2026 Draft Superthread And Draft Prospect Discussion

[dmac_bolt]

Jacob Rodriguez

very productive, forces turnovers/fumbles, can handle both coverage duties and run responsibilities, prolly very good STer, and prolly LB5.... former QB w/astute pre snap recognition, little bit of a thumper, team captain, better than Dru Tranquil, and good fit for 3-4 D.... quick 2 diagnose, top shelf pff grade, technically sound, shows good anticipation in run game, and can move w/the quickness in tight quarters.... Joey Jewell/David Long compare

misses too many tackles for some pundits liking, timed speed is Denzel slow.... personal opinion is that we need a LB5 that will soon be an MLB1, and would be better (timing) if we needed to replace Henley/Dye, but we need Denzel/Colson hedge/eventual replacement.... again personal opinion is that he's overvalued as round 2-4 depth/rotational backup LB

again for myself, only have eyes for CJ Allen unless he's off the board round one.... otherwise think I like Raylen Wilson and Eric Gentry better than Rodriguez, albeit can't say no 'til taking a deeper dive on some of the aforementioned.

Whats is draft round projection?

my amateur scouting observation is slower LBs that are great "just a good football player" usually flame out at the next level when every single player is faster and more athletic than anyone they faced in college. I want fast LBs that read and react quick, hit hard, and are sure tacklers. Occasionally slower (on paper) LBs do well because they are soo good at quick read/react. just laws of averages.

[dmac_bolt]

Just noticed a new addition to those weird new Bowl game names: The "Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl." Whaaaaattt??? So now, they're naming bowl games even after rappers or singers? What's next? The Taylor Swift Sugar Bowl?

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they can't afford the Taylor Swift bowl, thats why they settled for snoop.

[beachcomber]

TJ Parker

tempting talent and some scry that he is a seemingly safer than not gambit in this upcoming draft, and.... chances are that he's more a top 100 talent and less any top half of the first elite edge prospect

he came off a solid '024 season w/double digit sacks and nearly twice that many TFLs and more than a handful of forced fumbles.... unfortunately his production this go 'round has just about halved from last

he hasn't quite met expectations, and on top of that he's a tad short, little bit lightweight and without the prototypical length that some like in their EDs.... sometimes has trouble getting off blocks and making tackles, sometimes pass rush gets rerouted, and is oft more of a secondary/tertiary option than primary/lead go getter.... some vied that he had the occasional power shortage/failure against NFL quality SEC opponents, and that he has his hands full w/blocking TEs @times as well.... there was an opinion that he is a less explosive Bradley Chubb (not too shabby there), and wondering if he could possibly be clumped in w/the likes of a Joshua Joseph/Matayo Uiagalelei ??

somebody suggested he would be a serviceable starter, that he has a high floor, and perhaps w/the sense that he can be coached up some. ?? apparently better out of a three point stance than two, he's a technician and hand fighter, and brings the desired physicality.... he gets a Jermaine Johnson/BJ Ojulari/Mykell Williams compare, and w/Josh Paschal getting a mention as well

he doesn't sport the hoped for athletic profile by some accounts, his tackling is wayward @times, and he is a sometimes slotted first rounder that plenty of peoples think is more a day two/round three talent

he def checks some of Harbaugh boxes w/the physicality and run defense, and shows potential w/his pass rush, and has been productive in the past, and.... his production has fallen off of late, his measurables are close, but perhaps not quite cigar worthy slotted, and if he doesn't wrap up/finish so well @times.... that could be a problem/deal breaker ??

for myself, don't think he displaces the either of Corleone nor Iapani.... perhaps round three worthy, albeit don't think he's on my board, as good w/our four, given we bring back Mack 'n Oweh

[beachcomber]

A'Mauri Washington

personal opinion is that 'tis rare to get a quality IDL @the back of the first, and.... AW is by most accounts a legit first round talent/early second round prospect.... a top 50 talent w/some first round buzz

some proffer that he's a bit raw, albeit explosive, tough, powerful and has some quicks.... he's disruptive, strong @POA, gets off the snap w/the quickness, escapes blocks to make tackle, is the lead anchor for unit that has been suffocating against the run.... has excellent measurables for an IDLineman, space eater, gap shooter, who makes life easier for rest of front 7.... athletic, XL 3T, who doesn't give up ground easily

the flipside/cautionary tale is that he can be a subpar tackler/finisher, block recognition against the run is sometimes lacking, can overcommit leaving himself vulnerable to draws/screens, can fatigue, and production has been modest

he gets a Dontari Poe compare, and with Calijah Klancey/Tyleik Williams mentions as well.... if you know better than eye, prolly worth some heavy consideration round one ??

[Boltinloudguy]

Kenyatta Jackson Jr.

