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We used to do this thread elsewhere, but it's always interesting. Basically, look at who we drafted and who that was available, you would have drafted instead.
1.7 - Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Thoughts on this pick:
I really wanted offensive help here, with my two targets being Jeremiyah Love and Carnell Tate. With them both being off the board, it was down to Delane, Downs, Styles. Toss a coin at that point. Delane came off the board and it was Styles as no doubt for me. He has fantastic range, leverage, football IQ and coverage skills. I worry about his tackling. It's high (because of his height) and it's not with explosion. I'd get him a rugby coach to correct that. But this guy does everything you want a linebacker to do. he can blitz, he can be shifted in an over front or a shifted front to blitz off the edge. He can blitz from the interior. He is a true linebacker, though and will likely wear the green dot fairly quickly into his career. I'm not sure he'd be a true MIKE backer in a 4-3. I could see him spend some time as a SAM at times. But in a hybrid, 2 backer set up MIKE works too. He could absolutely be the true 00-tech MIKE in a 4-3 over as well, but you're taking away some of his better traits as a coverage guy. But he'd excel in that spot, too.
What I'd Change:
Nothing. I think Sonny Styles was the right pick.
3.71 - Antonio Williams, Slot/Z, Clemson
Thoughts on this pick:
Antonio Williams wasn't a guy I was enamored with in the pre-draft process. Watching his film I saw some things I didn't love. The ball can be dislodged fairly easily when the DBs get a jump on him and he dances a lot at his release. However, there were things that stood out as major positives, too. He gets open... all the time. He has great acceleration away from coverage and when the ball gets to him in stride he is a real YAC machine. He didn't always get opportunities for YAC given ball placement from his quarterback (which to be fair, was under duress way too often) and defenders would have time to break on him, but when the ball got caught with timing he can really maximize YAC as he is often in open space. People think he can play Z, which I mean if you keep his package similar to the slot I could see it, but I wouldn't have him make his living out there. Worst thing we can do is overthink him. I think he is a day one starter for us in the slot and he will give Jayden Daniels a quick release valve that he can use to keep his timing accurate. I like this pick.
What I'd Change:
I'm not sure I'd change anything, but there were some options here that I think should at least be mentioned, that I also would have been good with. Ted Hurst, Chris Bell, Zach Branch and Malachi Fields were all options here. Three of those guys would have been more X-receiver types (which right now is occupied by a guy like Treylon Burks), I loved Deion Burks pre-draft, but it looks like NFL circles didn't. Another name that could have been taken here that would have cleared a need (according to the fanbase, I'm not sure the team feels the same) is AJ Haulcy of LSU. He was the best post safety on the board and went 7 picks later to the Colts. But we got ourselves a quality player and a guy I think will start in the slot for us. Tough to want to change that.
5.147 - Joshua Josephs, Edge, Tennessee
Thoughts on this pick:
I'll start with the positive: He has absolutely every physical trait you want in an Edge. He has an absolutely enormous wing span and pretty good athleticism. If he develops some of his skills this pick turns into a steal. But I am looking at this pick as a whole and his overall production. From that standpoint, his projection could put him as one of the better pass rushing edges in the class. But his tape doesn't tell the same story. He had an extremely high pass rush win rate according to the statistical people, but some of that was how the team manufactured it. They stunted him into the B-gap a lot and long sticked him to the A-gap quite often. He was usually not picked up on those stunts which, to me, helps his pass rush win rate. He has a good get off and tackles that didn't get their vertical set off on time struggle to keep up with him on the edge. But if they got their steps right, he didn't really get much accomplished, In four seasons in college he had 1, 3, 2, 4 sacks. So his win rate and production doesn't match up, and I'm willing to bet a lot of that is because of how his pass rush was manufactured. That said, he does play with a motor and has the physical tools. I get this pick. But I think we may have been able to get him later - although, he also could have been selected in the next pick. I can't criticize as our current edge room has essentially one edge under contract next season and this allows him to develop. I won't be critical here, but I'm also not holding my breath. But if he develops... ya. This is going to look great.
What I'd Change:
Looking at what was taken after, I think Zakee Wheatley (S, Penn State) could have been a good selection for this team. But, the FO seems to think safety is a position we're in good shape at. Same with Michael Taafe (S, Texas). Ditto Lorenzo Styles (S, Ohio State). Ditto Jaylon Kilgore (Nickel, South Carolina) This is a spot I would have looked at Emmett Johnson (RB, Nebraska), Tanner Koziol (TE, Houston), Hezekiah Masses (CB, Cal), But if the staff thinks Josephs has high potential to develop it's hard to argue with a high impact Edge here. This is one where I am on the borderline of: Have to trust the scouts vs. Yeah... but... I'd probably go Emmett Johnson here.
