2027 Draft: EDGE

[manxman2601]

Trevor Sikkema says he has given Dylan Stewart the highest summer scouting grade he has given any player at any position. Thinks he can become the best defensive player in the NFL. Big claim but I am more and more bullish on Stewart. His movement skills are truly elite.

 

[manxman2601]

Todd McShay's EDGE rankings

 

[mayoclinic]

 

[manxman2601]

Kahmari Brown, Iowa (frmly Elon)
6-2, 259

One to keep an eye on. the step up from Elon to the Big-10 is a big one so who know's if he'll make it, but he performed really well at Elon.

Run Defense - 81.2 (16 tfls)
Pass rush - 40 pressures, 13 sacks

On the video below I don't see someone winning with pass rush moves but with athleticism which is very impressive.

No. 27: Kahmari Brown, Iowa, DL​

A second-team FCS All-American last year at Elon, Brown led the CAA program with 16 TFLs, 12 sacks, three forced fumbles and eight QB hurries. This offseason, the 6-2, 258-pound Brown, a former high school running back in North Carolina, broad jumped 10-3, vertical jumped 40.2 inches and was timed at 1.56 in his 10-yard split. All exceptional numbers for a nearly 260-pound edge rusher.

 

[manxman2601]

Anthony Smith, Minnesota
6-6, 285

Smith was one of the most productive edge rushers last season with 14 sacks and 44 pressures. I'm not sure how well he fits us, he's built more like a 5-tech but perhaps this from the Freaks List explains why he was so successful.

No. 39: Anthony Smith, Minnesota, edge​

A first-team All-Big Ten player, the 6-6, 285-pound Smith had 17.5 TFLs and a Big Ten-best 12.5 sacks and also broke up three passes. The former standout high school basketball player, who also excelled in track as a shot putter and discus thrower, Smith is his teammates’ pick for the biggest Freak in the program. He ran 21 mph and vertical jumped 34 inches. The testing number Smith is most proud of is his shuttle time, which he clocked in the high 4.1s, crediting his basketball background. He’s also fond of other sports like soccer, tennis and ping-pong.

“I give a lot of credit to my mom, who put me into a lot of random sports and just said ‘try it,’ and I think that’s where I think I got all my athleticism from,” Smith said.

 

[mayoclinic]

Dame Brugler EDGE rankings:

2027 NFL Draft preseason positional rankings: Edge rushers

Texas' Colin Simmons is expected to be one of the highest-rated edge rushers in the 2027 NFL Draft. Who else stands out at the position?

www.nytimes.com

 

[mayoclinic]

 

[manxman2601]

No AJ Green.

 

[mayoclinic]

That's a good thing.

 

[mayoclinic]

Yhonzae Pierre's draft projection shows what Kane Wommack needs him to become for Alabama

After leading Alabama’s defense in 2025 with eight sacks, Yhonzae Pierre didn't need another season in Tuscaloosa to prove he belonged in the NFL. He could hav

bamahammer.com

 

[manxman2601]

Donnie Smith, Troy
6-4, 234

I'm thinking a Trey Moore type player - pure 3rd down pass rusher that can maybe give you SLB reps too.

He had 11 sacks and 39 pressures last year although his pass rush win rate wasn't all that good at 18.2% (Clev Lubin led at 36.4).



He is on the Feldman freak list however.

No. 16: Donnie Smith, Troy, bandit​

The former No. 1-ranked junior college linebacker in the country, Smith tore up the Sun Belt in his debut season in 2025, leading the conference with 11 sacks to go along with 13.5 TFLs, seven QB hurries and 44 tackles. The 6-4, 234-pound senior does a lot of his damage thanks to his explosiveness. That’s evidenced by his 40-inch vertical jump and 11-foot broad jump this offseason, as well as his squatting 500 pounds and consistently topping 21 mph on the GPS.

 

[manxman2601]

Look at Lubin's production.

 

[Clonamery]

Donnie Smith, Troy
6-4, 234

I'm thinking a Trey Moore type player - pure 3rd down pass rusher that can maybe give you SLB reps too.

He had 11 sacks and 39 pressures last year although his pass rush win rate wasn't all that good at 18.2% (Clev Lubin led at 36.4).



He is on the Feldman freak list however.

No. 16: Donnie Smith, Troy, bandit​

The former No. 1-ranked junior college linebacker in the country, Smith tore up the Sun Belt in his debut season in 2025, leading the conference with 11 sacks to go along with 13.5 TFLs, seven QB hurries and 44 tackles. The 6-4, 234-pound senior does a lot of his damage thanks to his explosiveness. That’s evidenced by his 40-inch vertical jump and 11-foot broad jump this offseason, as well as his squatting 500 pounds and consistently topping 21 mph on the GPS.

I think this is a good idea with a mindful flex to BPA if a DE that is too good to pass is there for us.