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

Yeah I know Boston is hovering with these other to WR's. I have seen projections of up to 6 or 7 WR's sliding into the 1st round. That seems nuts to me but it is about supply and demand in FA and the draft.

I am higher on Boston than some. I think he's a high floor WR. I am a little lower on Concepcion than some -- wildly inconsistent. I need to watch Omar Cooper, I know he'e hot with some draftniks.
 
I am higher on Boston than some. I think he's a high floor WR. I am a little lower on Concepcion than some -- wildly inconsistent. I need to watch Omar Cooper, I know he'e hot with some draftniks.
I have been high on Boston all along due to his high floor. I really like him opposite Terry.

For me, none of the other WR's are worth it in the 1st round after the top 4.

If Tyson can' pull off great proday he will absolutely fall o WR4
 
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Over the years, its somewhat changed as to how certain positions develop. LB isn't typically a fast developing spot. Guys like Devin Lloyd, Jack Campbell, weren't great their rookie seasons. Heck Lloyd really took three seasons. Some of this years FA's like Leo Chenal, Nakobe Dean didn't start their careers red hot.

It's a tough positon -- Logan Paulsen gets into well in one of his podcasts about how much LBs have on their plate, and learn offenses and how to diagnose plays and call plays if you play Mike, etc -- it's more complex than some other spots.

And the idea that recently converted safety, Sonny Styles, will be the exception and hit the ground running from the jump while possible is unlikely.

Styles is a really good player and I've mentioned for months he's my top trade down player. But taking ANY LB in the top 10 is very rare.

RBs don't go top 10 often, but a Bijan Robinson, Barkley do. And Love arguably is in this class.

The Lions broke the mode one recent draft of course and drafted both a RB and LB early. But the RB they took at 12, the LB at 18.

Running backs unlike LBs do tend to kill it right away if they are good. And in the rookie QB window and considering its only two more years left of it, I am not high on taking a player who might not make a major impact in year 1 versus a dude who can transform the offense.

And the fact that Love IMO is a better player than Styles, factoring the rest of my point, its a no brainer for me. If they don't take Love, the one explanation I'll accept is going for a premium position instead of nonpremium. But no way for me I'd endorse taking another nonpremium position player over Love.
I hear you with LB is no more of a premium position than RB. So Love>Styles (I agree!). Does that also mean Love>Reese? Or in other words, do you see Reese as LB or edge? Is he a “premium position” guy?

If the answer is it depends on scheme, then put me down for Love>Reese easy
 
Contemplating a potential trade back scenario. Seems to me KC giving up a 3rd(ish) to come up for Love is maybe the most likely avenue to us moving back?

If we did trade back, how would Delane or McCoy fit with Sainristil? Sainrisil has struggled in the slot obviously, though I have to wonder how much of that could be scheme related. Of course, if we pick up a capable to good starting corner in FA (which seems likely), using a 1st on corner might not be the best option.

Also, seems like the Titans are in a similar boat as us - need to give Ward weapons, need to fix a terrible defense, have plenty of cap space, but face a lackluster wr FA group in contrast to a pretty good mix of FA DEs. Kinda makes me think Tate might be their best option after shoring up DE via free agency.
 
I hear you with LB is no more of a premium position than RB. So Love>Styles (I agree!). Does that also mean Love>Reese? Or in other words, do you see Reese as LB or edge? Is he a “premium position” guy?

If the answer is it depends on scheme, then put me down for Love>Reese easy

That is tricky because we don't know the defensive scheme. In the Vikings scheme there is the Van Ginkel role which is a hybrid onball/offball linebacker spot. Generally onball Linebackers are considered edges are paid as premium positions. And offball linebackers are not considered premium positions. In the Flores system, the Van Ginkel role is a premium position, thoughVan Ginkle's contract was still smaller than Jonathan Greenard's who is the other fulltime onball LB. But we don't know if we are running the Vikings scheme, something similar, something different but with Flores influences, or something totally different. If we draft Reese at 7 that is probably a hint as to the scheme we intend to run.
 
I understand the need for a stud on Defense, but I can't help but really hope they draft Love. Getting a top tier RB will help ease JD into a new system, and take some pressure off of our WR core. Or maybe I just want to have a home run hitter RB for a change.
If we go DE and/or LB in FA, I could definitely see us taking a talent like Love. I recall many people roasting the Lions for picking Gibbs at #9, but I don't think you'll find a critic of that move now. Gibbs is an absolute stud. Love could be our version.
 
Contemplating a potential trade back scenario. Seems to me KC giving up a 3rd(ish) to come up for Love is maybe the most likely avenue to us moving back?

If we did trade back, how would Delane or McCoy fit with Sainristil? Sainrisil has struggled in the slot obviously, though I have to wonder how much of that could be scheme related. Of course, if we pick up a capable to good starting corner in FA (which seems likely), using a 1st on corner might not be the best option.

