Who's cutting onions?
2026 NFL Draft Thread
Who's cutting onions?
57 needs to be his number if available
Day 3 is now underway.
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.
With the 108th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Denver Broncos select Jonah Coleman, RB, Washington.
With the 109th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Kansas City Chiefs select Jadon Canady, CB, Oregon.
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!
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!
With the 112th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys select Drew Shelton, OT, Penn State.
With the 115th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Baltimore Ravens select Elijah Sarratt, WR, Indiana.
With the 118th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions select Jimmy Rolder, LB, Michigan.
With the 120th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Green Bay Packers select Dani Dennis-Sutton, DE, Penn State.
With the 121st overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers select Kaden Wetjen, WR, Iowa.
With the 124th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears select Malik Muhammad, CB, Texas.
With the 127th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the San Francisco 49ers select Carver Willis, OT, Washington.
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.
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.
TheFlyingIllini1317
- Chicago, IL
Can't find the clip on Espn of Gabe getting drated, want to hear what Kiper and Riddick said about him. Anyone have this?
Not sure why he hasn’t gone yet. I think the Steelers made a mistake going for Drew
PizzaHutParkingLot
- Vodice, Croatia
Which Illini have the best chance to hear their names called today?
With the 135th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Indianapolis Colts select Bryce Boettcher, LB, Oregon.
Only ones I would guess would be Altmeyer and possibly J.C. Davis.
With the 139th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the San Francisco 49ers select Ephesians Prysock, CB, Washington.
With the 141st overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Houston Texans select Kamari Ramsey, S, USC.
NFL loves measurables and cannon arms.