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

[Always Commander Never Captain]

Watching some clips of Keldric Faulk vs Alabama (his most recent game). He went against Kadyn Proctor (he's supposed to be a 1st rounder right?) half the game.

It's just clips so take this with a grain of salt. But he's clearly someone who only plays within structure and assignment. He's not going to freelance, or try different moves, because that's not what he was asked. Basically, he keeps his rush lane at all times.

• Sometimes he'll 2 gap first and then transition to power. (there's usually no blitzer by him)
• Sometimes it's an immediate bull rush to occupy the OT (there's usually a blitzer outside of him)
• Sometimes that's an outside rush (there's usually a blitzer inside of him)

When it's 1st&10, he's supposed to have the outside contain and he's lined up opposite the OT but there's a TE in-line. He works himself to the TE first to keep contain and only then redirects to think "OK, it's a passing play". There was one heavy blitz he was the outside contain/speed rusher. He actually got past the LT but stopped to keep contain in-case the QB went in that direction (there was other pressure coming at the QB). This guy follows his assignment to the letter. There is no hint of freelancing in how he operates.

He's not explosive, but you can see power. There's a strong bull rush, but he's often not dis-engaging to redirect to where the QB is because I think that he thinks that's not his job, his job is to collapse while playing both rush lanes. He's not as agile as I hoped. I wish he could turn upfield a bit quicker or get skinnier when on stunts.

I don't think he's got that killer mentality of "I want this sack, it's mine", or "I want to embarrass the OT". He's much more of a "If I do my job well, it will all work out".

Because of how he operates, his pass rush moves are minimal, he does not have counters. He's clearly got size/length/power. His bull rush shows up. But to say he is raw as a pass rusher is an understatement. He's not a rookie season pass rushing contributor besides collapsing the pocket on his side. Which has value, and is great if you've got a horse on the other side or can scheme up stunts/blitzes well opposite him...

...but that type of guy in the Top 10? No way. He's someone taken in the late 1st to mid-2nd pick range. If he's actually getting Top 10 buzz, then man is this draft class lacking premier talent. I don't think his mindset will really help turn him into an elite NFL player. A pretty good one? Maybe. Maybe a plus sized DeMarcus Lawrence is his ceiling?

 

[method man]

Obviously no official measurements, but it seems like Bailey's arms are supposed to be bigger, so yeah, of everyone Bailey seems to check all the boxes.

Which means he might shoot up boards and end up a top 5 pick :/

Yep. Expectation is 34-35 inches

 

[Always Commander Never Captain]

Man, I know we were rumored to be interested in Kyle Williams last draft. We could have really used him. I wonder if Trey Amos wasn't there in the late 2nd, we would have picked Williams instead. He's barely gotten targets but he's flashed when he does.

Plus speed, plus tracking, could beat college press, could beat college man. Had to transfer and needed a 5th season (Covid year) to really get on the draft radar. If only someone like that was available in the 3rd round again this year.

 

[skinsinparadise]

What do you think of Cashius Howell?

Watched him just a little so far. Love his get off and bend and motor, wicked cross chop move. He fits the profile of what I like style wise.

Concerns -- arm length and supposedly not at his best in some big games. I am interested in his arm length measurables. I am gun shy about anyo0ne with under 31 - and 31 is still bing generous ideally I'd like something close to 32. But intrigued.

 

[skinsinparadise]

As for draft status, its hard for them to pick lower now if they win a game. The dangerous game on that front would be the meaningless game against the Eagles that Quinn seems pathetically fired up about.

Saints and Cincy have one more win than Washington. Saints with a slightly worse SOS so they have a tie breaker. So on that front we want to still root for a weakened SOS.

Saints play the last two on the road versus the Titans and Atlanta. Though we want the Titans to beat the Saints -- we easily have the tie breaker SOS over the Titans so we'd leapfrog them assuming Washington loses out.

As for leapfrogging another 3 win team. We win the tie breakers against Arizona and the Jets.

Jets have Buffalo and NE, that's unlikely unless one sits starters

Arizona has Cincy and the Rams on the road.

The Browns have Pitt and Cincy. But we'd have to make up .1 in SOS which is doable perhaps.

At this point, I think they pick 7 or 6. Unlikely to pick top 5. Unlikely to pick anything lower than 8.

