The 2026 Draft Thread

[Conn]

Why? EDGE and WR have close to equal positional value. I don’t think this team has had an elite edge rusher since Dexter Manley

Aiyuk + Bailey would be 2 awesome offseason pillar moves

I want them to sign Aiyuk if it makes sense. He is not remotely a “pillar move”.

 

[skinsinparadise]

When am listening to a national show talk about how Baker Mayfield isn't the same this year because of missing Mike Evans it really brings it home to me considering Tampa has a zillion weapons.

Chris Godwin, Evans.

Shepard, veteran backup. Tez Johnson, drafted this year and playing well of late.

They drafted McMillan who looked good the season before. So they got 3 good WRs. And what do they do? They draft Egbuka in the first round and take Tez in the mid rounds.

Load your guys with weapons. This WR crew is a joke compared to Tampa as to starting lineup and depth -- and we got talk that Baker lol isn't the same guy without Evans? Try throwing to Chris Moore and Robbie Chosen. And heck the #2 WR here Noah Brown who can't stay healthy would probably be the 6th guy at Tampa.

 

[skinsinparadise]

I want them to sign Aiyuk if it makes sense. He is not remotely a “pillar move”.

Signing Aiyuk I doubt woulld be costly, I'd guess a one year prove it deal. And it wouldn't stop them nor it should to add more at WR.

 

[Bulldog]

Aiyuk is a team cancer in SF.

With the fragile balance here he’s the last voice we need in the locker room.

I am hoping the team is moving on from money me players like Payne not adding more.

 

[skinsinparadise]

Aiyuk is a team cancer in SF.

With the fragile balance here he’s the last voice we need in the locker room.

I am hoping the team is moving on from money me players like Payne not adding more.

From the SF reporters I've listened to, Aiyuk is liked in the locker room and generally is a quiet dude. But regardless, I am not sweating that part of this. I don't know. You don't know. As for who he is as a dude. Peters would know so I trust that part one way or another. If the GM didn't draft the player and know him, I'd be concerned about doing homework on this. But Peters would know for better or worse as to Aiyuk.

 

[Always Commander Never Captain]

Watched some Bailey tape. I don't love him Top 5. But he's definitely a 1st round grade, Top 15 sure. Top 5 I'd have to see his combine. I suspect he'll test/measure well. He does a lot of things good but not quite that rarified elite. Like burst/bend/etc isn't elite. But it's still good. He's got other moves too that help setup each other. Speed, speed to power, inside spin, outside spin. I wish he had another inside move but maybe I'm just being too picky. I don't think he makes it to say Pick 20. He's Teens or higher.

P.S. I must have been 2021 with Jamin Davis when there were no trade offers. 2022 we traded down and still had multiple offers for another trade down. 2023, I believe we also had multiple offers for a trade down but stayed put.

 

[method man]

I want them to sign Aiyuk if it makes sense. He is not remotely a “pillar move”.

A "pillar move" for specifically next season. He is looking at a 1 year deal. On an AAV basis, he is going to be up there vs. other options in FA so, from that standpoint, it would be a core move similar to how Kinlaw was our "pillar move" in FA last offseason

 

[method man]

Watched some Bailey tape. I don't love him Top 5. But he's definitely a 1st round grade, Top 15 sure. Top 5 I'd have to see his combine. I suspect he'll test/measure well. He does a lot of things good but not quite that rarified elite. Like burst/bend/etc isn't elite. But it's still good. He's got other moves too that help setup each other. Speed, speed to power, inside spin, outside spin. I wish he had another inside move but maybe I'm just being too picky. I don't think he makes it to say Pick 20. He's Teens or higher.

P.S. I must have been 2021 with Jamin Davis when there were no trade offers. 2022 we traded down and still had multiple offers for another trade down. 2023, I believe we also had multiple offers for a trade down but stayed put.

I'm guessing your top 5 grade is based on "Is this guy a Myles Garrett / TJ Watt / Aidan Hutchinson type of prospect?"

That he isn't. However, given the lack of that type of player at any of the 4 premium positions (QB / WR / EDGE / LT) (maybe Reese?), where does that put him specifically in this draft?

If I compare him to the EDGEs from last year's class, he feels to me like a juiced up version of Ezeiruaku. Better size, better athleticism and better production through his college career. He would've probably been a 2nd round pick last year and, with the season he has had, he feels to me like a better prospect than Mykel Williams, Jalon Walker and Shemar Stewart.

I think a range of #5-#10 in this class is acceptable for him.

 

[skinsinparadise]

Grant Paulsen said he talked to somone he trusts in the league who told him this draft might be a hard one to have takers to trade back

 

[skinsinparadise]

I'm guessing your top 5 grade is based on "Is this guy a Myles Garrett / TJ Watt / Aidan Hutchinson type of prospect?"

That he isn't. However, given the lack of that type of player at any of the 4 premium positions (QB / WR / EDGE / LT) (maybe Reese?), where does that put him specifically in this draft?

If I compare him to the EDGEs from last year's class, he feels to me like a juiced up version of Ezeiruaku. Better size, better athleticism and better production through his college career. He would've probably been a 2nd round pick last year and, with the season he has had, he feels to me like a better prospect than Mykel Williams, Jalon Walker and Shemar Stewart.

I think a range of #5-#10 in this class is acceptable for him.

A rich mans James Pierce who is having a good season.

 

[method man]

A rich mans James Pierce who is having a good season.

I thought about that comp a bit, espeically from an athleticism standpoint, but Pearce didn't seem to have the repertoire of moves and technical sophistication to his game.

