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

[DWinzit]

I think Theinmann would make sense in a trade down in to the early-mid teens.

The more I read, the more I'm not convinced about going WR (Tate) at 7, but WR in a trade down makes sense.

I think we will see Bailey, Reese, Love, Styles all gone by 7. If we want Delane, I think he goes top 10, so stick and pick or minor trade back (maybe w NYG?)

I have been a big Theinemann advocate for months. I totally agree that he and possibly McNeil-Warren would be highly sought after by them.

However, I don't believe either had top 30 visits or real official visits which seems strange. They have focused on a lot of corners, especially ones that feel like CB/S tweeners

 

[skinsinparadise]

All in all, this is how I feel in the final few days. Again, this draft is crazy. A lot of guys can go anywhere. We really have no clue who this team really likes. Seems like most of the media is guessing or using their own opinion. Even the local insiders seem like they are being fed smoke.

That made me think to forget all of the extra bs and go back to the essence of what we know and believe to be true. AP and DQ said from the beginning of the off-season that they wanted to get younger, faster, and add a big play threat. We've done the first 2 and struck out On Pierce.

The other thing is that this team has showed a ton of attention to the OSU guys at the combine and everyone showing up to their pro day. They have spoken to Tate multiple times and any extra chance they can get. Jayden makes the post about him. Terry would love to have him as a protégé.

The kid interviews well. WR is our biggest weakness. It's connected to our Franchise players development. It's a premium position. Terry and Aiyuk may be gone next season. He's a big target good route runner, catches with his hands like Pickens, has great tracking skills , has been in a busy WR room as a non first option so would have no problem easing in, being behind Terry, and maybe even Aiyuk. No diva in him.

Our biggest weakness is immediately solved. We already signed corners, RBs, Lbs Safties, and edges so we are still ok without drafting there in round one. We haven't addressed receiver at all. We still don't know how things will play out so this can easily change depending on what happens ahead of us.

I was on the Jets board earlier. A lot of their fans and media are even considering wanting Tate at 2 and getting an edge later. Anything can happen but as of right now, I feel like Tate is their guy even if Styles, Downs, and Delane are there. Maybe even Love but he's the only one I think they take over Tate that will possibly be available.

That's just my opinion cutting through all of the fake smoke from what we know and have seem. Openly wanting a big play threat, openly wanting help for Jayden, knowing a huge hole at WR, failing to get Pierce & Doubs, showing major attention to OSU, premium position, other guys at the position futures in doubt, we have already signed guys at every other position of need, and Jayden randomly endorsing Tate and no one else..

I don't rule it out. Not because as you say insiders are just using their own opinion. When Keim says that's not what he thinks they do, following him over the years, the odds that its a spitball guess is zero. Someone told him that whom he trusts, clearly. But also he suggested they do like him but prefer to do it in a trade down as to Tate. So that alone gives it a fighting chance.

Also some teams go back and forth on this stuff, especially when prospects are close, and arguably this is one of those drafts, so the feeling last week can change to this week.

Like I said for people I trust because they've been right in the past, I trust them the most this week, not last week, and gossip can change during that last (this) week.

So absolutely it can be Tate. Would I bet on it? Nope. But I don't rule it out.

 

[skinsinparadise]

I have been a big Theinemann advocate for months. I totally agree that he and possibly McNeil-Warren would be highly sought after by them.

However, I don't believe either had top 30 visits or real official visits which seems strange. They have focused on a lot of corners, especially ones that feel like CB/S tweeners

Yeah the 30 visits, albiet its possible some weren't disclosed, feel like if they do a big trade down its for one of the WRs, otherwise the only one I can think they met (combine and or top 30) is Kayden McDonald.

 

[KDawg]

Here’s where I am…

Raiders - Mendoza
Jets - Bailey or Reese
Cards or whoever picks 3rd - the other one
Titans - Styles or Love
Giants - whichever the Titans don’t take
Browns - Mauigoa
Commanders - Leaves us with Delane, Tate, Downs, Bain

I think we take Delane there.

