The 2026 Draft Thread - Day 2

[Canuck]

Just heard Daniel Jeremiah say that edge is the deepest position in the draft, might make more sense to bypass edge in R1 and maybe take 2 later in the draft?

 

[skinsinparadise]

Just heard Daniel Jeremiah say that edge is the deepest position in the draft, might make more sense to bypass edge in R1 and maybe take 2 later in the draft?

Edge, WR, S, LB all deep. But alas in the early to mid rounds they only have a 3rd and 5th after the first. I think if they had a full slate of picks, they could look more about getting this or that later but considering the very high bust rate of the 5th-7th rounds -- I am sort of looking at this draft as basically two shots at likely starters, the top 10 pick and the early third.

 

[skinsinparadise]

UCF, I've seen him play live, intrigued

 

[DWinzit]

Edge, WR, S, LB all deep. But alas in the early to mid rounds they only have a 3rd and 5th after the first. I think if they had a full slate of picks, they could look more about getting this or that later but considering the very high bust rate of the 5th-7th rounds -- I am sort of looking at this draft as basically two shots at likely starters, the top 10 pick and the early third.

Unless there is a small trade, then we should gain at least one day 2 pick

I have been a big fan of Malachi Lawrence, mentioned him numerous times and he should be really good as a 4th or 5th rounder developmental part time edge to start out his career

 

[skinsinparadise]

 

[skinsinparadise]

 

[Washington Mud Hog]

So there have been a ton of later round prospects discussed on the draft thread but some names:

Josiah Trotter, LB, Mizzou
Chris Brazzell, WR, Tennessee
Elijah Sarratt, WR, Indiana
Kyle Louis, LB, Pitt
Zion Young, DE, Mizzou
Derrick Moore, DE, Michigan
Akheem Mesidor, DE, Miami
KC Concepcion, WR, A&M
Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
Zachariah Branch, WR, Georgia
Anthony Hill, LB, Texas
D’Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana
Romello Height, Edge, TT
Max Iheanachor, OT, AZ State
Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
Chris Bell, WR, Louisville
Diontae Lawson, LB, Alabama
Jakobi Lane, WR, USC
Malachi Fields, WR, Notre Dame
R Mason Thomas, DE, OU
Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame
Michael Taafe, S, Texas
Jake Slaughter, C, Florida
Ted Hurst, WR, Georgia State
Keionte Scott, S, Miami

Lots of names. I missed a bunch, too.

With Tyler Biadasz being released C Jake Slaughter (Florida) and C Connor Lew (Auburn) seem more realistic now. Based on scouting reports I've read (disclaimer: no film yet), Slaughter seems like a much better fit for handling the DL in our division.

 

[KDawg]

Jadarian Price, the other ND running back, is another name that should be in the conversation on day 2.

 

[DWinzit]

DT, Edge, LB, S, WR and IOL seem like the strength positions on day 2 (and some into round 4) with a smattering of others. Sure wish we still had a full complement of picks and Tunsil (extended of course )

 

[KDawg]

Watching DB drills… Masses, Hood and Everette looked smoothest in that line drill. Fast transitions and effortless.

Masses is a major sleeper for me.

 

[philibusters]

I enjoy playing around with trade backs in teh draft simulators. The simultaors usually offer better than realistic deals so I slightly modify them. I created a trade back with Buffalo to 26 for picks 60 and 91 plus nexts year second (which should be in the late 50's or early 60's. That may seem like a bad trade back up because you trade back pretty far without picking a first rounder from next year, but I felt like the same quality of prospect was available at 26 to some extent as say 18 and we have enough needs that we should have a need available at 26. In that scenario Tate was on the board and that would be who the Bills were trading up for.

 

[KDawg]

I enjoy playing around with trade backs in teh draft simulators. The simultaors usually offer better than realistic deals so I slightly modify them. I created a trade back with Buffalo to 26 for picks 60 and 91 plus nexts year second (which should be in the late 50's or early 60's. That may seem like a bad trade back up because you trade back pretty far without picking a first rounder from next year, but I felt like the same quality of prospect was available at 26 to some extent as say 18 and we have enough needs that we should have a need available at 26. In that scenario Tate was on the board and that would be who the Bills were trading up for.

