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

Contrast with Styles, in an interview he talked about one of his sacks and how he worked for some time with the D line coach on pass rushing moves.

I know the tweet implies this is a good thing from Reese, but I don't see him winging it as a positive.

 


Draft intel process​

From Paul Andrew Esden Jr (@BoyGreen25): I’ve heard you on a few shows say when people ask you about the draft that you still have to make all your calls over the coming weeks to collect intel so you’re better informed. Can you take us through that process? I’d love to be a fly on the wall on how all that works & your process.


Paul, good question. Most of it is not someone telling you who they’re taking, but you learn how to pick up on things. I try to talk to multiple people with all 32 teams in the weeks leading up to the draft, and what you pick up from these teams is what other teams are thinking. If you hear something over and over again, then it gains validity. Sometimes, you can bring that up with the team that’s the subject of that rumor, and just get a feel based on their response. It’s a lot of work, but the information trade is fun to be a part of.

I’d also say for any aspiring young reporter, it’s based mostly on trust. You have to understand other people’s jobs, and what you’re working around, and that’s just having basic empathy. But the cool thing is if you’re any good at it, you’ll have plenty to offer the teams, and in a lot of cases, more than they can give you.
 
More teams than I thought actually prefer Akheem Mesidor to fellow Miami edge Rueben Bain Jr., which both reflects what a good prospect Mesidor is and also illustrates how Bain’s lack of length affects his evaluation in the view of some (but not all) scouts. The problem is Mesidor just turned 25 and has an injury history. But he’s a really, really good player.

www.si.com

Albert Breer’s Mailbag: Three Underrated NFL Draft Prospects

Here are a few players teams may be higher on than the general public. Plus, answering your questions on Kenneth Walker III, Jeremiyah Love and more.
www.si.com www.si.com
 
25 year old player hasn’t gone in the 1st in over a decade. That, plus his extensive injuries…I’d be shocked. Feels like a mid-2nd type of player for a potential playoff team that can take the risk and just slot him in for as long as they can while healthy
 
skinsinparadise said:
More teams than I thought actually prefer Akheem Mesidor to fellow Miami edge Rueben Bain Jr., which both reflects what a good prospect Mesidor is and also illustrates how Bain’s lack of length affects his evaluation in the view of some (but not all) scouts. The problem is Mesidor just turned 25 and has an injury history. But he’s a really, really good player.

www.si.com

Albert Breer’s Mailbag: Three Underrated NFL Draft Prospects

Here are a few players teams may be higher on than the general public. Plus, answering your questions on Kenneth Walker III, Jeremiyah Love and more.
www.si.com www.si.com
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I pick him in some trade down scenerios- but that is in the early 20's; I doubt he will last that long-
 
skinsinparadise said:
Contrast with Styles, in an interview he talked about one of his sacks and how he worked for some time with the D line coach on pass rushing moves.

I know the tweet implies this is a good thing from Reese, but I don't see him winging it as a positive.

Click to expand...


Supposedly all of the Top 4 Ohio State guys interviewed great. Some people heard Downs had the best interview at the combine, some heard Styles, some thought Tate was the best offensive interview, etc.

I didn't hear quite those accolades for Reese but he was supposed to be a good interview.
 
I watched Georgia linebacker CJ Allen against Tennessee, and it was a bit of a tricky eval because of the offense he was facing. Tennessee’s RPO-heavy system is basically designed to put linebackers in conflict every snap, so there’s a lot of “wrong no matter what you do” built into it. That said, even accounting for that, I came away a bit underwhelmed.

Against the run, there were definitely flashes. He made a really nice sideline-to-sideline tackle where he ran down the back before he could turn the corner, and there were a couple reps where he scraped over the top cleanly and finished plays. When he actually gets to the ball carrier, he brings some pop. The issue is everything that happens before that. There were probably close to a dozen snaps where the lack of physicality really showed up. He didn’t consistently meet blockers in the hole, got washed out by pullers and climbing linemen, and just doesn’t deconstruct blocks well at all. If an offensive lineman got into him, he was basically done on the play. He’s very movable and doesn’t have the play strength to hold his ground. In terms of processing, he was mostly sound—generally read his keys well and stayed assignment-correct. There was one play-action rep where he bit when he shouldn’t have, especially given that both guards dropped into pass pro, which should’ve keyed pass immediately. On that particularly play his eye discipline and may have failed him and rather than read his key the Guards he let his eyes slip into the backfield. But overall the mental side against the run was fine. The problem is that even when he’s right, he doesn’t always have the physical tools to finish because he can’t take on or shed blocks.

