DL: 2026 Draft Class

Originally posted by scooterhd:

Pro day numbers from Kevin Jobity Jr., who the 49ers had a private workout with. Amounts to a 8.87 RAS Score.

Looks like a 3-4 End or 3-T

Dates: 03/16/26
Hand: 10
Arm: 33 1/4
Wingspan: 80 7/8

Height: 6044
Weight: 308
40 Yrd Dash: 5.03
20 Yrd Dash: 2.88
10 Yrd Dash: 1.69
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 22
Vertical Jump: 32
Broad Jump: 08'08"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.64
3-Cone Drill: 7.59

I agree. I like the kid, I think he's got great hustle. Definitely a fit as the penetrator inside -- loved the split of the double-team for the sack. Day 3 guy, curious where exactly he falls. Some injury history. Would grade him as a high 5th, personally.

I was on board with the Howell pick at #27 as he is one of my favorites but listening to one of the locked on podcasts with Kyle Crabbs he went over every edge rusher with sub 31" arms since 1999 and ZERO of them had any type of impact in the NFL. There were only about 10 players on the list as well.

We need a sure-fire impact player at 27 regardless of position and the chances of him being one is very slim. Thats not to say he can't break the mold but let another team take that gamble. I think Howell is going to fall more then we realize. I dont even think he is a first rounder anymore.

Originally posted by ritz126:

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

Mesidor is becoming the face of the re-class culture. All over the bay area we now have 16 year old high school freshmen. When you ask why this is happening parents say "look at SoCal, if you want to compete for a D1 scholarship you have to re-class your kid".

How about those 17 year old college freshmen that will get a 3rd NFL contract before they turn 30?

Originally posted by miked1978:
I was on board with the Howell pick at #27 as he is one of my favorites but listening to one of the locked on podcasts with Kyle Crabbs he went over every edge rusher with sub 31" arms since 1999 and ZERO of them had any type of impact in the NFL. There were only about 10 players on the list as well.

We need a sure-fire impact player at 27 regardless of position and the chances of him being one is very slim. Thats not to say he can't break the mold but let another team take that gamble. I think Howell is going to fall more then we realize. I dont even think he is a first rounder anymore.

However ... outside of Bain and Howell in 2026 the only other EDGEs with sub 31" arms since 1999 were Nate Williams and Sutton Smith. Smith was a 6th round pick in 2019 and Williams was a UDFA in 2013.

Thus these guys weren't considered great prospects to begin with based on their on field play/production and Smith even converted to fullback.

So don't think it's an apples to apples comparison as Bain and Howell are elite pass rushers with elite on field production who just happen to have sub 31" arms and it is rather unprecedented. So I think it could be an error to compare them to anyone else in the past with sub 31" arms.

Now if other 1srt and 2nd rd picks in the past were EDGEs and were great college players and did nothing in the NFL then sure your argument would apply far better. Plus sample size too low as only 4 total EDGEs with sub 31" arms since 1999 including Bain and Howell.

I'd prob still take the gamble on both of them.

Originally posted by ritz126:

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

What exactly is "upside", I see "upside" as a media term that is parroted by social media folks. How much did Solomon Thomas', or Tray Lance's "upside" help the team?

What I like about a F/A is that you have tape on him playing in a NFL game vs NFL talent at 25 years old. In other words, you know his ability rather than banking on his "upside".

Originally posted by glorydayz:

Originally posted by ritz126:

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

What exactly is "upside", I see "upside" as a media term that is parroted by social media folks. How much did Solomon Thomas', or Tray Lance's "upside" help the team?

What I like about a F/A is that you have tape on him playing in a NFL game vs NFL talent at 25 years old. In other words, you know his ability rather than banking on his "upside".

Upside means has attributes/measurables/production in college that IF translated to the NFL and that potential is reached they could be a star/superstar.

F/A on tape playing NFL games that are stars/superstars are crazy expensive to acquire in terms of $ at 25 years old and often teams who have players like that keep them and they do not go to FA in the first place.

Originally posted by glorydayz:

Originally posted by ritz126:

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

What exactly is "upside", I see "upside" as a media term that is parroted by social media folks. How much did Solomon Thomas', or Tray Lance's "upside" help the team?

What I like about a F/A is that you have tape on him playing in a NFL game vs NFL talent at 25 years old. In other words, you know his ability rather than banking on his "upside".

i mean thats because they didnt reach their upside. My point is that the NFL tape on a great pass rusher who is 25 wont exist because either they flamed out and were not good otherwise they would've been resigned or they would demand a record contract.