 

[DWinzit]

Yeah the 30 visits, albiet its possible some weren't disclosed, feel like if they do a big trade down its for one of the WRs, otherwise the only one I can think they met (combine and or top 30) is Kayden McDonald.

Yes is the only one I can think of other than the receivers mentioned. I have not seen a full 30 player list of top 30 visits so yeah, trickery is on the table.

 

[skinsinparadise]

2026 NFL draft intel, notes: What Adam Schefter is hearing​

Other trade candidates to watch​

Though Brown and Greenard are two of the biggest trade candidates -- and defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II was already traded Saturday to Cincinnati for the No. 10 pick -- there are plenty more who could be dealt during the upcoming draft.

Those who could gain interest include Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr., Titans quarterback Will Levis, Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler, Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts Sr., Colts cornerback Kenny Moore II, Giants edge Kayvon Thibodeaux, Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman and 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, among others.

A lot of love for Love​

Even though he will not go No. 1, Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love is considered by many to be the best player in this class and could become the first running back drafted in the top five picks since the Giants selected Saquon Barkley No. 2 in 2018. There are some who believe he could go as high as No. 3 to Arizona and no lower than No. 7 to Washington, which has been pushing to upgrade its backfield in each of the past two offseasons.

There is growing chatter in league circles that Love is truly in play at the high end of that range with Arizona. Ideally, the Cardinals would like to find a team willing to trade up so they can acquire more picks, and there have already been "exploratory" calls, as one source described it, regarding the No. 3 selection. But if the Cardinals hold on to their pick, some around the league believe they could pull an early draft surprise and select Love in a slot slightly higher than he has been projected to go.

Even if Love does not wind up going No. 3, he will not slide far. The Commanders at No. 7 would seem to be his floor. Last spring, the Commanders planned to pursue Aaron Jones Sr. before he returned to the Vikings. This offseason, Washington added Rachaad White and Jerome Ford to join Jacory Croskey-Merritt, but the team still does not have much money invested in the position. If the opportunity presents itself, some expect the Commanders would rush to turn in the card for Love, giving Washington a great offensive tandem with him and Jayden Daniels.

One long-shot scenario to keep an eye on​

There are draft surprises every year, with players going in spots no one forecasted. Here's one that, depending on how the first few picks play out, has generated some speculation in a handful of front offices.

• If the Jets take Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey at No. 2, which many believe will happen ...
• If the Cardinals then take Love, which appears to be gaining some traction ...
• And if the Titans then take Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles, which is one of Tennessee's options ...

Then Ohio State edge rusher Arvell Reese -- or Bailey, if the Jets take Reese at No. 2 -- could slide to No. 5. It would suddenly be very tempting for a team such as the Cowboys to potentially trade up for a top-tier pass rusher. Again, the draft would have to go a specific way for this scenario to play out. But two teams raised this scenario this weekend, wondering if it somehow could unfold this week. It's exactly the type of scenario that makes the draft so compelling.

...Other prospects to watch​

Arizona cornerback Treydan Stukes seems to be climbing on some draft boards. He has been busy traveling in recent weeks, with 11 top-30 visits, including to Pittsburgh on Wednesday, Kansas City on Tuesday and Seattle last Monday. Stukes had four interceptions last season and ran a 4.33-second 40-yard dash at the combine. Teams say they think he can play both safety positions, nickel corner and outside CB.

One NFL general manager called Stukes "one of the best safeties I've seen [in my time as a GM]," and added he would draft him ahead of Ohio State safety Caleb Downs. "This guy makes freaky plays that I haven't seen other safeties make." It would not be a shock to see Stukes sneaks into Round 1.

Ole Miss receiver De'Zhaun Stribling has also been busy traveling. He wrapped up his eight total visits last week in Philadelphia, New England and Chicago. He also had private workouts with Dallas and New Orleans. Stribling had back-to-back 800-yard receiving seasons and ran a 4.36-second 40 that has generated attention.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2026/story/_/id/48507444/2026-nfl-draft-notes-intel-buzz-adam-schefter-first-round-picks-teams-trades

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

It's a bit frustrating that we never get any info from our front office, I heard Keim say he didn't think they will go big on a FA TE. But it's also good that this group is great at keeping info in house.

