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

You're not thinking long term/big picture.

Every free agent every year was once draft eligible, they'll remember the teams that create a positive environment and the ones who treat them like commodities instead of humans.

Though true, why would you think that this organizational group would treat any invitee like a commodity instead of a human? What have you seen over the last two seasons that would lead to that thought?
 
Though true, why would you think that this organizational group would treat any invitee like a commodity instead of a human? What have you seen over the last two seasons that would lead to that thought?
Absolutely nothing they've done would lead to that thought it was your comment that did.

You said this is not free agency its the draft implying that they go where they're picked and therefore pleasantries like taking them out for a golf outing aren't necessary.

While that is technically true its forgetting that a lot of these guys will eventually be free agents and having intimate knowledge of as many as we can while also planting seeds in their head that this is a solid and fun environment are all good long term building strategies.
 
Absolutely nothing they've done would lead to that thought it was your comment that did.

You said this is not free agency its the draft implying that they go where they're picked and therefore pleasantries like taking them out for a golf outing aren't necessary.

While that is technically true its forgetting that a lot of these guys will eventually be free agents and having intimate knowledge of as many as we can while also planting seeds in their head that this is a solid and fun environment are all good long term building strategies.

I didn’t imply anything, much less that. They do go where they are picked unless they pull an Eli or Elway. That is incontrovertible.

I also take no exception to the Top Golf event where there exists a multitude of benefits to the team. If you want to believe that there is some added positive 4-5 years down the road to be reaped that could/should be part of the calculus toward attracting future free agents…well, that’s your choice.
 
I keep hearing Styles is a soft tackler. I have not watched any tape. For those that have, is there any merit to this?

Not really. But he rarely flattens guys. It's been discussed a lot here. He tackles high -- he's tall so he doesn't bend in a big way so with the style he clearly brings his guy down, only 2 missed tackles all season which is insane, but you don't see highlight smash mouth kind of plays from him often, but you do on occasion.

To me eyes his highlights are diving tackles, he has a bunch of them, and they are fun to watch.

Doesn't feel like as the draft gets closer he's landing at 7
 
I keep hearing Styles is a soft tackler. I have not watched any tape. For those that have, is there any merit to this?
Yes. He is a soft tackler.

That does not mean he isn’t a sure tackler, though. I do have some concerns at the NFL level. Mark Fletcher absolutely ran right through him in the playoffs.

But, Styles gets in good positions, wraps and tackles at a really high rate.

He can correct that pretty easy, too. Spend some time with a rugby coach and he’s good to go.

He has every other tool you need. Coverage chops, blitz chops, sure tackler, sideline to sideline speed.

If we wound up with him id be pretty amped.

I don’t think he’s going to be around at 7, though.
 

This mock seems about right. Giants select Styles, which will knock Dallas out of trading up with Cleveland. Skins left with Downs, Delane and I would not 100% rule out Bain. I’m sure they’d love to trade down a few slots in this scenario. Staying put, it’s a toss up between Downs (if medicals check out) and Delane (shorter arms).
 
judging by rumors the key for Washington to end up with Love is for the Cardinals to skip Bailey or Reese. Otherwise the Titans likely take Love.
 
Pauline is a bit hit and miss so who knows

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Pauline is a bit hit and miss so who knows

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I mean this seems to be just about consensus at this point.

Love, Tate, Delane.

Interesting he didn’t mention Styles - though I do think he’s in play.

The interesting one is Edge - I know many teams are high on Mesidor, too. Some have him as a top 3 pass rusher in the class.

That’s where this gets interesting. If they like him more than some of the names we talk about, they’re going to trade back if possible.

I have a gut feeling that Love/Tate are gone and we are going to take Delane.
 
I think edge could be in play, but only if the OSU 4 and Love are gone at 7. May come down to Mansoor or Bain?
 
Pauline is a bit hit and miss so who knows

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I think about Quan a lot when I think about Downs. I believed it when they said Jones was high on him. So much so to the point where if they drafted Downs,

I thought they may play 3 safeties some but that doesn't really make sense when we have some corners also. Add that to the fact that Cross seems almost like a Downs clone

I early on said the same thing about Styles. If we play more of a 3-4 look, we will have Chenal and Luvu in the middle with Magee as a backup. If we play the 4-3, we have all 3 of those guys. You really don't need Styles either
 
What is the comp for Mansoor Delane compared to CB currently in the league?
 
What is the comp for Mansoor Delane compared to CB currently in the league?
He reminds me a of Devon Witherspoon. Physical, aggressive trigger guy that isn’t afraid to come up on the run and sticky in coverage

Witherspoon 6-0 181 arm span 73 5/8, 31 3/4 arms

Delane 6-0, 187, arm span 74 3/4, 30” arms

Delane didn’t commit a single penalty this past season. He’s sticky and a ball disruptor. Hell, the LSU DC blitzed him a few times.

Guy is well rounded and is quickly becoming my most preferred defensive player.
 

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