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

[Discobob]

Wow this really amps up the urgency to get Jennings, otherwise Tenn gets Love and Jennings and we are left hoping for Tate. And for Tate to be there relies on Cleve passing him over for one of the available OL which I don’t even see happening. They have beefed up their line through free agency/trade, leaving WR as their biggest need and there’s Tate playing right down the road at OSU

Everything you are saying may be true, but I'd rather us just make our moves independent of what we think another team will do in the draft. Don't get me wrong, I'd like to sign Jennings, but he's a 29 year old WR, I don't want to give him something crazy....

 

[ES1974]

Love and Tate gone in the first 6 picks seems more than feasible in my opinion.

 

[HTTR]

Everything you are saying may be true, but I'd rather us just make our moves independent of what we think another team will do in the draft. Don't get me wrong, I'd like to sign Jennings, but he's a 29 year old WR, I don't want to give him something crazy....

I think I’m being blinded by my love for Love, because you are 100% correct. We can live without Jennings. The offense was great in 2024 with Terry, Ertz, Ekeler and little else. Seems like Terry, White, Chig can replicate that. Not saying we shouldn’t be chasing another receiver, of course we should and are. But I don’t think it’s so urgent as to act in desperation. If Jennings is demanding crazy money we should pass. Not the end of the world to just pick up one of the old guys as a stop gap until a better opportunity comes along.

 

[method man]

I still think it’s still early to pass final judgement.

But it doesn’t look great for 2024’s class. What’s odd though is after 2024, both Coleman and Sainristil looked extremely promising.

But then 2025 happened.

It is early enough to know whether they hit it out of the park with the 2024 picks. If you want an example of what it looks like, look at the Rams 2023 class and see what they did in 2023 and 2024

 

[Commander Wraith]

I would take Love over Tate. But your point is why its close for me.

Besides the bigger need and more valuable position -- it’s the harder to get on the market by a mile and having a young QB build chemistry with a fellow young WR is invaluable. And Terry maybe has 1-2 years left with his contract.

My thinking as well. There are a lot of other somewhat nuanced considerations, but I’d add what I think is a big, and somewhat under appreciated point in the discussion - the staff wanting a vertical threat. Actually, “wanting” one is underselling it - it was one of 3 priorities they brought up for this offseason (as you well know), along with edge rusher and a 3rd I’m blanking on.

 

[Riggo44]

Dum-dum posted to the wrong thread

 

[BayouBrave86]

Tate is the JJ McCarthy of WR’s. There are at least 5 WRs I’d take in next years draft over him. We would be drafting an at best WR#2 at 7 overall which is insanity. The production is not there, the big games against top competition aren’t there..he has no YAC ability because he’s stiff so he’s not going to make folks miss in the open field. Great catch radius and I’m sure would be a great RZ threat, but we need game breakers at WR which he is not.

 

[Bulldog]

Love and Tate gone in the first 6 picks seems more than feasible in my opinion.

It's possible but in the mock drafts I am seeing at least Tate falls to #7 on most of them.

Love is the one that has really seemed to go up on the boards and seems to be a target for both TN and NYG.

 

[BayouBrave86]

Why doesn’t TN want to take Tate at WR? They need WR help badly. Cam needs an “elite” WR 😉

 

[Bulldog]

Tate is the JJ McCarthy of WR’s. There are at least 5 WRs I’d take in next years draft over him. We would be drafting an at best WR#2 at 7 overall which is insanity. The production is not there, the big games against top competition aren’t there..he has no YAC ability because he’s stiff so he’s not going to make folks miss in the open field. Great catch radius and I’m sure would be a great RZ threat, but we need game breakers at WR which he is not.

Well, I think Peters is looking for a guy who can replace the volume of receptions and reliability of McLaurin, because Terry might not be with us in DC in 2027.

Acquiring a down the field speed target who catches fewer balls and is a true #2 that projects there as career means we are still looking to acquire a player with most likely better size and strength and route running skills to be the primary target in 2027.

And we likely won't have a pick this high again for some time.

I guess we are looking at different services and articles/ratings boards for some of the players.

Tate from what I have seen is rated as a Day 1 starter with the upside to be a pro bowler. That tracks with being slotted in that general spot where we are drafting.

Some articles have promoted Makai Lemon as being the best receiver in the draft, although when I look at his size and near 4.5 speed I question how much of an immediate impact he is going to make at the next level in 2026.

 

[BayouBrave86]

Well, I think Peters is looking for a guy who can replace the volume of receptions and reliability of McLaurin, because Terry might not be with us in DC in 2027.

Acquiring a down the field speed target who catches fewer balls and is a true #2 that projects there as career means we are still looking to acquire a player with most likely better size and strength and route running skills to be the primary target in 2027.

And we likely won't have a pick this high again for some time.

