2026 Draft Prospects Thread

[OldSchool101]

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.

I still find myself in Mocks routinely going after either DE or DT. While Mocks might not follow a draft perfectly, they do help in displaying trends of other teams as far as their needs. If we look at OUR needs that’s fine. Yet the Consensus rankings will never perfectly follow the needs of each individual team. RD1 is most often used to fill a Teams biggest need. By RD2? You’ll see many teams go off path by going after a projection over consensus type. GB needs to use #52 to plug DL imo. You’ll find a good Center or LB or WR still available earlier Day 3. I’ve made the mistake drafting at Center enough to see I could’ve waited a little bit because I missed a good Top 100 type guy in RD4.
Also, While we (not you in particular just in general it’s a tendency) can easily get intimidated by seeing stop 35-45 player out of reach at #52? It’s not at all unheard of to see a player slide if the 5 or 10 teams picking immediately before us get on a mini run at WR or CB etc. There’s significant chance 1 of these players will break the top 50 or even top 60 even though the consensus “guesses” may not appear so.
Edge R Mason Thomas (OK)
Edge Zion Young (MO)
DL Lee Hunter
DL Christian Miller
DL Dominque Orange

Any of those DL are an immediate upgrade over someone like Colby Wooden or Warren Brinson or even Sorrell. Im not being critical of those players as much as stating we shouldn’t be done making sure DL is our strength and focus. It just has to be after walking Gary, Enagbare, Wooden.

 

[OldSchool101]

Also on draft strategy. It appears we now have FIVE draft selections in RD3/4 in 2027. Not that we NEED to deal one away, but it sets us up for having adequate firepower to move up.

As an example. We have enough selections to easily offer a 2027 RD5 pick as leverage to move up where it would be noticeable. RD3 or RD4 aren’t nearly as costly to move up the board 5 or 10 or 15 spots and get our guy. Similar to what Brian did with Evan Williams, we similarly gave up our #190 selection to move up 15 spots from #126 to #111.

This year, if I see a top #60 player on my board at CB, DE, DT, QB, RB and we’re currently in sniffing range at #77 overall, I’m not going to be timid I’m locking him down or going down trying.

Same goes for RD 4 if I see a guy ranked #75 on my board to start Day3? Very good chance I’m moving into that #100-110 area if he’s still slipping into reasonable trade territory

 

[gopkrs]

I saw the DJ top 50. Of note to me was there were a bunch of OTs. But only 1 interior. And he was like 20th. Hard to believe there aren't other interiors that are very good around when we draft 1st. And maybe a center. Who could play very well for us for a long time if we chose right.

 

[tynimiller]

I saw the DJ top 50. Of note to me was there were a bunch of OTs. But only 1 interior. And he was like 20th. Hard to believe there aren't other interiors that are very good around when we draft 1st. And maybe a center. Who could play very well for us for a long time if we chose right.

Not crazy shocking. If a pure iOL prospect you have to be special typically to break that high. OTs are often the most likely guards in the NFL...happens a lot. I personally am praying hard we don't go iOL with our first pick. I don't see any personally that would do it for me unless Pregnon somehow wiggles his way to being available there for us.

 

[OldSchool101]

I saw the DJ top 50. Of note to me was there were a bunch of OTs. But only 1 interior. And he was like 20th. Hard to believe there aren't other interiors that are very good around when we draft 1st. And maybe a center. Who could play very well for us for a long time if we chose right.

I’m more and more of the opinion that IF we go Center it’s going to be some misuse of capital. There’s not enough supply of Bonafide starter types as a Rookie. Our best bet would be to wait until the 3rd Day of the draft. There’s a nice grouping mid draft area that would give us substantial opportunity upgrade off Monk. Heck Monk might just be thought of us a Guard he played there a bunch. Seems his value is a security blanket at Center. So if GB goes Center at or before RD5/6, imo there’s a 75% chance Monk at best makes a run at PS.

 

[OldSchool101]

Not crazy shocking. If a pure iOL prospect you have to be special typically to break that high. OTs are often the most likely guards in the NFL...happens a lot. I personally am praying hard we don't go iOL with our first pick. I don't see any personally that would do it for me unless Pregnon somehow wiggles his way to being available there for us.

Consensus is he’s going to be a Texan after the dust settles on Day 1 and the Sun rises on Day 2 at LG. But yeah I wouldn’t pass on that value.

It’s also not out if the equation. CBS has had a pretty accurate run lately on guesswork. They aren’t as Bullish as the consensus on Pregnon, Putting him at #51 overall.

 

[Heyjoe4]

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.

I'll take your word for it when it comes to the quality of DTs available in rounds 2 and 3. That would be a case where Gluten has dropped back and double-dipped at a position from rounds 5, 6, and 7 and UDFA.

