2026 NFL Combine Thread: 2.26.26 - 3.1.26

[firefox1234]

Hope this bumps Sadiq top 15. Maybe the Bucs take him.

Edited February 28 by firefox1234

[Htarnation4.0]

Alright. For all of you folks who follow closely, and with the Combine wrapping soon, who will be our likely/realistic targets in the 1st three rounds? And how does FA affect what we do on draft day. Thanks!!!

[Khyber53]

Get the smartest players at ILB, S and C. They can have immediate and lasting impacts, plus they can elevate the play of those around them, moving the powerful pieces around the chessboard more effectively.

 

[MHS831]

1 hour ago, Khyber53 said:

Great info overall.

This part, though, I had missed this guy. Could we go with another smaller, smarter LB? I mean, we had the best one of all time once before... Could lightning strike twice? Sure would be nice. Could we grab ILB in the second and third rounds? We really, really could use some strength and smarts there.

You hit the nail on the head when you mentioned intelligence--we have 3 primary needs at positions where intelligence is very important (FS C, LB).  It made me re-think things.  Smart players make others around them better and they anticipate mistakes.  Everyone is good--great is where you have to be.

Edited February 28 by MHS831

[firefox1234]

 

[firefox1234]

42 minutes ago, Htarnation4.0 said:

Alright. For all of you folks who follow closely, and with the Combine wrapping soon, who will be our likely/realistic targets in the 1st three rounds? And how does FA affect what we do on draft day. Thanks!!!

I like the DL/Edge and ILB class. I think I like Parker from Clemson the most cause he reminds me of Hendrickson and they had similar college production. The ILBs I could go with any of Allen, Hill Jr., Rodriguez, and Volday and walk away happy.

However, I’d be happy if other skill positions fall to us at #19 BPA if a Lemon or Tyson fell for whatever reason because they are playmakers which our team is desperately in short of in whatever shape or form.

[MHS831]

1 hour ago, Htarnation4.0 said:

Alright. For all of you folks who follow closely, and with the Combine wrapping soon, who will be our likely/realistic targets in the 1st three rounds? And how does FA affect what we do on draft day. Thanks!!!

Hard to say right now, but good thinking.  I look at this as the info we need for free agency.  Looks like we are going to free up about $10m so far; watch to see if any contracts (Moehrig, Horn, Brown, etc) are reworked the first week of March.  Then after free agency, we will have a pretty good idea.

Right now, to be fair to your question because I am sure you are aware of its timing:

In free agency, I see us adding an OT of some sort and drafting one at some point.  It all depends on how they view Ickey, Nijman, and maybe BC.  That OT could be Nijman.  I do not see the future OT--just a stop gap.

I see the Panthers signing a free-agent center.  I think the market is strong.  I see Fortner from the Saints as a prime candidate and his salary is estimated at $6m by Spotrac.  the Saints are $42m over the cap, so I doubt they are able to re-sign many of their own.  He will be 28.  I also expect them to re-sign Corbett (depth) at a vet min ($1.5m) deal.

I also see free agency as a strong area to get a free safety who can play and is under age 30.  Hawkins, Cook, and Bryant are all around age 27-28, play at a high level, and should be had for about $15m per.

EDGE: Arnold Ebiketie is a good value because he gets pressure at a high percentage.  He had 2 sacks and Atlanta just drafted 2 pass rushers last year.   He has a 70+ PFF rating and will (Spotrac) demand about $9m.  While he is not the answer, he is a great third down option with Princely and he would allow for Jones, Scourton, and Princely to develop.

So if we could sign a S, C, and Edge, and maybe even an ILB, we could be set to take BPA.  

I like the FS and C markets--not elated about an edge--and I love the ILBs in the draft.

If I could sign a S, C, and Edge:

1. OT

2. ILB

3. WR

OR 

1. WR

2. OT

3. ILB (so deep)

Edited February 28 by MHS831

[MHS831]

I also think day three needs to be OL depth, TE, DT, and QB.

Edited February 28 by MHS831

[MHS831]

35 minutes ago, firefox1234 said:

 

I see Miller here.

In a dream vision.

He was on a zebra in an undisclosed Walmart.

It will be so.

[Htarnation4.0]

18 minutes ago, MHS831 said:

Hard to say right now, but good thinking.  I look at this as the info we need for free agency.  Looks like we are going to free up about $10m so far; watch to see if any contracts (Moehrig, Horn, Brown, etc) are reworked the first week of March.  Then after free agency, we will have a pretty good idea.

