2026 Draft: EDGE

[mayoclinic]

I know it's fashionable to bash this EDGE class, but Lawrence, Akheem Mesidor and Kenyatta Jackson are 3 very good Day 2 pass rushers. Could upgrade EDGE pretty quickly, at relatively low cost.

 

[manxman2601]

Vrabel would appreciate the effort and hustle shown here.

 

[manxman2601]

My TJ Parker Dilemma

I've pretty much talked my self into TJ Parker being my favourite first round option for us, short of a high upside prospect like Styles, Sadiq or McCoy falling to us.

My Reasoning

Yes he's had a down year but...

1. Very good run defender - he has hit 80 plus run defense grade in all 3 seasons. A true 3 down DE.
2. He has averaged 8 sacks per season in his CFB career.
3. He had 12 sacks last year - the same as Abdul Carter and only one behind David Bailey this year.
4. Averages 40 plus pressures per season across his career, the same as David Bailey.
5. He's strong and uses heavy hands.
6. I like Mesidor about the same, but Parker is much younger.

My Dilemma

Because of his down year, I really need to see him have a good senior bowl to help prove it was a fluke. Trouble is, if he has a good senior bowl, he probably boosts his stock from where it is now. If he doesn't, the question marks about his season rightfully become much louder to the point where drafting him in the first becomes a risk.

 

[mayoclinic]

Pauvre Manx.

I'd rather have any of Freeling, Goosby, or Pierre.

If/when they decide to go back to school, I will probably be up the same creek as you.

 

[manxman2601]

Pauvre Manx.

I'd rather have any of Freeling, Goosby, or Pierre.

If/when they decide to go back to school, I will probably be up the same creek as you.

1. I like Freeling but not as much as you. He's certainly a late first possibility for me but not ahead of Parker.

2. If Goosby declares, I think he probably ends up top 10. He's really, the only potential top LT in this draft. I'm not so high on Lomu.

3. Pierre might be worth it but I'm going to hold off on scouting him until he declares.

 

[mayoclinic]

All reasonable.

I am very trajectory oriented. I think you put more value on a high floor than I do. Parker, Ioane, Pregnon all high floor guys.

 

[Clonamery]

All reasonable.

I am very trajectory oriented. I think you put more value on a high floor than I do. Parker, Ioane, Pregnon all high floor guys.

That comes with maturity.

 

[mayoclinic]

I like 'em young, too.

Reese, Styles. Freeling, Goosby, Pierre, McDonald.

 

[manxman2601]

I like 'em young

Clip this!

 

[manxman2601]

All reasonable.

I am very trajectory oriented. I think you put more value on a high floor than I do. Parker, Ioane, Pregnon all high floor guys.

That is certainly true, something I've acknowledged as a possible flaw in my scouting before. I wanted to be more focused on ceiling this year, and I know we disagree on this, I just haven't seen that ceiling as being prevalent this year. Maybe that changes if Pierre, McDonald, Goosby declare.

 

[mayoclinic]

There's no right answer.

My approach tends to focus on younger, higher trajectory prospects with "traits". Coach 'em up, move on from those that don't work out.

There is obviously balance needed, both from veterans and from older, more developed, and higher floor prospects. I tend to focus on those more day 3.

Yhonzae Pierre, Jelani McDonald, Kade Pieper, Monroe Freeling and Trevor Goosby are all trajectory picks with high upside and traits.

 

[manxman2601]

There's no right answer.

My approach tends to focus on younger, higher trajectory prospects with "traits". Coach 'em up, move on from those that don't work out.

There is obviously balance needed, both from veterans and from older, more developed, and higher floor prospects. I tend to focus on those more day 3.

Yhonzae Pierre, Jelani McDonald, Kade Pieper, Monroe Freeling and Yrevor Goosby are all trajectory picks with high upside and traits.

I'm certainly on board with Mcdonald and Goosby. The other high ceiling pick I do like is Malachi Lawrence.

 

[mayoclinic]

I like Lawrence, too. Imagine something like:

Goosby/Freeling round 1.
Mesidor round 2.
Lawrence round 3.
Best DB and IOL round 4.

