What are our biggest needs in the 2026 Draft

[ZoisKing]

RT
RG
LB
RB

I think if we can fix the right side with the same level of efficiency as we did the left side, our offense levels up big time.

Im loving watching Maye do his thing, but weve had such a minimal return from our rushing game. We are currently 26th in yardage with a paltry 3.5 YPC.

A well rounded, well coached offense with the pieces we have added looks to be potentially really good.

And get the best linebacker available.

 

[manxman2601]

Vrabel loves a good tackler so here are the top draft eligible tacklers in CFB. I've used this thread because this isn't position specific and I didn't want to start a thread just for this specific topic.

Note that, as usual, I'm only including names I've heard of in a draftable context. There are plenty of names that could have been on the list that I just haven't heard of yet so I'm not including them.

This is based upon tackling grade exclusively.

1. Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State (90.9)
2. Michael Taaffe, S, Texas (90.7)
3. Bishop Fitzgerald, S, USC (89.4)
4. Anthony Hill Jr, LB, Texas (89.4)
5. Keith Abney II, CB, Arizona St. (87.9)
6. AJ Harris, CB, Penn State (87.8)
7. Jontez Williams, CB, Iowa State (87.1)
8. CJ Allen, LB, Georgia (86.7)
9. Davison Igbinosun, CB, Ohio State (86.5)
10. Kamari Ramsey, S/CB, USC (86.1)
11. Domani Jackson, CB, Alabama (85.9) - Huh?
12. Zakee Wheatley, S, Penn State (85.7)
13. Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego St. (85.3)
14. Josh Moten, CB, So.Miss (84.3)
15. Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson (84.1)

 

[mayoclinic]

Domani Jackson LOL. So much for statistics. Terrible tackler.

Sonny Styles, Anthony Hill or CJ Allen could be a very good addition to the defense.

 

[manxman2601]

Just found the below link which lists the different coverage schemes amongst NFL teams.

Patriots are 6th in man coverage at 33.6%
We are 9th in middle closed coverage which is essentially utilising a single high safety (cover-1/cover-3) at 56.8%.
So in terms of how that affects drafting, outside corners who can run with a WR deep in cover 1 or 3 and the edge to someone who can play single high at safety.

NFL Secondary Statistics: Coverage Scheme Stats & Rates

Explore 2025 NFL coverage scheme data. See which defenses rely on man or zone coverage with our team-by-team percentage breakdown.

www.sharpfootballanalysis.com

 

[mayoclinic]

Sounds like Rod Moore.

 

[manxman2601]

Sounds like Rod Moore.

Someone I need to learn more about.

 

[borisman]

Vrabel loves a good tackler so here are the top draft eligible tacklers in CFB. I've used this thread because this isn't position specific and I didn't want to start a thread just for this specific topic.

Note that, as usual, I'm only including names I've heard of in a draftable context. There are plenty of names that could have been on the list that I just haven't heard of yet so I'm not including them.

This is based upon tackling grade exclusively.

1. Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State (90.9)
2. Michael Taaffe, S, Texas (90.7)
3. Bishop Fitzgerald, S, USC (89.4)
4. Anthony Hill Jr, LB, Texas (89.4)
5. Keith Abney II, CB, Arizona St. (87.9)
6. AJ Harris, CB, Penn State (87.8)
7. Jontez Williams, CB, Iowa State (87.1)
8. CJ Allen, LB, Georgia (86.7)
9. Davison Igbinosun, CB, Ohio State (86.5)
10. Kamari Ramsey, S/CB, USC (86.1)
11. Domani Jackson, CB, Alabama (85.9) - Huh?
12. Zakee Wheatley, S, Penn State (85.7)
13. Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego St. (85.3)
14. Josh Moten, CB, So.Miss (84.3)
15. Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson (84.1)

We could an upgrade at safety that can tackle. Looking at you, Jaylin Hawkins.

 

[mayoclinic]

So with needs/upgrades at RT, RG, and LG/C (depending on Wilson), depending all of the following entered the 2026 draft, how much draft capital do you think we would need to extend to draft 3 of the following:

- Cayden Green (tackle/guard)
- Austin Siereveld (everything but C)
- Kade Pieper (C/G)
- Jake Slaughter (C)
- Brian Parker (RT, RG, maybe LG)
- PJ Williams (RT, maybe guard)
- Kage Casey (LT, likely RT or G)

Any others? Troest? Bisontis?

I'm thinking we could get 3 players from that list with complementary skillsets and starter upside for our 3rd and 2 4ths.

 

[stelfans]

I would include Beau Stephens and Gulbin.
But I agree that we could get 2 of those guys with starter potential in the 3rd/4th rounds. Not sold on anyone for RT, they all look guards to me but who knows.

