2026 Draft Superthread And Draft Prospect Discussion

[Boltinloudguy]

I'll add Tucker...

He’s different type of edge, quick bendy type. Which is not a bad thing. But no way is he going in the top 2 maybe 3 rounds. A one year wonder at a small school will keep him in the 3-4 range the earliest IMO. If I’m wrong, then I’m wrong.

[Fleet 1]

Senior Bowl post-practice observations

January 30, 2026
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Practice sessions at the Senior Bowl in Mobile wrapped up late yesterday afternoon and for the most part NFL personnel people have headed home. And while all teams teams will be getting the tapes from tomorrow’s actual game, in fact, most care primarily abut what transpires during the practice sessions during the week as well as the player interviews. Even then, most don’t put too much emphasis on what transpires at the Senior Bowl. Players are only involved in a limited number of reps and many of those are are more drills than actual football scenarios. As well, the players are working with strange coaches and teammates and, of course, none of the very top prospects for this April’s draft were in attendance in Mobile this week.

That said, it is a chance for scouts and coaches to get an up-close-and-personal look at many of the better prospects in testing circumstances. And no player in Mobile was more impressive this week than Michigan DE Derrick Moore who still hasn’t been blocked. Moore dominated all week as he won with speed and won with power and really impressed with his ability to dip and change direction without losing either speed or power. In fact, it was something of a dominating week all around for the DEs as a number of others including rising star Nadame Tucker of Western Michigan, Missouri’s Zion Young, Dani Dennis-Sutton of Penn State, Illinois’ Gabe Jacas, Romello Height of Texas Tech and Quin Hutchins of Boston College were all consistently disruptive. On the other hand, TJ Parker of Clemson did get his share of props from the national media, but truth be told we were hoping to see more from. Parker does have a quick first step, but appeared to be something of a one-trick pony in that he just seemed to lean into people and didn’t show much in the way of lateral agility or refined pass-rush technique.

It was also a very good week of practice for the DTs. Indeed, a pretty good case can be made that if Michigan’s Moore was the top prospect in Mobile this week then Texas Tech Lee Hunter was 1A. Hunter is a wide-body NT type who just ragged dolled more than OL this week as he showed really surprising lateral agility and quickness for a 325-pound run stuffer. On the other hand, Penn State’s Zane Durant, at just 6-1, 290, plays a different style, but was just as disruptive as he consistently beat the OL to the point of attack with quickness and all-out effort. Meanwhile, other DTs that had solid weeks in Mobile included Bryson Eason of Tennessee, Ray Benny of Michigan, Gracen Halton of Oklahoma and Minnesota’s Deven Eastern. Again, the one DT we were hoping to see more from was Florida’s Caleb Banks, a legit early second day who was limited to just a couple of games this fall by a foot injury. This was his chance to show scouts that he deserved to go that high; however, while he did get some consistent push rushing the passer, Banks was still pretty much all bull-rush without much in the way of lateral movement.

While the defensive line was flashing this week, it was a struggle at times for the offensive linemen. one who really did standout though was unheralded Georgia Tech C/G Keylon Rutledge who was a rock in the middle of the National OL as he played with good quickness and balance. Same story for Florida C Jake Slaughter who also had a solid week, as did C/G Fernando Carmana of Arkansas and Illinois G/T JC Davis, while one at least saw some potential in OTs Max Ihenacher of Arizona State, along with 6-9 behemoths Markell Bell of Miami and Dametrious Crownover of Texas A&M. On the other hand, OTs Kage Casey of Boise State, Florida’s Austin Barber and Trey Zuhn of Texas A&M really struggled at times.

As has been noted on more than one occasion, all-star games aren’t necessarily very good venues for LBs to shine, but somebody forgot to tell this year’s group of backers. Indeed, Kyle Louis, one of the quickest players in Mobile this week, would probably make most top 5 lists of prospects who excelled this week as he was around the ball on just about every snap, while Oregon’s Bryce Boettcher, Oklahoma’s Owen Heinecke, and Jake Rodriquez of Texas Tech all also had terrific weeks.

We also tend not to make a whole lot of what we see from the receivers and corners in Mobile because of the odd number of reps they get especially in the 11-on-11 drills, but guys at those positions who did generate some buzz included WR Malachi Fields, who appears to have emerged as a possible early-second day candidate, along with Baylor’s Josh Cameron and Reggie Virgil of Texas Tech, while unheralded Devin Voisin, who likely was only there because he played at South Alabama, was about as close to a go-to receiver in the team drills. Meanwhile, CBs who had good weeks included Colton Hood of Tennessee who likely won’t play Saturday because of a toe injury, while Thad Dixon of North Carolina at least earned some second looks from pro scouts, while TCU ball-hawking S Bud Clark emerged as one of the best players in Mobile this week.