I guess we are looking at different services and articles/ratings boards for some of the players.

Tate from what I have seen is rated as a Day 1 starter with the upside to be a pro bowler. That tracks with being slotted in that general spot where we are drafting.

Some articles have promoted Makai Lemon as being the best receiver in the draft, although when I look at his size and near 4.5 speed I question how much of an immediate impact he is going to make at the next level in 2026.

Won’t need a pick this high to land a stud WR in next years first round. Next year’s class is going to be loaded with QBs and WRs and a few elite TEs. Could get a WR better than Tate in the late 20s or at the end of the round if we’re so lucky. I think where we differ is that I look at top 10 picks as the elite of the elite of their positions and day one difference makers. Love is that guy, Downs is that guy..Tate is not. I can already picture it now, 5-6 games into the season and Tate being slowly brought along and being told to wait another season before he starts making an impact.

Our window is now. Love would jolt this offense into a next level. Tate will not.

 

[skinsinparadise]

Tate is the JJ McCarthy of WR’s. There are at least 5 WRs I’d take in next years draft over him. We would be drafting an at best WR#2 at 7 overall which is insanity. The production is not there, the big games against top competition aren’t there..he has no YAC ability because he’s stiff so he’s not going to make folks miss in the open field. Great catch radius and I’m sure would be a great RZ threat, but we need game breakers at WR which he is not.

Which 5

 

[BayouBrave86]

J Smith, Cam Coleman, KJ Duff, Ryan Williams, Duce Robinson

Id take Malachi Toney over him too but sadly he’s not draft eligible.

Duff and Duce are MONSTERS too

 

[skinsinparadise]

My thinking as well. There are a lot of other somewhat nuanced considerations, but I’d add what I think is a big, and somewhat under appreciated point in the discussion - the staff wanting a vertical threat. Actually, “wanting” one is underselling it - it was one of 3 priorities they brought up for this offseason (as you well know), along with edge rusher and a 3rd I’m blanking on.

Be interesting to see where he falls. I was listening to McShay's latest podcast and he thought he can can go 4-6. In another one he had Washington taking him at 7.

If past is prologue usually the player who goes to this team -- if there are a person or two that can't stand the prospect ala what we got on this thread, that's the dude we end up taking. I know because sometimes I was the one ranting.

So the more rants I see between now and the draft on Tate the more I am convinced that they are speaking this into existence and Tate will be the guy taken.

 

[skinsinparadise]

J Smith, Cam Coleman, KJ Duff, Ryan Williams, Duce Robinson

Id take Malachi Toney over him too but sadly he’s not draft eligible.

Duff and Duce are MONSTERS too

Oh, you are talking about the 2027 draft, thought you were on the 2026 one.

 

[BayouBrave86]

No, just saying how loaded next year is with WRs. Forgot to mention Strong at Cal and Craver at Miss State. Craver is a STUD as well but he’s tiny. I don’t see Williams and Coleman falling out of the top 10 though.

ETA I don’t think there is a RB in college that is on Love’s level next season.

Lacy at Ole Miss is probably the closest thing but I’m taking Love over him every day of the week. Love is a freak.

 

[skinsinparadise]

No, just saying how loaded next year is with WRs. Forgot to mention Strong at Cal and Craver at Miss State. Craver is a STUD as well.

I hear you, to each their own but I don't care about the 2027 draft right now aside from two points: A. If I needed a QB. B. I don't want to trade away 2027 capital.

But yeah the idea Colin Simmons, Leonard Moore, Dylan Stewart, etc doesn't impact who I want on defense right now. Same on offense.

Hopefully they are picking 32 with the top prospects out of reach. But regardless, this isn't like left tackle where you got only one, or QB -- you can have multiple good WRs.

Would you feel good if Jayden comes into next season with the current slate of WRs? I recall in another post you said Jayden made due with mediocre WRs in 2024, he can do it again, or something like that. I don't feel that way, I am tried of putting all the pressure on Jayden.

 

[Canuck]

I'm hoping someone does something stupid in a trade up--a la Atlanta with Pearce last year. Speaking of which, holy hell, what a backfire:

I heard Daniel Jeremiah on a podcast saying a team like CLE who is desperate for help at LT could "reach" for the Georgia OT Freeling at 7 and everone would be saying WTF, but he is also the top LT in the draft.

 

[skinsinparadise]

I heard Daniel Jeremiah on a podcast saying a team like CLE who is desperate for help at LT could "reach" for the Georgia OT Freeling at 7 and everone would be saying WTF, but he is also the top LT in the draft.

It's not just him, several including McShay thinks its possible, I hope so.

 

[Canuck]

Love and Tate gone in the first 6 picks seems more than feasible in my opinion.

agreed, I also don't think the league is totally enamoured with thsi year's edge prospects, would anyone be shocked if 2 of the 3 edges are there at 7?