 

[manxman2601]

I like Lawrence, too. Imagine something like:

Goosby/Freeling round 1.
Mesidor round 2.
Lawrence round 3.
Best DB and IOL round 4.

I think I’d want an iOL higher than that and I don’t think Goosby is realistic but any draft containing Mesidor would make me very happy. The feels would be good with that draft though.

 

[manxman2601]

 

[BobDigital]

My breakdown of the oft overlooked Clev Lubin.

First let's talk about the bad. He is undersized and his run D suffers at times for it. I saw when play when he got matched up against what looked like a 330lb pulling guard with momentum going forward near the goal line with the RB coming behind it. It ended how you would expect. No chance there. So you need to just accept there are some things the 6'2-6'3 (whatever) 240-250lb (whatever) DE can't do. He is undersized for that role a bit and you need to keep him out of bad situations. But overall i was pretty happy with his run D given his size. It didn't come off to me as so bad he needs to be off the field in potential run situations. He held his own more than not. So i do not subscribe the the idea he has to be a pass rush specialist at the next level in the least. That ups his value a good deal.

Next... something dear to my heart. PDs. I LOVE a DE who gets a hand on the ball almost as much as i love an RB running a WR route. 5 PDs this year! 3 last year. Not coincidence at all, he gets his hand in the air and is always reading the QBs eyes. As a bonus he even knocks them up and not down. You have to love a defender who has a tendency to put a falling duck in the air on occasion. I also saw him disrupt a few passes even when he didn't get a hand on it just by making himself a pain to pass the ball over. It is constant.

Now on to the main dish, the pass rush. First off let's talk his bull rush, cause it probably won't get the love it deserves. For a smaller guy his bull rush is REALLY good. Speed to power. Acceleration to power. He puts a OL on his heels and get near the QB. i think this translates at the next level. He uses his shorter size to get low and win early, but doesn't often stay low, cause then he couldn't get all those PDs.

As for his speed and bend around the edge... Yes. I mean, what needs to be said here really? It is all very good. Speed, bend, first step. Check. Check. Check. His ability to change direction quickly is note worthy. Rarely does he out run a play, and when he does he has the speed to recover and maybe still make the play. As for his motor. He doesn't stop. He plays like a man dying of thirst and the only water in the world in inside the damn football. His hand fighting is okay, could use some work there... and i'd love to see the occasional spin through in. While he has a good cut back pass rush move going out to win, i think it is under utilized and can be further improved.

I have no idea why so people have him ranked in the 5th or 4th round. I have no idea what they are watching. David Bailey is a very similar player, and he is ranked by many as the top edge guy? What is the problem with Clev? Do they not like his face? Screw all that. The dude is a baller. I don't think he has the potential to improve as much on the run D side of things as Bailey, so he may need to take a seat more often, but he will see starter level snaps more or less all career long. IDK what anyone says. I love some Lubin. The man is a top 48 player. If you think not, I'd love to hear your reasoning for what i am missing.

Edit: I want to note i did debate on top 48 or top 64. it was really close. So he is right on that value line. Personally I'd be okay taking him at 48 with a trade up.. but much happier with him at 64 were i think he'd be a better value.

 

[manxman2601]

My breakdown of the oft overlooked Clev Lubin.

First let's talk about the bad. He is undersized and his run D suffers at times for it. I saw when play when he got matched up against what looked like a 330lb pulling guard with momentum going forward near the goal line with the RB coming behind it. It ended how you would expect. No chance there. So you need to just accept there are some things the 6'2-6'3 (whatever) 240-250lb (whatever) DE can't do. He is undersized for that role a bit and you need to keep him out of bad situations. But overall i was pretty happy with his run D given his size. It didn't come off to me as so bad he needs to be off the field in potential run situations. He held his own more than not. So i do not subscribe the the idea he has to be a pass rush specialist at the next level in the least. That ups his value a good deal.

