What are our biggest needs in the 2026 Draft

[manxman2601]

Despite that loss, I'm not too downhearted because we should have won that game comfortably; they just need to sort out the idiotic blunders whether they be fumbles or penalties. I'm still team BPA, especially after Spillane had such a strong game and the safeties clearly weren't the issue.

 

[stelfans]

Despite that loss, I'm not too downhearted because we should have won that game comfortably; they just need to sort out the idiotic blunders whether they be fumbles or penalties. I'm still team BPA, especially after Spillane had such a strong game and the safeties clearly weren't the issue.

I thought Gibbens looked good with Spillane.
Still I think they need a young guy in the secondary that can become a leader.
And unfortunately, there’s no way around the right side of the oline.

 

[mayoclinic]

- The defensive adjustment was encouraging
- The defense giving up a score with the game on the line, after shutting the Steelers down for 2.5 quarters, was discouraging
- The veteran OL play was discouraging
- The way they team seems to come out flat and unprepared is discouraging
- The sloppiness and mistakes are discouraging, particularly when by veterans

I agree about not taking a player from a lower tier over one from a higher graded tier based on need. But there are some positions I would like to see upgraded:

- LB/EDGE opposite Spillane
- S opposite Woodson
- Outside CB depth
- OL from center to RT
- Cannot have enough pass rushers
- Agree on separation and stretching the field

I do not see Elliss, Hawkins, Austin, Bradbury, Onwenu, or Moses as adequate solutions at this point.

 

[manxman2601]

I thought Gibbens looked good with Spillane.
Still I think they need a young guy in the secondary that can become a leader.
And unfortunately, there’s no way around the right side of the oline.

- The defensive adjustment was encouraging
- The defense giving up a score with the game on the line, after shutting the Steelers down for 2.5 quarters, was discouraging
- The veteran OL play was discouraging
- The way they team seems to come out flat and unprepared is discouraging
- The sloppiness and mistakes are discouraging, particularly when by veterans

I agree about not taking a player from a lower tier over one from a higher graded tier based on need. But there are some positions I would like to see upgraded:

- LB/EDGE opposite Spillane
- S opposite Woodson
- Outside CB depth
- OL from center to RT
- Cannot have enough pass rushers
- Agree on separation and stretching the field

I do not see Elliss, Hawkins, Austin, Bradbury, Onwenu, or Moses as adequate solutions at this point.

I went back and looked at the least picked positions in the first two rounds of the last 10 years. At the bottom are the following, all given lower priority than even RB.

RB was ranked 7th.

8. Inside linebacker
9. OG
10. TE
11. Safety
12. Center

I suspect if you were to break out RT from all OTs, that position might be on the list too. In other words, all the positions we're talking about as the positions we need are the positions the NFL has valued the least. I'm not saying we shouldn't take them in the first just because the NFL values them the least but there may be value to be had in later rounds because of that. Which is why I think BPA is the way to go. For now at least, we don't have one gaping need that has to be addressed in round one like last year.

If Mauigoa, Lew, Styles, Thieneman etc are the best player on the board when it's our turn to pick then take them. However, if Tyson, Delane, Downs, edge rusher TBD etc are still on the board and graded higher, take them. We can still pick up centers, guards and linebackers on day two and even early day three.

 

[mayoclinic]

Sounds like a plan.

Right now I currently (very subject to change) have Downs, Woods (for now), Faulk, Bain, Fanu and Reese as my Tier 1. Jordan and McCoy a half a tier lower. Then Styles, Allen, Lew, Thieneman, Delane, Mauigoa, Sadiq. Maybe Caleb Lomu. That's 15-16 players, some of whom will almost certainly be available with our first pick.

 

[manxman2601]

Sounds like a plan.

Right now I currently (very subject to change) have Downs, Woods (for now), Faulk, Bain, Fanu and Reese as my Tier 1. Jordan and McCoy a half a tier lower. Then Styles, Allen, Lew, Thieneman, Delane, Mauigoa, Sadiq. Maybe Caleb Lomu. That's 15-16 players, some of whom will almost certainly be available with our first pick.

That's a good list. We really need some pass rushers to make the case that they're worthy of a first round pick.

 

[mayoclinic]

Yeah.

There are a lot of players NOT currently on my list, some of whom are still getting 1st round love from the media. Hoping some of them go early and push other folk down.

Dream scenario would be getting a Tier 1 prospect and having a Tier 2 slip down or be within trade-up range. But that's a long way off.

 

[mayoclinic]

Of course, a year ago Will Johnson was concensus CB1 and a projected top 10 pick. Things change. Still plenty of time for someone to emerge.

 

[mayoclinic]

Pats will hold the #7 pick after this week.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

It's not Burden that irks me but Tory Horton. Two TDs today.

And you loved Horton. Must sting. But the sting means you know what you are doing.

 

[Joey007]

Despite that loss, I'm not too downhearted because we should have won that game comfortably; they just need to sort out the idiotic blunders whether they be fumbles or penalties. I'm still team BPA, especially after Spillane had such a strong game and the safeties clearly weren't the issue.

If I’m going to rank needs:

1. WR, which goes without saying. I think we still need to figure out what Bouttee is. Williams obviously as well. But I think there will be a need for a true #1, no matter how you slice it.

