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

I am pleased the team felt good enough about him to bring him back and give him a shot to earn a position on this roster. I am quite certain they wouldn't have done that based on one catch. I see more potential with him than some of the others on the roster. If he doesn't work out, he gets cut or perhaps the PS. If he does workout, I can also see a world where he could move ahead of Lane, Luke, Van and/or Dyami. I am hoping he proves himself like I believe he can.
The team bring him back and giving him a chance to make the roster is one thing, thinking he can be a legit WR3 is something else entirely. I have no problem bringing him in, there is no downside. Again my thoughts are fans are too optimistic about the outcome IMO.
 
Matt Bowen picking the best traits of the players in the draft, some of those he choose:

Best receiving back: Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame​

Love had 55 receptions and five touchdowns over his past two seasons, and his route tree will expand as a pro. Love should be viewed as a playmaker in the league, similar to Detroit's Jahmyr Gibbs and Atlanta's Bijan Robinson.



Best pass-protecting back: Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame​

Love's pass-blocking ability adds to his three-down profile in the NFL. He had 109 pass-blocking reps over the past two seasons, allowing only one pressure.




Best route runner: Carnell Tate, Ohio State​

A glider with separation ability at multiple levels of the field, Tate is well-versed in manipulating man coverage in the route stem. He caught 51 passes for nine touchdowns last season.

Best red zone target: Denzel Boston, Washington​

Boston caught seven of his 11 touchdowns last season on red zone throws. He can create separation on quick slants, but it's the one-on-one fade routes that highlight his strengths. He can climb the ladder to high-point or adjust to make some clutch grabs.

Best receiving instincts: Antonio Williams, Clemson​

A reliable slot target with steady production (130 receptions over the past two seasons), Williams has the coverage awareness to settle in open grass when facing zone looks. And he can create his own leverage to defeat man coverage underneath.

Most instinctive OL: Logan Jones, Iowa​

Jones is steady in pass protection and had experience in a multiple-run scheme at Iowa. He has the field awareness to identify pressure and late movement to anchor the offensive front.

Best pass-rush moves: David Bailey, Texas Tech​

Bailey has a full menu of pass-rush moves to attack the pocket. The 4.5 speed is there to help him get upfield and bend to dip under blockers. He can win with speed-to-power but also has multiple inside counters. Bailey's 14.5 sacks tied for the most in the FBS, while his 71 pressures tied for second.

Best coverage instincts: Caleb Downs, Ohio State​

Downs unpacks route combinations with speed, which allows him to cut or drive on crossers and over routes from depth. Plus, he can anticipate breaks in man coverage to stay connected with receivers.

Best secondary blitzer: Keionte Scott, Miami​

Scott has a strong sense of timing and feel as a blitzer from overhang or slot alignments. And he has the speed to get to the quarterback. In addition to his five sacks, Scott had 21 pressures in 2025.

Best nickel traits: Keionte Scott, Miami​

Scott fits best as a low-zone nickel, giving him playmaking upside in the right scheme. He has a tone-setting demeanor near the line of scrimmage, leading all FBS cornerbacks with nine run stops in 2025. Scott had two interceptions, two forced fumbles and five sacks last season.

Best tackler: Sonny Styles, Ohio State​

With a 6-foot-5, 244-pound frame, Styles uses his long tackling radius to wrap up ball carriers. He played 642 defensive snaps at Ohio State last season, and he missed only two tackles.

Fastest closing speed to ball carrier: Sonny Styles, Ohio State​

Styles runs clean lines at the second level, using his short-area speed to arrive at the ball. Plus, he can close the edges on perimeter concepts. Styles ran a 4.46 in the 40-yard dash at the combine.
 
The team bring him back and giving him a chance to make the roster is one thing, thinking he can be a legit WR3 is something else entirely. I have no problem bringing him in, there is no downside. Again my thoughts are fans are too optimistic about the outcome IMO.
I don't think anyone has penned him in as a 2026 starter or even certain to make the team. If someone did I'd agree with you. Terry is seriously the only WR who can be penned in. The rest are all in a competition along with further FA's and anyone they draft.
 
Matt Bowen picking the best traits of the players in the draft, some of those he choose:

Best receiving back: Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame​

Love had 55 receptions and five touchdowns over his past two seasons, and his route tree will expand as a pro. Love should be viewed as a playmaker in the league, similar to Detroit's Jahmyr Gibbs and Atlanta's Bijan Robinson.



Best pass-protecting back: Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame​

Love's pass-blocking ability adds to his three-down profile in the NFL. He had 109 pass-blocking reps over the past two seasons, allowing only one pressure.




Best route runner: Carnell Tate, Ohio State​

A glider with separation ability at multiple levels of the field, Tate is well-versed in manipulating man coverage in the route stem. He caught 51 passes for nine touchdowns last season.

