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

[skinsinparadise]

Our offensive skill position roster is absolutely abysmal.

I believe, that it is not out of the question, that we have the absolute worst skill group in the NFL.

Our RB situation is among the worst in the League, though improved significantly from last year.

WR1 we are middle of the road with an aging Terry, but that's not bad - I'll take that.

WR2 we are bottom of the league.

WR3 we are bottom of the league.

Tight end we are, I'll say middle of the League. Though, it is FAIR to note that our primary offensive weapon signing, Chig Okonkwo, was 17th in the NFL in tight end receiving yards and 15th in tight end receptions. Ertz was 21st in yards and 18th in receptions. No, I am not saying we didn't upgrade. And yes, I do think he will have a better year this season simply because there isn't many options... but there weren't many in Tennessee, either. I'll take middle of the road.

Looking at the NFL receiving yards leaders list, and counting our current guys as being Commanders here is where we rank:

McLaurin - 66th - Injured - I give him the benefit of the doubt as I expect a rebound but he IS getting older.
Burks - 249th
Jefferson - 121st
Dyami - 182nd
McCaffrey - 200th
Lane - 183rd
Chig - 71st
White - 189th
Ford - 268th
Bill - 314th

Things I think you can count on:

-Terry will be higher if healthy
-Someone else will do better based on necessity
-Chig probably will, at worst, stay the same and at best get to top 50

I also am fully aware that you cannot base next year's production on last year's.

But... this is concerning. In a glaring way.

It's so bad that a third round rookie WOULD probably surpass everyone on this list's 2025 - including possibly Terry and Chig.

It's so bad that a guy who is "only a running back" in Jeremiyah Love would probably surpass all of these guys in receiving production based on their '25 numbers.

Tate would probably surpass them all as well.

We talk about this alot... but I still think we don't talk about it enough.

And no, I'm not saying this means we have to draft Tate at 7 if Love isn't there. I understand taking Delane. He is a stud. I understand Styles. He has stud projections. But we have dropped the ball COUNTLESS times at receiver. And some people still aren't worried about it. Count me in the group that is worried about it.

The scary thing for me is you'd think that Peters 100% has something up his sleeve to fix it. But we thought that last year too and he did nothing -- even in camp when Terry was out, Noah was hurt and their WRs were blanketed by UDFA corners -- the answer to that was nada.

So while I still think they address it, I won't rule out they do hardly anything.

If I am a betting man, they do sign Aiyuk at some point and they take a WR at 71 -- but both moves would be wildcards albiet still better than the status quo.

 

[philibusters]

I am definitely intrigued by the tradedown to 13 to 16 and then grabbing one of Mauigoa (probably gone), Fano, or Ioane. If all three are gone that would likely mean Lemon or one of the defensive players is still there

 

[DWinzit]

I am definitely intrigued by the tradedown to 13 to 16 and then grabbing one of Mauigoa (probably gone), Fano, or Ioane. If all three are gone that would likely mean Lemon or one of the defensive players is still there

That would be what a team free of drafting for needs would do to get the most bang (highest graded players) for their buck from selections and he draft in general.

 

[Chris]

That would be what a team free of drafting for needs would do to get the most bang (highest graded players) for their buck from selections and he draft in general.

Or…that is what a team not seriously low on elite talent would do.

 

[Canadian Hog]

I will say that following this thread since I created it five minutes after the conclusion of the 2025 draft has been fascinating. The discussion and debate has been amazing. Not intending to high jack, but you all need to go put your expertise to work and submit an entry in our BGO Mock Draft Pool.🙂

 

[DWinzit]

Or…that is what a team not seriously low on elite talent would do.

Exactly
Or...A move a GM and HC wouldn't get killed over due to some of their drafting and personnel misses/judgements.

 

[KDawg]

Or…that is what a team not seriously low on elite talent would do.

