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

[Dlts20]

Depends on what network people are watching. I know in the past NFL Network was seconds faster than ESPN and ABC.....so board members would post their reaction while others were still waiting.

I don't mind something where the time is slightly different on the networks. My problem was people watching tweets from the insiders who were getting the answers like 5 whole minutes before or Adam Schaefer on TV reading his cell phone and announcing that the Titans are selecting Love, 5min before they go to the podium. I can't believe some networks allow stuff like that but I remember it happening

 

[DieselPwr44]

Actually - giving away the pick early (before the tv broadcast announcement) is grounds for:

 

[KDawg]

Ugh. I'd be disappointed with Downs. I get that he's a potentially great safety and I could be wrong. I hope McShay has been suckered by lying season.

I hate the idea that there really is a mandate to fix the D over everything else. It certainly needed correction… but you are leaving your QB and young, potentially too quickly promoted OC not much to work with.

And that idea permeates with what we’ve seen this offseason so it makes sense that is a real thing.

The defense is a priority. JD5 and Blough and the offense is not.

If that is true, and it may not be (but it does align with what we’ve seen) it better work. Because I’ll be first in line to say Quinn needs to be the one that goes.

 

[Kalu44]

Ugh. I'd be disappointed with Downs. I get that he's a potentially great safety and I could be wrong. I hope McShay has been suckered by lying season.

Downs would not be the worst pick. He is a field general with off the charts smarts. How many times over the years has this defense had breakdowns in the secondary where opposing WRs are wide open down field? It seems to happen at least once a game. He could transform this Defense. It’s sorely needed. I’d definitely take Styles over him though. And as always, Love over both. Tate/Delane tied for 3rd.

1. Love
2. Styles
3. Downs
3. Delane
4. Tate

Tate would be 3rd, but it’s easier to find a WR later in this draft (and in general) than a CB.

 

[skinsinparadise]

Listened to the latest McShay podcast.

A. Thinks the Titans go Styles over Love
B. Love falls in the Giants lap and that's who they'd want and they'd take

They got into Washington.

A. He said he heard that Quinn said the pick must be defense. Who knows if true but if so cringe from me.
B. McShay and Muench went back and forth between Downs, Tate and some consideration of Delane. They both said you got to take Tate to help Jayden. But McShay thinks defense will prevail and went with Downs.

In todays mock he went with Delane

​ 7. Washington Commanders: CB Mansoor Delane, LSU​

It comes down to Caleb Downs, Delane, or Carnell Tate. There’s love in the building for Tate, but too many sources I trust around the league think this pick is for Dan Quinn’s defense. Sonny Styles would be the ideal choice, but he’s gone to Tennessee in this exercise. (Important to note: If Styles doesn’t go at 4, he will almost certainly be here for Washington at 7.)​

Delane is a good fit, but he’s not the typical length of a corner in Quinn’s system.​

 

[Kalu44]

I hate the idea that there really is a mandate to fix the D over everything else. It certainly needed correction… but you are leaving your QB and young, potentially too quickly promoted OC not much to work with.

And that idea permeates with what we’ve seen this offseason so it makes sense that is a real thing.

The defense is a priority. JD5 and Blough and the offense is not.

If that is true, and it may not be (but it does align with what we’ve seen) it better work. Because I’ll be first in line to say Quinn needs to be the one that goes.

Agreed on not helping JD or the offense. It’s not ideal. However, it may be better currently structured than last year based on a new system (emphasis on run game and play-action) and adding Chig. A full year of Burks is better than Noah Brown. I get it - the goal is not just to be a little better than last year - so there is still much work to do. But a solid D also helps JD not need to be Superman and hopefully keeps him healthy.

 

[Conn]

McShay on latest pod:

With Washington there was some mention that they would go Tyson. But no. They, real early, said they are a Tate team.

Looking into Blough he wants a big, physical receiver and Tate fits.

“I want to give you the honest to God truth… the last conversation I had was very authoritative. And that was this pick will be defense. Quinn has got it… uhm… what’s the word… it is… priority is too light a word. It’s a demand. It’s a mandate that we get that defense fixed. It will be Downs if the board falls the way it is. If Styles is off the board it’s Downs.”

He then went on to take Tate because he thinks that is what they should do. “Can’t let my franchise QB be in a situation where he doesn’t have the tools he needs to be successful. I wouldn’t blink.”

