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

[KDawg]

I don’t think Joel Klatt is great at the mock draft stuff. He has a good show and he’s very smart as an evaluator, but he’s just not as plugged in as the other guys.

Maybe he’ll surprise me but I don’t think so

 

[ES1974]

I think we could see the other 3 NFCE teams being aggressive in round 1.

Giants trade up from #10 to acquire 2 blue chips from the top 5
Cowboys trade up using their 2 first rounders for a top prospect.
Eagles trade up using multiple future picks for a top prospect. They then get the equivalent picks back from NE when they move Brown on June 1st.

 

[Dlts20]

I like Klatt but why the heck would the Giants take Bailey? that would be like Washington going for an OT at 7.

Idk man. Tackles don't rotate. I would take Bailey also if I were NY or any team. You can never have enough pass rushers. Thiibedeaux may be out soon anyways and the jury is still out on Carter.

It is interesting to see the 2 lineman back in the top 6 though. It's like these mocks do a 360. It started off with the lineman, then thru completely disappeared for a long time, and now they are back again as the draft is near. The more of them, the better for us

 

[Skinfanjon]

I think we could see the other 3 NFCE teams being aggressive in round 1.

Giants trade up from #10 to acquire 2 blue chips from the top 5
Cowboys trade up using their 2 first rounders for a top prospect.
Eagles trade up using multiple future picks for a top prospect. They then get the equivalent picks back from NE when they move Brown on June 1st.

 

[skinsinparadise]

Idk man. Tackles don't rotate. I would take Bailey also if I were NY or any team. You can never have enough pass rushers. Thiibedeaux may be out soon anyways and the jury is still out on Carter.

It is interesting to see the 2 lineman back in the top 6 though. It's like these mocks do a 360. It started off with the lineman, then thru completely disappeared for a long time, and now they are back again as the draft is near. The more of them, the better for us

They got too many needs IMO to take their 4th speed rusher. It's not purely that he's an edge. But he's the same style of edge as the three they already got. If it was a power edge I'd get it.

Even though the Giants trade is being celebrated by the national media, they got to make some moves to ensure they aren't dead last in stopping the run.

 

[skinsinparadise]

I was thinking about this corner room some more. The deeper I put thoughts into it, I am convinced its just as bad as WR, arguably its worse. But I do think the stakes are higher at WR because of Jayden.

I like Sainristil but he's a wildcard. He was decent nothing great in 2024. Bad at slot but better at outside. In 2025, he was atrocious at slot and decent on the outside. Not a superstar at outside corner but decent.

But no one yet is confusing Sainristil for being one of the better outside corners.

Amos was OK, ranked 82nd out of 114 CBs from PFF with a below average PFF score, no picks.

Robertson struggled last year.

That's the CB room. No shut down corner. From a PFF perspective whatever that is worth, its an atrocioius CB room. Not bad but atrocious.

But yeah look I get that Amos was a rookie and is talented and played banged up so wasn't always at his best. I think better play is to come. Sainristil in year 3, should evolve and even though he gets burned a lot, he still averaged 4 picks which is good. And Robertson in spite of struggles last year is a feisty CB with some good games in the mix.

I can see it all working out easily. I can equally see it all not working out.

The kicker is there is no net behind these guys -- no depth.

 

[clskinsfan]

They got too many needs IMO to take their 4th speed rusher. It's not purely that he's an edge. But he's the same style of edge as the three they already got. If it was a power edge I'd get it.

Even though the Giants trade is being celebrated by the national media, they got to make some moves to ensure they aren't dead last in stopping the run.

Giants have Thibodeaux on the market right now. Would make sense to add Bailey and trade him I guess.. Positional value on a rookie deal maybe?

Where Giants stand on potential Kayvon Thibodeaux trade after Dexter Lawrence deal

One Giants star leaving means another’s chances of staying improved.

nypost.com

 

[skinsinparadise]

Giants have Thibodeaux on the market right now. Would make sense to add Bailey and trade him I guess.. Positional value on a rookie deal maybe?

