The 2026 Draft Thread - Day 2

[skinsinparadise]

With the 2027 draft slated to be really special maybe even historic, I am not trading 2027 picks to draft more in the pedestrian 2026 draft.

 

[skinsinparadise]

I could see it, but I’m not sure it’s guaranteed. Sain doesn’t seem to actually be a fit in the slot, so he and Amos will likely be outside unless they’re giving up on him as a starter, which they aren’t. And they signed an aggressive slot corner. So while we need depth (and while I’d never turn down another talented corner) I also wouldn’t be surprised if we have our top-3 in place when it’s all said and done.

Center or Safety feels much more likely in this class, unless we go Downs in round 1.

If they stick and pick in the early 3rd, the board will likely play itself out organically as to BPA.

Usuallly in the early 3rd, you have a surprise faller.

Peters did a good job in FA but at the same time left two major weaknesses that have to be addressed -- WR and CB.

 

[ES1974]

With the 2027 draft slated to be really special maybe even historic, I am not trading 2027 picks to draft more in the pedestrian 2026 draft.

That’s a good point actually. I agree.

 

[Conn]

I’m kinda struggling with how we will make our picks work when we only have #7 and #71 before the 5th round. Slight trade back from #71 with one of these teams with a boat load of mid rounders could be the way forward.

Otherwise you may go ultra aggressive and use #71 plus a 2027 pick to jump into the mid 2nd for a perceived ‘starter’……

I’d be okay with either of those moves, depending on how the board falls. And who is falling in the 2nd and why.

I could see a scenario where we trade up into the end of a WR tier in the 2nd if we don’t draft Tate, for instance. Especially if we also don’t draft Love and have done little on offense after going D in round one. But like SIP, I don’t want to dip into 2027 capital so options are limited

I could also see a trade back a dozen spots in the 3rd to pick up a 4th or something. Again depending

Keeping disciplined, but being open to being aggressive, is going to be a fine line to walk as we sit during that loooong wait between #7 and #71. That’s going to be torture.

Which is why I’m a little nervous, with their top-30 visits, that they’re going to try to force a trade back at 7 instead of taking an obvious stud. You have to do your due diligence regardless so I’m not saying their top-30 visits are a dead giveaway or anything. They have to be prepared. It just makes me nervous. However if it all goes sideways and the best player left on the board at 7 is Downs I’m open to it. Lots of moving parts. I don’t want to trade down away from Love, Tate, or Styles. Bailey feels unlikely but I’d be open to the idea of taking him OR trading down for a haul in that scenario. And just hope some OL go in the meantime.

 

[Anselmheifer]

If they stick and pick in the early 3rd, the board will likely play itself out organically as to BPA.

Usuallly in the early 3rd, you have a surprise faller.

Peters did a good job in FA but at the same time left two major weaknesses that have to be addressed -- WR and CB.

I’d rather do the opposite. Trade back for picks next year

 

[Bulldog]

But that doesn't help us in 2026. You can't come out of this draft with ONE player you plan on having contribute.

If we don't take the pick at #7 I don't have problems with a trade down - but my preference is a lower #1 pick in 2026, no lower than #15-16 as well as a #2 this year.

If you want to add in an additional #3 and say #5 next year instead of a middle pick in 2026 I could go for that.

But to me that #2 pick in the top 55-60 has to be THIS year.

 

[method man]

I watched some Logan Jones. Good athlete, not the most physical player, doesn't always sustain blocks but can move really well and fits the zone blocking scheme they plan to run. Generally I like Iowa O lineman.

He has very short arms (< 31 inches), weighs 300 and has 9.5 inch hands.

If he’s there in the 5th, sure but I wouldn’t touch him at 71

 

[skinsinparadise]

Depends of course on what happens

He has very short arms (< 31 inches), weighs 300 and has 9.5 inch hands.

