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

KDawg said:
All we need is Love, burgold.
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DWinzit said:
It sure feels like they should have gone harder earlier at Doubs. To me he was the guy I would have went at.
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Wasn’t it reported they made him a higher offer than the patriots and he chose to go there anyway?

I mean, if you are given an offer you can’t refuse and you refuse it, you’re dead to me.
 
Voice_of_Reason said:
Wasn’t it reported they made him a higher offer than the patriots and he chose to go there anyway?

I mean, if you are given an offer you can’t refuse and you refuse it, you’re dead to me.
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I don't believe so. They offered similar contracts.

He felt he fit better with Mays and NE who also began negotiating with him earlier than we did. He was our second option after being shunned by Pierce.

Did they win him over before we joined the mix? Did we offer that much only after being told that's what NE had offered?

It's all speculation but the reports made it sound like Pierce wanted to stay in Indy before we entered the picture. But hey, at least they made a legit offer which gave him what he wanted from Indy
 
Nate Tice's most recent;

1. Las Vegas Raiders — Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana​

The Raiders recently traded Geno Smith to the Jets, which means there’s really nothing I can say here that hasn’t been written 100 times before. This is done, and let’s hope for Klint Kubiak’s sake it works. Onto the next.

2. New York Jets — Arvell Reese, Edge/LB, Ohio State​

The Jets were active in bringing in vet after vet to shore up their defense. They now drop in an explosive weapon in Reese to continue to reinvent this side of the ball. Reese’s best spot will likely be on the line of scrimmage, where he flashes as a high-end pass rusher and already shows the ability to hold the edge in the run game. His versatility to play off-ball is a bonus if the Jets want to get creative in getting all of their pass rushers on the field.

3. Arizona Cardinals — Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State​

A top-three pick feels high for an off-ball linebacker, but Styles has the chance to be a transformative talent at the position in a league that has almost no elite linebackers. Styles has the size and speed to attack all areas of the field, played well in coverage and has use as a blitzer. Styles would immediately slide in as the top dog on the Cardinals’ defense and be an interesting case study (no matter where he’s drafted) on the potential addition of a top-flight linebacker when no other teams have (a healthy) one.

Draft your Yahoo Fantasy Baseball team for the 2026 MLB Season

4. Tennessee Titans — David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech​

There’s smoke with the Titans taking Jeremiyah Love, and the Titans still need more playmakers around Cam Ward even after splurging on Wan’Dale Robinson in free agency. I would rather have the rebuilding Titans continue to add to their trenches rather than a running back at this point in their process. Robert Saleh loves investing heavily into his defensive lines, and Bailey would give him a flamethrower to rush the passer and a different flavor than their current set of maulers. And there’s the added benefit that the rest of the Titans’ line will help insulate Bailey in the run game. Jeffery Simmons, John Franklin-Myers, and Bailey is a lot of heat to throw at offenses when they try to throw the ball.

5. New York Giants — Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame​

This pick might be a shocker, but there is a strand of logic to follow here: namely, John Harbaugh and Greg Roman getting back together in New York. Matt Nagy will be calling plays, but Roman is with the Giants as a senior offensive assistant and Harbaugh has thoroughly demonstrated a desire to be a good running team through almost his entire Baltimore tenure. The Giants may view a game-breaking running back as the last piece considering the offensive line isn’t in immediate need of an upgrade and they threw some bodies at wide receiver. There’s no telling how Cam Skattebo will look when he gets back on a field after recovering from a leg injury, but Love is a vastly superior prospect who brings some speed to the Giants’ backfield.

(Hassan Ahmad/Yahoo Sports)

(Hassan Ahmad/Yahoo Sports)

6. Cleveland Browns — Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia​

The Browns needed to completely rebuild their offensive line this offseason. They’ve started the process in free agency, signing several veterans, but could still use a further injection of talent. Especially at the tackle position. Enter Freeling, a riser throughout the 2025 season who is now firmly in my top 10 overall for this class. Freeling has upside as a true blindside protector for whoever is throwing passes in Cleveland in the future.

