2026 Draft: EDGE

[manxman2601]

He's all over the place tonight so far.

 

[manxman2601]

 

[mayoclinic]

2nd round to me, but well within the realm of possibility.

 

[manxman2601]

2nd round to me, but we'll within the realm of possibility.

Late first is borderline 2nd round. There's a lot of good stuff there: speed to power, heavy hands, a variation of pass rush moves. He's not the bendy speed rusher I would like but he's a very good all-round edge player. Very good against the run and a good power rusher. He needs to play opposite a more all-out pass rusher though, whether that be Chaisson or someone else.

 

[mayoclinic]

Agree with all of the above.

Yonzhae Pierre to me could become what TJ Parker was hyped up to be coming into the 2015 season. He has the explosiveness and bend that Parker lacks. But I'd be ok with Parker, especially with a slight trade back.

 

[manxman2601]

After last nights game, one thing became really clear to me. We really saw the Vrabel type on defense.

1. Be smart. Don't make fundamental mistakes.

2. Effort & finish.

3. Swarm to the ball.

4. Be physical in the tackle and make sure you nail it.

I think these are my yardsticks when evaluating defensive prospects.

On that note, let's talk about Auburn's Keyron Crawford.

Let's start with what he doesn't appear to be. From what little I've seen of him, he isn't a twitched up, bendy edge rusher that I'd be willing to take day one or two.

What he is:

1. Here's a Dane Brugler quote: ("Crawford) doesn't play with an off switch. Scouts rave about his football character and the way he works."

2. At 6'4", 255lbs, He's smack in that Vrabel 'type' that he signed/drafted last off-season.

3. I focused on him quite a bit in the game in that Alabama game at the weekend. I commented on it in the game thread but in the first quarter specifically, he was all over the field. If I wasn't focused on him, I'd have noticed him anyway. He was very impactful.

There was one play where he lined up over the RT, stunted across the complete OL and pressured the QB as though he'd rushed over the LT. His effort was 110%.

4. They were dropping him into coverage quite a bit. Not deep coverage, just into the flats to defend screens and short passes but it was notable just how much it happened. It seemed like 1 play every 3. He certainly gave the impression that he's no prima donna, that he will do anything for the team.

5. I said he's not a twitched up edge rusher, but he does have 43 pressures on the year with a 15.5% pass rush win rate and a 25% win rate on true pass sets. That's better than Zion Young, Uiagelelei, Damon Wilson and Caden Curry to name just a few.

To summarise, I think he's a day three guy although I want to watch more, and depending on how he fits special teams may take the Ponder/Swinson path to getting game time. However, he is absolutely the type of guy you want on your roster, even if it's just the back end. I would go so far as to say that his effort, his willingness to put in the hard yards could mean he's a guy that performs above his skill level and might have starter in his future.

I was very impressed with his football character.

 

[mayoclinic]

Definitely a fit. I'm all for bringing in a day 3 EDGE rusher to compete.

Mikail Kamara also stands out. The Ohio St. guys.

There's also this guy named Akheem Mesidor you might want to look at.

 

[manxman2601]

Definitely a fit. I'm all for bringing in a day 3 EDGE rusher to compete.

Mikail Kamara also stands out. The Ohio St. guys.

There's also this guy named Akheem Mesidor you might want to look at.

Mesi-who?

 

[Clonamery]

Mesi-who?

Mesi-adore.

 

[manxman2601]

Mesi-adore.

Perfect! I'm stealing that.

 

[manxman2601]

 

[manxman2601]

 

[manxman2601]

He had 68 last year and 41 the year before that. That's 155 pressures in three years. He's undersized at 6'1" and not all that bendy but he's a feisty little bugger.

 

[mayoclinic]

Kenyatta Jackson Jr. Early 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Kenyatta Jackson Jr. 2026 NFL Draft scouting report. This report will detail Jackson's strengths, weaknesses, and best fit in the Draft.

lastwordonsports.com

 

[BobDigital]

David Bailey.

