The EDGE Conundrum at 8

[Bear Hands]

1 hour ago, ncfan said:

Walker

im not going to overthink it.  Just turn in the film, he really impacts a lot of plays.

He’s shown the bend and ability to be a pass rusher off the edge despite not playing it full time.

Is he small, yes.
 So was another guy that came out of Georgia who was similar size.  He played Edge rusher and LB.   Teams over thought things when he came out as well and let him slide right down to Philly’s lap.   Now he was an impact starter on this years Super Bowl winning defense

I don't dislike Walker.  Would be happy with the pick but with that comes expectations-- which is IMO a more NFL-ready version of Nolan Smith (which I think you're alluding to).  That being said, Smith hasn't lit the world on fire yet.  Made great strides this year though.      

[theinstrumental]

Great write-up. To add to the murkiness, it’s confusing to me that EZ demolished the 3-come and short shuttle but refused to run the 40. It’s not a huge red flag but I’d really like him more if he weren’t a little small AND kind of slow. And that’s the only reason I can see him skipping the 40.

[Basbear]

Out of the top 30, 15 could be DLmen/edges.

 

You got to listen to trade down offers, I feel some team will want to pick the first LT and there's a good chance #8 will be the spot for that action. 

 

I need more infor about peacre Jr and this "bad teammate". What is a bad teammate in 2025?? Look at his phone while teammates are talking? Lives in his SM bubble and doesn't care to go bowling with 4th stringers??

[Captain Morgan]

38 minutes ago, Basbear said:

Out of the top 30, 15 could be DLmen/edges.

 

You got to listen to trade down offers, I feel some team will want to pick the first LT and there's a good chance #8 will be the spot for that action. 

 

I need more infor about peacre Jr and this "bad teammate". What is a bad teammate in 2025?? Look at his phone while teammates are talking? Lives in his SM bubble and doesn't care to go bowling with 4th stringers??

I saw two different sources on reddit today ...the high school teammate is concerning...other guy may be going for clicks.  Or not.

https://www.instagram.com/footballforever/p/DGuDP-ORnyO/?img_index=1  

 

https://www.sportskeeda.com/college-football/news-he-actually-crazy-james-pearce-jr-s-high-school-teammate-vouches-anger-issues-ahead-nfl-draft

[Panthero]

Don't use the draft to settle positional issues. Deal with that in FA and then draft BPA. 

[Tr3ach]

3 hours ago, theinstrumental said:

Great write-up. To add to the murkiness, it’s confusing to me that EZ demolished the 3-come and short shuttle but refused to run the 40. It’s not a huge red flag but I’d really like him more if he weren’t a little small AND kind of slow. And that’s the only reason I can see him skipping the 40.

He smoked the cone and shuttles.  An edge isn't going to run 40 yards in a straight line very often unless something awful has happened anyway.

[MHS831]

7 hours ago, Bear Hands said:

He was a guy that was so damn fun during the season and you could just see "it".  Then you watch highlights and it's like, yeah damn, he's good. 

My thinking is starting to be -- if we're seriously considering these guys like Mykel, Shemar, then we absolutely should consider Ez. Especially if everyone is true in thinking there's only 2 blue chips, a few more 1st round talent and then a big ole' pool of fringe 1st/2nd types.  

He has a great move-set, counters, is a legit technician rushing the QB.  His run defense is not bad at all though people will point to his size and say it could cause a detriment...but he's not really THAT undersized by any means.   People will look at the height/weight and think he's an outlier, Micah/Parson/esque, but the dude has 34" arms.  He's not a shrimp, not to mention the top 3-cone, top 20 shuttle in his class. 

His frame is more like Turner, Verse, WA Jr. IMO.  He's a guy if you draft him, you instantly boost your pass rush.  There's no question marks there.  There are flaws with pretty much everyone after Carter, why not take the most polished pass rusher?   

I have been taking him in the second round in mocks....Love him.

[Mother Grabber]

the thing about edge to me is who gaf when the opponent can run up the middle for 6-7 every play. we need inside defense before rushing the passer really matters much. yes, we’ll get Brown back, and he will help a lot, but we still need more beef in the middle to wall up the DL or the rest is just window dressing.

[Shocker]

3 hours ago, Basbear said:

Out of the top 30, 15 could be DLmen/edges.

 

You got to listen to trade down offers, I feel some team will want to pick the first LT and there's a good chance #8 will be the spot for that action. 

 

I need more infor about peacre Jr and this "bad teammate". What is a bad teammate in 2025?? Look at his phone while teammates are talking? Lives in his SM bubble and doesn't care to go bowling with 4th stringers??

I agree moving down is the best move if Graham, Carter and Hunter are gone.  

[Bear Hands]

28 minutes ago, Mother Grabber said:

the thing about edge to me is who gaf when the opponent can run up the middle for 6-7 every play. we need inside defense before rushing the passer really matters much. yes, we’ll get Brown back, and he will help a lot, but we still need more beef in the middle to wall up the DL or the rest is just window dressing.

I agree in terms of priority.  It's why I've been been a big fan of Grant, Tyleik, & Harmon.  This was just a more EDGE specific look. 

I'll probably do a "my guys" thread but, but a glimpse at those:

EZ OLB, Harmon DE, Tyleik NT/DE, Mason Taylor TE, Xavier Watts S, Milum OT

[jfra78]

1 hour ago, Mother Grabber said:

the thing about edge to me is who gaf when the opponent can run up the middle for 6-7 every play. we need inside defense before rushing the passer really matters much. yes, we’ll get Brown back, and he will help a lot, but we still need more beef in the middle to wall up the DL or the rest is just window dressing.

Getting an ILB will help with the inside run game and catches over the middle.  Two areas we have sucked at since Luke retired

[Mother Grabber]

7 hours ago, jfra78 said:

Getting an ILB will help with the inside run game and catches over the middle.  Two areas we have sucked at since Luke retired

and this is where walker comes into question. can he be a run stuffer, or is he more of a roamer. i get the impression that it’s more B than A. but if he can do both, then id love to jump on him regardless of where we draft or what big boards say. an ILB who can stop the run, and roam sideline to sideline would go a long way to forcing those longer plays where pass rush matters.

[SOJA]

18 hours ago, Bear Hands said:

He was a guy that was so damn fun during the season and you could just see "it".  Then you watch highlights and it's like, yeah damn, he's good. 

My thinking is starting to be -- if we're seriously considering these guys like Mykel, Shemar, then we absolutely should consider Ez. Especially if everyone is true in thinking there's only 2 blue chips, a few more 1st round talent and then a big ole' pool of fringe 1st/2nd types.  

He has a great move-set, counters, is a legit technician rushing the QB.  His run defense is not bad at all though people will point to his size and say it could cause a detriment...but he's not really THAT undersized by any means.   People will look at the height/weight and think he's an outlier, Micah/Parson/esque, but the dude has 34" arms.  He's not a shrimp, not to mention the top 3-cone, top 20 shuttle in his class. 

His frame is more like Turner, Verse, WA Jr. IMO.  He's a guy if you draft him, you instantly boost your pass rush.  There's no question marks there.  There are flaws with pretty much everyone after Carter, why not take the most polished pass rusher?   

plus his 3 cone was elite 

[ChibCU]

Graham if there or trade back. If there's a top LT or Warren available at our pick, I think we could get decent trade compensation in return.