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

[Bulldog]

Styles doesn't have a set NFL position. This is the riskiest pick to make in the top 10.

I don't see a GM on the hot seat as Peters is taking that kind of bet.

Delane concerns me when I read he is best suited for a zone scheme because while he is a ball hawk he is not great as a one on one cover guy on the outside.

To take a guy in the top 10 at CB, I would think the primary asset is he CAN excel at man coverage on the outside and has the size to dominate at the position.

If this is the 'real' choice at #7 then I vote for a trade down.

 

[skinsinparadise]

I agree. I think Love is an immediate star. I also think Love literally changes the whole offense. Having a super star RB in the backfield with Jayden is going to be beneficial to both Jayden and the RB in the running game. It gives Jayden a dump off that can take a. Swing pass 60 yards at any time. Love would improve our pass blocking, and you can’t have a light box and focus on coverage basically ever. The receivers and TE would eat.

You keep saying that Washington doesn’t major in stars. This gives us 3 elite blue chip players on offense. I honestly don’t think adding a Tee Higgins, who may well be better than Tate, makes nearly the same impact, other than giving us a succession plan with Terry.

Agree. But lets say Love isn't there at 7.

I was listening to Keim-Sheehan in a podcast, good discussion with Sheehan lamenting that the national media-Vegas doesn't take this team seriously as a bounce back one -- so Sheehan goes about how Jayden barely played and when he did play who did he play with?

So I don't want to double down on another meh at best year as for passing weapons. Yes, its good to be out of the Chris Moore-Robbie Chosen and name that street FA ride. But are they that much stronger with basically replacing Deebo with Von Jefferson and Dyami?

You can argue the starting WR lineup is even worse than the pathetic 2025 one -- but yeah the depth is better.

So i am not in love with having another season to see if Jayden can make lemonade out of lemons. I do think though a backup plan of signing Aiyuk and lets say drafting someone like Bernard-Sarratt would make things albiet not great at least better.

 

[Anselmheifer]

Styles doesn't have a set NFL position. This is the riskiest pick to make in the top 10.

I don't see a GM on the hot seat as Peters is taking that kind of bet.

Delane concerns me when I read he is best suited for a zone scheme because while he is a ball hawk he is not great as a one on one cover guy on the outside.

To take a guy in the top 10 at CB, I would think the primary asset is he CAN excel at man coverage on the outside and has the size to dominate at the position.

If this is the 'real' choice at #7 then I vote for a trade down.

I kind of think the opposite regarding both. Styles is an off ball LB. He had the green dot at OSU and that’s the position he is going to play.

I feel about Arvell Reese the way you feel about Styles. Is he really just a pure edge?

Regarding Delane, he’s super sticky. I think he’s very good in ma coverage. You can’t rack up a year like he had last year without being good at both. PFF had Delane with an 89.1 grade in man coverage.

 

[skinsinparadise]

I kind of think the opposite regarding both. Styles is an off ball LB. He had the green dot at OSU and that’s the position he is going to play.

I feel about Arvell Reese the way you feel about Styles. Is he really just a pure edge?

Regarding Delane, he’s super sticky. I think he’s very good in ma coverage. You can’t rack up a year like he had last year without being good at both. PFF had Delane with an 89.1 grade in man coverage.

Exactly. I think some are confusing Styles' wide range of skills as if he's a man without a position. He's a middle linebacker -- he was the green dot play caller on that team.

Feels like because he has the coverage ability to cover the nickle, a TE up the seam, etc -- that this skill is used against him as if its a foreign skill for that spot and belongs with safeties not linebackers.

Yeah we are used to the London Fletchers, Bobby Wagners, stack and shed, stop the run. But yeah there are linebackers who can cover, too. It's a good thing.

 

[KDawg]

How do you feel about Styles vs Delane?

Does Styles match his potential? If so… Styles all day.

Styles doesn't have a set NFL position. This is the riskiest pick to make in the top 10.

I don't see a GM on the hot seat as Peters is taking that kind of bet.

Delane concerns me when I read he is best suited for a zone scheme because while he is a ball hawk he is not great as a one on one cover guy on the outside.

To take a guy in the top 10 at CB, I would think the primary asset is he CAN excel at man coverage on the outside and has the size to dominate at the position.

If this is the 'real' choice at #7 then I vote for a trade down.

Styles is a true inside backer that can do other things. He has a NFL position. I think you’re confusing him with Reese.

 

[Anselmheifer]

Agree. But lets say Love isn't there at 7.