This will be a short one. As a pass rusher it is clear he has fantastic upside and ability. One thing i did notice which i didn't like though. He sometimes comes in a little too out of control and around the edge too much taking himself out of the play. I'd like to see him play a bit more controlled at all times, but it isn't an every down kind of thing and a lot of pass rushers do that.

One thing i don't think gets enough credit is how active he is with his arms in passing lanes. You love to see it and he has caused a number of errant passes or even interceptions by either getting a hand on the ball or making the pass harder on the QB.

Now let's talk about the elephant in the room. The run defense. No secret that everyone said how bad it was. So much so he was actually taken out for potential running downs despite being arguably the best pass rusher in college. I don't know how it was in 2024 and before. But i focused on his 2025 tape. It wasn't that bad. So i will assume he improved.

Great? No. But is he a guy i think needs to be taken off the field on 1st and 10 for instance? No. And as far as being an every down player, very few DEs or Edge guys play a very high % of downs. So taking him off for more obvious running downs wouldn't eat into his playing time much.

Finally, he isn't a small guy. He has the size and power to potentially set the edge. I think his improvement in that area showed this is a skill set more than a lack of strength thing, cause Bailey absolutely has the strength and weight needed to be a decent run defender. I believe he can grow even more into this role. And I will grade him accordingly assuming we will see improvement there.

With that in mind. I am going to maybe go higher on Bailey than some. I think while he needs to improve his run D, that is something much easier to improve than the all important pass rush, which he has already. Bailey is a top 16 pick.

 

[manxman2601]

David Bailey.

This will be a short one. As a pass rusher it is clear he has fantastic upside and ability. One thing i did notice which i didn't like though. He sometimes comes in a little too out of control and around the edge too much taking himself out of the play. I'd like to see him play a bit more controlled at all times, but it isn't an every down kind of thing and a lot of pass rushers do that.

One thing i don't think gets enough credit is how active he is with his arms in passing lanes. You love to see it and he has caused a number of errant passes or even interceptions by either getting a hand on the ball or making the pass harder on the QB.

Now let's talk about the elephant in the room. The run defense. No secret that everyone said how bad it was. So much so he was actually taken out for potential running downs despite being arguably the best pass rusher in college. I don't know how it was in 2024 and before. But i focused on his 2025 tape. It wasn't that bad. So i will assume he improved.

Great? No. But is he a guy i think needs to be taken off the field on 1st and 10 for instance? No. And as far as being an every down player, very few DEs or Edge guys play a very high % of downs. So taking him off for more obvious running downs wouldn't eat into his playing time much.

Finally, he isn't a small guy. He has the size and power to potentially set the edge. I think his improvement in that area showed this is a skill set more than a lack of strength thing, cause Bailey absolutely has the strength and weight needed to be a decent run defender. I believe he can grow even more into this role. And I will grade him accordingly assuming we will see improvement there.

With that in mind. I am going to maybe go higher on Bailey than some. I think while he needs to improve his run D, that is something much easier to improve than the all important pass rush, which he has already. Bailey is a top 16 pick.

I'm glad you pointed out his improvement in run defense, that has been apparent this year, both when I've watched him and in his grades. I am going to be quite pissed when he gets taken ahead of us. I've pretty much abandoned the dream.

 

[BobDigital]

So looked into Keldric Faulk.

First thought.. I haven't spent a lot of time on the top of the draft. Is it not all that good? Not saying it is bad, but on a glance I think a lot of people in the top 10 won't be happy. Moving on!

The first thing I want to talk about is Faulk's run D. This may be an odd thing to say. I knew it was going to be good. It was good. But i was left wondering why it wasn't better? He has 10-25LBs on every other DE in this class and as much length and usually more. Realistically with his talent he should be the best run defender in this class and truly elite at it. But he just isn't. Why the heck not? Part of it is a lack of side to side mobility in traffic. Another is when he starts to go in one direction it is hard for him to change, so he sometimes fines himself out of the play if he gets too much penetration. This isn't rare in the NFL, but with Faulk it is more noticeable than a normal DE. Also, I don't think his anchor is elite either. Don't get me wrong... he is a very good run defender... but not elite. And I don't think putting on more weight will solve it, nor losing it.