Also, seems like the Titans are in a similar boat as us - need to give Ward weapons, need to fix a terrible defense, have plenty of cap space, but face a lackluster wr FA group in contrast to a pretty good mix of FA DEs. Kinda makes me think Tate might be their best option after shoring up DE via free agency.
I don't think KC will move up for Love. If they move up it will be for a premium position, probably an Edge. They are in the latter half of Mahomes window where salary cap matters. Breece Hall is going to get maybe 16 aav. An equal Edge would get 35 million aav in free agency. I think KC is more likely to pay the premium for a RB and draft an edge than vice versa. I do think Love would be awesome for KC's offense so I am not completely ruling it out. But using a first rounder and a third rounder on a RB just feels like a luxury that a contender cannot do once they are in the latter half of a QB's window and are facing salary cap considerations. They just restructured Mahomes salary for this year to free up cap room and they still don't have a lot of cap room and as they get closer to the end of Mahomes career its going to get harder and harder to keep pushing the money forward.


Delane and McCoy are seen as outside corners so that would push Sainristil inside. The bigger question in my opinion is how do they fit our new scheme. Delane is really sticky in coverage but lacks long speed.
 
If we go DE and/or LB in FA, I could definitely see us taking a talent like Love. I recall many people roasting the Lions for picking Gibbs at #9, but I don't think you'll find a critic of that move now. Gibbs is an absolute stud. Love could be our version.
It was a good pick, but they do have a tight salary cap situation so there are some consequeces to it. But with hindsight I would say it worked. But if you do pick a non premium position, you really have to hit on the pick. There is more leeway to draft an average starter if its at a premium position like Edge or Tackle
 
I hear you with LB is no more of a premium position than RB. So Love>Styles (I agree!). Does that also mean Love>Reese? Or in other words, do you see Reese as LB or edge? Is he a “premium position” guy?

If the answer is it depends on scheme, then put me down for Love>Reese easy
scheme, then put me down for Love>Reese easy

Tougher call. Downs is more of a force multiplier IMO than Downs -- QB of the defense on steroids, leader on and off the field and in Flores defense some would say Harrison Smith was the heart of it -- especially as making presnap reads and disguises. etc. And I think Downs makes a big impact fast.

So while I like Styles, I think Downs makes the bigger impact on this defense.

I'll be more firm most combine, I want to see how it all plays out including for Downs and Styles.

At the moment I get the idea of going premium spots over Love. And I get the counter argument to it, too.

Downs to me is tricky him versus Love. I probably lean Love but its close.

I think Styles is a stud. But I wouldn't take him at 7 over Love or Downs.
 
Which receivers fit the deep threat that might fall into range of our 3rd rd pick?
I don't think KC will move up for Love. If they move up it will be for a premium position, probably an Edge. They are in the latter half of Mahomes window where salary cap matters. Breece Hall is going to get maybe 16 aav. An equal Edge would get 35 million aav in free agency. I think KC is more likely to pay the premium for a RB and draft an edge than vice versa. I do think Love would be awesome for KC's offense so I am not completely ruling it out. But using a first rounder and a third rounder on a RB just feels like a luxury that a contender cannot do once they are in the latter half of a QB's window and are facing salary cap considerations. They just restructured Mahomes salary for this year to free up cap room and they still don't have a lot of cap room and as they get closer to the end of Mahomes career its going to get harder and harder to keep pushing the money forward.


Delane and McCoy are seen as outside corners so that would push Sainristil inside. The bigger question in my opinion is how do they fit our new scheme. Delane is really sticky in coverage but lacks long speed.
I tend to agree with all of this, except I don’t know that there will be a premium RB (maybe Walker?) or DE (maybe Hendrickson?) available in FA. In other words, I think you’re absolutely correct about the theory, but it might be a moot point in practice (this offseason cycle anyway).
 
That is tricky because we don't know the defensive scheme. In the Vikings scheme there is the Van Ginkel role which is a hybrid onball/offball linebacker spot. Generally onball Linebackers are considered edges are paid as premium positions. And offball linebackers are not considered premium positions. In the Flores system, the Van Ginkel role is a premium position, thoughVan Ginkle's contract was still smaller than Jonathan Greenard's who is the other fulltime onball LB. But we don't know if we are running the Vikings scheme, something similar, something different but with Flores influences, or something totally different. If we draft Reese at 7 that is probably a hint as to the scheme we intend to run.
Thanks, that answers the question for me… It’s dependent on scheme. So yeah give me Love for sure over Reese/Styles.
 
Downs not even in the top 10? After Mel Kuiper had him at number two yesterday? This draft is really all over the place!

So would you take Bailey in this case over Downs?

I want to see the combine to land on a final take on these players, But if someone put a gun to my head as to who I would take:

1. Baley
2. Tate
3. Love
4. Downs

I'd be ecstatic about all 4. Bain I am not sure about, yet. Reese I have to watch.

In a trade down: Styles, Lemon, Boston, Tyson, Delane. Maybe Peter Woods.
 
Combine won't change my perspective much on the top edge players or Downs, I think tape speaks more to their ability than testing numbers.

If Love or Tate were run sub 4.4 that may increase their stock.

I think Styles will impress, but we kind of expect that.
 
Combine won't change my perspective much on the top edge players or Downs, I think tape speaks more to their ability than testing numbers.

If Love or Tate were run sub 4.4 that may increase their stock.

I think Styles will impress, but we kind of expect that.

With Styles am curious about how freaskish his numbers are? With Downs, expectations aren't high for the combine, so want to ensure its nothing bad.
 

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