7. Washington Commanders — Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State​

Positional value is the only reason that Downs is on the board here. He’s arguably the best player in the draft and has been an elite defensive back prospect since his first season at Alabama. He’s the “can’t-miss” caliber player the Commanders could use in their secondary and has the skills to play deep safety and the slot in Dan Quinn’s defense, which desperately needs to bounce back in 2026.

8. New Orleans Saints — Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU​

It’s tempting to add another pass catcher in New Orleans. Instead, the Saints tab Delane to drive on over from Baton Rouge. The Saints’ defense was better than expected last season under Brandon Staley. They could look to add to their line, but Delane is a smart player who fits into Staley’s zone-heavy scheme and creative passing down looks. He would be an upgrade for the cornerback room and give the Saints a defender who would be comfortable right away in the scheme and could impact the game more than what they currently have on the roster.
 
14? wow. Is he the first WR off the board?

I can understand if they do not have any WR in the top 7 of their grading but dang am I scared with our potential WR group....again.

And we keep meaning on Aiyuk coming but there are too many questions on him alone, health and the fact he hasn't played in a long time.
 
 
At this point, I'd be disappointed with Downs. I know there are people who love him and say he's a perfect general, but safety is probably the only position where I struggle to shake off that positional value issue. Capwise and field-value wise, I just don't know that safety is where you go top ten unless the guy is a multi-generational game changing freaK.
 
If the draft broke that way ^, would you consider a trade back that wouldn’t recoup the usual draft chart value? Like KC offering a 5th (or maybe their 4th for our 5th) to jump ahead of NO for Delane?
 
I think Mauigoa belongs on that list. If for no other reason than other teams may be reading this *ahem Arizona* 😁

I know people don’t perceive OL as a need for us but stick him at LG and our line would be pretty beastly. If we can’t get Jayden a weapon, get him more protection so he can do more with the weapons he has.

Just throwing that out there.
 


In this case Styles, Downs, Delane, Tate all fall to us…I’d go Styles.

Interesting Cleveland taking Lemon over Tate.

How badly does the media want Love to go to the Giants? 🤮

ROUND 1​

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1. Las Vegas Raiders​

Kiper's pick: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

Should we just start mock drafts at No. 2 at this point? The Raiders need a quarterback solution, and Mendoza has the tools to be a franchise guy. Lock it in.

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2. New York Jets​

Miller's pick: Arvell Reese, Edge, Ohio State

I have the Jets opting for the upside of Reese over the proven production of Texas Tech's David Bailey. Reese has double-digit sack potential in the NFL and can be a versatile player for coach Aaron Glenn.

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3. Arizona Cardinals​

Reid's pick: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami

The Cardinals signed Elijah Wilkinson, but that shouldn't keep them from drafting a long-term solution at right tackle. Mauigoa is a plug-and-play starter and my top tackle in the class.

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4. Tennessee Titans​

Yates' pick: David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech

Tennessee's busy offseason has beefed up the pass rush, but Bailey -- who tied for the FBS lead with 14.5 sacks in 2025 -- would give the roster a young rusher to build around.

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​

5. New York Giants​

Kiper's pick: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

I know, I know. Kiper doesn't like early-pick running backs. But Love is so much more than just a running back. He's a dynamic playmaker who could elevate Jaxson Dart and this Giants offense to another level.

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6. Cleveland Browns​

Miller's pick: Makai Lemon, WR, USC

My top-ranked wide receiver in the class goes to the Browns, who are undergoing a youth movement at the skill positions. Lemon can create space for himself and knows how to vary his routes.

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7. Washington Commanders​

Reid's pick: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

The instincts and versatility of Downs would immediately help a Washington defense that gave up an average of 8.1 yards per pass attempt last season (third worst in the NFL). He is a consistent tackler with great ball skills.

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8. New Orleans Saints​

Yates' pick: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

Is linebacker a pressing need for the Saints? No, not after they brought back Kaden Elliss. But I wouldn't let the exceptional Styles -- who is No. 5 on my board -- slide any further.