Next... something dear to my heart. PDs. I LOVE a DE who gets a hand on the ball almost as much as i love an RB running a WR route. 5 PDs this year! 3 last year. Not coincidence at all, he gets his hand in the air and is always reading the QBs eyes. As a bonus he even knocks them up and not down. You have to love a defender who has a tendency to put a falling duck in the air on occasion. I also saw him disrupt a few passes even when he didn't get a hand on it just by making himself a pain to pass the ball over. It is constant.

Now on to the main dish, the pass rush. First off let's talk his bull rush, cause it probably won't get the love it deserves. For a smaller guy his bull rush is REALLY good. Speed to power. Acceleration to power. He puts a OL on his heels and get near the QB. i think this translates at the next level. He uses his shorter size to get low and win early, but doesn't often stay low, cause then he couldn't get all those PDs.

As for his speed and bend around the edge... Yes. I mean, what needs to be said here really? It is all very good. Speed, bend, first step. Check. Check. Check. His ability to change direction quickly is note worthy. Rarely does he out run a play, and when he does he has the speed to recover and maybe still make the play. As for his motor. He doesn't stop. He plays like a man dying of thirst and the only water in the world in inside the damn football. His hand fighting is okay, could use some work there... and i'd love to see the occasional spin through in. While he has a good cut back pass rush move going out to win, i think it is under utilized and can be further improved.

I have no idea why so people have him ranked in the 5th or 4th round. I have no idea what they are watching. David Bailey is a very similar player, and he is ranked by many as the top edge guy? What is the problem with Clev? Do they not like his face? Screw all that. The dude is a baller. I don't think he has the potential to improve as much on the run D side of things as Bailey, so he may need to take a seat more often, but he will see starter level snaps more or less all career long. IDK what anyone says. I love some Lubin. The man is a top 48 player. If you think not, I'd love to hear your reasoning for what i am missing.

I agree with everything you've said. My only knock on him is the build. I don't know if he can handle the rigours of playing on the LoS on every down. He's more of an OLB to me. For that reason I see him more as a 3rd rounder for us. I do like that you recognised his motor, it's one of my favourite things about him. I also like that he stepped up from Coastal Carolina to Louisville without missing a beat and no-one can question his results - he's been one of the most successful pass rushers in CFB the last two years. I really like him, I just wish I could see him as a DE rather than an OLB and that's where I struggle.

 

[stelfans]

My breakdown of the oft overlooked Clev Lubin.

First let's talk about the bad. He is undersized and his run D suffers at times for it. I saw when play when he got matched up against what looked like a 330lb pulling guard with momentum going forward near the goal line with the RB coming behind it. It ended how you would expect. No chance there. So you need to just accept there are some things the 6'2-6'3 (whatever) 240-250lb (whatever) DE can't do. He is undersized for that role a bit and you need to keep him out of bad situations. But overall i was pretty happy with his run D given his size. It didn't come off to me as so bad he needs to be off the field in potential run situations. He held his own more than not. So i do not subscribe the the idea he has to be a pass rush specialist at the next level in the least. That ups his value a good deal.

Next... something dear to my heart. PDs. I LOVE a DE who gets a hand on the ball almost as much as i love an RB running a WR route. 5 PDs this year! 3 last year. Not coincidence at all, he gets his hand in the air and is always reading the QBs eyes. As a bonus he even knocks them up and not down. You have to love a defender who has a tendency to put a falling duck in the air on occasion. I also saw him disrupt a few passes even when he didn't get a hand on it just by making himself a pain to pass the ball over. It is constant.

Now on to the main dish, the pass rush. First off let's talk his bull rush, cause it probably won't get the love it deserves. For a smaller guy his bull rush is REALLY good. Speed to power. Acceleration to power. He puts a OL on his heels and get near the QB. i think this translates at the next level. He uses his shorter size to get low and win early, but doesn't often stay low, cause then he couldn't get all those PDs.

As for his speed and bend around the edge... Yes. I mean, what needs to be said here really? It is all very good. Speed, bend, first step. Check. Check. Check. His ability to change direction quickly is note worthy. Rarely does he out run a play, and when he does he has the speed to recover and maybe still make the play. As for his motor. He doesn't stop. He plays like a man dying of thirst and the only water in the world in inside the damn football. His hand fighting is okay, could use some work there... and i'd love to see the occasional spin through in. While he has a good cut back pass rush move going out to win, i think it is under utilized and can be further improved.