Right now, to be fair to your question because I am sure you are aware of its timing:

In free agency, I see us adding an OT of some sort and drafting one at some point.  It all depends on how they view Ickey, Nijman, and maybe BC.  That OT could be Nijman.  I do not see the future OT--just a stop gap.

I see the Panthers signing a free-agent center.  I think the market is strong.  I see Fortner from the Saints as a prime candidate and his salary is estimated at $6m by Spotrac.  the Saints are $42m over the cap, so I doubt they are able to re-sign many of their own.  He will be 28.  I also expect them to re-sign Corbett (depth) at a vet min ($1.5m) deal.

I also see free agency as a strong area to get a free safety who can play and is under age 30.  Hawkins, Cook, and Bryant are all around age 27-28, play at a high level, and should be had for about $15m per.

EDGE: Arnold Ebiketie is a good value because he gets pressure at a high percentage.  He had 2 sacks and Atlanta just drafted 2 pass rushers last year.   He has a 70+ PFF rating and will (Spotrac) demand about $9m.  While he is not the answer, he is a great third down option with Princely and he would allow for Jones, Scourton, and Princely to develop.

So if we could sign a S, C, and Edge, and maybe even an ILB, we could be set to take BPA.  

I like the FS and C markets--not elated about an edge--and I love the ILBs in the draft.

If I could sign a S, C, and Edge:

1. OT

2. ILB

3. WR

OR 

1. WR

2. OT

3. ILB (so deep)

Thanks for the breakdown

[Soul Rebel]

4 hours ago, LinvilleGorge said:

I've been confused for awhile why this guy is being considered a mid-round pick by virtually everyone. His measurables with 17 sacks over the past two seasons (8.5 in each) usually puts you at least in 1st round considerations and pretty much a lock to go in the 2nd.

What's even crazier is that he was initially a R1 projection if he came out last year. He was being mocked in the 20-32 range before he announced his return to Happy Valley.

Maybe if PSU was more relevant this year, he would have more pub, but I agree, it's pretty baffling. If we can get DDS in the 3rd or 4th, I'm running that card up. 

6'6" 256 w/ 39.5" vert, 11' BJ and a 6.9 3-cone....Parsons & Bosa ran a 6.89 3C drill.

He did put up numbers at PSU too, so it's not like he's just a combine warrior. I still think he's a top-50 selection by the time it's all said and done. 

[Soul Rebel]

3 hours ago, Khyber53 said:

I think you've nailed what we need right here.  Rodriguez and Thieneman would be my choices, Thieneman in the first and Rodriguez in the second.

Let everyone else eat up their picks on the crop of WRs and linemen.

Then make a push in free agency for the top center.

I was leaning more Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, but Thieneman opened my eyes this week. Went back and did some more digging, and he flat out produced big numbers at Oregon. 

Cooper DeJean comps too and blazed a 4.35 40 along w/ a 41" vert and some decent bench presses. He wouldn't be the Emmanwori type that I covet, but I'll take a DeJean roaming FS/NB that is insanely smart to captain the secondary.

Kam Chancellor was a beast for SEA, but Earl Thomas was the quiet hero of that secondary. I'll take that all day and agree w/ MHS that we need more IQ and leadership on defense.

[Basbear]

1 hour ago, MHS831 said:

You hit the nail on the head when you mentioned intelligence--we have 3 primary needs at positions where intelligence is very important (FS C, LB).  It made me re-think things.  Smart players make others around them better and they anticipate mistakes.  Everyone is good--great is where you have to be.

those spots also need toughness, more than others. I cannot imagine playing LB in this modern NFL, where these OGs are fast and strongest ever in league history. 

Short side bar- One of the weakness of Sonny styles is shedding blocks. I member hearing luke talk about his 2 weakness - shedding blocking and pass rushing. Luke said Thomas Davis was sooo much better at those two than he was. Shedding a 335 LB athletic man with a bear-level grip strength....its no wonder even greats struggle. You just got to be one mean SOB......  

[Basbear]

1 hour ago, MHS831 said:

I also think day three needs to be OL depth, TE, DT, and QB.

I would not mind at all to come after with 2 edges and 2 ILBs...... maybe even one in the early picks and the other day three. F it add more from UDFA pool too, go loco.....

2 edges

2 ILBs

2 OTs

1 slot/TE/gadget/O weapon

1 FS

I do feel its "Ok" to trade back once or twice to gain 1-2 extra picks.....hell I didn't even list C, ugh too many holes.....QB, depth IOL, DL, NB, punter.....ugh