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

[HTTR]

Love comes off like a great dude, quiet but intense and articulate -- he has autisim in a mild form but has worked through it.

This is something I can speak on from experience. I have a high school age daughter with the same “high functioning“ autism diagnosis. It tends to make you quirky, and often insecure in social situations, but there’s no impairment physically or intellectually. In fact, they tend to have a ‘superpower’ when it comes to memory, cognition, and the ability to hyper focus. They often become overachievers once they find their passion. Elon musk is a famous example.

Expect Love to easily memorize every play in the playbook in great detail. He’ll be incredibly focused on every detail as to improving himself as a player and likely has the ability to see and anticipate things on the field that others do not. Probably explains a lot of his success to date. You’ll never have to worry about him being a diva or a party animal off the field. His diagnosis should be considered a positive and not a negative for him as a prospect.

It has certainly helped my daughter in her sports. She does acro and cheer, both of which require coordination and synchronization with teammates in a choreographed routine, and in that respect are similar to football. She doesn’t just know her part of the routine, she knows exactly what everybody is supposed to be doing and when. She does very well because of this despite inheriting her fathers mediocre at best athleticism.😁

 

[skinsinparadise]

Taking this post from SIP in a different thread and putting it here, as my response is just draft focused.


Yeah, that was vague enough to imply he might want an upgraded running game too. More consistent drives, more dangerous in the red zone (if the RB is good there). We know they want Jayden more Under Center, which isn't hard at all since it almost never happened last year. I didn't realize how below league averages Kliff Kingsbury was there. The Rams were Under Center what 10x our amount? Jayden (he was hurt a lot but still), had only 4 Under Center passes. Some running backs really excel at Under Center alightments. Like Adrian Peterson was a HoFer in that alignment, but was just an average RB when he had to run out of Shotgun.

Affecting the QB is a variety of things and not just sacks. Mess up their drop, force them to move off a spot so if they want to throw a timing route, it's gotta be off platform. If he wants a messy pocket that the QB is not comfortable in, and cares more about that then splash sack plays (if there's a blitz, someone else should be able to cleanup a QB evading a messy pocket). Then maaaaaybe that puts Keldric Faulk back on the map. His bull rush has elite potential, and he's always got good balance and awareness doing it. Practically 2 gapping the bull rush so QB's can't scramble to that side.

If he wants the super sticky coverage corner...that's Jermod McCoy. Unfortunately McCoy's greatest value, Man Coverage, is not as useful in the Vikings-esque Zone Defense. But McCoy is still good in zone, and he's shockingly sticky. His catch-up acceleration to get back ontop of a WR is nuts. He doesn't just do that when the QB is looking his way either, it looks like he hates it when a WR ever "wins a rep" against him, so he kicks it into another gear to get back to smothering the WR and that's like the definition of sticky. Delane (for example) doesn't have that juice.

I wonder if this means they'd get Malachi Fields in the 3rd. Normally I'd just put him off my board as someone who can't separate, but at the Senior Bowl he was surprisingly better at separating than I thought. Especially in-breaking ones for intermediate routes. He's good at using his body/length to create space in the red zone too, it's just Notre Dame had that running game it wanted to use there instead. And possibly the routes he was asked to run at Notre Dame...he ran a lot of fades.

Quinn didn't shy away in the interview that its a big season for him and he acceded going with two new coordinators is risky but fancies himself a gambler.

Considering his points were specific to FA my takeaways were

A. Going for edge in FA. Peters has implied the same. So this time unlike last off season they are swinging for it here.

B. They likely go for a CB, too.

C. Some sort of or multiple playmakers who can score on offense. So I take score as not a posession WR type unless they are a TD magnet.

But considering its a season where they have to win, I think the draft will complement the FA more than most seasons.

For example if they sign a RB-TE-WR-DE-CB. That leaves for example LB or S for them to fill in.

 

[skinsinparadise]

Taking this post from SIP in a different thread and putting it here, as my response is just draft focused.