I really, really dislike the idea of a trade back at all. One to 26 is a disaster.

 

[philibusters]

To me once you get beyond like picks 12 or 13 you hit a tier and you'll be in that tier with you trade back to 16 or 26 so might as we trade back further into that tier. Potentially you could get more from Buffalo in that trade scenario where they trade up for Tate. Using the Jimmy Johnson trade we were the slight loser in that trade and usually the team trading up pays a slightly premium plus it involved a 2027 pick. Realistically we would be trading to get Buffalos first rounder next year which could make the tradeback a big potential win even if it doesn't help us so much this year. I am willing to not get as big of a boost this year, if we get a lot of value next year. Say they trade us 26, 91, and 126 plus next year's first rounder (estimated pick 30 with more potential to be higher than lower) for picks 7 and 185. Something like that is a no brainer for me even if we lose slightly for this upcoming 2026 season. That said I am not confident Buffalo pulls the trigger on that trade even with Carnell Tate available at 7. Without Tate available I think they are definitely not pulling that trigger.

 

[KDawg]

To me once you get beyond like picks 12 or 13 you hit a tier and you'll be in that tier with you trade back to 16 or 26 so might as we trade back further into that tier. Potentially you could get more from Buffalo in that trade scenario where they trade up for Tate. Using the Jimmy Johnson trade we were the slight loser in that trade and usually the team trading up pays a slightly premium plus it involved a 2027 pick. Realistically we would be trading to get Buffalos first rounder next year which could make the tradeback a big potential win even if it doesn't help us so much this year. I am willing to not get as big of a boost this year, if we get a lot of value next year. Say they trade us 26, 91, and 126 plus next year's first rounder (estimated pick 30 with more potential to be higher than lower) for picks 7 and 185. Something like that is a no brainer for me even if we lose slightly for this upcoming 2026 season. That said I am not confident Buffalo pulls the trigger on that trade even we Carnell Tate available at 7. Without Tate available I think they are definitely not pulling that triggering.

Here’s the issue: if we don’t get something out of our 1 this year this coaching staff is toast.

We need blue chip playmakers and Buffalo’s one next year is probably going to be low.

I don’t know. I hate the idea of trading down passed 9 and I even hate that.

We need elite difference makers. I don’t think Buffalo’s one helps us with that next year, either.

 

[Conn]

I enjoy playing around with trade backs in teh draft simulators. The simultaors usually offer better than realistic deals so I slightly modify them. I created a trade back with Buffalo to 26 for picks 60 and 91 plus nexts year second (which should be in the late 50's or early 60's. That may seem like a bad trade back up because you trade back pretty far without picking a first rounder from next year, but I felt like the same quality of prospect was available at 26 to some extent as say 18 and we have enough needs that we should have a need available at 26. In that scenario Tate was on the board and that would be who the Bills were trading up for.

Who was available that you were enthusiastic about at 26 in this scenario? This feels like the opposite of what we need to me (although I understand conceptually the appeal of those extra draft picks, we have very little blue chip difference makers)

Right now that would be the last thing I want to see us do.

 

[skinsinparadise]

I was hoping Bernard might be there in the third, don't think so now.

 

[philibusters]

I was hoping Bernard might be there in the third, don't think so now.

He cleared that 4.5 threshold too with that 4.48. I thought the odds of making it to 71 before were maybe like 1/3. After this weekend, maybe more like 1/10. Not unthinkable, but certainly you are not planning on having him available there.

 

[skinsinparadise]

He cleared that 4.5 threshold too with that 4.48. I thought the odds of making it to 71 before were maybe like 1/3. After this weekend, maybe more like 1/10. Not unthinkable, but certainly you are not planning on having him available there.

He's a do it all WR, seperator, blocker, YAC, soft hands, etc with the athleticism to high more of a ceiling than some expect, yeah feels like a 2nd round lock.

 

[skinsinparadise]

 

[Always Commander Never Captain]

I've never actually watched Germie Bernard. I heard like months ago that he was the most overrated prospect...I guess he got so overrated he might be underrated now?

That 3-cone and 10 yard split he posted were good. Worth a watch at the minimum for someone whose not small.