NFL Draft

#88      
Username
Per this article, Gabe could sneak into the first round. That'd be great to see. Spoon was our last 1st round pick in 2023. Whitney Mercilus in 2012 was the last time an Edge/DE was taken in the first round.
  • Edge rushers Gabe Jacas (Illinois) and Malachi Lawrence (UCF) are two names receiving a heavy amount of first-round buzz from scouts I have talked to. Lawrence can accelerate up the field in a hurry, posting a 4.52 in the 40-yard dash at the combine. Teams love his upside as a pass rusher but also recognize his need to develop as a run defender. Jacas could be one of the biggest surprises on Day 1. Scouts pointed to his age (21 years old), heavy hands as a run defender and the flashes that he showed as a pass rusher en route to 11 sacks in 2025.

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2026 NFL draft latest buzz: Caleb Downs, Day 2 steals, more

When could Caleb Downs and Jordyn Tyson get drafted? What are the Eagles, Giants and Steelers thinking for their picks? Our experts share new intel.
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#92      
zentrails
therealmiket86 said:
Teams fall in love with the physical traits and think they can change a player.
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Tell me about it, I still remember the Bear HC moving in with Bobby Douglass to help him learn the playbook. Didn't work. Textbook case of someone "with all the tools" that failed miserably at being a pro QB
 
#94      
ChiefGritty
spotter said:
ESPN predicts Altmeyer as a sixth-round draft pick to Atlanta.

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2026 NFL quarterback mock draft: Team fits over seven rounds

Ben Solak projects landing spots for the nine QBs he considers draftable in the 2026 class (and one trade) and sizes up each team fit.
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I found this contrast of Altmyer scouting reports interesting.

In a class like this, it's easy to talk oneself into a few Day 3 dart throws. Altmyer is one of those effortless sells. An ex-four-star recruit who initially committed to Ole Miss and Lane Kiffin, Altmyer isn't lacking for physical talent. He has a zippy release and highly reliable accuracy in the quick game and on RPOs. Throwing on the move doesn't impact his accuracy much, and he is an efficient scrambler (66.7% success rate last season).

Most importantly, Altmyer is tough as nails. He will take a brutal shot to get a throw off or put his shoulder down to make the first-down marker. He makes his best plays on late downs or in the final quarter. Of course, that willingness to hold the ball leads to a worryingly high sack rate, which will limit his ceiling in the NFL.

Many of Altmyer's strengths and weaknesses are similar to those of Dillon Gabriel coming out of Oregon, whom Kevin Stefanski helped draft in 2025 with the Browns. Now with the Falcons, Stefanski already has two potential starters in incumbent Michael Penix Jr. and veteran signing Tua Tagovailoa. But neither represents a substantial investment for the new coaching staff or front office, and the QB3 job is open for grabs above veteran Trevor Siemian, who was a practice squad player with the Titans over the past two years.

The Falcons don't need to add a QB3, of course. But Altmyer is a stylistic fit, and any team with as open a competition as Atlanta's is a candidate to add a quarterback to the room.
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Luke Altmyer Draft and Combine Prospect Profile | NFL.com

All Combine and Draft-Related Analysis, News, Video, and Biographical Information for Luke Altmyer
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Draft Projection Round 7/PFA

Overview
Three-year starter with solid passing production relative to the lack of protection he saw in 2025. Altmyer has experience in pro passing concepts and shows decent eye discipline/patience to give the play a chance. He throws with adequate anticipation into zone windows but a slower operation time and lack of arm talent hurt his chances of beating tight man coverage. Edge pressure sneaks up on him and he hasn’t learned to avoid sacks often enough. Altmyer could have a tough time beating out pro backups for a roster spot.

Strengths
Three-year starter and team captain.
Has plenty of experience in pro passing concepts.
Patient to wait out the route development.
Throws with adequate timing into intermediate windows.
Good eye manipulation to move zone defenders away from his target.
Keeps eyes alive and searching for a completion when scrambling.

Weaknesses
Below-average size, arm talent and drive velocity.
Low arm slot makes him susceptible to batted passes.
Exaggerated pre-throw ball pat slows his operation time.
Can be a step slow to hit open receivers in stride.
Accuracy issues appear tied to a lack of discipline with footwork.
Inconsistent poise in the face of real or simulated pressure looks.
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