I'm glad they added Hargrave. He wasn't cheap but Gluten must think he has enough left in the tank to add value along the DL. As I understand it, he became available because the queens are in cap hell. That surprised me. I haven't verified it but I'm not sure how the queens got in cap trouble.

Thoughts?

 

[tynimiller]

I'll take your word for it when it comes to the quality of DTs available in rounds 2 and 3. That would be a case where Gluten has dropped back and double-dipped at a position from rounds 5, 6, and 7 and UDFA.

I'm glad they added Hargrave. He wasn't cheap but Gluten must think he has enough left in the tank to add value along the DL. As I understand it, he became available because the queens are in cap hell. That surprised me. I haven't verified it but I'm not sure how the queens got in cap trouble.

Thoughts?

Hargrave is our second best DL on the roster IMO without question worst case. iDL got better, I suspect Gute might still add a depth piece or pieces through the draft or free agency - and should.

There is always a prospect with potential anywhere in the draft, the odds just begin to stack against knowing for certain is all as it gets deeper.

 

[Half Empty]

"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."

Don't really care if he can play, I just want someone to explain how someone with a perfect score at anything can rank 2nd. Tied for first, sure.

 

[Magooch]

Don't really care if he can play, I just want someone to explain how someone with a perfect score at anything can rank 2nd. Tied for first, sure.

Complete speculation, but it could be that RAS is calculated to more than two decimal spaces, but rounded down to display just two?

For instance 10.0003 and 10.0006 both would read as 10.00 when resolved to two digits, but of course one is fractionally ahead of the other.

 

[tynimiller]

Complete speculation, but it could be that RAS is calculated to more than two decimal spaces, but rounded down to display just two?

For instance 10.0003 and 10.0006 both would read as 10.00 when resolved to two digits, but of course one is fractionally ahead of the other.

Also ranking has to have programmed tie breakers, even if we don't see them I'd bet.

 

[thequick12]

Wr Bryce Lance should be a real consideration at 52 and a must draft at 84

6-3 204
40: 4.34
10: 1.49
vertical: 41.5
broad: 11' 1
3 cone: 7
20shuttle: 4.15

2024: 75 rec 1053 yds 14 avg 17 tds 74 long 5 rush 29 yds 1 to

2025: 51 rec 1079 yds 21.2 avg 8 tds 81 long 4 rush 92 yds 1 td

Reed is gone after this year and pairing Lance with Watson, Golden and Kraft is a scary top 4 pass catchers. Also both Watson and Lance have shown they can make explosive plays in the run game as well. I like their size and explosiveness on end arounds much more than Reed.

Christian Watson
6-4 208
40: 4.36
10: 1.46
vertical: 38.5
broad: 11' 4

Picking Lance would allow the Packers to trade Reed and pick up either a starter or another day 2 pick to use on a position of more immediate need. Its likely you'd have to take him with your 2nd round pick. And we all know how 2nd round wrs turn out in GB

 

[Schultz]

I honestly hope Watson is never used again by GB to run the football.

 

[tynimiller]

I honestly hope Watson is never used again by GB to run the football.

Oh I already have the envision of it...it's not until the SB and we motion him from right to left and it is a direct snap, their edge defender is cut down by Sam Roush on the left side who is lined up outside of Kraft in a double TE heavy left formation...Kraft pulls around and clears the first defender and Watson is streaking down the left side 8 yards past the line of scrimmage before the defense can do much...he makes the safety miss and we score a Touchdown in the first possession of the fourth quarter in the Super Bowl. The scores puts us up 24 - 14 against the.......Buffalo Bills.

 

[DoURant]

@tynimiller I just saw we have our first Top 30 visit scheduled. Can you start a new thread for those 2026 visits, please and thank you.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Oh I already have the envision of it...it's not until the SB and we motion him from right to left and it is a direct snap, their edge defender is cut down by Sam Roush on the left side who is lined up outside of Kraft in a double TE heavy left formation...Kraft pulls around and clears the first defender and Watson is streaking down the left side 8 yards past the line of scrimmage before the defense can do much...he makes the safety miss and we score a Touchdown in the first possession of the fourth quarter in the Super Bowl. The scores puts us up 24 - 14 against the.......Buffalo Bills.

I love the scenario! The first time Watson touches the ball as a runner all season is in the 4Q of the SB and it's good for a TD. Talk about a "Philly Special".

 

[OldSchool101]

Wr Bryce Lance should be a real consideration at 52 and a must draft at 84

6-3 204
40: 4.34
10: 1.49
vertical: 41.5
broad: 11' 1
3 cone: 7
20shuttle: 4.15

2024: 75 rec 1053 yds 14 avg 17 tds 74 long 5 rush 29 yds 1 to

2025: 51 rec 1079 yds 21.2 avg 8 tds 81 long 4 rush 92 yds 1 td

Reed is gone after this year and pairing Lance with Watson, Golden and Kraft is a scary top 4 pass catchers. Also both Watson and Lance have shown they can make explosive plays in the run game as well. I like their size and explosiveness on end arounds much more than Reed.

