The 2026 Draft Thread - Day 2

[skinsinparadise]

Quinn talked up Lawrence Cager as a potentially emerging receiving threat at TE. Which is two things:

1. Horrible for Sinnott, an old PS guy should never be the name on the HC’s lips when you have a recent 2nd rounder developing on the roster

2. Completely delusional and continues to call into question the coaching staff’s ability to effectively self-scout. 29 year old project PS TE. Come on man.

Bounced around the league with three different teams, undersized at 220 pounds, yeah feels weird.

With Ron, they seemed to talk themselves into whatever small time idea they had at the O line and to some extent tight end, too. I love Logan Paulsen but even he got fooled by the Armani Rogers and Curtis Hodges, and players like that, etc and how they are freaks of nature so do they really need to draft a TE, etc?

There seems a little delusional vibe from this FO too especially as to WR weapons as I discussed in the FA thread.

 

[Conn]

Bounced around the league with three different teams, undersized at 220 pounds, yeah feels weird.

With Ron, they seemed to talk themselves into whatever small time idea they had at the O line and to some extent tight end, too. I love Logan Paulsen but even he got fooled by the Armani Rogers and Curtis Hodges, and players like that, etc and how they are freaks of nature so do they really need to draft a TE, etc?

There seems a little delusional vibe from this FO too especially as to WR weapons as I discussed in the FA thread.

Yeah it’s very strange. Hard to put into words but their pet projects aren’t just fliers to them seemingly. They have strong conviction sometimes over guys that aren’t even rosterable, or at least guys who have never done a damn thing and show no signs of changing that trend

When they really hit on one I’ll start to be intrigued.

 

[DWinzit]

Quinn talked up Lawrence Cager as a potentially emerging receiving threat at TE. Which is two things:

1. Horrible for Sinnott, an old PS guy should never be the name on the HC’s lips when you have a recent 2nd rounder developing on the roster

2. Completely delusional and continues to call into question the coaching staff’s ability to effectively self-scout. 29 year old project PS TE. Come on man.

I don't even recall Cagers name. What happened to Yankoff? We can definitely do better than this

 

[skinsinparadise]

Yeah it’s very strange. Hard to put into words but their pet projects aren’t just fliers to them seemingly. They have strong conviction sometimes over guys that aren’t even rosterable, or at least guys who have never done a damn thing and show no signs of changing that trend

When they really hit on one I’ll start to be intrigued.

Feels like its a cognitive dissonance mechanism on their end -- if on paper a spot doesn't look hot -- they don't want to put forth that hey they did something wrong or missed out, instead its watch out for this guy or that guy. I talked about that some in the FA thread with all their justifications at WR over the first two years. It was alarming to me that Quinn basically dove into the new explanation for WR for 2026 if no one is added here's how it will work. And I am ok with just PR spin but lol when you listen to Quinn he comes off like he believes it.

One of the reasons IMO Howie Roseman is so good IMO is he leaves no stone unturned. If there is an issue on the roster its all hands on deck. Granted maybe he got to that point via trial and error.

 

[RWJ]

Feels like its a cognitive dissonance mechanism on their end -- if on paper a spot doesn't look hot -- they don't want to put forth that hey they did something wrong or missed out, instead its watch out for this guy or that guy. I talked about that some in the FA thread with all their justifications at WR over the first two years. It was alarming to me that Quinn basically dove into the new explanation for WR for 2026 if no one is added here's how it will work. And I am ok with just PR spin but lol when you listen to Quinn he comes off like he believes it.

One of the reasons IMO Howie Roseman is so good IMO is he leaves no stone unturned. If there is an issue on the roster its all hands on deck. Granted maybe he got to that point via trial and error.

Along with WR now add Center as a must fill position. Allegretti and Jones in no way cut it at Center. Neither Quinn nor AP can talk that one into being the case as well.

 

[skinsinparadise]

Just watched an interview of G. Bernard on Path to the Draft, comes off smart-good dude, adds to my draft crush. If he falls to the early third, he might be my #1.

 

[skinsinparadise]

Along with WR now add Center as a must fill position. Allegretti and Jones in no way cut it at Center. Neither Quinn nor AP can talk that one into being the case as well.

Listening to Keim feels like they think Allegretti is the guy. On that one I am on the fence. I'll let it play out if that's how they feel. But no way I am endorsing this Wr room the way it is now -- I think it will change though, will see.

 

[DWinzit]

Just watched an interview of G. Bernard on Path to the Draft, comes off smart-good dude, adds to my draft crush. If he falls to the early third, he might be my #1.

He feels like a guy that could be penciled in as a starter before most of the other draftees outside of the top few. He may never be a smart but he feels like mister consistency and a fairly high level and more pro ready than most

 

[skinsinparadise]

He feels like a guy that could be penciled in as a starter before most of the other draftees outside of the top few. He may never be a smart but he feels like mister consistency and a fairly high level and more pro ready than most

Yeah I think him Antonio Williams and Sarratt are polished WR and can hit the ground running now.

While i am intrigued with some others in that range, they feel either one dimensional, projects, or boom-bust.

