2026 Draft Prospects Thread

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tynimiller

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Jaishawn Barham 6'3" 243lbs - the prospect I cannot shake...

Barham is crazy unique prospect who has put up incredible seasons (2022, 2023 and 2024) as an off ball linebacker - first two at Maryland and 2024 at Michigan. then this past season Michigan decides he's going to play the edge and did so quite well. That versatility is something I love to see, but also the fact that he's continually got better every year in college regardless of where he is against the run.

Per PFF we are talking about a guy that over the last three years has seen 479 snaps outside tackle and 1000 snaps off ball...you're not going to find that mix in many prospects.

With most folks seeing him as that 90-140 rank overall prospect he could fill in some serious depth wherever we would want him to....but mixing him in with diverse players like Parsons, Cooper, Oliver could be extremely fun and frustrating for offenses to figure out where and who is coming...

Deep dive on film for him and a few other Michigan players starting soon.

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FYI on this one…..character flags are the reason he may slide. His interview process is going to make or break him.
 

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tynimiller

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Perkins is a guy I have on my radar and let me remind everyone combine meetings are typically relatively swift or in a setting where you might have multiple teams with the prospect.

I have perkins right now in the 120s or so overall rank. 2023 he looked great, 2024 stole to injury and this last year a lot about LSU prospects looked rough because the team was just not good like normal. I personally don't love him...but understand the desire to learn more because he was on PRO radars after the 2023 season.
 

RicFlairoftheNFL

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Perkins is a guy I have on my radar and let me remind everyone combine meetings are typically relatively swift or in a setting where you might have multiple teams with the prospect.

I have perkins right now in the 120s or so overall rank. 2023 he looked great, 2024 stole to injury and this last year a lot about LSU prospects looked rough because the team was just not good like normal. I personally don't love him...but understand the desire to learn more because he was on PRO radars after the 2023 season.
If we're letting Quay leave, and moving Hopper up in a 3-4 (I've also heard we're gonna run a 4-3 with the new DC) I'm all for this guy as a depth pick. If we're expecting him to start. or if Quay AND McDuffie are staying, it's a bust. He's smaller than Hopper was when we drafted him, and Hopper has 2 more years league experience.
 
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tynimiller

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If we're letting Quay leave, and moving Hopper up in a 3-4 (I've also heard we're gonna run a 4-3 with the new DC) I'm all for this guy as a depth pick. If we're expecting him to start. or if Quay AND McDuffie are staying, it's a bust. He's smaller than Hopper was when we drafted him, and Hopper has 2 more years league experience.

Honestly I have him marked likely to descend not ascend up my marks. I've heard different things pertaining to him and hope to get some answers.
 

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Crap.....mixed up draft prospect threads. This is the 2026 and where this was supposed to be:

As most folks have stated, DL is going to likely be a need - especially with Wyatt's 2026 likely partially impacted if not entirely impacted...as of right now there is for sure only one defensive lineman not worth wasting time learing about or scouting and that is Peter Woods out of Clemson. He's a top 10 player for sure. Likely a few others sprinkle into the first but this is a year it seems we likely see maybe the third or fourth DL start coming off on Day 2 and that is good for us:

Will share a list just briefly...no depth scouting has been done yet by me so won't be lengthy - but familiarize with these guys for sure:

Kayden McDonald | Ohio State 6'3' 326LBS - Kayden played a decent amount last year but really grew as a player this year becoming one of the most dominate forces in the interior of a defense. His run defense rating per PFF is the best of all DLs out of all 170 schools PFF tracks...does offer some interior pressure creation even on passing downs, but I think in the NFL he isn't a guy you purposefully use on for sure passing downs, but first two downs his value would be awesome out the gate as a rookie.

Caleb Banks | Florida 6'6' 330LBS - Consensus is he is a top 5 DL in this class...however he's only seen three games this season, but fifth year guy so wonder if he asks for sixth year or if not likely a Day2 big guy that will hope to test well, interview well and excel at workouts to confirm he is what a lot of folks see.

A'Mauri Washington | Oregon 6'3' 330LBS - a ball of energy and effort in a big package. I think if he closes out the year well we see him declare and if so he will for sure be a top 10 drafted DL if not Top5. Creates interior pressure at a solid clip, plays the run and handles double teams quite well it seems.

