2026 Draft: EDGE

[manxman2601]

The season is almost upon us so I'll start with the positional threads now rather than just putting everything in the watch list thread.

R Mason Thomas, EDGE, Oklahoma

Early days but I think I may have my first binky.

Let's get the negatives out of the way first:

• 
  
• He's only a 6'1.5" EDGE defender
• 
  
• Only 250lbs
• 
  
• Shortish arms

Pure speed rusher

• 
  
• May not be an every down defender but in our attacking system he might be.

Positives
Elite get off. Has a track background and it shows in his ability to move before anyone else at the snap.

Uses his lesser height to get under the OT when he bends the corner.

Might have the best 'close to the QB' ability I've seen. Once he bends pas the OT, he gets to the QB in the blink of an eye.

Seems to have excellent effort. Plays full on.


I see him as a Chaisson replacement if we don't re-sign him.



PS. Don't watch the last play - It's Will Campbell being left in the dust.

 

[manxman2601]

Looking at the current roster, do you think Vrabel might have an edge rushing type?

Harold Landry - 6-2, 253lbs
K'Laivon Chaisson - 6-2, 255lbs
Bradyn Swinson - 6-4, 255lbs
Elijah Ponder - 6-3, 261lbs
Truman Jones - 6-3, 255lbs

Co-incidence or pattern?

I think quality would outweigh ideal weight, Vrabel isn't turning down a 275lb elite pass rusher because he's 20lb heavier I suspect but it is interesting that all 5 pass rushers he brought in were all within 8 pounds of each other.

There's a lot of big pass rushers in this draft. Bain, Faulk, Overton, Dennis-Sutton, Uiagalelei and Sapp are all 270lbs plus.

TJ Parker is 265lbs but add Derrick Moore (Michigan) at 256lbs and Patrick Payton (LSU) at 250lbs to your watchlist just in case it is a pattern.

 

[manxman2601]

Derrick Moore, EDGE, Michigan 6-3, 256lbs

SCOUTING REPORT: STRENGTHS​

• Electric get-off that rockets him upfield, forcing tackles to scramble into recovery mode from the moment the ball is snapped.
• Converts speed to power with devastating efficiency, jolting offensive linemen backward with violent hand strikes to collapse the pocket.
• Shows impressive hip flexibility and bend when turning the corner, consistently flattening his rush angle to get home to the quarterback.
• Relentless motor that shows up in backside pursuit and extended plays - never takes snaps off and hunts from whistle to whistle.
• Versatile alignment capabilities allow him to rush from standing, three-point, and wide-9 techniques with equal effectiveness.
• Does an excellent job using his length to disrupt passing lanes, batting down four passes over the past two seasons.
• Physically imposing frame with rocked-up build that carries 256 pounds extremely well - looks like he's playing 20 pounds lighter.
• Scheme-diverse talent who can thrive as a traditional hand-in-dirt DE or as a stand-up edge in multiple fronts.

Derrick Moore Defensive End - EDGE Michigan | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

Rating: 84.9 Rank: #14 Forty: 4.65 Moore's pass rush ability is the reason he will get drafted, and the senior season tape backs it up. The bull rush generates real pocket collapse, and th...

www.nfldraftbuzz.com

Moore is no 8 up against Proctor here.


I don't think Moore is as twitched up as the scouting report above suggests, but his speed to power is very impressive.

 

[Clonamery]

Looking at the current roster, do you think Vrabel might have an edge rushing type?

Harold Landry - 6-2, 253lbs
K'Laivon Chaisson - 6-2, 255lbs
Bradyn Swinson - 6-4, 255lbs
Elijah Ponder - 6-3, 261lbs
Truman Jones - 6-3, 255lbs

Co-incidence or pattern?

I think quality would outweigh ideal weight, Vrabel isn't turning down a 275lb elite pass rusher because he's 20lb heavier I suspect but it is interesting that all 5 pass rushers he brought in were all within 8 pounds of each other.

There's a lot of big pass rushers in this draft. Bain, Faulk, Overton, Dennis-Sutton, Uiagalelei and Sapp are all 270lbs plus.

TJ Parker is 265lbs but add Derrick Moore (Michigan) at 256lbs and Patrick Payton (LSU) at 250lbs to your watchlist just in case it is a pattern.