 

[skinsinparadise]

Feels right now:

Tate
Love
Downs
Bailey
Tyson

One of those guys will be drafted by this team.

Their chances to trade down actually might exist for these reasons. Arguably one of the O lineman might be left and its not a great draft for O line. Some team might want a player who is potentially elite and arguably there is a drop off after the top 10. Some have said, myself included, that this top 10 lacks the typical elite prospects. I still somewhat agree but I've changed on one front. I think the top 10 have players that are distinctly a peg better prospects and there is a fall off after. If a team sees it that way, they might want to trade up.

But then it leaves the question is this team's seemingly always going to be the team with the Jonathan Allens version of top players. Really good players, no super stars? If there is a player that the FO thinks is great -- do we want the Jonathan Allen AND Ryan Anderson versus the dude they think is a superstar?

I am with the people who would do it for a 2027 first rounder. But getting a 2nd rounder? Some treat Peters as a complete incompetent for the 2024 2nd round pick fails so far. But keep in mind, that Peters isn't alone. Most of the 2nd rounders here have failed. Lets pass over JJ Watt because hey we can get Jarvis Jenkins, too! hooray. I mean even their rare hits in the 2nd round, guys like Preston Smith were nice players but not game changers. 50% of 2nd rounders fail in the league, I saw that stat somewhere, almost 50% of late first rounders fail I saw that too.

 

[SkinDeep]

Looking at the bright side, assuming Mendoza and the other QB go 1-2 or at least somewhere in the top 6, then being at 7 assures us one of
Reese
Tate
Bailey
Tyson
Love

And even if we manage to win a game in the last 2 it looks like it would still give us a shot at
Downs
Styles (who I love the more I watch and I suspect you might see start to climb lists and end up in the top 10).

Any of those players are likely to help us a lot.

Not a fan of Faulk - slow on the get off and he lacks that relentless motor you want in a pass rusher. And the more I watch the more I am a "long arm" convert so not into Bain that high. Styles and Bailey have crazy long arms for their frames.

 

[DWinzit]

Man, I know we were rumored to be interested in Kyle Williams last draft. We could have really used him. I wonder if Trey Amos wasn't there in the late 2nd, we would have picked Williams instead. He's barely gotten targets but he's flashed when he does.

I often wondered if they had picked 26th instead of 29th who they would have taken. WR Jack Bech, Edge Mike Green or RJ Harvey to go with Amos. All of them checked big needs. I'd guess they would have passed on Bech, I don't think I would have been able to pass on Green or Harvey.

There would have been some nice Edge, CB and WR options a notch below Amos. Without a small trade down, Amos was the best selection

 

[skinsinparadise]

Looking at the bright side, assuming Mendoza and the other QB go 1-2 or at least somewhere in the top 6, then being at 7 assures us one of
Reese
Tate
Bailey
Tyson
Love

And even if we manage to win a game in the last 2 it looks like it would still give us a shot at
Downs
Styles (who I love the more I watch and I suspect you might see start to climb lists and end up in the top 10).

Any of those players are likely to help us a lot.

Not a fan of Faulk - slow on the get off and he lacks that relentless motor you want in a pass rusher. And the more I watch the more I am a "long arm" convert so not into Bain that high. Styles and Bailey have crazy long arms for their frames.

Yeah especially if they trade down as I mentioned the two guys on my radar would be Lemon and Styles.

Styles can play the run, pass, do it all. Converted safety. My only issue with him is the clunky way he tackles. New to the position a season before he had 20% missed tackles, which is a big number but none this year.

 

[Chris]

If we play anyone of consequence for 2026 in week 17 I will be pissed. An empty win in the final game does nothing. A major injury to a valuable asset would be the coup de grâce to this miserable season.

Let Wagner get what he needs for 2000 career tackles, celebrate the accomplishment, and wish him farewell.

 

[Anselmheifer]

If Moore comes out the top 2 seemed locked in. Reese seems a given at 2 or 3.

Then what?

Feels very open right now precombine: Maybe an O lineman, Fano and or the Miami tackle but they aren't slam dunk.

IMO -- Tate, Downs, Love and Bailey are the obvious gems, I am guessing those players don't last beyond 8. Maybe Tyson, too albiet I am not as high on him as some but I do like it.