If he’s there in the 5th, sure but I wouldn’t touch him at 71

I am not really antsy about center. Here are the metrics I've compiled for those interested

 

[skinsinparadise]

Logan Jones: Another undersized center, but interesting split—Cory prefers Brailsford, James prefers Jones. Cory didn’t love how much outside zone Iowa ran and thought it limited his exposure to true pass sets. In those limited reps, he felt Jones got beat through the chest too often and didn’t show much pop in his hands. He does move well laterally and can scoop and climb, but the pacing and spacing can be off. James thought his run blocking actually regressed from 2024 to 2025, likely due to added weight that helped his anchor but hurt his movement. He’s a Feldman Freaks guy, but the athleticism didn’t consistently show up on tape this year. James is higher on the hand usage—placement is strong even if the pop isn’t—and likes his ability as a puller with good spatial awareness. James has him C4, Cory C5.

You can see his athleticism, movement skills fairlly easily but ditto lack of anchor-power.

 

[method man]

I listened to the March 26, 2026 Daft on Draft episode on centers, and the big takeaway was pretty clear: this is a mid-round heavy class. There will be starters to come out of this group, but it’s hard to feel confident about exactly who those guys will be. James basically said there’s only one player he feels good about as a sure-fire starter, which kind of tells you where this class is at.

Brian Parker II: Parker played RT at Duke, so you’re projecting him inside to center. Cory pointed out that his base at tackle was really wide, which hurt his ability to redirect, though that might matter less at center. The bigger concern is his hands—they tend to be early and wide, which could absolutely carry over. James likes the translatable stuff: grip strength, awareness vs stunts and blitzes, and generally sound run game assignments. Cory pushed back a bit, saying the grip strength doesn’t always show up because he doesn’t consistently land his hands inside. The anchor is questionable, though he’ll be more protected at center. James also noted his run blocking dipped late in the season. Overall, James has him C6 and Cory C8.

Trey Zuhn: Another tackle-to-center conversion, though Zuhn at least has 127 snaps at center. James likes him quite a bit—his hand usage and “flash bait” technique should translate, and his lack of length at tackle becomes much less of an issue inside. He’s a bit tall, which could affect leverage, and while he has good linear movement, he’s not always clean working through traffic. Cory is interesting here—he has him lower (C6) but actually likes him more than that ranking suggests because there’s real upside with more reps at center. Traits over tape situation. He noted an aggressive punch that can get him overextended and said he falls off blocks at the second level, but both agree there’s guard/center versatility here.

Jake Slaughter: Cory is lower than consensus here. He thinks Slaughter is undersized and doesn’t really fill out his pads, and while the athleticism is fine, it’s not good enough to compensate. He climbs in a controlled way, but not fluidly, and struggles to anchor because he can’t consistently drop his hips. James saw a lot of solid but unspectacular tape—nothing dominant—and shares the size concerns. He did note some positives, like getting to the play-side shoulder on reach blocks, but also agreed the climbing ability and anchor are issues. Projection-wise, James sees a low-level starter in a zone scheme and more of a backup in gap. Both have him at C7.

Parker Brailsford: Feisty, undersized, and very technical. James really likes the hand usage—it’s what allows him to survive in pass pro—and he has a natural finishing mentality. But size is a real issue, and he can get overwhelmed at the point of attack in both phases. James compared him to a slightly less athletic Aaron Brewer and gave him a 7th round grade. Cory is a bit higher, liking the lateral movement and noting that his core strength plus hand usage gives him a better anchor than you’d expect, even if it’s still limited. Cory’s higher on him overall, while James keeps coming back to the lack of size being a real cap.

Logan Jones: Another undersized center, but interesting split—Cory prefers Brailsford, James prefers Jones. Cory didn’t love how much outside zone Iowa ran and thought it limited his exposure to true pass sets. In those limited reps, he felt Jones got beat through the chest too often and didn’t show much pop in his hands. He does move well laterally and can scoop and climb, but the pacing and spacing can be off. James thought his run blocking actually regressed from 2024 to 2025, likely due to added weight that helped his anchor but hurt his movement. He’s a Feldman Freaks guy, but the athleticism didn’t consistently show up on tape this year. James is higher on the hand usage—placement is strong even if the pop isn’t—and likes his ability as a puller with good spatial awareness. James has him C4, Cory C5.

