DL: 2026 Draft Class

Originally posted by adrianlesnar:

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?

I watched a few of the YouTube highlight videos of each and obv I am no expert but Mesidor looked far more impressive.

Lawrence was looked at as a late 3rd to late 4th round pick before the combine when he shined there and killed it with his metrics.

Mesidor was always looked at as a late 1st round pick and if he was Lawrence's age that dude is going top 15 maybe top 10 along with Bain.

Watch two videos of each on YouTube and tell me who looks like the better player right now.

And this is coming fr.someone who would be stoked to get him with our 2nd pick at #58 or trading up.

I think it will take Lawrence a couple years to get to what Mesidor's current impact would be which makes sense as Mesidor is already a grown man and like a veteran. Lawrence has the tools though to maybe develop and surpass Mesidor's ceiling in 2-3 years but it is a projection based primarily on his physical tools shown at the combine.

If we take the long view then Lawrence maybe has the higher ceiling but could have to wait a couple years to begin seeing it. And that may be the right play over an older guy like Mesidor.

I think Im just partial to Mesidor's angry dawg hunter of QBs play style. It is why I like also like Cashius Howell and WR like Kendrick Law and Omar Cooper Jr or OTs like Iheanachor or S like AJ Haulcy or G like Emmanuel Pregnon and Keylan Rutledge etc. The Jauan Jennings type players.

But to each their own on who they prefer. Like I prefer guy like Max Llewellyn over a lot of EDGEs that will be taken before him... just like what I saw better on the YouTube highlights sort of an eye test.

I think we are seeing peak Messidor and he played on a loaded defense. Lawrence probably has more potential

Originally posted by Ezekiel38:
I watched a few of the YouTube highlight videos of each and obv I am no expert but Mesidor looked far more impressive.

Lawrence was looked at as a late 3rd to late 4th round pick before the combine when he shined there and killed it with his metrics.

Mesidor was always looked at as a late 1st round pick and if he was Lawrence's age that dude is going top 15 maybe top 10 along with Bain.

Watch two videos of each on YouTube and tell me who looks like the better player right now.

And this is coming fr.someone who would be stoked to get him with our 2nd pick at #58 or trading up.

I think it will take Lawrence a couple years to get to what Mesidor's current impact would be which makes sense as Mesidor is already a grown man and like a veteran. Lawrence has the tools though to maybe develop and surpass Mesidor's ceiling in 2-3 years but it is a projection based primarily on his physical tools shown at the combine.

If we take the long view then Lawrence maybe has the higher ceiling but could have to wait a couple years to begin seeing it. And that may be the right play over an older guy like Mesidor.

I think Im just partial to Mesidor's angry dawg hunter of QBs play style. It is why I like also like Cashius Howell and WR like Kendrick Law and Omar Cooper Jr or OTs like Iheanachor or S like AJ Haulcy or G like Emmanuel Pregnon and Keylan Rutledge etc. The Jauan Jennings type players.

But to each their own on who they prefer. Like I prefer guy like Max Llewellyn over a lot of EDGEs that will be taken before him... just like what I saw better on the YouTube highlights sort of an eye test.

appreciate the long response. Again I think both are 1st round prospects. I think that with Miami's success and the fact that everyone was trying to watch Rueben Bain, Messidor was just on everyone's radar sooner.

Lawrence was already on people's radar before the combine, its just his performance forced consensus to speed up, as everyone bumped him up their "must watch" list.

I think both players clearly win because of their abilities to seamlessly work through different moves. Both work counters and keep their hands working. I think it is a bit of a misnomer to suggest that Lawrence isnt an advanced pass rusher and is still 2-3 years away.

I also think it isnt too relevant how high Messidor would go if younger, because he isn't younger and that hypothetical shouldn't boost him as a prospect. Now I already think he can help the niners right now, so I dont care enough to go back and see how he performed when he was younger. I dont really care if he needed to be a "grown man amongst boys" before becoming dominant, because he is dominant. But it does help Lawrence projection that he has a higher implied ceiling to grow into with regards to age, experience, length and athleticism.

I think that Messidor trusts his experience and technique more (which makes sense) hes trying to explode up field from the first step.

Lawrence more waits til his 3rd or 4th step, but his burst after working a move is elite...like special stuff. He already has advanced hand usage, if he can build more confidence in his explosiveness dictating terms rather than being reactionary--set the tackle up using pure speed rather than set them up with a shimmy shake--i think he can be a double digit sack artist within his first 2 seasons.