I love Mauigoa (Who I don't think is around mid 1st) and Ioane. And we just can't draft those guys. Our OL is in a state where, right now, you can't justify going there even if those guys are a BPA when you have low talent in the offensive skills and just overall a lack of elite talent.

I agree completely with you. We are not in a position to do this despite the fact that this is along what I believe in philosophically. Build the trenches and the rest follows.

We are just so undertalented everywhere else that the rest can't follow.

 

[burgold]

I was thinking about this analogy and I'm not sure it works.

I don't think Peters wants to pay Nordstrom prices when he's shopping at Ross.

I feel like the wide receiver bin is kinda Ross this year. Maybe it's Macy's? I mean you can get great stuff and look good. You can get stuff that fills the bill, too, but do you really want to pay $300 for a dress shirt when you go to Ross (admittedly, I wouldn't ever want to pay $300 for a shirt,) but I think Peters looks at Tate, Lemon, Tyson and all the rest of the receivers as receivers that you'd be perfectly putting on for work or every day wear, but not one you would reach for first if you were invited to the ESPY awards gala. Worse, I think when Peters looked at Pierce, Dobbs, and Jennings that he also felt like he was shopping at Macy's or Ross... but it was Macy's combined with sticker shock. Sicker shock in terms of contract price or sticker shock in terms of draft pick.

Now, Tate is a good receiver. He'll get the job done and be solid like a pair of jeans for five to ten years. He's just not going to wow the ladies. He's not going to impress at the job interview. He's not what you choose if you're walking the red carpet at the Oscars, but how much does that matter?

And yet, Peters needs a shirt. He really can't get by without getting a shirt. He has one nice one that's a little threadbare and others that he picked up at the Goodwill. So what do you do when you need a shirt? How much are you willing to overpay?

 

[Kalu44]

Our offensive skill position roster is absolutely abysmal.

I believe, that it is not out of the question, that we have the absolute worst skill group in the NFL.

Our RB situation is among the worst in the League, though improved significantly from last year.

WR1 we are middle of the road with an aging Terry, but that's not bad - I'll take that.

WR2 we are bottom of the league.

WR3 we are bottom of the league.

Tight end we are, I'll say middle of the League. Though, it is FAIR to note that our primary offensive weapon signing, Chig Okonkwo, was 17th in the NFL in tight end receiving yards and 15th in tight end receptions. Ertz was 21st in yards and 18th in receptions. No, I am not saying we didn't upgrade. And yes, I do think he will have a better year this season simply because there isn't many options... but there weren't many in Tennessee, either. I'll take middle of the road.

Looking at the NFL receiving yards leaders list, and counting our current guys as being Commanders here is where we rank:

McLaurin - 66th - Injured - I give him the benefit of the doubt as I expect a rebound but he IS getting older.
Burks - 249th
Jefferson - 121st
Dyami - 182nd
McCaffrey - 200th
Lane - 183rd
Chig - 71st
White - 189th
Ford - 268th
Bill - 314th

Things I think you can count on:

-Terry will be higher if healthy
-Someone else will do better based on necessity
-Chig probably will, at worst, stay the same and at best get to top 50

I also am fully aware that you cannot base next year's production on last year's.

But... this is concerning. In a glaring way.

It's so bad that a third round rookie WOULD probably surpass everyone on this list's 2025 - including possibly Terry and Chig.

It's so bad that a guy who is "only a running back" in Jeremiyah Love would probably surpass all of these guys in receiving production based on their '25 numbers.

Tate would probably surpass them all as well.

We talk about this alot... but I still think we don't talk about it enough.

And no, I'm not saying this means we have to draft Tate at 7 if Love isn't there. I understand taking Delane. He is a stud. I understand Styles. He has stud projections. But we have dropped the ball COUNTLESS times at receiver. And some people still aren't worried about it. Count me in the group that is worried about it.