Jager Burton: Basically grouped with Slaughter and Jones as undersized, lower-strength centers, but the worst of that group. Poor play strength was the main takeaway.

Matt Gublin: Both are higher than consensus here. James has him C5, Cory C3. Gublin is kind of a “player of extremes.” The good is really good—James called him a “doorstop” in the A gap with the best anchor in the class. Excellent lower body flexibility, tight inside hands, great at replacing and countering through reps. But the lateral quickness is a real issue, and the testing confirmed it—2nd percentile shuttle, 3rd percentile 3-cone. Both guys said it didn’t look quite that bad on tape, but it’s still a limitation. He’s not a great puller or second-level mover. Cory said he’s not a great mover but a controlled mover, and he fits much better in a gap/power scheme than outside zone.

Sam Hecht: Cory liked him a lot on tape as a mover, so the subpar testing was disappointing. He has shorter arms (32 inches), but Cory loved the hand usage—both initial punch and ability to replace it—and said he’s fluid, even if not explosive. High IQ, technically refined player. James is a big fan and has him as C1. He sees him as a mid-level starter and was actually higher on his run game power than Cory, noting he eventually generates displacement even if it’s delayed. He also called his pass pro hands “machine-like.” Like Gublin, lateral quickness is the main concern, though Hecht has more of it. Cory has him C2.

Connor Lew: Cory’s C1, James’s C2, and both said he’s a tough eval because of limited true pass sets—you might only get 4–5 meaningful reps per game. James thinks the résumé is incomplete and noted he lost both shoulders too often in pass pro and has only an average anchor. He also saw issues picking up blitzing linebackers. Cory loves the movement—explosive initial kick, great base, excellent footspeed and hip fluidity, and the ability to scoop and redirect. He does admit Lew gets beat across his face, but attributes that more to play strength than athletic limitations. Both agree he’s very smart—he’s been setting protections at Auburn since age 19—and has excellent spacing. Core strength helps the anchor, but overall play strength is still a concern.

Pat Coogan: Both gave him a 7th round grade and basically called him a poor man’s Matt Gublin.

From a Commanders perspective, this is actually a pretty important class to understand because center is now one of the bigger needs after moving on from Tyler Biadasz. Based on Cory and James’ evaluations, I like targeting that position in a couple different ranges. At pick 71, Hecht and Lew both make a lot of sense as higher-upside options who could grow into starters. In the mid rounds, guys like Zuhn, Logan Jones, and Brailsford feel like solid bets in the 5th depending on how the board falls. In the 6th, Gublin and Slaughter offer more role-specific value depending on scheme—Gublin I put in the 6th rather than 5th on the idea we will run more outside zone, but if Blough plans to use more power, he would be worth the 5th rounder. Then in the 7th, Parker, Coogan, and Jager are more developmental depth swings. Given how uncertain this class is, it feels like a spot where Washington could take a swing without forcing it early and still come away with a viable option.

Thanks for this. My take is 71 is out of the picture because I can’t see the coaching staff trusting a rookie starter. When you take a center Day 2, that guy has to be an immediate starter at center or guard and that isn’t happening here.

Agree with you that someone with some starting level upside who fits the scheme will fall to the 5th or 6th

 

[skinsinparadise]

The thing about center, and its something that Jay Gruden talked about some in a recent Keim podcast -- the mental side of it, calling protections, is half the drill with that spot. Keim has heavily hinted in his podcasts that they were unhappy with Biadaz on that front -- and suggested they like Allegretti's smarts, leadership better.