Originally posted by glorydayz:

Originally posted by Ezekiel38:

Originally posted by Heroism:
Romello Height is definitely not the prototypical Kocurek edge. I don't think Kocurek is a big fan of small finesse rushers. He likes big, powerful ends who play through contact and maintain rush lane integrity. This could be a Raheem Morris guy.

It's going to be interesting to see who else they bring in for a private visit. It could be a sign of Morris' changes in the front. Less base wide 9; more 5-man surfaces. Building on what Saleh started last season.

A guy to keep an eye on that I was watching yesterday was Gabe Jacas. You want to talk about a thick, powerful dude that wins with speed-2-powe and collapses the pocket. That's a classic KK guy.

Need a 3rd rounder to have a shot at Jacas - think he's a bit of a reach at #58. Trade down to 70-80 from 58 for extra picks and draft Jacas there and I'd be down.

I agree with you - he is a thick and powerful dude when I was watching his highlights. He didn't seem very fast in his acceleration but I still liked him.

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

Our 2nd round pick is basically our 3rd round pick.

Closer to a high 3rd than a high 2nd IMO. So if there is a player with a high 3rd round grade you may have to grab him there.

Yeah just not sure Jacas is worth a high 2nd with who we would have to pass on to take him. But agree

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! 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.

I liked all the youtube highlights of him that Phoenix posted. Would be totally fine taking him with one of our 4ths if we liked him and did not go EDGE yet to that point,

Originally posted by adrianlesnar:

Originally posted by Ezekiel38:
I watched a few of the YouTube highlight videos of each and obv I am no expert but Mesidor looked far more impressive.

Lawrence was looked at as a late 3rd to late 4th round pick before the combine when he shined there and killed it with his metrics.

Mesidor was always looked at as a late 1st round pick and if he was Lawrence's age that dude is going top 15 maybe top 10 along with Bain.

Watch two videos of each on YouTube and tell me who looks like the better player right now.

And this is coming fr.someone who would be stoked to get him with our 2nd pick at #58 or trading up.

I think it will take Lawrence a couple years to get to what Mesidor's current impact would be which makes sense as Mesidor is already a grown man and like a veteran. Lawrence has the tools though to maybe develop and surpass Mesidor's ceiling in 2-3 years but it is a projection based primarily on his physical tools shown at the combine.

If we take the long view then Lawrence maybe has the higher ceiling but could have to wait a couple years to begin seeing it. And that may be the right play over an older guy like Mesidor.

I think Im just partial to Mesidor's angry dawg hunter of QBs play style. It is why I like also like Cashius Howell and WR like Kendrick Law and Omar Cooper Jr or OTs like Iheanachor or S like AJ Haulcy or G like Emmanuel Pregnon and Keylan Rutledge etc. The Jauan Jennings type players.

But to each their own on who they prefer. Like I prefer guy like Max Llewellyn over a lot of EDGEs that will be taken before him... just like what I saw better on the YouTube highlights sort of an eye test.

appreciate the long response. Again I think both are 1st round prospects. I think that with Miami's success and the fact that everyone was trying to watch Rueben Bain, Messidor was just on everyone's radar sooner.

Lawrence was already on people's radar before the combine, its just his performance forced consensus to speed up, as everyone bumped him up their "must watch" list.

I think both players clearly win because of their abilities to seamlessly work through different moves. Both work counters and keep their hands working. I think it is a bit of a misnomer to suggest that Lawrence isnt an advanced pass rusher and is still 2-3 years away.

I also think it isnt too relevant how high Messidor would go if younger, because he isn't younger and that hypothetical shouldn't boost him as a prospect. Now I already think he can help the niners right now, so I dont care enough to go back and see how he performed when he was younger. I dont really care if he needed to be a "grown man amongst boys" before becoming dominant, because he is dominant. But it does help Lawrence projection that he has a higher implied ceiling to grow into with regards to age, experience, length and athleticism.

I think that Messidor trusts his experience and technique more (which makes sense) hes trying to explode up field from the first step.

Lawrence more waits til his 3rd or 4th step, but his burst after working a move is elite...like special stuff. He already has advanced hand usage, if he can build more confidence in his explosiveness dictating terms rather than being reactionary--set the tackle up using pure speed rather than set them up with a shimmy shake--i think he can be a double digit sack artist within his first 2 seasons.