 

[skinsinparadise]

Here’s where I am…

Raiders - Mendoza
Jets - Bailey or Reese
Cards or whoever picks 3rd - the other one
Titans - Styles or Love
Giants - whichever the Titans don’t take
Browns - Mauigoa
Commanders - Leaves us with Delane, Tate, Downs, Bain

I think we take Delane there.

Could be, Schefter said today, saw it elswhere too that Mauigoa has a herniated disk and might miss some time so wonder if they makes him drop but the Browns still can take an O lineman regardless even if its not him.

Seems like McShay and Keim both think Love goes top 5. I trust McShay more than Keim on this because to me Keim is local not national so am guessing someone local is telling him this.

Keim is somewhat on an island on Delane at 7. National reporters not on that. They think he's going 8 or 9. But I trust Keim over any national on local stuff.

But will see, I've seen Keim shift the last week -- meaning this week in the past.

McShay has shifted from the Tate top 5 to now he doesn't go top 5. And it looks like the Tyson going early stuff that was hot last week has cooled off the last couple of days.

But lol the weeks early. Will see how it plays out, I am looking forward to it but will also miss it when its gone.

 

[skinsinparadise]

It's a bit frustrating that we never get any info from our front office, I heard Keim say he didn't think they will go big on a FA TE. But it's also good that this group is great at keeping info in house.

That was Standig who said they won't go big or potentially at all at a FA. Keim said Chig is a possibility but they wouldn't overpay for him, maybe the not overpay for him is what you are recalling -- and they didn't overpay for him.

 

[Conn]

It's a bit frustrating that we never get any info from our front office, I heard Keim say he didn't think they will go big on a FA TE. But it's also good that this group is great at keeping info in house.

Keim also said from the beginning that at the right price they’d sign Chig, which we did. So clearly the FO didn’t consider that “big money” in the grand scheme. Thankfully or the offense would be even worse right now.

 

[KDawg]

Could be, Schefter said today, saw it elswhere too that Mauigoa has a herniated disk and might miss some time so wonder if they makes him drop but the Browns still can take an O lineman regardless even if its not him.

Seems like McShay and Keim both think Love goes top 5. I trust McShay more than Keim on this because to me Keim is local not national so am guessing someone local is telling him this.

Keim is somewhat on an island on Delane at 7. National reporters not on that. They think he's going 8 or 9. But I trust Keim over any national on local stuff.

But will see, I've seen Keim shift the last week -- meaning this week in the past.

McShay has shifted from the Tate top 5 to now he doesn't go top 5. And it looks like the Tyson going early stuff that was hot last week has cooled off the last couple of days.

But lol the weeks early. Will see how it plays out, I am looking forward to it but will also miss it when its gone.

McShay today just said that if Styles is there at 7 he is being drafted by Washington. He didn’t provide additional context, but I assume that means that Love isn’t there. But he didn’t say that. He just said if Styles is there at 7, he is Quinn’s guy. They are taking him.

Edit: he just clarified. He said they are going Styles even IF Love is on the board

 

[skinsinparadise]

McShay today just said that if Styles is there at 7 he is being drafted by Washington. He didn’t provide additional context, but I assume that means that Love isn’t there. But he didn’t say that. He just said if Styles is there at 7, he is Quinn’s guy. They are taking him.

Edit: he just clarified. He said they are going Styles even IF Love is on the board

It's possible they go Styles over Love. Keim on one podcast said he doesn't know Styles or Love -- but seemed to guess it would be Love but couched it that way. I forgot how he worded it but that was my impression. There is a lot of smoke around this team and Love -- not just Keim -- Schefter, Pauline and there is another insider that is escaping me.