Mesidor tape is so good and he isnt winning because he is bigger and faster and stronger. He is physically talented but he isnt the most physically talented player ont he field he is winning by having a bunch of pass rush techniques a solid plan and amazing hands (as does Bain - they were both trained by Jason Taylor and were trained well)

Originally posted by NYniner85:

I know he's an older prospect, but Texas Tech's Romello Height (#9) has so much juice as a pass rusher. Explosive off the line, violent hands (double-swipe here), and the flexibility to turn the corner.

Height was top 10 nationally in pressures this past season (62) pic.twitter.com/fANFHGZbgO

— Bobby Football (@Rob__Paul) March 31, 2026

Originally posted by Heroism:

Originally posted by NYniner85:

I know he's an older prospect, but Texas Tech's Romello Height (#9) has so much juice as a pass rusher. Explosive off the line, violent hands (double-swipe here), and the flexibility to turn the corner.

Height was top 10 nationally in pressures this past season (62) pic.twitter.com/fANFHGZbgO

— Bobby Football (@Rob__Paul) March 31, 2026

I'll take him at #127 and no earlier.

Originally posted by Ezekiel38:

Originally posted by miked1978:
I was on board with the Howell pick at #27 as he is one of my favorites but listening to one of the locked on podcasts with Kyle Crabbs he went over every edge rusher with sub 31" arms since 1999 and ZERO of them had any type of impact in the NFL. There were only about 10 players on the list as well.

We need a sure-fire impact player at 27 regardless of position and the chances of him being one is very slim. Thats not to say he can't break the mold but let another team take that gamble. I think Howell is going to fall more then we realize. I dont even think he is a first rounder anymore.

However ... outside of Bain and Howell in 2026 the only other EDGEs with sub 31" arms since 1999 were Nate Williams and Sutton Smith. Smith was a 6th round pick in 2019 and Williams was a UDFA in 2013.

Thus these guys weren't considered great prospects to begin with based on their on field play/production and Smith even converted to fullback.

So don't think it's an apples to apples comparison as Bain and Howell are elite pass rushers with elite on field production who just happen to have sub 31" arms and it is rather unprecedented. So I think it could be an error to compare them to anyone else in the past with sub 31" arms.

Now if other 1srt and 2nd rd picks in the past were EDGEs and were great college players and did nothing in the NFL then sure your argument would apply far better. Plus sample size too low as only 4 total EDGEs with sub 31" arms since 1999 including Bain and Howell.

I'd prob still take the gamble on both of them.

Where are you getting 4? They listed like 10 players since 1999. I mean I get your argument but to our knowledge no edge player with sub 31" arms has ever found success in the NFL. That scares me and would prohibit me from taking someone in rd 1. So many players have a lot of success in college but due to their size their game just doesn't translate to the NFL.

Bain has 30 7/8 arm length. If he had longer arms he'd be the consensus #2 on the board. He's starting to fall because of his arm length but he is right on that threshold (1/8") so he won't fall by much. Howell is almost a whole inch shorter.
__PRESENT__PRESENT__PRESENT

Originally posted by Ezekiel38:

Originally posted by miked1978:
I was on board with the Howell pick at #27 as he is one of my favorites but listening to one of the locked on podcasts with Kyle Crabbs he went over every edge rusher with sub 31" arms since 1999 and ZERO of them had any type of impact in the NFL. There were only about 10 players on the list as well.

We need a sure-fire impact player at 27 regardless of position and the chances of him being one is very slim. Thats not to say he can't break the mold but let another team take that gamble. I think Howell is going to fall more then we realize. I dont even think he is a first rounder anymore.

However ... outside of Bain and Howell in 2026 the only other EDGEs with sub 31" arms since 1999 were Nate Williams and Sutton Smith. Smith was a 6th round pick in 2019 and Williams was a UDFA in 2013.

Thus these guys weren't considered great prospects to begin with based on their on field play/production and Smith even converted to fullback.

So don't think it's an apples to apples comparison as Bain and Howell are elite pass rushers with elite on field production who just happen to have sub 31" arms and it is rather unprecedented. So I think it could be an error to compare them to anyone else in the past with sub 31" arms.

Now if other 1srt and 2nd rd picks in the past were EDGEs and were great college players and did nothing in the NFL then sure your argument would apply far better. Plus sample size too low as only 4 total EDGEs with sub 31" arms since 1999 including Bain and Howell.

