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

[skinsinparadise]

Missouri Edge Zion Young is on my radar and could be a nice addition for us.

He, Lucas and Uaigalelei (that spelling is going to kill me all draft season) are popular picks at edge in the range of their early 3rd round pick.

I haven't watched them yet, but have watched some Mesidor, who I like a lot. PFF isn't high on Mesidor for whatever reason but McShay said some scouts he talked to are high on him. On the broadcast yesterday they talked about Mesidor going in the first. PFF has him going lol in the 6th, hopefully its a happy medium and he ends up in the early 3rd.

 

[DWinzit]

Safeties don't tend to go high. Last top 10 was Jamal Adamas going 6th, 9 drafts ago.

I know some mocks have him that high now, just like some had Hamilton top 3 this early. But I don't put stock in it.

As much as I love the player, I don't think he will test as a freak at the combine. I'd generally be surprised if he went to 5. Maybe 7-10. But wouldn't shock me at all if he's 10-14 range which I do see in some mocks.

Totally get that and agree. However this is not a top heavy class with elite type players. It is like Hamilton's draft class, it was a very strong class up front.

 

[DogofWar1]

My shortlist wishlist right now (way too early) is probably:
Downs - just too good. I don't think we ever take him bc the rumor is Peters doesn't like investing a ton into the safety position.
Reese - just can do anything as a LB.
Bain - Edge, self-explanatory
Love - elite RB, which, if you go buy some WRs in FA and decide to say "screw the defense" is not a terrible idea
Tyson/Tate - I'm starting to itch like Green Bay fans. Yes I know we drafted Dotson, and Doctson, in the 1st round vaguely recently, but anything outside the top 15 I'm not counting. We haven't drafted a WR in the top 10 since 1995.

 

[skinsinparadise]

Totally get that and agree. However this is not a top heavy class with elite type players. It is like Hamilton's draft class, it was a very strong class up front.

Sure, it could happen for that reason. I think the combine might influence where he will go super high. Some suspect he will have an ok combine but nothing special. But if he surprises on that front, I think he's more likely then to go top 5. But who knows, is still early.

 

[commva2]

Seems like we moved up one spot to #6 after Cleveland's win per NFL.com

2025 NFL League Standings

The latest NFL Standings by Division, Conference and League

www.nfl.com

 

[Gooseneck]

Think we are at 7, Still a good day, I think Dallas moved out of catch up range. Atlanta moving out of catch up range. Or game with New York is going to be a big one.

Pick	Team	Record	Win%	GB	SOS	Streak
1	Tennessee	1-10	.091	--	.572	Lost 6
2	NY Giants	2-10	.167	0.5	.545	Lost 6
3	New Orleans	2-9	.182	1.0	.495	Lost 1
4	NY Jets	2-9	.182	1.0	.529	Lost 2
5	Las Vegas	2-9	.182	1.0	.558	Lost 5
6	Cleveland	3-8	.273	2.0	.476	Won 1
7	Washington	3-8	.273	2.0	.516	Lost 6

 

[Chris]

Still 7th at the moment. That nfl.com image does not account for strength of schedule.

 

[method man]

With Downs, he is a guy you are going to have to let freelance a bit to get the most out of him. The wrong DC could really stifle him - think of literally all the JAG DCs we have had since Gregggg. That’s my worry.

I was on the WR in the first round train but my thinking may be different now that we know Aiyuk is going to be released. I may still potentially be on that train because I do really like Lemon too and I think the floor is high.

 

[Riggo44]

I want 0 part of Aiyuk. He got his contract voided and told the union he didn't care. That's a major red flag.

Downs will be like Hamilton, need a good DC to maximize his value. Hamilton would have been a bust here...like Forbes was. I was wrong about him, he was fantastic last night.

 

[DieselPwr44]

Downs will be like Hamilton, need a good DC to maximize his value. Hamilton would have been a bust here...like Forbes was. I was wrong about him, he was fantastic last night.