I have no idea why so people have him ranked in the 5th or 4th round. I have no idea what they are watching. David Bailey is a very similar player, and he is ranked by many as the top edge guy? What is the problem with Clev? Do they not like his face? Screw all that. The dude is a baller. I don't think he has the potential to improve as much on the run D side of things as Bailey, so he may need to take a seat more often, but he will see starter level snaps more or less all career long. IDK what anyone says. I love some Lubin. The man is a top 48 player. If you think not, I'd love to hear your reasoning for what i am missing.

Edit: I want to note i did debate on top 48 or top 64. it was really close. So he is right on that value line. Personally I'd be okay taking him at 48 with a trade up.. but much happier with him at 64 were i think he'd be a better value.

Agreed with everything. Plus I think he’s a near perfect fit on this defense. He’s very similar to chaisson and Landry.
I said it early, I saw a mock that had him going in the first round and even if I think that’s a bit generous, i don’t understand why he isn’t more talked about.

 

[Clonamery]

He had a good football game in the Bowl game against Toledo even tho he was disqualified.

 

[mayoclinic]

[QUOTE="mayoclinic, post: 7159529, member: My very crude sketch at a ranking of EDGE players, as the CFB regular season winds down. Order within tiers is approximate.

Tier 1: Game Changers

These are guys who can take over a game and destroy an entire gameplan. All 1st round values.

1. Arvell Reese, Ohio St. The Freak.
Reese combines elements of Lawrence Taylor, Brian Urlacher, and Reggie White. Can play off ball LB, but most devastating blitzing and coming off the edge. HOF potential. Top 10 talent.

2. David Bailey, Texas Tech. The Disruptor. Has Dwight Freeney potential to blow up every play. Top 15-20 talent.

3. Yhonzae Pierre, Alabama. The Big Play. RS Sophomore who has blown up the SEC this year. Makes game changing plays. Plays the Wolf position, can drop into coverage or stand up, but like Reese is best rushing the passer.

4. Rueben Bain, Miami. The Tasmanian Devil. I have some concerns about Bain's length, speed, and ability to finish, but he will be a force on every play.

5. Keldric Faulk, Auburn. The Monster. Faulk has freakish size, versatility, and upside. Not quite as productive as the others yet. I'm a bit leery of this type after the Keion White fiasco, but if Vrabel likes him, I'm for it.


Tier 2: Solid Starters with Upside

These are guys who lack the explosive traits to dominate at the next level, but who I think can be productive starters early on. Generally 2nd/early 3rd round prospects.

6. Quincy Rhodes, Arkansas. Has the talent to jump into the next tier, but not there yet.

7. TJ Parker, Clemson. I like his heavy hands and combat skills. Lacks burst, bendability, and lateral mobility. Will be a productive player.

8. Jonathan Joseph, Tennessee.

9. Akheem Mesidor, Miami. The Dog. All roads lead to Akheem Mesidor.

10. Zion Young, Missouri. The Psycho. Great effort, and a bit crazy at times. Lacks the burst and explosiveness of the Tier 1 guys.

11. Damon Wilson, Missouri.

12. Derrick Moore, Michigan.


Tier 3: The Sub Rushers

These are guys who are very productive and disruptive, but who lack the size and/or length to be every down players. I see these as mostly Day 2 values, some Day 3 They are not my preferred type, but used well can have a significant impact. Some may go higher than some Tier 2 prospects because of their pass rush impact.

