2026 NFL Draft General Discussion

[rossihunter2]

I would always prefer a guard who offers more in the run game than he does, but with the state of our roster, if we can’t address the iOL in FA, then I’d be absolutely satisfied with him at 14. It’s just one of those years where I’d be okay with putting needs first so long as that need is OL, and what he would offer in protecting our franchise qb I could justify at 14.

My personal opinion is that protecting your qb is so important that the value scale can shift heavily, guards aren’t highly valued in the draft but when your G tandem is shit then suddenly you see how much value they bring and you should address it.

we so rarely get to pick at 14
would be a shame to pass up an opportunity to get either a blue-chip talent or a high-end talent at a high value position

 

[rossihunter2]

Yeah I’m not convinced Tate is strictly a vertical threat, I just think that’s where OSU felt he paid the biggest dividends to the scoreboard and so they called their offense accordingly

i dont think he's necessarily limited in that way
just got more proof of concept with tyson than tate

 

[rossihunter2]

God I hate this so bad. You’re right. But I fucking hate it. Another safety would feel so trash.

if they dont pick starks last year i think people would be all over this downs pick
if you view hamilton as a jalen ramsey type player (and don't think of him as a safety) then it's a lot easier to swallow another high pick at safety (especially because downs isn't just a single-high type guy either)

but starks then downs feels tough to stomach

we're in an elite position on the backend where everyone in the NFL is hunting for an impact nickel like Emmanwori and Derwin James - and we've got the best one in the league in Hamilton

so feels like lots of teams are going to be really high on Downs but also Emmanuel Mcneill-Warren as those potential big nickel game-changers for your defence

 

[Grim]

if they dont pick starks last year i think people would be all over this downs pick
if you view hamilton as a jalen ramsey type player (and don't think of him as a safety) then it's a lot easier to swallow another high pick at safety (especially because downs isn't just a single-high type guy either)

but starks then downs feels tough to stomach

we're in an elite position on the backend where everyone in the NFL is hunting for an impact nickel like Emmanwori and Derwin James - and we've got the best one in the league in Hamilton

so feels like lots of teams are going to be really high on Downs but also Emmanuel Mcneill-Warren as those potential big nickel game-changers for your defence

Yeah I think you nailed it. If we didn’t draft Starks last year and didn’t go S in the first we’d feel very different about it.

 

[JoeyFlex5]

we so rarely get to pick at 14
would be a shame to pass up an opportunity to get either a blue-chip talent or a high-end talent at a high value position

Just not sure we’re gonna see either at 14 that’s enough of a slam dunk to pass up. Like there could be someone there but I’m not so sure any of the cbs or WRs at 14 are guys I’d value much more than ioane and I seriously doubt there’s gonna be a pass rusher there.

if they dont pick starks last year i think people would be all over this downs pick
if you view hamilton as a jalen ramsey type player (and don't think of him as a safety) then it's a lot easier to swallow another high pick at safety (especially because downs isn't just a single-high type guy either)

but starks then downs feels tough to stomach

we're in an elite position on the backend where everyone in the NFL is hunting for an impact nickel like Emmanwori and Derwin James - and we've got the best one in the league in Hamilton

so feels like lots of teams are going to be really high on Downs but also Emmanuel Mcneill-Warren as those potential big nickel game-changers for your defence

Oh I fully understand why downs would make sense and why he would work out here, and why it would almost certainly be a good pick, there’s definitely a place for him here, but yeah after starks id still just hate it lol

 

[Deebo813]

I would always prefer a guard who offers more in the run game than he does, but with the state of our roster, if we can’t address the iOL in FA, then I’d be absolutely satisfied with him at 14. It’s just one of those years where I’d be okay with putting needs first so long as that need is OL, and what he would offer in protecting our franchise qb I could justify at 14.

My personal opinion is that protecting your qb is so important that the value scale can shift heavily, guards aren’t highly valued in the draft but when your G tandem is shit then suddenly you see how much value they bring and you should address it.

Idk if he nice or not but if he dnt got all pro potential, leave his ass there

 

[Deebo813]

Yeah I think you nailed it. If we didn’t draft Starks last year and didn’t go S in the first we’d feel very different about it.

Trade starks?

 

[rossihunter2]

Idk if he nice or not but if he dnt got all pro potential, leave his ass there

this is where im at

and im not sure ioane is that guy

 

[JAAM]

this is where im at

and im not sure ioane is that guy

What if a blue chip guy isn’t available at 14 though? Trade down?

 

[Grim]

What if a blue chip guy isn’t available at 14 though? Trade down?

Demand an NFL Draft redo or rage quit and reboot.

 

[Dom McRaven]

Demand an NFL Draft redo or rage quit and reboot.

And then make the Fire EDC thread active...........once more.

 

[rossihunter2]

What if a blue chip guy isn’t available at 14 though? Trade down?

