The 2026 Draft Thread

[Faithful Fan]

Look I expect/hope the Giants continue to suck because they are only 13 years into their 48 years of karmic backlash, BUT if I have to watch them take yet ANOTHER exciting WR while we take a pass rusher I am going to scream.

We sure have drafted a lot of defensive lineman in recent years, but we traded most of them away so it is a position of need again. Chase Young was doodoo, but I still don’t understand why we let Sweat and Allen go. It’s almost as bad as what Rivera did to the good offensive line he inherited.

For some reason the league has decided you may only pick QB, DE, and LT in the top 5 (okay, sometimes they throw in a CB or WR, but never at #1).

I guess those are key positions, but I would love a truly elite RB or safety. I don’t follow college ball well enough to know if there is a prospect at either of those positions worth a pick as high as ours is likely to be. Caleb Downs or Jeremiyah Love maybe?

 

[skinsinparadise]

 

[Riggo44]

why we let Sweat and Allen go.

Sweat signed a 4-year, $98m contract with the Bears, mid-20m cap hit. He's a nice player, not worth that, especially for when he signed it. We got similar production from Armstrong for less.

Allen signed for $55m in Minnesota, with a $21m cap hit next year.

 

[Faithful Fan]

Sweat signed a 4-year, $98m contract with the Bears, mid-20m cap hit. He's a nice player, not worth that, especially for when he signed it. Allen signed for $55m in Minnesota, with a $21m cap hit next year.

Don’t we have cap space? Maybe Jon Allen wasn’t worth it, but we could sure use Sweat’s production this year:

“In Sweat’s 13 appearances, he's up to 27 total tackles (11 solo), 13 quarterback hits, 12 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, five passes defensed, three forced fumbles, and one fumble recovered.”

Granted the salary cap is a mystery to me, and I think we did get a draft pick for him, but Sweat was a good player and now we are talking about spending a top pick on yet another DE.

 

[Riggo44]

Don’t we have cap space? Maybe Jon Allen wasn’t worth it, but we could sure use Sweat’s production this year:

“In Sweat’s 13 appearances, he's up to 27 total tackles (11 solo), 13 quarterback hits, 12 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, five passes defensed, three forced fumbles, and one fumble recovered.”

Granted the salary cap is a mystery to me, and I think we did get a draft pick for him, but Sweat was a good player and now we are talking about spending a top pick on yet another DE.

We traded him 2 years ago. You know who else we shouldn't have let go? Champ Bailey!

 

[Faithful Fan]

We traded him 2 years ago. You know who else we shouldn't have let go? Champ Bailey!

You’re probably right, but Clinton Portis was my fav.

Honestly looking at it, we haven’t spent a high pick on an edge since Chase Young, but it is just irritating to think we had four first round picks on the defensive line as recently as 2023 and yet it remains a position of need.

Also, this is the second time this week I’ve been rebuffed for bringing up the past on this board, what is that all about?

 

[RedWolf]

You’re probably right, but Clinton Portis was my fav.

Honestly looking at it, we haven’t spent a high pick on an edge since Chase Young, but it is just irritating to think we had four first round picks on the defensive line as recently as 2023 and yet it remains a position of need.

Also, this is the second time this week I’ve been rebuffed for bringing up the past on this board, what is that all about?

It's all good bro...we are all scarred in one way or another. We can't change yesterday we can only change tomorrow and our future

 

[skinsinparadise]

The defense sucked the year when Sweat and Chase were traded as for the four first round pick D lineman and overall they were up and down over time, more down than up with those guys -- so I get why they traded them for draft capital.

It came out later that Jonathan Allen wasn't the easiest guy to deal with in the locker room and not the most coachable guy. There were also issues with Chase in that department.

 

[DWinzit]

The defense sucked the year when Sweat and Chase were traded as for the four first round pick D lineman and overall they were up and down over time, more down than up with those guys -- so I get why they traded them for draft capital.

It came out later that Jonathan Allen wasn't the easiest guy to deal with in the locker room and not the most coachable guy. There were also issues with Chase in that department.

