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

[skinsinparadise]

So its Schrager wth them hot for Tate or Downs

McShay -- keeps shifting, now its -- Styles or Downs

Keim -- Styles, Love or Delane

Draft Week Intel: The Latest on Bailey vs. Reese, Love’s Market, the Giants’ Plan, a Potential Cowboys Trade, and More

Here’s everything I’m hearing heading into the final stretch …

mcshay-report.beehiiv.com

The Giants’ Options at No. 5 and No. 10​

I’m told New York likes Arizona State WR Jordyn Tyson and Ohio State DS Caleb Downs. Interestingly enough, it seems more likely that Tyson will be off the board by 10 than Downs, so there’s speculation that the Giants could take Tyson at no. 5—which would’ve been borderline unimaginable just 14 days ago.
There’s also the aforementioned Love factor. I’m hearing that there’s more interest in him inside the building than people thought a handful of days ago. If the Giants take Love at no. 5, though, it means they probably won’t get the guy they really like in Tyson.
For Downs, New York’s biggest competition in the top 10 is the division rival Washington Commanders, who are placing a huge emphasis on getting the defense right after a down season in 2025. I’m told Washington’s top two targets are Styles and Downs.

 

[Canuck]

Yea sorry. Most likely we would get another Lane or McCaffrey in round 3. I'd rather draft another position at that point

Yup, better off taking a TE or RB for that matter

 

[KDawg]

Steve Smith’s pod on Carnell Tate just dropped. Watching now. Will give updates when I’m done.

 

[Discobob]

Can we stop this skinsinparadise is Keim non-sense? Seriously...

Bro!

He's totally Vinny

 

[Always Commander Never Captain]

Steve Smith’s pod on Carnell Tate just dropped. Watching now. Will give updates when I’m done.

Started watching too, but will probably stop soon. Thought this was interesting:

This implies a really high Success Rate, unless he's catching the short stuff on like 3rd and 10 or 2nd and 15 or something.

 

[Dlts20]

HA! He had more receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns as a RB than any year as a WR for Clemson.

It's crazy. Dude wouldn't have sniffed the draft and maybe never played football again. Changes positions and now could possibly have a good living and career for himself

 

[skinsinparadise]

Bro!

He's totally Vinny

Cerrato? If so a lot of self loathing for me considering my posting history.

 

[KDawg]

Steve Smith on Carnell Tate:

-He’s been there before. Because he’s been there with stars, nothing catches him off guard. He knows where he is and it’s not new.

-he’s the safest but not only that he’s “damn near perfect”

-Many things to love about Tate, but one of his favorite is that on 600 blocking snaps he has zero holding penalties.

-85% outside reps.

-Career 128 targets, 103 receptions

-0 drops in 2025

-has a diverse route tree and is an intermediate / deep threat with no underneath negative route funny business.

-Pro Ready. Best landing in a place where he’s not the man off the bat. Mentioned the Giants because of Nabers and that allows some pressure to come off of him.

-Tate can be your guy long term. Mentioned specifically with the Giants if they don’t re-sign Nabers, Tate will be an easy slot in. Because he’s there he gives a team roster flexibility by letting guys walk (didn’t mention Terry… but this is big time in play here)

-Everything he does is smooth.

-Loves the pro comparison of DeVonta Smith. Coachable, can do everything on the field and he’s unselfish. Great character trait that not everyone has. When you have that you don’t let it out of the building.

-Host mentioned “ball skills”. Steve asked host, “you love ball skills don’t you?”

-attacks the ball and will go up in traffic to make the play now. Has body control and an 87% contested catch rate

-Worst thing you can do is give him space.

-Sometimes he lets the ball get into his chest.

-Sometimes counts route steps by looking down. Steve doesn’t love that.

-Catches the ball through being held, strong play strength, great body control.

-Does a good job adjusting routes based on coverage. Sees a linebacker in one play do something that wasn’t expected and Tate sat in the open zone and made a big play.

-Has advanced his release game starting in 2024. Now he sets up his releases to mask his routes which causes the corners to “relax” and then re-stacks over the top. He builds off of what he puts on film.

-Not afraid to lower his shoulder and smoke a DB. Steve loves that.

-Steve made fun of his TD celebration.

-Compared a route with Tate and Jeremiah Smith where both had hitches. Smith trips and falls in the route but Tate kept his feet.