If I had to go with a 4th, maybe Malachi Fields but he's a distant 4th to me after those 3 Wrs. I don't believe he's going to be anything special but i can see him have sort of a Noah Brown type of arc where he's a solid #3-#4 type and farily quickly.

In that range, Zacriah Branch is the strangest read for me. He IMO has a lot of boom-bust as a starting slot WR, and more bust IMO considering how limited his route tree was and more so because of his size. But I think he can be a great gadget player -- he's so fast and physical for his size with the ball in his hands.

 

[DWinzit]

Yeah I think him Antonio Williams and Sarratt are polished WR and can hit the ground running now.

While i am intrigued with some others in that range, they feel either one dimensional, projects, or boom-bust.

If I had to go with a 4th, maybe Malachi Fields but he's a distant 4th to me after those 3 Wrs. I don't believe he's going to be anything special but i can see him have sort of a Noah Brown type of arc where he's a solid #3-#4 type and farily quickly.

In that range, Zacriah Branch is the strangest read for me. He IMO has a lot of boom-bust as a starting slot WR, and more bust IMO considering how limited his route tree was and more so because of his size. But I think he can be a great gadget player -- he's so fast and physical for his size with the ball in his hands.

I'd say your list of guys outside of the top few who can contribute this year is pretty solid. We can't afford to go down a rabbit hole of adding another guy that needs much developing. We need players ready and there aren't many.

You were also correct that many of them have different quirks. I see Branch and a speedy Deebo but we should be able to use Lane as a gadget guy. We need a WR2. I think Germie is that guy that step in as a WR3 right away and easily become a reliable WR2

 

[RedWolf]

I think we definitely need to draft a center in 3 to 5. Hecht?

 

[ES1974]

I think we definitely need to draft a center in 3 to 5. Hecht?

Unfortunately that would be 3 or 5 as things stand.

 

[DWinzit]

I think we definitely need to draft a center in 3 to 5. Hecht?

Hecht is one of the best C but he will never make it to 5. Right now I have a hard time seeing them taking a C at 3

 

[KDawg]

I hate to say this about a round 2/3 talent because it feels very over the top… but I think Ted Hurst might be a star. He’s such a smooth athlete.

Watched Steve Smith’s take on him (and I already liked him) and he brought up a comp that blew my mind because I can see it…

Faster Larry Fitz. And… yeah. He does look like a faster Fitz stylistically.

 

[ES1974]

I hate to say this about a round 2/3 talent because it feels very over the top… but I think Ted Hurst might be a star. He’s such a smooth athlete.

Watched Steve Smith’s take on him (and I already liked him) and he brought up a comp that blew my mind because I can see it…

Faster Larry Fitz. And… yeah. He does look like a faster Fitz stylistically.

Mentioned him a while back. He’d be high on my ‘non first round’ list too.

Edit - I put him in the day 3 thread. Pointless in there for where we pick.

 

[HailYeah]

I hate to say this about a round 2/3 talent because it feels very over the top… but I think Ted Hurst might be a star. He’s such a smooth athlete.

Watched Steve Smith’s take on him (and I already liked him) and he brought up a comp that blew my mind because I can see it…

Faster Larry Fitz. And… yeah. He does look like a faster Fitz stylistically.

I watched that Steve smith video on YouTube too. Got me hype for hurst. If I recall he was a walk on? Entered the portal last year but then rescinded. Wonder if that’s because none of the bigger teams wanted him. I bet that dude feels like hes got something to prove.

He’d be someone I wouldn’t mind taking if we don’t go WR in the first. I know we’ve been there done that with lane and lmc, but I’m fine with continuing to take shots until we find someone.

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

I watched that Steve smith video on YouTube too. Got me hype for hurst. If I recall he was a walk on? Entered the portal last year but then rescinded. Wonder if that’s because none of the bigger teams wanted him. I bet that dude feels like hes got something to prove.

He’d be someone I wouldn’t mind taking if we don’t go WR in the first. I know we’ve been there done that with lane and lmc, but I’m fine with continuing to take shots until we find someone.

I wonder how the team views Layne. On draft day that pick was applauded, I wonder if they think he can take the next step.

 

[DWinzit]

I wonder how the team views Layne. On draft day that pick was applauded, I wonder if they think he can take the next step.

It has become easier to see a world where Lane or Luke are thrown into a trade package that nets a receiver or a better than 71 pick for a receiver. I do still see them both having a lot of potential though and have proven themselves very well on teams.

 

[burgold]

I can't image Lane or Luke have much if any trade value. I guess they might have some given their special team success, but I always think about replacement value. Unless we plan on outright cutting them, they have more value to us then they would net on the trade market.

I mean what would you offer for them? A swap of picks in the 6th round? A sixth? A seventh?

 

[DWinzit]

I can't image Lane or Luke have much if any trade value. I guess they might have some given their special team success, but I always think about replacement value. Unless we plan on outright cutting them, they have more value to us then they would net on the trade market.

I mean what would you offer for them? A swap of picks in the 6th round? A sixth? A seventh?

Or like said, included in a package, perhaps with pick 71 to move up to get a legit WR2 player or someone else they have their heart set on. There are a number of teams that would appreciate a very good NFL proven returner who can also be a WR4 good at spreading the field and being involved in gadget plays.