BPA

 

[JoeyFlex5]

BPA

And this is where I have an issue. BPA doesn’t always mean the best player, if that was the case then every draft would go in order from 1-32 of successful outcomes, and we would never have any busts in our history. using this method ignoring dire needs is how you end up with our OL situation.

If there’s no blue chip players at 14, but you have a wr or safety or LB say 6 spots ahead of ioane, and you don’t consider them blue chips, then take ioane, he doesn’t appear to be an all pro caliber guard but he does appear to be a quality starter and a safe bet. Shore up the OL, pass pro from a G when you had no pass pro from either, is a massive net gain for the entire offense. Unless we take the “bpa” prospect and he not only lives up to that billing, but exceeds it and overachieves, then it’s gonna be a net loss in comparison to getting a quality starter at G, because you can’t have your franchise qb in the situation he’s in, it’s a losing formula with long term disaster written all over it, he won’t sign the extension, he’ll be disgruntled, he’ll want out because he doesn’t wanna get injured on this dysfunctional offense.

There is absolutely a point where you need to shift your strategy and that point came yesterday. Strictly BPA is a losing formula once you have the core of your roster intact and the OL is in shambles

 

[rossihunter2]

And this is where I have an issue. BPA doesn’t always mean the best player, if that was the case then every draft would go in order from 1-32 of successful outcomes, and we would never have any busts in our history. using this method ignoring dire needs is how you end up with our OL situation.

If there’s no blue chip players at 14, but you have a wr or safety or LB say 6 spots ahead of ioane, and you don’t consider them blue chips, then take ioane, he doesn’t appear to be an all pro caliber guard but he does appear to be a quality starter and a safe bet. Shore up the OL, pass pro from a G when you had no pass pro from either, is a massive net gain for the entire offense. Unless we take the “bpa” prospect and he not only lives up to that billing, but exceeds it and overachieves, then it’s gonna be a net loss in comparison to getting a quality starter at G, because you can’t have your franchise qb in the situation he’s in, it’s a losing formula with long term disaster written all over it, he won’t sign the extension, he’ll be disgruntled, he’ll want out because he doesn’t wanna get injured on this dysfunctional offense.

There is absolutely a point where you need to shift your strategy and that point came yesterday. Strictly BPA is a losing formula once you have the core of your roster intact and the OL is in shambles

6 spots at 14 is a wild difference in stacking your board and in potential calibre of player
if that's going to be your strategy you might as well just draft 12 OL and forget about scouting other positions

and BPA still takes into account positional value and need - it just doesnt hold the team-building strategy hostage

also wild talking about positional value and then mentioning guard over WR

 

[JoeyFlex5]

6 spots at 14 is a wild difference in stacking your board and in potential calibre of player
if that's going to be your strategy you might as well just draft 12 OL and forget about scouting other positions

and BPA still takes into account positional value and need - it just doesnt hold the team-building strategy hostage

also wild talking about positional value and then mentioning guard over WR

We have 2 first round WRs and one on his 2nd contract already with minimal investment on OL. Can’t keep adding to one room that frankly isn’t even used that well while ignoring the most important room on the offense

And the draft 12 OL is hyperbole and you know it.

And if we’re talking about adding a LB or a WR2 then yeah I don’t mind 6 spots because based on the history of how much a crapshoot the draft is, it’s all arbitrary shit anyway, most boards might have tj parker or keldric Faulk above r Mason Thomas but I’d be much happier with the latter

 

[rossihunter2]

We have 2 first round WRs and one on his 2nd contract already with minimal investment on OL. Can’t keep adding to one room that frankly isn’t even used that well while ignoring the most important room on the offense

And the draft 12 OL is hyperbole and you know it.

And if we’re talking about adding a LB or a WR2 then yeah I don’t mind 6 spots because based on the history of how much a crapshoot the draft is, it’s all arbitrary shit anyway, most boards might have tj parker or keldric Faulk above r Mason Thomas but I’d be much happier with the latter

why does it have to be the 14th pick?
there are other picks available and interior OL has the best hit rate of all positions on day 2 and this class has IOL options on day 2

if you love Vega and you've got a big grade on him just say you love Vega and don't justify it with positional value and bemoaning BPA or whatever

but i dont get this idea that we HAVE to draft Olaivavega Ioane at 14 just because our OGs sucked last year

 

[Grim]

And this is where I have an issue. BPA doesn’t always mean the best player, if that was the case then every draft would go in order from 1-32 of successful outcomes, and we would never have any busts in our history. using this method ignoring dire needs is how you end up with our OL situation.

If there’s no blue chip players at 14, but you have a wr or safety or LB say 6 spots ahead of ioane, and you don’t consider them blue chips, then take ioane, he doesn’t appear to be an all pro caliber guard but he does appear to be a quality starter and a safe bet. Shore up the OL, pass pro from a G when you had no pass pro from either, is a massive net gain for the entire offense. Unless we take the “bpa” prospect and he not only lives up to that billing, but exceeds it and overachieves, then it’s gonna be a net loss in comparison to getting a quality starter at G, because you can’t have your franchise qb in the situation he’s in, it’s a losing formula with long term disaster written all over it, he won’t sign the extension, he’ll be disgruntled, he’ll want out because he doesn’t wanna get injured on this dysfunctional offense.

