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

[RWJ]

I hope Downs is still in play for us. I seem to be one of the few left who prefer him to Delane.

No, you're not. I like Downs over Delane.

 

[Chris]

I hope Downs is still in play for us. I seem to be one of the few left who prefer him to Delane.

But, but, but…he didn’t run or do the other testing that everyone else did. So he is now being characterized as not a good athlete and slower than my grandmother. If only there were other ways to see his abilities as a football player exhibited. 🤷🏻‍♂️

 

[RWJ]

Of those that are there or guessing who will be available when we pick...Love, first, Styles, second and Downs, third.

 

[Chris]

Of those that are there or guessing who will be available when we pick...Love, first, Styles, second and Downs, third.

I think that many are resolved that Love and Styles will be gone. Who are your next 3?

 

[Primus Porcus]

I put Lance in the bucket of I just don't know. I don't mind though especially in the third on betting on freak athletes with upside and he's certainly that. But I don't like betting on someone like that as the ready solution.

But I agree with your overall point, not so much center on my end. But there are potentially players who can start who might fall there, with decent floors: Keionte Scott, Romello Height, Kyle Louis, Trotter, Sam Roush, Oscar Delp.

If its WR, I'd rather go high floor, dudes that can likely make a difference instantly with high floors over boom-busts projects: Antonio Williams, Sarratt, Bernard.

I don't mind them taking a center that early but to me its a non premium position and if they internally believe as some beat guys have said Allegreti if anything will be an improvement over Biadaz, I am not that worried. They could be wrong but until it fails I'll trust it.

Yeah I'm mostly with you.

I will say I tend to have a bit of an 'extreme' approach with the draft. When we did the Blind Pig pod a couple weeks ago, my argument for Love started with a very basic point. That the best player at their position in the league is a better choice at 7, than a WR2. I carry that philosophy across the entire draft, with some minor tweaks. That a starting OC may not be my preference (of course my preference would be an All Pro with every pick, but clearly not realistic), it's still more valuable than someone who will have less impact on the game. I just think there is other areas we can improve upon, that's better for the team than a physical freak flyer shot in the 3rd round.

 

[Dlts20]

I’m getting to the point where I don’t care anymore who we draft, as long as the Giants don’t take Love. Zero interest in defending against him the next 5+ years.

Mrh. We already played them with Saquan who most had rated higher. Barkley was good but didn't just own things in NY. I see the same for Love if he's there

 

[Commander Wraith]

Even if Delane is technically a better player, I really think that AP is choosing to personally ratchet up the odds that Quinn & Co. get fired if he passes on Tate for any DB. (and if he’s lucky—meaning still employed—it’ll be him who has to fire them). That’s how scary the current offensive weapon situation is and how heavily weighted setting up the QB for success should be. And how meaningfully it could crush our season if they gamble and lose again in that regard. And that would be the majority of Daniels’ rookie contract gone, just like that, before we’ve built a damn thing.

It’s so glaring in fact that with the precarious situation they’re in, I find myself wondering if they’re finally weaponizing Keim’s reliability to downplay our interest in Tate in the final week before the draft, to help avoid a team feeling they must jump us for the top WR prospect. The Browns would love to skip back a bit from 6 and it’s the perfect spot to fuck us over if we’re transparent in our intentions.

I’m kind of with you here. Two “flip side of the argument” points I’d make:

1) The importance of significant defensive improvement. With Quinn being a defensive HC, and needing the new DC to succeed, I think there’s a lot of pressure to improve that side of the ball.

2) I think the expectation is that the offense will be at least decent, mainly because of Daniels, but also having (a hopefully healthy) Terry, some good oline pieces, quality blocking and pass catching TEs, an explosive runner in Bill and a good 3rd down back in White. Receiver is obviously a major concern, but defense has been our Achilles heel. Point being, if our defense was a good bit better last year, we likely don’t get absolutely curb-stomped in those 4 games we lost by 20+ (not to mention the Vikings game), and probably win a few of the close losses.

Considering the FA adds, I could see them feeling good about their DEs and linebackers and ok about their DTs and safeties. Cornerback is the unit that could derail our defense. And as for receiver, there are still a few guys available in FA that could move the needle for us.

Not saying this is the way I feel about it, but I could see all of that factoring in their decision-making.

I put Lance in the bucket of I just don't know. I don't mind though especially in the third on betting on freak athletes with upside and he's certainly that. But I don't like betting on someone like that as the ready solution.

But I agree with your overall point, not so much center on my end. But there are potentially players who can start who might fall there, with decent floors: Keionte Scott, Romello Height, Kyle Louis, Trotter, Sam Roush, Oscar Delp.

If its WR, I'd rather go high floor, dudes that can likely make a difference instantly with high floors over boom-busts projects: Antonio Williams, Sarratt, Bernard.

I don't mind them taking a center that early but to me its a non premium position and if they internally believe as some beat guys have said Allegreti if anything will be an improvement over Biadaz, I am not that worried. They could be wrong but until it fails I'll trust it.

It’s interesting because looking at last year’s receiving group, aside from improving the depth, I sort of think there are 2 facets that needed to be added to our receiving room. Someone that can get open quickly - an ‘easy’ button for Daniels - and a guy that can stretch the field to take advantage of PA, take pressure off Terry, and add more explosives.

So while I’m with you on the high floor guys, it seems to me that the first facet can potentially be addressed via some combo of the guys already on the roster, a free agent (Allen, Jennings, Diggs, Aiyuk, or Deebo) and scheme. A deep threat, on the other hand, seems like it would almost have to come via the draft, even if (many of?) the options there have lower floors than the guys you mentioned.