That hypothetical does not boost him per se just saying ability wise he is a top 15 pick and the only reason he goes late 1st early 2nd is because he is 25 years old. That actually drops him some and may make a younger guy like Lawrence more appealing in the intermediate to long term.

Plus another factor AGAINST Mesidor is not just he's older but that older age means he was rushing against 19-22 year olds and did that make him look better than he is or would be against players of his same age and older?

In the end I have a draft crush on Lawrence I just don't think he's a 1st round guy and do not want to pass on players like Cooper Jr, Mesidor, Iheanachor, Proctor, and McDonald for him in terms of value for #27. But IF Shanalych absolutely LOVE Lawrence above some of the other top EDGEs going in the 1st couple rounds and have him ranked similarly to the players I mentioned above then I would agree just get your guy and draft him at #27 as Lawrence does not likely last to #58 and prob goes 40-50 which means we would prob not be able to get him. Either of Mesidor, Lawrence, or Howell I would be super pumped about, followed by Jacas and then 4th rounders for Height, Tucker, or Llewellyn.

You won't get me complaining reeeeaaachh at #27 if we pick Malachi Lawrence. I'd be pumped esp now that Huff is gone I want a top EDGE like Mesidor, Lawrence, or Howell. Mesidor and Howell just look from their youtube highlights that they play like they are possessed with a ferociousness that jumped off the screen (to me).

Appreciate your detailed responses too! Fun to get into discussions of guys we both like and which ones to go for :)

Originally posted by Ezekiel38:

Originally posted by adrianlesnar:

Originally posted by Ezekiel38:
I watched a few of the YouTube highlight videos of each and obv I am no expert but Mesidor looked far more impressive.

Lawrence was looked at as a late 3rd to late 4th round pick before the combine when he shined there and killed it with his metrics.

Mesidor was always looked at as a late 1st round pick and if he was Lawrence's age that dude is going top 15 maybe top 10 along with Bain.

Watch two videos of each on YouTube and tell me who looks like the better player right now.

And this is coming fr.someone who would be stoked to get him with our 2nd pick at #58 or trading up.

I think it will take Lawrence a couple years to get to what Mesidor's current impact would be which makes sense as Mesidor is already a grown man and like a veteran. Lawrence has the tools though to maybe develop and surpass Mesidor's ceiling in 2-3 years but it is a projection based primarily on his physical tools shown at the combine.

If we take the long view then Lawrence maybe has the higher ceiling but could have to wait a couple years to begin seeing it. And that may be the right play over an older guy like Mesidor.

I think Im just partial to Mesidor's angry dawg hunter of QBs play style. It is why I like also like Cashius Howell and WR like Kendrick Law and Omar Cooper Jr or OTs like Iheanachor or S like AJ Haulcy or G like Emmanuel Pregnon and Keylan Rutledge etc. The Jauan Jennings type players.

But to each their own on who they prefer. Like I prefer guy like Max Llewellyn over a lot of EDGEs that will be taken before him... just like what I saw better on the YouTube highlights sort of an eye test.

appreciate the long response. Again I think both are 1st round prospects. I think that with Miami's success and the fact that everyone was trying to watch Rueben Bain, Messidor was just on everyone's radar sooner.

Lawrence was already on people's radar before the combine, its just his performance forced consensus to speed up, as everyone bumped him up their "must watch" list.

I think both players clearly win because of their abilities to seamlessly work through different moves. Both work counters and keep their hands working. I think it is a bit of a misnomer to suggest that Lawrence isnt an advanced pass rusher and is still 2-3 years away.

I also think it isnt too relevant how high Messidor would go if younger, because he isn't younger and that hypothetical shouldn't boost him as a prospect. Now I already think he can help the niners right now, so I dont care enough to go back and see how he performed when he was younger. I dont really care if he needed to be a "grown man amongst boys" before becoming dominant, because he is dominant. But it does help Lawrence projection that he has a higher implied ceiling to grow into with regards to age, experience, length and athleticism.

I think that Messidor trusts his experience and technique more (which makes sense) hes trying to explode up field from the first step.

Lawrence more waits til his 3rd or 4th step, but his burst after working a move is elite...like special stuff. He already has advanced hand usage, if he can build more confidence in his explosiveness dictating terms rather than being reactionary--set the tackle up using pure speed rather than set them up with a shimmy shake--i think he can be a double digit sack artist within his first 2 seasons.