But yeah the love for Love and Styles from this team is clearly the buzz. The Delane stuff is a Keim thing but he doesn't have him above Love or Styles. Will see.

 

[Chris]

I will not be a happy man if the NYG get both Styles and Downs…unless we get Love.

 

[KDawg]

It's possible they go Styles over Love. Keim on one podcast said he doesn't know Styles or Love -- but seemed to guess it would be Love but couched it that way. I forgot how he worded it but that was my impression. There is a lot of smoke around this team and Love -- not just Keim -- Schefter, Pauline and there is another insider that is escaping me.

But yeah the love for Love and Styles from this team is clearly the buzz. The Delane stuff is a Keim thing but he doesn't have him above Love or Styles. Will see.

McShay was very confident. It’s as confident as I’ve seen him. It was like he actually got inside info there.

But that aligns mostly. We all assume it’s Love > Styles > Delane but it looks like it may be Styles > Love > Delane

I don’t put a ton of stock into what media says. I take it for what it is. But McShay is the guy I trust over any others in the media.

 

[DWinzit]

It is extremely hard seeing a world where Love and Styles reach 7. I do see where one of them and Delane, Tate and/or Downs are there

 

[skinsinparadise]

It's a bit frustrating that we never get any info from our front office, I heard Keim say he didn't think they will go big on a FA TE. But it's also good that this group is great at keeping info in house.

I assume this might be code for don't trust Keim on inside draft info. Because no one talks. And your point of its frustrating that the FO doesn't talk about their plans -- of course, we all know no team discusses their drafting or free agent plans publicly as to targets so how can it be frustrating or somehow specific to this FO not doing it? And here's an example of where Keim was dead wrong.

If so the example you used ironically hurts that argument. He nailed it on TE.

If I had to make arguments against Keim and make people question him, I'd do it this way:

A. Even if he had a good source at the time, draft plans change sometimes the week of, GMs have talked about that.
B. The board can fall in unexpected ways on draft day, it almost always does, so hard to predict off of unpredictability
C. No one is right all the time, not Schefter, not Keim, no one, so there is ALWAYS a chance they are wrong

 

[KDawg]

It is extremely hard seeing a world where Love and Styles reach 7. I do see where one of them and Delane, Tate and/or Downs are there

I don’t either, but it tells you they have Styles over everyone.

I don’t think either are there.

McShay just said point blank that if Arizona stays, they are taking Love. If they move back, Tennessee is taking Love.

And I don’t think Styles gets beyond 5.

I think it’s essentially Delane, Tate, Downs for us.

 

[actorguy1]

I certainly take the Delane talk from Kiem seriously but I don't understand it from a scheme fit view. If it's truly a Flores system, then a do it all safety is key. That points to Downs. I will admit though. that I'm more hyped for Downs based on speculation alone.

 

[BayouBrave86]

I don’t think anyone really knows anything. There is so much smoke and mirrors this week.
Thought this was cool:

 

[skinsinparadise]

McShay was very confident. It’s as confident as I’ve seen him. It was like he actually got inside info there.

But that aligns mostly. We all assume it’s Love > Styles > Delane but it looks like it may be Styles > Love > Delane

I don’t put a ton of stock into what media says. I take it for what it is. But McShay is the guy I trust over any others in the media.

On the national stuff I trust Schefter the most. He also is saying could be Love at 3. I love Mcshay, I wouldn't say I trust him 100% but I do believe he has good sources. I really though don't trust anyone 100% not even Keim. But when I start hearing things overlap from muliple sources I trust, I trust it more. With Keim I trust him the most when he's uber specific. As to Love-Styles, he flat out said he doesn't know how they'd go -- guessed in a podcast Love but couched it as a guess. And i don't recall the wording.

Muitiple sources including Keim -- Downs not the preference at 7
Multiple sources including Keim -- they love -- Love and Styles
Keim and a minor national source -- Delane is next on the list after Love and Styles

McShay all over the place on Tate, going top 5, to now maybe falling out of it. Haven't listened to him on it today but will. He thought Tate to Washington then backed off.