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9. Kansas City Chiefs​

Kiper's pick: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

Yes, Travis Kelce is back in Kansas City. But he's turning 37 next season, and quarterback Patrick Mahomes needs playmakers in this offense. Sadiq is as explosive and versatile as they come.

i

10. Cincinnati Bengals​

Miller's pick: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

DJ Turner II and Dax Hill are talented, but Delane would be an upgrade on the outside, where he can win at the line of scrimmage with great quickness and instincts.

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11. Miami Dolphins​

Reid's pick: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill are gone. But Tate's route running ability, sure hands and range as a pass catcher would give quarterback Malik Willis a go-to WR1 and would provide a boost to the Dolphins' lacking receiver room.

i

12. Dallas Cowboys​

Yates' pick: Rueben Bain Jr., Edge, Miami

The mission to fix the Cowboys' defense should start with the addition of Bain. The ACC Defensive Player of the Year has hands of destruction that will travel to the NFL, and he had 9.5 sacks last season for the Hurricanes.
 
I’m with you HTTR. In that scenario I’m taking Styles, as well. Lock down the QB of the defense for the foreseeable future.
 
Chris said:
I’m with you HTTR. In that scenario I’m taking Styles, as well. Lock down the QB of the defense for the foreseeable future.
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It’s funny, because I liked Downs at first for this very reason. He had that reputation. But it turns out Styles was the one wearing the green dot at OSU… And obviously is much more of an athletic specimen.
 
Canuck said:
Nate Tice's most recent;

1. Las Vegas Raiders — Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana​

The Raiders recently traded Geno Smith to the Jets, which means there’s really nothing I can say here that hasn’t been written 100 times before. This is done, and let’s hope for Klint Kubiak’s sake it works. Onto the next.

2. New York Jets — Arvell Reese, Edge/LB, Ohio State​

The Jets were active in bringing in vet after vet to shore up their defense. They now drop in an explosive weapon in Reese to continue to reinvent this side of the ball. Reese’s best spot will likely be on the line of scrimmage, where he flashes as a high-end pass rusher and already shows the ability to hold the edge in the run game. His versatility to play off-ball is a bonus if the Jets want to get creative in getting all of their pass rushers on the field.

3. Arizona Cardinals — Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State​

A top-three pick feels high for an off-ball linebacker, but Styles has the chance to be a transformative talent at the position in a league that has almost no elite linebackers. Styles has the size and speed to attack all areas of the field, played well in coverage and has use as a blitzer. Styles would immediately slide in as the top dog on the Cardinals’ defense and be an interesting case study (no matter where he’s drafted) on the potential addition of a top-flight linebacker when no other teams have (a healthy) one.

Draft your Yahoo Fantasy Baseball team for the 2026 MLB Season

4. Tennessee Titans — David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech​

There’s smoke with the Titans taking Jeremiyah Love, and the Titans still need more playmakers around Cam Ward even after splurging on Wan’Dale Robinson in free agency. I would rather have the rebuilding Titans continue to add to their trenches rather than a running back at this point in their process. Robert Saleh loves investing heavily into his defensive lines, and Bailey would give him a flamethrower to rush the passer and a different flavor than their current set of maulers. And there’s the added benefit that the rest of the Titans’ line will help insulate Bailey in the run game. Jeffery Simmons, John Franklin-Myers, and Bailey is a lot of heat to throw at offenses when they try to throw the ball.

5. New York Giants — Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame​

This pick might be a shocker, but there is a strand of logic to follow here: namely, John Harbaugh and Greg Roman getting back together in New York. Matt Nagy will be calling plays, but Roman is with the Giants as a senior offensive assistant and Harbaugh has thoroughly demonstrated a desire to be a good running team through almost his entire Baltimore tenure. The Giants may view a game-breaking running back as the last piece considering the offensive line isn’t in immediate need of an upgrade and they threw some bodies at wide receiver. There’s no telling how Cam Skattebo will look when he gets back on a field after recovering from a leg injury, but Love is a vastly superior prospect who brings some speed to the Giants’ backfield.

