DL: 2026 Draft Class

Originally posted by OnTheClock:

Originally posted by lamontb:
I really like Zion Young.

I like the talent too, but Hero mentioned issues that I think make him a non-target for us.

He had a DWI in December 2025, as well as assault charges in 2022. Two mess-ups like that are gonna drop or pull him off many teams' boards.

I really hope they don't just immediately remove him from their board. I am guessing they will interview him and talk to his coaches before making a decision.

After Bain (whom we can't get), Zion Young and Akheem Mesidor are probably the best EDGE fits for us.

Originally posted by Heroism:

If Akheem Mesidor gets drafted in round 1 = he's an outlier
-He'd be the 1st DL drafted in round 1 at age 25 or older since Peria Jerry(DT) in 2009
-He'd be the 1st DE drafted in round 1 at age 25 or older since Max Bumgardner in 1948
(Used Pro Football Reference)

If he's very… pic.twitter.com/w2FgdER1np

— Nick Whalen (@_NickWhalen) February 21, 2026

Someone brought up a solid point regarding Mesidor's age.

You're likely getting a pro ready player on a cheap contract for 4-5 years vs getting a guy who needs time to get to that level of play and by the time he does you have to give him a big $ deal.

Sure if you hit on a first rounder you hope they're young enough that you get 10+ years from them as a stud but doesn't always go like that obviously. If he's there a 27 I'd have 0 issue with us pulling the trigger on him.

Originally posted by genus49:

Originally posted by Heroism:

If Akheem Mesidor gets drafted in round 1 = he's an outlier
-He'd be the 1st DL drafted in round 1 at age 25 or older since Peria Jerry(DT) in 2009
-He'd be the 1st DE drafted in round 1 at age 25 or older since Max Bumgardner in 1948
(Used Pro Football Reference)

If he's very… pic.twitter.com/w2FgdER1np

— Nick Whalen (@_NickWhalen) February 21, 2026

Someone brought up a solid point regarding Mesidor's age.

You're likely getting a pro ready player on a cheap contract for 4-5 years vs getting a guy who needs time to get to that level of play and by the time he does you have to give him a big $ deal.

Sure if you hit on a first rounder you hope they're young enough that you get 10+ years from them as a stud but doesn't always go like that obviously. If he's there a 27 I'd have 0 issue with us pulling the trigger on him.

yup that was my thought on him and why i am not concerned on the age is is pro ready and has so many moves. Also pretty athlethic figted and he has best hands in draft the way he fights off blockers is amazing

If we dont get a EDGE via FA or trades which i di think is unlikely (Crosby, Chubb etc) i think using a first round pick on him isnt a bad idea having 3 solid EDGE to rotate and then on passing downs put Mykell inside would be deadly

Originally posted by Leathaface:
I really hope they don't just immediately remove him from their board. I am guessing they will interview him and talk to his coaches before making a decision.

After Bain (whom we can't get), Zion Young and Akheem Mesidor are probably the best EDGE fits for us.

i would add Parker in there too

This draft has a lot of edge prospects. I would argue to even double dip on it.

Niners are gonna get suckered into it again….

Originally posted by NYniner85:
Niners are gonna get suckered into it again….

Florida DT Caleb Banks measured in at 6-6, 335 pounds at the Senior Bowl.

How many DTs have measured in at 6-6, 330+ and have run a sub-5.2 40-yard dash?

I can't believe the list would be very long...

— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) February 23, 2026

you wouldn't want Banks? He is one of the few DT who can rush the passer i think the list of players who can do that this year are short

Woods, Banks, Halton Durant are my list who are DT who can really create some pressure on the inside . And Banks had a dominant Senior Bowl week

Originally posted by NYniner85:
Niners are gonna get suckered into it again….

Florida DT Caleb Banks measured in at 6-6, 335 pounds at the Senior Bowl.

How many DTs have measured in at 6-6, 330+ and have run a sub-5.2 40-yard dash?

I can't believe the list would be very long...

— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) February 23, 2026

The tweet should be "How many DTs have measured in at 6-6, 330+ and are liabilities in run defense?"

I'd be shocked if they drafted that type of player again. They'll steer clear of Javon Kinlaw this time.

Originally posted by ritz126:

Originally posted by NYniner85:
Niners are gonna get suckered into it again….

Florida DT Caleb Banks measured in at 6-6, 335 pounds at the Senior Bowl.

How many DTs have measured in at 6-6, 330+ and have run a sub-5.2 40-yard dash?

I can't believe the list would be very long...

— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) February 23, 2026

you wouldn't want Banks? He is one of the few DT who can rush the passer i think the list of players who can do that this year are short

Woods, Banks, Halton Durant are my list who are DT who can really create some pressure on the inside . And Banks had a dominant Senior Bowl week

Dominant? I'd describe it as he got better as the week progressed. Hard pass on him; I don't see it

Originally posted by Cisco0623:
This draft has a lot of edge prospects. I would argue to even double dip on it.

If they don't they're doing themselves a disservice IMO.

Originally posted by Heroism:

Originally posted by NYniner85:
Niners are gonna get suckered into it again….

Florida DT Caleb Banks measured in at 6-6, 335 pounds at the Senior Bowl.

How many DTs have measured in at 6-6, 330+ and have run a sub-5.2 40-yard dash?

I can't believe the list would be very long...

— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) February 23, 2026

The tweet should be "How many DTs have measured in at 6-6, 330+ and are liabilities in run defense?"

I'd be shocked if they drafted that type of player again. They'll steer clear of Javon Kinlaw this time.

Yeah the Javon Kinlaw comp jumped out at me instantly. We need a DT for sure but let someone else see if they can get the best out of Banks. Hopefully we had our fill of senior bowl DT standouts with injury concerns but high potential...

Improve the edges early. Grab someone like Skyler Gill-Howard, Gracen Halton and Landon Robinson round 3+. Hell if we want to go for potential maybe see if we can coach up Zxavian Harris.

No more using first rounders chasing potential for these big dudes when we have so many holes to fill.

Originally posted by genus49:

Originally posted by Cisco0623:
This draft has a lot of edge prospects. I would argue to even double dip on it.

If they don't they're doing themselves a disservice IMO.

Only have so many picks tho ...

I'd rather double dip at WR and DL and then get an EDGE. At least one of the DL would be a penetrating 3-tech DT that can rush the passer from the interior.

As much as I like McDonald, Hunter, and Mesidor... I don't see how Concepcion, Cooper Jr, or Boston is not a Niner at our first pick.

Free agency and the combine obv is going to help out a lot on narrowing down what we might do.

But to your point, if we did go EDGE early with one of our first three picks, I would love to double up with Max Llewellyn or Nadame Tucker at EDGE in the 4th/5th round.

Everything really depends on who is available at each pick. I want BPA so double up at a position if BPA demands it. We need talent.

Originally posted by Ezekiel38:

Originally posted by genus49:

Originally posted by Cisco0623:
This draft has a lot of edge prospects. I would argue to even double dip on it.

If they don't they're doing themselves a disservice IMO.

Only have so many picks tho ...

I'd rather double dip at WR and DL and then get an EDGE. At least one of the DL would be a penetrating 3-tech DT that can rush the passer from the interior.

As much as I like McDonald, Hunter, and Mesidor... I don't see how Concepcion, Cooper Jr, or Boston is not a Niner at our first pick.

Free agency and the combine obv is going to help out a lot on narrowing down what we might do.

But to your point, if we did go EDGE early with one of our first three picks, I would love to double up with Max Llewellyn or Nadame Tucker at EDGE in the 4th/5th round.

Everything really depends on who is available at each pick. I want BPA so double up at a position if BPA demands it. We need talent.

You can acquire more picks and it would be in our benefit to do that in this draft(whether it happens remains to be seen)

I would say with Mykel being able to play inside and us drafting Alfred and CJ last year there are much more gaping needs on the outside, specifically as far as pass rushers.

I don't mind double dipping at WR but we know how tough it is for rookie WRs to get playing time in Kyle's offense unless there's nobody else. Edge rusher rookies would get playing time simply due to the rotation defense uses.

Though in the end...we should go BPA. Hopefully it's at positions of need(hard to not address a need position right now honestly)

Originally posted by genus49:

Originally posted by Ezekiel38:

Originally posted by genus49:

Originally posted by Cisco0623:
This draft has a lot of edge prospects. I would argue to even double dip on it.

If they don't they're doing themselves a disservice IMO.

Only have so many picks tho ...

I'd rather double dip at WR and DL and then get an EDGE. At least one of the DL would be a penetrating 3-tech DT that can rush the passer from the interior.

As much as I like McDonald, Hunter, and Mesidor... I don't see how Concepcion, Cooper Jr, or Boston is not a Niner at our first pick.

Free agency and the combine obv is going to help out a lot on narrowing down what we might do.

But to your point, if we did go EDGE early with one of our first three picks, I would love to double up with Max Llewellyn or Nadame Tucker at EDGE in the 4th/5th round.

Everything really depends on who is available at each pick. I want BPA so double up at a position if BPA demands it. We need talent.

You can acquire more picks and it would be in our benefit to do that in this draft(whether it happens remains to be seen)

I would say with Mykel being able to play inside and us drafting Alfred and CJ last year there are much more gaping needs on the outside, specifically as far as pass rushers.

I don't mind double dipping at WR but we know how tough it is for rookie WRs to get playing time in Kyle's offense unless there's nobody else. Edge rusher rookies would get playing time simply due to the rotation defense uses.

Though in the end...we should go BPA. Hopefully it's at positions of need(hard to not address a need position right now honestly)

We have a lot of needs, but if the last two games against Seattle proved anything, is it doesn't matter who is at WR when your QB is running for his life within .5 seconds every snap and there are zero rushing lanes for the RB. Also we had ZERO pass rush. They need to get the trenches right. They have had better overall luck with drafting trenches vs WR as well.

I am always for BPA in rd 1. With the current roster the only thing we don't need is a QB. They should take BPA ever single round this draft. But if they are trying to marry need with BPA def trenches over skill positions.

Originally posted by Heroism:

If Akheem Mesidor gets drafted in round 1 = he's an outlier
-He'd be the 1st DL drafted in round 1 at age 25 or older since Peria Jerry(DT) in 2009
-He'd be the 1st DE drafted in round 1 at age 25 or older since Max Bumgardner in 1948
(Used Pro Football Reference)

If he's very… pic.twitter.com/w2FgdER1np

— Nick Whalen (@_NickWhalen) February 21, 2026

This is misleading because Byron Young was 25 when he was drafted. He's essentially an EDGE player for the Rams.