DL: 2026 Draft Class

What do all of you future GMs think of Max Llewellyn from Iowa in the 2nd round? He looked pretty good at the Scouting Combine! Checkout his highlights he looks like he has high energy motor. The 49ers may have to take a OT or WR in the first especially if they sign free agent Joey Bosa.

Originally posted by CHEVELLESS1967:
What do all of you future GMs think of Max Llewellyn from Iowa in the 2nd round? He looked pretty good at the Scouting Combine! The 49ers may have to take a OT or WR in the first especially if they sign Joey Bosa to a contract!

I think Phoenix made a thread about him

Originally posted by Ezekiel38:

Is Cashius Howell big enough for Kocurek? He is a dawg that explodes off the screen and plays super nasty and angry. We have run stopping edges we need a dude who can be unleased and gets home to the QB one on one while the rest of the OL deals with Bosa, Osa, West, and Mykel.

Howell is a mid-2nd rounder though so another weird spot where he's a reach at #27 but won't be there at #58

Here's a thing to consider when you're evaluating edges, and it's something I've brought up many times during previous draft processes about DL play under Kris Kocurek. One thing Coach K loves to employ is what is called a caged rush against teams with mobile or scramble-drill QBs. You'll see this every time the 49ers play the Eagles, Chiefs, etc. The goal of a cage rush is to form a cage around the pocket and prevent the quarterback from escaping or scrambling and collapse the pocket onto him. This means every single DL must maintain rush lane integrity and stay within their rush lanes. Edges are to rush upfield BUT no further than the QBs' depth. Typically, you want guys that can play through contact; guys that look to eliminate space, not create more; guys that can win with power and stay on their feet as they move forward. Rushers with explosiveness, contact balance, power and strength. This is why Nick Bosa has become a monster speed-to-power rusher under Kris Kocurek. He's built for the cage rush.

Why is this a problem for smaller/finesse/speed rushers under Kris K? Because those guy tend to play to avoid contact. Speed rushers want to win high side, but every time you high side rush, they're a high risk of being completely washed out upfield far beyond the quarterbacks' drop and giving QBs an escape/extend route. When I've talked about why Dee Ford disappeared in the Superbowl, this is literally the reason. Re-watch the game. The guy was playing through contact and at a complete disadvantage. The few times he tried to use a high-side speed rush, he got too upfield and Mahomes escaped right through the B gap.

This is why you cage rush here against the Eagles' in the playoffs. The Eagles also terrorized Mahomes in the Superbowl with caged rushes.


Do with this information what you will. It's just something to consider. Also, we also don't know what Raheem Morris' vision is for the defense.

Jaishawn Barham is Morris' vision

Phew, the rep at 50 seconds:

Malachi Lawrence is Morris' vision

DeMonte Capehart is Morris' vision

This might be the funniest rep I've ever seen:

Also, Morris might actually be me.

Originally posted by adrianlesnar:
Jaishawn Barham is Morris' vision

Jaishawn Barham (6'3 241) Michigan

+ Versatility and experience playing both linebacker and at edge
+ Physicality against the run and graded out with a 90.0 run defense grade in 2025
+ Good bend when he rushes off the edge
+ Has 89 career pressures
+ Power in his hands to shed… pic.twitter.com/aRX5qXf1pW

— Bengals & Brews (@BengalsBrews) January 11, 2026

Phew, the rep at 50 seconds:

Michigan LB/EDGE Jaishawn Barham
6-foot-3, 240

Twitchy, versatile chess piece with experience as an off-ball LB and Edge defender. Fluid athlete in space; drops into coverage with relative ease and physically reroutes receivers. Brings the fight to the run game with violence on… pic.twitter.com/fEivSq4iZR

— Erik Turner Cover 1 (@ErikJTurner) March 3, 2026

Michigan ED Jaishawn Barham (6-3, 241) brings the tools of 36 LB starts to the NFL Draft alongside 11 at Edge

??82 pressures & 11 sacks at LB rushing multiple gaps & outside OT

??Twitched up, explosive running hoop & closing tackles; handles contact setting edge

🎥 @JonahTuls pic.twitter.com/Asei0aplWM

— Clint Goss (@NFLDraftDome) February 18, 2026

Malachi Lawrence is Morris' vision

Malachi Lawrence is my pick for deepest pass rush bag in the 2026 NFL Draft pic.twitter.com/KRai5xqRNj

— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) February 25, 2026

DeMonte Capehart is Morris' vision

Clemson DL DeMonte Capehart (6-5, 315) is a run-defending brick w/some position versatility

🐅18 starts & lot of rotation work show a crushing bull rush, heavy-handed two-gapper. Immovable @ snap, stacks/sheds w/physicality

🐅Run-stop niche Day 3; not much pass rush foundation… https://t.co/ZJrCCtsCbm pic.twitter.com/LsHPVl1j6Q

— Clint Goss (@NFLDraftDome) December 29, 2025

DeMonte Capehart tested incredibly well in Indy. There can be moments of inconsistency, but run defense stands out immediately. pic.twitter.com/Un7e6HdGa4

— Billy M (@BillyM_91) March 10, 2026

This might be the funniest rep I've ever seen:

Clemson's DeMonte Capehart (#19) is a super interesting Day 3 IDL prospect. Impressive length, power, and explosiveness.

Capehart has nearly 34-inch arms and clocked a 1.72 10-yard split at 6'5, 313lbs. pic.twitter.com/MUJawZp6hh

— Bobby Football (@Rob__Paul) March 3, 2026

Also, Morris might actually be me.

