DL: 2026 Draft Class

Surprised to see Nyjalik Kelly there because he ran a 4.88. But his vert and broard were nice. Wonder what his agility scores would be. Big 6'5 dude with 35+ inch arms. But where is the production with the prototypical body and second fastest speed around the corner in the class? Guy is an Aldon Smith clone coming off the bus.

Originally posted by NYniner85:

Originally posted by Heroism:
Howell is going to be a speed demon. What's surprising is that his stance and get off is so awkward/unrefined yet he still blasts out of the hole. There are reps where the guy's hips are completely perpendicular to the line of scrimmage. He often false steps, too. Teach this guy to stance properly, and he might add a step or two to his speed. 👀

Originally posted by Heroism:
Being able to corner without losing speed is a rare ability.

Cashius Howell (@AggieFootball) reached 14.52 mph while rounding the corner in the pass rush drill, the only defensive lineman to exceed 14 mph during the 2026 Combine.

Howell posted the fastest pass rush speed by any DL prospect since Will Anderson Jr. (14.90 mph) in 2023. pic.twitter.com/Bo0AxRfHBW

— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) February 27, 2026

Yeah I mean I've gravitated towards those bigger DEs that meet some thresholds. 3 down guys with violent hands.

but overall this draft is pretty underwhelming and if we're looking for that guy that can bring some juice, Howell is one of those dudes.

What are your thoughts on Dani Dennis-Sutton ?
I was really high on him last year and he had another very good year, but doesn't seem to be talked about much.
He has tested very well throughout the process, he may not be a super star but I see a very solid pro.

Originally posted by 49ers808:

Originally posted by Kolohe:


So you do know who I am!!!!

No offense my braddah but the way you type in here, I wouldn't describe as a "nerd" type. You lost too many brain cells like me growing up in the era where we were taught to hit crown of helmet to helmet

LMFAO ok ok you do know me for real kine!!!!

I'm seeing him all over the board but Mason Reiger, DE from Wisconsin is intriguing. 6'5, 250. Can stand to gain some weight, work on his lower body (enter training with N. Bosa) but man, watching some highlights, he's relentless, has jolting power/strength and he can stuff the run just as well as he can pressure the QB. He was tackling dudes all over the LOS.

Originally posted by NYniner85:

Grown ass man Akheem Mesidor against some 18-year-old left tackle who was planning for prom a few months ago pic.twitter.com/q7aB4gk2ob

— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) March 29, 2026

Originally posted by NYniner85:

Grown ass man Akheem Mesidor against some 18-year-old left tackle who was planning for prom a few months ago pic.twitter.com/q7aB4gk2ob

— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) March 29, 2026

Isn't Romello Height in the same boat? Poor Mesidor catching all the heat while Height flies under the radar.

Speaking of Height, how does everyone feel about him? I finally got a chance to sit down and watch his film. I was pretty impressed. He's very quick and that speed rush is legit. I love the counter spin. What really popped off the screen were his change of direction and footwork. He's very quick and moves like a basketball player crossing over tackles with his ability to change direction and change up his footwork. He does a good job of using that change of direction to mess with tackle's pass sets and creating angles to the QB for himself.

What I didn't like is that he's got almost no power element to his game; his rush plan can become stagnant fast; his hand technique is lack luster. I feel like he just throws s**t at the wall at times without really thinking through the process. But the red flags are his age and size. Sub 240 is wild. I can't think of many good edges that are under 240 pounds. I'm not sure you can expect him to get much bigger at his age. Also, one concern I have with these type of rushers is how effective they are in the playoffs when the referees let OL get away with holding. Can they play through contact or get off block when they're being mugged or held by the jersey?

In regards to his age, I don't think the 49ers will care much. They've shown willingness to draft older players. I also think they respect how quickly the Rams rebuilt their program, and one of the best moves they made throughout that process was drafting Byron Young, who was the same age as Height coming out.

Originally posted by Heroism:

Isn't Romello Height in the same boat? Poor Mesidor catching all the heat while Height flies under the radar.

Speaking of Height, how does everyone feel about him? I finally got a chance to sit down and watch his film. I was pretty impressed. He's very quick and that speed rush is legit. I love the counter spin. What really popped off the screen were his change of direction and footwork. He's very quick and moves like a basketball player crossing over tackles with his ability to change direction and change up his footwork. He does a good job of using that change of direction to mess with tackle's pass sets and creating angles to the QB for himself.