Where Giants stand on potential Kayvon Thibodeaux trade after Dexter Lawrence deal

One Giants star leaving means another’s chances of staying improved.

nypost.com

Maybe if they are a SB team like Harbaugh believes they are, and a likely playoff team that some in the national believe. A strong team already just simply building on a strength.

I just am not willing to be that aggressive at how good the Giants will be where they can build on a strength versus fixing a weakness -- I don't like their corners, safeties, defensive tackles, they can also use a guard and WR.

 

[RWJ]

Maybe if they are a SB team like Harbaugh believes they are, and a likely playoff team that some in the national believe. A strong team already just simply building on a strength.

I just am not willing to be that aggressive at how good the Giants will be where they can build on a strength versus fixing a weakness -- I don't like their corners, safeties, defensive tackles, they can also use a guard and WR.

Yes, but Harbaugh just signed so he has slack to make these moves now and have 3 to 4 years to turn it around because of his past coaching success. I get what you are saying though, SIP.

 

[Commander Wraith]

I was thinking about this corner room some more. The deeper I put thoughts into it, I am convinced its just as bad as WR, arguably its worse. But I do think the stakes are higher at WR because of Jayden.

I like Sainristil but he's a wildcard. He was decent nothing great in 2024. Bad at slot but better at outside. In 2025, he was atrocious at slot and decent on the outside. Not a superstar at outside corner but decent.

But no one yet is confusing Sainristil for being one of the better outside corners.

Amos was OK, ranked 82nd out of 114 CBs from PFF with a below average PFF score, no picks.

Robertson struggled last year.

That's the CB room. No shut down corner. From a PFF perspective whatever that is worth, its an atrocioius CB room. Not bad but atrocious.

But yeah look I get that Amos was a rookie and is talented and played banged up so wasn't always at his best. I think better play is to come. Sainristil in year 3, should evolve and even though he gets burned a lot, he still averaged 4 picks which is good. And Robertson in spite of struggles last year is a feisty CB with some good games in the mix.

I can see it all working out easily. I can equally see it all not working out.

The kicker is there is no net behind these guys -- no depth.

Dang. I have to say, I thought Amos played better than that. Looks like maybe I had the wrong impression. I will say that I think in general (ie not specific to this draft) a 3rd round corner might have a better shot at improving that room (as competition/depth) than a 3rd round receiver would.

To your point though, I think you could somewhat say Sainristil is semi-similar to McCaffrey, Robertson a bit like Dyami, and then you have Terry vs Amos. Amos has potential for sure, but he’s nowhere near Terry’s level at this point. Blah. You’re right, it’s pretty bleak, even if there’s at least potential and scheme could help.

Here’s hoping the staff is able to pull a rabbit out of their hat.

 

[burgold]

Dang. I have to say, I thought Amos played better than that. Looks like maybe I had the wrong impression.

You may not have. There was a point where the D just went to Hell and the team completely gave up on Whitt. During stretches like that it is impossible for anybody to look good, especially at a dependent position like corner. I think the general rule of thumb is that the corner is expected to cover for 3-5 seconds. Anything longer than that (and 5 might already be too long) the coverage is expected to break down. With no pass rush, horrid safety play, and abysmal linebacker support, it's really tough to judge a corner.

So, I think our best guess as to who Amos is probably is a look at the first third of the season. I kind of feel the same way about Bill. When defenses realized they could single cover every receiver and provide no safety help then suddenly Bill looked like a bad back. I suspect every back would look pretty bad against 9 man fronts.

 

[Bulldog]

I get all the angst over a shallow draft at the high end.

That’s one reason Washington should have started Hartman at the end of the season and taken that #4 or #5 overall pick and been in a much stronger position.

 

[skinsinparadise]

I take intel especially from Schefter and Keim the most seriously this week. Keim hasn't put anything out yet,

First mention of Delane from Schefter. But also Downs, Tate. I'd be happy with all three.

Logan Paulsen on 106.7 just now, thinks it will be Delane.

 

[Chris]

I don’t know about y’all but, damn, I wish Thursday evening would get here. 😵‍💫

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

I like Klatt but why the heck would the Giants take Bailey? that would be like Washington going for an OT at 7.