And then he changed back and said he’s going to take Downs because he thinks that will be what they actually do.

I don’t know if he has good sources with us, but I don’t disbelieve him, because this does seem like the sort of mindset Quinn would have to save his job and buoy his worth, while undervaluing the offensive side…again. And AP is apparently still green enough to defer strongly to his flailing coaching staff if this happens. Because AP’s job and future really goes with Jayden Daniels imo. Quinn’s as well, but I can see why he doesn’t see that. AP should see it.

 

[Conn]

I don't mind something where the time is slightly different on the networks. My problem was people watching tweets from the insiders who were getting the answers like 5 whole minutes before or Adam Schaefer on TV reading his cell phone and announcing that the Titans are selecting Love, 5min before they go to the podium. I can't believe some networks allow stuff like that but I remember it happening

The draft threads typically shame spoilers and want spoiler-free discussion until the pick is announced on TV. To answer the question you asked earlier, you should be safe to hang out here while you watch, in my experience

 

[RedWolf]

Im usually out doing stuff during the draft but this year I am staying in, watching on TV, and will be on here. Does this board do way early spoilers? If so then I won't come on here. Also, what channel doesn't do spoilers? I want to be surprised on every pick in the first round. After that, I probably won't care

I decided I'm going to stay off the board until I see the pick made on TV

 

[KDawg]

Agreed on not helping JD or the offense. It’s not ideal. However, it may be better currently structured than last year based on a new system (emphasis on run game and play-action) and adding Chig. A full year of Burks is better than Noah Brown. I get it - the goal is not just to be a little better than last year - so there is still much work to do. But a solid D also helps JD not need to be Superman and hopefully keeps him healthy.

I don’t know how you think the offense improved.

Starting center is gone and we are currently looking at Allegretti. I think that is a downgrade.

Receiver we downgraded - no Deebo. He was our best receiver.

Tight end, I agree Chig will be an upgrade, but statistically he was almost the exact same as Ertz and Ertz played 3 less games. The only stat that Chig was clearly better is YAC but they would up with similar stat lines.

We did improve at running back. Thank God. Marginally.

Blough is a new OC who had previously only been an assistant QB coach and a QB coach for a month. That is a tremendously underrated point.

Meanwhile, the defense has improved tenfold and has a guy with a ton of experience coordinating it.

Sorry. Not okay with neglecting the O just so he can try to save some face.

If this fails (and it’s true, which who knows) he needs to be gone by mid season.

 

[Dlts20]

Going back and reading some responses, I don’t get why more people aren’t more on board with the idea of Tate.

For those of you not even listing him (which is wild to me as I haven’t seen a single good reason yet… the only reason is: he’s not worth it)… why?

I honestly would love to have that conversation. What about his game do you think makes him not worth the pick? How do you see his pro career going?

I realize he’s not the typical dominant playmaker you’d take at receiver in the top 10 but he checks every box and he is the safest receiver, the most pro ready, and he tracks the ball better than anyone in this class.

I get maybe not wanting him over some of the defensive guys. But not on the list?

And if your answer is “I like him just not at 7” do you think he’ll be available beyond 10? If so, doesn’t that make him worth the selection at 7?

I don’t know. Been watching this game for a long time and I don’t pretend to know everything, but I can’t fathom the idea that he’s not even on some of your lists. It’s wild.

It's because he was playing behind Smith who a lot of people don't realize would be the 2nd pick and the number 1 player in this draft so people started running with the notion everywhere that he's a 2 and no one wants to spend the 7th pick on a 2.

At the same exact time, most of those same people where disappointed when we struck out on paying 30mil for Pierce who has shown to only be a deep threat and nothing else. Colts fans themselves feel that he's a 2 that hasn't shown the ability to do most of the route tree. I think Tate is way more complete and has more upside than Pierce for pennies on the dollar

 

[Conn]

Listened to the latest McShay podcast.

A. Thinks the Titans go Styles over Love
B. Love falls in the Giants lap and that's who they'd want and they'd take

They got into Washington.

A. He said he heard that Quinn said the pick must be defense. Who knows if true but if so cringe from me.
B. McShay and Muench went back and forth between Downs, Tate and some consideration of Delane. They both said you got to take Tate to help Jayden. But McShay thinks defense will prevail and went with Downs.

