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

[Canuck]

I don't think they reach for a WR at 71, it'll be BPA (w high RAS).

Gotta think they have some sort of a plan at WR where they add a vet.

 

[bowhunter]

I'm hoping for news of a JJ signing or BTJ trade today. Then we could be BPA or be in a good spot to draft an OC

 

[skinsinparadise]

If we draft a WR in the 3rd, I feel like it’s roster chaos and likely adding another player that we have to develop.

I also don’t like the idea, because I think it means we wouldn’t sign anyone else other than Aiyuk.

We would have, Terry, Aiyuk, Let’s say, Sarratt or Hurst, Luke, Lane, Burks, Dyami, that not a lot of experience or predictable success. Is that not still one of the worst WR rooms in the league unless we got super lucky and Aiyuk is actually really good?

I actually do think Chris Bell could be a good draft and stash. Has obvious starting talent. Is supposed to be ahead of schedule in his rehab. You could take him, put him on IR, still sign another experienced starting caliber WR.

The only way I take a WR in the 3rd, is if we love the guy and think he can help now, or if we still plan to add another higher end FA, and are fine cutting a bunch of our guys, Burks, Luke, etc. That doesn’t seem like the way this team does business. And I do think Luke was coming on before his clavicle fracture.

Judging lol judging again by Keim, he seems to think one veteran signing, likely Aiyuk (not two) and one more rookie. Will see.

I am braced for it. Not just because of Keim, but they met with so many WRs, I'd be stunned if they just forgo the position.

 

[skinsinparadise]

I don't think they reach for a WR at 71, it'll be BPA (w high RAS).

Gotta think they have some sort of a plan at WR where they add a vet.

I would personally go BPA especially at 71.

But going through the names likely landing at that spot -- I doubt they see them as reaches. IMO there is a whole tier of WRs that are somewhat in that range and I think deserve to be in that range.

I think good shot WR, if its another spot I'd guess corner.

 

[method man]

A few of those WR's could step in in certain situations right away. They are all different but could certainly take some pressure off Terry while developing. Some more on intermediate routes, some deep some in red zone and contested catches.

I am probably not the best to ask thee question about Chris Bell but love the idea. I want a guy that can immediately impact the game at 71 and who knows if he can with the injury. But I may be his top fan here so its a tainted take on him.

Honestly, there are possibly going to be a couple really good defenders, especially DB's available.

I know you and I really like Clark, Stukes and Haulcy. Unfortunately, I think they’ll pass on them because they still believe in Quan so much

 

[KDawg]

I don't think they reach for a WR at 71, it'll be BPA (w high RAS).

Gotta think they have some sort of a plan at WR where they add a vet.

We don’t have to think anything…

They haven’t had a plan yet, why change now?

 

[KDawg]

I know you and I really like Clark, Stukes and Haulcy. Unfortunately, I think they’ll pass on them because they still believe in Quan so much

Stukes is going to be long gone. Same with EMW. Haulcy may be there. Clark… big play guy but man, he was on the field for some big time passing performances.

 

[gbear2]

I am hoping for Sarratt at wr for a pick at 71. Honestly though, a good center might be the better pick, but I forget the names of the centers likely to be drafted high.

 

[DWinzit]

I know you and I really like Clark, Stukes and Haulcy. Unfortunately, I think they’ll pass on them because they still believe in Quan so much

It would really hurt if they were on the board and we picked a guy like Lance (I am not a fan). Especially Clark!

 

[BayouBrave86]

Haulcy is everything Daronte looks for. He plays with a mean streak and is in your face. All over the field. I’m just afraid someone in our division grabs him.

 

[skinsinparadise]

I know you and I really like Clark, Stukes and Haulcy. Unfortunately, I think they’ll pass on them because they still believe in Quan so much

Been watching Clark recently, digging him, he can play post safety, ball hawk -- a bit undersized, misses some tackles but third round to me fits his range. Stukes I think gone for sure. Haulcy I haven't studied but he popped while watching Delane.

As for Quan, I don't know what happened to him. He was a good college prospect. Greg Cosell among others dug him. the one thing I wonder about him, is he was at his best playing slot CB at Illinois. Daronte Jones said he liked him in that draft, and he was one of the only players he mentioned in his opening presser. Maybe they will use him differently?

But the idea that Quan Martin is now a punchline -- is a 2025 themed point. And maybe that's who he is now, will see. But part of me wonders if Joe Whitt has someting to do with it.

I recall the rap on him too was that he was a very smart dude. Now all of a sudden he's an idiot? I get why Quinn thought he was a player who he thought could emerge as a stud last season. It didn't happen. Not that he was great his first two seasons but he was ok, young and athletic and supposedly a smart dude -- lol, and it just fell apart. I wouldn't count on Quan. But I am not ruling him out either. But to your point, I'd love to add a safety. But do think CB is the bigger need.

 

[skinsinparadise]

We don’t have to think anything…

They haven’t had a plan yet, why change now?

Feels like they do have a plan at least at this juncture. Now whether its a good one or not, that's a different conversation.

But I'd put money on a WR likely at 71, worst case 5th round. And Aiyuk.

 

[KDawg]

Feels like they do have a plan at least at this juncture. Now whether its a good one or not, that's a different conversation.

But I'd put money on a WR likely at 71, worst case 5th round. And Aiyuk.

I don’t call rolling with Aiyuk a plan. In theory, it is. But in reality, it’s kind of a “ya, I’m happy with our receiver by committee!”