Saying it here because if that's valued so much by this coaching staff, then it certainly would be an X factor to them with these centers -- dudes who are smart with some personality where they are vocal. Don't get me wrong, I am sure they are valued by every team. But specifically with this team, it seemed like they were willing to throw the baby out with the bathwater with Biadaz -- because the blocking wasn't enough for them.

Did Auburn's Connor Lew Help or Hurt His Stock at the Combine?

After a season-ending injury during his final season with the Auburn Tigers, Lew is focused on earning some stock back at the NFL combine

www.si.com

The most important aspect of playing center is arguably a player’s understanding of the game, as the center needs to be able to communicate with the rest of his line and make proper adjustments, as well as be on the same page as his quarterback. Lew is exceptional at that part of the game and impressed those at the combine with his football IQ.


“I was impressed by how smart he is,” Flick said. “He is wired the right way. Hearing him talk, you could feel his intelligence really pop. You could feel that, OK, this guy has the IQ of an NFL center. So, for what he could do, I thought he did very well this week. Honestly, again, he's incredibly smart. He impressed me just hearing him talk.”

Gators OL leader Jake Slaughter reflects on hardship, friendship before his last game

“He works the hardest on the field,” lineman Austin Barber said of center Jake Slaughter. “He’s smart. He knows what to do. He leads us on the field. He’s the center. He commands it. Everyone listens to him.”

www.orlandosentinel.com

As the offense has struggled, Slaughter has tried to focus the attention away from Lagway and toward what the team can control: how the team can better take care of each other and perform. The center has tried to lead by example, emphasizing communication.

“He works the hardest on the field,” lineman Austin Barber said. “He’s smart. He knows what to do. He leads us on the field. He’s the center. He commands it. Everyone listens to him.”

 

[skinsinparadise]

Just caught up with some Logan podcasts. I like to listen to Logan but IMO if he has a flaw is he falls for a zillion prospects, the glass always seems half full with him. lol, its no wonder he wants to trade down just about always because to him there are a zillion great players to be had.


Among them, he loves this guy.

 

[skinsinparadise]

Another guy that Logan liked, Stribling, I was planning to get to him but his hyping sped up the process for me. While Logan seems to like almost every WR in this class so i am not on the same page on some of them. I do like what I've seen from Stribling albiet like the Tennessee WRs, the Ole Miss WRs in recent years are tough to judge with their wide open spread system.

But yeah Stribling intrigues me as a roll of the dice more so than name that project or one dimensional WRs like: Lance, Hurts, Fields, Branch, etc. Even though the draft media rates him lower. His stats are sick on some fronts, hardly ever drops the ball, great YAC numbers, very good YPC two years in a row. Sick athlete with speed-agility/

Didn't see a lot of it but from what I saw he looked like a good blocker. He comes off to me like a more physical, better blocker, better YAC version of Chris Brazzell but less of a deep threat. Also sort of a raw route runner like Brazzell. But heck Brazzell is talked about in the 2nd round. Stribling in the 4th-5th. I'd roll the dice on him over taking Brazzell earlier than that.

But if I am in the third round range -- Sarratt, Bernard, Antonio Williams. I watched a little more Z. Branch who Kiper seems to worship. To me he's a gadget player, but really good at that. He's too small combined with not being that well rounded a route runner to just throw him in as your slot player. But as for returns and end arounds-screens-hitches, etc -- the dude is so lightening quick and physical for his size. so to me he's like Deebo Jr -- not Deebo's size so a mini faster version of him.

 

[method man]

Just caught up with some Logan podcasts. I like to listen to Logan but IMO if he has a flaw is he falls for a zillion prospects, the glass always seems half full with him. lol, its no wonder he wants to trade down just about always because to him there are a zillion great players to be had.


Among them, he loves this guy.

