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

So, I like Dexter Lawrence being off the Cowboys. I do not like NY and Dallas having two first round picks each. And with 5 and 10 they could really do some damage. It also increases (in my opinion) their ability to take Love if he falls to five because you still have a top ten draft pick to get a positional value.
 
I would not be excited about Delane. I know that rationally, we are far from 'set' at CB and he is the consensus best one in this draft. But I really want either Love, Styles, Downs, or Tate at 7.

We really need help on offense. Love or Tate are my strong preference.
 
Who the heck is running Cincy? Would Dexter have been able to refuse this trade or did he come to a contract extension agreement before the trade? lol
 
Dlts20 said:
From being on here since the beginning of the off-season until now, I feel like the consensus worst case scenario on this site, give or take is:

1- Mendoza
2- Bailey
3- Reese
4- Love
5- Styles
6- Tate

That could legitimately happen. If it does then what do all of you want to do at 7
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I personally would go Caleb Downs, but Mansor Delane is a good option, and much more than most of the board, Mauigoa/Fano/Ioane would be okay. I would be fine with Bain also. When you are picking 7 you are going to be have good options no matter, it may just not be your 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, or 5th choice. I don't consider Downs, Delane, Bain, Mauigoa worse caliber prospects than Bailey, Reese, and Tate (though I would put them in a lower tier than Love and Styles), its just that they probably rank lower in the horizontal tier due to our needs or how we value those positions.
 
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DWinzit said:
Who the heck is running Cincy? Would Dexter have been able to refuse this trade or did he come to a contract extension agreement before the trade? lol
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Looks like he will get his extension. Dexter is a beast. But its stiill a good haul for the Giants -- 2 potential studs now on a rookie contract.

They've already surpassed this team as the more exciting potential upstart in this division, after this trade I am sure the hype will reach even bigger hights.
 
Legwold's top prospects from talking to people around the league


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1. Reese​

Height: 6-foot-4 | Weight: 241 pounds | 40 time: 4.46 seconds

An electric player with the brightest of futures, given he won't turn 21 until August. Reese is a dynamic rusher who has shown burgeoning counter moves that are already difficult for opposing tackles. He also has the bend of the best pass rushers, sets a forceful edge when needed and can be impactful off the ball. Reese is a rare player with elite versatility.

2. Love​

Height: 6-0 | Weight: 212 | 40 time: 4.36

It is one metric among many, but Love ran the same 40 time at the combine as Lions Pro Bowler Jahmyr Gibbs in 2023, and Love was 13 pounds heavier. His run skills, vision and explosiveness -- eight plays of 20 yards or more, and he forced more than 50 missed tackles last season -- are enough to put him here. But Love's route-running/receiving skills will force plenty of evaluators to consider taking a running back this high on the board.


3. Bailey​

Height: 6-4 | Weight: 251 | 40 time: 4.50

Since the start of the 2023 season, Bailey led the FBS with a pressure rate of 21.6% over that span, higher than any player with at least 25 games played over those three seasons. He's active, sudden and presents a problem for blockers on every down. Bailey tallied 19.5 tackles for loss and 14.5 sacks in 2025.


4. Styles​

Height: 6-5 | Weight: 244 | 40 time: 4.46

Styles is a former safety who is quick and decisive to the ball in run defense. He's also a quality tackler who can match slot receivers as well as tight ends in coverage. His 40 time, 43½-inch vertical jump and 11-foot-2 broad jump were eyebrow-raising exclamation points. His 12-tackle day in the Big Ten championship game was circled by many scouts.


5. Downs​

Height: 6-0 | Weight: 206 | 40 time: Did not run

Some say Downs' traits are not elite, but his best trait might be that he's the best football player on the board. He understands what offenses want to do from snap to snap, makes his team better, and is a high-end tackler and productive blitzer. He can play the nickel, safety or dime linebacker.


6. Delane​

Height: 6-0 | Weight: 182 | 40 time: 4.38

Delane's game is NFL-ready, given he's far more adept at affecting the release of opposing receivers than most prospects and has top-end speed with man or zone versatility. He doesn't allow much separation at the top of the route, and he has faced some of the best receivers in this draft. Delane was credited with 27 pass breakups in his career.
 
skinsinparadise said:
Looks like he will get his extension. Dexter is a beast. But its stiill a good haul for the Giants -- 2 potential studs now on a rookie contract.

They've already surpassed this team as the more exciting potential upstart in this division, after this trade I am sure the hype will reach even bigger hights.
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Agreed. This trade will only enhance pro Giant publicity nightmare we face, regardless of who they come out of the draft with.

We will see if Dart and Skattebo can stay healthy. I see that as their largest challenge
 
DWinzit said:
Agreed. This trade will only enhance pro Giant publicity nightmare we face, regardless of who they come out of the draft with.

We will see if Dart and Skattebo can stay healthy. I see that as their largest challenge
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Yeah its wild how the hype winds can shift. If you told me after 2024, that Jayden would be an after thought by some, Quinn on the firing line -- almost zero hype heading into year 3 and the Giants are lead by Harbaugh, might have a QB, and they are the in vogue team from the national media (not this team) as sneaking into the playoffs this year.

Now hype of course buys you nothing. But NY has plenty of it right now.
 
Everybody wants the shiny new toy its a normal human response but let's not forget that the giants are losing an all pro caliber tackle in the process.

Now im not saying they made a bad move, Lawrence wanted out, youth matters and the salary cap is a thing but as of this moment the giants didn't get better with this move they got worse.

They opened up a huge hole in the middle of their defense for a guy who has a very high probability of being a lesser player than Lawrence.
 
Thursday can't get here early enough.

We finally convinced ourselves into wanting Love. So much so that now it's really going to hurt when we don't get him.

Bain was a top two DE this year which was my top want. Now, we can't even mention his name because he short armed himself out of the top 10.

Downs was the man until he wasn't. He's gotten slower and more injured since the season ended.

WR is a must and Tate is the obvious choice but we're trying hard to talk ourselves out of him for some reason.

Styles shined too much so he'll be gone before 7.

Realistically, we're looking at Downs, Tate, Bain, or Delane. I'll be happy with any of them.

Thursday can't get here early enough.

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Keim once in awhile in his podcasts hints at a possible Daron Payne trade, he doesn't push it hard so it feels like a maybe at best.

But wonder if the teams who lost out on Lawrence pivots to Payne. I'd do it in a heart beat for a 4th rounder.

Not saying Sutter is right, but he upon doing the Sheehan film reviews during the season believes Payne isn't good for the culture considering to his eyes he takes off many plays, motor doesn't run hot according to him.
 
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