As a pass rusher he lacks bend. That is no surprise obviously. But he does have some nice quick feet and agility within a straight line context (I know that may not make sense on the surface.. but not all straight lines are created equal). He certainly isn't another Keion White. He has more to his game than a bull rush, his speed up field is good and if the OT isn't ready he can get by and get to the QB. But if the OT is on his game and he goes full speed outside (and boy does he have speed for his size) he will find himself well behind the play. He is at his best in a bull rush and it is an elite bull rush. No question. He can make a living off just that alone. Add in his spins and ability to win outside with speed if the OT over commits to the bull rush then he has enough tools in his kit to be a good pass rusher. I'd like to see more use of his hands though vs the OT. He has room to improve there. Also, I didn't see him get his hands up enough. He has 4 Pass break ups this year... but i think he left some on the table. He is a hard man to pass over. And if he was more consistent with getting his hands up i think he would have had more. There is room too improve here, but i also think there's some ceiling baked in people are potentially ignoring.

Overall i think he is for sure a first rounder. He is ready to start week 1. However my standard for a top 16 pick is a guy who i think can be a pro bowl player at some point. Is he that? Maybe once? So not really. He lands just outside a top 16 pick by my scale. Which puts him at top 32. As that is my next lowest scale. A Very good player and calling him a top 32 does not reflect the value i think he has as he is at the top of that scale.

 

[manxman2601]

So looked into Keldric Faulk.

First thought.. I haven't spent a lot of time on the top of the draft. Is it not all that good? Not saying it is bad, but on a glance I think a lot of people in the top 10 won't be happy. Moving on!

The first thing I want to talk about is Faulk's run D. This may be an odd thing to say. I knew it was going to be good. It was good. But i was left wondering why it wasn't better? He has 10-25LBs on every other DE in this class and as much length and usually more. Realistically with his talent he should be the best run defender in this class and truly elite at it. But he just isn't. Why the heck not? Part of it is a lack of side to side mobility in traffic. Another is when he starts to go in one direction it is hard for him to change, so he sometimes fines himself out of the play if he gets too much penetration. This isn't rare in the NFL, but with Faulk it is more noticeable than a normal DE. Also, I don't think his anchor is elite either. Don't get me wrong... he is a very good run defender... but not elite. And I don't think putting on more weight will solve it, nor losing it.

As a pass rusher he lacks bend. That is no surprise obviously. But he does have some nice quick feet and agility within a straight line context (I know that may not make sense on the surface.. but not all straight lines are created equal). He certainly isn't another Keion White. He has more to his game than a bull rush, his speed up field is good and if the OT isn't ready he can get by and get to the QB. But if the OT is on his game and he goes full speed outside (and boy does he have speed for his size) he will find himself well behind the play. He is at his best in a bull rush and it is an elite bull rush. No question. He can make a living off just that alone. Add in his spins and ability to win outside with speed if the OT over commits to the bull rush then he has enough tools in his kick to be a good pass rusher. I'd like to see more use of his hands though. He has room to improve there. Also, I didn't see him get his hands up enough. He has 4 Pass break ups... but i think he left some on the table. He is a hard man to pass over. And if he was more consistent with getting his hands up i think he would have had more. There is room too improve here, but i also think there's some ceiling baked in people are potentially ignoring.

Overall i think he is for sure a first rounder. He is ready to start week 1. However my standard for a top 16 pick is a guy who i think can be a pro bowl player at some point. Is he that? Maybe once? So not really. He lands just outside a top 16 pick by my scale. Which puts him at top 32. As that is my next lowest scale. A Very good player and calling him a top 32 does not reflect the value i think he has as he is at the top of that scale.

These scouting reports have been a real joy.

 

[BobDigital]

These scouting reports have been a real joy.

Tried to get it in before he big game while there was some down time. Didn't quite make it. Also i want to stress 95% of my scouting is just eye ball test with a few numbers. So not as scientific as most of what is done today.

 

[mayoclinic]