 

[manxman2601]

So with needs/upgrades at RT, RG, and LG/C (depending on Wilson), depending all of the following entered the 2026 draft, how much draft capital do you think we would need to extend to draft 3 of the following:

- Cayden Green (tackle/guard)
- Austin Siereveld (everything but C)
- Kade Pieper (C/G)
- Jake Slaughter (C)
- Brian Parker (RT, RG, maybe LG)
- PJ Williams (RT, maybe guard)
- Kage Casey (LT, likely RT or G)

Any others? Troest? Bisontis?

I'm thinking we could get 3 players from that list with complementary skillsets and starter upside for our 3rd and 2 4ths.

I think Parker is being seen as a center. Too short arms for RT, not heavy enough for guard. The Senior Bowl will tell us if he can make the switch.

FWIW, Brandon Thorn likes Mauigoa a lot at Bleacher report.

 

[captain stone]

If HH gets injured, heaven forbid, a lot of you blokes will suddenly realize the lack of a young, talented guy there. Our offense will not function as well without Henry.

The last two drafts we could have had Bruce Bowens and Tyler Warren. Or keep Maye and Campbell and draft Mason Taylor in the second instead of Henderson, the talented Ohio State RB.

2026 TE is front and center as a top three priority. Maybe we can squeeze a couple more seasons out of HH and Austin Hooper. But that’s pushing it.

TE with dual responsibilities is harder for a rookie. Blocking and catching. And the need for a blocking ‘Y’ TE is readily apparent even to the bums living in Kenmore Square.

Theo Johnson, Cade Stover, AJ Barner & Jared Wiley were all available when Eliot & the rest of the Nepo-Tards chose Laydown Robinson last year; and all but Johnson were still on the board when they took the execrable Javon half-Bakerd... I admit though that I had hoped for more from Jaheim Bell, and CJ Dippre too...

 

[WhatJustHappened]

Safety


.



OLB


EDGE

 

[mayoclinic]

Group our needs:

Offense:

1. OL. Campbell-Wilson-Bradbury-Onwenu-Moses is a big step up from the past few years, but the OL is still a work in progress. Will need to replace Bradbury, Onwenu and Moses in the next 1-2 years.

2. Offensive skill players. The WRs are actually pretty good, but Williams needs to be involved more, and an upgrade at the X position wouldn't hurt. Henry is great, but turning 30. Henderson needs to be incorporated more effectively, and needs a better complement.

Defense:

3. EDGE. The interior of the DL is awesome, but the outside pass rush needs work. Landry-Chaisson is not at the caliber of the DTs, White hasn't developed, Jennings is marginal, and Swinson, Ponder and Jones are developmental depth.

4. Back end. Spillane is solid, but could use an alpha LB to patrol the middle of the field. Woodson is coming along, but there is little else at S. Depth at CB is needed.

 

[manxman2601]

A defensive coordinator for the first quarter only. The defense is fine after that.

 

[manxman2601]

I still think BPA defense (excl DT) or OL. I think I'd be fine if that's all we drafted FA allowing.

 

[mayoclinic]

Agreed, though if BPA turns out to be Lemon or Bell I wouldn't scream.

Protect the Drake.

 

[captain stone]

Center/Guard should still be high on the list, either through free agency or the draft... I'd actually like to see a starting-caliber Left Guard acquired Now so that Wilson can sit awhile and catch his breath.

RB & FS for both Now (trade deadline) and Later (free agency/draft)

Pass-Rusher... Doubt we'll have anybody of impact available at the deadline; so this should be a high priority for Later.

Both Outside & Slot CB depth for Now & Later

A blocking TE/FB who's > Westover for now; and a TE of the Future later.

And if they don't feel that Williams will be of much help this season, then an Outside WR for now, though that particular need has been mitigated during the past couple of weeks.

 

[mayoclinic]

Center/Guard should still be high on the list, either through free agency or the draft... I'd actually like to see a starting-caliber Left Guard acquired Now so that Wilson can sit awhile and catch his breath.

From OL guru Brandon Thorn, from Pats-Titans game:



I'm not saying Wilson hasn't had any issues, but it seems like there's something to work with.

 

[captain stone]

From OL guru Brandon Thorn, from Pats-Titans game:



I'm not saying Wilson hasn't had any issues, but it seems like there's something to work with.

There is indeed something to work with there... But that's not the point.

 

[manxman2601]

1. Phew.

2. Nothing really changes. Pass rush and interior OL. Chaisson flashes but isn't consistent enough and Landry, while doing a lot of good doesn't offer enough in pass rush.

3. Maybe overreaction but a Drake London killer like Kelley Jones (6-4, Miss St) or Tacario Davis (6-4, Washington) wouldn't go amiss.