The Official 2026 NFL Draft Thread (No Spoilers)

There are several reports today and earlier this week that Philly is getting fed up with Hurts. Basically they are taking away his security blanket in AJ Brown and forcing him to play how they want him to by putting in a middle of the field WR instead. I don't know all the details, just skimmed the highlights before the caffeine kicked in.

 

The one thing about Thieneman is that I don't think he played like a first round safety this season at Oregon. He was a much better player when he was at Purdue because of the way he was used. He played mostly single high there, and that seems to be where he had the most impact while playing.

It's possible the Steelers want to play a certain way, and Thieneman wouldn't be playing in a system that utilizes his best qualities, so they didn't take him. It may also be as simple as they thought Iheanachor is a better prospect and had him rated higher on their board.

I don't know what the Steelers' draft board looks like. I am simply stating that there is a reason they drafted who they did. Thieneman is a really good player, but in my estimation, has to be a little scheme specific to get everything out of him, and that may not have fit into what they are predominantly planning to do in coverage.

 

Interesting that everyone wanted the safety that most people are comping to Brisker. You know....the dude that is already on the roster.

Also...."win-now"? Y'all must be watching a different team. Win what?

Another consideration....MM's offense is not exactly known for being a bunch of quick passing. He likes to use longer developing routes. Can't do that if you don't have OT's that can hold up. The Steelers currently do not.

 

branch as well. MM said he will get a returner in this draft. branch is one of the best returners and he can play that slot role at a high rate. 81 catches last year at georgia.

 

Use some draft capital to pick up an extra 2nd. Grab bisontis and a wr

 

I was talking about the people that claim who wins the draft based on their own ratings of players. They are often wrong, so the statements they make claiming they are bad picks are completely wrong.

The play on the field ultimately shows who made good picks and who coached players properly and played them to their strengths.

 

Getting that OL ready for their QB in 2027

 

Their biggest need was WR and OL that's why I wouldn't draft a safety in the first round.

 

Maybe, but I'm not sure that justifies the pick. Just because they might like Iheanachor better doesn't mean they are right. Also, it sure as hell looked like they need a quality single high safety last year. We watched Ramsey fail in that role, creating disastrous results at times last season.

 

Safety play killed them all last season and they only signed one viable starter. It is a huge need, every bit as great as offensive line. They already added a starter at receiver in free agency.

 

No but the Browns are brain dead. I would like to think we could do better with top 10 picks. Although after watching Khan last night who knows. Terrible GMing

 

Remember, I'm explaining the thought processes and reasoning behind decisions that are made on players.

I have no idea who is going to be the better player. I like both players, but Thieneman is a safety that is probably the safer pick if you have the right system to play him in and let him do his thing.

Max Iheanachor is a guy with really high-level physical traits and his improvement trajectory is insane for a guy only playing football for five years. There is no doubt he is a higher risk pick, but the need and the lack of comparable talent that you can draft below him may have influenced their decision. Maybe the drop off in talent at the position was the deciding factor. We may never know.

Only time will tell us if he was worth the pick.

 

McCarthy's offense requires use of 3-4 receiver sets adding Pittman doesn't mean they're done.

 

It doesn't mean they are done, but it also doesn't mean the position is more of a need than safety, which was an utter **** show last season.

 

They still may draft a guard in the second. I think the thing that makes it even harder to get a feel for what direction they are going is because of the new coaching staff. We think we have a pretty good read on McCarthy and what he likes to do. On defense, not knowing what Graham's plan is going to be makes you question how they are going to handle roster construction.

For example, they may not have taken a safety in the first because they already feel that Brisker is going to play on the backend and they are going to draft a more physical safety as more of a SS. The other thing is that they may be looking at going for a Kyle Hamilton, jack-of-all-trades player like Kyle Louis that is a linebacker that can play that big nickel role and a chess piece that is moved all over the field and can matchup with tight ends, is still athletic enough to hold up in the slot, and can be used for blitzing while having a huge impact in run defense. They are very different roles and approaches to handling the LB/S responsibilities, and if you can get a special hybrid player, it is the best of both worlds and allows you to matchup better and not hurt the run defense while having a powerful and fast blitzer with deception to keep offenses guessing.

We are seeing the first draft with the requirements the new coaches are giving the GM and scouting departments to help them execute their schemes. We are all learning as we go to a certain extent.

There may be more surprises to come, but the choices they make will help paint the picture of the schemes they will use and the way they will use the players they draft.

I love that part of the draft process.

 

A once proud franchise

 

I doubt a rookie would start at safety anyway that's why they need to get one in the mid rounds.

 

Nice job Khan

 

Their offense wasn't as good last year, IMHO, because their run game wasn't as dominant. It is easy to launch passes up to AJ, when the defense is selling out for the run.

They have guys on the line who are aging and getting banged up.

 

Given their lack of options and the intelligence Thieneman has shown, I'm actually very certain he would have started. I will be surprised if he isn't out there starting in the opener for the Bears.

 

what are those numbers he has next to them?