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

[Always Commander Never Captain]

Man I just can't see McCoy going that high. I know that Tyson has had more injuries but at least we've seen him play and dominate after his major injuries and everyone has him dropping because of it. I can't see McCoy going in the top 6 without having played a snap since his injury, even with a great pro day. With that being said. I would be fine with us drafting him.... Lol

But I have always said that I would be fine with Tyson also. Still, AP doesn't seem like he would take a chance with either

Difference is if someone has recurring soft tissue injuries (seems to be Tyson) vs a one off issue that medical staff might clear.

At a certain point teams have to trust the medical professionals. The Cowboys/Ravens did by cancelling and pulling trade offers on Maxx Crosby.

Sometimes a torn ACL represents a situation with recurring leg issues of various degrees. And sometimes it doesn't.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

If Love falls to us, what would it take for you to trade the pick and please be real. Don't just say something gigantic. What is the minimum you would trade him for. It's a little hard to say because you don't know how far back is the trade team coming from. I would be open to trading him for a big splash move.

for me, I want them to draft an offensive skill position player at 7, and not trade out of that position.

The only way I would trade back is if they have an offer that’s no more than 5 picks lower and they know they can get a player at the top end of their position. So, can they trade down to 11 and still get one of their top 2 WR? CB? Etc.

They would also absolutely have to not be in love with anybody available at 7.

Playing the “value” game is stupid. If you like the guy, pick the guy and move on. If you try to say “this is a bit high for player X, we can get him in ( picks” you’ll end up looking like an idiot.

 

[Dlts20]

for me, I want them to draft an offensive skill position player at 7, and not trade out of that position.

The only way I would trade back is if they have an offer that’s no more than 5 picks lower and they know they can get a player at the top end of their position. So, can they trade down to 11 and still get one of their top 2 WR? CB? Etc.

They would also absolutely have to not be in love with anybody available at 7.

Playing the “value” game is stupid. If you like the guy, pick the guy and move on. If you try to say “this is a bit high for player X, we can get him in ( picks” you’ll end up looking like an idiot.

Jacksonville gave up a nice little haul to move up a couple of spots for Hunter so it's possible

 

[Dlts20]

Difference is if someone has recurring soft tissue injuries (seems to be Tyson) vs a one off issue that medical staff might clear.

At a certain point teams have to trust the medical professionals. The Cowboys/Ravens did by cancelling and pulling trade offers on Maxx Crosby.

Sometimes a torn ACL represents a situation with recurring leg issues of various degrees. And sometimes it doesn't.

A lot of people still think the Crosby thing was bs. I think they just liked the idea of getting Hendrickson and keeping their picks.

Also, at least Tyson gets hurt during games. McCoy tore his ACL in training. That's a bit of a red flag for me

 

[Dlts20]

Draft stories

 

[Faithful Fan]

If Love falls to us, what would it take for you to trade the pick and please be real. Don't just say something gigantic. What is the minimum you would trade him for. It's a little hard to say because you don't know how far back is the trade team coming from. I would be open to trading him for a big splash move.

I’ll be pretty unhappy if Jeremiyah Love falls to us and we don’t take him. He would be a huge difference maker for our offense. He reminds me of Marshall Faulk in terms of play style and measurables. Obviously he has a long way to go to match the Hall of Famer, but I believe he has the potential to be one of the great ones.

Assuming I’m right, would you trade a young Marshall Faulk just to pick up an extra day 2 draft pick? I doubt he falls to us anyway, and never say never, but it would have to be a very big splash indeed for me to consider it.

 

[KDawg]

If Love falls to us, what would it take for you to trade the pick and please be real. Don't just say something gigantic. What is the minimum you would trade him for. It's a little hard to say because you don't know how far back is the trade team coming from. I would be open to trading him for a big splash move.

No shot I’m trading out of Love.

But for me to even not hang up immediately it’s two firsts. Yes, it’s unrealistic. Why? Because for me to consider moving off of what I believe to be the best player in this class… it’s going to cost you.

 

[heisenberg]

If Love falls to us, what would it take for you to trade the pick and please be real. Don't just say something gigantic. What is the minimum you would trade him for. It's a little hard to say because you don't know how far back is the trade team coming from. I would be open to trading him for a big splash move.

This is what I love about throw shit against the wall season when it comes to draft speculation.

They say hes not worth a top ten pick from a business standpoint, arguing the positional value point and then proceed to suggest some team may do the exact opposite and trade multiple high picks to move up and get him.

Which is it?

And I dont buy the whole, teams picking in the top ten aren't one player away argument.
If hes worth trading multiple picks to go up and get him hes certainly worthy of staying put and grabbing him.

 

[SkinDeep]

Everyone here seems in love with Love. I agree that his acceleration and top end speed are special, and some of his moves are dazzling. Is anyone else concerned about his physicality? In the games Ive watched I don't see a lot of breaking tackles or falling forward through contact. His blocking seems average at best to me. I've seen him catch a few passes but nothing as a receiver that floored me. By that I mean, yes his acceleration after he catches it is special. But his hands, routes, ball adjustment....all good but nothing GREAT. Convince me that it's not just the crazy athletic measurables and open field breakaways that you're falling for. Is this a 30 touch per game bell cow? He split a lot of time with Price.

