Time to Start Roughing Out the '26 Draft--Needs and Pecking Order

[45catfan]

Ok, we ain't making the playoffs unless something insanely crazy happens and plus it's November, time to start planning for the draft this spring.  Pretty simple, list our positions of need, address in the draft (or left to FA) and round we should draft that need.

Currently we have 8 selections, the actual slot in each round still to be determined by finishing order, but I can't see a huge swing one way or the other.

(This as of Week 10)

Needs: (no particular order)

ILB, CB, DL, Edge, S, QB, IOL, OT

Rd1: ILB/EDGE

Rd2:OT

Rd3:Edge/ILB (opposite of round 1)

Rd4:S

Rd5-a:CB

Rd5-b:QB

Rd6:IOL

Rd7:DL

 

 

Edited Monday at 07:52 PM by 45catfan

[45catfan]

Lol, I'd take this draft in freaking heartbeat!  To say it's unrealistic is an understatement.

[BritishPanther]

Agree with you on pretty much everything here. We're in need of reinforcement on the o line, some sort of QB (give me anyone over 5'11 and 200lbs at this point, I don't care) and improvement in most places.

Admittedly I don't watch much college football, but had a first shot at the draft for next year.

[45catfan]

11 hours ago, BritishPanther said:

Agree with you on pretty much everything here. We're in need of reinforcement on the o line, some sort of QB (give me anyone over 5'11 and 200lbs at this point, I don't care) and improvement in most places.

Admittedly I don't watch much college football, but had a first shot at the draft for next year.

Nice.  Allar is intriguing.  He's a medical red flag.  I'm not sure when he would be available.  However, we aren't moving off Bryce at least until '27, so he'd have time.  I'd be shocked if Young is not our starting QB next year.The OL needs some reinforcement, I agree . Moton's contract is a beast as well as the guards we signed in FA.  Corbett is hurt all the time and BC is nice depth, but a mediocre starter. 

Defense is a must.  You hit some critical areas--Edge, LB, CB.  I would like to see another safety as well.

[Captain Morgan]

agreed that Bryce will be the QB next year.  We've already won 5 games and will win a couple more,  so we'll be behind the teams that need QBs.  I'd be surprised if one drops and we take him.  We'll build the team and hope to draft one in 2027.  Good chance we'll win enough next year to keep us out of the top 5 but we'll see.

IMHO

first need is edge.  We need a real threat to put opposite Nic.  If one's not available worthy of our pick, I hope ILB is there.   Just a big a need as edge but  in the 2nd we can get an immediate impact starter.

Corner would be my 3rd highest need.

 

after that, you're pretty much stocking depth.  An OT in the 3rd would have at least a year behind Moton to learn, and hopefully take over.  In 27 we save 21mill by cutting Moton.

I also want to get better depth inside, and someone who can take over the when the 2 big guard contracts run out, but we had a very good OL before the injuries took over.

 

and then there is WR.  I feel great about TMac.  We won't cut XL, just hope he gets to play with a real QB while he's here, but I'm not feeling it with him.  How high a need next year is WR depends on Coker getting back to form this year.  Renfrow should be back in game shape by then.  

A pro bowl caliber TE would be nice, but next year the pickings are slim after the kid in Oregon.

  

[45catfan]

5 minutes ago, Captain Morgan said:

agreed that Bryce will be the QB next year.  We've already won 5 games and will win a couple more,  so we'll be behind the teams that need QBs.  I'd be surprised if one drops and we take him.  We'll build the team and hope to draft one in 2027.  Good chance we'll win enough next year to keep us out of the top 5 but we'll see.

IMHO

first need is edge.  We need a real threat to put opposite Nic.  If one's not available worthy of our pick, I hope ILB is there.   Just a big a need as edge but  in the 2nd we can get an immediate impact starter.

Corner would be my 3rd highest need.

 

after that, you're pretty much stocking depth.  An OT in the 3rd would have at least a year behind Moton to learn, and hopefully take over.  In 27 we save 21mill by cutting Moton.

I also want to get better depth inside, and someone who can take over the when the 2 big guard contracts run out, but we had a very good OL before the injuries took over.

 

and then there is WR.  I feel great about TMac.  We won't cut XL, just hope he gets to play with a real QB while he's here, but I'm not feeling it with him.  How high a need next year is WR depends on Coker getting back to form this year.  Renfrow should be back in game shape by then.  

A pro bowl caliber TE would be nice, but next year the pickings are slim after the kid in Oregon.

  

You mean like Tyler Warren?  

[45catfan]

Hey @Captain Morgan, got a draft crush yet?  Mine is Mendoza. Yes, I know it's not happening, but his arse better not being wearing gold and black next year.  That would be like pouring lemon juice, vinegar, Pepper 'X' oil and salt into an infected paper cut wound.

[Captain Morgan]

59 minutes ago, 45catfan said:

Hey @Captain Morgan, got a draft crush yet?  Mine is Mendoza. Yes, I know it's not happening, but his arse better not being wearing gold and black next year.  That would be like pouring lemon juice, vinegar, Pepper 'X' oil and salt into an infected paper cut wound.

 

I like him but will wait for what the scouts say after the season.  He's my favorite Qb easily.

Love Arville Reese.  Peter Woods out of Clemson would look good with Brown.

Before the season Woods and Parker the DE were both expected to be in the top 10.  Not sure if they were overrated or if Clemson is just a dumpster fire.  Parker was my original pick if he was available, but he's moving down draft boards.

  

[45catfan]

10 minutes ago, Captain Morgan said:

 

I like him but will wait for what the scouts say after the season.  He's my favorite Qb easily.

Love Arville Reese.  Peter Woods out of Clemson would look good with Brown.

Before the season Woods and Parker the DE were both expected to be in the top 10.  Not sure if they were overrated or if Clemson is just a dumpster fire.  Parker was my original pick if he was available, but he's moving down draft boards.

  

Realistically LB or Edge would be the best options, especially if we stay mid-round like we are now.

[jfra78]

We already mocking? I have no idea how good any of these players are yet.(not a CFB guy)

[45catfan]

28 minutes ago, jfra78 said:

We already mocking? I have no idea how good any of these players are yet.(not a CFB guy)

It's mid November.  After Saturday, there's only two weeks of regular season left.  I know, time flies.  Yes, mocks are ramping up all over the place.

Styles and Cooper Jr. are studs.  Beck isn't a bad option for QB2.  Not sure about he O-line guys.  

[BritishPanther]

10 hours ago, 45catfan said:

Nice.  Allar is intriguing.  He's a medical red flag.  I'm not sure when he would be available.  However, we aren't moving off Bryce at least until '27, so he'd have time.  I'd be shocked if Young is not our starting QB next year.The OL needs some reinforcement, I agree . Moton's contract is a beast as well as the guards we signed in FA.  Corbett is hurt all the time and BC is nice depth, but a mediocre starter. 

Defense is a must.  You hit some critical areas--Edge, LB, CB.  I would like to see another safety as well.

Agreed, another safety would be nice. Bud Clark, TCU, is one I would like to see us take a flyer on later in the draft, if he stays healthy and we don't take someone earlier.

I just really hope we draft a solid C this year. Tired of seeing us cycle through average to below average players in that area.

[rebelrouser]

18 hours ago, 45catfan said:

You mean like Tyler Warren?

I'm ok with Tet over Warren.  Warren has looked great but he doesn't have to play with Bryce.