I'd prob still take the gamble on both of them.

Isnt that sort of confirming the point? There are no high draft pick edge players with short arms, because guys with that short of arms generally are not good college edge players. These guys get moved to linebacker because they cant set an edge, they cant keep a tackle off their frame, they cant shed blocks, they cant anchor in the run game.

Your saving grace must be elite get off, acceleration, speed, bend, flexibility, hands, and counters. You must have all of them and be elite at all of them. And if you fail, you fail miserably. A DPR that gets swallowed by faster and stronger NFL tackles is utterly useless. Of course if it hits, you can have a Haason Reddick or Vic Beasley. But I dont think you see them bust and then still have a 10 year career ala Solomon Thomas or Kinlaw.

Originally posted by scooterhd:

Originally posted by Ezekiel38:

Originally posted by miked1978:
I was on board with the Howell pick at #27 as he is one of my favorites but listening to one of the locked on podcasts with Kyle Crabbs he went over every edge rusher with sub 31" arms since 1999 and ZERO of them had any type of impact in the NFL. There were only about 10 players on the list as well.

We need a sure-fire impact player at 27 regardless of position and the chances of him being one is very slim. Thats not to say he can't break the mold but let another team take that gamble. I think Howell is going to fall more then we realize. I dont even think he is a first rounder anymore.

However ... outside of Bain and Howell in 2026 the only other EDGEs with sub 31" arms since 1999 were Nate Williams and Sutton Smith. Smith was a 6th round pick in 2019 and Williams was a UDFA in 2013.

Thus these guys weren't considered great prospects to begin with based on their on field play/production and Smith even converted to fullback.

So don't think it's an apples to apples comparison as Bain and Howell are elite pass rushers with elite on field production who just happen to have sub 31" arms and it is rather unprecedented. So I think it could be an error to compare them to anyone else in the past with sub 31" arms.

Now if other 1srt and 2nd rd picks in the past were EDGEs and were great college players and did nothing in the NFL then sure your argument would apply far better. Plus sample size too low as only 4 total EDGEs with sub 31" arms since 1999 including Bain and Howell.

I'd prob still take the gamble on both of them.

Isnt that sort of confirming the point? There are no high draft pick edge players with short arms, because guys with that short of arms generally are not good college edge players. These guys get moved to linebacker because they cant set an edge, they cant keep a tackle off their frame, they cant shed blocks, they cant anchor in the run game.

Your saving grace must be elite get off, acceleration, speed, bend, flexibility, hands, and counters. You must have all of them and be elite at all of them. And if you fail, you fail miserably. A DPR that gets swallowed by faster and stronger NFL tackles is utterly useless. Of course if it hits, you can have a Haason Reddick or Vic Beasley. But I dont think you see them bust and then still have a 10 year career ala Solomon Thomas or Kinlaw.

Agree with bolded.

But Bain and Howell clearly break the mold as they were elite college players ... which is why they will be high draft picks this year. I would need examples of other high draft pick EDGEs that had sub 31" arms that failed in the NFL. There aren't any. Because as you said guys with that short of arms generally are not good college edge players. I will state again for emphasis -- Bain and Howell WERE great college edge rushers not just good. So they stand a lot better chance at success in the NFL and I'd need to see failures of other great college football players at edge that had sub 31" arms before I'd get overly concerned about taking them.

Those two keep tackles off their frame or they wouldn't have posted double digit sacks this season.

I'm not saying we have to draft Howell - but I think he'll get a lot of sacks in the NFL.

Suntarine Perkins-Ole Miss DE. 4.3 speed. Listed as a LB. He did a lot of pass rushing standing up on the line. On one play over the LT he faked right and then went left. The tackle mIssed him and the DL next to him cleared the way for the sack. On another snap he stood over the guard and took one and a half steps back. The guard moved over to help the tackle and Perkins shot forward for another sack. That was in his junior year when many of the seniors got drafted pretty high. His senior year was not that effective because of it but his speed allows him to run around the others on those stunts when rushing the QB.

I can see defenses changing with him in mind. At the snap of the ball there are all those collisions before everyone figures out where the play is going. In Perkins case he doesn't get in on the initial hit so he can diagnose while looking past that fake handoff. At his weight he could line up anywhere.

Howell looks too small. Speed rush yes. He's a 2nd rounder type to me. If SF traded down then yes take him. But at 27? Nah.