One interesting element from this year’s Senior Bowl was the fact that while most years the QBs, whomever they are, tend to be featured participants. However, it felt this year that the QBs were almost an afterthought. And maybe with good reason as none of them looked more like fringe prospects. Cole Payton of FCS North Dakota State seemed to generate the most buzz and while he did show good velocity appeared to have a somewhat slow, elongated release. In the end, we thought the the top-rated QBs in Mobile this week – Garrett Nussmeier of LSU and Illinois’ Luke Altmyer – in fact, had the most pro ready arms, although neither was overly accurate and we’ll leave it at that!

[Boltnut]

[QUOTE=wu-dai clan;n2156965]Our draft is obviously going to reflect what happens in free agency.

I am not convinced we are necessarily looking for big EDGE with contain ability, vs Pass Rush Specialist.

My projection is O'Leary will be like Minter in coverages, but not up front.

If Chris builds our defense like he did at WMU, he will prefer juice, pressure up front, to create turnovers.

This is a big point, before we even know whether Khalil and/or Oweh are back, or how Kennard is developing.

So my next question is, looking carefully at our depth chart, who supplements Tart at DT, with Jamaree, Tito at NT, and Eboigbe, ~Hand at DE ??[/QUOTE]

I've been thinking about DT lately... browsing free agent lists... looking at last year's draftees...
I will start by saying that I was a proponent of drafting DT in the 1st or 2nd round... a month ago.
Certainly, these free agent DT's could be re-signed by their former teams... but a lot of them are on teams with cap problems.

For comparison, Teair Tart was just re-signed and had a PFF score of 67.9 (for what that is worth). Jamaree Caldwell had a PFF @63.0.
David Onyemata (78.2), DJ Reader (68.4), DaQuan Jones (75.5), Cameron Jordan (76.0), Sheldon Rankins (73.2), Levi Onwuzireke (hurt most of last year, but had a PFF of 70.2 in 2024), Roy Lopez (68.7), and our boy Tim Settle (71.3).

An IDL rotation of Tart, Caldwell, Hand (re-sign), Eboigbe, and [insert your favorite FA] could allow us to take DT off of our draft-wish-list... and allow to focus on Edge, IOL, TE/WR, and LB in those first four rounds...

If you look at last year's DT'd drafted in the first two rounds... it's a mixed bag. Mason Graham (68.7) was the best. Walter Nolan (74.1) had only 169 snaps last year. Most of them were sub-55 pff's... including Kenneth Grant.

[YAC]

Thought this was funny...from the Consensus Big Board...What are the odds two IOL from Kentucky are fall one after another? And with the same initials, LOL?


2026-01-30_21-18-47.png

[wu-dai clan]

[QUOTE=Boltnut;n2157017]

Our draft is obviously going to reflect what happens in free agency.

I am not convinced we are necessarily looking for big EDGE with contain ability, vs Pass Rush Specialist.

My projection is O'Leary will be like Minter in coverages, but not up front.

If Chris builds our defense like he did at WMU, he will prefer juice, pressure up front, to create turnovers.

This is a big point, before we even know whether Khalil and/or Oweh are back, or how Kennard is developing.

So my next question is, looking carefully at our depth chart, who supplements Tart at DT, with Jamaree, Tito at NT, and Eboigbe, ~Hand at DE ??[/QUOTE]

I've been thinking about DT lately... browsing free agent lists... looking at last year's draftees...
I will start by saying that I was a proponent of drafting DT in the 1st or 2nd round... a month ago.
Certainly, these free agent DT's could be re-signed by their former teams... but a lot of them are on teams with cap problems.

For comparison, Teair Tart was just re-signed and had a PFF score of 67.9 (for what that is worth). Jamaree Caldwell had a PFF @63.0.
David Onyemata (78.2), DJ Reader (68.4), DaQuan Jones (75.5), Cameron Jordan (76.0), Sheldon Rankins (73.2), Levi Onwuzireke (hurt most of last year, but had a PFF of 70.2 in 2024), Roy Lopez (68.7), and our boy Tim Settle (71.3).

An IDL rotation of Tart, Caldwell, Hand (re-sign), Eboigbe, and [insert your favorite FA] could allow us to take DT off of our draft-wish-list... and allow to focus on Edge, IOL, TE/WR, and LB in those first four rounds...

