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

[Conn]

It is intereresting though. People say linebackers are less important, but the best defenses seem always to have star linebackers so I think linebacker is sneaky essential. More, if the Rivera years proved anything it's that if you neglect linebackers TEs and throws to the flat will kill you over and over again.

It’s important to have good linebackers, but it’s a tough position to evaluate so the highest pedigree guys bust a good amount. So it’s important to find them, but probably less important to spend premium draft picks doing so. You have to find them without taking huge risks, because the value of an average off-ball LB isn’t high enough to prioritize. You need a great one for it to be worth it

 

[Anselmheifer]

Jahmyr Gibbs sealing the game again tonight. It makes me want to sign Alec Pierce and draft Love.

 

[skinsinparadise]

Jahmyr Gibbs sealing the game again tonight. It makes me want to sign Alec Pierce and draft Love.

I was watching Brugler the other day talk about how fun it would be to see Love and Jayden together.

Right now my two favs at the pick would be a toss up between Love and Tate.

IMO Love has Gibbs' explosivess but with some of that Skattebo physicality. I think he will be a great back.

 

[skinsinparadise]

Washington with no one on this long list. Edge. Wr clearly top needs. Love to me in that mix because he's a passing weapon, too.

 

[Riggo44]

New mock draft: https://atozsports.com/nfl-draft/nf...rvell-reese-fernando-mendoza-shedeur-sanders/

They have us taking Bain at 6 overall, which I am not wild about--right now, I'd rather have Tate, Downs, or Love. However, what is interesting in that scenario is Ty Simpson going #7, right after us. I think there are at least 4 teams who would potentially move up: Rams, Vikings, Steelers, Dolphins. Possibly even Arizona. We'll see how things shake out, but for the trade down crowd, this would be an ideal scenario.

 

[The Chump Bailey]

New mock draft: https://atozsports.com/nfl-draft/nf...rvell-reese-fernando-mendoza-shedeur-sanders/

They have us taking Bain at 6 overall, which I am not wild about--right now, I'd rather have Tate, Downs, or Love. However, what is interesting in that scenario is Ty Simpson going #7, right after us. I think there are at least 4 teams who would potentially move up: Rams, Vikings, Steelers, Dolphins. Possibly even Arizona. We'll see how things shake out, but for the trade down crowd, this would be an ideal scenario.

I'm not wild about it either.

 

[Bulldog]

Pass rushing DE and YOUNGER wide receivers are absolutely needs and have been for a couple of years.

With McLaurin at 30/31 next year and not much starting talent behind him on the outside it’s time to address the unit and move up to a point where we can hold our own against other teams in the division.

The fact we don’t have a younger multidimensional TE to compensate only makes the holes at WR that much more noticeable.

Perhaps Burks bails the team out and we get a blue chip talent on the cheap who can be a #2.

But I don’t see any of the other WRs with that much upside.

 

[burgold]

I think Lane may be our pup wide receiver with the most upside. I worry about his hands, too many drops already, but he has the tools to be impressive. We were told he was very raw when he got drafted so maybe he makes that sophomore jump. I still am holding out some hope for Luke. I think he things were starting to click for him a little before he got hurt. At least there were signs of life. He is our best KR (even better than Deebo.)

But yeah, Lane and McCaffrey are still both more projects than prospects.

 

[DWinzit]

I think Lane may be our pup wide receiver with the most upside. I worry about his hands, too many drops already, but he has the tools to be impressive. We were told he was very raw when he got drafted so maybe he makes that sophomore jump. I still am holding out some hope for Luke. I think he things were starting to click for him a little before he got hurt. At least there were signs of life. He is our best KR (even better than Deebo.)

But yeah, Lane and McCaffrey are still both more projects than prospects.

Are you purposely leaving Burks out of the equation. He may have more upside than both of the others and it feels like he is happy in Washington based on the interviews I have seen with him

 

[Always Commander Never Captain]

Are you purposely leaving Burks out of the equation. He may have more upside than both of the others and it feels like he is happy in Washington based on the interviews I have seen with him

I think counterpoint would be, if we're talking about Year 5 of Burks and hoping he can develop in Year 5, then maybe all the WR we have after McLaurin are worse than we think.

 

[DWinzit]

I think counterpoint would be, if we're talking about Year 5 of Burks and hoping he can develop in Year 5, then maybe all the WR we have after McLaurin are worse than we think.

