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

[commva2]

I think and I really hope they give more playing reps to the recent draft picks or bring up more players from practice squads to evaluate what we have in the remaining games. We have nothing to lose at this point. At least, coaches, staff, and even fans get the sense in real time where we stand on that front so we have a clear picture of what we need in terms of players in draft and free agency.

I am also in agreement with people who have been saying to scrub other teams' PS to see if anyone fits our need or is better than what we have. We can't be worse than what we currently playing on Defense.

 

[method man]

Dudes a beast... but I thought the same thing about Chase Young.

The difference seems to be that Bain is obsessed and studies his ass off where Chase Young was not like that at all

My son was the head equipment manager for the Hurricanes for 4 years and his contacts said that the guy is just insane in regards to preparation

I've always been a defense first type of guy but I wouldn't mind a top flight wide receiver either

There is no Nabers caliber receiver prospect in this draft. Bain is special and a guy who can change a defense himself

 

[method man]

There is a real lesson here. Chase Young is only one of many examples of high first round busts we’ve seen. I’m constantly amazed that people still think these picks are so valuable that they want to deliberately lose football games and trade away our best players just so we can acquire more of them or move up the board a few spots. I mean the whole goal is getting good players and winning games, why sacrifice either for another Chase Young? It’s just such a weird mentality to me, I guess maybe it’s how people cope with the pain of being a crappy team.

Are you not happy we have Jayden instead of Penix or McCarthy? I sure as hell am

 

[RedWolf]

There is a real lesson here. Chase Young is only one of many examples of high first round busts we’ve seen. I’m constantly amazed that people still think these picks are so valuable that they want to deliberately lose football games and trade away our best players just so we can acquire more of them or move up the board a few spots. I mean the whole goal is getting good players and winning games, why sacrifice either for another Chase Young? It’s just such a weird mentality to me, I guess maybe it’s how people cope with the pain of being a crappy team.

The draft is a crap shoot bro. You could end up with the next Chase Young or the next Lawrence Taylor. You never know.

A good example is how Ron fucked up our drafts

 

[Faithful Fan]

Are you not happy we have Jayden instead of Penix or McCarthy? I sure as hell am

Obviously Jayden’s rookie season was the greatest thing fans of this team have seen in over three decades, no question he was rookie of the year. I’m glad we didn’t tank harder for Caleb Williams. But honestly it’s too soon to say which quarterback from the 2024 class will have the best career. Sure I would bet on Jayden if he stays healthy, but that seems like a big if at this point. Maye and Nix also look great, Penix has been okay, and I do like McCarthy but he’s barely played. Time will tell which has the best career, it looks like a bunch of them could have good ones.

I’m glad we got Jayden, I just don’t think you have to lose on purpose to get a good quarterback. Nobody had to tank to draft Aaron Rodgers or Tom Brady. Forget the draft, literally any team in the NFL could have had Baker Mayfield a couple years ago. I would rather sign Baker than lose on purpose or trade three firsts for Bryce Young.

Anyway we already have a quarterback, should we continue losing on purpose to round out the roster?

 

[Anselmheifer]

Anyway we already have a quarterback, should we continue losing on purpose to round out the roster?

Yes. Unequivocally, yes.

I think the best thing that could happen to us might be a top 5 pick and we move back for a 1st and 2nd this year, and a 1st next year.

Behind that, Reuben Bain or a top offensive playmaker.

 

[Faithful Fan]

Yes. Unequivocally, yes.

I’m

Should we lose on purpose next year too? Lots of holes to fill. Maybe after two or three seasons of losing on purpose we will finally have enough draft picks to be good.

 

[Bulldog]

This team needs a signature defensive player to pair with Jayden Daniels and become the core leaders of this team over the next 3-5 years if not longer.

You are really only going to find that player as a pass rushing DE or dominating DT through the draft in the top 10.

That's what I expected the team to do in 2025 before the squad all of a sudden went 12-5 and ended up drafting at the back of the rounds with the Chiefs and the Eagles.

The 'ugly' truth is that Washington's roster from top to bottom didn't seem to really belong in that group with the Chiefs, Eagles, Bills, etc.

 

[bowhunter]

Yes. Unequivocally, yes.

I think the best thing that could happen to us might be a top 5 pick and we move back for a 1st and 2nd this year, and a 1st next year.

Behind that, Reuben Bain or a top offensive playmaker.

I'm hoping for both! Bain AND more picks. We just have to get to the top 3 draft pick. Whitt has that potential

 

[Bulldog]

Should we lose on purpose next year too? Lots of holes to fill. Maybe after two or three seasons of losing on purpose we will finally have enough draft picks to be good.

The situation here right now with a third of the roster on injured reserve is that winning games down the stretch isn't going to help us make the playoffs, it's only going to hurt our draft position.

This team has lost 3 in a row and doesn't seem to have a lot of cohesiveness.

So, I don't understand the sarcasm about not only looking to maximize losing in 2025 but also in 2026.

Next year, with hopefully some younger talent in here and the departure of a number of aging veterans that are no longer front line NFL players the team should look to be more competitive and get better as the season goes on.

But there is no reason to not see what is going on in 2025 and how it is a lost season. The team can and must make the most it can of the present circumstances by improving it's chances in the draft in 2026 to land a marquee top 10 pick and/or trade down to recoup the picks we spent on Lattimore and others.

 

[Faithful Fan]

The situation here right now with a third of the roster on injured reserve is that winning games down the stretch isn't going to help us make the playoffs, it's only going to hurt our draft position.

This team has lost 3 in a row and doesn't seem to have a lot of cohesiveness.

So, I don't understand the sarcasm about not only looking to maximize losing in 2025 but also in 2026.

