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

[Voice_of_Reason]

No. Thumbs up (or down) is traditionally linked to like (or dislike). Totally different to 100% agree.

what I meant was another reaction vs. an emoji.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

It will be really hard to erase all the good players.

Mendoza is at 1.

After that, there is Reese, Bailey, Maligula, Styles, Love, Tate, Downs, and Bain who are probably in that first tier. That means with six players before we pick there are at least eight good players. If you want to swap Bain for Delane that's okay with me, too.

So, we can get a top player if we want to stick. It's mathematically impossible not to. We just don't get our first choice of top picks. Now, if your heart is set on Love that is out of our hands, but a potentially great player will be there for us. I also just have a hard time seeing no offensive lineman being picked before 7.

I think one OL goes before 7. But it’s not 100% sure. Arizona has been linked to a tackle from the outset. But who knows if that’s true or not

 

[ES1974]

I think one OL goes before 7. But it’s not 100% sure. Arizona has been linked to a tackle from the outset. But who knows if that’s true or not

They’ve also been linked/speculated with a trade back with Dallas

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

They’ve also been linked/speculated with a trade back with Dallas

Yep. Though I honestly doubt that happens. But that has been out there.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

I keep reading post after post here about Downs injury concerns. All born out of a report from March 3rd from a (at best) questionable Twitterer. A report that has not been confirmed by a single legitimate source in either the media or from even anonymous ‘league/team sources.

I get that he didn’t test and that that is unusually unusual. The interview I saw with him by Rich Eisen at the combine struck me a guy who marches to a different beat as compared to others. Maybe he is confident and comfortable with what he has put on tape and stands by that along with the opinions of his coaches. He stated in that interview that he would test at his pro day. He did not, though he did participate in field drills, moved well, and appeared healthy to me.

I just find it weird and suspect that there appears to be no legs to that original report. Don’t teams that are potentially going to pay him millions have access to his medicals? Can’t interested teams have him evaluated by their medical professionals?

And ftr I am team Love & Styles so I have no dog in the fight. But, I wouldn’t pass on him without investigating any issue…on any player.

I think it’s very possible a competing agent put that out somehow into the universe and hoped it would gain some traction.

I doubt it helps anything because teams will do their own medical evaluations.

That whole thing was somewhat weird to me when it broke.

 

[RWJ]

Don't know if it's been posted but...

 

[Faithful Fan]

I keep reading post after post here about Downs injury concerns. All born out of a report from March 3rd from a (at best) questionable Twitterer. A report that has not been confirmed by a single legitimate source in either the media or from even anonymous ‘league/team sources.

I get that he didn’t test and that that is unusually unusual. The interview I saw with him by Rich Eisen at the combine struck me a guy who marches to a different beat as compared to others. Maybe he is confident and comfortable with what he has put on tape and stands by that along with the opinions of his coaches. He stated in that interview that he would test at his pro day. He did not, though he did participate in field drills, moved well, and appeared healthy to me.

I just find it weird and suspect that there appears to be no legs to that original report. Don’t teams that are potentially going to pay him millions have access to his medicals? Can’t interested teams have him evaluated by their medical professionals?

And ftr I am team Love & Styles so I have no dog in the fight. But, I wouldn’t pass on him without investigating any issue…on any player.

I’m definitely one of those posters who has concerns about Caleb Downs. It has been widely reported that an anonymous NFL scout at the combine said he had a partially torn meniscus and degenerative ACL injury, but you’re right that McAfee, Downs himself, and others have disputed that report. So call that a rumor or unconfirmed.

But then why is he avoiding running drills for scouts? As you noted, he skipped running at the combine, said he would do it at his pro day, then skipped that too. So what’s he hiding if not an injury? Maybe he knows his draft stock will sink if we learn how slow he is? It’s hard to see his refusal to work out for scouts as anything other than a red flag.

I hope you’re right that these concerns are overblown, because there’s a good chance we end up with Downs, and we haven’t had a truly great safety since Sean Taylor and Ryan Clark. When the season ended, I figured we would end up with Love or Downs based on their positions being undervalued, and I was happy about the idea of having either one of them at the time, so maybe it’s fine and I’m overreacting to the rumor mill, or maybe that’s wishful thinking. Time will tell.

 

[Chris]

I’m definitely one of those posters who has concerns about Caleb Downs. It has been widely reported that an anonymous NFL scout at the combine said he had a partially torn meniscus and degenerative ACL injury, but you’re right that McAfee, Downs himself, and others have disputed that report. So call that a rumor or unconfirmed.

But then why is he avoiding running drills for scouts? As you noted, he skipped running at the combine, said he would do it at his pro day, then skipped that too. So what’s he hiding if not an injury? Maybe he knows his draft stock will sink if we learn how slow he is? It’s hard to see his refusal to work out for scouts as anything other than a red flag.

I hope you’re right that these concerns are overblown, because there’s a good chance we end up with Downs, and we haven’t had a truly great safety since Sean Taylor and Ryan Clark. When the season ended, I figured we would end up with Love or Downs based on their positions being undervalued, and I was happy about the idea of having either one of them at the time, so maybe it’s fine and I’m overreacting to the rumor mill, or maybe that’s wishful thinking. Time will tell.

He didn’t refuse to work out, he refused to ‘test’. Indeed unusual but the pre-draft process is littered with athletes that won the underwear olympics and flew up draft boards but were not good football players.

I am not emotionally (yet) or financially invested in Downs future but I do think that the rumors have not done him any favors. I add yet because I am expecting him to be the most likely selection at #7. Then I will be.

 

[Discobob]

Don't know if it's been posted but...

He spent the whole time like this...