Jackson has good length/height, a solid weigh in, can seal the edge as well as get after the passer, has good speed/quick first step, good bend/flexibility, and his traits seem to fit Minter/Harbo scheme/mindset

unfortunately his production is mia.... he has a universal round four slotting and is prolly a developmental mid round pick.... a rotational player @tm, w/a Shemar Stewart compare (not cool)

as far as ever becoming a Charger, think his tackling deficiency would be his undoing

I’d go with OLB/DE Max Llewelyn from Iowa instead of Jackson. Been more consistent throughout his 4 year career. Progressed each year as far as TFLs and Sacks. Not much but still improved. Kind of reminds me of Jarett Jonhnson

[Topcat]

Its money that matters. Snoop paid to have it named after him. Its why all the MLB outfield walls now look like college stadiums. Tradition doesnt matter anymore.
I mean cmon man, PopTarts bowl is just gay. Bad Boy Mowers?? WTF

Bowl game names are getting weirder by the year:

• The Funniest College Football Bowl Game Names
  • Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl (Current)
  • Tony The Tiger Sun Bowl (Current)
  • Duke’s Mayo Bowl (Current)
  • Famous Idaho Potato Bowl (Current)
  • Pop-Tarts Bowl (Current)
  • Cheez-It Citrus Bowl (Current)
  • Avocados From Mexico Cure Bowl (2023)
  • Cheribundi Tart Cherry Boca Raton Bowl (2017)
  • Poulan Weed-Eater Independence Bowl (1990-1997)
  • Refrigerator Bowl (1948-1956)

https://www.scoresandstats.com/blog/...wl-game-names/

[beachcomber]

Max Llewellyn

not convinced you could convince the neither of Harbaugh nor Jesse Minter that Max is the guy best suited for their defense....

he's explosive, has a burst and w/the quickness, and has a (rush) plan, and w/a good win rate as well, and....

his production is middling, his run D questionable, and is largely kept off the field in goal line stands.... not a stacker nor shedder, didn't get it done vs. Ohio State and was quiet in other games as well

more a designated pass rusher, and w/a fourth round grade.... personally not on my board, and def wouldn't consider him w/anything other than our sixth, as best/better would be as an UDFA

[Topcat]

In other weird college ball news, a cookie company blocked Penn State from hiring a new HC:

https://deadspin.com/penn-state-coaching-search-hits-new-low-after-crumbl-cookies-blocks-hire/?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-us

[charger1993]

TJ Parker

tempting talent and some scry that he is a seemingly safer than not gambit in this upcoming draft, and.... chances are that he's more a top 100 talent and less any top half of the first elite edge prospect

he came off a solid '024 season w/double digit sacks and nearly twice that many TFLs and more than a handful of forced fumbles.... unfortunately his production this go 'round has just about halved from last

he hasn't quite met expectations, and on top of that he's a tad short, little bit lightweight and without the prototypical length that some like in their EDs.... sometimes has trouble getting off blocks and making tackles, sometimes pass rush gets rerouted, and is oft more of a secondary/tertiary option than primary/lead go getter.... some vied that he had the occasional power shortage/failure against NFL quality SEC opponents, and that he has his hands full w/blocking TEs @times as well.... there was an opinion that he is a less explosive Bradley Chubb (not too shabby there), and wondering if he could possibly be clumped in w/the likes of a Joshua Joseph/Matayo Uiagalelei ??

somebody suggested he would be a serviceable starter, that he has a high floor, and perhaps w/the sense that he can be coached up some. ?? apparently better out of a three point stance than two, he's a technician and hand fighter, and brings the desired physicality.... he gets a Jermaine Johnson/BJ Ojulari/Mykell Williams compare, and w/Josh Paschal getting a mention as well

he doesn't sport the hoped for athletic profile by some accounts, his tackling is wayward @times, and he is a sometimes slotted first rounder that plenty of peoples think is more a day two/round three talent

he def checks some of Harbaugh boxes w/the physicality and run defense, and shows potential w/his pass rush, and has been productive in the past, and.... his production has fallen off of late, his measurables are close, but perhaps not quite cigar worthy slotted, and if he doesn't wrap up/finish so well @times.... that could be a problem/deal breaker ??

for myself, don't think he displaces the either of Corleone nor Iapani.... perhaps round three worthy, albeit don't think he's on my board, as good w/our four, given we bring back Mack 'n Oweh

TJ is a top half talent, problem is clemson switched their defense this year and it feels like tj is just going through the motions cuz he knows clemson isnt playing for the chip and he dont wanna get hurt, thats just my opinion after watching every game of clemson for 32 years lmao. It hard to judge clemson players this year, most of them have checked out, and have been checked out a majority of the season, the only sure fire thing i can tell you, is Cade is not a an nfl QB

[charger1993]

• Most recent mock draft
• 25 Kadyn Proctor
  OT | Alabama
  A
• 58 Connor Lew
  IOL | Auburn
  B
• 89 Damon Wilson Jr.
  EDGE | Missouri
  A+
• 126 Jalon Kilgore
  S | South Carolina
  A
• 206 Tacario Davis
  CB | Washington
  A+

[La Costa Boy]

In other weird college ball news, a cookie company blocked Penn State from hiring a new HC:

https://deadspin.com/penn-state-coac...x-newtab-en-us

And I read that Franklin served Crumbl cookies at Virginia Tech's signing day yesterday. A not so subtle F YOU to Penn State!

And he also stole 10 of PS's commits yesterday too......

[La Costa Boy]

• Most recent mock draft
• 25 Kadyn Proctor
  OT | Alabama
  A
• 58 Connor Lew
  IOL | Auburn
  B
• 89 Damon Wilson Jr.
  EDGE | Missouri
  A+
• 126 Jalon Kilgore
  S | South Carolina
  A
• 206 Tacario Davis
  CB | Washington
  A+

I'll have to watch Proctor this Saturday versus Georgia. Thanks for the tip.