There is absolutely a point where you need to shift your strategy and that point came yesterday. Strictly BPA is a losing formula once you have the core of your roster intact and the OL is in shambles

6 spots at 14 is a wild difference in stacking your board and in potential calibre of player
if that's going to be your strategy you might as well just draft 12 OL and forget about scouting other positions

and BPA still takes into account positional value and need - it just doesnt hold the team-building strategy hostage

also wild talking about positional value and then mentioning guard over WR

Yeah so I’m going to hard disagree here.

If Tyson or Lemon is there and Ioane is there (unless something drastically changes for me between now and the Draft) I’m easily taking Tyson or Lemon ahead of Ioane. I think Ioane is good but he’s not a 14th pick good to me. It’s not even a question. He isn’t that elite of a G prospect and I’m also generally not a fan of drafting a G that high. There are very guys who ever worked out there. Scherff, Nelson and Martin are the only guys who ever really worked out like that and Nelson and Martin were kinda rare specimens. Scherff kinda sorta did. I don’t think Ioane is the prospect that any of them were

 

[JoeyFlex5]

why does it have to be the 14th pick?
there are other picks available and interior OL has the best hit rate of all positions on day 2 and this class has IOL options on day 2

if you love Vega and you've got a big grade on him just say you love Vega and don't justify it with positional value and bemoaning BPA or whatever

but i dont get this idea that we HAVE to draft Olaivavega Ioane at 14 just because our OGs sucked last year

I don’t love him as a blue chip prospect or anything and don’t have a huge grade on him, but if we have a pack of mid first guys to choose from, and I definitely would have him in a pack of mid first guys, the need for G would tilt the scales to the point that I’d be very happy with the pick.

And for day 2, our need at G is so dire, that I’d take ioane at 14 and if there was a slam dunk iOL in the 2nd I’d jump on that one too and just retool the OL in one draft.

I’m not even trying to justify with positional value, I’m just trying to say that our need is so dire that we have put ourselves in a situation where, if we don’t address OL in FA, that we don’t have the luxury of BPA, we are past the point of BPA and if we were to take a goddamn Sonny styles or something and try to say “well he was the best player available” I’d be livid.

Now if we pass on an OL at 14 and land a day one quality starter at G in the 2nd then I’ll be the first to admit that I was wrong and talking outta my ass, but we see runs on iOL at the top of the 2nd often, if you go into the draft counting on the 45th pick to land a guard, you’re playing with fire and one that could burn your season fast, you’re getting dangerously close to a disgruntled and/or injured Lamar if we don’t find a quality starter to trot out there week one.

 

[Dom McRaven]

Now if we pass on an OL at 14 and land a day one quality starter at G in the 2nd then I’ll be the first to admit that I was wrong and talking outta my ass, but we see runs on iOL at the top of the 2nd often, if you go into the draft counting on the 45th pick to land a guard, you’re playing with fire and one that could burn your season fast, you’re getting dangerously close to a disgruntled and/or injured Lamar if we don’t find a quality starter to trot out there week one.

And THIS right here? While I wouldn't be too upset with Lemon because I'd be excited with his potential, I'd be very worried about the availability of guards in Day 2 and 3. The run on OL is inevitable and I don't see any that's worth trading up for (maybe I'm wrong?).

Regardless, Ledford is gonna have his work cut out for him. I could see a scenario where Vorhees somehow leads the competition for the LG position and actually improves. Let me say on record: if this comes into fruition and Vorhees has an All-Pro season, I'm buying his jersey as soon as the season is over. Quote me on that.

 

[JoeyFlex5]

Yeah so I’m going to hard disagree here.

If Tyson or Lemon is there and Ioane is there (unless something drastically changes for me between now and the Draft) I’m easily taking Tyson or Lemon ahead of Ioane. I think Ioane is good but he’s not a 14th pick good to me. It’s not even a question. He isn’t that elite of a G prospect and I’m also generally not a fan of drafting a G that high. There are very guys who ever worked out there. Scherff, Nelson and Martin are the only guys who ever really worked out like that and Nelson and Martin were kinda rare specimens. Scherff kinda sorta did. I don’t think Ioane is the prospect that any of them were

That’s fine. I also like lemon and Tyson and wouldn’t hate if we took either.

I just feel like a lot of posters are a bit propagandized by EDC’s roster building methods and think that’s the only way, in reality I think you can approach the draft with a varied strategy and if you go in still desperately needing a G and there is a safe G prospect right there in your lap, there’s nothing wrong with taking him even if he’s not the best value.

And yall can say I have recency bias and that’s fine, I’ll admit that, but I’ll also counter with the opinion that not putting an OL in front of your franchise qb is literally the most irresponsible thing a GM can do aside from the Deshaun Watson contract