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

[skinsinparadise]

Yup, intuitive, high football IQ, big studier and most of all very instinctual!

Dudes that are around the ball. That's my thing which I've learned to value most over the years.

Case in point, I loved Jamin Davis' "potential". He was an athletic freak. But I recall saying his athleticism is really tanaltizing. My one hangup was he seemed a beat behind the players, a step behind.

I want dudes who are a step ahead. Caleb is that guy.

 

[skinsinparadise]

 

[skinsinparadise]

 

[Commander Wraith]

Was thinking about worst case outcomes for us and this question came to me - is there any (realistic) chance that Mendoza drops?

 

[Canuck]

I've been burned at safety or LB more by betting on the big time athletes in cases where I was uncertain about their instincts -- versus the top end instinctive read and react players.

So when I started watching Downs, I was wowed immediately by how he seemed to always be around the action. That trait isn't that easy to find.

The read and react type who study and lead like an Ed Reed type -- I'd take over the physical freak everything being equal.

Especially for this team, for how many years, do we have these narratives about the secondary being "confused". I am sick of it.

Same, I loved Laron Landry coming out.

Dowsn isn't a bad athlete, he just isn't Emmanwori

Downs isn't Reed (who is), but he is the closest to Reed coming out in a real long time

 

[Chris]

How do we know that Downs isn’t an athletic freak? Has he performed the combine drills and I’ve missed them?

I hear analysts at the combine that are expecting him to put on a show today ala Styles and Reese, but he told Rich Eisen yesterday that he will not test until his Pro Day. Has he changed his mind?

8:45 mark-

 

[BayouBrave86]

Just say no to Tate. Going to continue to bang that drum. The WR class next year is going to be elite and there are 4-5 WRs I’d take over Tate that are returning to college this season and there are a few elite TEs coming out too. Trey Dez Green for LSU is going to be the best TE prospect since Bowers.

 

[Conn]

I like the Budda comparison for Downs. He also reminds me a ton of Eric Berry.

Baker makes sense. Berry to me was more rangy and more of a true center fielder

 

[KDawg]

Just say no to Tate. Going to continue to bang that drum. The WR class next year is going to be elite and there are 4-5 WRs I’d take over Tate that are returning to college this season and there are a few elite TEs coming out too. Trey Dez Green for LSU is going to be the best TE prospect since Bowers.

Not that Tate is my top target or anything but… taking Tate doesn’t stop us from going receiver next year.

Where I absolutely agree, it is the year to have a high pick and take a receiver. I hope we’re no where near Jeremiah Smith.

 

[BayouBrave86]

Chiefs would move Berry down to LB a ton in the pros. He wasn’t as much of a CF in the NFL as he was at Tennessee.

Measurable are also very similar.

 

[Conn]

Was thinking about worst case outcomes for us and this question came to me - is there any (realistic) chance that Mendoza drops?

Doesn’t seem like it. People at the combine are apparently talking about him like the Raiders are 100% in. Which they likely are. He’s not generational or anything but he’s work their pick, if they do right by him and build, and don’t start him immediately. Which Brady is big on.

 

[BayouBrave86]

Not that Tate is my top target or anything but… taking Tate doesn’t stop us from going receiver next year.

Where I absolutely agree, it is the year to have a high pick and take a receiver. I hope we’re no where near Jeremiah Smith.

100% agree , something went terribly wrong if we are in line to draft Smith. Just saying a player like Cam Coleman or Ryan Williams will be there too. And the QB class could be fantastic so you’re going to see some dynamic skill players available later in the first. Obviously the season needs to be played but I like how the 2027 draft is lining up. Should be stacked.

 

[BayouBrave86]

Loving all these takes, exciting times ahead gents!

 

[Conn]

Just say no to Tate. Going to continue to bang that drum. The WR class next year is going to be elite and there are 4-5 WRs I’d take over Tate that are returning to college this season and there are a few elite TEs coming out too. Trey Dez Green for LSU is going to be the best TE prospect since Bowers.

To be fair, Tate this year prevents nothing next year. Assuming it’s even the same staff. Terry will likely be getting cut after this year unless he loses a lot of ego and takes a pay cut.

 

[Dlts20]

To be fair, Tate this year prevents nothing next year. Assuming it’s even the same staff. Terry will likely be getting cut after this year unless he loses a lot of ego and takes a pay cut.

I actually think that statistically, this may be the best season of his career so I don't see him taking any pay cut. Blough is going to feed him

 

[Conn]

I actually think that statistically, this may be the best season of his career so I don't see him taking any pay cut. Blough is going to feed him

It’s more about his future cap hit being essentially a team option to cut him, since restructuring won’t be attractive at his age an his cap number will be untenable.

I agree he’s likely in for a good year.

 

[DWinzit]

It’s more about his future cap hit being essentially a team option to cut him, since restructuring won’t be attractive at his age an his cap number will be untenable.

I agree he’s likely in for a good year.

It's going to be an interesting offensive year. Jayden should be given a much better arsenal and OL (well I think lol) than he has had in the NFL. The issue will be how the young inexperienced OC can handle his new ob while he create a playbook

 

[skinsinparadise]

The Styles of safeties

 

[DWinzit]

The Styles of safeties

Wow that is substantially faster than expected

 

[Conn]

It's going to be an interesting offensive year. Jayden should be given a much better arsenal and OL (well I think lol) than he has had in the NFL. The issue will be how the young inexperienced OC can handle his new ob while he create a playbook

It’s interesting because I think the wreck of 2025 has made some people forget just how good peak Jayden was his rookie year, playing with full health and confidence. Like, conceptually people believe that Daniels could be elite, but I think some forget just how elite he’s already looked at times. The ball placement he consistently showed that year in high leverage situations…unreal.

If we get that Jayden again, with some help, I’m not sure how good Blough has to be early on. Elite QB play, especially the off-schedule stuff that rescues poor play calls, has a way of hiding a lot.

I’m not high on this coaching staff, but I think Jayden can be so good that it doesn’t matter. That’s essentially how I feel about 2024.