What I didn't like is that he's got almost no power element to his game; his rush plan can become stagnant fast; his hand technique is lack luster. I feel like he just throws s**t at the wall at times without really thinking through the process. But the red flags are his age and size. Sub 240 is wild. I can't think of many good edges that are under 240 pounds. I'm not sure you can expect him to get much bigger at his age. Also, one concern I have with these type of rushers is how effective they are in the playoffs when the referees let OL get away with holding. Can they play through contact or get off block when they're being mugged or held by the jersey?

In regards to his age, I don't think the 49ers will care much. They've shown willingness to draft older players. I also think they respect how quickly the Rams rebuilt their program, and one of the best moves they made throughout that process was drafting Byron Young, who was the same age as Height coming out.

I think Height could be really good in our system. If the size and age push him down farther than expected, say he somehow gets to our fourth.. That's an easy pick IMO.

Originally posted by Heroism:

Originally posted by NYniner85:

Grown ass man Akheem Mesidor against some 18-year-old left tackle who was planning for prom a few months ago pic.twitter.com/q7aB4gk2ob

— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) March 29, 2026

Isn't Romello Height in the same boat? Poor Mesidor catching all the heat while Height flies under the radar.

Speaking of Height, how does everyone feel about him? I finally got a chance to sit down and watch his film. I was pretty impressed. He's very quick and that speed rush is legit. I love the counter spin. What really popped off the screen were his change of direction and footwork. He's very quick and moves like a basketball player crossing over tackles with his ability to change direction and change up his footwork. He does a good job of using that change of direction to mess with tackle's pass sets and creating angles to the QB for himself.

What I didn't like is that he's got almost no power element to his game; his rush plan can become stagnant fast; his hand technique is lack luster. I feel like he just throws s**t at the wall at times without really thinking through the process. But the red flags are his age and size. Sub 240 is wild. I can't think of many good edges that are under 240 pounds. I'm not sure you can expect him to get much bigger at his age. Also, one concern I have with these type of rushers is how effective they are in the playoffs when the referees let OL get away with holding. Can they play through contact or get off block when they're being mugged or held by the jersey?

In regards to his age, I don't think the 49ers will care much. They've shown willingness to draft older players. I also think they respect how quickly the Rams rebuilt their program, and one of the best moves they made throughout that process was drafting Byron Young, who was the same age as Height coming out.

i agree

Also Mesidor his technique is jsut amazing. He has the best hand usage in the class and has the length to take advantaeg of it. Him and Bain were both trained well. Whats crazy is Jason Taylor is there DL coach his knowledge is obviously passed on.

Mesidor is my top choice for R1

Personally my big board of likely available players are
1) Mesidor
2) Howell
3) EMW

Originally posted by OnTheClock:
I think Height could be really good in our system. If the size and age push him down farther than expected, say he somehow gets to our fourth.. That's an easy pick IMO.

The 4th round would be fantastic value for Height. I was thinking more along the lines of the 49ers drafting him at 58, which admittedly is a reach in my eyes. But we all know the 49ers love to do that.

The more I think about the current makeup of the DL, the more I feel like John Lynch is a good DPR pick and a healthy Bosa/Mykel from looking like a smart GM. Morris will help the run defense with different fronts/alignments; Alfred and CJ West will handle base down duties; Bosa+Osa+Mykel(whose work as an interior rusher was underrated last year)+rookie DPR could be a very potent pass rush.

Spent quite a bit of time this weekend watching full games of some of the edge prospects in play in the first 2 rounds. Quick reactions from tape.

Keldric Faulk - I was prepared to be disappointed based on the production. Guy was supposed to be a top 10 pick and is obviously falling. But honestly, I was pretty impressed. Huge body, huge wingspan and just shuts down the run. I've read about the lack of upfield speed, read about the lack of ankle flexibility and bend, and sure those are there. Never going to be an elite sack artist, but honestly when he lines up outside on passing downs he gets pressure. He pushes the pocket. He gets arms up and closes throwing lanes. QBs feel him. He maintains gap integrity. And he is the one guy constantly facing double teams. Auburn has him playing so much inside as well and he shows alot of versatility. I dont think this is the body type the 49ers need right now, and he might not get drafted where he wants, but eventually some D line coach is going to say we need to bring him in. He's 20 years old and is a football player and we'll figure it out. Potential Armstead / Calais Campbell type upside.

Akheem Mesidor - High motor, violent hands, solid jump off the ball. Comes up big in big moments. Has an arsenal of pass rush moves. Some of the best technique in the class. Has actual counters to deploy while reading the tackle. His frame doesnt appear to be an issue while rushing the passer. Would love some more lower body strength as a bull rusher. Size is exposed a little in the run game but he gives good effort. Seems ready to go for snaps in a 4-3 and shows some versatility to move up and down the line. Super high floor here.