While I 100% agree with your assessment, defense can win you a championship. Look at how far Denver went last year without an offense. They probably get to the SB if Nix doesn’t get hurt. And no, I’m not saying this D is remotely close to Denver, but the point is you can be real competitive with a decent defensive while you continue to add to the offensive along the way. Do I want to win 10-7 nail biters each week, no, but I’d rather take a blue chip Defensive player then a non-blue chip WR. I just don’t think any of these WRs are elite this year. Take one in round 3 and hope he becomes a solid #2 in a few years.

 

[skinsinparadise]

 

[KDawg]

While I 100% agree with your assessment, defense can win you a championship. Look at how far Denver went last year without an offense. They probably get to the SB if Nix doesn’t get hurt. And no, I’m not saying this D is remotely close to Denver, but the point is you can be real competitive with a decent defensive while you continue to add to the offensive along the way. Do I want to win 10-7 nail biters each week, no, but I’d rather take a blue chip Defensive player then a non-blue chip WR. I just don’t think any of these WRs are elite this year. Take one in round 3 and hope he becomes a solid #2 in a few years.

Like I said, I love Delane. But while I agree Denver wasn’t anything special I like their offensive weaponry much more than ours. And I’m not sold on the first year coordinators enough, yet.

But yes, trying to make the defense elite sounds like our best plan because we have botched the stated #1 goal this offseason of surrounding Jayden with weapons so far.

 

[Dlts20]

I feel like I'm on the opposite side of most. Our skill players leave more than a lot to be desired but I still say that if you have a defensive player rated clearly over someone like a Tate then you pick the defensive player and worry about the rest later. You aren't better in the long term by turning down the BPA. I'm not turning down Luka because my front court is deficient.

The facts are that for as bad as our skill players were, they were still easily better than our historically bad defense that had its coach fired mid season. We still had a top 5 rushing attack. Our skill positions will still be better than last year and even the year before with Chig, Aiyuk, and whoever else AP signs and he definitely will sign more if we don't draft it.

Now if you have Tate rated higher or it's close then fine but if the defender is rated a level above on your book then you snatch him, no questions asked. I also feel like I have more faith in Aiyuk than most. Again, maybe it's my glass half full but I just feel like we are going to get close to the best Terry, Aiyuk, and adding Chig to that. If they all rise to their potential then I would honestly put Jayden and those 3 over mostly any group in the league.

Now that's a lot to wish for but that is why I'm not as concerned as others. I still believe that 5 will be back to himself and Aiyuk will be back to himself. That changes everything. Then you add Terry and Chig to this? I just have more faith in it than others. Click on the first video to watch Aiyuk highlights for those who forgot how special he is. Way better than Pierce or Doubs.

 

[KDawg]

I feel like I'm on the opposite side of most. Our skill players leave more than a lot to be desired but I still say that if you have a defensive player rated clearly over someone like a Tate then you pick the defensive player and worry about the rest later. You aren't better in the long term by turning down the BPA. I'm not turning down Luka because my front court is deficient.

The facts are that for as bad as our skill players were, they were still easily better than our historically bad defense that had its coach fired mid season. We still had a top 5 rushing attack. Our skill positions will still be better than last year and even the year before with Chig, Aiyuk, and whoever else AP signs and he definitely will sign more if we don't draft it.

Now if you have Tate rated higher or it's close then fine but if the defender is rated a level above on your book then you snatch him, no questions asked. I also feel like I have more faith in Aiyuk than most. Again, maybe it's my glass half full but I just feel like we are going to get close to the best Terry, Aiyuk, and adding Chig to that. If they all rise to their potential then I would honestly put Jayden and those 3 over mostly any group in the league.

Now that's a lot to wish for but that is why I'm not as concerned as others. I still believe that 5 will be back to himself and Aiyuk will be back to himself. That changes everything. Then you add Terry and Chig to this? I just have more faith in it than others. Click on the first video to watch Aiyuk highlights for those who forgot how special he is. Way better than Pierce or Doubs.

The philosophy is one I agree with.

The problem is what is long term for Peters and/or Quinn? If they have a really bad year - are they back next year? If not - there is no long term for them.