Just goes to show you what happens when a young player has good coaching. He never had that here under Ron or Quinn.

 

[skinsinparadise]

With Downs, he is a guy you are going to have to let freelance a bit to get the most out of him. The wrong DC could really stifle him - think of literally all the JAG DCs we have had since Gregggg. That’s my worry.

I was on the WR in the first round train but my thinking may be different now that we know Aiyuk is going to be released. I may still potentially be on that train because I do really like Lemon too and I think the floor is high.

I loved watching Lemon this past week. I was a bit dissapointed that he didn't do a heck of a lot against Oregon which has a good defense, though that touchdown throw was cool.

I think right now am uncoventional at WR: 1. Tate. 2. Lemon. 3. Tyson. For all three the combine is important, none are supposed to be speedsters but will see.

I got to dive deeper into Bailey. I like what I've seen on initial watches. He though is a standup rusher more so, so I get the thought from some that he's more of a 3-4 OL. but I like the profile. I like more of a lanky-speed pass rusher profile than the thicker bigger types everything being equal so on the surface I am more of a Bailey than Bain type. But that spot is so hard to get right. I am as hit and miss as anyone judging that spot.

I really dig Love but wonder if you can just sign B. Hall? I think right now if they draft around 7-10, i am totally open to Love and Downs. I know RBs seem boring, hey isn't Rodriguez good enough? But the thing they haven't had a dude like this who is passing weapon and who can take it to the house -- in that way he reminds me of Barkley, any play can turn into a 50 yard TD.

As far as Downs -- game planning. I agree you don't want to box him in as to his duties. He'd be lol so perfect as to helping fix the current defensive woes. I liked Hamilton a lot as far as sideline to sideline coverage espeically in the box. I think I like Downs even more on that front even though physically he's not Hamilton size wise. He's more similar to me to Branch but looks even better to me than him.

 

[SkinsNumberOne]

Just goes to show you what happens when a young player has good coaching. He never had that here under Ron or Quinn.

Just tough news and really disappointing that DQ couldn't figure out that he had bad coaching going on under him. Process over results, it's key - basically looking at last year and saying, "hey we made the NFCCG, now we just need to change a few things" - from fans, that's fine.

From your HC? He needs to see how Donatell is not doing well. It needs to be something he can see, because frankly, the signs were there last year. Multiple DBs failing to reach potential, all showing similar issues in technique.

It just didn't have the right look even from our vantage point. I feel DQ could have figured it out, and yet here we are, with a wasted year. Those are expensive mistakes.

 

[Riggo44]

Just goes to show you what happens when a young player has good coaching. He never had that here under Ron or Quinn.

Really disappointed in how bad Whitt is. I was willing to give him a pass after year 1, since we had such little talent on that side of the ball. But them getting so much worse was just an indication of bad coaching. I imagine the whole unit is going to go.

 

[skinsinparadise]

Just tough news and really disappointing that DQ couldn't figure out that he had bad coaching going on under him. Process over results, it's key - basically looking at last year and saying, "hey we made the NFCCG, now we just need to change a few things" - from fans, that's fine.

From your HC? He needs to see how Donatell is not doing well. It needs to be something he can see, because frankly, the signs were there last year. Multiple DBs failing to reach potential, all showing similar issues in technique.

It just didn't have the right look even from our vantage point. I feel DQ could have figured it out, and yet here we are, with a wasted year. Those are expensive mistakes.

Agree.

If I had to nail the main mistake for Quinn and Peters

A. Quinn -- hiring a buddy to run the defense and watch it fall apart. The repercussions go beyond a bad unit -- discarding good players, their own players regressing. It's a total debacle.

B. Peters -- basically leaving no depth at WR. Yes he strengthened the O line. But basically trusted the Z spot to Noah Brown who can never stay healthy -- that's bad enough but the kicker is he had no net behind him or the X Wr.