Christen Miller | Georgia - 6'4' 310LBS - Would offer the pedigree we love to dip into for sure, and to be fair Miller has been awesome this season AND last season. One of the best interior run defenders in the league, but also creates a high interior pressure clip that is impressive and to me could translate to being that guy at the next level that you prioritize first two downs, but can and will embrace him out there on for sure passing downs. I really like Christen in the early stages and his film is one I really look forward to.

Domonique Orange | Iowa State 6'4' 325LBS - NT#1 for many - his alignment he's dominated in for years is right there in the middle. After a dominating 2023 and 2024, he is still solid but slightly down year in 2025 comparatively but still awesome.

Cole Brevard | Texas 6'3' 346 - Good buddy of mine LOVES Brevard and said Green Bay needs to add this young man. Started at PSU, then three years at Purdue and switched to Texas after an impressive 2024 at Purdue. Has shined at Texas despite the massive growth in opponent levels. What he did to the line at Ohio State, Kentucky, Miss State and Georgia this year was impressive.

Darrell Jackson | Florida State 6'5' 337 - Jackson was on my radar last year as a Day3 and now solidly might be a Day2 for sure. When he is good, there are few better...but consistency seems to be the early critique of many. His film will tell the story I'm sure.

Dontay Corleone | Cincinnati 6'1' 335LBS - One of the best if not best DL across the league clear back to 2022 (literally). He dealt with some blood clot issues in the off season and started slow this year but down the stretch has gotten back to his wrecking ways. In the past he had a lot more pressures and sacks, but some in his camp have told me it's the snaps being less this year (just not in shape like he wants due to medical issues). AS he progresses with his medical side of things and gets back to his normal self I truly think he has Day1 potential but will likely slip to Day2. Everyone knows I've had him circled as a guy I LOVE ever since last year's draft process scouting...

Mateen Ibirogba | Wake Forest 6'3' 296LBS - Absolutely DOMINATED at Georgetown (2022/2023) came to Wake and barely played last year but this year dude has been AWESOME and got back to his normal ways for the 8-4 Deacons.

Bear Alexander | Oregon 6'3' 302LBS - Georgia in 2022...USC in 2023 and 2024....finally this year at Oregon. I don't quite understand the hopping around but this final season has seemingly clicked for him. He looked great at Georgia and struggled at USC...this year we got the Georgia version of him and that is for sure going to get him drafted...where is too early to tell. Most say he's a Day3.

@Heyjoe4 @Pokerbrat2000 any additional communications about 2026 draft let's switch to here. My fault for throwing it on wrong thread.
McDonald is interesting, and with a great pedigree. If Walker does leave, they'll miss his great work in the run game. I'm fine with a guy who can plug up the gaps.
 

Heyjoe4

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Jaishawn Barham 6'3" 243lbs - the prospect I cannot shake...

Barham is crazy unique prospect who has put up incredible seasons (2022, 2023 and 2024) as an off ball linebacker - first two at Maryland and 2024 at Michigan. then this past season Michigan decides he's going to play the edge and did so quite well. That versatility is something I love to see, but also the fact that he's continually got better every year in college regardless of where he is against the run.

Per PFF we are talking about a guy that over the last three years has seen 479 snaps outside tackle and 1000 snaps off ball...you're not going to find that mix in many prospects.

With most folks seeing him as that 90-140 rank overall prospect he could fill in some serious depth wherever we would want him to....but mixing him in with diverse players like Parsons, Cooper, Oliver could be extremely fun and frustrating for offenses to figure out where and who is coming...

Deep dive on film for him and a few other Michigan players starting soon.

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How does a guy who weighs 240 plus pounds look to have a size 30 waist? I like this guy, especially if Walker is gone.
 
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tynimiller

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H ow does a guy who weighs 240 plus pounds look to have a size 30 waist? I like this guy, especially if Walker is gone.

His issue will be character and keeping his head on straight. If you can reign guys like this in, they can be a mentality shifter...he is similar to Hobbs in his willingness to be violent...
 

Heyjoe4

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His issue will be character and keeping his head on straight. If you can reign guys like this in, they can be a mentality shifter...he is similar to Hobbs in his willingness to be violent...
Interesting. Yeah a guy like this, with incredible physical attributes and aggessive play, can be hard to reign in. I'll certainly be watching for him during the draft.
 

RicFlairoftheNFL

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His issue will be character and keeping his head on straight. If you can reign guys like this in, they can be a mentality shifter...he is similar to Hobbs in his willingness to be violent...