In coverage, I thought he was solid. He didn’t have a super complex role—mostly man on the running back or hook/curl zones—but he handled what was asked of him pretty well. He consistently disrupted shallow crossers, not letting receivers just run across his face cleanly, and he showed good awareness of spacing. There was a really nice pass breakup on a sit route where he flipped his hips and showed off his movement skills, and he also had a good rep slipping a blocker to make a tackle on a short completion. That’s probably where his best traits show up—his athleticism and ability to move in space.

As a blitzer, he didn’t offer much. He just doesn’t have the hand pop or play strength to generate pressure. Once an offensive lineman got hands on him, the rep was basically over. He did look more comfortable when used as a spy, though. On a handful of snaps he did a good job timing his trigger and reacting to the quarterback, which fits with the overall theme that he’s better when he can play in space rather than take on blocks.

It’s only one game, so you don’t want to overreact, but based on this tape I wasn’t particularly impressed. The athleticism and movement skills are there, and he looked competent in coverage and as a spy, but the lack of physicality really stood out. He doesn’t take on blocks well, doesn’t shed, and gets moved too easily. That’s a pretty big concern for an off-ball linebacker. Based on this game alone, he felt more like a Day 2 player—probably around Round 3—though I would not be surprised at all if he ends up going late first or early second based on traits and projection.
 
DWinzit said:
What is it about the Jet fan that makes them so unreliable?

Years of living through decades of horrible coaching, front office, GM, owner and so many of all of their poor decisions?

If that's it, then that would put you and all the rest of us in the same pile as the Jet fans.
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No disagreement.

No fanbase should be a source of information.

They’re getting it filtered through the local media anyway and then adding their own irrational thoughts and opinions.

And then call into radio stations and rant and rave about the backup swing tackle’s haircut.

Just like us. And me in particular. I wouldn’t count myself as a reliable source of anything the ‘ders would do.
 
skinsinparadise said:
It certainly could be offense for one and defense for the other. Feels like you really want a corner with the #7 pick.

I think WR's sweet spot likely in the 2nd. In the third, maybe Sarratt, Antione Williams among the ones I like could still be there. As method man likes to say, not the best success rate for Wrs in the third. But I am good with giving it go.

Just like they got Amos last year in the late 2nd, early 3rd likely is a good spot for CB -- could be Stukes, K. Scott, Abney, Igbinosun, Muhammad, Everette. And judging by their meetings, a CB in the the third is on their radar.
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No. I want an offensive skill position player, either Love or Tate at #7.

I’d probably take Tate over Love if both are there. Which is highly unlikely. Love over everybody else.

If both of those are gone, I think I care more about position value on the defensive side. I’d strongly consider the best CB in the draft, if one hasn’t gone. Absent that, I’d probably go Edge (depending on who’s left and what the team thinks of them), then Styles then Downs.

I don’t really want a safety at 7 unless you can guarantee it’s Sean Taylor.
 
As I've been saying am neutral on Bain. But if they get him outside the top 10 in a trade down, I can see it much easier that mitigates the risk some.


Yates: We wanted bold, so how about this: Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. will go outside the top 12 picks. Bain is an exceptional player, and there is no shortage of teams with a pass rush need to pick in the first 12 spots. But he is going to be an outlier in the first round, as the first edge rusher with sub-31-inch arms to get picked there. There are some scouts who are skeptical of a team taking an outlier super early. The teams that could take a chance are the Saints, Chiefs and Bengals (Nos. 8-10, respectively), but there's a chance he's still there in the teens.


Miller: Arizona State receiver Jordyn Tyson will take a draft-day tumble outside the top 20 picks. His hamstring issues are concerning for teams, causing him to miss three straight games in November. He also had eight drops in 2024. Teams I've talked to like Tyson's juice as a route runner and his production, but the injuries and drops are causing him to slide behind Carnell Tate (Ohio State) and Makai Lemon (USC) on the receiver board. It's even possible Omar Cooper Jr. (Indiana) gets picked before him.

What are you hearing on the Jets' preferences at No. 2?​

Yates: In canvassing people around the NFL, the overwhelming majority of them have defaulted to Texas Tech's David Bailey and Ohio State's Arvell Reese as the pick. Each player would provide the Jets with a young, building-block pass rusher. Bailey is regarded as the more refined, pro-ready rusher, while Reese is considered the higher-ceiling prospect with better fluidity and overall athleticism. But ... the Jets have given no indication on the pick.