I'd say his main issue has been staying healthy. At least to me he flashes more potential than tee other two and I do like the others.

 

[burgold]

Are you purposely leaving Burks out of the equation. He may have more upside than both of the others and it feels like he is happy in Washington based on the interviews I have seen with him

I think Burks feels like a reclamation project much like Noah Brown did last year. If he reaches his potential here that’d be amazing, but I don’t see him as a pup who is an uncut gem.

 

[method man]

I think Burks feels like a reclamation project much like Noah Brown did last year. If he reaches his potential here that’d be amazing, but I don’t see him as a pup who is an uncut gem.

Noah Brown was certainly not a reclamation project when we signed him. He was coming off a season in which he had a 153 and 173 yard receiving game. He had a career season and just got caught up in a numbers game in Houston

 

[method man]

Washington with no one on this long list. Edge. Wr clearly top needs. Love to me in that mix because he's a passing weapon, too.

Armstrong probably on this list if healthy. Sad that none of our 3 former top 40 pick DTs sniff this despite being in an interior pressure friendly scheme.

Also not a lot of options in FA at the top of the list. Joey Bosa is the one guy I’m seeing and he’d be a guy I’d be wary about paying given his injury issues.

Mafe and Ossai are FAs to be but are toward the bottom of the list. Kind of pushes me further into the Bailey camp.

I listened to Suter this week and his take is the foundation should be a zone heavy scheme with a lot of front 4 pressure. If AP is thinking the same, it makes EDGE even more code red.

(Pretty crazy to see Ojomo there. He had a great season last year and is killing it this year as a former 7th round pick. He is going to get a huge deal from someone after next season and Philly will get another 3rd round comp pick)

 

[method man]

It’s important to have good linebackers, but it’s a tough position to evaluate so the highest pedigree guys bust a good amount. So it’s important to find them, but probably less important to spend premium draft picks doing so. You have to find them without taking huge risks, because the value of an average off-ball LB isn’t high enough to prioritize. You need a great one for it to be worth it

Furthermore, there are some “star” LBs who will hit FA that they can sign if they want one

 

[The Chump Bailey]

I liked LB Willie Gay Jr. coming out - think he's been pretty decent and maybe be a solid get for us. We need a tone setter out there and speed.

 

[skinsinparadise]

Armstrong probably on this list if healthy. Sad that none of our 3 former top 40 pick DTs sniff this despite being in an interior pressure friendly scheme.

Also not a lot of options in FA at the top of the list. Joey Bosa is the one guy I’m seeing and he’d be a guy I’d be wary about paying given his injury issues.

Mafe and Ossai are FAs to be but are toward the bottom of the list. Kind of pushes me further into the Bailey camp.

I listened to Suter this week and his take is the foundation should be a zone heavy scheme with a lot of front 4 pressure. If AP is thinking the same, it makes EDGE even more code red.

(Pretty crazy to see Ojomo there. He had a great season last year and is killing it this year as a former 7th round pick. He is going to get a huge deal from someone after next season and Philly will get another 3rd round comp pick)

Muhammed from the Lions is a Fa on that list.

I am not really hardcore as to what to do in the draft right now. We don't know where they pick of course.

To me edge, WR are my two top wants. They have other needs clearly but those are code red. Edge is the bigger code red.

If they end up picking in the mid first, I wonder if then CB enters the mix. Seems to be the range where they come off the board at the moment ala Delane, etc.

 

[Commander Wraith]

Armstrong probably on this list if healthy. Sad that none of our 3 former top 40 pick DTs sniff this despite being in an interior pressure friendly scheme.

Also not a lot of options in FA at the top of the list. Joey Bosa is the one guy I’m seeing and he’d be a guy I’d be wary about paying given his injury issues.

Mafe and Ossai are FAs to be but are toward the bottom of the list. Kind of pushes me further into the Bailey camp.

I listened to Suter this week and his take is the foundation should be a zone heavy scheme with a lot of front 4 pressure. If AP is thinking the same, it makes EDGE even more code red.

(Pretty crazy to see Ojomo there. He had a great season last year and is killing it this year as a former 7th round pick. He is going to get a huge deal from someone after next season and Philly will get another 3rd round comp pick)

I had the same thoughts regarding Armstrong and Bosa. Combining Bosa with a move like bringing Martin back (and perhaps a draft pick) might be a way to try the thread that needle.