13. Cashius Howell, Texas A&M. 1st round production.

14. Romello Height, Texas Tech.

15. R Mason Thomas, Oklahoma.

16. Jaishawn Barham, Michigan

17. Clev Lubin, Louisville.


Tier 4: Developmental Guys

These are mostly Day 3 picks, but some are very talented and could develop into quality starters. Some may move up into Day 2; I personally prefer a lot of these to the sub rushers in Tier 3, some may end up being very productive pros. In no particular order:

- Matayo Uigalelei, Oregon
- Anto Saka, Northwestern
- Vincent Anthony, Duke
- Anthony Smith, Minnesota
- Anthony Lucas, USC
- Keyron Crawford, Auburn
- Mikail Kamara, Indiana
- Caden Curry, Ohio St.
- Kenyatta Jackson, Ohio St.
- Max Llewellyn, Iowa
- Boubacar Traore, Notre Dame
- Tyreak Sapp, Florida
- Gabe Jacas, Illinois

That's about 30 prospects. Not a fan of LT Overton or Dani Denis-Sutton, personally.
[/QUOTE]

My revised very crude sketch at a ranking of EDGE players, as the CFB regular season winds down. Order within tiers is approximate.

Tier 1: Game Changers

These are guys who can take over a game and destroy an entire gameplan. All 1st round values.

1. Arvell Reese, Ohio St. The Freak.
Reese combines elements of Lawrence Taylor, Brian Urlacher, and Reggie White. Can play off ball LB, but most devastating blitzing and coming off the edge. HOF potential. Top 10 talent.

2. David Bailey, Texas Tech. The Disruptor. Has Dwight Freeney potential to blow up every play. Top 15-20 talent.

3. Yhonzae Pierre, Alabama. The Big Play. RS Sophomore who has blown up the SEC this year. Makes game changing plays. Plays the Wolf position, can drop into coverage or stand up, but like Reese is best rushing the passer.

4. Rueben Bain, Miami. The Tasmanian Devil. I have some concerns about Bain's length, speed, and ability to finish, but he will be a force on every play.

5. Keldric Faulk, Auburn. The Monster. Faulk has freakish size, versatility, and upside. Not quite as productive as the others yet. I'm a bit leery of this type after the Keion White fiasco, but if Vrabel likes him, I'm for it.


Tier 1B: Elite Potentual

These are guys who lack the explosive traits to dominate at the next level, but who I think can be productive starters early on. Generally 2nd/early 3rd round prospects.

6. TJ Parker, Clemson. I like his heavy hands and combat skills. Lacks burst, bendability, and lateral mobility. Will be a productive player.

7. Kenyatta Jackson, Ohio St.

8. Malachi Lawrence, UCF.

9. Akheem Mesidor, Miami. The Dog. All roads lead to Akheem Mesidor.


Tier 2: Solid Starters with Upside

These are guys who lack the explosive traits to dominate at the next level, but who I think can be productive starters early on. Generally 2nd/early 3rd round prospects.

10. Jonathan Joseph, Tennessee.

11. Zion Young, Missouri. The Psycho. Great effort, and a bit crazy at times. Lacks the burst and explosiveness of the Tier 1 guys.

12. Damon Wilson, Missouri.

13. Derrick Moore, Michigan.


Tier 3: The Sub Rushers

These are guys who are very productive and disruptive, but who lack the size and/or length to be every down players. I see these as mostly Day 2 values, some Day 3 They are not my preferred type, but used well can have a significant impact. Some may go higher than some Tier 2 prospects because of their pass rush impact.

14. Cashius Howell, Texas A&M. 1st round production.

15. Romello Height, Texas Tech.

16. Clev Lubin, Louisville

17. Jaishawn Barham, Michigan

18. R Mason Thomas, Oklahoma


Tier 4: Developmental Guys

These are mostly Day 3 picks, but some are very talented and could develop into quality starters. Some may move up into Day 2; I personally prefer a lot of these to the sub rushers in Tier 3, some may end up being very productive pros. In no particular order:

- Matayo Uigalelei, Oregon
- Anto Saka, Northwestern
- Vincent Anthony, Duke
- Anthony Smith, Minnesota
- Anthony Lucas, USC
- Keyron Crawford, Auburn
- Mikail Kamara, Indiana
- Caden Curry, Ohio St.
- Ethan Burke, Texas
- Max Llewellyn, Iowa
- Boubacar Traore, Notre Dame
- Tyreak Sapp, Florida
- Gabe Jacas, Illinois

My goal is for the Pats to draft 1 of the top 9, plus a second EDGE.