2026 NFL Draft Thread

[MichiganCardinal]

22 minutes ago, Mr.TaterSalad said:

No thanks on Keldric Faulk at this point. I was on the fence about him, but am off the bandwagon I think. A DE/Edge with 10 sacks over 3 seasons of play does not excite me. Last season he only had 2 sacks and 30 total QB pressures. The guy ranked 470th in the NCAA in total sacks and 160th in QB pressures per PFF. His best season at Auburn he had 7 sacks total and that was last year.

I get that you can't directly compare him to some of the guys I am about to mention because he probably faced a fair amount of double teams and Auburn simply wasn't a good team. Compared to a guy like David Bailey at Texas Tech who had 15 sacks and 73 total QB pressures. Rueben Bain Jr. at Miami had 10 sacks and 67 pressures. Cashius Howell at Texas A&M had 10 sacks and 41 pressures. Now, we won't be in position to draft David Bailey, but I think Bain and Howell are at least semi-realistic and I'd take either over Faulk.

Keldric Faulk seems like a Josh Paschal-type player to me only a bit taller. A guy who sets the edge, plays against the run, but is only average when it comes to being a pass rusher. I'm not spending a first round pick on an DE/edge that gets minimal pressure on the QB and is there to simply set the edge. I want my first round DE/edge player to be able to get at the QB and generate consistent pressure. I saw an NFL.com comparison of Faulk to Carlos Dunlap, which I don't get. Dunlap seems much more explosive off the line and at the point of attack. Dunlap also had 10 and 13 sacks over two seasons at Florida. Faulk had only one decent year at Auburn with 7 sacks.

I think those are legitimate concerns about Faulk. To the extent you want a sure-fire pass rusher across from Hutch, he's probably not your guy. Though, to be fair, Faulk's utilization at Auburn makes for a bit of a chicken-and-egg problem. They played a 3-4 defensive front, and Faulk was lined up in a 2-gap, asked to effectively act as a space-eating DT, rather than a more traditional edge. It's understandable why they did it, because it's a role he excelled in. If you line him up outside the tackle, does he generate better stats? Probably. But how much better? Is he a Calais Campbell/Arik Armstead type or just a more flashy Josh Paschal?

More to the point though, I think he's exactly what the Lions love out of that DE/EDGE position, for better or worse. They aspire to have the best run defense in the league, and I do think a front of Hutchinson-Williams-McNeill-Faulk gives them that by 2027, if not sooner. They are okay with having a just-okay pass rush if it means teams are forced to pass because they just can't get anywhere on the ground. Whether that's a sound strategy is probably a discussion for another day, but it's how the team was built and it's where we are today.

[Stanley70]

My problem with drafting Faulk is you can find run stuffing 280 lbs edges later in the draft and at affordable prices in free agency. The gap between Faulk and whatever edge will be there at 50 is less than the talent gap at other positions, specifically OT or CB. 

[1984Echoes]

More pass-rushing chops but STILL having some ability to set the edge (more rounded but not as good edge-setting as Faulk) looks like Zion Young/ TJ Parker (end of 1st, top-of-2nd... maybe with a trade down but I see no way of either getting to 50), Dani-Dennis Sutton, Malachi Lawrence, Gabe Jacas (one of these guys are more likely to be around 50-ish...); and a few others. Howell doesn't fit as a one-dimensional pass-rusher-only, at least not as a 1st rounder... So I don't think he fits the Lions. Malachi Lawrence is a better speed-rusher and a 2nd rounder/ better fit ... IMO.

They are ALL going to have their flaws.

Later round pass-rushers to look at: Max Llewyllen, Patrick Payton, Romello Height, Derrick Moore, Trey Moore (Holmes will find one of these guys in the 4th-5th-6th round... so if you want a situational pass-rusher, HERE is where I would want to grab one of these guys... IMO).

I am on board trying to maneuver to get Mauigoa or Freeling in the 1st... Or have Fano/Lomu fall to #17... But I also think there are a couple worthy OT's in a 1st round trade down (Fano/ Lomu/ Blake Miller/ Iheanachor... whoever fits into the 20's area) the mid-2nd round range even up to #50... like MAYBE Miller or Iheanachor and/or Caleb Tiernan...