Christian Watson
6-4 208
40: 4.36
10: 1.46
vertical: 38.5
broad: 11' 4

Picking Lance would allow the Packers to trade Reed and pick up either a starter or another day 2 pick to use on a position of more immediate need. Its likely you'd have to take him with your 2nd round pick. And we all know how 2nd round wrs turn out in GB

I kinda like what we did attaining Reed. We did 2 mini trade backs (5 spots) and gained a 5th (Wicks) 6th Rounder (Brooks). I think in 2023 GB felt similarly about Reed. Probably too early to draft at #45 overall and little too aggressive, but likely he’s gone before 32 picks later RD3.

 

[Heyjoe4]

If the Packers don't see a value at #52 dor CB/OL/iDL, then by all means go for a WR who could potentially take Reed's place. Watson, Kraft and Reed all have paydays coming, and Reed draws the short stick in that scenario.

 

[OldSchool101]

If the Packers don't see a value at #52 dor CB/OL/iDL, then by all means go for a WR who could potentially take Reed's place. Watson, Kraft and Reed all have paydays coming, and Reed draws the short stick in that scenario.

We actually went that road in 2023 I think it was with Reed, so it’s not inconceivable.

 

[OldSchool101]

Interesting enough, I plugged in the calculator for trades for WR with our Reed selection. The points on the pair of mini trade backs aligned almost perfectly with the calculator on both.
I really didn’t expect that on 1 trade much less both.

So I took it a step further and plugged in a small trade back using #52 IF similarly to 2023, there isn’t anybody we just love. The rough kickback would be a RD4(22) overall selection back our way if we went back just 5 spots from RD2(20) to RD2(25) or #52 to #57

Then I scanned the board. The most likely Round 4 preferred partners would be AFC first. Then potentially a look to our Non NFC North Division teams as a backup plan.
*Raiders RD4(17) + RD4(34)
* Steelers RD4(21) + Rd4(35)
*Chargers RD4(23)
Jaguars RD4(24)
Patriots RD4(25)
Bills RD4(26)

NFC Non North
Panthers RD4(19)
*Atlanta RD4(22)

These would all be teams in those trade parameters. A trade would align near perfectly with Pittsburgh. Also as you’ll note both the Raiders and Pittsburgh have multiple RD4 options. LV actually picks THREE times in RD4.
So those are the first 2 teams that are set to get a phone call to propose a trade if we’re not hot on anyone.

 

[OldSchool101]

The above is a scenario where we could potentially have our cake and eat it also. It gives us multiple stabs in RD4, which is an area we’ve been mostly successful.
Romeo Doubs and Zach Tom, J’mon Moore, Barryn Sorrell, Colby Wooden, Royce Newman, Jamaal Williams, Blake Martinez, Dean Lowry, Jake Ryan, Carl Bradford, David Bakhtiari, JC Tretter, Johnathan Franklin, Mike Daniels, Josh Sitton.

That 4th Round area can prove valuable.

#57 WR, Ted Hurst + #117 below
#84
#117
#120
#160
#201
#236
#255

Obviously it’s not going to always replicate, but Our last RD4 pair was Tom and Doubs. There’s also going to likely be a very good CB, DT, RB, TE, OC or even QB available RD4.

 

[tynimiller]

The above is a scenario where we could potentially have our cake and eat it also. It gives us multiple stabs in RD4, which is an area we’ve been mostly successful.
Romeo Doubs and Zach Tom, J’mon Moore, Barryn Sorrell, Colby Wooden, Royce Newman, Jamaal Williams, Blake Martinez, Dean Lowry, Jake Ryan, Carl Bradford, David Bakhtiari, JC Tretter, Johnathan Franklin, Mike Daniels, Josh Sitton.

That 4th Round area can prove valuable.

#57 WR, Ted Hurst + #117 below
#84
#117
#120
#160
#201
#236
#255

Obviously it’s not going to always replicate, but Our last RD4 pair was Tom and Doubs. There’s also going to likely be a very good CB, DT, RB, TE, OC or even QB available RD4.

I like the logic, but if Ted Hurst is there still at that pick a TON OF GMs are foolish IMO. Dude is special.

 

[OldSchool101]

I like the logic, but if Ted Hurst is there still at that pick a TON OF GMs are foolish IMO. Dude is special.

@tynimiller Are you suggesting most GM’s are foolish drafting Ted Hurst in Round 2 because that is way too late?

 

[tynimiller]

Are you suggesting most GM’s are foolish drafting Ted Hurst in Round 2 because that way too late?

If I'm calling them foolish for letting Hurst see that late of a pick why would they be foolish for picking him there?!

 

[OldSchool101]

If I'm calling them foolish for letting Hurst see that late of a pick why would they be foolish for picking him there?!

Because that’s what I wrote. Round 2