You sir are one of my favorite draft nerds on this board. Thanks for everything you do for us here every draft season man 🤙🏾

Originally posted by 49ers808:
You sir are one of my favorite draft nerds on this board. Thanks for everything you do for us here every draft season man 🤙🏾

Cheers man. A lot of people here get way deeper into it than me. I just became obsessed with the theorycrafting of trying to make the team better about 15 years ago when it felt like we were only a piece or two away with Harbaugh and alas here we are still in that same damn spot haha

Malachi Lawrence's move sequences are so smooth.

Originally posted by Heroism:
Malachi Lawrence's move sequences are so smooth.

I think he has become the edge that I would target; even at 27, because I don't think he makes it to our 2nd pick. But it all depends what happens with Trent. Plan A is still in the works bro with Big Max being the guy at 27

Originally posted by 49ers808:

Originally posted by Heroism:
Malachi Lawrence's move sequences are so smooth.

I think he has become the edge that I would target; even at 27, because I don't think he makes it to our 2nd pick. But it all depends what happens with Trent. Plan A is still in the works bro with Big Max being the guy at 27

Hate to reach for Lawrence as we are almost certainly passing on better players at #27 to take him. And i really like Lawrence.

Rather trade up to 50 from 58 to select him than reach for him at 27.

Mesidor on the other hand at #27.... would be worth the pick even though he is older. He is right now better than Lawrence and would make an impact immediately. Mesidor is the only EDGE I'd consider at #27. Now any trade back to even 30-35 allows us the luxury of drafting Lawrence even if still a slight reach because we would get additional picks

Originally posted by Ezekiel38:

Originally posted by 49ers808:

Originally posted by Heroism:
Malachi Lawrence's move sequences are so smooth.

I think he has become the edge that I would target; even at 27, because I don't think he makes it to our 2nd pick. But it all depends what happens with Trent. Plan A is still in the works bro with Big Max being the guy at 27

Hate to reach for Lawrence as we are almost certainly passing on better players at #27 to take him. And i really like Lawrence.

Rather trade up to 50 from 58 to select him than reach for him at 27.

Mesidor on the other hand at #27.... would be worth the pick even though he is older. He is right now better than Lawrence and would make an impact immediately. Mesidor is the only EDGE I'd consider at #27. Now any trade back to even 30-35 allows us the luxury of drafting Lawrence even if still a slight reach because we would get additional picks

Obviously a trade back would be ideal; but who do you think is trading with us and for what player? That's the problem. It takes two to tangle

I like messidor a lot. 1st round prospect all the way, would not be mad if hes the guy at 27.

Not so sure im taking him over Lawrence if they're both sitting there .

Originally posted by adrianlesnar:
I like messidor a lot. 1st round prospect all the way, would not be mad if hes the guy at 27.

Not so sure im taking him over Lawrence if they're both sitting there .

Lawrence will be there at #27 for sure imo

Mesidor may not be.

I'd still take Mesidir if we're going edge at #27 as he is plug and play ready to hunt QBs and is better right now and that is influenced by his age at 25. Plus it is better value for the pick.

Would not be surprised with our DL now and Mesidor getting 1 on 1s all game long that he has 10+ sacks his rookie year. Lawrence would take tame to develop but has the physical tools.

But hey if Lawrence is their guy Lynch is known to reach a bit and I like the player so I wouldn't complain.

But better to take BPA at 27 .. say an OT or WR if Mesidor is gone and see if Lawrence falls to 45-50 and jump up and grab him if he was who they liked with our 2nd rounder.

Can't wait to see what happens!

Originally posted by 49ers808:

Originally posted by Ezekiel38:

Originally posted by 49ers808:

Originally posted by Heroism:
Malachi Lawrence's move sequences are so smooth.

I think he has become the edge that I would target; even at 27, because I don't think he makes it to our 2nd pick. But it all depends what happens with Trent. Plan A is still in the works bro with Big Max being the guy at 27

Hate to reach for Lawrence as we are almost certainly passing on better players at #27 to take him. And i really like Lawrence.

Rather trade up to 50 from 58 to select him than reach for him at 27.

Mesidor on the other hand at #27.... would be worth the pick even though he is older. He is right now better than Lawrence and would make an impact immediately. Mesidor is the only EDGE I'd consider at #27. Now any trade back to even 30-35 allows us the luxury of drafting Lawrence even if still a slight reach because we would get additional picks

Obviously a trade back would be ideal; but who do you think is trading with us and for what player? That's the problem. It takes two to tangle

Yeah so if can't trade back you draft Mesidor if he is there if you want EDGE.

And if he is gone and you also love Lawrence and cannot trade back from 27 then you just draft Lawrence if determined to go EDGE with 1st pick

Originally posted by Ezekiel38:
Lawrence will be there at #27 for sure imo

Mesidor may not be.

I'd still take Mesidir if we're going edge at #27 as he is plug and play ready to hunt QBs and is better right now and that is influenced by his age at 25. Plus it is better value for the pick.

Would not be surprised with our DL now and Mesidor getting 1 on 1s all game long that he has 10+ sacks his rookie year. Lawrence would take tame to develop but has the physical tools.

But hey if Lawrence is their guy Lynch is known to reach a bit and I like the player so I wouldn't complain.

But better to take BPA at 27 .. say an OT or WR if Mesidor is gone and see if Lawrence falls to 45-50 and jump up and grab him if he was who they liked with our 2nd rounder.

Can't wait to see what happens!

Where do you feel messidor is better right now than Lawrence? Lets say, by the trade deadline, what will make it so messidor is still a more impactful player than Lawrence?