So I think there are multiple options, for both positions... in the 1st two rounds.

But...

Who does Holmes/ DC LOVE?!?!?!

(I think ALL of those guys will get some DC/ Holmes love but... who do they love the MOST?!!!)

THAT is the most important question...!

IMO.

[Mr.TaterSalad]

1 hour ago, MichiganCardinal said:

I think those are legitimate concerns about Faulk. To the extent you want a sure-fire pass rusher across from Hutch, he's probably not your guy. Though, to be fair, Faulk's utilization at Auburn makes for a bit of a chicken-and-egg problem. They played a 3-4 defensive front, and Faulk was lined up in a 2-gap, asked to effectively act as a space-eating DT, rather than a more traditional edge. It's understandable why they did it, because it's a role he excelled in. If you line him up outside the tackle, does he generate better stats? Probably. But how much better? Is he a Calais Campbell/Arik Armstead type or just a more flashy Josh Paschal?

More to the point though, I think he's exactly what the Lions love out of that DE/EDGE position, for better or worse. They aspire to have the best run defense in the league, and I do think a front of Hutchinson-Williams-McNeill-Faulk gives them that by 2027, if not sooner. They are okay with having a just-okay pass rush if it means teams are forced to pass because they just can't get anywhere on the ground. Whether that's a sound strategy is probably a discussion for another day, but it's how the team was built and it's where we are today.

I get it, even if I don't love it. They want 3 down defensive lineman who can set the edge and play stout run defense. They want guys with rotational value who can slide inside and out. I would venture to guess that Faulk is probably more the type of defensive lineman/edge player they like versus a Cashius Howell or Rueben Bain Jr.

[MichiganCardinal]

7 minutes ago, Mr.TaterSalad said:

I get it, even if I don't love it. They want 3 down defensive lineman who can set the edge and play stout run defense. They want guys with rotational value who can slide inside and out. I would venture to guess that Faulk is probably more the type of defensive lineman/edge player they like versus a Cashius Howell or Rueben Bain Jr.

Faulk is a unique prospect. It's rare to have a defensive end who is so good at setting the edge and overpowering linemen at the point of attack, while not having the flashy stats to show for it in the pass game.

If Bain fell, they could take him. He's got a lot of qualities they like. High motor, physical, good character. He's good against the run, but not like Faulk. He would probably take longer to adapt to the Lions system than Faulk. Howell would surprise me. He's an athletic freak, but a natural edge whose weakness is in the run game. Not really their MO at all and I don't see them trying to force him to be something he's not in the Lions system.

[sagnam]

Brad sure is living high off the first three drafts. He’s been objectively bad the last two. Not sure I’m still on the side of “In Brad we Trust” anymore. He’s going to have to actually draft a playmaker again for me to believe.

I don’t trust that we actually know how he builds a board given his best drafts were when he needed everything. Since then he’s drafted very much for need and it shows. Unless we want to believe that Arnold and Williams were the best players left regardless of positions, and not his highest rated CB and DL.
 

This team would look a lot better with Emmanwori right now. Of course we didn’t need safety help so he wasn’t in consideration. 2022/23 he probably would have been. BPA is a fallacy.

 

Brad has shown he can identify great players. Now he needs to show he can find good players at positions the team needs, or he needs to start drafting great players again even  if he already has good players at those positions and then figure out what to do with the extras.

[1984Echoes]

Since it takes 2-3 years for most draft picks (not all... but most) to reveal themselves at the NFL level...

I think it's disingenuous to say anything about the 2024-25 drafts.

[Motown Bombers]

They may have three quality starters from the last draft in Williams, Ratledge, and Teslaa. Frazier looks to be a decent depth OL which is fine value in the 5th round. Arnold was playing well last year before the injuries. Mahogany is still the starting LG. There’s no way to declare these drafts objectively bad at this point. 

[sagnam]

49 minutes ago, 1984Echoes said:

Since it takes 2-3 years for most draft picks (not all... but most) to reveal themselves at the NFL level...

I think it's disingenuous to say anything about the 2024-25 drafts.

It’s been 2 years for 24. I’m fine if you want to bring this up next year for 25.  Didn’t take 3 years to know for 2021, 2022 ,or 2023, which kinda proves the point.