I get the trade down thought. But 3 points on that:

A. Who are you trading down for if its to the 10-15 range? The only one who hits me is Lemon. Delane -- I haven't watched him yet but his profile I like but he doesn't come off special, supposedly pedestrian length and speed. I watched a little of Woods, and I liked what I've seen but he doesn't seem special. Maybe Sonny Styles if its a trade down. I started to watch him and I have dug what I've seen. Like Downs he doesn't play a premium position but looks like a special player -- a LB who can stop run and cover.



B. This team doesn't really major in elite players. If they see one of these guys as elite do we pass on them for good? Do we need a Jonathan Allen and Preston Smith or just a TJ Watt?

C. When was the last time this team won a trade where they traded down? like 25 years ago?

Styles is an athlete, and can cover, but listening to these draft podcasts, hasn’t he really struggled with missed tackles?

Styles and Jordan Magee would give us a super athletic LB duo.

I’d rather invest in a value position in the first though, unless it’s a super blue chip prospect. WR, edge, even CB.

 

[skinsinparadise]

Styles is an athlete, and can cover, but listening to these draft podcasts, hasn’t he really struggled with missed tackles?

Styles and Jordan Magee would give us a super athletic LB duo.

I’d rather invest in a value position in the first though, unless it’s a super blue chip prospect. WR, edge, even CB.

Yeah I talked about Styles struggles in a few posts above as to missed tackles in the prior season.

Yeah I am still everything being equal would prefer a WR or edge.

 

[skinsinparadise]

https://atozsports.com/nfl-draft/2026-nfl-draft-intel-rueben-bain-jr-keldric-faulk-r-mason-thomas-david-bailey-romello-height/

David Bailey (Texas Tech) is creating heavy buzz in NFL circles right now....
In today’s game, getting after the quarterback is paramount. Bailey does that as well, or better, than anyone in the class.

“That dude is going top 15,” an AFC West scout told me. “Book it! His first step and bend translate. That’s going to be a guy who feasts in 1-on-1s in the NFL.

 

[Conn]

I’m happy if we can hold serve at 6. 7 I think gives us a similar level of prospect based on what we know right now, unless only 1 QB goes. Feels like even in a weak class, an OT usually climbs the board for someone who needs one badly. That would help us.

But being assured of one of:

Bailey
Tate
Tyson
Love
Downs

That would feel really good. And if we trade down for multiple lesser guys, or reach on an over-drafted DT or something instead…well, the clock starts to tick a little faster for this personnel department.

We need a blue chip stud. We suffered through this nightmare season to earn the pick to get one. There’s no excuses not to go BPA and try to draft us an All-Pro, which we famously do not ever draft but sorely need.

If we indeed land in the top-6/7 and this doesn’t happen, we have a lot of questions to ask this regime. Especially if they don’t go ham in FA. We need to add superstars to this roster by the most direct route, which is a top-6 or so pick.

 

[clskinsfan]

Feels right now:

Tate
Love
Downs
Bailey
Tyson

One of those guys will be drafted by this team.

Their chances to trade down actually might exist for these reasons. Arguably one of the O lineman might be left and its not a great draft for O line. Some team might want a player who is potentially elite and arguably there is a drop off after the top 10. Some have said, myself included, that this top 10 lacks the typical elite prospects. I still somewhat agree but I've changed on one front. I think the top 10 have players that are distinctly a peg better prospects and there is a fall off after. If a team sees it that way, they might want to trade up.

But then it leaves the question is this team's seemingly always going to be the team with the Jonathan Allens version of top players. Really good players, no super stars? If there is a player that the FO thinks is great -- do we want the Jonathan Allen AND Ryan Anderson versus the dude they think is a superstar?

I am with the people who would do it for a 2027 first rounder. But getting a 2nd rounder? Some treat Peters as a complete incompetent for the 2024 2nd round pick fails so far. But keep in mind, that Peters isn't alone. Most of the 2nd rounders here have failed. Lets pass over JJ Watt because hey we can get Jarvis Jenkins, too! hooray. I mean even their rare hits in the 2nd round, guys like Preston Smith were nice players but not game changers. 50% of 2nd rounders fail in the league, I saw that stat somewhere, almost 50% of late first rounders fail I saw that too.

