All articles tagged with #edge rusher
ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. cast doubt on the Cowboys trading up to No. 3 in the 2026 NFL Draft, saying there may be no suitable dance partner for Arizona and that the move could be unlikely, leaving Dallas to consider other routes (like trading with Browns/Saints or pursuing a veteran nickel corner) in a draft class seen as unpredictable and thin at edge rushers.
With the 2026 NFL draft two weeks away, rumors around the Jets' second pick shift toward Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey over Ohio State's Arvell Reese, while at No. 16 they’re linked to Indiana WR Omar Cooper Jr. — though insiders warn much of the chatter is likely deliberate misdirection as the team maintains its usual secrecy and could still change course before draft day.
With two first-round picks (No. 9 and 29), the Chiefs explore three vertical trade-up scenarios to land a top edge rusher or a safety: (1) up to No. 6 for Rueben Bain Jr. at the cost of No. 9 and No. 74 (roughly a -592 value gap in John Dixon’s chart), a move the piece would endorse if Bain proves worth the premium; (2) up to No. 4 for Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey, paying No. 9 and No. 40 for No. 4 plus Day 3 picks, a near-even swap; (3) up to No. 24 for Toledo safety Emmanuel McNiel-Warren, surrendering No. 29, 109, 210 for No. 24, another even option that lets KC add a playmaking safety. Verdicts favor Bain if value justifies it, Bailey as a palatable risk, and McNiel-Warren as a balanced path; readers are invited to weigh in on their preferred move.
The San Francisco 49ers signed veteran edge rusher Cam Sample to a one-year deal to bolster depth ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft. Sample, a 2021 Bengals fourth‑round pick who missed 2024 with a torn Achilles, posted 12 pressures in 2025 and has experience as both an edge and interior rusher. The move follows the decision not to re-sign Yetur Gross-Matos, giving San Francisco a durable, versatile piece to spell starters and support a developing rotation on passing downs as they head into the 17-game season.
The piece maps out San Francisco’s potential dream and nightmare outcomes in the first two rounds of the NFL draft: ideal scenarios include teams trading back into Day 1 to help the Niners gain future picks, plus more offensive-line and non-premium positions being drafted; it also highlights hopeful targets like linebackers, safeties, and specific edge rushers who could fall, while warning of a WR run that could force the Niners into trades or reach picks. In the second round, the article notes both the value of cornerbacks and potential fallers at WR and TE, and warns against overreaching if top targets disappear, offering multiple paths to quality rookies without moving up.
Detroit Lions’ post-free-agency mock draft envisions a nine-pick haul built to rebuild the O-line with Blake Miller, add a disruptive edge with Gabe Jacas, and fortify safety, LB, RB, TE, DL, and DB depth across rounds 4–7, aiming for a young, versatile defense and strengthened front.
Philadelphia’s push for an elite pass rush revives rumors of acquiring Myles Garrett, with Browns’ contract tweaks and potential post-June 1 cap maneuvers making a blockbuster deal plausible and possibly involving A.J. Brown, a multi-pick package, and reshaping NFC East dynamics; the roundup also touches on related Eagles moves, stadium planning, and draft needs.
KC could aggressively reshuffle the first round in 2026 with three Day 1 up-the-draft options: (1) trade No. 9 and 74 to Washington for No. 7 to target an edge rusher such as Rueben Bain, David Bailey, or Arvell Reese; (2) move up to No. 6 by sending No. 9, 74, and 148 to Cleveland if Washington doesn’t trade out, to secure a top pass rusher or receiver; (3) swap No. 29 and 74 with Dallas for No. 20 to leap ahead for a defensive lineman like Peter Woods, Kayden McDonald, Keldric Faulk, or Akheem Mesidor, or even a falling receiver such as Jordan Tyson. With nine picks in 2026, Veach has shown he’ll aggressively chase his guy.
Chiefs analysts discuss a bold move up from pick No. 9 to No. 6 in the 2026 NFL Draft using Cleveland as the trade partner, aiming to land a premium edge rusher (Rueben Bain or David Bailey). Several trade ideas rely on the Rich Hill Trade Value Chart and include swapping multiple Day 3 picks to retain top-40 selections, with Day 1 moves shaping the strategy and ongoing debate about whether the swing is worth it.
The Kansas City Star’s 2026 mock draft 2.0 shifts to defense, projecting Rueben Bain Jr. as the No. 9 edge rushER and Tennessee’s Colton Hood as a first-/early second-round cornerback to bolster KC’s depleted secondary after losses of Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson. Bain’s shorter arm length is debated, but proponents point to his burst and versatility, suggesting he could start immediately if drafted.
In Mock 2.0, the Chargers aim to land plug-and-play left guard Vega Ioane at 22 to replace Zion Johnson, with later picks adding edge depth (Gabe Jacas), cornerback (Chandler Rivers), a burner wideout (Brenen Thompson) and a potential interior DL (Landon Robinson) to complete the roster after free agency.
LA Chargers’ seven-round mock draft centers on a trade-down strategy to add draft capital after a measured free-agency period. The plan starts with an EDGE in Round 1 (T.J. Parker), then moves to guard depth with Keylan Rutledge in Round 3 after a hypothetical trade-down with the Eagles, and adds interior line and playmakers (DT Rayshaun Benny, CB Tacario Davis, WR Ja’Kobi Lane, TE Will Kacmarek) to bolster depth and scheme fit under Mike McDaniel’s system.
NFL.com’s Eric Edholm envisions Kansas City doubling down on defense in the draft, selecting Mansoor Delane (LSU, CB) at No. 9 and Malachi Lawrence (UCF, Edge) at No. 29 to help replace departed corners and anchor the pass rush; Delane is praised for his press-man ability and run support, while Lawrence presents length and upside as a developmental edge rusher.
A Kansas City Star mock draft envisions the Chiefs bolstering defense early with two top-30 picks in 2026: No. 9 would target LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane and No. 29 Missouri edge Zion Young. It’s followed by seven additional selections on Days 2–6, including WR Denzel Boston, CB Daylen Everette, TE Michael Trigg, RB Demond Claiborne, S Jakobe Thomas, OT Drew Shelton, and WR Eric Rivers, as KC weighs defensive needs against offensive depth ahead of the Pittsburgh draft.
Brad Biggs answers reader questions in a Bears Insider Q&A about whether Chicago will sign a veteran edge rusher to boost the pass rush, outlining potential targets and considerations; article content is behind a paywall.