Yeah, that was vague enough to imply he might want an upgraded running game too. More consistent drives, more dangerous in the red zone (if the RB is good there). We know they want Jayden more Under Center, which isn't hard at all since it almost never happened last year. I didn't realize how below league averages Kliff Kingsbury was there. The Rams were Under Center what 10x our amount? Jayden (he was hurt a lot but still), had only 4 Under Center passes. Some running backs really excel at Under Center alightments. Like Adrian Peterson was a HoFer in that alignment, but was just an average RB when he had to run out of Shotgun.

Affecting the QB is a variety of things and not just sacks. Mess up their drop, force them to move off a spot so if they want to throw a timing route, it's gotta be off platform. If he wants a messy pocket that the QB is not comfortable in, and cares more about that then splash sack plays (if there's a blitz, someone else should be able to cleanup a QB evading a messy pocket). Then maaaaaybe that puts Keldric Faulk back on the map. His bull rush has elite potential, and he's always got good balance and awareness doing it. Practically 2 gapping the bull rush so QB's can't scramble to that side.

If he wants the super sticky coverage corner...that's Jermod McCoy. Unfortunately McCoy's greatest value, Man Coverage, is not as useful in the Vikings-esque Zone Defense. But McCoy is still good in zone, and he's shockingly sticky. His catch-up acceleration to get back ontop of a WR is nuts. He doesn't just do that when the QB is looking his way either, it looks like he hates it when a WR ever "wins a rep" against him, so he kicks it into another gear to get back to smothering the WR and that's like the definition of sticky. Delane (for example) doesn't have that juice.

I wonder if this means they'd get Malachi Fields in the 3rd. Normally I'd just put him off my board as someone who can't separate, but at the Senior Bowl he was surprisingly better at separating than I thought. Especially in-breaking ones for intermediate routes. He's good at using his body/length to create space in the red zone too, it's just Notre Dame had that running game it wanted to use there instead. And possibly the routes he was asked to run at Notre Dame...he ran a lot of fades.

I agree, a lot of talk about the running game. Feels like they are going to add one. But if I am looking at FA and the draft as one combined bucket, I probably sign a FA than draft Love. And I'd kill to have Love I've pushed him plenty but it doesn't feel like that move if they want to in one fell swoop rebuild the roster to a contender in 2026.

I got to watch McCoy, I know the PFF guys love him, obviously health is the X factor. Delane fits the profile too -- can play zone, man, does picks, etc.

It didn't scream M. Fields to me over other WRs. But maybe. If I had to pick a WR or two from this class based on his description both Tate and Lemon struck me. Tate because he just makes big plays down the field. Agree that Fields is a poor man's version of that, Boston too. Altough Tate's style is a bit different. Lemon because even though he isn't a big target, he is good at finding the end zone and is a baller -- and Quinn in his own way was describing wanting ballers.

 

[Always Commander Never Captain]

I'm looking more at Malachi Fields now. Chose his best game from a production standpoint, vs Pitt. The routes they have him run are so limited, you can't see any of that Senior Bowl skillset because he's just not asked to do it. It's all fades down the sideline with some comebacks sprinkled in. If he's moving inside at all off the LoS, it's to do a rub route for a TE, or run block a safety, or get leverage on his corner to run block.

There was 1 snap all game where he was in the slot, put in motion, then had a rub route designed for him and he created easy distance in open space for a walk-in touchdown.

I think Fields usage was predominantly Notre Dame trying to be as run focused as possible...because you know...they have an elite RB in Love. But that also might mean he's a diamond in the rough (as shown by Senior Bowl tape). He's got a skillset that was not utilized at Notre Dame because they did not need it. They dominated everybody except for the #2 and #8 ranked teams in the country...which they only lost to by a combined 4 points.

Am I overthinking Malachi Fields? I'm on the "he's better than people realize" bandwagon here.

 

[skinsinparadise]

I'm looking more at Malachi Fields now. Chose his best game from a production standpoint, vs Pitt. The routes they have him run are so limited, you can't see any of that Senior Bowl skillset because he's just not asked to do it. It's all fades down the sideline with some comebacks sprinkled in. If he's moving inside at all off the LoS, it's to do a rub route for a TE, or run block a safety, or get leverage on his corner to run block.