I hadn't realized how difficult Allen had been. Why was made out to be "the man" of our defense and Terry "the man" of our offense. True team leaders and captains. It sure feels like they were the wrong players to hitch their wagons to. I was happy they got rid of Chase, I never wanted him and never lived up to any expectations hung on him. I was always a Sweat fan but could have gone either way with him when they let him go

One thing is for sure, we need players that can apply pressure

 

[skinsinparadise]

I hadn't realized how difficult Allen had been. Why was made out to be "the man" of our defense and Terry "the man" of our offense. True team leaders and captains. It sure feels like they were the wrong players to hitch their wagons to. I was happy they got rid of Chase, I never wanted him and never lived up to any expectations hung on him. I was always a Sweat fan but could have gone either way with him when they let him go

One thing is for sure, we need players that can apply pressure

lol, i wanted Chase badly. I was wrong albiet he's coming on some this season. Yeah Hoffman-Logan got into it some on a podcast about Jonathan Allen about him being a pain in the ass to coaching staffs and not in a lovable way.

Absolutely we need edge-pressure. I'd put that as our #1 need. I don't think we need a ton at Wr after this season -- as much as I've whined about the depth at WR I think by osmosis it might be coming together if Burks evolves as a good backup. I don't mind Noah as a backup, not our starter. McCaffrey was improving preinjury. What I want is a star Z WR, a dude who rivals Terry as an impact player.

I am guessing they won't shell out the money for Pierce. He's been killing it down the stretch and my comps to Slayton weeks ago no longer hold up, he's better than that, and wouldn't surprise me if he gets like 25 million. He was one of my favs on the ES draft thread and a regular there really disgreed with me vehmently about him -- lol, it took awhile but he's finally putting it together. Jacobi Meyers is killing it in Jax so assume they don't let him go. Doubs? lol, another late bloomer who I liked predraft but took forever to put it together is Wandale Robinson but he's more slot.

I wonder though about slot? If Deebo stays he's the main guy there. But if not do we trust Lane or McCaffrey? I trust them as backups but not as starters just yet.

If its the draft, its a loaded spot. But I don't trust Peters to get one -- and I mean that as a complement in a sense. He seems more BPA than need driven. So I don't like leaving needs to the draft. Remember last year we thought they hade to go edge considering the need and how the draft was loaded at that spot, and they didn't take anyone.

So for me right now my three favs remain: Tate, Love, Downs.

 

[skinsinparadise]

This game coming up against NY is big. If NY loses and loses out and they end up with the #1 pick its going to set them up maybe for years because some team will give them a haul for it.

We have a legit shot if they lose out to go to #2, maybe even #1. And now it looks like Moore might come out. Weeks ago draftnicks were saying they hear he won't. But now they are hearing he might. We could get a haul for the #2 pick if so. If they end up #3 and Quinn is convinced as some draftniks are Reese is the closest thing to Parsons since Parsons came out in the draft, that could be fun.

Basically Vegas and the Titans and the Giants likely have a stronger strength of schedule than Washington. Browns and Saints do not meaning we likely lose the tie breakers to them.

Raiders play: Eagles, Texans, Giants, Chiefs.
Browns: Bears, Bills, Steelers, Bengals
Titans: SF, Chiefs, Saints, Jax
Saints: Carolina, Jets, Titans, Atlanta.

If Washington loses out it should leapfrog NY so that brings them to #5. I can't see the Saints losing out so that likely gets them at least to #4.

The other teams I feel are 50-50 as to them losing out. So lets say 1 of them wins and the other twe lose out. That likely puts them at #3.

Ideally, what you want as to draft position is to lose to NY but NY loses to the Raiders. You want the Saints to win a game but you want them to lose to the Titans.

so lol the tankathon bowl games to my quick look is

NY over Washington
Raiders over NY
Titans over the Saints

if that happens if my math is right they have a decent shot at the #1 pick. And we want the division to flail down the stretch to help our SOS

 

[Riggo44]

Tate, Love, Downs

Bailey fourth? I hate drafting for need, and one of my pet peeves in draft discussions is the "draft X position NO MATTER WHAT!" but Bailey would be very enticing. I think he's my #1 edge

 

[Chris]

So if Washington loses out (considering the current SOS metric) we need Las Vegas, Tennessee, Cleveland, and New Orleans to win 1 game each and we get the #1 pick.

 

[skinsinparadise]

So if Washington loses out (considering the current SOS metric) we need Las Vegas, Tennessee, Cleveland, and New Orleans to win 1 game each and we get the #1 pick.

I think so. There is a shot that the Browns and Saints SOS leapfrogs Washington. Their SOS is weaker right now but now a mile off of Washingtons.

So we'd want the teams in the East to keep losing. I feel mixed about it because I don't want the Giants to have a higher pick. I think it would be tough for the Saints to lose out. There is a shot that the Browns do so in that case we should root for the Steelers, Ravens and Cincy to finish strong.

