The 2026 Draft Thread

[prodigy]

if we are looking for someone to supplant Terry, immediately or eventually, aiyuk ain't it imo. would I take him on a cheap 1 to 2 year deal? sure. but he's not someone I sign and say taking a round 1 WR, if it's BPA, is off the board. aiyuk is a #2 in my book.

 

[method man]

skinsinparadise Have you seen tape of Kayden McDonald? Monster run stuffing NT at OSU.

 

[method man]

if we are looking for someone to supplant Terry, immediately or eventually, aiyuk ain't it imo. would I take him on a cheap 1 to 2 year deal? sure. but he's not someone I sign and say taking a round 1 WR, if it's BPA, is off the board. aiyuk is a #2 in my book.

He was the clear #1 WR in SF in 2023. No one should pencil him in as a #1 WR in 2026 but he could be a 1B to Terry’s 1A

 

[prodigy]

He was the clear #1 WR in SF in 2023. No one should pencil him in as a #1 WR in 2026 but he could be a 1B to Terry’s 1A

from my recollection he was a #1 in name, because he was their #1 WR...but offensively, he was lower in priority in kyle's scheme behind CMC, Kittle, and gadgetry.

 

[HailYeah]

I’m guessing the giants take a WR this year, I don’t think there are any OL projected that high that they’d reach on. I would love to see us get Pierce to allow for a trade back or give us options when we pick.

 

[method man]

from my recollection he was a #1 in name, because he was their #1 WR...but offensively, he was lower in priority in kyle's scheme behind CMC, Kittle, and gadgetry.

He had more targets, receptions and yards than Kittle in the same number of games. He had a 1,342 yard season. Terry has come nowhere close to that

 

[philibusters]

from my recollection he was a #1 in name, because he was their #1 WR...but offensively, he was lower in priority in kyle's scheme behind CMC, Kittle, and gadgetry.

I think a better way to think about it is based on down and distance. On 3rd and long Aiyuk would usually have been the number 1 read.

 

[skinsinparadise]

skinsinparadise Have you seen tape of Kayden McDonald? Monster run stuffing NT at OSU.

Watched plenty OSU in real time, and have noticed his mentions but haven't studied him yet.

OSU is loaded aside from the top 10-15 guys: Styles, K. Jackson, Klare, Igbinhosun,

 

[skinsinparadise]

skinsinparadise Have you seen tape of Kayden McDonald? Monster run stuffing NT at OSU.

I'll say though based on his size he's intriguing. I recall the Vita Vea-Payne debates on ES. Vea by far IMO ended up the better player. I'll give props though for Payne over Vea as to durability. But Vea is a monster -- Payne not at all.

I talked about this on ES being at a game live versus Tampa and watching him blow up our O line, I was wowed by it. When some wondered how can Vea and other massive nose types at times be a one man wrecking crew at stopping the run -- while our team sucks against the run. The simple answer is Vea through much of his career was a monster against the run whereas Payne was just OK.

Vea ended enough of a pass rush guy, too, has about the same number of career sacks as Payne.

The idea of they are facing a team with a monster nose so good luck running the ball against that team -- it's something that this team isn't familiar with because they never seem to have that guy.

 

[skinsinparadise]

I’m guessing the giants take a WR this year, I don’t think there are any OL projected that high that they’d reach on. I would love to see us get Pierce to allow for a trade back or give us options when we pick.

Reading about how the Giants might be looking at WR because they don't have enough playmakers -- hopefully lol is something that registers with Peters because the Giants have more than Washington.

Skattebo-Tracy >> Rodriguez-Croskey-Merritt
Nabers >> McLaurin
W. Robinson-Slayton >> N. Brown-McCaffrety

Deebo is a good player but a gadget guy.

But overall, the Giants are a weird team. Their O line has played well this season. Dart has mostly played well. Granted losing Skattebo and Nabers was big for that team. Their defensive line is loaded. They though seem less than the sum of their parts. Coaching?

But my point is the NFC East teams are more loaded than this team both on defense and offensive weapons.

 

[DWinzit]

I'll say though based on his size he's intriguing. I recall the Vita Vea-Payne debates on ES. Vea by far IMO ended up the better player. I'll give props though for Payne over Vea as to durability. But Vea is a monster -- Payne not at all.

I talked about this on ES being at a game live versus Tampa and watching him blow up our O line, I was wowed by it. When some wondered how can Vea and other massive nose types at times be a one man wrecking crew at stopping the run -- while our team sucks against the run. The simple answer is Vea through much of his career was a monster against the run whereas Payne was just OK.

Vea ended enough of a pass rush guy, too, has about the same number of career sacks as Payne.

The idea of they are facing a team with a monster nose so good luck running the ball against that team -- it's something that this team isn't familiar with because they never seem to have that guy.

I's hard to believe hose ES debates were even happening. Vea always seemed like to logical choice had he reached us at 13. Similar to no brainers like if Darrisaw or Gonzo reached us...

Vea was the perfect fit for our needs in the middle. It is amazing to think those two have virtually the same sack totals. Credit to Payne for staying healthier leading to a much higher tackle total

 

[skinsinparadise]

I's hard to believe hose ES debates were even happening. Vea always seemed like to logical choice had he reached us at 13. Similar to no brainers like if Darrisaw or Gonzo reached us...