 

[skinsinparadise]

 

[Commander Wraith]

Just tough news and really disappointing that DQ couldn't figure out that he had bad coaching going on under him. Process over results, it's key - basically looking at last year and saying, "hey we made the NFCCG, now we just need to change a few things" - from fans, that's fine.

From your HC? He needs to see how Donatell is not doing well. It needs to be something he can see, because frankly, the signs were there last year. Multiple DBs failing to reach potential, all showing similar issues in technique.

It just didn't have the right look even from our vantage point. I feel DQ could have figured it out, and yet here we are, with a wasted year. Those are expensive mistakes.

I find it tricky to isolate certain things in terms of this defense, particularly personnel vs scheme vs play calling vs position coaching. I think we tend to look for the most logical answers we can with what little info we have. Wagner struggling - he’s lost a step. Sainristil looking bad in the slot - he must be better suited outside. Quan must not be what we thought he was. For Luvu - it must be that he’s being used differently. Lattimore looks terrible - injuries have taken their toll and/or he’s lost his confidence. And so on. That applies to coaching as well - last year, it could be argued that Whitt didn’t have quality corners, our DEs weren’t great, Fowler couldn’t set the edge, etc. Not saying we are/were wrong on those things, just that it’s tough because of all the nuance. Plus our takes change as new info comes out.

Like (essentially) getting complaints about the scheme from Wagner and Sainristil. I mean, it’s not Wagner’s fault he got put in man vs Bijon Robinson. And how much do we put on the corners when we’re changing up the scheme we practiced all offseason, when they don’t have safety help, or when we need them to help vs the run game because of light boxes. It just gets difficult to dissect.

Same applies to Donatell. Quan looked fine last year. Sainristil looked pretty good outside last year. Amos looked good this year. I think Reeves has stepped up. So how much is on him vs scheme/play calling/personnel?

To your point, hopefully DQ has a much better pulse on things and can solve any coaching issues while also helping Peters fix personnel problems.

Agree.

If I had to nail the main mistake for Quinn and Peters

A. Quinn -- hiring a buddy to run the defense and watch it fall apart. The repercussions go beyond a bad unit -- discarding good players, their own players regressing. It's a total debacle.

B. Peters -- basically leaving no depth at WR. Yes he strengthened the O line. But basically trusted the Z spot to Noah Brown who can never stay healthy -- that's bad enough but the kicker is he had no net behind him or the X Wr.

I struggle with the wr piece. I’m assuming the thinking went something like - Deebo is an upgrade from (and a great fit for Kliff’s scheme), Brown, Luke (who’s got very similar metrics to Dyami) and Deebo can all play outside, and then Luke and Lane can backup Deebo in the slot. So then they ‘just’ needed another layer of insurance as a 6th receiver. So they have a competition between Moore, Martin, Gallup, and other UDFAs.

Maybe I’m being too generous here, but I think on paper that looked like an upgrade from last year. Even more so if McCaffrey improved and/or if Lane looked the part. Really bad luck wrt Wr injuries, coupled with oline growing pains and Daniels’ injuries have created a near perfect storm of a disaster. That’s not me absolving Peters, I just things look far worse due to surrounding factors. Similar to the defensive problems in a way.

 

[Bulldog]

Agree there. If Washington had signed or drafted a wide receiver in the past year or two that was worth his salt we wouldn't have fallen so far behind on offense with McLaurin putting on that ridiculous holdout where it appears he got some additional money but not nearly what the headlines were reporting.

The trouble with Deebo is he is a hybrid. He's not a guy you can line up outside and run down the field as a primary target.

We knew McCaffrey and the rookie Lane would take time if indeed either worked out at all.