I watching Michigan every chance I get (It was Dad's team when I was growing up with Schembechler and those guys) and my thoughts on Barham is at times he plays to competition. In the NFL he'd be up for the Lions, down for the Vikings and lord knows which guy we'd get against the Bears. It's also not always consistent. Sometimes he plays like hell against contenders, and lights out against scrubs.
 
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tynimiller

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Josiah Trotter - Missouri by way of West Virginia is a linebacker I'm honestly I think going to have circled for us at pick 52. Yes I love Golday and yes he also could be there, but as high as I feel Golday's floor is, Trotter's ceiling is equally as awesome. He is incredibly young as he won't even be 21 when drafted I believe if I have his birthday right...has shown out in his first year at West Virginia and then this last year at Missouri.

Strengths
Explosive in his reads
Football IQ seems high
Willing Hitter
HIGH motor

Downsides
Still learning how to tame his aggression - can get beat at times if reads wrong
Coverage relies on athleticism not proper technique (can be improved)
While quick, long speed isn't necessarily there

If we leave Day2 with a LB I am planting my flag on Golday, Trotter or Rodriguez....love each very differently.
 

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Josiah Trotter - Missouri by way of West Virginia is a linebacker I'm honestly I think going to have circled for us at pick 52. Yes I love Golday and yes he also could be there, but as high as I feel Golday's floor is, Trotter's ceiling is equally as awesome. He is incredibly young as he won't even be 21 when drafted I believe if I have his birthday right...has shown out in his first year at West Virginia and then this last year at Missouri.

Strengths
Explosive in his reads
Football IQ seems high
Willing Hitter
HIGH motor

Downsides
Still learning how to tame his aggression - can get beat at times if reads wrong
Coverage relies on athleticism not proper technique (can be improved)
While quick, long speed isn't necessarily there

If we leave Day2 with a LB I am planting my flag on Golday, Trotter or Rodriguez....love each very differently.
Athletically speaking he reminds me of Zach Cunningham who when he came out of Vandy I wanted...but lo and behold Ted drafted the legendary Oren Burks.

I like Trotter's size, I like his pedigree. It looks like he plays fast. There is a bit of discrepency on measurables from ESPN to Missouri's website, so I'll be interested to see what the combine numbers are. If he IS 6'2 237 and can run a 4.5 as it looks like he can. yeah 52 easily. If he's smaller or runs slower I can see an early day 3 pick for him.
 
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tynimiller

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Athletically speaking he reminds me of Zach Cunningham who when he came out of Vandy I wanted...but lo and behold Ted drafted the legendary Oren Burks.

I like Trotter's size, I like his pedigree. It looks like he plays fast. There is a bit of discrepency on measurables from ESPN to Missouri's website, so I'll be interested to see what the combine numbers are. If he IS 6'2 237 and can run a 4.5 as it looks like he can. yeah 52 easily. If he's smaller or runs slower I can see an early day 3 pick for him.

Yeah I don't have any contacts in his camp or close to Missouri to check so I also need some measurables.
 
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tynimiller

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I've shared before and his measurements alone confirmed for me but than this kid is exploding in the drills like 3cone and broad.

I had him already in at 51 overall on my board...he may Crack 50 for me.

I'm higher on him than many tho

Dani Dennis-Sutton fellas...remember the name.
 

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Wisconsin's very own Mason Reiger could be a VERY intriguing prospect as an Edge somewhere. He's starting to shoot up draft boards with his combine testing. I think he could be a really good one.
 

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I've shared before and his measurements alone confirmed for me but than this kid is exploding in the drills like 3cone and broad.

I had him already in at 51 overall on my board...he may Crack 50 for me.

I'm higher on him than many tho

Dani Dennis-Sutton fellas...remember the name.
Well he has a solid pedigree, and his size, measurables look very good. I don't get into the kind of depth you do so finding guys like this gives me players to track during the draft.
 

RicFlairoftheNFL

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I've shared before and his measurements alone confirmed for me but than this kid is exploding in the drills like 3cone and broad.

I had him already in at 51 overall on my board...he may Crack 50 for me.

I'm higher on him than many tho

Dani Dennis-Sutton fellas...remember the name.
Put a Penn State kid with a Penn State stud...sounds like a great idea.
 

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"Jordan Van Den Berg is a DT prospect in the 2026 draft class. He scored a 10.00 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 2 out of 2098 DT from 1987 to 2026."

And in the 300's for draft projection? I'm sure someone way smarter than me can chime into why in the 300s because a RAS of 10.0 seems like he would be the most Gute-est of Gute picks that ever lived...
 