If he's the best player available on their board? /sarcasm

Everybody screams and yells about BPA, go BPA, always BPA, but with no real context that need (or lack thereof) factors in.

I agree, with enough players available, I can't imagine why they would do that.

 

[skinsinparadise]

If he's the best player available on their board? /sarcasm

Everybody screams and yells about BPA, go BPA, always BPA, but with no real context that need (or lack thereof) factors in.

I agree, with enough players available, I can't imagine why they would do that.

It would be weird to me. I get it more like I said if that team feels close to the promised land and heck with Harbaugh's ego maybe they do?

I agree that you can never have enough pass rushers. And that Thibodeax (forgot the spelling) might be dealt. But three speed rushers with DT being that weak and no one who can set the edge? You'd figure if they go for another edge they'd want one in a different style and or can stop the run -- but Bailey is in that style of Burns and Abdul Carter. But who knows?

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

I was thinking about this corner room some more. The deeper I put thoughts into it, I am convinced its just as bad as WR, arguably its worse. But I do think the stakes are higher at WR because of Jayden.

I like Sainristil but he's a wildcard. He was decent nothing great in 2024. Bad at slot but better at outside. In 2025, he was atrocious at slot and decent on the outside. Not a superstar at outside corner but decent.

But no one yet is confusing Sainristil for being one of the better outside corners.

Amos was OK, ranked 82nd out of 114 CBs from PFF with a below average PFF score, no picks.

Robertson struggled last year.

That's the CB room. No shut down corner. From a PFF perspective whatever that is worth, its an atrocioius CB room. Not bad but atrocious.

But yeah look I get that Amos was a rookie and is talented and played banged up so wasn't always at his best. I think better play is to come. Sainristil in year 3, should evolve and even though he gets burned a lot, he still averaged 4 picks which is good. And Robertson in spite of struggles last year is a feisty CB with some good games in the mix.

I can see it all working out easily. I can equally see it all not working out.

The kicker is there is no net behind these guys -- no depth.

I think I agree (and have agreed) with you on this point for a while. I think the key difference is IF McLaurin stays healthy, he's a definite #1 WR, where there isn't a real definite #1 CB. That's a problem. Unless Amos is that guy, and maybe he is.

That said, what I keep hearing from everybody (and I believe to some extent) is that in the Flores system, you don't need lock down corners. I argued a little that if you had a lock down corner, that would benefit just about every defense ever schemed up.

I also think they are going to add a CB in this draft. Somewhere if it is not at 7.

The one thing I've heard over and over, from Keim, Standig, maybe even Bram, they're still really, really high on Sainristil. Maybe that's why they might think the room is just fine. I think they have more faith in Sainristil than fans do.

The two positions I said going into the draft where the biggest needs were WR and CB.

I think you could almost coin flip which is more dire. I DO think they might be able to scheme around the CB deficiency more using pressure and scheme. At WR, if you can't create separation, you're dead.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

It would be weird to me. I get it more like I said if that team feels close to the promised land and heck with Harbaugh's ego maybe they do?

I agree that you can never have enough pass rushers. And that Thibodeax (forgot the spelling) might be dealt. But three speed rushers with DT being that weak and no one who can set the edge? You'd figure if they go for another edge they'd want one in a different style and or can stop the run -- but Bailey is in that style of Burns and Abdul Carter. But who knows?

I think it's a lot of spaghetti at walls.

And to drum up some conversation and clicks.

As you know, I am pretty skeptical of a lot of where this stuff comes from.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

Logan Paulsen on 106.7 just now, thinks it will be Delane.

Paulsen is one of the most "down" on Tate people I've heard. I'm not sure if he's right or not, but he's been consistently Mr. Debbie Downer on Tate for a while.

I haven't heard as strong criticism of Tate from anybody else. Acknowledgement that he's not Justin Jefferson, sure, but Paulsen has been much more critical of him than most people I've heard.

We'll see if he's right. I don't track this very closely, but I do know that he hasn't always been right. (And nobody every is.)

 

[actorguy1]

Oh well, I suppose if Love goes to the Cardinals or Titans, the Commanders can sign him as a free agent in 5 years to help them win the Super Bowl.