 

[skinsinparadise]

I struggle with the wr piece. I’m assuming the thinking went something like - Deebo is an upgrade from (and a great fit for Kliff’s scheme), Brown, Luke (who’s got very similar metrics to Dyami) and Deebo can all play outside, and then Luke and Lane can backup Deebo in the slot. So then they ‘just’ needed another layer of insurance as a 6th receiver. So they have a competition between Moore, Martin, Gallup, and other UDFAs.

Maybe I’m being too generous here, but I think on paper that looked like an upgrade from last year. Even more so if McCaffrey improved and/or if Lane looked the part. Really bad luck wrt Wr injuries, coupled with oline growing pains and Daniels’ injuries have created a near perfect storm of a disaster. That’s not me absolving Peters, I just things look far worse due to surrounding factors. Similar to the defensive problems in a way.

Noah Brown peniciled in as Z. Terry as X.

McCaffrey played slot in college, more of a natural slot so far in the NFL. Lane also slot. Deebo played slot and Z but arguably more of a natural slot WR but either way he's more of a gadget player than traditional WR.

The only natural outside WR backup, Dyami's role who can play both outside WR positions was Chris Moore. The odds that Chris Moore would end up your starter was pretty high.

Yeah to use a baseball analogy, you can make your third baseman play shortstop and maybe you can band aide a game or two that way but that's no way to have a season.

 

[skinsinparadise]

We knew McCaffrey and the rookie Lane would take time if indeed either worked out at all.

Beyond that, McCafffrey and Lane are slot WRs.

So you are in a go for a SB season with your Z receiver, your #2, as a dude who is really a #4 type WR who can't stay healthy. And your top backup at both outside WRs is Chris Moore.

Peters in short was either banking on insanely good luck -- Noah post 30 years old would find the fountain of youth both in terms of health and his game. While part of the reason why you don't pay 30 plus year old WRs top money is they are more prone to injuries -- Terry would be the exception. So no need for backups at either WR spot -- Terry and Noah would play the full season.

Or Peters didn't think his crap stinks because hey he found Zaccheus for peanuts so any scrap heap WR he'd sign for peanuts would be another Zaccehus.

Or thought Jayden was so good, he can play with name that crap WR and excel anyway.

Maybe all three points weighed in on this approach.

 

[Anselmheifer]

CB might be in play, especially if they trade out of top 10

The PFF guys did a fix the franchise segment on the Commanders and they really loved Jermod McCoy as a scheme fit for us in a trade down. The ACL scares me. We need a hit with this pick. We don't have enough roster talent to miss, or grab a Jaire Alexander that's good for 2 years and then always injured.

Jeremiyah Love. Ive watched now like 4 interviews of him and 2 segments about him.

Special player but also special kid. A bit shy, one segment suggested he might be on the spectrum. Super good dude, works hard, comes off nice and humble. But he has the competitive edge.

He has a freakish build ala Barkley. HS track star with a physique out of a Marvel movie.

He doesnt have Jeanty’s college numbers but i think he’s a better NFL prospect because of his physique and hands.

He wouldnt be a crazy pick for this team. He is like Skattebo as to breaking tackles while being like Henderson as to breakaway big play ability. If he hits his potential he can quickly be a top 5 RB in the league.

He is an absolute freak and is my favorite player ao far in this draft both on the field and as far as intangibles.

I would low key love this move if we are very active in free Agency and can shore up the roster. For instance, if we can grab Hendrickson, a decent starting CB, Aiyuk and Pitts, then Love could be a killer get for us. Terry is still getting older and we will still need to get younger at the outside receiver position, but we can probably do that fter next year. Love, Terry, Pitts, Aiyuk, and Lane would give us a lot of guys that can spread and push the field at different levels. And I think this OL with Conerly having an offseason under his belt may finally be ready for a big investment in RB.

Part of what makes Love so appealing is what a weapon he is in the passing game. It's like he could be RB1 and Austin Ekeler on the field at the same time. Having previously invested a lot in trading for Christian McCaffrey and reaped a ton of benefit from it, I wonder if that could actually be something that Peters would consider.