6.187 - Kaytron Allen, RB, Penn State
Thoughts on this pick:
Above I talked about Emmett Johnson being a target for 5.147. He was my favorite back in the class not named Jeremiyah Love. This is where I think the draft could have broken a bit different if we took Johnson at 5.147. But before I get into that... I wouldn't change anything about the way this turned out. I liked Kaytron Allen when watching the film, but I wasn't sure we'd be looking at backs in the range where he was going to be available. He is a hard nosed runner with good vision, good pass protection and middle of the roadish hands. I don't think he is an every down back on a lot of teams, but I think he might be an every down back for us. I also think he brings something to the table our other backs don't: his vision combined with his power. White and Ford are good as runners, but their strength is in the passing game. Bill is the homerun threat of the group. Allen, while not being a true power back, is the guy that brings the thunder. McNichols does that, too, but McNichols is getting older. I'm intrigued by the camp competition - not only for who makes the roster, but the battle for game day reps as well. I think Kaytron Allen could come out being our starting running back. But if not, I think we're going to get heavy doses of him in shorter yardage situations. Love this pick.
What I'd Change:
Nothing. But, if we went Emmett Johnson at 5.147, that obviously changes this pick. So while I love the way it turned out, and we got a high potential edge in the process, if we took Emmett at 5.147, that opens this pick to be something different. Some names that were on the board are Pat Coogan (C, Auburn) who I wasn't necessarily in love with, CJ Daniels (WR, Miami) would could compete for reps at X, Caden Curry (Edge, Ohio State) - which is who I probably would have gotten if we had gone RB at 147.
6.209 - Matt Gulbin, C, Michigan State
Thoughts on this pick:
This is an interesting pick. We needed a center, but I am just not sure how badly this staff thought we needed a center. When they cut Biadasz, that signaled to me that they liked Allegretti and Coleman there. Which makes me wonder why we didn't target a tackle in one of these places, but I'll talk about that more below. Gulbin is about what you'd expect at this pick. Good anchor, love his initial burst in slide protection and the run game. I'm concerned with how he moves laterally speed wise, he isn't a great athlete, so zone schemes would be a tougher employ for him. But I believe he was drafted as developmental. They know they need depth here, and if Coleman is our swing tackle they really can't rely on him to be our center depth. I don't mind this pick. I hate that we needed to make it by cutting Biadasz rather than at the very least keeping him as depth. But the player has positive traits.
What I'd Change:
Caden Curry (Edge, Ohio State) would have been here - who I mentioned above. But with Josephs in the bank I'm not sure that pick makes sense when we needed something at the center position. Harold Perkins (LB, LSU) is a guy who hasn't put it together and is a huge developmental project... but our LB position is pretty set. Deion Burks (WR, Oklahoma), Isaiah World (T, Oregon) were both on the board here, but given how late they went it means teams had some intel we didn't... so if I had what they had I may not pull the trigger, either. This is a spot where Eli Heidenreich (RB/WR, Navy) would have made sense, but we got a back and a receiver and had a drastic need at C. The name I saw a lot of people mention was VJ Payne (S, Kansas State). But... I don't think the team was in the post safety market. So... Gulbin is the pick that makes sense here.
7.223 - Athan Kaliakmanis, QB, Rutgers
Thoughts on this pick:
I mean, why not? The team met with him a bunch, we needed someone to replace Hartman, he has a strong arm and a good deep ball and played quality competition in college. Drafting a quarterback is a better idea than hoping he makes it to UDFA and we have to compete for his services. And again, the team seems to really like him. I'm fine with it.
What I'd Change:
For the laughs, I'd have signed Jalon Daniels (QB, Kansas) so we had a chaotic QB room in UDFA. But in reality? I mean not much else. Deion Burks and World were there still but, again, teams must have had some intel we weren't privy to. Why not lock the QB up?
Overall:
This is the draft I feel best about coming out of under Peters. I won't say it has entirely shifted my view of the FO, I think there was a serious case of neglect in 2025 that will take some time, but I think they made a forward step. The only pick that I don't love is Josephs. I understand WHY, and I see the reason for it based on potential. I'm just not sure about it. But this is where I have to put some trust in the FO.
I haven't done this thought exercise and come out as good with it as I have with the franchise pretty much ever. So, while there is some minor tweaks I would have made, I can't say I'm upset with it at all.