There was 1 snap all game where he was in the slot, put in motion, then had a rub route designed for him and he created easy distance in open space for a walk-in touchdown.

I think Fields usage was predominantly Notre Dame trying to be as run focused as possible...because you know...they have an elite RB in Love. But that also might mean he's a diamond in the rough (as shown by Senior Bowl tape). He's got a skillset that was not utilized at Notre Dame because they did not need it. They dominated everybody except for the #2 and #8 ranked teams in the country...which they only lost to by a combined 4 points.

Am I overthinking Malachi Fields? I'm on the "he's better than people realize" bandwagon here.

I just watched him a little weeks back so I'd need to refresh. I know he had one of the worst seperator scores against single coverage in this group so it made me wonder if this team wanted another contested catch guy versus seperator. I don't know. Though I noticed Fields; contested catch PFF score is poor -- and his stats look more of a down field -- big play guy than a physical contested catch guy.

I am going to wait until after the combine to dive in hard to the WRs.

Especially with Quinn hinting they might sign a Wr in FA. And they drafted 3rd-4th round WRs in consecutive drafts. And they likely bring back Burks. Fields feels unlikely to me. I can see drafting a WR early, or signing one in FA.

If I am going past round one judging purely on stats Omar Cooper jumps, you got YAC, big plays, TDs, run blocking.

 

[Always Commander Never Captain]

I got to watch McCoy, I know the PFF guys love him, obviously health is the X factor. Delane fits the profile too -- can play zone, man, does picks, etc.

You should! I think there's a clear difference in movement ability between McCoy and Delane. Delane does not have the juice McCoy does...assuming McCoy is back to full health. Delane is versatile with usage/alignment, he's scheme diverse and that's clear on tape as they ask him to do a lot. But his recovery burst and long speed are not top tier. I'm also really curious what he measures in at. I would guess his arm length is average. I've got Delane in the Late 1st/Early 2nd. So pick #20's-40's. So I'm not that down on him, just think I want to knock him a tier compared to consensus.

 

[philibusters]

If I am going past round one judging purely on stats Omar Cooper jumps, you got YAC, big plays, TDs, run blocking.

A couple month ago Cooper seemed gettable at 71. That looks less likely now. Probably a second rounder, but I have seen him get into the late first round in a couple mock drafts.

 

[Conn]

I’ve become such a Lemon fan but I doubt we end up with him

 

[Conn]

This is where I’m at. With the possibility that at least one of the guys in tier 3 passes one of the guys in tier 2.

I’m not in on Boston and Fields presently.

 

[philibusters]

I would say the consensus is Tate, Tyson, and Lemon in tier 1, Boston, Concepcion, and Cooper in tier 2, and then a rather large tier 3 of like 11 players where opinions vary. Skinsinparadise has pretty much the guys who would be considered tier 3 on it. I don't see Elijah Surratt as tier 2. He small and unathletic. Good nuanced route runner, solid hands, solid, but not great contested catches, but the upside for a smaller unathletic guy is realistically a good number 3 or a low end number 2 whereas the the guys who I think are in the consensus tiers 1 and 2 are all guys whose upside is at least solid number 2.

 

[method man]

This is something I can speak on from experience. I have a high school age daughter with the same “high functioning“ autism diagnosis. It tends to make you quirky, and often insecure in social situations, but there’s no impairment physically or intellectually. In fact, they tend to have a ‘superpower’ when it comes to memory, cognition, and the ability to hyper focus. They often become overachievers once they find their passion. Elon musk is a famous example.

Expect Love to easily memorize every play in the playbook in great detail. He’ll be incredibly focused on every detail as to improving himself as a player and likely has the ability to see and anticipate things on the field that others do not. Probably explains a lot of his success to date. You’ll never have to worry about him being a diva or a party animal off the field. His diagnosis should be considered a positive and not a negative for him as a prospect.