In todays mock he went with Delane

​ 7. Washington Commanders: CB Mansoor Delane, LSU​

It comes down to Caleb Downs, Delane, or Carnell Tate. There’s love in the building for Tate, but too many sources I trust around the league think this pick is for Dan Quinn’s defense. Sonny Styles would be the ideal choice, but he’s gone to Tennessee in this exercise. (Important to note: If Styles doesn’t go at 4, he will almost certainly be here for Washington at 7.)​

Delane is a good fit, but he’s not the typical length of a corner in Quinn’s system.​

Now my hopes rest in the Saints trading up in front of us with the Browns for Delane. I like Delane, but I can’t shake the feeling based off reports posted here that it’s him they specifically love SO much that they’d pass up Tate. Now with Finlay on it as well, feels like it’s becoming telegraphed and I want to hope there’s a purpose to that…but I doubt it. We’d probably just take Downs over Tate if Delane is gone for whatever reason, if McShay’s report is accurate. We’ll see

 

[Dlts20]

Schrager who some claim is the ultimate draft insider versus Keim. lol, will see who wins. This either adds to Keim's legend or bursts his bubble. Unlike what some here might think, I'd rather it bursts Keim's bubble and Schrager wins.

I do think Styles and Delane are better players than Tate. But Tate is such a screaming need and is close enough.

Keim on Tate isn't ruling him out but believes in a trade down not at 7. But Schrager is really pushing Tate hard. If I put money on this I'd bet on Keim but hope I'd lose that bet.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2026/story/_/id/48550650/2026-nfl-mock-draft-peter-schrager-insider-intel-final-first-round-picks-predictions

7. Washington Commanders​

Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

There are a lot of good options on the board, including Ohio State safety Caleb Downs. But Washington has to help Jayden Daniels and get this offense back on track. The Commanders scored 20.1 points per game last season but didn't make many WR additions in free agency. The entire receiver class is available here. I think Washington could pair Tate with Terry McLaurin.

---

8. New Orleans Saints​

Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

New Orleans needs a receiver, but it also lost a lot of talent on defense this offseason. Ohio State defensive coordinator Matt Patricia said on "The Schrager Hour" that Downs can be the face of a franchise and could immediately become the smartest player for an NFL defense. He had six INTs over the past three seasons and makes plays against the run. Brandon Staley got the most out of Derwin James Jr. in Los Angeles, and he can do the same for Downs in New Orleans.

---

Projected trade​

Chiefs get: No. 12 and No. 20
Cowboys get: No. 9 and No. 29

---

9. Dallas Cowboys (via projected trade with KC)​

Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

OK, our first trade! I could see this happening. After allowing 377 yards per game and letting opponents convert on third down 47.3% of the time -- ranking among the worst in the NFL in both -- Dallas has to get one of the top defensive prospects. It's a necessity. But there's no guarantee any of them -- Downs, Delane, Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. et al -- will still be there at No. 12. This is a chance to guarantee getting one of them and still have another first-round pick. Delane's coverage ability should help stop some of the big plays that doomed the Cowboys in 2025.

This would be crazy because we could really see the effect in real time with us playing our arch rival in Dallas and Tate going h2h with Delane

 

[skinsinparadise]

I don’t know if he has good sources with us, but I don’t disbelieve him, because this does seem like the sort of mindset Quinn would have to save his job and buoy his worth, while undervaluing the offensive side…again. And AP is apparently still green enough to defer strongly to his flailing coaching staff if this happens. Because AP’s job and future really goes with Jayden Daniels imo. Quinn’s as well, but I can see why he doesn’t see that. AP should see it.

There are some that cover this team in the local media who also say it must be defense.

Why? They made a zillion upgrades at defense in FA. If you look at who they lost -- Deebo and Ertz and who they gained Chig -- its at best a wash from the previous pathetic supporting cast.

This isn't 32 year old Brady, where the narrative is he's so polished that you can give him a mediocre to worse WR crew and you'd survive. But heck even some of Brady's weaker casts are better than this one.

They treat Jayden like he's James Bond and can carry the world on his shoulders and he's a young dude who is still growing.

I recall some GMs quoted off the record last year that Jayden can help this team overcome so many sins on the roster. If they don't do more to help him -- feels like they are doubling down on that theme.

I go back to Quinn's we can do this with a WR by committee theme -- feels like he wasn't joking. But will see.

From a Quinn job security stand point, I get the idea of for a defensive minded coach, you can't have terrible defenses three years in a row.