We now need to find a way to add some more corner help (outside) and an X receiver of quality.
1.7 - Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Thoughts on this pick:
I really wanted offensive help here, with my two targets being Jeremiyah Love and Carnell Tate. With them both being off the board, it was down to Delane, Downs, Styles. Toss a coin at that point. Delane came off the board and it was Styles as no doubt for me. He has fantastic range, leverage, football IQ and coverage skills. I worry about his tackling. It's high (because of his height) and it's not with explosion. I'd get him a rugby coach to correct that. But this guy does everything you want a linebacker to do. he can blitz, he can be shifted in an over front or a shifted front to blitz off the edge. He can blitz from the interior. He is a true linebacker, though and will likely wear the green dot fairly quickly into his career. I'm not sure he'd be a true MIKE backer in a 4-3. I could see him spend some time as a SAM at times. But in a hybrid, 2 backer set up MIKE works too. He could absolutely be the true 00-tech MIKE in a 4-3 over as well, but you're taking away some of his better traits as a coverage guy. But he'd excel in that spot, too.
What I'd Change:
Nothing. I think Sonny Styles was the right pick.
3.71 - Antonio Williams, Slot/Z, Clemson
Thoughts on this pick:
Antonio Williams wasn't a guy I was enamored with in the pre-draft process. Watching his film I saw some things I didn't love. The ball can be dislodged fairly easily when the DBs get a jump on him and he dances a lot at his release. However, there were things that stood out as major positives, too. He gets open... all the time. He has great acceleration away from coverage and when the ball gets to him in stride he is a real YAC machine. He didn't always get opportunities for YAC given ball placement from his quarterback (which to be fair, was under duress way too often) and defenders would have time to break on him, but when the ball got caught with timing he can really maximize YAC as he is often in open space. People think he can play Z, which I mean if you keep his package similar to the slot I could see it, but I wouldn't have him make his living out there. Worst thing we can do is overthink him. I think he is a day one starter for us in the slot and he will give Jayden Daniels a quick release valve that he can use to keep his timing accurate. I like this pick.
What I'd Change:
I'm not sure I'd change anything, but there were some options here that I think should at least be mentioned, that I also would have been good with. Ted Hurst, Chris Bell, Zach Branch and Malachi Fields were all options here. Three of those guys would have been more X-receiver types (which right now is occupied by a guy like Treylon Burks), I loved Deion Burks pre-draft, but it looks like NFL circles didn't. Another name that could have been taken here that would have cleared a need (according to the fanbase, I'm not sure the team feels the same) is AJ Haulcy of LSU. He was the best post safety on the board and went 7 picks later to the Colts. But we got ourselves a quality player and a guy I think will start in the slot for us. Tough to want to change that.
5.147 - Joshua Josephs, Edge, Tennessee
Thoughts on this pick:
I'll start with the positive: He has absolutely every physical trait you want in an Edge. He has an absolutely enormous wing span and pretty good athleticism. If he develops some of his skills this pick turns into a steal. But I am looking at this pick as a whole and his overall production. From that standpoint, his projection could put him as one of the better pass rushing edges in the class. But his tape doesn't tell the same story. He had an extremely high pass rush win rate according to the statistical people, but some of that was how the team manufactured it. They stunted him into the B-gap a lot and long sticked him to the A-gap quite often. He was usually not picked up on those stunts which, to me, helps his pass rush win rate. He has a good get off and tackles that didn't get their vertical set off on time struggle to keep up with him on the edge. But if they got their steps right, he didn't really get much accomplished, In four seasons in college he had 1, 3, 2, 4 sacks. So his win rate and production doesn't match up, and I'm willing to bet a lot of that is because of how his pass rush was manufactured. That said, he does play with a motor and has the physical tools. I get this pick. But I think we may have been able to get him later - although, he also could have been selected in the next pick. I can't criticize as our current edge room has essentially one edge under contract next season and this allows him to develop. I won't be critical here, but I'm also not holding my breath. But if he develops... ya. This is going to look great.
What I'd Change:
Looking at what was taken after, I think Zakee Wheatley (S, Penn State) could have been a good selection for this team. But, the FO seems to think safety is a position we're in good shape at. Same with Michael Taafe (S, Texas). Ditto Lorenzo Styles (S, Ohio State). Ditto Jaylon Kilgore (Nickel, South Carolina) This is a spot I would have looked at Emmett Johnson (RB, Nebraska), Tanner Koziol (TE, Houston), Hezekiah Masses (CB, Cal), But if the staff thinks Josephs has high potential to develop it's hard to argue with a high impact Edge here. This is one where I am on the borderline of: Have to trust the scouts vs. Yeah... but... I'd probably go Emmett Johnson here.