 

[DWinzit]

Everyone here seems in love with Love. I agree that his acceleration and top end speed are special, and some of his moves are dazzling. Is anyone else concerned about his physicality? In the games Ive watched I don't see a lot of breaking tackles or falling forward through contact. His blocking seems average at best to me. I've seen him catch a few passes but nothing as a receiver that floored me. Convince me that it's not just the crazy athletic measurables and open field breakaways that you're falling for. Is this a 30 touch bell cow? He split a lot of time with Price.

This isn't a strong draft, all of the players have warts.

Love has less flaws than most of them. Yes, I wish he was a little bigger and ran and blacked a little tougher.

I'm sure DQ and AP are enamored with his explosive play capabilities as well being a really good 3 down back (unless most of the others).

He is not my favorite but if they do take him at 7, I won't be throwing things at the TV when the pick is announced like I have done so many times over the year with this team

 

[HTTR]

Love is very good, but he is not “special“. It’s a passing league nowadays. Running backs don’t matter much anymore compared to other positions. The salaries for high-end players overwhelmingly reflect this. You do not build a sound roster around a running back. The analytics of positional value are very clear on this. Only a foolish GM would even consider taking a running back top 10. This isn’t 1960.




edit: oops, sorry….meant to post this on the Titans message board.

 

[KDawg]

Love is very good, but he is not “special“. It’s a passing league nowadays. Running backs don’t matter much anymore compared to other positions. The salaries for high-end players overwhelmingly reflect this. You do not build a sound roster around a running back. The analytics of positional value are very clear on this. Only a foolish GM would even consider taking a running back top 10. This isn’t 1960.




edit: oops, sorry….meant to post this on the Titans message board.

Had me in the first half.

 

[BayouBrave86]

Love is very good, but he is not “special“. It’s a passing league nowadays. Running backs don’t matter much anymore compared to other positions. The salaries for high-end players overwhelmingly reflect this. You do not build a sound roster around a running back. The analytics of positional value are very clear on this. Only a foolish GM would even consider taking a running back top 10. This isn’t 1960.




edit: oops, sorry….meant to post this on the Titans message board.

Well done 😂

 

[Conn]

Also, at least Tyson gets hurt during games. McCoy tore his ACL in training. That's a bit of a red flag for me

This means nothing, sometimes it is possible to dig too deep into certain variables

For me, recurring/chronic issues that persist are way scarier for a 21-23 year old than a one-off freak ligament tear that tons of guys have recovered 100% from and not had reoccur

 

[Dlts20]

This means nothing, sometimes it is possible to dig too deep into certain variables

For me, recurring/chronic issues that persist are way scarier for a 21-23 year old than a one-off freak ligament tear that tons of guys have recovered 100% from and not had reoccur

But has there been anything reoccurring besides the hammy which we all know is always tricky anyways. All of his other injuries were non soft tissue to my knowledge and I didn't think that he's had a hammy until now

 

[skinsinparadise]

 

[RedWolf]

Although I love Bain, I don't think that's going to happen... especially if Tate is there

 

[HTTR]

My thoughts are… is this guy a Dallas fan? He must be dreaming about that blue star if he thinks Arizona will move down to 12 just for a late third round pick.

Also… It’s been stated more than once by AP that he likes long edge rushers with speed. Even KDawg who loves Bain doesn’t think he would be a good fit here. Doesn’t feel like this guy has done his homework, at least not on our team.

Of course I suppose it could all be a lie and they are just saying that stuff so Bain falls to seven.

 

[DWinzit]

I do not expect McCoy to show up on our board at 7. I would be leery of taking him on day 1

 

[Faithful Fan]

Everyone here seems in love with Love. I agree that his acceleration and top end speed are special, and some of his moves are dazzling. Is anyone else concerned about his physicality? In the games Ive watched I don't see a lot of breaking tackles or falling forward through contact. His blocking seems average at best to me. I've seen him catch a few passes but nothing as a receiver that floored me. By that I mean, yes his acceleration after he catches it is special. But his hands, routes, ball adjustment....all good but nothing GREAT. Convince me that it's not just the crazy athletic measurables and open field breakaways that you're falling for. Is this a 30 touch per game bell cow? He split a lot of time with Price.

My father in law is a Notre Dame fan so I’ve watched a lot of their games, and I will say Jadarian Price is a great player too. So I think the point about Love splitting time in college is fair, that is my one concern about him, he has only had 200-225 touches per season. I have even heard people say Price is better, but that’s not what the YPC and receptions stats would suggest. No doubt they’re both very good running backs though.

That said, I don’t see any problem with his physicality or receiving ability. I see plenty of tough runs and acrobatic catches. Maybe watch his highlights again:



I’m going to be disappointed when he is taken off the board before we pick, which I still expect to be the case, but I will be mad if he is there and we don’t take him.

Not saying this about you in particular, but in general people who think otherwise seem more interested in the perceived value of the position than the talent and utility of the player.