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

Commander Wraith said:
As in - beefing up the oline puts less onus on adding a high end back? If that’s what you mean, I could see it.

IMV (separate from what I think the FO does), I see our likely options as at least 2 of Styles/Love/Downs at 7.

I really dig Styles, but going linebacker that early, particularly when FA has some quality options (and it’s not a crazy expensive position), and given it’s a spot that often has a steep development curve… that’s not the direction I’d go. I will caveat that with the idea that I think there’s a chance Daronte can use him quite well, even early on.

So then it’s between Downs and Love (if they’re both there of course). If we are indeed trying to maximize our run game (in part to aid Jayden obviously) I’d err toward adding a blue chip guy on that side of the ball. Not sure they’ll see it that way though (maybe to your point?).
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It’s 100% my point. But boy would I love it if they did. Love has been on the top of my board for awhile. Adding him is a dream.
 
Combine is often a needle mover and shifts things some. And we aren't all the way through it, so things can change.

My guess right now: QB, one of the O lineman, Reese, and Styles are 4 of the picks before 7. I think Bain goes after 7.

So that leaves 2 picks going before Washington with the possibility of: Bailey, Love, Tate, Downs. Wildcard being Delane (combine is big for him today), Fano.

If I was forced to bet I would bet Bailey and Tate are the other two picks before 7. That would leave Downs and Love and for those that dig Bain, him, too.

I love Downs and Love, so tough call for me.
 
With Harbaugh mentioning that LB is a key spot to have a strong defense, tough for me to see him getting past them at 5.

 
Mansoor Delane has really short arms. 30". He's 6'0 which removes the guaranteed bust rate from him. If he was 5'10.5, and had arms as short as 30" there have been no first round corners that did not bust. But he's 6'0, and some guys have had some success still.

If you remember the Legion of Boom cutoff was 32" arm length with a 77" wingspan. Seattle relaxed that a lot since then because they just loved Devon Witherspoon, but Riq Woolen is right in the supersized Legion of Boom era CB's.
 
Downs pretty small with limited wingspan. Knew his general measurements going in but didn’t expect him to be quite so compact. He’s going to need that big brain in order to thrive
 
Caleb Downs is smaller than we thought.

Height - 5'11.5
Arm Length - 30.35"
Wingspan - 73.25"

His weight is right around average safety at 206. But the wingspan is over 1 full standard deviation smaller than normal.
 
Colton Hood has awful measurements for his playstyle too. I don't think he fits the Daronte Jones defensive scheme anyways, so it doesn't matter.

Jermod McCoy's measurements are fine.

Keionte Scott came in a little bigger than I thought!

Oh man...Caleb Downs, at safety, the closest DB in this combine to his wingspan (so far, they're still measuring)...is the tiny D'Angelo Ponds, and he's 5'8.
 
Sonny Styles is definitely a Giant.
 
Conn said:
Downs pretty small with limited wingspan. Knew his general measurements going in but didn’t expect him to be quite so compact. He’s going to need that big brain in order to thrive
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It's interesting you say this, because I've kind of wondered if he was cut from that same cloth of Tyrann Mathieu coming out of college. The versatile game changing safety that can roam... Mathieu was only 5'9 - 186lb coming out of LSU
 
Primus Porcus said:
It's interesting you say this, because I've kind of wondered if he was cut from that same cloth of Tyrann Mathieu coming out of college. The versatile game changing safety that can roam... Mathieu was only 5'9 - 186lb coming out of LSU
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Mathieu (as a prospect) struck me as more of a playmaking ballhawk. Downs imo is better closer to the LOS. Not that he’s a liability in coverage, it’s just not where he’s special, and not where his quick ability to diagnose helps him the most
 
Conn said:
Mathieu (as a prospect) struck me as more of a playmaking ballhawk. Downs imo is better closer to the LOS. Not that he’s a liability in coverage, it’s just not where he’s special, and not where his quick ability to diagnose helps him the most
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True, he was also ultra aggressive coming down hill which is I guess where my mind figured out a connection
 
Always Commander Never Captain said:
Colton Hood has awful measurements for his playstyle too. I don't think he fits the Daronte Jones defensive scheme anyways, so it doesn't matter.

Jermod McCoy's measurements are fine.

Keionte Scott came in a little bigger than I thought!

Oh man...Caleb Downs, at safety, the closest DB in this combine to his wingspan (so far, they're still measuring)...is the tiny D'Angelo Ponds, and he's 5'8.
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Keionte Scott is the mid round prize.

I know this is a rant aimed at no one, and I know measurement generalities exist - but sometimes I think the combine hurts the health of the sport a bit.

It goes from finding excellent football players to excellent athletes.

Look at the 40. Top 11 of all time include:

Fabian Washington
Jacoby Ford
JJ Nelson
Jalen Myrick
Tyrone Calico
Stanford Routt
Marquise Goodwin
Jerome Mathis
Dri Archer
Chris Johnson
John Ross

Only one of those guys is a pure hit. One is good but oft injured and one kinda did okay.

I know measurements aren’t the same as 40 time. And historical data DOES matter. I just think sometimes we get caught in the weeds and only see the ones right around us and not the whole picture of some of these guys.

I won’t talk about Bain, people know how I feel.

But Howell is a walking intensity check and just brings it.

Downs is a bit smaller than anyone wants but an absolute baller. At some point, the football players has to matter.
 
Primus Porcus said:
True, he was also ultra aggressive coming down hill which is I guess where my mind figured out a connection
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Yeah, you’re right about that. Honey Badger was an animal working through trash, shedding, and getting to the ball. So he was good near the LOS as well. His issues (besides size and perceived athleticism) were mostly off-field, and he was still drafted pretty high considering that.

But he was also a stud punt returner and a stud with the ball in his hands after takeaways. Special, instinctive athlete despite the measurables not really agreeing. I don’t know if that individual playmaking is really Downs’ calling card in the same way
 
skinsinparadise said:
Combine is often a needle mover and shifts things some. And we aren't all the way through it, so things can change.

My guess right now: QB, one of the O lineman, Reese, and Styles are 4 of the picks before 7. I think Bain goes after 7.

So that leaves 2 picks going before Washington with the possibility of: Bailey, Love, Tate, Downs. Wildcard being Delane (combine is big for him today), Fano.

If I was forced to bet I would bet Bailey and Tate are the other two picks before 7. That would leave Downs and Love and for those that dig Bain, him, too.

I love Downs and Love, so tough call for me.
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With the way the FA WR market is going, I am not expecting Tate to reach pick 7. I'm never big on WR's early but It's hard to see them skip Tate if he reaches 7
 
Please correct me if I'm wrong, but Howell and Bain play different positions. I've seen Howell more as a rush-backer, who also drops into coverage, where Bain is strictly DL, probably DE at 6'2, 263#. I think Howell can get away with shorter arms? I don't think it's as historically detrimental to a LB as it is a DE?

I just realized I outweigh Bain by 20 lbs. That just makes me feel fat...
 
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