Maybe we should just take Downs. Seems he's the guy everyone is high on. I think we need to address the front 7 more. But doubt you will find anyone who would dislike it if Downs was the pick.

 

[skinsinparadise]

Maybe we should just take Downs. Seems he's the guy everyone is high on. I think we need to address the front 7 more. But doubt you will find anyone who would dislike it if Downs was the pick.

while they should lol I don't think it matters to the FO the consensus here or the public, etc. But I get your point that he's a safe pick. I think he fits here very well. He's not my top choice at 6-7 but I'd dig the pick.

Downs an more of an Ed Reed type, cerebral player who seems to always know what's coming and is a great tackler even though he's not a highlight reel tackler. He's as good against the pass as he is against the run.

He's a student of the game, also leader of men. He's be a tone setter for this defense IMO on three fronts.

1. He's a great open field tackler. Barkley teeing off on this defense for 40 plus yard runs won't be easy with him on the field.

2. He's a weapon to shut down TEs who have been killing us

3. He can help with all the communication issues in the backfield. I recall Belichick talking once about how Ed Reed was a pain in the ass to the Pats offenses because he seemed to always know what's coming. Tate is that kind of guy.

 

[clskinsfan]

Looking at the bright side, assuming Mendoza and the other QB go 1-2 or at least somewhere in the top 6, then being at 7 assures us one of
Reese
Tate
Bailey
Tyson
Love

And even if we manage to win a game in the last 2 it looks like it would still give us a shot at
Downs
Styles (who I love the more I watch and I suspect you might see start to climb lists and end up in the top 10).

Any of those players are likely to help us a lot.

Not a fan of Faulk - slow on the get off and he lacks that relentless motor you want in a pass rusher. And the more I watch the more I am a "long arm" convert so not into Bain that high. Styles and Bailey have crazy long arms for their frames.

Length is why I like LT Overton a lot as well. He might end up with the biggest wingspan in the draft. He is a bit slower than I like. But I do love the physical traits he has.

 

[skinsinparadise]

PFF mock today, highlighting some of the players we often discuss here.

2026 NFL Mock Draft: Dolphins make franchise-altering trade to No. 1 for Fernando Mendoza

After Tua Tagovailoa's benching, the Dolphins get aggressive to secure their next starting quarterback: Indiana's Heisman-winning Fernando Mendoza.

www.pff.com

3. Cleveland Browns: WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State​

Cleveland’s quarterback situation remains murky, but if the team misses out on one of the top signal-callers in this draft, finding a top wide receiver would be a solid consolation prize. Tate has put together a phenomenal season for Ohio State, bringing in every catchable pass thrown his way while averaging 3.35 yards per route run and producing an eye-popping 85.7% contested catch rate.

6. Tennessee Titans: WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State​

Help for quarterback Cam Ward needs to be a priority for the Titans this offseason, and Tyson is the top-ranked wide receiver on the PFF Big Board as things stand. He has earned PFF overall grades above 80.0 in each of the past two seasons and is coming off a 2025 season in which he dropped just 1.6% of the catchable passes thrown his way.

7. Washington Commanders: EDGE David Bailey, Texas Tech

The Commanders need an injection of youth on defense, and the way this draft has played out gives them a plethora of options. Bailey has dominated off the edge this season, earning a 93.5 PFF pass-rush grade and producing a 21.6% PFF pass-rush win rate. There will be questions about his size, but he’s too good a pass rusher to fall out of the top 10.

8. New Orleans Saints: WR Makai Lemon, USC​

Rookie quarterback Tyler Shough has shown enough in 2025 for the Saints to want to build around him, so a playmaker like Lemon makes sense here. The USC star logged an 81.0 PFF receiving grade against man coverage, caught 66.7% of contested targets and dropped just 2.5% of the catchable targets thrown his way this season.

10. New York Giants (via Dolphins): S Caleb Downs, Ohio State​

The Giants are still crying out for difference-makers on defense. Downs is the top-ranked player on the PFF Big Board but slips to New York here because of positional value.

For a Giants team whose starting safeties have both earned sub-60.0 PFF overall grades in 2025, a player like Downs — who has earned PFF overall grades of 89.3 and 82.5 in coverage and run defense, respectively, this season — makes too much sense.

