2026 NFL Draft Thread

[Jason_R]

Yes, Detroit will take a tackle in round one.

Yes, Borom is capable of starting and providing an equivalent level of performance to what Decker provided last year.

No, Holmes is not saying he will start. No, Holmes is not obligated to reveal his plans to the press.

[Motown Bombers]

“Borom is not very good, and we certainly don’t want him starting, that’s why we are drafting a tackle in the first round.”

[Sports_Freak]

3 hours ago, Jason_R said:

Yes, Detroit will take a tackle in round one.

Yes, Borom is capable of starting and providing an equivalent level of performance to what Decker provided last year.

No, Holmes is not saying he will start. No, Holmes is not obligated to reveal his plans to the press.

Its impossible to predict what Brad will do. It wouldn't surprise me if he finds a way to move up into a top 10 pick. And it won't surprise me if he trades down.

[MichiganCardinal]

41 minutes ago, Sports_Freak said:

Its impossible to predict what Brad will do. It wouldn't surprise me if he finds a way to move up into a top 10 pick. And it won't surprise me if he trades down.

It will surprise me if he lets the clock expire. But after about five minutes I’ll convince myself it’s a master plan and he’s actually brilliant for it.

[Longgone]

6 hours ago, Mr.TaterSalad said:

The more I hear from Brad, the less likely I think it is they take a OT in the first round and just draft whoever their BPA is on their board.

In this draft at 17 BPA could easily be an OT, ESPN gave out 20 first round grades, 7 were oline, 6 tackles and Iheanachor is not far off.

[Mr.TaterSalad]

11 hours ago, Longgone said:

In this draft at 17 BPA could easily be an OT, ESPN gave out 20 first round grades, 7 were oline, 6 tackles and Iheanachor is not far off.

I hope his BPA is an OT. I think it very well could be. But that's been the broader point I am trying to make this whole time, "could be". I've seen people running around with great certainty as if it is a lock on being an OT and discussing other positions as options isn't worth it. I'm just not that strident in my belief that it will be given Brad's history of drafting and the comments made about Borom. Here's to hoping they draft an OT though and get back to having an elite Oline. 

[Stanley70]

I think they want to draft an OT in the first, and probably will, but they don't have to take one if someone drops whom they consider to be too big of a bargain to pass on. 

Borom has never been a full time starter and is on his third team in 3 years, he should not be the first choice to start at RT.  

[Mr.TaterSalad]

Missed an entire season with a blown ACL, so it makes sense we'd be interested in him.

 

[Mr.TaterSalad]

Two simple questions about the draft. Who do you want their first round pick to be? Who do you think it will be?

Want: Monroe Freeling, OT/Georgia

Think: Blake Miller, OT/Clemson

For all my belief that Larry Borom could be their starting RT next year (and I very much think he could be),  I think they will end up making the wise decision of drafting a starting OT in the end. 

[Motown Bombers]

I want them to draft a TE to see the forum have an aneurism. 

[Nate7474]

31 minutes ago, Motown Bombers said:

I want them to draft a TE to see the forum have an aneurism. 

It’s funny you mention TE as that’s one position along with LB if they fell in love with a player I could justify taking in the 1st or second. Do I want that, no as I would like to see them go OT and then DE in rounds 1 and 2. However I only want that if an elite talent on their board doesn’t fall to them otherwise take the talent as long as you can justify it as a fit on the team. QB, RB and WR are the only ones I would be upset about no matter the player in the first couple rounds. 

[CMRivdogs]

My latest attempt at GM. Brad probably gets to keep his job

[MichiganCardinal]

1 hour ago, Motown Bombers said:

I want them to draft a TE to see the forum have an aneurism. 

[Mr.TaterSalad]

37 minutes ago, Nate7474 said:

It’s funny you mention TE as that’s one position along with LB if they fell in love with a player I could justify taking in the 1st or second. Do I want that, no as I would like to see them go OT and then DE in rounds 1 and 2. However I only want that if an elite talent on their board doesn’t fall to them otherwise take the talent as long as you can justify it as a fit on the team. QB, RB and WR are the only ones I would be upset about no matter the player in the first couple rounds. 

What is the justification for Kenyon Sadiq when they have a very good TE in LaPorta already on the roster? Unless the back injury is career threatening, I don't see the justification. Another offensive weapon isn't what they need.

[RedRamage]

49 minutes ago, MichiganCardinal said:

[Nate7474]

1 hour ago, Mr.TaterSalad said:

What is the justification for Kenyon Sadiq when they have a very good TE in LaPorta already on the roster? Unless the back injury is career threatening, I don't see the justification. Another offensive weapon isn't what they need.

Their new OC is a heavy lean on the usage and production. Laporta health could be a bigger deal to the organization the they are letting on and the may not want to commit to a second contract. Keep the TE position on rookie contract to help afford other contract extensions. 

[RatkoVarda]

7 round mock by The Athletic

1 (17). Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
2 (50). D’Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana
4 (118). Jakobe Thomas, S, Miami
4 (128). Caden Curry, edge, Ohio State
5 (157). Gracen Halton, DT, Oklahoma
5 (181). Dallen Bentley, TE, Utah
6 (205). Gary Smith III, DT, UCLA
6 (213). Owen Heinicke, LB, Oklahoma
7 (222). Caleb Douglas, WR, Texas Tech

[Jason_R]

What do they need going into the draft, in my sense of the order of importance:

OT

Safety

Edge

RB

DT

if they do not get players capable of contributing at these positions this year, I feel like they are going to regret it.

Edit: If Arnold is facing jail time, CB probably vaults to the top of the list. 

Edited 17 hours ago by Jason_R

[Mr.TaterSalad]

I compare the conversation around OT in this year's draft to the conversation around drafting a DE/Edge in last years draft. Many in the fanbase and media were certain that somewhere, early on in the draft, the Lions were drafting a DE/Edge. There was certainty that Marcus Davenport would not be their starting edge opposite Aiden. Then the draft happened and they didn't draft a DE/edge early on and when the season started Marcus Davenport was indeed their starting edge.

I think of Larry Borom in a similar sense. They very well could draft a starting OT in the first or second round. Again, I very much hope they do. But they just as well could not and view that Borom is their starter, as they did with Davenport at DE/edge. They clearly like Borom and think he has the capabilities to be a starter for them if needed or if they choose to go that route. I don't think they feel pigeonholed based on immediate need into taking a OT early on and knowing Brad's history, won't allow themselves to feel that way. It's the same way they didn't allow it last year with DE/edge because in their eyes they had Davenport on the roster and able to start.

Edited 12 hours ago by Mr.TaterSalad

[Sports_Freak]

8 hours ago, Jason_R said:

What do they need going into the draft, in my sense of the order of importance:

OT

Safety

Edge

RB

DT

if they do not get players capable of contributing at these positions this year, I feel like they are going to regret it.

Edit: If Arnold is facing jail time, CB probably vaults to the top of the list. 

Arnold also may face NFL discipline even if no jail time?

[sagnam]

10 hours ago, Jason_R said:

What do they need going into the draft, in my sense of the order of importance:

OT

Safety

Edge

RB

DT

if they do not get players capable of contributing at these positions this year, I feel like they are going to regret it.

Edit: If Arnold is facing jail time, CB probably vaults to the top of the list. 

LB too?