NFL Draft Mailbag: Positional value, first round trades, and more
By Jack Brentnall
It’s just a few days until the 2026 NFL Draft, so what better way to prepare than a mailbag. Thanks to everyone who sent in your questions!
How should teams balance positional value versus pure talent when evaluating Jeremiyah Love and Caleb Downs?
I think this has the potential to be one of the defining questions of this draft class. Positional value absolutely matters and should factor into every pick, especially in the first round. It’s why quarterbacks go early every year.
That said, we can sometimes overcorrect and lose sight of the core objective: drafting good football players. Love and Downs both clearly fall into that category.
In my grading process, players are bucketed into tiers. I’m comfortable dipping down one tier for a premium position like quarterback or edge, but once you start reaching further than that in the name of positional value, you’re likely shortchanging yourself.
I think the NFL generally understands this balance too. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if both Love and Downs come off the board inside the top five.
Should the Bucs consider trading out of No. 15 to accumulate more picks, and if so, who could be a potential trade partner?
This will depend heavily on how the board falls, but if there’s no premium talent available at 15, trading back makes a lot of sense.
The issue is that this logic applies to most teams in that range, so finding a willing partner won’t be easy.
If one of the top receivers is still on the board, you could see teams like the Browns, Bills, or Chiefs trying to jump the Jets. That feels like the cleanest path to a deal, but I wouldn’t expect a flood of offers.
Which of these players is most likely—and least likely—to be selected in round one: Peter Woods, CJ Allen, or Emmanuel McNeil-Warren?
McNeil-Warren feels like the safest bet right now, which would’ve sounded wild a few months ago. There are multiple teams in range that could target safety, and he brings a different profile to the rest of the group.
Allen doesn’t quite have the coverage ability to be a first round linebacker for me, and there are some medical questions there too. Woods seems to have dropped out of first round consideration entirely at this point, and I think the concerns about his size, limited pre-draft testing, and a notable drop-off in form in 2025 will give NFL front offices some cause for concern.
Which players do you think are being underrated by the consensus?
Two big ones for me: Michigan edge Jaishawn Barham and Cincinnati receiver Cyrus Allen.
Barham is No. 36 on my board but sits at 86 on consensus. He’s exactly what you want off the edge in 2026 – explosive, violent against the run, and with real upside as a pass rusher. He fits perfectly into the stunt-heavy, simulated pressure world we’re seeing more of.
Allen being down at No. 197 is even harder to understand. He brings legitimate three-level speed, technical refinement as a route runner, and reliable hands with strong ball tracking downfield. That’s a clearly defined role with real value.
If you had to pick one player you have with a UDFA/PFA grade #1 overall who would it be?
My highest-graded UDFA is Baylor quarterback Sawyer Robertson, so he’s the default answer.
The limitations are clear – accuracy issues and limited creativity – but there are flashes worth buying into. He’s calm in the pocket, operates with some composure, and shows decisiveness when he can confirm his read post-snap. There’s at least a foundation to work with.
Two questions on Kadyn Proctor: 1) Is he a left tackle in the NFL? 2) Does he warrant a first-round pick?
I’ve gone back and forth on this since last summer, but I’ve landed on him as a tackle.
There are real concerns – heavy feet, stiffness, and issues redirecting laterally – but I don’t think kicking him inside solves those problems. His height and pad level would create just as many issues at guard, particularly with leverage at the point of attack.
What keeps him at tackle is the explosiveness out of his stance. He’s not someone you want in a pass-heavy offense asking him to vertical set consistently, but in the right scheme and role, he can hold up.
Who is your favourite European player in this draft class?
It’s a thinner European group this year, but I like Michigan tight end Marlin Klein.
The production isn’t going to move the needle (38 career catches), but the tools are there, with a prototypical frame and long-strider speed to threaten the seam. He feels like a solid developmental day three option.
Side note: I think I already have my answer lined up for 2027 – Temple tight end Peter Clarke.
Who is the highest ranked consensus player that is most likely to go undrafted?