Again, not my opinion, just that I could see them potentially thinking along these lines.

 

[Dlts20]

Even if Delane is technically a better player, I really think that AP is choosing to personally ratchet up the odds that Quinn & Co. get fired if he passes on Tate for any DB. (and if he’s lucky—meaning still employed—it’ll be him who has to fire them). That’s how scary the current offensive weapon situation is and how heavily weighted setting up the QB for success should be. And how meaningfully it could crush our season if they gamble and lose again in that regard. And that would be the majority of Daniels’ rookie contract gone, just like that, before we’ve built a damn thing.

It’s so glaring in fact that with the precarious situation they’re in, I find myself wondering if they’re finally weaponizing Keim’s reliability to downplay our interest in Tate in the final week before the draft, to help avoid a team feeling they must jump us for the top WR prospect. The Browns would love to skip back a bit from 6 and it’s the perfect spot to fuck us over if we’re transparent in our intentions.

I'm honestly not overly concerned. I still think that Aiyuk is coming, probably by early June and we still have some solid other options. I also still think that Jennings is in play for maybe close to the amount that he wants but only for one year. We still have enough cap space for that, I think

 

[burgold]

I just don't know what we can expect out of Aiyuk. He's basically been away from live action for two years. I'm sure he's healtir hy, but is he the same player and can he get it back? A number of players struggle to refind their form after a long layoff.

 

[KDawg]

I just don't know what we can expect out of Aiyuk. He's basically been away from live action for two years. I'm sure he's healtir hy, but is he the same player and can he get it back? A number of players struggle to refind their form after a long layoff.

Counting on Aiyuk is a tough choice. He may not come free until August.

Our receiver room is abysmal and I am not sold on our backfield.

I’m very underwhelmed with our offense.

 

[Dah-Dee]

I'm honestly not overly concerned. I still think that Aiyuk is coming, probably by early June and we still have some solid other options. I also still think that Jennings is in play for maybe close to the amount that he wants but only for one year. We still have enough cap space for that, I think

I thought Keim previously said Commanders were not in on Jennings, 'going in a different direction.'

 

[bifflog]

 

[skinsinparadise]

It’s interesting because looking at last year’s receiving group, aside from improving the depth, I sort of think there are 2 facets that needed to be added to our receiving room. Someone that can get open quickly - an ‘easy’ button for Daniels - and a guy that can stretch the field to take advantage of PA, take pressure off Terry, and add more explosives.

So while I’m with you on the high floor guys, it seems to me that the first facet can potentially be addressed via some combo of the guys already on the roster, a free agent (Allen, Jennings, Diggs, Aiyuk, or Deebo) and scheme. A deep threat, on the other hand, seems like it would almost have to come via the draft, even if (many of?) the options there have lower floors than the guys you mentioned.

Again, not my opinion, just that I could see them potentially thinking along these lines.

Guys like Bernard and Antonio Williams are good at getting open and I think Jayden needs that considering even Terry arguably isn't the best seperator and Jayden seems to be a timing based QB who thrives with Wrs who are where they are supposed to be. I am ok with the theory of go for a deep threat. Dyami is arguably that. Hurst and Lance are faster than him.

And I'll let the whole movie play out at WR before feeling that down on the state of the position. But they haven't earned my trust as to buying into what new rationale they have about how they can make due at WR.

My main concern is that their ambition might not be what we hope. I talked about this in other posts when Quinn explained in detail how this current WR corp could work, by sort of having a committee approach -- different WRs with different strengths who can be called on at different times. That to me sounded like a rationalization within the building about how if they don't make another big move they will be fine. Keim also hit the WR by committee without per se a true #2 in his podcast -- but also kept the flame about them signing Aiyuk.

And if you add Keim's scoop that he doesn't think they take Tate at 7 and they'd take him or another WR in a trade down but this team doesn't expect trade down offers -- all together it comes off like they made the conclusion that they unlikely end up with a WR in the first. And they likely take one in the third but recognize that a third round WR is unlikely to make an instant impact.

 

[Dlts20]

I thought Keim previously said Commanders were not in on Jennings, 'going in a different direction.'

I don't think that we are in on him either for what he wants but I think that if we don't draft anyone then he's in play strictly for a one year deal

 

[RWJ]

I think that many are resolved that Love and Styles will be gone. Who are your next 3?

That would go Downs, Tate, then Delane.

 

[method man]

I'm actually softening on Lance. I love the potential there, but I don't know if I want to invest in that right now, when I think there could be a day 1 starter in the 3rd round at a different position. At a minimum, a possible game 8 starter at OG / C.

This is where I am. I am super confident we can get a day 1 starting nickel/safety at 71 if we stick and pick.

 

[RWJ]

I hope not on Tyson not at #7! Lemon in a trade down at #11 and Boston at #15. Tyson at #20-#25 with his multiple red flag meds.

 

[skinsinparadise]

I don't think that we are in on him either for what he wants but I think that if we don't draft anyone then he's in play strictly for a one year deal

You would figure eventually Jennings has to cave.

 

[skinsinparadise]

This is where I am. I am super confident we can get a day 1 starting nickel/safety at 71 if we stick and pick.

TE, too albiet they don't need a starter. But if I went to Vegas and had a grand to burn, I'd easily bet they go Wr at 71, reading the tea leaves.

 

[skinsinparadise]

I just don't know what we can expect out of Aiyuk. He's basically been away from live action for two years. I'm sure he's healtir hy, but is he the same player and can he get it back? A number of players struggle to refind their form after a long layoff.

Agree but I am betting that the plan in him and a WR at 71