Add the Saka (Anto Saka) 6-4, 255 - Northwestern. He's been climbing the draft boards. Will be more of a 3 down player this year rather than pass rush specialist.

 

[manxman2601]

Derrick Moore, EDGE, Michigan 6-3, 256lbs

SCOUTING REPORT: STRENGTHS​

• Electric get-off that rockets him upfield, forcing tackles to scramble into recovery mode from the moment the ball is snapped.
• Converts speed to power with devastating efficiency, jolting offensive linemen backward with violent hand strikes to collapse the pocket.
• Shows impressive hip flexibility and bend when turning the corner, consistently flattening his rush angle to get home to the quarterback.
• Relentless motor that shows up in backside pursuit and extended plays - never takes snaps off and hunts from whistle to whistle.
• Versatile alignment capabilities allow him to rush from standing, three-point, and wide-9 techniques with equal effectiveness.
• Does an excellent job using his length to disrupt passing lanes, batting down four passes over the past two seasons.
• Physically imposing frame with rocked-up build that carries 256 pounds extremely well - looks like he's playing 20 pounds lighter.
• Scheme-diverse talent who can thrive as a traditional hand-in-dirt DE or as a stand-up edge in multiple fronts.

Derrick Moore Defensive End - EDGE Michigan | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

Rating: 84.9 Rank: #14 Forty: 4.65 Moore's pass rush ability is the reason he will get drafted, and the senior season tape backs it up. The bull rush generates real pocket collapse, and th...

www.nfldraftbuzz.com

Moore is no 8 up against Proctor here.


I don't think Moore is as twitched up as the scouting report above suggests, but his speed to power is very impressive.

 

[manxman2601]

Add the Saka (Anto Saka) 6-4, 255 - Northwestern. He's been climbing the draft boards. Will be more of a 3 down player this year rather than pass rush specialist.

Good shout. A number of stunts on his highlight reel which was a feature of Vrabel's defense in Tennessee

 

[mayoclinic]

Was going to post on Saka earlier, too busy. Good call. Another to keep an eye on.

 

[borisman]

The season is almost upon us so I'll start with the positional threads now rather than just putting everything in the watch list thread.

R Mason Thomas, EDGE, Oklahoma

Early days but I think I may have my first binky.

Let's get the negatives out of the way first:

• 
  
• He's only a 6'1.5" EDGE defender
• 
  
• Only 250lbs
• 
  
• Shortish arms

Pure speed rusher

• 
  
• May not be an every down defender but in our attacking system he might be.

Positives
Elite get off. Has a track background and it shows in his ability to move before anyone else at the snap.

Uses his lesser height to get under the OT when he bends the corner.

Might have the best 'close to the QB' ability I've seen. Once he bends pas the OT, he gets to the QB in the blink of an eye.

Seems to have excellent effort. Plays full on.


I see him as a Chaisson replacement if we don't re-sign him.



PS. Don't watch the last play - It's Will Campbell being left in the dust.

The Twitter clip is against SEC tackles. He smoked them all, including our very own Marcus Bryant (don't watch the last play there either)

 

[manxman2601]

The Twitter clip is against SEC tackles. He smoked them all, including our very own Marcus Bryant (don't watch the last play there either)

He was my first jaw-dropper tape of the new draft cycle.

 

[State]

Nadame Tucker - Football - Western Michigan University Athletics

Nadame Tucker (11) Defensive End - Prior to WMU: Played three seasons at Houston, appearing in 13 total games ... appeared in a career-best nine games in 2023,

wmubroncos.com

Holy ****, this guy is dominant against Michigan State.

 

[manxman2601]

Keldric Faulk with the effort play. No 15.

 

[manxman2601]

check the arm length

 

[Clonamery]

check the arm length

Left Tackle?

 

[manxman2601]

Left Tackle?

No. EDGE. Or are you wish casting ?

 

[Clonamery]

No. EDGE. Or are you wish casting ?

Mocking the arm length requirements of the OTs.

 

[manxman2601]

Mocking the arm length requirements of the OTs.

I thought you were although irony doesn't always come across on t'inernet.

 

[manxman2601]

Kendrick Faulk is not the finished product, but there's plenty to get excited about

 

[mayoclinic]

I am an absolute sucker for big EDGE players with ridiculous movement skills.

 

[manxman2601]

He also got an INT in the game.

 

[manxman2601]

He also got an INT in the game.

Another pass rush by Bain. The QB did well here.