Best red zone target: Denzel Boston, Washington​

Boston caught seven of his 11 touchdowns last season on red zone throws. He can create separation on quick slants, but it's the one-on-one fade routes that highlight his strengths. He can climb the ladder to high-point or adjust to make some clutch grabs.

Best receiving instincts: Antonio Williams, Clemson​

A reliable slot target with steady production (130 receptions over the past two seasons), Williams has the coverage awareness to settle in open grass when facing zone looks. And he can create his own leverage to defeat man coverage underneath.

Most instinctive OL: Logan Jones, Iowa​

Jones is steady in pass protection and had experience in a multiple-run scheme at Iowa. He has the field awareness to identify pressure and late movement to anchor the offensive front.

Best pass-rush moves: David Bailey, Texas Tech​

Bailey has a full menu of pass-rush moves to attack the pocket. The 4.5 speed is there to help him get upfield and bend to dip under blockers. He can win with speed-to-power but also has multiple inside counters. Bailey's 14.5 sacks tied for the most in the FBS, while his 71 pressures tied for second.

Best coverage instincts: Caleb Downs, Ohio State​

Downs unpacks route combinations with speed, which allows him to cut or drive on crossers and over routes from depth. Plus, he can anticipate breaks in man coverage to stay connected with receivers.

Best secondary blitzer: Keionte Scott, Miami​

Scott has a strong sense of timing and feel as a blitzer from overhang or slot alignments. And he has the speed to get to the quarterback. In addition to his five sacks, Scott had 21 pressures in 2025.

Best nickel traits: Keionte Scott, Miami​

Scott fits best as a low-zone nickel, giving him playmaking upside in the right scheme. He has a tone-setting demeanor near the line of scrimmage, leading all FBS cornerbacks with nine run stops in 2025. Scott had two interceptions, two forced fumbles and five sacks last season.

Best tackler: Sonny Styles, Ohio State​

With a 6-foot-5, 244-pound frame, Styles uses his long tackling radius to wrap up ball carriers. He played 642 defensive snaps at Ohio State last season, and he missed only two tackles.

Fastest closing speed to ball carrier: Sonny Styles, Ohio State​

Styles runs clean lines at the second level, using his short-area speed to arrive at the ball. Plus, he can close the edges on perimeter concepts. Styles ran a 4.46 in the 40-yard dash at the combine.
We have really nailed this group pretty well!

I don't know if I'm thrilled, surprised or bummed to see Logan Jones listed. I don't want attention being drawn to him, selfishly of course, I like him as our C selection in the 5th. He may go earlier
 
We have really nailed this group pretty well!

I don't know if I'm thrilled, surprised or bummed to see Logan Jones listed. I don't want attention being drawn to him, selfishly of course, I like him as our C selection in the 5th. He may go earlier

Yeah Logan is ranked first by the scouts, he's not going below the radar. Listening to Keim, my take is if they are going for a center it likely would be an athlete who is smart. I gather Jones fits that.

I see Bowen gave a rare nod to Antonio Williams one of my third round favs.
 
Matt Bowen picking the best traits of the players in the draft, some of those he choose:

Best receiving back: Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame​

Love had 55 receptions and five touchdowns over his past two seasons, and his route tree will expand as a pro. Love should be viewed as a playmaker in the league, similar to Detroit's Jahmyr Gibbs and Atlanta's Bijan Robinson.



Best pass-protecting back: Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame​

Love's pass-blocking ability adds to his three-down profile in the NFL. He had 109 pass-blocking reps over the past two seasons, allowing only one pressure.




Best route runner: Carnell Tate, Ohio State​

A glider with separation ability at multiple levels of the field, Tate is well-versed in manipulating man coverage in the route stem. He caught 51 passes for nine touchdowns last season.

Best red zone target: Denzel Boston, Washington​

Boston caught seven of his 11 touchdowns last season on red zone throws. He can create separation on quick slants, but it's the one-on-one fade routes that highlight his strengths. He can climb the ladder to high-point or adjust to make some clutch grabs.

Best receiving instincts: Antonio Williams, Clemson​

A reliable slot target with steady production (130 receptions over the past two seasons), Williams has the coverage awareness to settle in open grass when facing zone looks. And he can create his own leverage to defeat man coverage underneath.

Most instinctive OL: Logan Jones, Iowa​

Jones is steady in pass protection and had experience in a multiple-run scheme at Iowa. He has the field awareness to identify pressure and late movement to anchor the offensive front.

Best pass-rush moves: David Bailey, Texas Tech​

Bailey has a full menu of pass-rush moves to attack the pocket. The 4.5 speed is there to help him get upfield and bend to dip under blockers. He can win with speed-to-power but also has multiple inside counters. Bailey's 14.5 sacks tied for the most in the FBS, while his 71 pressures tied for second.