It has certainly helped my daughter in her sports. She does acro and cheer, both of which require coordination and synchronization with teammates in a choreographed routine, and in that respect are similar to football. She doesn’t just know her part of the routine, she knows exactly what everybody is supposed to be doing and when. She does very well because of this despite inheriting her fathers mediocre at best athleticism.😁

Sounds like Ben Affleck’s character in The Accountant

 

[RedWolf]

2026 NFL Mock Draft Roundup: Two favorites for the Washington Commanders

Who is Washington picking this year?

www.hogshaven.com

 

[Always Commander Never Captain]

For those that want Lemon at #7, what do you think of the Notre Dame tape?

He's going to encounter more coverage like that in the NFL.

 

[RedWolf]

Although I really want Bain, I think we desperately need a young wide receiver because Terry getting long in the tooth. I just don't think anybody is really worth the seventh pick; it's a weak draft for top notch WRs. Maybe they can find a gem in the third round?

 

[Conn]

I would say the consensus is Tate, Tyson, and Lemon in tier 1, Boston, Concepcion, and Cooper in tier 2, and then a rather large tier 3 of like 11 players where opinions vary. Skinsinparadise has pretty much the guys who would be considered tier 3 on it. I don't see Elijah Surratt as tier 2. He small and unathletic. Good nuanced route runner, solid hands, solid, but not great contested catches, but the upside for a smaller unathletic guy is realistically a good number 3 or a low end number 2 whereas the the guys who I think are in the consensus tiers 1 and 2 are all guys whose upside is at least solid number 2.

Sarratt is small? In what world? Even if his listed height of 6’2” is massively overstated he’s still at least 6’0”.

Measured athleticism doesn’t translate to anything at WR. It’s an incredible quirk of the pre-draft process, and of course all things being equal you’d prefer a freak, but WR is a position with nearly zero correlation between combine performance and production, once you pass certain NFL-level athleticism benchmarks. If Sarratt runs a 4.6 or faster, it’s fine. 4.6+ to 4.7, sure I start to worry. But he reminds me of Robert Woods. Productive in college but disappointed at the combine with terrible jumps, 7.1+ 3-cone, etc. Doesn’t matter in the NFL as long as you can run routes and catch the ball. Woods could and Sarratt can.

 

[skinsinparadise]

For those that want Lemon at #7, what do you think of the Notre Dame tape?

He's going to encounter more coverage like that in the NFL.

I've commented on it, he was ok in that game, 4 catches for 76 yards. If I recall the knock on him that it was only 28 yards of that or something like that was against Leonard Moore. He fumbled on a handoff where he was poised to throw the ball.

Lemon is a physical-tough receiver, am not worried about WRs pressing him, especially playing out of the slot. You don't get a lot of press in the slot. I don't love the idea of him playing wide. But he will be a menace IMO out of the slot.

 

[philibusters]

Sarratt is small? In what world? Even if his listed height of 6’2” is massively overstated he’s still at least 6’0”.

Measured athleticism doesn’t translate to anything at WR. It’s an incredible quirk of the pre-draft process, and of course all things being equal you’d prefer a freak, but WR is a position with nearly zero correlation between combine performance and production, once you pass certain NFL-level athleticism benchmarks. If Sarratt runs a 4.6 or faster, it’s fine. 4.6+ to 4.7, sure I start to worry. But he reminds me of Robert Woods. Productive in college but disappointed at the combine with terrible jumps, 7.1+ 3-cone, etc. Doesn’t matter in the NFL as long as you can run routes and catch the ball. Woods could and Sarratt can.

Hes not small-- I should not have said that. For some reason I was thinking he was about 6'0, but I think he is a bit taller than that. His size is fine. I am just not a big fan of him. I think he an a Noah Brown, a solid receiver that puts together some 500 to 700 seasons, but he cannot seperate from tight man coverage. He is a good route runner can get open against off man coverage, against zone, but in high leverage situations, I don't see. I see him as either a 3rd or 4th rounder, probably 3rd cause its not a great draft class, but yeah I am not buying him in tier 2.

 

[skinsinparadise]

 

[Conn]

I thought the narrative was that he struggled a bit against the legit talent he faced at OT?

 

[skinsinparadise]

I thought the narrative was that he struggled a bit against the legit talent he faced at OT?

Dont know. I haven’t gone through it tacke by tackle. But DJ does his homework so there is likely something to his point.