2026 NFL Draft Thread

#154      
Mr. Tibbs
IlliniFaninHoosierLand said:
Well that was gonna be the deal for whoever got picked at #57.
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#155      
WolfpackIllini
I agree w prior poster - only explanation for lack of DL or Edge is they dont want a rookie, that they will trade for a decent vet.
 
#158      
Jack's Raging Bile Duct
With Dayo, Jarrett and Shemar Turner all coming back (**hopefully healthy**) this year, drafting a bunch of defensive pieces didn't really make a whole lot of sense, considering the cap situation.

Kmet's contract was restructured, he's not going anywhere until after this upcoming season.

Both Odenigbo and Grady can be cut after this upcoming season with smaller cap hits. We as fans don't fully grasp the big picture here.

If the defense doesn't improve this season, I think you'll see more wholesale changes with another draft and free agent class. Don't sleep on Austin Booker taking a big leap this year as well.

Injuries to key players could happen again...

*BUT* last year:

Johnson and Turner missed training camp

Gordon missed 13 games

Johnson missed 7 games

Turner missed 12 games

Booker missed 8 games

Edwards missed 7 games

Edmunds missed 4 games

Stevenson missed 4 games

Jarrett missed 3 games and played injury most of the year

Dayo missed 9 games

That doesn’t even count how most of them when they came back were limited at first.

Call it what you want, kicking the can on the defense for another year, especially after the defensive free agent signings Poles made (Bush, Jackson & Bryant), shouldn't be a huge shock.

Ben needs 3 TE to run his system and he wasn't brought in to have the #9 offense in the NFL. Another year learning the system, expected improvement from Caleb, a revamped and healthier defense... I see the vision of the front office. Pick nits, if you like... no hand-wringing from this fan. I'm hyped, Neil Funk!
 
#167      
IlliniFaninHoosierLand
Here's the NFL.com draft analysis on Muhammad:

Draft Projection
Round 4

NFL Comparison
Andru Phillips

Overview
Muhammad has good coverage talent to offset his slender frame. He can man up from press or off and is a plus pattern-matcher, staying in-phase and shadowing break points. He displays outstanding vision and adheres to his zone-cover principles, allowing him to play with ideal efficiency on all three levels. He can get outmuscled by big, strong wideouts inside the route and at the catch-point, but he doesn’t give in and usually holds his own. He does a nice job of chopping pass-catchers down in space but a lack of play strength shows up in occasional broken tackles. Muhammad has Day 2 talent and starter-level ability.

Strengths
Maintains field vision on every level of coverage.
Above average in reading and matching the route.
Decisive reading and driving from depth.
Makes well-timed leaps to attack high-points and break up throws.
Fluid laterally and changes directions with no hitch.
Good positioning to spill runs against the boundary.

Weaknesses
Slender frame could require a move inside.
Can get outmuscled from press and inside the pattern.
Catching at the top of the route will lead to penalties.
Lack of tackle strength shows up in open field at times.
 
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