 

[method man]

Grant Paulsen said he talked to somone he trusts in the league who told him this draft might be a hard one to have takers to trade back

I buy this. The only non QB that might garner real trade down interest is Reese. There isn't a Will Anderson or Travis Hunter type of prospect that would get a GM real psyched about trading a haul for

 

[skinsinparadise]

I thought about that comp a bit, espeically from an athleticism standpoint, but Pearce didn't seem to have the repertoire of moves and technical sophistication to his game.

More from the stand point of being a fast speed rusher at a similar size

 

[Always Commander Never Captain]

I'm guessing your top 5 grade is based on "Is this guy a Myles Garrett / TJ Watt / Aidan Hutchinson type of prospect?"

That he isn't. However, given the lack of that type of player at any of the 4 premium positions (QB / WR / EDGE / LT) (maybe Reese?), where does that put him specifically in this draft?

If I compare him to the EDGEs from last year's class, he feels to me like a juiced up version of Ezeiruaku. Better size, better athleticism and better production through his college career. He would've probably been a 2nd round pick last year and, with the season he has had, he feels to me like a better prospect than Mykel Williams, Jalon Walker and Shemar Stewart.

I think a range of #5-#10 in this class is acceptable for him.

Yup, that was a general Top 5 in a vacuum. I also really like the comp for a juiced up Ezeiruaku. Looks bigger on tape, looks to have more power on tape, has a bit better spin move, but burst/bend seem similar. So sometimes the rest of Bailey's skills make his good (but not great) burst/bend play up.

 

[Gooseneck]

 

[skinsinparadise]

James Pierce with another sack last night, he now as 7, and has a sack in 6 games in a row.

Just thinking about his college tape in particular -- fast get off was IMO his driving force, good bend but nothing crazy -- fast, 4.47. Not hot against the run but I can live with that.

 

[skinsinparadise]

Romello who I havew talked about before, am guessing will be there in the early third (even though I see him in the first in some mocks). His get off looks similar to Bailey. He's more undersize though and likely just a pure 3rd down rusher.

 

[SkinsNumberOne]

Not specifically about the players because you guys know so much more about them and it is great reading so thanks—
But one thing that has frustrated me all year is the nagging feeling that AP did not go BPA in the first this year. I thought it is basic draft science for the smart GMs which I also thought AP was.

I can’t get my head around it. Campbell was - I thought- consensus first rounder, and Josh was not, especially not early/mid. So BPA was clear. Eagles wanted that trade because the value dynamic was there. It made sense. So the double whammy was not trading down (when you knew or should have known this guy you wanted wasn’t consensus at that spot) or not getting BPA.

I guess Campbell had an injury, maybe that is why. So maybe AP has a heavier devalue on injuries but if so, can’t figure Newton since his was worse.

I like Connerly personality and think he has talent, but I feel like it is relatively proven that BPA builds winners more consistently. I can’t shake the feeling that either AP made a single mistake here or his philosophy is broken. I am pretty worried it could be the latter because of other moves (like the Dejean move).

 

[skinsinparadise]

Not specifically about the players because you guys know so much more about them and it is great reading so thanks—
But one thing that has frustrated me all year is the nagging feeling that AP did not go BPA in the first this year. I thought it is basic draft science for the smart GMs which I also thought AP was.

I can’t get my head around it. Campbell was - I thought- consensus first rounder, and Josh was not, especially not early/mid. So BPA was clear. Eagles wanted that trade because the value dynamic was there. It made sense. So the double whammy was not trading down (when you knew or should have known this guy you wanted wasn’t consensus at that spot) or not getting BPA.

I guess Campbell had an injury, maybe that is why. So maybe AP has a heavier devalue on injuries but if so, can’t figure Newton since his was worse.

I like Connerly personality and think he has talent, but I feel like it is relatively proven that BPA builds winners more consistently. I can’t shake the feeling that either AP made a single mistake here or his philosophy is broken. I am pretty worried it could be the latter because of other moves (like the Dejean move).

Conerly to me is looking good. Gave up 4 sacks early -- first two games and then has settled down over time. He is learning a new spot, many O lineman have said its not easy to switch from left to right or vice versa. He just turned 22 and works his ass off supposedly, high intangibles.

As to Campbell. the Eagles already have a great O line they can afford to take a less premium position like LB, heck he doesn't even play a lot so they have the luxury to do that, too. Roseman ironically was mic'd up during the draft and said "great pick" when Washington took Conerly. The Eagles spent some time with Conerly including bring him in for one of their pro visits at their facility.

As Kiper said the other day, good teams have good O lines. And he was in the first in most mocks I saw. The PFF guys talked about it, saying he went around where they thought he would.

O line-tackle isn't an easy position to land good prospects later in the draft at least not in recent years they tend to go early.

 

[Always Commander Never Captain]

James Pierce with another sack last night, he now as 7, and has a sack in 6 games in a row.

Just thinking about his college tape in particular -- fast get off was IMO his driving force, good bend but nothing crazy -- fast, 4.47. Not hot against the run but I can live with that.

He's playing much harder now than he did in college. Effort and gritty play is through the roof for him. He doesn't quite have the size to bang like he's doing, but he's putting his hat in there and it's making things happen.

A lot of his plays though are motor + 2nd effort, which is great. Someone needs to clean up plays. But his draft flaws are still there. I'll actually say his bend isn't good, it's just average. He can be steered around the pocket pretty easily with his speed rush. Some of his sacks are from QB's (like his one on Bryce Young) scrambling against other pressure straight into the path the OT is steering Pearce. A nice surprise is a new spin move used by Pearce this season, which I can't really recall as a draft prospect but I may be mistaken.

We would still love him on our team, especially if his high motor is now who he actually is (his motor was a bit hot and cold in college). He'd instantly be our best pass rusher, but that is such a low bar to clear. I still don't think he's got the talent to be what the pass rush is built around. I think he's a great complimentary piece to another.