Vea was the perfect fit for our needs in the middle. It is amazing to think those two have virtually the same sack totals. Credit to Payne for staying healthier leading to a much higher tackle total

Payne has been decent to good. Not a bust of course. But Vea can take over a game, Payne has flashes like that every now and then but he's no game wrecker.

Vea at almost 350 pouds is a freak. He's not as doiminant as a Dexter Lawrence type. But he has had more moments and games like that than Payne has. Also was All Pro.

 

[Always Commander Never Captain]

I know I need to rethink how I scout Edge players, because I've had some misses in the past. Jared Verse and Will Anderson are too similar profiles that I did not think would be as good in the Pros as they are. I thought both only exhibited power when they got everything setup in their favor which wasn't as often as I liked. I thought they lacked the raw athleticism to setup their go-to move as often as advertised. Yet, in the Pros this seems to be happening for them more often than it did in college. I didn't expect that. Whatever the case happened to be, maybe there was an easy footwork fix for both, but having just OK size/length/measureables didn't hurt.

Reuben Bain is similar in that regard, but he's rumored to be a little shorter armed, a little heavier (and stronger), and even less athletic than those other two are.

At some point the lack of athleticism to setup the power just kills them in the Pro game. Clellin Ferrell is an example of a powerful edge in college, and he even had good arm length. Maybe Bain is more like Verse and less like Ferrell?

 

[skinsinparadise]

I know I need to rethink how I scout Edge players, because I've had some misses in the past. Jared Verse and Will Anderson are too similar profiles that I did not think would be as good in the Pros as they are. I thought both only exhibited power when they got everything setup in their favor which wasn't as often as I liked. I thought they lacked the raw athleticism to setup their go-to move as often as advertised. Yet, in the Pros this seems to be happening for them more often than it did in college. I didn't expect that. Whatever the case happened to be, maybe there was an easy footwork fix for both, but having just OK size/length/measureables didn't hurt.

Reuben Bain is similar in that regard, but he's rumored to be a little shorter armed, a little heavier (and stronger), and even less athletic than those other two are.

At some point the lack of athleticism to setup the power just kills them in the Pro game. Clellin Ferrell is an example of a powerful edge in college, and he even had good arm length. Maybe Bain is more like Verse and less like Ferrell?

Bain has really good bend, an array of pass rushing moves and a heck of a motor. His production is meh though its getting better as the season goes on, But those short arms really makes me wonder as to beating tackles in the NFL.

Am surprised his teammate, Mesidor, who I've talked about on this thread previously doesn't get more hype, PFf rates him as a 5th rounder, and I don't get it. He's a baller, and also a stud versus the run. He is an older prospect so might drop some for that reason.

And to your point about edges, yeah I too don't feel like I've developed a way that I trust to evaluate that spot. I've had more misses than other spots. Among others I recall watching Keion White and thinking how can this guy miss with his size and motor. Actually in some ways Bain remains me of college Keion White so its part of my pause.

I've been ok later in the draft -- Yaya Diaby was one of my favs, ditto N. Herbig.

 

[skinsinparadise]

I think the greater issue with Ryan Anderson was that he was a bad athlete. I remember him having a crappy RAS. Agreed though that short arms do limit ceiling

Yeah it wasn't his only limitation but it was part of the soup.

I should have trusted my initial impression on him. I was out on him. But then all the articles came out about his intensity and leadership and once it was clear the team was interested, I talked myself into him. lol, did the same with Gandy-Golden. I need to learn to stick with my initial impressions and not care whether this team shows interest or not.

 

[Bulldog]

Part of the reason the comparisons look so poor for Washington is the entire draft class after Jayden Daniels has become one big question mark:

Johnny Newton - #2 pick who is now a rotation DT on a defense not ranked in the top 20.

Ben Sinnott - another #2 - this guy has seen such limited time in 2 years at TE there is no way you can reach any conclusion other than he is not trusted by coaches to execute the plays at this level.

Brandon Coleman - #3 - Coleman went from rookie starter at LT to a guy that lasted THREE WEEKS at OG before going to the bench. He hasn't been moved back to OT on the depth chart and he has been outplayed at OG by Chris Paul. That's problematic as Paul at 26 is likely to be resigned by Washington now and with Sam Cosmi signed long-term at the RG spot that doesn't exactly portend great things for him here in DC.

Luke McCaffrey - #3 - usually you want your #3 picks to be more than effective special teams players and I think it is pretty obvious that Washington reached a bit for a player that was still transitioning to WR. McCaffrey seems to have an NFL toolkit but it is much more in the mode of a Taysom Hill or another Swiss Army Knife type that can catch the occasional long pass or use his height to make a first down catch in traffic but he doesn't look like a regular NFL starter in the making.

Just remember how Terry McLaurin came in as a #3 pick from Ohio State and was able to get on the field as a regular contributor and starter within a reasonable time.

Of the other picks Magee came in with a good rep but has been mediocre. Hampton was cut. Baptiste showed some pass rush ability but is now on IR for the season.