2. IOL: this I think have flipped this with OT. I think Jared Wilson is one answer, and other two spots are now question marks. Starting to finally get onboard with wondering if it’s time to move on from Onwenu. We at minimum going to need one starter.

3. Safety. It’s becoming very clear here this is the biggest defensive need. Woodson looks promising long term, but Hawkins is not an answer. We badly need another safety or two.

4. OT: Finally have an answer at LT. Moses is probably gone after this year. The one caveat is still waiting to see who Bryant is as a player. It’s also doable to move someone in the interior out to RT if need be. There’s multiple ways we can address RT.

5. LB. I agree Gibbens looked better, but he still is on a short contract. I think we really could stand to have another stable presence here. Especially if Spillane remains inconsistent.

Remaining positions: no need at QB, interior DL. Edge and TE are not as immediate needs, but could use more young depth. CB and RB need at least one more body in the depth chart, but don’t need addressed with premium picks.

 

[manxman2601]

If I’m going to rank needs:

1. WR, which goes without saying. I think we still need to figure out what Bouttee is. Williams obviously as well. But I think there will be a need for a true #1, no matter how you slice it.

2. IOL: this I think have flipped this with OT. I think Jared Wilson is one answer, and other two spots are now question marks. Starting to finally get onboard with wondering if it’s time to move on from Onwenu. We at minimum going to need one starter.

3. Safety. It’s becoming very clear here this is the biggest defensive need. Woodson looks promising long term, but Hawkins is not an answer. We badly need another safety or two.

4. OT: Finally have an answer at LT. Moses is probably gone after this year. The one caveat is still waiting to see who Bryant is as a player. It’s also doable to move someone in the interior out to RT if need be. There’s multiple ways we can address RT.

5. LB. I agree Gibbens looked better, but he still is on a short contract. I think we really could stand to have another stable presence here. Especially if Spillane remains inconsistent.

Remaining positions: no need at QB, interior DL. Edge and TE are not as immediate needs, but could use more young depth. CB and RB need at least one more body in the depth chart, but don’t need addressed with premium picks.

I agree with your list but do disagree on CB and edge. Jones and Chaisson are out of contract at the end of the year and Austin has really struggled as the no 1 backup outside corner. I would add CB and EDGE to your top 5 list and just take the BPA from those seven position groups.

 

[Joey007]

I agree with your list but do disagree on CB and edge. Jones and Chaisson are out of contract at the end of the year and Austin has really struggled as the no 1 backup outside corner. I would add CB and EDGE to your top 5 list and just take the BPA from those seven position groups.

I think we both agree they’re needs, just the priority level. I want us to continue to put resources into those positions, just not with our highest premium picks.

Those are needs we either continue to shore up with vets in FA, or in early day 3.

 

[manxman2601]

I think we both agree they’re needs, just the priority level. I want us to continue to put resources into those positions, just not with our highest premium picks.

Those are needs we either continue to shore up with vets in FA, or in early day 3.

CB and pass rusher are two of the most valued positions in the NFL. I'm fine with using a high value pick on either. Interior OL, linebacker and RT are the types of positions you can fill on day 3. This is a team that needs talent and we're not in the position to start finessing where that talent should play. Sorry, but I'm afraid I'm going to have to disagree with you on this one. Until we see what happens in FA, I'm team BPA.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

I do think that TE is a need that needs to be addressed with a top-half pick (pref day 2).

 

[ScottishPatriot]

If we’re drafting high (no guarantee of that at all with our schedule), I’d like to see us take Caleb Downs S Ohio State. Would transform the secondary. Get WR1 in a trade or FA.

 

[manxman2601]

John Mateer is to have an operation on his throwing hand and is going to be out at least 2-3 weeks.

 

[manxman2601]

If we’re drafting high (no guarantee of that at all with our schedule), I’d like to see us take Caleb Downs S Ohio State. Would transform the secondary. Get WR1 in a trade or FA.

Downs is no 2 on my big board. I'd be very happy with that.

 

[manxman2601]

Just a thought on TJ Parker and Peter Woods of Clemson.

Neither have played like top 5 picks and I don't have either ranked that high. However:

Peter Woods is still playing at a high level as a run defender with an 83.4 grade. Additionally, he has only had 1 snap all year lined up outside tackle. He is now a full time DT taking on double teams. I still have a first round grade on him but I don't think he's necessarily what we need right now.

TJ Parker actually grades pretty well however his pass rush is well down on last year. Is that scheme or a performance drop off. His grades are pretty good though with pass rush and run defence grades in the 70s. He has 1 less sack and 10 less pressures than Rueben Bain. Still a first rounder but no longer to 10. He needs to improve that pass rush win rate of only 12% though.

Both are still first rounders for me based a) upon their performances last year and b) decent stats this year but improvement is needed from both. Parker especially.

 

[dliverey44]

These are my current thoughts after 3 weeks and positions I think will be needed going forward.

TE-Our offense is an inside system or at least it seems that way currently. Our TEs are both over 30, so getting a reliable TE to take the torch from Henry (Henry has 22 TGTS and Hooper has 7).

OL-Owenu is super inconsistent, Moses is old and probably not to relied on for next year, Bradbury is a stop gap.

ILB- Currently more miss than hit, Spillane looked good against the Steelers but was pretty bad vs Raiders and Dolphins. The rest are pretty MEH

S- I do not get the all 22 anymore so I am not sure the need level.

CB- need depth

I do not think the DL or edge is a high priority