 

[skinsinparadise]

Now my hopes rest in the Saints trading up in front of us with the Browns for Delane. I like Delane, but I can’t shake the feeling based off reports posted here that it’s him they specifically love SO much that they’d pass up Tate. Now with Finlay on it as well, feels like it’s becoming telegraphed and I want to hope there’s a purpose to that…but I doubt it. We’d probably just take Downs over Tate if Delane is gone for whatever reason, if McShay’s report is accurate. We’ll see

Delane to the Saints has been the thing in many mocks for eons.

I don't know if what McShay has heard about Quinn is correct. But Delane tracks on that point. Peters has left a hole the size of the Grand Canyon at CB, so for the defense to fall apart, good chance CB would be the theme.

But as I said last summer and am sticking to it now, I hate what it seems like the lack of urgency to help Jayden.

And for those who say, he's fine with it all. His mom and his BFF liked social media posts basically lamenting what Jayden has had to deal with at WR. You got Jayden liking posts from Tate, etc. Jayden not one to openly whine but if they don't do more to help him, i wouldn't blame him to think he wishes he was drafted by NE, or the Bears, or Minny -- this being the team that does the least for their young QB.

 

[KDawg]

There are some that cover this team in the local media who also say it must be defense.

Why? They made a zillion upgrades at defense in FA. If you look at who they lost -- Deebo and Ertz and who they gained Chig -- its at best a wash from the previous pathetic supporting cast.

This isn't 32 year old Brady, where the narrative is he's so polished that you can give him a mediocre to worse WR crew and you'd survive. But heck even some of Brady's weaker casts are better than this one.

They treat Jayden like he's James Bond and can carry the world on his shoulders and he's a young dude who is still growing.

I recall some GMs quoted off the record last year that Jayden can help this team overcome so many sins on the roster. If they don't do more to help him -- feels like they are doubling down on that theme.

I go back to Quinn's we can do this with a WR by committee theme -- feels like he wasn't joking. But will see.

From a Quinn job security stand point, I get the idea of for a defensive minded coach, you can't have terrible defenses three years in a row.

If the defense is better and the offense flounders it won’t be his problem anymore. Bye bye. And if he stays, Peters should be canned, too.

There is time. They can right the ship and get some guys. This can also be not true. But right now the offense is pathetic.

It concerns me that Quinn is so worried about his rep that he doesn’t care about the team, the young QB or his over-his-head OC. IF this is true it’s pathetic management.

 

[Dlts20]

From 2 hours ago

 

[KDawg]

Schragers final mock is kind of all over the place.

Raiders - Mendoza
Jets - Bailey
Cardinals - Love
Titans - Styles
Giants - Reese
Browns - Fano
Commanders - Tate

“They were horrendous on defense. Quinn defensive head coach, Peters like defensive players… seventh overall go get Jayden Daniels some help”

Saints - Downs
Cowboys via trade - Delane
Giants - Tyson

 

[Faithful Fan]

Going back and reading some responses, I don’t get why more people aren’t more on board with the idea of Tate.

For those of you not even listing him (which is wild to me as I haven’t seen a single good reason yet… the only reason is: he’s not worth it)… why?

I honestly would love to have that conversation. What about his game do you think makes him not worth the pick? How do you see his pro career going?

I realize he’s not the typical dominant playmaker you’d take at receiver in the top 10 but he checks every box and he is the safest receiver, the most pro ready, and he tracks the ball better than anyone in this class.

I get maybe not wanting him over some of the defensive guys. But not on the list?

And if your answer is “I like him just not at 7” do you think he’ll be available beyond 10? If so, doesn’t that make him worth the selection at 7?

I don’t know. Been watching this game for a long time and I don’t pretend to know everything, but I can’t fathom the idea that he’s not even on some of your lists. It’s wild.

I would have him on the list, but lower:

1. Love
2. Delane
3. Styles
4. Tate or Downs
5. Edge or OT

Why so low? The main reasons are that Tate was a WR2 in college and has good but not great measurables. You’ll see my top 3 are plus athletes by comparison.

Another reason is I have higher hopes for Dyami, LMC, Burks, and Lane. And I would like to bring Deebo back or pick up Aiyuk. So I like our wider receiver situation more than most.

But mainly I would rather take a blue chip player than reach for a need.

 

[washington football]

Over on the jets fourm there a major belief we will be trading dowb for there 16 and 2nd round pick. May be true may not but had be mentioned a few places.

I would rather they pick at 7 and get a top player.