---

11. Los Angeles Rams (via Falcons): CB Mansoor Delane, LSU​

The Rams have several potential avenues at this pick, but the prospect of finding a true shutdown cornerback is tempting. Delane was fantastic in 2025, earning an 89.1 PFF grade in man coverage and allowing a catch on just 37.1% of the passes thrown into his coverage.

---

12. Kansas City Chiefs: RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame​

The Chiefs with quarterback Patrick Mahomes will always terrify offenses, which is why a dynamic running back would elevate the team in 2026.

Love has earned elite PFF overall grades of 91.1 and 92.9 over the past two seasons, and he averaged 4.5 yards after contact in 2025. He would instantly be the favorite to win Offensive Rookie of the Year if he landed in Kansas City.

16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State​

Styles has yet to miss a tackle in a phenomenal 2025 season at Ohio State. He has earned PFF overall grades above 85.0 against the run and in coverage and would be a plug-and-play NFL starter in Tampa Bay, which badly needs help at the linebacker position.

20. Pittsburgh Steelers: WR Denzel Boston, Washington​

The city of Pittsburgh will be hoping for a franchise quarterback as their pick is announced from the Steel City, but with the top two off the board, they opt for another big need: wide receiver.

In 2025, Boston earned an 89.7 PFF overall grade against man coverage, caught 76.9% of contested targets and dropped just 3.1% of catchable targets thrown his way.

---

21. Dallas Cowboys (via Packers): EDGE Keldric Faulk, Auburn​

After acquiring more pass-rush juice with Arvel Reese earlier in the round, the Cowboys can look to find a replacement for DeMarcus Lawrence here. While Lawrence was good as a pass rusher, he was elite as a run defender — something the Cowboys have lacked in 2025. None of their edge defenders own a PFF run-defense grade above 70.0. Faulk earned an 85.2 PFF run-defense grade in 2025 and can line up all along the defensive front.

22. Philadelphia Eagles: EDGE Cashius Howell, Texas A&M​

Although the Eagles acquired Jaelan Phillips at the trade deadline, there’s no guarantee that he will be back for the 2026 season. Should he leave as a free agent, they would be thin along the edge once again. Howell has earned a 90.3 PFF pass-rush grade and produced a 19.8% PFF pass-rush win rate this season. He would immediately contribute to Philadelphia’s rotation.

---

 

[The Chump Bailey]

I had to watch more of Rueben Bain because I was skeptical initially from the first few clips but after watching his play against Notre Dame, UCF & Florida - my opinion has changed. I do not like being contrarian for the sake of it and need to be convinced. I now see why he is regarded as the Edge #1 in this class and will be mine as well. Plus power, plus pursuit needs to get better disengaging and add to his arsenal of moves but neither is a weakness by any means. That said, I've watched over a dozen Edge players and I remain of the opinion that R. Mason Thomas Oklahoma has the most explosive 1st step of any with Bailey, Howell and Height right behind. I also see quite a few sleeper types:

Bryan Thomas Jr South Carolina
Isaiah Smith SMU
Clev Lubin Louisville
Wesley Bailey Louisville

At least 5 more but will wait until we know for sure who is declaring.

 

[skinsinparadise]

I had to watch more of Rueben Bain because I was skeptical initially from the first few clips but after watching his play against Notre Dame, UCF & Florida - my opinion has changed. I do not like being contrarian for the sake of it and need to be convinced. I now see why he is regarded as the Edge #1 in this class and will be mine as well. Plus power, plus pursuit needs to get better disengaging and add to his arsenal of moves but neither is a weakness by any means. That said, I've watched over a dozen Edge players and I remain of the opinion that R. Mason Thomas Oklahoma has the most explosive 1st step of any with Bailey, Howell and Height right behind. I also see quite a few sleeper types:

Bryan Thomas Jr South Carolina
Isaiah Smith SMU
Clev Lubin Louisville
Wesley Bailey Louisville

At least 5 more but will wait until we know for sure who is declaring.

I haven't watched Bain in awhile, he's certainly come on strong this month. But with his arm length wonder if he's meant to be a three technique.

I've watched a little of Thomas, yeah he's fun. I love speed rushers. Quick get off and bend. Howell is even more fun but I want to see his arm length. I'd take Bailey over those 2 but I do like those speed demon types off the edge. I talked about Height weeks back, I like him too but I think he has to be as pure 3rd down rusher.