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

[ES1974]

Styles worries me more than any of the other potential picks at 7.

I keep hearing from media that highlight he can play all over the field as a rover and doesn’t need to project to a specific position.

The last athletic freak I heard that about was LaVar Arrington.

In the end Arrington became a pass rush specialist and was rather limited in what he could do and where you could play him.

I also hear a lot about Styles being a playmaker in the passing game but he only had ONE sack last year.

Styles is not a Love or Downs or Bailey that projects clearly to an NFL position and all of these guys seem more likely to make am immediate impact as starters.

Well our GM thinks he’s a plug and play team captain for the next decade.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

Well our GM thinks he’s a plug and play team captain for the next decade.

And he might be.

Something to keep in mind about that interview, Peters was asked specifically and only about Styles. He said nice things about him. To my knowledge he wasn't asked about other players. If he was, I'm sure he would have said nice things about them also.

I don't quite understand why anybody is reading anything into this. Galdi did a whole segment on if Peters tipped his hand. I think the answer is definitively no. And yeah, we might draft Styles if he is there. Depending on who else is there.

But a GM saying nice things about a prospect he's asked about is not surprising. There is nothing to be gained from not saying good things about a prospect.

 

[Conn]

Styles worries me more than any of the other potential picks at 7.

I keep hearing from media that highlight he can play all over the field as a rover and doesn’t need to project to a specific position.

The last athletic freak I heard that about was LaVar Arrington.

In the end Arrington became a pass rush specialist and was rather limited in what he could do and where you could play him.

I also hear a lot about Styles being a playmaker in the passing game but he only had ONE sack last year.

Styles is not a Love or Downs or Bailey that projects clearly to an NFL position and all of these guys seem more likely to make am immediate impact as starters.

Still feels more like you’re describing Reese than Styles, even though I know you aren’t.

Styles has a position. He’s not a tweener. He’s your green dot ILB, period. You have to be okay that he’s not a tone-setter as a tackler, he’s sure but he doesn’t stick people. He can blitz, he’s not an edge despite the oozing athleticism. His value against the passing game is in coverage due to his speed and athleticism. That’s his special trait.

His versatility is an asset that you’re for some reason holding against him—maybe because in the past versatility has been used as an excuse for a guy being a tweener? He’s not Isaiah Simmons. If anything that’s potentially the risk with Reese if he doesn’t develop pass rush moves and countermoves with hand usage, he’s just making it up as he goes along utilizing his athleticism.

Styles is your franchise ILB who calls the plays, period. His coverage ability and blitz potential isn’t a downside and doesn’t confuse his role. He has a position. He’s just not a thumper, so it depends how you feel about that.

 

[DWinzit]

Pick Tate.

That's easy. He's the best WR in the class, plays outside, and solves an immediate need while being the best player on the board in that scenario.

Lemon plays slot. We just drafted 2 slot guys. McCaffery could maybe play outside, but I've heard he's better in the slot. At least for now. Lane is a slot guy.
Tyson is always hurt. He couldn't even work out this year because of a Hammy he suffered last year
Cooper is at best the 4th WR in the draft. You're trading down and diminishing value.

Stick and pick the best WR you can pick. Don't be tempted with 2 lesser prospects.

I'm sure you have already posted it but, if Love and Tate are gone do you move to the defense at pick 7?

BTW, I can easily see a world where the BPA per their board at 7 will be OL. Of course I'd much rather focus almost anyplace else

 

[ES1974]

And he might be.

Something to keep in mind about that interview, Peters was asked specifically and only about Styles. He said nice things about him. To my knowledge he wasn't asked about other players. If he was, I'm sure he would have said nice things about them also.

I don't quite understand why anybody is reading anything into this. Galdi did a whole segment on if Peters tipped his hand. I think the answer is definitively no. And yeah, we might draft Styles if he is there. Depending on who else is there.

But a GM saying nice things about a prospect he's asked about is not surprising. There is nothing to be gained from not saying good things about a prospect.

Peters was very specific in his comments. He didn’t have to over play things.

I don’t quite understand your unnecessary spin. The interview and Peters comments were very clear, transparent, and not for click bait.

Clear as day, no need to second guess like you are.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

Peters was very specific in his comments. He didn’t have to over play things.

I don’t quite understand your unnecessary spin. The interview and Peters comments were very clear, transparent, and not for click bait.

Clear as day, no need to second guess like you are.

I think he was asked about one particular player. He answered.

He wasn't asked about other players. He didn't answer.

I don't think he overplayed anything. And I'm not spinning anything. I do find it odd this interview has gotten as much attention as it has. If Kay Adams had asked about Downs, or Tate, or Love, I'm betting he would have gushed about them also.

 

[Commander Wraith]

Styles worries me more than any of the other potential picks at 7.

I keep hearing from media that highlight he can play all over the field as a rover and doesn’t need to project to a specific position.

The last athletic freak I heard that about was LaVar Arrington.

In the end Arrington became a pass rush specialist and was rather limited in what he could do and where you could play him.

I also hear a lot about Styles being a playmaker in the passing game but he only had ONE sack last year.

Styles is not a Love or Downs or Bailey that projects clearly to an NFL position and all of these guys seem more likely to make am immediate impact as starters.