If you look at last year's DT'd drafted in the first two rounds... it's a mixed bag. Mason Graham (68.7) was the best. Walter Nolan (74.1) had only 169 snaps last year. Most of them were sub-55 pff's... including Kenneth Grant.

Yessir.
Groundswell developing for Caleb Banks @ #22, if he is not gone.

[Jack Burton]

[QUOTE=wu-dai clan;n2157021]

Yessir.
Groundswell developing for Caleb Banks @ #22, if he is not gone.

If the Chargers can’t get any FA O linemen…

1 DL CALEB BANKS FLORIDA
2 C SAM HECHT KANSAS STATE
3 RG KEYLAN RUTLEDGE GEORGIA TECH
4 EDGE TYREEK SAPP FLORIDA
6 ILB BRYCE BOETTCHER OREGON

[Boltnut]

[QUOTE=wu-dai clan;n2157021]

Yessir.
Groundswell developing for Caleb Banks @ #22, if he is not gone.

I would lean edge-rusher @#22 right now.
Get that DT free agent... they typically cost less than other positions... and Hortiz has been good at identifying them.

[Maniaque 6]

[QUOTE=Jack Burton;n2157027]

If the Chargers can’t get any FA O linemen…

1 DL CALEB BANKS FLORIDA
2 C SAM HECHT KANSAS STATE
3 RG KEYLAN RUTLEDGE GEORGIA TECH
4 EDGE TYREEK SAPP FLORIDA
6 ILB BRYCE BOETTCHER OREGON

I think I would like it !
No way you get good OL at 22
DL is the way to go at 22 and then, keep an on OL in 2nd and 3rd

[Maniaque 6]

3) What is the deepest position in this draft class?

The proliferation of spread offenses and dynamic passing games at the lower levels has helped produce an impressive collection of pass-catchers in the 2026 class. Teams seeking blue-chip playmakers will debate whether Carnell Tate (Ohio State), Jordyn Tyson (Arizona State) or Makai Lemon (USC) should be the WR1 of the group. Zachariah Branch (Georgia), KC Concepcion (Texas A&M), Denzel Boston (Washington) and Chris Brazzell II (Tennessee) might not be considered top-10 picks, but they are likely to come off the board in the first round.

Is there a WR who fall at 22 you can't resist ?

[Fleet 1]

Such a good draft to go Edge/DT or vice versa. Throw cash at Linerbaum and Seumalu/Braden Smith. Go buy free agent OL and spend draft picks on young D studs. Could grab a LB in the 3rd maybe.

Not only can we afford 2 stud OL...but Oweh as well. And still have bank.

Gonna be an exciting offseason TPB.

[beachcomber]

Lee Hunter, Keylan Rutledge, Kaytron, Jacob Rodriguez.... not on the Sam Hecht bandwagon, and can't raise the flag for any of the EDs neither,

Keylan Ruttledge (Georgia Tech) - is extremely stout against excellent DTs during 1:1 drills. Was taking snaps at center and guard, looked great at both.

Keylan Rutledge, IOL, Georgia Tech (6-foot-4, 330)

Al: “Big Red” is a tough, thickly built, well-anchored lineman who overcame a severe car accident in December 2023 that nearly resulted in the amputation of his right foot. Rutledge went on to start the final 26 games of his career for the Yellow Jackets. He plays with the mindset of a menacing mauler and finisher, a style that aligns well with the Lions’ identity and Drew Petzing’s power run game. While guard—particularly right guard—is a lesser priority along Detroit’s offensive line, Rutledge also took reps at center during Shrine Bowl practices, adding to his positional versatility.
Erik: There’s some “dirtbag” to his game.

Jacob Rodriguez, WILL, Texas Tech (6-foot-1, 233)

Erik: A complete package at WILL linebacker, Rodriguez should be on the short list of possible replacements for the Lions should Alex Anzalone depart in free agency. While the main criticism of Rodriguez’s game is his speed, his elite instincts and terrific football IQ consistently put him in the right spots when defending the run and in the passing game. Add in his propensity for generating turnovers (15 in the past two seasons), and Rodriguez is sure to draw the attention of Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard.

To connect those dots a step further. Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire traveled to Detroit during the Lions’ 2025 OTAs to meet with coach Dan Campbell. While there, McGuire saw Sheppard’s “punch-out” drill and loved it so much that he brought it back to his program and installed it at their camp. Rodriguez picked up the drill immediately and utilized the “punch-out” move to force seven (!) fumbles in 2025.

[beachcomber]

(your) SB draft....

1) NT Lee Hunter
2) OG Keylan Rutledge
3) LB Jacob Rodriguez
4) RB Kaytron Allen