That hypothetical does not boost him per se just saying ability wise he is a top 15 pick and the only reason he goes late 1st early 2nd is because he is 25 years old. That actually drops him some and may make a younger guy like Lawrence more appealing in the intermediate to long term.

Plus another factor AGAINST Mesidor is not just he's older but that older age means he was rushing against 19-22 year olds and did that make him look better than he is or would be against players of his same age and older?

In the end I have a draft crush on Lawrence I just don't think he's a 1st round guy and do not want to pass on players like Cooper Jr, Mesidor, Iheanachor, Proctor, and McDonald for him in terms of value for #27. But IF Shanalych absolutely LOVE Lawrence above some of the other top EDGEs going in the 1st couple rounds and have him ranked similarly to the players I mentioned above then I would agree just get your guy and draft him at #27 as Lawrence does not likely last to #58 and prob goes 40-50 which means we would prob not be able to get him. Either of Mesidor, Lawrence, or Howell I would be super pumped about, followed by Jacas and then 4th rounders for Height, Tucker, or Llewellyn.

You won't get me complaining reeeeaaachh at #27 if we pick Malachi Lawrence. I'd be pumped esp now that Huff is gone I want a top EDGE like Mesidor, Lawrence, or Howell. Mesidor and Howell just look from their youtube highlights that they play like they are possessed with a ferociousness that jumped off the screen (to me).

Appreciate your detailed responses too! Fun to get into discussions of guys we both like and which ones to go for :)

This is supposed to be a good draft for edge propects but they're all just prospects until they prove they can play in the NFL. The best guy on the board can be a complete flop with the wrong team. We've seen top prospects absolutely fail and mid or late round guys become HOF players. A players success is often dependent more on the team he gets drafted by than his raw ability. The players around him the system and of course the position coaches can go a long way toward helping a young player realize his potential. If they get in the right place they can succeed as long as they aren't a head case or have a substance problem.

Originally posted by Ezekiel38:
I liked all the youtube highlights of him that Phoenix posted. Would be totally fine taking him with one of our 4ths if we liked him and did not go EDGE yet to that point,

With the way FA has gone so far I really can't see them waiting until the 4th to take edge. This could change though.

Originally posted by English:

Originally posted by Ezekiel38:
I liked all the youtube highlights of him that Phoenix posted. Would be totally fine taking him with one of our 4ths if we liked him and did not go EDGE yet to that point,

With the way FA has gone so far I really can't see them waiting until the 4th to take edge. This could change though.

I agree - however Mesidor may be gone by #27 so we either reach a little for Lawrence/Howell/Young at #27 or wait until #58 where all three of those guys could be gone by pick #50 so it becomes very costly to trade up further than #50.

That would leave us reaching again slightly for Gabe Jacas at #58 or more ideally trading down to 70ish to take him. Also, #58 is a prime spot for a starting LG (Pregnon/Rutledge) or one of the better WRs (Ted Hurst please and no one else) if we don't grab one at #27. If we went in some order WR/OL with our first two picks then we are looking in the 4th round for a guy like Keyron Crawford/Max Llewellyn/Romello Height.

But the way Lynch does things if we are targeting EDGE at #27 due to need, then we should expect Mesidor/Lawrence/Howell/Young to be our pick even if a slight reach (see Ricky Pearsall).

If we do that I want Ted Hurst at #58 and get a G in the 4th rd like Beau Stephens/Jalen Farmer/Fa'alili Fa'amoe. Assuming no trades and resigning of T Williams:

#27. Mesidor/Howell/Young/Lawrence EDGE
#58. Ted Hurst WR (future starting X receiver)
#127. Devin Moore CB
#133. Tristan Leigh OT (upgrades McKivitz so we can move off him in 2027 - T Williams replacement next year's draft)
#138. Stephens/Farmer/Fa'amoe G
#139. Robinson/Durant/McClellan DT

Then trade a 2027 3rd after the draft for Jessie Bates III from ATL to be our immediate starting FS.

Originally posted by Heroism:

Originally posted by Heroism:
Nice, I was watching Moore last week, and I thought he reminded me a bit of Jared Verse. Not as good as Verse against the run, but a little better as a pure rusher. Builds, strengths and rush style very similar. I think this is the type of edge the 49ers should be targeting if they're scouting DPRs. Someone who is already a good pass rusher that can come on the field when Mykel goes inside but also has the potential to develop into an all-around player.