I was listening to Keim-Sheehan in a podcast, good discussion with Sheehan lamenting that the national media-Vegas doesn't take this team seriously as a bounce back one -- so Sheehan goes about how Jayden barely played and when he did play who did he play with?

So I don't want to double down on another meh at best year as for passing weapons. Yes, its good to be out of the Chris Moore-Robbie Chosen and name that street FA ride. But are they that much stronger with basically replacing Deebo with Von Jefferson and Dyami?

You can argue the starting WR lineup is even worse than the pathetic 2025 one -- but yeah the depth is better.

So i am not in love with having another season to see if Jayden can make lemonade out of lemons. I do think though a backup plan of signing Aiyuk and lets say drafting someone like Bernard-Sarratt would make things albiet not great at least better.

I 100% agree with the need to add weapons that can make Jayden’s life easier. I agree to the extent that I don’t think that WR in the 3rd is a solution. We need someone that can produce this year.

I do think there is a chance that Terry and Aiyuk could be super dynamic. But you can’t bet the season on that.

If we don’t take a WR in the 1st, I would hope we at least bring in Jennings or Deebo to add to Aiyuk.

I still think a passing game with Jayden, all of our RB’s that can catch, Okonkwo, Terry,and Lemon, would be super difficult to defend. An outside deep threat, explosive YAC TE, and an elite slot that can get open quickly and exploit matchups.

 

[skinsinparadise]

 

[skinsinparadise]

I 100% agree with the need to add weapons that can make Jayden’s life easier. I agree to the extent that I don’t think that WR in the 3rd is a solution. We need someone that can produce this year.

I do think there is a chance that Terry and Aiyuk could be super dynamic. But you can’t bet the season on that.

If we don’t take a WR in the 1st, I would hope we at least bring in Jennings or Deebo to add to Aiyuk.

I still think a passing game with Jayden, all of our RB’s that can catch, Okonkwo, Terry,and Lemon, would be super difficult to defend. An outside deep threat, explosive YAC TE, and an elite slot that can get open quickly and exploit matchups.

I think at a minimum they absolutely need to sign Aiyuk or Deebo or Jennings.

Right now the slot WR is McCaffrey, The Z, I'd guess is Dyami Brown.

In some ways, its the most pathetic WR lineup of the 3 years with Peters in charge. Yes another year of Jaylin Lane and Von Jefferson and Burks should be better than the crap they had as backups last year. But the lineup is code red level bad. I am already resigned to the idea that McCaffrey is likely going to be a slot. But if so, it makes Z big time code red.

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

I think they feel they already have their ILBs covered. That could play a role in the selection. If they go Tate at 7 we kind of know they drafted for need. If they trade back that kind of tells me the guys they really wanted are off the board so that's not a good sign..

 

[KDawg]

I think they feel they already have their ILBs covered. That could play a role in the selection. If they go Tate at 7 we kind of know they drafted for need If they trade back that kind of tells me the guys they really wanted are off the board so that's not a good sign.

I don’t think they have ILB covered - but they may. But you don’t pass on a potential elite backer for Leo Chenal (who is solid) and Jordan McGee.

I think the plan for Luvu is to move him around like a heat seeking missile. But more strategically than last year.

 

[Anselmheifer]

I think Styles, Chenal, and Magee would be the most athletic LB core in the league.if we get average safety play, you could kiss most of those outside zone back breakers goodbye. The strategy old have to change to running right at us.

I want Love desperately. But, I’d be happy with Bailey, Styles, Delane, Tate, or Lemon in a trade back.

We keep hearing hints about character concerns with Bailey, and I’m curious.

We added a lot at edge. Armstrong, Oweh, and Chaisson are decent to good, and miles better than what we had last year, but if we aren’t scheming the pressure, I don’t see this as an overwhelming group.I can see there being games where we don’t get a ton of pressure. Add Bailey, and now edge and OL are huge areas of strength.

 

[KDawg]

I think Styles, Chenal, and Magee would be the most athletic LB core in the league.if we get average safety play, you could kiss most of those outside zone back breakers goodbye. The strategy old have to change to running right at us.

I want Love desperately. But, I’d be happy with Bailey, Styles, Delane, Tate, or Lemon in a trade back.

We keep hearing hints about character concerns with Bailey, and I’m curious.

We added a lot at edge. Armstrong, Oweh, and Chaisson are decent to good, and miles better than what we had last year, but if we aren’t scheming the pressure, I don’t see this as an overwhelming group.I can see there being games where we don’t get a ton of pressure. Add Bailey, and now edge and OL are huge areas of strength.

