the WR room they have now, then I think they have to take Tate. Even though I prefer Love.

If they sign Jennings, then they can do whatever they want.

If they sign Deebo, then ... it's a REALLY tough call. In a 2 WR set, you'd likely have
WR1: McLaurin
WR2: Deebo? Or Burks/DBrown/Jefferson?
TE: Chig
TE: Bates/Sinnott
RB: Love

In a 3 WR set:
WR1: McLaurin
WR2: (outside) Burks/DBrown/Jefferson
WR3: (slot) Deebo
TE: Chig
RB: White

Is that better than
WR1: McLaurin
WR2: Tate
TE: Chig
TE: Bates/Sinnott
RB: White

In a 3 WR set:
WR1: McLaurin
WR2: (outside) Tate
WR3: (slot) Deebo
TE: Chig
RB: White

I dunno. Tough call. Love is probably the best of the bunch of them, but the hole you create at outside WR is also massive.

If they sign Aiyuk, I dunno, no idea what that really means.

I've probably pushed Tate more than anyone here, I am borderline a cheerleader for him. So I'd be stoked. But Styles to me is so unusually freakish that its tough for me to ignore -- also supposedly super smart with high intangibles, too.

 

[skinsinparadise]

 

[clskinsfan]

So drafting for need then over BPA? It’s amazing when need/BPA are one in the same player. I don’t think Tate or the other WRs will be BPA at #7. I could be wrong, if no lineman are taken 2-6.

The whole BPA thing is bull imo. If teams drafted BPA people like Mendoza would not be the first pick in the draft. Positional value and the ability to lock down an expensive position for 5 years at an affordable price definitely plays a major part in peoples draft boards.