Miller: I'll echo what Field has heard, although I did hear that the Jets really like Tate and would consider him if the team was better set at quarterback. As of today, it sounds like Bailey has more fans in the building. The Jets understand that an impact player is needed right now for coach Aaron Glenn's defense. Bailey's 14.5 sacks in 2025 and speed around the edge make for an ideal fit for a team moving to more of a 3-4 defense.

Miller: I don't feel higher than 75% confidence in any pick outside of No. 1 right now, but if the Titans find themselves at No. 4 with Reese and Bailey off the board, I would expect Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love to be the selection. And he might be the pick regardless of who is available based on how active the Titans were in adding pass rushers this offseason. Love will go somewhere in the top five, and I think Tennessee has eyes on pairing him with quarterback Cam Ward.

....Yates: I'll offer two in back-to-back spots, as the Titans and Giants offer a couple of similar dynamics (Nos. 4 and 5, respectively). Each team has a second-year quarterback and ambitions to make a leap this year, but neither has a dominant running back that takes drafting Love off the table. He is my No. 2 overall prospect and perhaps the best bet to become a Pro Bowler early in his career, but would either team eschew needs at other more premium positions to take a running back? Where Love goes in the top 10 is one of the biggest questions people around the league have wondered about for months.
 
Someone asked what's the difference between Omar Cooper and Lemon. My thought was not much. Both slots.

Cooper as I mentioned more of a physical player and better athlete than Lemon. Better YAC player. I like Lemon's hands better. But Cooper to me, is in that mode of Luther Burden who had a good rookie year. I got no issue with anyone who would take Cooper over Lemon especially considering what's come out about Lemon's interviews.

Clearly though a trade down candidate not at 7.

 
Just watched a little more of Cooper. Good blocker. I recall mentioning that before but its updated now in my mind.

I think more so than Lemon, he can play Z.

He doesn't look as fast as he timed because he has sort of trunk thick legs but he's plenty fast.

The one thing I don't like is he's like Tyson with contested catches. That is, 50-50. Some great ones. And then some drops on that front. Inconsistent when players are draped on him.

But as a pure YAC guy, he's a baller. He has some Burden-Deebo in him, he's not quite as physical as Deebo or elusive as Burden but he's somewhere in between the two on that front, a peg behind but good.
 
DWinzit said:
I have noticed Cooper moving ahead of Boston and Tyson on some big boards

I'd still prefer a receiver that can play on the outside opposed to a straight slot
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Cooper played outside the season before and had over 20 yards a catch. Seeing some reps at Z this past season, he looked good doing so. When some say Lemon could transition to Z, I have some doubts. Cooper though clearly could do it.

Feels like the plan is Dyami and Van at Z unless Aiyuk signs here. So basically they might have an OK plan at Z.

Slot feels scary -- seems like they will ride with McCaffrey and Lane.

And in a play action offense, which by design opens up the middle, the slot becomes a bigger deal. I get that Chig will get plenty of reps there. But Cooper could help.
 
skinsinparadise said:
Cooper played outside the season before and had over 20 yards a catch. Seeing some reps at Z this past season, he looked good doing so. When some say Lemon could transition to Z, I have some doubts. Cooper though clearly could do it.

Feels like the plan is Dyami and Van at Z unless Aiyuk signs here. So basically they might have an OK plan at Z.

Slot feels scary -- seems like they will ride with McCaffrey and Lane.

And in a play action offense, which by design opens up the middle, the slot becomes a bigger deal. I get that Chig will get plenty of reps there. But Cooper could help.
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I just went back on Cooper. The amount of exposure and success on the outside was lost by me. I think that mainly occurred because there are a number of good later first round to mid second round receivers that I have ignored to a degree because I don't see us having a shot at them. You are on the mark with Cooper being a good fit and in my eyes, much better than Lemon.

I'm still high on Boston and have moved off of Tyson like many others.

For Z I'm not convinced both Dyami and Van make the roster.

I am also still holding out hope for Burks to prove himself reliable to Jayden. Jayden needs to have more trust in receivers than other QBs. He has a built in trust with Terry and had one with Dyami which I'd imagine will bounce right back into.

One hope I have is whoever else they bring in, the are good with routes so Jayden knows they will be where they are supposed to be. It sounds like that was desperately lacking last year.
 
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