This is where I see Jared Verse. Moore will run right through your f**king face

You better have your feet under you or Michigan ED Derrick Moore is running straight through you pic.twitter.com/PL1Qp3Diky

— Trevor Sikkema (@TampaBayTre) January 27, 2026

still one of my favorite edges in the draft. Max/Cooper 27, Moore 58

I didn't realize Moore said he modeled his game after Jared Verse 👀I noticed that right away on tape

Draft Crush - Trey Moore - 6'2 243

First, he had an excellent combine. You look at some of these higher ranked DPR types like Howell, Height, Mason Thomas and Trey Moore is every bit the athlete. 4.54 forty. 1.6 split. Both were 4th best among edge rushers. 6th best vertical at 38.5 and a 10 foot broad jump. Dude is an athlete. Love the 10.5 inch hands as well.

Lots of interesting tape here. Moore starts at UTSA where he is insanely productive playing mostly on the edge. Redshirt freshman year he has 8 sacks and sets a school record with 18 tackles for loss. Follows that up with a school record 14 sack season in his sophomore year earning him conference defensive player of the year. This is elite production. I love guys that are successful early. I've watched full games against Texas State and Houston and he jumps out at the best athlete on the field, but hes also winning with technique. Hes got spin counters in both directions, euro steps, mid rush hand chops, a high motor, and has bend and speed around the edge. He's also comfortable rushing inside and taking on guards. Here's some highlights over 2 seasons (his number changes from 31 and 1).


Junior year he transfers to Texas. Big time step up in competition and statistically the production falls. He finishes up with 8.5 sacks over his final two seasons. But a big part of the story here is that Texas is using him in a very different role. He's playing alot more linebacker. Hes dropping back into coverage, he's guarding the boundary in zones, he's chasing guys across the field. And it makes sense. Texas is trying to get their best players on the field, and in reality, against high level competition, Trey Moore is not an every down rusher. He lacks size and length. He lacks mass. He's not an edge setter. He's not going to fulfill those duties in the SEC. In hindsight, not sure going to a 4-3 was the best fit for him in college. More snaps as a 3-4 standup OLB might have increased his stock. But at least we get a look at the versatility and get some better projections of him as a special teamer at worst.


That being said, he still shows ability when placed on the edge. This is a guy with 30.5 career sacks, 51TFL, and 6 forced fumbles. Last year PFF has Moore at 120 pass rushing snaps with 27 pressures for a 22% pressure rate. Granted its a smaller sample size for Moore, but Howell is 13.6%, Mason Thomas 14.7%, Joshua Josephs 16.8%, Height 17.7%. When he was put on the edge, he performed.



In the big boy league, I think Moore is a limited snap player. In a 4-3, hes a DPR on pass rush downs. In aggressive 5 man fronts, he's a stand up blitzer, but also has range to play spy, or to decoy out to cover the flat. If he hits, your hoping for a Nick Herbig type. Playing 35% of snaps, 5-7 sacks. If not, you get a Baron Browning type journeyman tweener.

Oh. No. Seeing more and more buzz on my guys Lawrence and Barham

Originally posted by Heroism:

Originally posted by Heroism:

Originally posted by Heroism:
Nice, I was watching Moore last week, and I thought he reminded me a bit of Jared Verse. Not as good as Verse against the run, but a little better as a pure rusher. Builds, strengths and rush style very similar. I think this is the type of edge the 49ers should be targeting if they're scouting DPRs. Someone who is already a good pass rusher that can come on the field when Mykel goes inside but also has the potential to develop into an all-around player.

This is where I see Jared Verse. Moore will run right through your f**king face

You better have your feet under you or Michigan ED Derrick Moore is running straight through you pic.twitter.com/PL1Qp3Diky

— Trevor Sikkema (@TampaBayTre) January 27, 2026

still one of my favorite edges in the draft. Max/Cooper 27, Moore 58

I didn't realize Moore said he modeled his game after Jared Verse 👀I noticed that right away on tape

The #Eagles had a formal interview with #Michigan EDGE Derrick Moore and he said heading into last season he found himself modeling his game after Jared Verse.

"I started to just watch what he do, and just do the same thing … everything in my toolbox is what he has. pic.twitter.com/zTPpKpQRXr

— Devin Jackson (@RealD_Jackson) February 25, 2026

You like Moore over Jacas eh .. I'd still take Jacas over Moore personally if those were my two choices. And my favorite school has been Michigan since I was 5 years old in the Jim Harbaugh days :)

But to each their own!

@adrianlesnar the Malachi dream may be short lived.