4.33 guy + leader + film junkie too. Former walk on who made himself into a likely Day 2 pick

 

[skinsinparadise]

4.33 guy + leader + film junkie too. Former walk on who made himself into a likely Day 2 pick

Also if I recall being mentioned he's 24, going on 25

 

[Anselmheifer]

Also if I recall being mentioned he's 24, going on 25

He will fit in perfectly with Jayden!

At the top of the 3rd, there’s going to be some e tha drops that should have been a 2nd rounder. Just like picking at the top of the 2nd.. I hope we aren’t too focused on grabbing certain position groups. Other than QB, or maybe RB if we draft Love, I don’t think there is any position you can’t take in the 3rd. Maaaybe OT.

I do hope that the beat talent available winds up being WR, interior OL, or CB.

I still wonder what happens to the passing game if Okonkwo gets hurt. There’s not another guy remotely like him on the roster. Or even just a real receiving TE.

 

[Commander Wraith]

He will fit in perfectly with Jayden!

At the top of the 3rd, there’s going to be some e tha drops that should have been a 2nd rounder. Just like picking at the top of the 2nd.. I hope we aren’t too focused on grabbing certain position groups. Other than QB, or maybe RB if we draft Love, I don’t think there is any position you can’t take in the 3rd. Maaaybe OT.

Unless they think he could be a good guard, I’d stay away from OT.

I do hope that the beat talent available winds up being WR, interior OL, or CB.

Safety too (IMO). I think TE and linebacker as well (not the only consideration, but Luvu’s on the last year of his deal). To your point about not going RB if we draft Love, I’d probably lean away from taking a LB in the 3rd if we were to land Styles, or a safety if Downs is the pick. I’d still consider a corner (particularly a slot corner) were we to take Delane.

I still wonder what happens to the passing game if Okonkwo gets hurt. There’s not another guy remotely like him on the roster. Or even just a real receiving TE.

I keep waiting for Yankoff to get a chance in the passing game. I mean, my expectations are quite low for him, but he at least has the type of movement skills you want (roughly). It was always going to be an uphill climb for him transitioning to the position. Haven’t totally written off Sinnott in this regard, but it’s looking doubtful he could fill that role. On the bright side, both are going into year 3 at a position that often takes time to develop. Might have to go with a big slot instead?

 

[Anselmheifer]

Unless they think he could be a good guard, I’d stay away from OT.

Safety too (IMO). I think TE and linebacker as well (not the only consideration, but Luvu’s on the last year of his deal). To your point about not going RB if we draft Love, I’d probably lean away from taking a LB in the 3rd if we were to land Styles, or a safety if Downs is the pick. I’d still consider a corner (particularly a slot corner) were we to take Delane.

I keep waiting for Yankoff to get a chance in the passing game. I mean, my expectations are quite low for him, but he at least has the type of movement skills you want (roughly). It was always going to be an uphill climb for him transitioning to the position. Haven’t totally written off Sinnott in this regard, but it’s looking doubtful he could fill that role. On the bright side, both are going into year 3 at a position that often takes time to develop. Might have to go with a big slot instead?

I think I agree with basically all of this.

I do think that Sinnott could be more of an asset in the new scheme, but mostly as a blocker, since we seem to be leaning into the run game.

 

[Commander Wraith]

I think I agree with basically all of this.

I do think that Sinnott could be more of an asset in the new scheme, but mostly as a blocker, since we seem to be leaning into the run game.

True enough. I feel like Bates and Sinnott both could benefit from the new scheme as (IIRC) most of their catches have come via PA vs getting open on their own.

 

[Conn]

I still wonder what happens to the passing game if Okonkwo gets hurt. There’s not another guy remotely like him on the roster. Or even just a real receiving TE.

Quinn talked up Lawrence Cager as a potentially emerging receiving threat at TE. Which is two things:

1. Horrible for Sinnott, an old PS guy should never be the name on the HC’s lips when you have a recent 2nd rounder developing on the roster

2. Completely delusional and continues to call into question the coaching staff’s ability to effectively self-scout. 29 year old project PS TE. Come on man.