The one player that played well that first year and looked to be a hit was Mike Sainristil. His play has regressed in 2025. In this case it may be a combination of Whitt's misuse of personnel and the scheme. It appears to me that Mike CAN be an outside corner in the NFL if he were put in that role and allowed to grow. Whitt seemed to have decided where he was going to play regardless of the production.

 

[skinsinparadise]

Part of the reason the comparisons look so poor for Washington is the entire draft class after Jayden Daniels has become one big question mark:

Johnny Newton - #2 pick who is now a rotation DT on a defense not ranked in the top 20.

Ben Sinnott - another #2 - this guy has seen such limited time in 2 years at TE there is no way you can reach any conclusion other than he is not trusted by coaches to execute the plays at this level.

Brandon Coleman - #3 - Coleman went from rookie starter at LT to a guy that lasted THREE WEEKS at OG before going to the bench. He hasn't been moved back to OT on the depth chart and he has been outplayed at OG by Chris Paul. That's problematic as Paul at 26 is likely to be resigned by Washington now and with Sam Cosmi signed long-term at the RG spot that doesn't exactly portend great things for him here in DC.

Luke McCaffrey - #3 - usually you want your #3 picks to be more than effective special teams players and I think it is pretty obvious that Washington reached a bit for a player that was still transitioning to WR. McCaffrey seems to have an NFL toolkit but it is much more in the mode of a Taysom Hill or another Swiss Army Knife type that can catch the occasional long pass or use his height to make a first down catch in traffic but he doesn't look like a regular NFL starter in the making.

Just remember how Terry McLaurin came in as a #3 pick from Ohio State and was able to get on the field as a regular contributor and starter within a reasonable time.

Of the other picks Magee came in with a good rep but has been mediocre. Hampton was cut. Baptiste showed some pass rush ability but is now on IR for the season.

The one player that played well that first year and looked to be a hit was Mike Sainristil. His play has regressed in 2025. In this case it may be a combination of Whitt's misuse of personnel and the scheme. It appears to me that Mike CAN be an outside corner in the NFL if he were put in that role and allowed to grow. Whitt seemed to have decided where he was going to play regardless of the production.

The 2nd round picks are off to a bad start no doubt.

3rd round is pretty good. If I recall its about a 66% bust rate in the third round. For every Terry in the third round, you got a Geron Christian, Fabian Moreau, S. Charles, Matt Jones. Terry is one of the best 3rd round picks in the team's history versus a common hit in that round.

If you get a good swing tackle in the 3rd round, that's a good pick. McCaffrey was leading the league in kick returns, and was improving as a WR, good blocker, for the 100th pick in the draft -- just short of the 4th round its a good pick,

5th round pick Jordan Magee is emerging as a good player.

Jean-Bapitise for a 7th rounder is a good pick.

The bad aspect of that draft is looking to be Sinnott and J. Newton. Peters shouldn't have traded back.

lol, when has a trade back worked for this team? Trading back to pass on JJ Watt. To get T. Murphy and change instead of D. Lawrence. To get Crowder instead of T. Lockett. To get Dotson and change instead of Olave or K. Hamilton. And to get Sainristil and change instead of Cooper Dejean.

 

[BayouBrave86]

ghosts are very good at sneaking through a secondary

Lol I have no idea how he has a third round grade. He has 12 catches on the year. Two players on the LSU secondary would love the Skins to take a shot on. Mansoor is the best CB in the draft and AJ Haulcy at safety. Mansoor will go in the first round though. AJ likely goes in the second round but maybe slips to the third. Both absolute beasts.

 

[Gooseneck]

Lol I have no idea how he has a third round grade. He has 12 catches on the year. Two players on the LSU secondary would love the Skins to take a shot on. Mansoor is the best CB in the draft and AJ Haulcy at safety. Mansoor will go in the first round though. AJ likely goes in the second round but maybe slips to the third. Both absolute beasts.

I think it was based on what he did 2 years ago; I just used Pff highest rated WR at that spot

 

[philibusters]

Bain has really good bend, an array of pass rushing moves and a heck of a motor. His production is meh though its getting better as the season goes on, But those short arms really makes me wonder as to beating tackles in the NFL.

Am surprised his teammate, Mesidor, who I've talked about on this thread previously doesn't get more hype, PFf rates him as a 5th rounder, and I don't get it. He's a baller, and also a stud versus the run. He is an older prospect so might drop some for that reason.

And to your point about edges, yeah I too don't feel like I've developed a way that I trust to evaluate that spot. I've had more misses than other spots. Among others I recall watching Keion White and thinking how can this guy miss with his size and motor. Actually in some ways Bain remains me of college Keion White so its part of my pause.

I've been ok later in the draft -- Yaya Diaby was one of my favs, ditto N. Herbig.

I think it depends on how you define productin. Bain's sack production has gone up of late. However, I kind of consider pressures the better metric of production because there is just so much luck and variability involved in turning pressures into sacks and Bain had a three week stretch early in the season against USF, Cal, and Florida St wehre he had 24 pressures (but only had .5 sacks in those 3 games)