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

I really like Lemon as a prospect. And I would be tempted to take him wherever we are if he's the best offensive skill position player available and there isn't a defensive guy who's leaps and bounds better.

However, it doesn't solve an immediate problem of getting somebody to play outside with Terry.

Maybe some combination of Burke/Brown/Lane/McCaffery/(eventually) Aiyuk is that solution. But Lemon is, by my understanding, mostly a slot guy.

And when you start talking position value, is a slot receiver worth the 7th pick? (I would say sure, for the same reason that I think a running back is worth it. If they are able to effect the game the most, eh, who cares about position value.

 

[Conn]

I really like Lemon as a prospect. And I would be tempted to take him wherever we are if he's the best offensive skill position player available and there isn't a defensive guy who's leaps and bounds better.

However, it doesn't solve an immediate problem of getting somebody to play outside with Terry.

Maybe some combination of Burke/Brown/Lane/McCaffery/(eventually) Aiyuk is that solution. But Lemon is, by my understanding, mostly a slot guy.

And when you start talking position value, is a slot receiver worth the 7th pick? (I would say sure, for the same reason that I think a running back is worth it. If they are able to effect the game the most, eh, who cares about position value.

The thing with us is, it’s not even just “position value” as in any argument that slot WR’s are worth less than an outside WR. There are schemes where that isn’t true. But it’s our understanding that we’ll be going heavy very often, 12/13 personnel at a much higher rate.

So it’s arguable whether we can even salvage value from the past McCaffrey/Lane slot guy picks, never mind a much higher cost slot stud in Lemon. If they don’t think Lemon can start outside (not only as a receiver, but holding his own as a run blocker) in 12/13 personnel then it’s a question how much he’d even be on the field.

Not to mention that Okonkwo can flex out as a jumbo slot at times when we go from 12 to 11 personnel.

So even outside of theoretical value, it’s about the real value of snaps, production, and role for us. This staff wants to save their jobs and they’re going to want to draft a player who is going to play a LOT if at all possible

And I say that as someone who, if Lemon isn’t a total weirdo, thinks he may be the best 2026 WR prospect in a vacuum.

 

[DWinzit]

If Love is selected at 7, what RB is used In short yardage and goal line situations? Ford?

 

[skinsinparadise]

No idea of this is true, but if somebody traded up to 6, I doubt it would be for Tate. Maybe Love. Meaning if the Browns trade out Tate should be there. NOTE: I don’t think anybody is trading up to 6. However in this hypothetical, I think it would be for Love. Because he’s an immediate impact player.

In that case we shouldn't overthink it and take Tate.

I keep feeling we’re going to get stuck with either Downs, Bain, or some other defensive player because the two offensive guys + Styles will be gone.

I’m penciling Styles to the Giants. Though they could take Downs. But I think Styles just feels like a perfect John Harbaugh fit.

Who knows. that was an Athletic reporter making that case. But I'll say at least in mocks, Tate to the Browns is becoming very common.

I'd say the QB going #1, Reese going #2. Bailey going 3 or 4. Styles going 5. Tate going 6 seems to be very common,

Biggest wildcards are the Titans going pass rusher or Love and the Cards going O line or pass rusher.

Many seem to think Downs goes 8-14 range.

 

[skinsinparadise]

If Love is selected at 7, what RB is used In short yardage and goal line situations? Ford?

I think its Love, he has some pop top him, had a ton of TDs.

 

[DWinzit]

I think its Love, he has some pop top him, had a ton of TDs.

Do you feel he runs tough enough inside?

 

[Conn]

If Love is selected at 7, what RB is used In short yardage and goal line situations? Ford?

Love honestly. Not due to power and size necessarily, he has instincts, vision, and a nose for the end zone. Also keeps the receiving threat (who can pass protect) on the field.

Think of him more as Arian Foster at the GL and not a power back

 

[skinsinparadise]

Do you feel he runs tough enough inside?

He's ok enough inside, hje has a good yards after contact number. But I don't think any of the other RBs major in it. Maybe Rachaad White, who isn't bad at getting tough yards

 

[DWinzit]

The thing with us is, it’s not even just “position value” as in any argument that slot WR’s are worth less than an outside WR. There are schemes where that isn’t true. But it’s our understanding that we’ll be going heavy very often, 12/13 personnel at a much higher rate.

So it’s arguable whether we can even salvage value from the past McCaffrey/Lane slot guy picks, never mind a much higher cost slot stud in Lemon. If they don’t think Lemon can start outside (not only as a receiver, but holding his own as a run blocker) in 12/13 personnel then it’s a question how much he’d even be on the field.

Not to mention that Okonkwo can flex out as a jumbo slot at times when we go from 12 to 11 personnel.

So even outside of theoretical value, it’s about the real value of snaps, production, and role for us. This staff wants to save their jobs and they’re going to want to draft a player who is going to play a LOT if at all possible

And I say that as someone who, if Lemon isn’t a total weirdo, thinks he may be the best 2026 WR prospect in a vacuum.

Yeah, I have a hard time seeing them risk another season with Terry and a bunch of WR3456's that might be okay o the outside

 

[DWinzit]

He's ok enough inside, hje has a good yards after contact number. But I don't think any of the other RBs major in it. Maybe Rachaad White, who isn't bad at getting tough yards

To me this is his weakness, it scares me with him. I don't love any of the RBs to be that really tough inside guy. However, I am much more comfortable with the players we have currently even without Love than last years RBs. I would think if they don't get Love they may take a RB later

 

[skinsinparadise]

Reading the scouts takes on the corners just now. They like McCoy over Delane. they think both are good corners but neither is great, neither the typical stud CB who goes top 10.