(Hassan Ahmad/Yahoo Sports)

(Hassan Ahmad/Yahoo Sports)

6. Cleveland Browns — Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia​

The Browns needed to completely rebuild their offensive line this offseason. They’ve started the process in free agency, signing several veterans, but could still use a further injection of talent. Especially at the tackle position. Enter Freeling, a riser throughout the 2025 season who is now firmly in my top 10 overall for this class. Freeling has upside as a true blindside protector for whoever is throwing passes in Cleveland in the future.

7. Washington Commanders — Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State​

Positional value is the only reason that Downs is on the board here. He’s arguably the best player in the draft and has been an elite defensive back prospect since his first season at Alabama. He’s the “can’t-miss” caliber player the Commanders could use in their secondary and has the skills to play deep safety and the slot in Dan Quinn’s defense, which desperately needs to bounce back in 2026.

8. New Orleans Saints — Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU​

It’s tempting to add another pass catcher in New Orleans. Instead, the Saints tab Delane to drive on over from Baton Rouge. The Saints’ defense was better than expected last season under Brandon Staley. They could look to add to their line, but Delane is a smart player who fits into Staley’s zone-heavy scheme and creative passing down looks. He would be an upgrade for the cornerback room and give the Saints a defender who would be comfortable right away in the scheme and could impact the game more than what they currently have on the roster.
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I think that Arizona would be kinda hesitant to pick Styles after what happened to Simmons. A lot of people compare them
 
HTTR said:
It’s funny, because I liked Downs at first for this very reason. He had that reputation. But it turns out Styles was the one wearing the green dot at OSU… And obviously is much more of an athletic specimen.
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Yeah, both are intelligent and driven athletes. Even though I disagree with those who I believe underestimate Downs athleticism and overestimate his medical concerns based on one, and only one, suspect tweet…I do have some questions about his body type at the next level. I have absolutely no such concerns with Styles.
 
HTTR said:
It’s funny, because I liked Downs at first for this very reason. He had that reputation. But it turns out Styles was the one wearing the green dot at OSU… And obviously is much more of an athletic specimen.
Click to expand...
Only one guy can wear it. That doesn't mean that only one guy is capable. Most defenses always favor the MLB to wear the dot. He would have to be incapable for them to pick someone else. Downs was also a transfer. Styles was there for 2 years before Downs joined the team and he knew the defense.

By all accounts, Downs football IQ is highly regarded. For you to go to Alabama and lead the defense as a true Freshman is special. Not to mention that he already has an older brother in the league so there is another advantage of him being prepared. Chenal also wore it for the elite Chiefs in 22 so we would be fine in that area IMO
 
It bothers me a little that at every opportunity, including ones will he can orchestrate the most favorable conditions, Downs has chosen to skip any test of measurable traits.
 
If we pass on Styles for Downs I’ll be puzzled.
 
Dlts20 said:
Only one guy can wear it. That doesn't mean that only one guy is capable. Most defenses always favor the MLB to wear the dot. He would have to be incapable for them to pick someone else. Downs was also a transfer. Styles was there for 2 years before Downs joined the team and he knew the defense.

By all accounts, Downs football IQ is highly regarded. For you to go to Alabama and lead the defense as a true Freshman is special. Not to mention that he already has an older brother in the league so there is another advantage of him being prepared. Chenal also wore it for the elite Chiefs in 22 so we would be fine in that area IMO
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Either way, it will be nice to finally have good communication on our defense.

With Downs, of course we all love the instincts and intelligence. And he’s a great tackler in college, but will that hold up against NFL sized bodies? And if so, will his body hold up. This is my biggest worry since from what I’m hearing he would be a “box” safety.

Styles on the other hand, we will never have to worry about being over matched physically. I know we don’t really have the need right now after signing Chanel, but Luvu has an expiring contract and will turn 30 in September. Long-term, I’d love to have Styles as the QB of the D.

Doesn’t matter anyway, because styles will not make it past the Giants at five, no matter how much the media begs them to take Love.
 
In a trade down scenario in which we end up in the late teens/early 20’s, what would folks think of taking Caleb Banks? Personally, I think this dude is playing out of position as a DT and the excessive weight is probably why he’s had an injury history. If he dropped down from around ~330lbs to 290lbs, I think he’d be an amazing quick-twitch jumbo DE.
 
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