[Motown Bombers]

For 2021 it took three years to know on McNeil. In 2022 it took three years to know on Williams and Joseph. In 2023 it took three years to know on Campbell. 

[1984Echoes]

40 minutes ago, Motown Bombers said:

They may have three quality starters from the last draft in Williams, Ratledge, and Teslaa. Frazier looks to be a decent depth OL which is fine value in the 5th round. Arnold was playing well last year before the injuries. Mahogany is still the starting LG. There’s no way to declare these drafts objectively bad at this point. 

Exactly my point.

21 minutes ago, sagnam said:

It’s been 2 years for 24. I’m fine if you want to bring this up next year for 25.  Didn’t take 3 years to know for 2021, 2022 ,or 2023, which kinda proves the point.

SOME rookies/ 2nd year players show out right away...

But a LOT of them take 3 years.

Just because 2021-23 were exceptional, doesn't mean you should just write off 2024-25.

IMO.

Besides, I'm with MB... Ratledge is a starter and should only get better in his 2nd year. He was a run-blocking demon and should improve on pass-rush so... we'll see. Tyleik will be better this year than last year and is supposed to have Akim McNeil pass-rush ability (we'll see if that comes to fruition or not). Teslaa was the starting WR3/ X Receiver and blocks like a monster. DC believes he'll show out on the receiving end in 2026 too. Frazier will vie with Mahogany for starting LG... No one on this board can say whether Vaki or Manu or Ennis will turn into something good, or pumpkins... YET. No one on this board.

Those guys are wait-n-see if the Lions can coach them up or not. Same with Hassanein, Wingo and Lovett. May all turn into nothing... but no POSSIBLE way to say one way or the other just yet.

Arnold we have to wait on but, as MB said, he was playing well when not hurt.

PS: Derrick Barnes took until his 3rd year before he showed himself good enough to be a starter. Melifonwu didn't blossom until year 3, he was a project. Same with JAMO. Same with Kerby Joseph (he was good his 1st two years but he POPPED in year 3...), Jack Campbell was good his 2nd year but REALLY POPPED last year (year 3 for him).

Just my 2 cents.

 

 

Edited 21 hours ago by 1984Echoes

[RatkoVarda]

obviously, BPA is never really true. if Jeremiyah Love or one of the great WRs falls to 17, Holmes is not picking any of them.

would not be shocked with OG Ione from PSU. seems to be the clear cut best OG, and could be impact player from Week 1.

I would prefer to move down once or even twice unless there is an elite talent at needed position sitting at 17.

[RedRamage]

17 hours ago, 1984Echoes said:

Since it takes 2-3 years for most draft picks (not all... but most) to reveal themselves at the NFL level...

I think it's disingenuous to say anything about the 2024-25 drafts.

I think the biggest problem is here is that Holmes did so good in his first few years with players who were star level almost right from the get go that anything else looks bad by comparison.

[Mr.TaterSalad]

3 hours ago, RatkoVarda said:

obviously, BPA is never really true. if Jeremiyah Love or one of the great WRs falls to 17, Holmes is not picking any of them.

would not be shocked with OG Ione from PSU. seems to be the clear cut best OG, and could be impact player from Week 1.

I would prefer to move down once or even twice unless there is an elite talent at needed position sitting at 17.

They picked Gibbs when they had just signed Montgomery and Jaymo when they had St. Brown, those shocked everyone. That said, I'd be genuinely shocked if they drafted Love, but wouldn't 100% rule it out given it's Brad and he's unpredictable. I would imagine Brad has a board of prospects he likes, with all his players ranked. He'll draft his BPA on his board as long as he feels that player could be a benefit to this team.

Again, on picking an offensive tackle, he could draft one in the first round. I certainly hope he does draft one. I'm just not as strident as some around here that he will. If Brad is sitting there at #17 and there is a S, DE, DT, LB, CB that he likes better and has ranked as the best player available, above any of the remaining tackle  prospects, I think he's going BPA, even if tackle were deemed to be a bigger need. He's not reaching for a player that he believes has less overall talent just because the need may be a little bigger at that position.

[1984Echoes]

3 hours ago, RedRamage said:

I think the biggest problem is here is that Holmes did so good in his first few years with players who were star level almost right from the get go that anything else looks bad by comparison.

Yep!