TJ Parker - I don't see it. Looked like the 3rd or 4th best player on the line. Too often has no plan and uses a bull rush that isnt that effective. Doesnt look like a threat on obvious pass downs. Doesnt make tackles sweat. Dont see a high end motor. Lots of ball watching when the play goes to the other side. Now obviously the production was there in 2024, so if you think you can unlock that version of him, then maybe something is there. But I'm not seeing a first rounder here.

Cashius Howell - Watch the Notre Dame game and will see all the concerns. Guy cannot set an edge. Too often gets way too far upfield and leaves giants gaps. Poor DTs on his side know pre play they need to cover for him. ND just ran power at him all game and he had no answers. To me its clear, this is not an every down player in the NFL. The good is very good. On pass downs his get off is electric, he has a great spin counter that he uses with purpose, the bend and change of direction are ridiculous. This is a DPR in a 4-3. The question is, if he is only playing 25-35% of snaps, how much capital are teams willing to invest in him? He's elite on 3rd down enough to go high to a team with little holes where he is a luxury piece. But I suspect most have a 2nd round grade on him.

Zion Young - I see a first round dude here. He's violent. He's nasty. The motor is running. I'm watching the Alabama game and he is winning with power. He is setting the edge. He's stopping the run. On pass downs he is closing the pocket and putting pressure on. He's not an elite burst, elite bend guy. But he puts on his hat and does his freaking job. Immediate rotational player and eventual 3 down starter. He does have some off the field stuff, so we'll see how that affects the stock, but I like him as a football player.

Malachi Lawrence - Unpopular take, but he's a tweener to me and a project. I'll be really curious to see where he goes and to who. I dont like his run defense. He doesnt read the play well, hes constantly out of position, he's not a great tackler. He doesnt do well kicked inside and rarely rushes inside the tackle from the outside. I dont see effective speed to power. Theres going to be some temptation to go the Drake Jackson route with this kid, to put 10 pounds of sand in the pants and try to coach him up to get him on the field more. That may or may not work and theres no telling what that will do to his speed. The other route is to use him as a DPR. That's my preference, but then hes a limited down player and while the production is OK, and the athletic measurables are there, I dont think he has elite ankle flexion or bend. He does have tools in the toolbox though as a pass rusher.

R Mason Thomas - Checks the boxes for me as a wide 9 DPR. Dee Ford vibes. Explosive. I was disappointed in the forty at the combine, but in pads his first 3 steps off the snap are so fast. Tackles try to widen him out but hes got bend to dip below them. Great euro step to cut back across the face and has surprising speed to power. Love the motor and scrappiness. The soft tissue injuries are concerning and he's not a 3 down player with his frame, but I like him over Lawrence as a DPR.

Joshua Josephs - Classic story of looking the part of the bus, but I don't see it. Undersized, looks way too linear and tight. I dont see a pass rush plan or any power. Very poor tackling technique. I see long arms and speed. He's going to have to be a stand up outside rusher but lacks the sack production.

Romello Height - Love watching this guy on tape. Explosive off the line. Plays with a high motor. He wants to make plays. Can beat tackles to the inside. When its 3rd and long he is a threat. He shows effort in the run game even though he lacks mass and strength and is washed out. Shows some ability to drop back into coverage. His pass rush is a little pre contrived. It looks like he says, "I'll hit them with the spin move this time." instead of wow the tackle overset, let me counter. And it shows. But when he guesses right with his athleticism and bend it is game over. I dont think his frame is going to add alot of weight, theres going to be concerns about being a one hit wonder. How much of the success comes from Bailey on the other side drawing attention. But still, if its 3rd and 10 he's probably number 5 on my list of who I would want rushing the passer from this class.

Dani Dennis Sutton - Disappointing film coming off the combine. You would never guess this guy is an elite athlete. He looks stiff and linear. Looks like he is jogging. I'm wanting to smack him and light his hair on fire. He needs a personality replacement. Why isnt he beating tackles to the spot or coming crashing from the weak side to chase down the RB? As is, hes a boring base end that is decent against the run. Someone that can rotate in and spell the big boys for a minute. Any sort of reach on him is a bet that your D line coach can unlock the athleticism he has in training onto the field.