Best coverage instincts: Caleb Downs, Ohio State​

Downs unpacks route combinations with speed, which allows him to cut or drive on crossers and over routes from depth. Plus, he can anticipate breaks in man coverage to stay connected with receivers.

Best secondary blitzer: Keionte Scott, Miami​

Scott has a strong sense of timing and feel as a blitzer from overhang or slot alignments. And he has the speed to get to the quarterback. In addition to his five sacks, Scott had 21 pressures in 2025.

Best nickel traits: Keionte Scott, Miami​

Scott fits best as a low-zone nickel, giving him playmaking upside in the right scheme. He has a tone-setting demeanor near the line of scrimmage, leading all FBS cornerbacks with nine run stops in 2025. Scott had two interceptions, two forced fumbles and five sacks last season.

Best tackler: Sonny Styles, Ohio State​

With a 6-foot-5, 244-pound frame, Styles uses his long tackling radius to wrap up ball carriers. He played 642 defensive snaps at Ohio State last season, and he missed only two tackles.

Fastest closing speed to ball carrier: Sonny Styles, Ohio State​

Styles runs clean lines at the second level, using his short-area speed to arrive at the ball. Plus, he can close the edges on perimeter concepts. Styles ran a 4.46 in the 40-yard dash at the combine.
I’m lock step with this. Yes, even Bailey. He doesn’t use his hands well but his footwork and moves are high end, specifically that spin.
 
I was thinking about the argument for drafting positional value, thinking specifically about the monetary side. I think there is a flip side of the coin.

Is it more expensive to sign, or resign a WR than a RB? Sure. But I think Love is a guy that could have the same impact as a top 5-10 WR in the league, or even top 5-10 offensive skill position player in the league.

Doesn’t it also seem like there is real value in having a player that could be a top 5-10 offensive skill position player in the league that is going to cost half as much as a receiver to resign?

I think there is hidden value to having high end or elite talent at RB and TE, that you don’t have to pay that much, but that still are impact players that can drive an offense. It leaves more money for other things.

There are also a million productive WR’s in every draft that have elite NFL traits. It’s not like LT or DE, where the traits are so much more rare and you have to grab those guys in the top 20 picks.
 


New Mock Draft from Daniel Jeremiah. Top 10 only.

1.Raiders- Fernando Mendoza
2. Jets- David Bailey
3. Cardinals- Francis Mauigoa
4. Titans- Arvell Reese
5. Giants- Sonny Styles
6. Browns- Spencer Fano
7. Commanders... Watch the video and see what he think might happen!
 
Well that trade wouldn't go over well around here lol. Unless the team moved backup from 16 to grab one of the studs while keeping some of the picks acquired. There is no discussion on what the team would have received
 
We just got to eat the missing 2 and 4 slot. Take a blue chip at 7. No trade down is my vote.
 
Jeremiah hss is trading with the Jets back to 16
He also has Love dropping to 9 to the Chiefs which doesn't make sense to me

 


New Mock Draft from Daniel Jeremiah. Top 10 only.

1.Raiders- Fernando Mendoza
2. Jets- David Bailey
3. Cardinals- Francis Mauigoa
4. Titans- Arvell Reese
5. Giants- Sonny Styles
6. Browns- Spencer Fano
7. Commanders... Watch the video and see what he think might happen!


Jeremiah hss is trading with the Jets back to 16
He also has Love dropping to 9 to the Chiefs which doesn't make sense to me



🤷🏻‍♂️
 
Jeremiah hss is trading with the Jets back to 16
He also has Love dropping to 9 to the Chiefs which doesn't make sense to me



So many of these mocks that fly around are directionally informative, but the details are based around where the analyst would love to see a player land, where the buzz would be. Lots of mental gymnastics to get the players where they’d be the most exciting for certain fanbases. Not saying it’s straight up click-bait, just that 10 days out people are going for conversation and directional correctness rather than nailing what will actually happen. His final mock will look a bit different I’d wager, like many others
 
Us dropping to 16 just doesn't work for me unless they include a future 1st. There's just no chance at a blue chip player. There may not even be a chance at any of the top players on our list. Down to nine or even eleven? Maybe? Down to the middle of the draft? It better be a crazy haul. Repeating myself, A Mike Ditka/Hershel Walker-trade style haul.
 
Plus, for every other team, there is this resounding chorus where everyone demands that the team has to support the QB! Yet somehow, no one thinks Daniels needs any help? It'd be a stupid move.
 

I'm interested to see if there is truth to this or if it just seems like a captain obvious guess due to missing the 2nd and 4th rounders

I'd think they would listen to offers butt not be pushing for a trade
 
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