Draft Rumours 2026

[stelfans]

I haven't given up on Swinson but I do need to see something from him before guaranteeing him a firm spot on the roster. hopefully it happens but there wasn't a lot of evidence last year.

As for being dramatic, we have two average starters at edge, neither of whom got more than 9 sacks last year. Beyond that we have a UDFA who showed some promise and a 5th rounder who sadly didn't. I just don't feel good about that going into '27.

As for day 3 pass rushers, how many day 3 prospects show starter, or even top quality rotational/backup potential in year one? The Craig Woodson's of this world are the exemptions, not the rule.

Maybe the plan becomes clear on Thu/Fri (I doubt it does if we have to wait until Sat), but for now, the prospects for next year are pretty bleak in terms of generating pressure and very Williams/Barmore reliant.

It worked out ok last year, I think at the worst they expect the same. I know we all wanted to improve on that but it could be worse.

 

[manxman2601]

It worked out ok last year, I think at the worst they expect the same. I know we all wanted to improve on that but it could be worse.

The odd thing is, we know the team wanted to improve on it last year considering their supposed interest in EDGE at the trading deadline. It makes this off-season more perplexing. As I said, maybe things become clearer by Friday night.

 

[manxman2601]

Wrong Thread

 

[manxman2601]

Wrong Thread

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

Wrong Thread

I'm not a big Moore fan.
Power player who doesn't offer much athleticism if his power is stopped early in the down.

 

[manxman2601]

I'm not a big Moore fan.
Power player who doesn't offer much athleticism if his power is stopped early in the down.

I kinda agree, he's not a starter but as EDGE 3? He's one of the most productive pass rushers in the class.

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

I kinda agree, he's not a starter but as EDGE 3? He's one of the most productive pass rushers in the class.

Yup, productive for sure.
Will that translate to the pros?
Obv he played against some good players in the Big10, but he also played against inferior physical players who have played their last down of football after their college careers ended.
I could see him really struggling against NFL OTs.
I've been wrong many times in my life however.

 

[manxman2601]

Just listening to Dane Brugler and he was talking about how the first tier is 10-12 guys but that the second tier is about 25. Well that gets you to 35-37. If the 3 guards are in that 2nd tier for the Pats* and they can't get a trade down, that would explain not reaching for 3rd tier prospects.

*Brett Veach talked about there being 10 OLs in the first 35 picks. That would be the 7 tackles, Ioane and 2 of the guards.

 

[mgteich]

It worked out ok last year, I think at the worst they expect the same. I know we all wanted to improve on that but it could be worse.

I believe that the worst is to expect the EDGE players to be worse.
Jones for Chaisson
an injured Landry
Ponder
Swinson for Jennings
=========
Which of these do you expected to be better than last year?

 

[stelfans]

The odd thing is, we know the team wanted to improve on it last year considering their supposed interest in EDGE at the trading deadline. It makes this off-season more perplexing. As I said, maybe things become clearer by Friday night.

Maybe they’ll pursue a trade down the road.
It would also explain the interest in a 3tech which is a much more deep position.

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

I believe that the worst is to expect the EDGE players to be worse.
Jones for Chaisson
an injured Landry
Ponder
Swinson for Jennings
=========
Which of these do you expected to be better than last year?

People that think we are good enough at DE are kidding themselves.
They think we can go into the season with this bunch and a late rd pick.
I assume those people didn't watch our pass rush last year, or have very bad memories.

 

[mayoclinic]

I am not defending our EDGE, nor am I saying we do not need to address it
...

But ...

There are a lot of ways to increase pressure, outside of the EDGE position.

4 guys I think could do a lot, who aren't primarily EDGE rushers:

- IDLs Caleb Banks and Kadyn Proctor
- LB Jake Golday
- DB Keionte Scott

Would not turn up any if they were BPA at some point.

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

I am not defending our EDGE, nor am I saying we do not need to address it
...

But ...

There are a lot of ways to increase pressure, outside of the EDGE position.

4 guys I think could do a lot, who aren't primarily EDGE rushers:

- IDLs Caleb Banks and Kadyn Proctor
- LB Jake Golday
- DB Keionte Scott

Would not turn up any if they were BPA at some point.

I love interior pressure, cause QBs hate it!
But we still need a standout Edge.
We can't rely on the blitz like we did in the playoffs.
That works to a degree, but we were forced into it in the playoffs and it's not sustainable against high caliber QBs. Good experienced QBs eat the blitz alive.
Guys that protect the QB and rush the QB are highly coveted and highly paid.
We aren't getting that guy in the 5th rd on either side of the ball.
If we don't get an edge in the first 2 rds, or 3rd if someone like DDS/Jacas inexplicably makes it that far into the draft, it will be a huge miss imo.

 

[manxman2601]

I am not defending our EDGE, nor am I saying we do not need to address it
...

But ...

There are a lot of ways to increase pressure, outside of the EDGE position.

4 guys I think could do a lot, who aren't primarily EDGE rushers:

- IDLs Caleb Banks and Kadyn Proctor
- LB Jake Golday
- DB Keionte Scott

Would not turn up any if they were BPA at some point.

All good players but none are replacements for an EDGE

Banks - 4 sacks (2024)
Golday - 4 sacks
Scott - 5 sacks
Proctor - 9 sacks but would share reps with Milton Williams

They are all excellent and may help in creating pressures, but they just aren't replacements for a pure edge guy.

 

[mayoclinic]

no love for McDonald?

Absolutely. Bad ommission, my fault.
Thanks for the correction.

 

[mayoclinic]

 

[manxman2601]

It's amazing how little buzz Peter Woods has had throughout the process. A bit of a forgotten man.

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

It's amazing how little buzz Peter Woods has had throughout the process. A bit of a forgotten man.

McD seems to havre backed into being the top rated DT.
That's not his fault, but Woods disappointing 2025 and Banks injuries have moved McD into 1st by default.
That's not to say he isn't a good player.

 

[manxman2601]

That's ambitious.

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

That's ambitious.

Due diligence, could always be targeting to trade up.