But yes, in a vacuum I agree. Take the best player.

 

[DieselPwr44]

How many games do the Redskins win last season if the defense was top 16?

 

[Bulldog]

I don't agree in part. The specter of this team taking Laron Landry after the team already had a young Sean Taylor on the team to me is a case example of talent mismanagement. Forget for a moment that Landry turned out to be less than anticipated, but a team that needed a lot of youth and talent stacks talent at one position or on one side of the ball when there were more glaring holes that were allowed to go unaddressed elsewhere.

From what I have seen written and talked about the 2026 draft it is full of good prospects but limited in terms of elite prospects that help change a team from the get go.

Styles measurables and paper tests coming out of the combine put him off the charts in terms of height, weight, and lateral quickness.............

But even the draftniks that are putting him in as a middle linebacker in the NFL are themselves guessing that while he may be called a 'Mike' he actually will be moved around quite a bit by Daronte Jones and help in a number of areas.

That bothers me. I want to see an elite prospect that projects almost 100% to one position in the NFL - just the way we took Trent Williams or Sean Taylor in the top 10.

Styles posted one sack this past season so the ability to rush the passer and post numbers there is largely hopeful and anticipatory rather than actual at this point.

Again, I would rather trade down and take Lemon or Tyson if he falls and then pick up a #2 to go ahead and add a younger edge rusher or other premium position and lock them in for the next few years and avoid having to look to free agency.

Linebacker is not considered a premium position and teams like the Eagles or Rams are well-versed at bringing in veterans to help them go to the Super Bowl and contend but you rarely if ever see them take this position at the top of the draft order.

 

[skinsinparadise]

I feel like I'm on the opposite side of most. Our skill players leave more than a lot to be desired but I still say that if you have a defensive player rated clearly over someone like a Tate then you pick the defensive player and worry about the rest later. You aren't better in the long term by turning down the BPA. I'm not turning down Luka because my front court is deficient.

The facts are that for as bad as our skill players were, they were still easily better than our historically bad defense that had its coach fired mid season. We still had a top 5 rushing attack. Our skill positions will still be better than last year and even the year before with Chig, Aiyuk, and whoever else AP signs and he definitely will sign more if we don't draft it.

Now if you have Tate rated higher or it's close then fine but if the defender is rated a level above on your book then you snatch him, no questions asked. I also feel like I have more faith in Aiyuk than most. Again, maybe it's my glass half full but I just feel like we are going to get close to the best Terry, Aiyuk, and adding Chig to that. If they all rise to their potential then I would honestly put Jayden and those 3 over mostly any group in the league.

Now that's a lot to wish for but that is why I'm not as concerned as others. I still believe that 5 will be back to himself and Aiyuk will be back to himself. That changes everything. Then you add Terry and Chig to this? I just have more faith in it than others. Click on the first video to watch Aiyuk highlights for those who forgot how special he is. Way better than Pierce or Doubs.

Last year it was beyond bad. It was atrocious.

As for production, Deebo was the best. He had the most TDs. Ertz had the 2nd most. Both are now gone.

For the moment trying to fix arguably the worst receiving crew in the NFL from last year

It's no Deebo and Ertz
And yes to minimum wage WRs in Dyami and Van Jefferson. And the one strong addition is Chig.

You can argue it was pathetic last year but this lineup is worse. Depth is better but lineup is worse.

So part of the narrative for why WRs don't get paid big post 30: injuries and drop off of their production.

We can assume Terry defies the odds and is different albiet he wasn't last year. But just in general having a 31 year old coming off a banged up year as your #1 isn't hot.

As for Aiyuk, he could be the goods. But often guys who don't play for a year coming off an injury, aren't that hot. Sans Adrian Peterson, its often a thing which is give them a year to get their legs back and you'll see them back to form the season after. Maybe Aiyuk defies the odds. Gallup sucked coming from sitting out a season and he wasn't even injured. Le'Veon Bell sucked coming off of a season that he sat out.