When this happens, it’s usually tied to injury or character concerns that consensus hasn’t fully priced in. With that in mind, I’ll go with Baylor TE Michael Trigg.
He’s a high-level athlete with eye-catching flashes, but there are significant off-field concerns. Dismissals from USC and Ole Miss, multiple suspensions, and questions around maturity all add up.
On top of that, his playstyle won’t suit every team. He’s a pass-catching specialist and arguably the weakest blocker in the class. Combine that with a notable injury history, and there’s enough there to push him off some boards entirely.
How high could (or should) Boston, Concepcion, and Cooper Jr. go? And how far could (or should) Lemon, Tate, and Tyson go?
I have Concepcion in a tier of his own when compared to Boston and Cooper – I think he’s that good. I’d expect him to be the first of the bunch off the board, and somewhere in the top 15 feels realistic.
Boston and Cooper are more early day two for me, though Cooper has a path to sneaking into the back end of round one.
On the other side, I’m increasingly expecting the consensus top three to go early. Tate feels like a lock for the top 10, and it’s hard to see Lemon getting past the Rams at 13. Tyson is building momentum too. All three in the top 10 wouldn’t shock me, though I’d be uncomfortable taking Tyson that high given the durability concerns.
Which 2026 draft pick will have the biggest special teams impact as a rookie?
It’s hard to look past Texas safety Michael Taaffe. He’s a true core-four special teamer with over 800 career snaps and 12 tackles. That kind of profile translates immediately. Even if he never develops into a starting safety, he’s the sort of player who makes an impact from day one.
Throw a dart: which drafted player will make everyone say “who?” on draft weekend?
NC State edge rusher Cian Slone. He’s down at 391 on the consensus board, but I could see him sneaking into day three. The motor is relentless, and there’s some linear explosiveness to work with. He’s still developing as a rusher, but the tenacious playstyle and special teams value makes him worth a late flier.
Which linebacker in this class might not start as a rookie but has the potential to be the best at the position by year three?
I have a hard time seeing anyone other than Sonny Styles being the best linebacker from this class, but if I’m picking another name, I’ll go with Missouri’s Josiah Trotter.
He needs development in coverage, but the tools are there. He has explosiveness, power, and arguably the best pass rushing ability at the position. He’s also got real pop in his hands in the run game.
The athletic ability suggests he can grow in coverage. It’s more about feel and reps, and that can come with time. There’s a path to him outplaying his draft slot.
Does the difference in snap volume between offensive linemen (near every down) and defensive linemen/EDGE (rotational usage) affect your grading or outlook? Do you see those philosophies ever converging?
It definitely factors into the grading. With defensive linemen, especially those with standout traits, you can live with some flaws because they can carve out a role in a rotation. A player might be a liability on early downs but still provide real value as a pass rusher.
You don’t get that luxury on the offensive line. Major weaknesses are much harder to hide when you’re playing every snap. My grading scale will penalise offensive linemen more significantly for a shortfall in those main areas when compared to defensive lineman for that reason.
I don’t see that philosophy changing either. You can’t have situational offensive linemen without tipping your hand to the defense. You need five players who can function on all downs.
For the Bears’ pick, do you prefer Faulk, Woods, or Kayden?
At 25, I don’t love any of them at value, but if I had to choose, I’d lean Woods.
He’s No. 40 on my board, so it’s a bit of a reach, but I think he’s the best of the group. There are some similarities to a Grady Jarrett-type profile, which would make sense for what the Bears need long term.
If I’m picking freely, though, I’d go with Georgia’s Christen Miller. He brings a really appealing blend of size, quickness, and three-down potential. He needs to finish more consistently, but he’s a disruptive interior presence with real upside.
JACK BRENTNALL
HEAD OF NFL DRAFT CONTENT
Previously the founder of The Jet Sweep, Jack joined The Touchdown as head of Draft Content in 2024. A Scouting Academy alumnus, Jack has been Covering the NFL Draft since 2020. Follow him on Twitter @Jack_Brentnall.