 

[skinsinparadise]

lol, its fine, I liked Delane but Io liked Style more. And I am almost certain judging by just about every draft insider, the team felt the same.

 

[skinsinparadise]

I don’t call rolling with Aiyuk a plan. In theory, it is. But in reality, it’s kind of a “ya, I’m happy with our receiver by committee!”

It's a lame plan but it is a plan.

 

[method man]

Been watching Clark recently, digging him, he can play post safety, ball hawk -- a bit undersized, misses some tackles but third round to me fits his range. Stukes I think gone for sure. Haulcy I haven't studied but he popped while watching Delane.

As for Quan, I don't know what happened to him. He was a good college prospect. Greg Cosell among others dug him. the one thing I wonder about him, is he was at his best playing slot CB at Illinois. Daronte Jones said he liked him in that draft, and he was one of the only players he mentioned in his opening presser. Maybe they will use him differently?

But the idea that Quan Martin is now a punchline -- is a 2025 themed point. And maybe that's who he is now, will see. But part of me wonders if Joe Whitt has someting to do with it.

I recall the rap on him too was that he was a very smart dude. Now all of a sudden he's an idiot? I get why Quinn thought he was a player who he thought could emerge as a stud last season. It didn't happen. Not that he was great his first two seasons but he was ok, young and athletic and supposedly a smart dude -- lol, and it just fell apart. I wouldn't count on Quan. But I am not ruling him out either. But to your point, I'd love to add a safety. But do think CB is the bigger need.

The issue is, even if he figures it out, you have him under control for just this year and AP has shown he loves to go dumpster diving for safeties rather than pay them.

On Quan, Ron used him in the box a lot as a rookie and he shined doing that. DQ has used him a bit more as a post safety and he has sucked in that role.

It’s also fair to venture that his confidence is not particularly high currently. I think Dotson had similar issues here after his rookie year

 

[KDawg]

It's a lame plan but it is a plan.

If there is no effort, it’s more of a thought than a plan. But I digress.

 

[method man]

Haulcy is everything Daronte looks for. He plays with a mean streak and is in your face. All over the field. I’m just afraid someone in our division grabs him.

I think the Pro Bowl potential with him is so obvious. You don’t need to squint. Prospects like this are usually not available at #71.

Guy had quite the journey as an unheralded recruit who succeeded everywhere he went and worked his way up the college football ladder

His Achilles heel is missed tackle rate though

 

[Bulldog]

Just because McCaffrey and Lane as #3 and #4 picks came in and so far aren't ready to contribute at WR doesn't mean that Washington should tap out on trying to upgrade the position IF a good candidate is still available at #71.

We made a couple of mistakes with these players - McCaffrey was not a guy who had a lot of experience at wide receiver in college and came into the NFL still transitioning to a new position. It's difficult enough to come in as a #3 or #4 pick and make a mark playing the position you played for FOUR years in college.

With Lane, he had a draft profile that indicated he was a good route runner and had good hands but in reality he didn't show much of the former in the limited doses they used him during a season in 2025 when we were promoting Chris Moore and Zay Martin from the practice squad to play regular snaps.

I recall John Keim saying midseason that Chris Moore was playing regularly because with McLaurin and Brown out and Deebo the only regular receiver out there NO ONE ELSE was up to speed on the entire playbook and knowledgeable enough about the offense.

THAT SPOKE VOLUMES.

The other thing with Lane is his lack of size and ability to get off the line of scrimmage hurt him as well.

So, we ended up with two good special teams players and that's fine IF the rest of the team is ready to go.

But those picks to me were counted on to provide productive depth at the WR position.

ENOUGH Of trying to focus on drafting a 'slot' receiver and let's try and get an OUTSIDE guy that can play.

This year a good candidate in Round 3 to me is a guy with SIZE, 6'2 or 6'3 and can win contested balls and move the chains.

I am not expecting to pull a #1 wideout out of the hat, but I want to see an EXPERIENCED receiver who in college was at least a 2 or 3 year starter who had a volume of catches to show he's comfortable at the position and used to being a regular target of the offense.

 

[KDawg]

Just because McCaffrey and Lane as #3 and #4 picks came in and so far aren't ready to contribute at WR doesn't mean that Washington should tap out on trying to upgrade the position IF a good candidate is still available at #71.

We made a couple of mistakes with these players - McCaffrey was not a guy who had a lot of experience at wide receiver in college and came into the NFL still transitioning to a new position. It's difficult enough to come in as a #3 or #4 pick and make a mark playing the position you played for FOUR years in college.

With Lane, he had a draft profile that indicated he was a good route runner and had good hands but in reality he didn't show much of the former in the limited doses they used him during a season in 2025 when we were promoting Chris Moore and Zay Martin from the practice squad to play regular snaps.

The other thing with Lane is his lack of size and ability to get off the line of scrimmage hurt him as well.

So, we ended up with two good special teams players and that's fine IF the rest of the team is ready to go.

But those picks to me were counted on to provide productive depth at the WR position.

This year a good candidate in Round 3 to me is a guy with SIZE, 6'2 or 6'3 and can win contested balls and move the chains.

I am not expecting to pull a #1 wideout out of the hat, but I want to see an EXPERIENCED receiver who in college was at least a 2 or 3 year starter who had a volume of catches to show he's comfortable at the position and used to being a regular target of the offense.

I do think there are some impact receivers that could be available. But it’s just too hard to project.