2026 NFL Draft thread - Day 3 discussion - Rounds 4, 5, 6 and 7

[Kray007]

Originally Posted by Hoopsdoc

I guess Ballard learned his lesson about linebackers after last year. He’s always a year late on this stuff.

The starters were supposed to be Carlies and Franklin. Zaire was coming off a pro bowl season. Carlies was the talented young player expected to step up. Linebacker should have been a strength.

Unfortunately, Carlies got hurt and Franklin’s performance dropped off a cliff. It’s unfortunate, but I’m not sure how we can expect Ballard to anticipate things like that.