My list is much shorter and getting shorter every day.

1. Love
2. Styles
3. Tate/Delane

Reese… I like. I’m just not convinced we’d use him correctly.

Bailey… I’m all set there. Not a fan, his lack of hand usage bothers me. Losing as many reps as he did to the better tackles makes me uneasy. But I haven’t seen anything on character concerns for him. I think Bailey is a mid to late first film guy, high first traits guy that is also benefitting from positional value.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

Agree. But lets say Love isn't there at 7.

I was listening to Keim-Sheehan in a podcast, good discussion with Sheehan lamenting that the national media-Vegas doesn't take this team seriously as a bounce back one -- so Sheehan goes about how Jayden barely played and when he did play who did he play with?

So I don't want to double down on another meh at best year as for passing weapons. Yes, its good to be out of the Chris Moore-Robbie Chosen and name that street FA ride. But are they that much stronger with basically replacing Deebo with Von Jefferson and Dyami?

You can argue the starting WR lineup is even worse than the pathetic 2025 one -- but yeah the depth is better.

So i am not in love with having another season to see if Jayden can make lemonade out of lemons. I do think though a backup plan of signing Aiyuk and lets say drafting someone like Bernard-Sarratt would make things albiet not great at least better.

I just don’t think they’re anywhere near done yet. So I won’t grade current in-progress WR room to last years room.

I think, at a minimum, they draft a guy, maybe at 7, they sign another starting caliber player (Deebo or Jennings) and add Aiyuk.

So I’m reserving judgement until after those things happen or don’t happen. If they don’t, that’s going to be a huge red flag and concern area going into training camp.

If they do, I think I’ll be much more comfortable.

So right now, I’m reserving judgement and waiting because the off season isn’t done yet.

 

[Commander Wraith]

As a guy who has coached linebackers in college and high school… and also been an OL coach, offensive and defensive coordinator (and a varsity head coach)… I can tell you that good linebackers scare the shit out of teams. Moreso than good corners, even. Good corners you just ignore throwing towards them. Or scheme ways to throw their way to occupy them.

Good linebackers are on every play and are annoying as shit.

This affirms what I was thinking, so thanks. There are just so many ways they can be used and therefore so many ways they can impact the game.

Anselmheifer - I get your point about safeties, but I wanna throw out some names for you to add to Dawkins - Ed Reed, Troy Polomalu, Sean Taylor, Bob Sanders, Kam Chancellor, Kyle Hamilton, Derwin James, Honeybadger, Earl Thomas, Minkah Fitzpatrick, etc.

 

[ES1974]

Good corners you just ignore throwing towards them.

Be really nice to have one of those.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

Sheehan also said he isn’t a Love guy at 7. Galdi is the same.

Nikki J. Has said she wouldn’t take a RB or Safety on the first round ever. Except she made an exception for Downs. Because he’s the best player in the draft. Which made no sense.

Keim seems to waffle. Bram is finding it hard to leave “defense at 7,” which he’s been saying since the end of the season.

This whole position value thing is really a big deal to them.

I don’t think I’ve heard any media member I listen to (and I don’t listen to a lot of the dumbasses) say they are really pro Love at 7.

And I don’t think the team is saying anything to anybody.

The guy who probably filters the most amount of information from all sources, teams, agents, other media, league, etc. is Shefter. And he has said to look out for Love at 7 to Washington. So that’s interesting.

I want Love or Tate. We need an offensive guy. I prefer Love because I think he’s more dynamic and he could touch the ball 20 -25 times a game.

I get that Tate is very good, but I think, at least for a while, he’s going to have less immediate impact and we need immediate impact.

Anyway, it’s going to be interesting.

 

[skinsinparadise]

I just don’t think they’re anywhere near done yet. So I won’t grade current in-progress WR room to last years room.

I think, at a minimum, they draft a guy, maybe at 7, they sign another starting caliber player (Deebo or Jennings) and add Aiyuk.

So I’m reserving judgement until after those things happen or don’t happen. If they don’t, that’s going to be a huge red flag and concern area going into training camp.

If they do, I think I’ll be much more comfortable.

So right now, I’m reserving judgement and waiting because the off season isn’t done yet.

Sure, I have said the same but I made my point in the context of Carnell Tate -- Tate might not be elite but IMO he's very good and plays in a sport that's a big time need. I am not a need over BPA guy. But if Love and Styles are gone -- this team's need at WR weighs heavily with me.

 

[skinsinparadise]

Sheehan also said he isn’t a Love guy at 7. Galdi is the same.