Next year, with hopefully some younger talent in here and the departure of a number of aging veterans that are no longer front line NFL players the team should look to be more competitive and get better as the season goes on.

But there is no reason to not see what is going on in 2025 and how it is a lost season. The team can and must make the most it can of the present circumstances by improving it's chances in the draft in 2026 to land a marquee top 10 pick and/or trade down to recoup the picks we spent on Lattimore and others.

Well we already maximized losing in 2023, it doesn’t seem like it helped much. Maybe we only have to do it every other season?

 

[method man]

This team needs a signature defensive player to pair with Jayden Daniels and become the core leaders of this team over the next 3-5 years if not longer.

You are really only going to find that player as a pass rushing DE or dominating DT through the draft in the top 10.

That's what I expected the team to do in 2025 before the squad all of a sudden went 12-5 and ended up drafting at the back of the rounds with the Chiefs and the Eagles.

The 'ugly' truth is that Washington's roster from top to bottom didn't seem to really belong in that group with the Chiefs, Eagles, Bills, etc.

Yep the real truth is this is the worst roster in the NFC East and a big reason why is a lack of true blue chip talent. As you said, we need a signature defensive player like the Lions have with Hutchinson. With a better DC and coaching, a front four of Bain, Armstrong, Payne and Kinlaw should be able to generate a consistent pass rush with 4, which would really help out the back 7 and let them play more man

 

[method man]

If we were to trade down, is there a slot receiver in that JSN/Egbuka mold this year that will go mid first? This type of pick seems to be one of the safest. I've heard Lemon's name come up but a friend of mine who watches him says he is more in the Kadarius Toney mold (without the character issues) in that his game is not based on excellent route running.

 

[Gooseneck]

I do not think we need to try to lose. This team is so injured we will lose anyway

 

[Primus Porcus]

If we're truly looking at this season as a lost cause, then we need to fully embrace the struggle as a fanbase also.

Just remember that a lot of decision making pressing a re-set button mid season can be maddening because it still hurts to lose on Game Day, no matter the circumstances.

I understand that mentality, but i've always maintained that accepting losing generally never works out. The expectation and message to the players should ALWAYS be that you're out there to win... period. There is a balance of how you can somewhat manage both sides of that conversation, but it's not easy to do in week 10 without the right mentality. You can't pick and choose. In all reality, I wouldn't mind seeing if Hartman can actually be an NFL level player. We've seen a lot to be desired, but why not? Give him 2 - 3 games where he's prepping, playing, and running with the first team. See if he can be a viable backup in the NFL. I want to see Lane lined up at 'X'. See if this cat can actually play the primary role. I wanna see Treylon Burks and see if we can strike a bit of diamond in the rough here.

Injuries have created a lot of these type of opportunities over the 2nd half of the season with Amos likely getting thrust into the primary role with Sainristil on the other side. What about Sinnott and Medrano? How about we bring in 2 - 3 kickers over the next 6 weeks to see if we can get lucky there. If Coleman is meant to play inside, then he better stay there, even if someone on the outside goes down.


A lot of things can happen over the next 2 months, but the biggest thing that needs to be answered is who needs to say, and in what capacity?


Like others have said, I'm pretty confident that what has happened to us to this point will effect the outcome of the season a lot of people would prefer, that the team doesn't necessarily need to 'tank'.

 

[Chris]

I understand and agree with the spirit of your thoughts Primus Porcus but I see a disconnect between the idea of giving Hartman serious run with the ‘accepting losing generally never works out’ and the ‘message to the players’ part.

To me, that would be a clear indicator to everyone, everyone, that the organization has cried uncle and packed it’s tent.

 

[Primus Porcus]

I understand and agree with the spirit of your thoughts Primus Porcus but I see a disconnect between the idea of giving Hartman serious run with the ‘accepting losing generally never works out’ and the ‘message to the players’ part.

To me, that would be a clear indicator to everyone, everyone, that the organization has cried uncle.

You're not wrong, but you like to 'hope' that the thought is the only people still in the building contribute something toward winning. If you can't help us win football games on some level, what are we even doing here?

 

[Chris]

You're not wrong, but you like to 'hope' that the thought is the only people still in the building contribute something toward winning. If you can't help us win football games on some level, what are we even doing here?

As far as Harman is concerned that is a very valid question. Based on what he has shown repeatedly through his performances to date, I can’t think of one reason that he is still there. Jeff Driskel, despite his age, was miles better.

 

[Primus Porcus]

As far as Harman is concerned that is a very valid question. Based on what he has shown repeatedly through his performances to date, I can’t think of one reason that he is still there. Jeff Driskel, despite his age, was miles better.

which is why i wonder if it's not viewed as tanking and more about 'evaluation'. I want to see as much evaluation as I can personally. It's time to put up or shut up, and part of that is the game - ready prep. it's time to prove you can help this team win, and if you can't, that's data points moving forward. That changes the conversation away from Tanking, and more toward 'Losing with a purpose.' We're not giving up on the season, just giving the young guys a chance to win some games for us and prove they're supposed to be here long term.

 

[Chris]

which is why i wonder if it's not viewed as tanking and more about 'evaluation'. I want to see as much evaluation as I can personally. It's time to put up or shut up, and part of that is the game - ready prep. it's time to prove you can help this team win, and if you can't, that's data points moving forward. That changes the conversation away from Tanking, and more toward 'Losing with a purpose.' We're not giving up on the season, just giving the young guys a chance to win some games for us and prove they're supposed to be here long term.

Let Hartman run the scout team now that he is #3 instead of #4. It would be interesting see him play against our starting defense. 😉