So if we got Aiyuk coming off a major injury, not playing the season before and who knows when SF even releases him, they can be spiteful and do it in August -- him killing it this coming season would be a cool surprise not something to count on IMO.

 

[skinsinparadise]

Like I said, I love Delane. But while I agree Denver wasn’t anything special I like their offensive weaponry much more than ours. And I’m not sold on the first year coordinators enough, yet.

But yes, trying to make the defense elite sounds like our best plan because we have botched the stated #1 goal this offseason of surrounding Jayden with weapons so far.

Denver has the best O line in the league, top 3 defense, better receivers -- and running game about the same.

 

[Faithful Fan]

Our offensive skill position roster is absolutely abysmal.

I believe, that it is not out of the question, that we have the absolute worst skill group in the NFL.

Our RB situation is among the worst in the League, though improved significantly from last year.

WR1 we are middle of the road with an aging Terry, but that's not bad - I'll take that.

WR2 we are bottom of the league.

WR3 we are bottom of the league.

Tight end we are, I'll say middle of the League. Though, it is FAIR to note that our primary offensive weapon signing, Chig Okonkwo, was 17th in the NFL in tight end receiving yards and 15th in tight end receptions. Ertz was 21st in yards and 18th in receptions. No, I am not saying we didn't upgrade. And yes, I do think he will have a better year this season simply because there isn't many options... but there weren't many in Tennessee, either. I'll take middle of the road.

Looking at the NFL receiving yards leaders list, and counting our current guys as being Commanders here is where we rank:

McLaurin - 66th - Injured - I give him the benefit of the doubt as I expect a rebound but he IS getting older.
Burks - 249th
Jefferson - 121st
Dyami - 182nd
McCaffrey - 200th
Lane - 183rd
Chig - 71st
White - 189th
Ford - 268th
Bill - 314th

Things I think you can count on:

-Terry will be higher if healthy
-Someone else will do better based on necessity
-Chig probably will, at worst, stay the same and at best get to top 50

I also am fully aware that you cannot base next year's production on last year's.

But... this is concerning. In a glaring way.

It's so bad that a third round rookie WOULD probably surpass everyone on this list's 2025 - including possibly Terry and Chig.

It's so bad that a guy who is "only a running back" in Jeremiyah Love would probably surpass all of these guys in receiving production based on their '25 numbers.

Tate would probably surpass them all as well.

We talk about this alot... but I still think we don't talk about it enough.

And no, I'm not saying this means we have to draft Tate at 7 if Love isn't there. I understand taking Delane. He is a stud. I understand Styles. He has stud projections. But we have dropped the ball COUNTLESS times at receiver. And some people still aren't worried about it. Count me in the group that is worried about it.

I get that we need a wideout, and ordinarily I would say to take the top WR on the board, but in this case that seems to be a guy who can’t run a 4.5 wasn’t even WR1 in college. I really cannot believe there isn’t a better prospect than Tate. I tend to agree with Peters that you want higher athletic scores.

I also have higher hopes for our current crop of WRs than most, and there are still free agent options that could help, so I’m not looking at this pick as the only possible way to fill that very real need.

 

[KDawg]

I get that we need a wideout, and ordinarily I would say to take the top WR on the board, but in this case that seems to be a guy who can’t run a 4.5 wasn’t even WR1 in college. I really can relieve there isn’t a better prospect. I tend to agree with Peters that you want higher athletic scores.

Neither of the things you listed matter in the least.

How many receivers would be number 1 over Jeremiah Smith?

The answer is zero.

JSN ran a 4.52.

Puka 4.57

Amon Ra 4.52

Pickens 4.47

Justin Jefferson ran a 4.42 - faster, yes. But not earth shattering.

In contrast…

Xavier Worthy ran a 4.21. That isnt helping him.

Tate is in a good spot speed wise.

And here I am, someone that ranks Delane, Styles, Downs ahead of Tate talent wise, arguing the merits of Tate.

 

[skinsinparadise]