In case you didn’t know, that bell at the top of the page shows you notifications. You probably have a half dozen just from all the people that quoted you to say you seem to be confusing Styles with Reese.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

I'm sure you have already posted it but, if Love and Tate are gone do you move to the defense at pick 7?

BTW, I can easily see a world where the BPA per their board at 7 will be OL. Of course I'd much rather focus almost anyplace else

That's a great question, and the answer is yes. If the best player available is Downs, for example, and while I don't love Downs, but he's clearly the best player available at that spot, and he can make an immediate impact, you pick Downs. Don't over-complicate things.

If somebody desperately wants Downs and they are willing to move up and grab him, I mean, you have the phone conversation, but if the player you would pick at your next spot is not at the same rating as Downs, then you pick Downs. Ditto for Baily, Styles, whoever else is there.

I MUCH prefer an offensive skill position player.

I don't think an OT will be top on their board at that point. I guess it's possible. And if that's the case, that would be a reason to trade down.

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

For me it has little to do with one catch, it's about the potential that he oozes. He came across last year as though he had bought the team and was working hard with this shot.

This will be his 5th year in the league. I know he has had injuries but that's enough time to get a feel for who he is. In this league you only get so many chances to prove yourself. Again he had 8 games to show us that he can get open and make plays and it's not like he was playing with Heath Shuler. He had his chance and showed nothing other than one highlight catch.

 

[RedWolf]

I've traded up multiple times and now I have a beautiful young Dominican woman. It's been expensive but worth it.

🤣🤣🤣

 

[DWinzit]

This will be his 5th year in the league. I know he has had injuries but that's enough time to get a feel for who he is. In this league you only get so many chances to prove yourself. Again he had 8 games to show us that he can get open and make plays and it's not like he was playing with Heath Shuler. He had his chance and showed nothing other than one highlight catch.

Oh you are correct, he had Mariota and Josh Johnson...backups he has never played with no less a team he didn't begin the season with

 

[Dlts20]

It just feels like we will end up with one of the OSU 3. Tate, Downs, or Styles.

 

[Dlts20]

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

Oh you are correct, he had Mariota and Josh Johnson...backups he has never played with no less a team he didn't begin the season with

MM was a fine backup, Burkes just couldn't get open which was a problem for the receivers all season. Hopefully it was mostly scheme but people are getting way too excited about a receiver who hasn't done anything in 4 seasons.

 

[Primus Porcus]

Oh you are correct, he had Mariota and Josh Johnson...backups he has never played with no less a team he didn't begin the season with

If you think that's bad, look at who he had as a QB in Tennessee....


That's not me saying we've got some lock to unleash a no. 1, or even a no. 2 WR in Burks, but the guy has had very little around him. He clearly has not lived up to the hope of being A.J. Brown's replacement, but he's got talent. If that guy is your no. 3 or 4 wr, it starts to open up those questions and possibilities about what could be.

 

[KDawg]

I hadn’t watched Cooper in detail previous. Just did a bit of a dive.

This dude has every trait necessary to be a high end NFL receiver.

He has good hands and I love how he leverages DBs. Explosive with the ball in his hands and he runs through contact like a running back.

He attacks angles and makes the DBs either open their hips too early or too late and then gets them on the move.

4.42 speed is visible on film.

The question marks are maturity, Cignetti actually questioned him publicly and he had issues with being healthy in previous years.

I like Denzel Boston as an X type, I like Omar Cooper as a Z/Slot.

Lemon vs. Cooper is Lemons vs. Oranges. Different flavor, same position. I think Lemon is more agile, moves better out of breaks and has great YAC ability. Cooper runs harder, has similar hands and plays “bigger”.

I think both could play Z, but given Cignetti’s move with Cooper (and, quite frankly, the other outside guys were both better outside in Sarratt and Becker) I’m not sure he’s a Z full time.

I slot him as a slot close to Lemon.

He’d be a good get. If healthy and mature enough he could be the best receiver in the class but maturity issues just last year make that a tough sell.

Love the player, though. Interviews would be a real big part of taking him or Lemon.

 

[DWinzit]

If you think that's bad, look at who he had as a QB in Tennessee....


That's not me saying we've got some lock to unleash a no. 1, or even a no. 2 WR in Burks, but the guy has had very little around him. He clearly has not lived up to the hope of being A.J. Brown's replacement, but he's got talent. If that guy is your no. 3 or 4 wr, it starts to open up those questions and possibilities about what could be.

Oh yes. I recall seeing an interview where he was excited to be in Washington with Jayden and company and looked forward to the opportunity. There was also interviews with others mixed in with his explaining how hard he was working and how committed he was, That all has little to do with one catch or what he was handed in Tenn. He is loaded with potential, size, speed and there's reason why he was drafted so early. No one has the expectations that were initially put on him when entering the NFL butt it isn't off the mark tho think he could turn into a legit WR3/4

 

[Discobob]

Peters was very specific in his comments. He didn’t have to over play things.

I don’t quite understand your unnecessary spin. The interview and Peters comments were very clear, transparent, and not for click bait.

Clear as day, no need to second guess like you are.

Is it possible that he tipped his hand?...Sure

Is it also possible that he would have "talked up" virtually ANY high end player that he was asked about?...Sure

Or, maybe he DOESN'T want him, and was intentionally throwing other teams off?...Sure

I just don't see this as an obvious read 🤷

 

[Dlts20]

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

Lemon vs. Cooper is Lemons vs. Oranges.