6.187 - Kaytron Allen, RB, Penn State
Thoughts on this pick:
Above I talked about Emmett Johnson being a target for 5.147. He was my favorite back in the class not named Jeremiyah Love. This is where I think the draft could have broken a bit different if we took Johnson at 5.147. But before I get into that... I wouldn't change anything about the way this turned out. I liked Kaytron Allen when watching the film, but I wasn't sure we'd be looking at backs in the range where he was going to be available. He is a hard nosed runner with good vision, good pass protection and middle of the roadish hands. I don't think he is an every down back on a lot of teams, but I think he might be an every down back for us. I also think he brings something to the table our other backs don't: his vision combined with his power. White and Ford are good as runners, but their strength is in the passing game. Bill is the homerun threat of the group. Allen, while not being a true power back, is the guy that brings the thunder. McNichols does that, too, but McNichols is getting older. I'm intrigued by the camp competition - not only for who makes the roster, but the battle for game day reps as well. I think Kaytron Allen could come out being our starting running back. But if not, I think we're going to get heavy doses of him in shorter yardage situations. Love this pick.
What I'd Change:
Nothing. But, if we went Emmett Johnson at 5.147, that obviously changes this pick. So while I love the way it turned out, and we got a high potential edge in the process, if we took Emmett at 5.147, that opens this pick to be something different. Some names that were on the board are Pat Coogan (C, Auburn) who I wasn't necessarily in love with, CJ Daniels (WR, Miami) would could compete for reps at X, Caden Curry (Edge, Ohio State) - which is who I probably would have gotten if we had gone RB at 147.
6.209 - Matt Gulbin, C, Michigan State
Thoughts on this pick:
This is an interesting pick. We needed a center, but I am just not sure how badly this staff thought we needed a center. When they cut Biadasz, that signaled to me that they liked Allegretti and Coleman there. Which makes me wonder why we didn't target a tackle in one of these places, but I'll talk about that more below. Gulbin is about what you'd expect at this pick. Good anchor, love his initial burst in slide protection and the run game. I'm concerned with how he moves laterally speed wise, he isn't a great athlete, so zone schemes would be a tougher employ for him. But I believe he was drafted as developmental. They know they need depth here, and if Coleman is our swing tackle they really can't rely on him to be our center depth. I don't mind this pick. I hate that we needed to make it by cutting Biadasz rather than at the very least keeping him as depth. But the player has positive traits.
What I'd Change:
Caden Curry (Edge, Ohio State) would have been here - who I mentioned above. But with Josephs in the bank I'm not sure that pick makes sense when we needed something at the center position. Harold Perkins (LB, LSU) is a guy who hasn't put it together and is a huge developmental project... but our LB position is pretty set. Deion Burks (WR, Oklahoma), Isaiah World (T, Oregon) were both on the board here, but given how late they went it means teams had some intel we didn't... so if I had what they had I may not pull the trigger, either. This is a spot where Eli Heidenreich (RB/WR, Navy) would have made sense, but we got a back and a receiver and had a drastic need at C. The name I saw a lot of people mention was VJ Payne (S, Kansas State). But... I don't think the team was in the post safety market. So... Gulbin is the pick that makes sense here.
7.223 - Athan Kaliakmanis, QB, Rutgers
Thoughts on this pick:
I mean, why not? The team met with him a bunch, we needed someone to replace Hartman, he has a strong arm and a good deep ball and played quality competition in college. Drafting a quarterback is a better idea than hoping he makes it to UDFA and we have to compete for his services. And again, the team seems to really like him. I'm fine with it.
What I'd Change:
For the laughs, I'd have signed Jalon Daniels (QB, Kansas) so we had a chaotic QB room in UDFA. But in reality? I mean not much else. Deion Burks and World were there still but, again, teams must have had some intel we weren't privy to. Why not lock the QB up?
Overall:
This is the draft I feel best about coming out of under Peters. I won't say it has entirely shifted my view of the FO, I think there was a serious case of neglect in 2025 that will take some time, but I think they made a forward step. The only pick that I don't love is Josephs. I understand WHY, and I see the reason for it based on potential. I'm just not sure about it. But this is where I have to put some trust in the FO.
I haven't done this thought exercise and come out as good with it as I have with the franchise pretty much ever. So, while there is some minor tweaks I would have made, I can't say I'm upset with it at all.
We now need to find a way to add some more corner help (outside) and an X receiver of quality.
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