Muhammed from the Lions is a Fa on that list.

I am not really hardcore as to what to do in the draft right now. We don't know where they pick of course.

To me edge, WR are my two top wants. They have other needs clearly but those are code red. Edge is the bigger code red.

If they end up picking in the mid first, I wonder if then CB enters the mix. Seems to be the range where they come off the board at the moment ala Delane, etc.

I’m with you on DE/WR with Edge being the most crucial. Given how Jayden performed last year (with Zaccheus and Brown/Brown), plus our avoidance (so far) of top end FAs, right or wrong I could see going with a couple solid additions instead. We need a plus TE though IMO.
DE is a different story and gonna be a tough one.

As for corner, I’m still a little surprised they put Igbinoghene on the block this past offseason. My guess is they avoid going corner in the 1st after picking up a decent FA there (and having spent two 2nds on corner already), but who knows. Just feels like the opportunity cost makes it more likely they go elsewhere. WR and DE feel like the more likely spots, though Love and Downs are intriguing for sure.

I still feel generally like they have a ton of positions to address - WR (x2), DE (x2), LB, corner (x2), TE, arguably S, while also addressing their backup qb spot (returning Mariota at 10mil-ish?) and re-signing Tunsil, and that could cause them to go a bit cheaper than we might like at some spots.
Added to that calculation are questions like: is ownership cool with major guaranteed money, how much will they factor in having to pay Daniels, and what will other teams do in terms of re-signs, paying out big contracts, etc.

 

[skinsinparadise]

I had the same thoughts regarding Armstrong and Bosa. Combining Bosa with a move like bringing Martin back (and perhaps a draft pick) might be a way to try the thread that needle.

I’m with you on DE/WR with Edge being the most crucial. Given how Jayden performed last year (with Zaccheus and Brown/Brown), plus our avoidance (so far) of top end FAs, right or wrong I could see going with a couple solid additions instead. We need a plus TE though IMO.
DE is a different story and gonna be a tough one.

As for corner, I’m still a little surprised they put Igbinoghene on the block this past offseason. My guess is they avoid going corner in the 1st after picking up a decent FA there (and having spent two 2nds on corner already), but who knows. Just feels like the opportunity cost makes it more likely they go elsewhere. WR and DE feel like the more likely spots, though Love and Downs are intriguing for sure.

I still feel generally like they have a ton of positions to address - WR (x2), DE (x2), LB, corner (x2), TE, arguably S, while also addressing their backup qb spot (returning Mariota at 10mil-ish?) and re-signing Tunsil, and that could cause them to go a bit cheaper than we might like at some spots.
Added to that calculation are questions like: is ownership cool with major guaranteed money, how much will they factor in having to pay Daniels, and what will other teams do in terms of re-signs, paying out big contracts, etc.

I used to look at off seasons where I'd go to fix every spot. But lol outside of Roseman, no one seems to try to load up everywhere.

For example to your point, in theory 2 corners sound great. But I'd think they'd be more than fine with adding one solid one. I don't think adding 2 is that imperative. I'd love to have two edges, but heck if its just one marquee one, IMO they should be fine.

WR, I could see 2 if Deebo leaves but if Deebo stays 1 marquee one is fine. I wouldn't mind another LB. But they might be fine with Magee and Luvu as the starters.

If they basically bring the gang back I do think if they add a marquee edge and marquee Wr and do only that. Replace Whitt permanetly. And have a normal season as to injuries -- they have a shot at the SB.

Don't get me wrong, I'd bet they do more than just that. But IMO adding a marquee edge and marquee WR would be game changers for this team. I don't mean a decent player but a real impact player. Sign a Hendrickson type. Sign a Pierce or Doubs. then add a marquee player from the draft, a Tate, Downs, Love, Bailey, etc -- and you got a serious contender.

I am not as worried about the secondary. I think Whitt was part of the problem. But more on point, a good pass rush helps the secondary.

And again i am more ambitious than I lay out this point. My main point is I don't think this team needs a zillion things to get back to 2024 form.

 

[The Chump Bailey]

WR Chris Bell Louisville is probably going to be on our radar, which is a good thing I think. Fluid with good hands - like him.