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2026 Draft: Defensive Tackle

WaterfallJumper said:
Banks will turn 25 during the upcoming season. I think we all know why @manxman2601 likes him.
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It's all been quite ironic since I was calling out your guy last year, the Iowa State CB whose name escapes me, for being 24. The funny thing is, I never look for an old guy and think he's going to be good. I like the guy only then to find out how old they are. There does seem to be a lot of them this year.
 
manxman2601 said:
It's all been quite ironic since I was calling out your guy last year, the Iowa State CB whose name escapes me, for being 24. The funny thing is, I never look for an old guy and think he's going to be good. I like the guy only then to find out how old they are. There does seem to be a lot of them this year.
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Darien Porter
 
manxman2601 said:
It's all been quite ironic since I was calling out your guy last year, the Iowa State CB whose name escapes me, for being 24. The funny thing is, I never look for an old guy and think he's going to be good. I like the guy only then to find out how old they are. There does seem to be a lot of them this year.
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With the changes to NIL and the transfer portal, I suspect we'll see more players take a meandering path to the NFL. We will always see stars who make the jump right away and excel, but I think a few years of maturity and seasoning is a good thing for many players. Look at Chaisson, for example. Skilled, obviously, but needed time to develop and hit his potential. I wonder how many average players or "busts" needed more time and development, whether as a person or player, and may have succeeded if they'd had more opportunities?
 
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WaterfallJumper said:
With the changes to NIL and the transfer portal, I suspect we'll see more players take a meandering path to the NFL. We will always see stars who make the jump right away and excel, but I think a few years of maturity and seasoning is a good thing for many players. Look at Chaisson, for example. Skilled, obviously, but needed time to develop and hit his potential. I wonder how many average players or "busts" needed more time and development, whether as a person or player, and may have succeeded if they had more opportunities?
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It would be interesting to see some interviews with NFL positional coaches so they could answer whether they prefer prospects with more college coaching or whether they want to get their hands on them early before they form bad habits or so they can coach them the NFL way.
 
I don't think either Banks or Hunter will last to the end of the 1st round, but hypothetically:

- Pats re-sign EDGE K'Lavon Chaisson and DL Khiyris Tonga
- Pats sign a UFA EDGE like Odafeh Oweh or Jaelan Phillips.
- Pats draft Banks or Hunter at 31/32

They would able able to rotate Milt Williams, Christian Barmore, Banks/Hunter and Tonga at IDL, with Cory Durden and Leonard Taylor for depth.

They would have Oweh/Phillips, Chaisson, possibly Harold Landry, Elijah Ponder and Bradyn Swinson on EDGE.

They could kick an IDL outside in 4-3 under or 3-4 schemes.

That would not be a bad group. Very deep, lots of versatility, overwhelming internal pressure.
 
mayoclinic said:
I don't think either Banks or Hunter will last to the end of the 1st round, but hypothetically:

- Pats re-sign EDGE K'Lavon Chaisson and DL Khiyris Tonga
- Pats sign a UFA EDGE like Odafeh Oweh or Jaelan Phillips.
- Pats draft Banks or Hunter at 31/32

They would able able to rotate Milt Williams, Christian Barmore, Banks/Hunter and Tonga at IDL, with Cory Durden and Leonard Taylor for depth.

They would have Oweh/Phillips, Chaisson, possibly Harold Landry, Elijah Ponder and Bradyn Swinson on EDGE.

They could kick an IDL outside in 4-3 under or 3-4 schemes.

That would not be a bad group. Very deep, lots of versatility, overwhelming internal pressure.
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What about Woods?
 
Woods has a better chance of falling IMO. His tape was dominant in 2024, but not in 2025. His production was down. I thought coming into the year that he was a versatile guy who could line up from the nose to outside and disrupt, but he looks like a very solid 3-tech right now, and not as dominant as Banks or Hunter will be.

He needs more careful eval, but I'm selling rather than buying Woods shares at the moment.
 
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I have seen mocks with Banks, Mesidor and TJ Parker available at our pick and I gotta be honest that I am really starting to lean Banks of these 3. The IDL is a strength already so this does not seem to make a lot of sense, but it allows for even more flexibility along the DL. We have already seen Barmore and Milt line up on the edge and this will allow more of that if they so desire.

This might seem like overkill but I am here for it as Banks might be BPA
 
dliverey44 said:
I have seen mocks with Banks, Mesidor and TJ Parker available at our pick and I gotta be honest that I am really starting to lean Banks of these 3. The IDL is a strength already so this does not seem to make a lot of sense, but it allows for even more flexibility along the DL. We have already seen Barmore and Milt line up on the edge and this will allow more of that if they so desire.

This might seem like overkill but I am here for it as Banks might be BPA
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Banks for me is DT1 and a top 10 impact player in this draft. He is a freak. Planet Theory.

I had him going at #4 overall in my recent mock, but if he somehow slips, I'd be all over it. Not bloodly likely, IMO, but with medicals you never know.
 
mayoclinic said:
Banks for me is DT1 and a top 10 impact player in this draft. He is a freak. Planet Theory.

I had him going at #4 overall in my recent mock, but if he somehow slips, I'd be all over it. Not bloodly likely, IMO, but with medicals you never know.
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Medicals will be interesting. Payton recently said he would not have drafted Nix if he knew about his 2 previous broken feet. Mesidor had two broken feet in college too. Might drop him. Have to take risks at 31 or 32 for a top talent. Not too bad of a risk.
 
mayoclinic said:
Banks for me is DT1 and a top 10 impact player in this draft. He is a freak. Planet Theory.

I had him going at #4 overall in my recent mock, but if he somehow slips, I'd be all over it. Not bloodly likely, IMO, but with medicals you never know.
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Yea I didn't feel like the mocks I saw with those 3 available were accurate but that would be quite the choice to make. Personally I do not think any of 3 will be available, and that will suck
 
One-If-By-Sea said:
Medicals will be interesting. Payton recently said he would not have drafted Nix if he knew about his 2 previous broken feet. Mesidor had two broken feet in college too. Might drop him. Have to take risks at 31 or 32 for a top talent. Not too bad of a risk.
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Have you got a link to info about those two broken feet? All I've found is a ligament injury in 2023 and then missing a couple of games this year with a foot injury.
 
manxman2601 said:
Have you got a link to info about those two broken feet? All I've found is a ligament injury in 2023 and then missing a couple of games this year with a foot injury.
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Not much time missed if it was a broken foot twice. Kinda doubt it from a logic standpoint.
 
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manxman2601 said:
Have you got a link to info about those two broken feet? All I've found is a ligament injury in 2023 and then missing a couple of games this year with a foot injury.
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Thanks Manx, I heard the 2 broken feet on a podcast (I can't remember which one), but researching it the injuries were ligaments on both feet. Mesidor missed most of the 2023 season with ligament damage to both feet, and further few games in 2025, as you note.

But it is a bit more nuanced than that. Mesidor needs specially designed cleats in order to play. Previously Mesidor had to wear sneakers at practice during the week because of foot pain. That is why he has orthopedic cleats. From AI:
  • The Cleats' Purpose: During his recovery and return to the field in 2024 and 2025, he was fitted for custom cleats (specifically by Adidas) designed to provide the necessary support and weight distribution to prevent the "lingering" or "recurring" foot issues that had previously sidelined him.
  • Performance Stability: Before receiving these custom shoes, he was often limited to practicing in athletic trainer shoes rather than standard football cleats. The specialized design was a requirement for him to be cleared for "full go" participation in games and high-intensity practices.
Mesidor foot issues will require medical clearance, IMO.
 
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