-Doesn’t use hands as much as he likes and releases. Needs to improve there

-Showed a dig route where Tate catches it in strides, breaks a few tackles and shakes a few DBs. “This is all I need to see. Talk about who’s the guy… he’s the guy.”

-Has evolved over the last few years. Steve wants people to understand he’s not watching the highlights. He wants to see the bad plays and then see how the player fixes it. Tate has done that over time. Has developed.

-Film is excellent. Not picture perfect, but damn near perfect compared to the other receivers in this class.

-A guy that’s improved over the years with a good background check is worth not passing up on.

-the co-host said there are different versions of Lemon and Tyson. Not the same, but the B versions can be had later. There isn’t another version of Tate. Steve agreed.

-Regarding speed - Steve thinks he plays fast enough regardless of 40 time. He does all the things to combat that. The way he goes up and tracks the ball negates some of that. You can’t run 100 mph every route. Can’t state speed as an outright positive. Tate changes tempo and understands why he’s running routes. Speed doesn’t matter.

-Co-host asked if he can be a vertical receiver in the League. Steve said he probably starts as the 2 and then can transition. Might want to put your best receiver and him on the same side of the ball at times to allow him to get comfortable and confident so he can grow into a one. Can also create mismatches.

-Favorite thing about Tate’s game: The way he attacks the ball. And his growth. That’s hard to overlook.

-Biggest thing to work on: Releases. Attacking the defender and using his hands.

 

[skinsinparadise]

-Loves the pro comparison of DeVonta Smith. Coachable, can do everything on the field and he’s unselfish. Great character trait that not everyone has. When you have that you don’t let it out of the building.

I was early on the Davonta Smith comp. I deserve a parade!

 

[KDawg]

I was early on the Davonta Smith comp. I deserve a parade!

I liked Tate and Smith’s take really makes my own feel much more concrete.

If he’s good enough for Steve Smith, he’s good enough for me.

 

[IdahoFan]

I liked Tate and Smith’s take really makes my own feel much more concrete.

If he’s good enough for Steve Smith, he’s good enough for me.

Agreed... Have been Luke warm on Tate (mostly because Id like to go defense with the first pick) but love the Steve Smith the player and consider him a good talent evaluator. I think it speaks very highly when Smith has such great things to say.

 

[DWinzit]

I was early on the Davonta Smith comp. I deserve a parade!

How about fireworks

 

[Canadian Hog]

Draft Delane and trade a pick in next year’s draft for Brian Thomas Jr. - Problem solved. 😆

 

[KDawg]

Draft Delane and trade a pick next year for Brian Thomas Jr. - Problem solved. 😆

Or… draft Tate, trade 71 + Payne for BTJ.

Now we’re cooking with fire. Corner and free safety situation is still a hot mess but the offense may be able to score some points.

 

[IdahoFan]

I have to stop watching Jeremiyah Love highlights. Im going to be so sad when the Giants draft him.

 

[Simeon]

0

I was early on the Davonta Smith comp. I deserve a parade!

i have a sausage biscuit but I don’t know how it would travel

 

[RWJ]

I have to stop watching Jeremiyah Love highlights. Im going to be so sad when the Giants draft him.

Hopefully someone else gets him.

 

[KDawg]

I have to stop watching Jeremiyah Love highlights. Im going to be so sad when the Giants draft him.

Probably smart. I don't know if you've noticed but I've stopped mentioning him as a part of my coping mechanism.

But hey, at least we beat Philadelphia!

 

[skinsinparadise]

Probably smart. I don't know if you've noticed but I've stopped mentioning him as a part of my coping mechanism.

But hey, at least we beat Philadelphia!

Can you imagine the Giants of all teams ending up with Love for a pick that Washington otherwise would have?

But Quinn said if they (Eagles) want to get down that way, we will get down. So i am glad Quinn did the manhood thing and Washington's starters sneaked by the Eagle backups. What a victory? I still rewatch that game almost everyday and bask in it.

 

[Simeon]

Can you imagine the Giants of all teams ending up with Love for a pick that Washington otherwise would have?

But Quinn said if they (Eagles) want to get down that way, we will get down. So i am glad Quinn did the manhood thing and Washington's starters sneaked by the Eagle backups. What a victory? I still rewatch that game almost everyday and bask in it.

I was consoling myself with the thought that Barkley wasn’t absolutely devastating when he was with the Giants. Then I remembered who the coach is now.