Nikki J. Has said she wouldn’t take a RB or Safety on the first round ever. Except she made an exception for Downs. Because he’s the best player in the draft. Which made no sense.

Keim seems to waffle. Bram is finding it hard to leave “defense at 7,” which he’s been saying since the end of the season.

This whole position value thing is really a big deal to them.

I don’t think I’ve heard any media member I listen to (and I don’t listen to a lot of the dumbasses) say they are really pro Love at 7.

And I don’t think the team is saying anything to anybody.

The guy who probably filters the most amount of information from all sources, teams, agents, other media, league, etc. is Shefter. And he has said to look out for Love at 7 to Washington. So that’s interesting.

I want Love or Tate. We need an offensive guy. I prefer Love because I think he’s more dynamic and he could touch the ball 20 -25 times a game.

I get that Tate is very good, but I think, at least for a while, he’s going to have less immediate impact and we need immediate impact.

Anyway, it’s going to be interesting.

I am a Love guy, too. I do think Tate is a polished college player so he would make an immediate impact.

As far as the local media, Grant Paulsen might be the lone wolf as to taking Love. Otherwise, its mostly negative on the thought. The national media seems to be on the wild extreme on this -- some love it for this team, some hate it.

 

[skinsinparadise]

 

[Anselmheifer]

My list is much shorter and getting shorter every day.

1. Love
2. Styles
3. Tate/Delane

Reese… I like. I’m just not convinced we’d use him correctly.

Bailey… I’m all set there. Not a fan, his lack of hand usage bothers me. Losing as many reps as he did to the better tackles makes me uneasy. But I haven’t seen anything on character concerns for him. I think Bailey is a mid to late first film guy, high first traits guy that is also benefitting from positional value.

I actually think, if we make the great leap that Jones can run a Flores type system. That we would be one of the better teams for Reese.

Regarding Bailey, I dismissed your take on Chase Young a million years ago on ES, so I’m not going to lean into disagreeing. I think that as much as positional value, Bailey is benefitting from advanced stats like pass rush win rate, and his athletic testing numbers and reputation as an athlete.

I should have kept track of sources, and they’ve probably been podcasts and not Keim, Schefter, but there has been buzz in multiple places about Bailey dropping secondary to character concerns. But again, it’s lying season.

This affirms what I was thinking, so thanks. There are just so many ways they can be used and therefore so many ways they can impact the game.

Anselmheifer - I get your point about safeties, but I wanna throw out some names for you to add to Dawkins - Ed Reed, Troy Polomalu, Sean Taylor, Bob Sanders, Kam Chancellor, Kyle Hamilton, Derwin James, Honeybadger, Earl Thomas, Minkah Fitzpatrick, etc.

That’s 11 players over, what, 20 years? I hear you, and you were more comprehensive than I was, and I’ll take Bob Sanders out because of his injury stuff. But, over a 20 year period, how many CB’s and edges do you think we could say had as much impact? I’d guess more than 11 each. And a lot of the guys you mention were elite coverage deep high safety type talents, or had elite physical tools. And Downs is really neither of those. I like him, and won’t cry myself to sleep if we choose him, but he’s not in my top 5 for pick 7. And there is some buzz that he is more of a pick 10-20 guy. And maybe that doesn’t mean anything after the Hamilton fall.

Sheehan also said he isn’t a Love guy at 7. Galdi is the same.

Nikki J. Has said she wouldn’t take a RB or Safety on the first round ever. Except she made an exception for Downs. Because he’s the best player in the draft. Which made no sense.

Keim seems to waffle. Bram is finding it hard to leave “defense at 7,” which he’s been saying since the end of the season.

This whole position value thing is really a big deal to them.

I don’t think I’ve heard any media member I listen to (and I don’t listen to a lot of the dumbasses) say they are really pro Love at 7.

And I don’t think the team is saying anything to anybody.

The guy who probably filters the most amount of information from all sources, teams, agents, other media, league, etc. is Shefter. And he has said to look out for Love at 7 to Washington. So that’s interesting.

I want Love or Tate. We need an offensive guy. I prefer Love because I think he’s more dynamic and he could touch the ball 20 -25 times a game.

I get that Tate is very good, but I think, at least for a while, he’s going to have less immediate impact and we need immediate impact.

Anyway, it’s going to be interesting.

I’ve listened to a lot of Keim, and he’s leaned multiple times into the Commaders not passing on Love if he’s there. Not as an absolute, this is what’s going to happen statement, but there have been a lot of suggestions. And Keim doesn’t normally name drop for no reason.