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tynimiller

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"Jordan Van Den Berg is a DT prospect in the 2026 draft class. He scored a 10.00 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 2 out of 2098 DT from 1987 to 2026."

And in the 300's for draft projection? I'm sure someone way smarter than me can chime into why in the 300s because a RAS of 10.0 seems like he would be the most Gute-est of Gute picks that ever lived...

Because RAS only captures how athletic a prospect is relative to the position and others now and historical.

You can have an insanely gifted athletic profile relative to the position and fail immensely for a variety of other reasons. If you look historically, RAS is a very good and strong indication of a guy "making it" in the league for a time but it is far from a well they're a 10.00 so they have to be one of the handful of ELITEs in the draft.
 
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tynimiller

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A reasonable list of propsects that should they get past pick 40 I'm in full support of Gute trading up to grab:

Chris Johnson CB - he's been a first round graded guy for me since last year around Christmas. I can list a plethora of reasons but he is a playmaker, not just willing tackler but loves to impose his will, good hands, crazy good in zone coverage, capable enough in man. The passer rating when he is targeted is INSANELY low....

Kayden McDonald DL - In truth I like him more than any other DL truthfully due to fit for us. He shouldn't sniff the second day but IF he does...

Christen Miller DL - He is the poor man's McDonald IMO when it comes to run defense but is a different type guy.

TJ Parker Edge - Crazy consistently productive, young and just the print out of what one wants at edge.
 

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A reasonable list of propsects that should they get past pick 40 I'm in full support of Gute trading up to grab:

Chris Johnson CB - he's been a first round graded guy for me since last year around Christmas. I can list a plethora of reasons but he is a playmaker, not just willing tackler but loves to impose his will, good hands, crazy good in zone coverage, capable enough in man. The passer rating when he is targeted is INSANELY low....

Kayden McDonald DL - In truth I like him more than any other DL truthfully due to fit for us. He shouldn't sniff the second day but IF he does...

Christen Miller DL - He is the poor man's McDonald IMO when it comes to run defense but is a different type guy.

TJ Parker Edge - Crazy consistently productive, young and just the print out of what one wants at edge.
From what little I've read, it sounds like rounds 2 and 3 will have plenty of solid CBs and DTs.

Now if a guy like Johnson is still around going into round 2, what would it take (approximately) for Gluten to move up and take him. That's a tough call because it involves giving up a later round pick. Sounds like you'd be willing to make that move for Johnson. And if he is that good, I agree.

Gluten has been playing around the margins so far, so if it costs a 3rd or 4th rounder to move up, doesn't seem he loses that much. And I'm thinking of his comments where he feels good about the current talent level. So losing a 3rd or 4th rounder isn't unreasonable by Gluten's assessment.
 
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tynimiller

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From what little I've read, it sounds like rounds 2 and 3 will have plenty of solid CBs and DTs.

Now if a guy like Johnson is still around going into round 2, what would it take (approximately) for Gluten to move up and take him. That's a tough call because it involves giving up a later round pick. Sounds like you'd be willing to make that move for Johnson. And if he is that good, I agree.

Gluten has been playing around the margins so far, so if it costs a 3rd or 4th rounder to move up, doesn't seem he loses that much. And I'm thinking of his comments where he feels good about the current talent level. So losing a 3rd or 4th rounder isn't unreasonable by Gluten's assessment.

DTs I disagree. This class truly lacks guys that have all around potential...many are one dimensional types that haven't shown a lot in diverse abilities. Day 2 DTs by the time we pick are likely limited to guys like Darrel Jackson who I fear won't be there at our 3rd round pick and will need to be picked with our 2nd and I would bet serious money there will be immensely better prospects at CB and even Edge at least I'd hold much higher in worthy of being the selection.

I think DT approach is likely a double up somewhere in the 4th-7th type and hopes at minimum you find a TJ Slaton type guy...Bryson Eason is a guy that could be a 5th/6th type that I love his approach, work ethic and consistent play...a 7th round flyer of a guy I am enamored with his play strength is David Gusta from Kentucky....this dude is a NT type, awesome against the run because of his awesome frame (6'2' 308lbs), massive mittens for hands (10 inches) and STRENGTH. Dude put up 37 reps! and jumped 32 inches....that's Aaron Donald level stuff (HE IS NOT THAT LEVEL OF PROSPECT....just saying). Despite his frame and strength dude has a 1.68 ten yard split which explains why in the rare chance he has to rush the passer (not his role) he can explode off line.
 

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