2026 Draft: EDGE

[manxman2601]

 

[manxman2601]

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

I didn’t know Akheem Mesidor was Canadian until today.
I like him more now

 

[manxman2601]

 

[manxman2601]

This is where I like Barham, as a Tavai replacement. Would add some genuine blitz and DPR ability.

 

[Clonamery]

I like positional flexible players. I think the HC does too.

 

[mayoclinic]

https://atozsports.com/nfl-draft/akheem-mesidor-2026-nfl-draft-scouting-report-miami-hurricanes-edge-rusher/

 

[manxman2601]

Keyron Crawford is going to be someone I pay a lot of attention to today. He had 43 pressures on the year and even had 53 snaps at slot corner. He has a better TPS pass rush win rate than Zion Young, Max Llewellyn and Gabe Jacas and almost identical to TJ Parker. He is also, character-wise, a Vrabel guy.

The below description of him is pretty much what Eliot Wolf was describing as what the Pats are looking for from an edge rusher.

 

[Clonamery]

Keyron Crawford is going to be someone I pay a lot of attention to today. He had 43 pressures on the year and even had 53 snaps at slot corner. He has a better TPS pass rush win rate than Zion Young, Max Llewellyn and Gabe Jacas and almost identical to TJ Parker. He is also, character-wise, a Vrabel guy.

The below description of him is pretty much what Eliot Wolf was describing as what the Pats are looking for from an edge rusher.

He's been at 188 on the PFSN Consensus for several months. He's my EDGE pick on most of my simulator mocks.

 

[manxman2601]

He's been at 188 on the PFSN Consensus for several months. He's my EDGE pick on most of my simulator mocks.

Him, Nadame Tucker and Malachi Lawrence are my "if we don't go edge in the first" guys. I'll wait on testing but Crawford is my favourite just because of the Vrabel-guy thing.

Dane Brugler had him at 67.

 

[mayoclinic]

Mike Renner has him at 89.

 

[Clonamery]

Mike Renner has him at 89.

Foster has him at 145.

 

[manxman2601]

Lance Zierlein at 67. So on average, a 3rd rounder but if we really want him, we'd probably need to use the 2nd rounder to be sure. Combine allowing.

 

[manxman2601]

Lance Zierlein on Keyron Crawford. Grades him as "will eventually be average starter".

Overview​

Crawford is a stand-up rush linebacker prospect with plus athletic traits, but he’ll need more seasoning to reach his potential. He started playing football in his senior year of high school and is still developing both instincts and technique. The former high school basketball player has toughness to match his athleticism but isn't ready to set an NFL edge yet. He’s twitchy and rushes with ideal energy as a hungry quarterback-hunter. However, he might benefit from dialing back his constant acceleration and becoming more intentional with his rush. Crawford has special teams and situational rush value now, but his best football is still to come.

Strengths​

• Twitchy take-off getting off the snap and into his upfield rush.
• Change-of-direction quickness to eat up a two-way go in the rush game.
• Bendy lower half allows him to sink and trim the edge at the top of the rush.
• Displayed improvements in his rush approach in 2025.
• Good pop in his hands to attack blockers when technique is right.
• Can give an aggressive re-route to tight ends getting off the line.
• Played “Buck” edge position, showing ability to rush or drop and cover in space.
• Above-average pursuit quickness to run and tackle in space.

Weaknesses​

• Has trouble getting off of pass punches that latch into his frame.
• Needs to vary his rush tempo to reduce predictability.
• Still developing rush counters to find more answers when stalled.
• Inconsistent technique/discipline to set a sturdy edge.
• Will start tackle tries from a distance instead of closing out the runner.
• Below-average awareness and recognition as a run defender.

Sources Tell Us​

“He was really late to football and that ‘Buck’ position asks a lot of the player in (Auburn’s) scheme. He got a lot better from (2024) to (2025) and I would expect him to keep improving. He hasn’t hit his ceiling, by any stretch.” - NFC area scout

 

[mayoclinic]

Lance Zierlein at 67. So on average, a 3rd rounder but if we really want him, we'd probably need to use the 2nd rounder to be sure. Combine allowing.

I would go in the other direction: 3rd rounder, good value if he slips to day 3.

 

[DaBruinz]

@manxman2601 - How much of Zion Young's success at Missouri this year was because of the other players up front and how much of it was him having things "CLICK" finally?

 

[manxman2601]

@manxman2601 - How much of Zion Young's success at Missouri this year was because of the other players up front and how much of it was him having things "CLICK" finally?

He was always a good run defender and his pass rush, while getting much better, still isn't up there with the best in class. I think it's down to him although he did have some good players oround him like Damon Wilson. I do think it's on him though but don't expect a top pass rusher, he's more a well balanced EDGE that supports your pass rusher on the other end and is very good setting the edge. He's a certifiable psychopath in a good way. I think Vrabel will like that.

 

[manxman2601]

It wasn't Malachi that had the 35" arms, it was his team mate all along.

 

[DaBruinz]

It wasn't Malachi that had the 35" arms, it was his team mate all along.

Hmm.... Hopefully Vrabel doesn't make a similar mistake that haunted BB when it came to Florida Edge rushers..

 

[manxman2601]

Good comp.