 

[skinsinparadise]

Bailey fourth? I hate drafting for need, and one of my pet peeves in draft discussions is the "draft X position NO MATTER WHAT!" but Bailey would be very enticing. I think he's my #1 edge

Maybe. Still digesting that. If they love Bailey, the position value warrants him over Love and Downs.

If they are in range of Reese that will be fascinating because of all the Parsons comps whether they are deserved or not. He's a really unique player.

 

[Chris]

I think so. There is a shot that the Browns and Saints SOS leapfrogs Washington. Their SOS is weaker right now but now a mile off of Washingtons.

So we'd want the teams in the East to keep losing. I feel mixed about it because I don't want the Giants to have a higher pick. I think it would be tough for the Saints to lose out. There is a shot that the Browns do so in that case we should root for the Steelers, Ravens and Cincy to finish strong.

If the Giants win Sunday (hence Washington losing out) that takes them off the board, I see no way that they drop enough the rest of the way in SOS to threaten.

 

[DWinzit]

lol, i wanted Chase badly. I was wrong albiet he's coming on some this season. Yeah Hoffman-Logan got into it some on a podcast about Jonathan Allen about him being a pain in the ass to coaching staffs and not in a lovable way.

Absolutely we need edge-pressure. I'd put that as our #1 need. I don't think we need a ton at Wr after this season -- as much as I've whined about the depth at WR I think by osmosis it might be coming together if Burks evolves as a good backup. I don't mind Noah as a backup, not our starter. McCaffrey was improving preinjury. What I want is a star Z WR, a dude who rivals Terry as an impact player.

I am guessing they won't shell out the money for Pierce. He's been killing it down the stretch and my comps to Slayton weeks ago no longer hold up, he's better than that, and wouldn't surprise me if he gets like 25 million. He was one of my favs on the ES draft thread and a regular there really disgreed with me vehmently about him -- lol, it took awhile but he's finally putting it together. Jacobi Meyers is killing it in Jax so assume they don't let him go. Doubs? lol, another late bloomer who I liked predraft but took forever to put it together is Wandale Robinson but he's more slot.

I wonder though about slot? If Deebo stays he's the main guy there. But if not do we trust Lane or McCaffrey? I trust them as backups but not as starters just yet.

If its the draft, its a loaded spot. But I don't trust Peters to get one -- and I mean that as a complement in a sense. He seems more BPA than need driven. So I don't like leaving needs to the draft. Remember last year we thought they hade to go edge considering the need and how the draft was loaded at that spot, and they didn't take anyone.

So for me right now my three favs remain: Tate, Love, Downs.

I see them not addressing WR in FA for different reasons

• With Terry, Lane and Luke they return - Deebo, Noah and Burks thinking they are golden with these guys being healthy
• They are disappointed that all their FA WR targets resign with their current teams. (like what sucked when Slayton rejoined NYG just before tamper day)
• All their FAs targeted sign elsewhere
• I am going with a combo of bringing back most of the players in the first bullet and go after one FA that falls through.

In April I see them grabbing a day 2 or early day 3 WR. I think they go D (Edge) with at least the first pick. Especially this if they take that small trade back to gather picks.

Wondering your thoughts on Lemon if we needed a slot upgrade? He is a really exciting player. I almost wish we needed a slot because he could end up dropping and being a steal later in the 1st.

 

[DWinzit]

lol, i wanted Chase badly. I was wrong albiet he's coming on some this season. Yeah Hoffman-Logan got into it some on a podcast about Jonathan Allen about him being a pain in the ass to coaching staffs and not in a lovable way.

I wanted a trade down over Chase. The roster was a disaster and it gave us a great opportunity to truly build through the draft. There were numerous OT's, LB's, DBs and WR's I would have loved in the first couple rounds.
I was always one of the biggest Sweat fans. I was thrilled when they jumped back into the 1st to get him. I found it a very good value move, especially felt good due to what happened earlier that day.

 

[DogofWar1]

I will unapologetically bang the table for Tate or Tyson and while there are scenarios where I could be convinced of edge, my philosophy is basically the following.

 

[DWinzit]

I will unapologetically bang the table for Tate or Tyson and while there are scenarios where I could be convinced of edge, my philosophy is basically the following.

If they can nail the draft whatever direction they go is good.

They have built him what should be an excellent OL and he has some weapons but needs more. If they brought back all of the WRs healthy and brought in decent competition, I can see an argument that TE and RB could be more important

The defense is a mess, glued together with a bunch of one year contract FA's and a few players mixed in. They need a lot of help all over or they are not stopping anyone