Derrick Moore - Watched the USC game first and he was a complete non factor. He had one nice fumble recovery stemming from some effort running downfield in pursuit, but much of the game was underwhelming. Looked like he was completely content being blocked out of plays. I thought TEs handled him too easily. USC ran all over Michigan to the tune of 36 carries, 224 yards, 2 TDs. Then you turn on the Purdue game and he is in the backfield all day, 2 sacks and a forced fumble on the QB. The bull rush is on point. I think hes much better as pass rusher than run defender and his game is reliant on game script. Profiles best as a DPR type early in his career, but more so for team that value gap integrity. Actually a pretty good fit for the 49ers under past DCs. And then you hope he can work on pad level and develop some block shedding techniques to see the field more on run downs. Could become a nice rotational player.

Gabe Jacas - I like the floor but dont love the ceiling. You love the play strength and violent hands. He carries 260 very well. He's like a canon ball with his speed to power. Everything about his demeaner and athletic profile scream thats he should be excellent against the run, but Illinois constantly pulls him out on rush downs. When teams run at him his pad level is high, his anchor is weak, and although he can hold the edge and can take on pulling guards or tight ends, he lacks the suddenness to dive off blocks and make plays. I also saw him get every zone read wrong. Is that schematics and coaching or he cant read the play? As a pass rusher, hes sort of a one trick pony as just a powerfull ball of mass. He uses his hands well, but he is max effort to win a rep. I feel like he can be coached up in the run game, but just doesnt have the suddenness and bend or profile of moves to be a high end pass rusher. Seems like the ceiling here is a dependable rotation player. Shut down by stronger tackles but can give lighter guys fits.

Even though it doesn't result in a sack, I love this rep from Height. The process highlights his ability to win high with speed and flexibility. He's really good at timing the tackle's punch and reducing his surface area, but what really pops is that ability to turn on a dime without losing much speed. His flattening is excellent. Check out that inside toe tracing the QB's path. Where I notice him struggle is with his hand usage. I would love to see him use his hands better and do a better job of setting up and selling that ghost rush. He kinds of just flails with his hands a lot.

Height reminds me a bit of Haason Reddick.

Originally posted by Ezekiel38:

Originally posted by glorydayz:

Originally posted by Ezekiel38:
I still want Mesidor over anyone else at #27. He prob won't make it there.

But he is just flat out better right now at pass rushing than Lawrence - and that goes for Young/Jacas/Faulk/Howell as well and I'd even pass up a small trade back if he is there at #27.

Watch the YouTube vids Mesidor is on a tier above and even like him better than Bailey

He is just a terror off the edge like a caged beast unleashed

If we draft him at #27 in round 1, he will be 30 years old when we are deciding on his 5th year option from his rookie contract.

He would fit right in on our aging roster as a 25 year old rookie.

If he plays like a ****ing STUD on the edge and gets double digit sacks every year until he is on his 5th year option IDGAF.

Dude is ready to go out of the box.

The ONLY worry is what NY mentioned - not his actual age but that he was 25 playing against many 20-22 year olds and has that inflated his sacks/statistics.

I don't know but I'm willing to take that chance - I think he would embarrass many RTs in the NFL right now but obv that is speculation. If he was the same age as Bailey I'd take him over Bailey easy.

That's a lot to worry about, maybe just grab a 25 year old F/A that has tape vs NFL talent rather than taking a risk with a draft pick?

Originally posted by glorydayz:

Originally posted by Ezekiel38:

Originally posted by glorydayz:

Originally posted by Ezekiel38:
I still want Mesidor over anyone else at #27. He prob won't make it there.

But he is just flat out better right now at pass rushing than Lawrence - and that goes for Young/Jacas/Faulk/Howell as well and I'd even pass up a small trade back if he is there at #27.

Watch the YouTube vids Mesidor is on a tier above and even like him better than Bailey

He is just a terror off the edge like a caged beast unleashed

If we draft him at #27 in round 1, he will be 30 years old when we are deciding on his 5th year option from his rookie contract.

He would fit right in on our aging roster as a 25 year old rookie.

If he plays like a ****ing STUD on the edge and gets double digit sacks every year until he is on his 5th year option IDGAF.

Dude is ready to go out of the box.

The ONLY worry is what NY mentioned - not his actual age but that he was 25 playing against many 20-22 year olds and has that inflated his sacks/statistics.

I don't know but I'm willing to take that chance - I think he would embarrass many RTs in the NFL right now but obv that is speculation. If he was the same age as Bailey I'd take him over Bailey easy.

That's a lot to worry about, maybe just grab a 25 year old F/A that has tape vs NFL talent rather than taking a risk with a draft pick?

you think you can find a 25 year old FA with upside of him though? I dont see how they would be a FA if thats the case. i just think if the goal is to win now we can do a lot worse than him He is extremely refined he isnt winning by being faster and stronger he is winning by technique