Top Draft Prospects- Defensive End, Edge

[bearsoldier]

We have a Top Draft Prospects for DT but did not identify one for DE...

Being thin at DE after cutting Muhammed and needing DE's in general, we might pick a few DE's in the draft.

Many have Harrison going in the 2nd round... I have seen him listed as high as top 50 and also as low as 80.

Flus might want those long arms for blocking passes and great ability to strip the ball.

[Moriarty]

I've seen him lower than 80.

Lots of play time with no production has him very middling for me.

[thunderspirit]

I've seen him lower than 80.

Lots of play time with no production has him very middling for me.

Same.

There are several edge guys I like in this year's class: Anudike-Uzomah, Hall, Horton, McGuire, Phelps, just off the top of my head. (I like Tulipulotu but think he's a 3 or 5 tech, not an edge.)

[Grizzled]

The free agent class of DEs is thin this year, I can see the Bears double-dipping in the draft. Haven't seen him play, what that Carter guy from Army? I've seen him in the 2nd in a couple of mock drafts.

[bearsoldier]

...Carter guy from Army? I've seen him in the 2nd in a couple of mock drafts.

He looks great in the highlight video. Every play really shows off his long frame. 82 1/8" Wingspan

Short video of him demonstrated a very humble team player to me... Looks like he would be a good fit... Nice call Grizzled.

He could put some more mass on his frame and thinking he would benefit greatly from NFL weight training.

[wulfy]

Andre Carter got manhandled by Dawand Jones early in Senior Bowl practices. Looked very middling vs Navy.

Lukas Van Ness is someone I really like.

[EricTighe]

Zach Harrison and Tyree Wilson have the athletic ability and size to warrant the top pick of the draft.

So what is missing?

These are the definition of Boom or Bust type players. There is no in-between. So you gamble on greatness. These two will defiantly win or lose their draft stock at the combine depending on their interviews.

By the way, I would gamble on both. Like both of them.

[Grizzled]

...Carter guy from Army? I've seen him in the 2nd in a couple of mock drafts.

He looks great in the highlight video. Every play really shows off his long frame. 82 1/8" Wingspan

Short video of him demonstrated a very humble team player to me... Looks like he would be a good fit... Nice call Grizzled.

He could put some more mass on his frame and thinking he would benefit greatly from NFL weight training.

The potential first-round pick will have to complete his military service immediately after graduation after President Joe Biden signed the National Defense Authorization Act, which eliminated giving service academy players from having to serve 2 years immediately upon graduation.

[Moriarty]

He looks great in the highlight video. Every play really shows off his long frame. 82 1/8" Wingspan

Short video of him demonstrated a very humble team player to me... Looks like he would be a good fit... Nice call Grizzled.

He could put some more mass on his frame and thinking he would benefit greatly from NFL weight training.

The potential first-round pick will have to complete his military service immediately after graduation after President Joe Biden signed the National Defense Authorization Act, which eliminated giving service academy players from having to serve 2 years immediately upon graduation.

He escaped, due to timing.

https://www.nfl.com/news/army-s-andre-c ... 20Congress.

After news broke earlier this month that service-academy athletes could be barred from deferring their post-graduation service, lawmakers heard public outcry on the matter and went to work to change the bill as it was still working its way through Congress. Consequently, new language in the omnibus spending package grandfathered in all athletes enrolled prior to June 1, 2021, to the prior eligibility rules, as detailed on the 1,875th page of the bill that spans more than 4,000 pages. (Going forward, athletes enrolled after that date must fulfill their two years' service immediately following graduation.) The revised bill passed through the Senate and House last week before landing on President Biden's desk for signing.

Now, all that stands between Carter and a shot at the NFL is a waiver being granted from the Department of Defense. Since 2019, that has been considered a mere formality for the handful of NFL prospects from the service academies.

[Ditka’s dictaphone]

Lukas Van Ness looks to be a bit of a destroyer

[karhu]

Lukas Van Ness looks to be a bit of a destroyer

That's only because he didn't start. His upside is Ticonderoga-class cruiser. And I think he's got a good chance of reaching it. The combine will tell, but right now he's my favorite DE in this class.

[bearsoldier]

Lukas Van Ness looks to be a bit of a destroyer

https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/bears ... -nfl-draft

[RichH55]

That did not really inspire me on Vanness to be honest

[Grizzled]

The potential first-round pick will have to complete his military service immediately after graduation after President Joe Biden signed the National Defense Authorization Act, which eliminated giving service academy players from having to serve 2 years immediately upon graduation.

He escaped, due to timing.

https://www.nfl.com/news/army-s-andre-c ... 20Congress.

After news broke earlier this month that service-academy athletes could be barred from deferring their post-graduation service, lawmakers heard public outcry on the matter and went to work to change the bill as it was still working its way through Congress. Consequently, new language in the omnibus spending package grandfathered in all athletes enrolled prior to June 1, 2021, to the prior eligibility rules, as detailed on the 1,875th page of the bill that spans more than 4,000 pages. (Going forward, athletes enrolled after that date must fulfill their two years' service immediately following graduation.) The revised bill passed through the Senate and House last week before landing on President Biden's desk for signing.

Now, all that stands between Carter and a shot at the NFL is a waiver being granted from the Department of Defense. Since 2019, that has been considered a mere formality for the handful of NFL prospects from the service academies.

Thanks. I looked at the issue but missed the part you brought to my attention.

[wab]

I like VanNess but he doen't strike me as particularly explosive or dynamic on the end. He's strong and has a motor that never quits, but it's not like he has a quick first step or has demonstrated that he has a library of pass rush moves.

I watch him and I see Taven Bryan (who I liked a LOT) or AJ Epenesa.

[thunderspirit]

I like VanNess but he doen't strike me as particularly explosive or dynamic on the end. He's strong and has a motor that never quits, but it's not like he has a quick first step or has demonstrated that he has a library of pass rush moves.

I watch him and I see Taven Bryan (who I liked a LOT) or AJ Epenesa.

I dunno. He's hard to figure out.

He's strong enough to be worth a look at 5 tech for 3-4 teams. If Van Ness hits, he's Trey Hendrickson in a 4-3. If not, he's not big enough to slide inside; you might have another Jonathan Bullard.

[karhu]

I like VanNess but he doen't strike me as particularly explosive or dynamic on the end. He's strong and has a motor that never quits, but it's not like he has a quick first step or has demonstrated that he has a library of pass rush moves.

I watch him and I see Taven Bryan (who I liked a LOT) or AJ Epenesa.

I dunno. He's hard to figure out.

He's strong enough to be worth a look at 5 tech for 3-4 teams. If Van Ness hits, he's Trey Hendrickson in a 4-3. If not, he's not big enough to slide inside; you might have another Jonathan Bullard.

I hear you, but Bullard had one trick, as it turned out: he was great at timing the snap, and he made the most out of the leverage advantage that gave him. Van Ness isn't slow off the snap or anything, but he's seldom even the first guy on his line to fire out.

I see his ability to play off the bull rush and picture him with a swim move, which I don't believe I've ever seen him use. It's just possible that he counts on driving his guy back to the point where he doesn't need much of a move to disengage and make a play, and that I've been crediting him with change-of-direction skills that won't show up in the league. The combine should tell us what we need to know. It told us about Bullard, even though I for one didn't listen.

[bearsoldier]

https://www.nfldraftbuzz.com/Player/Mik ... L-Michigan

[wab]

Morris is a big dude that looks more like a DT than a DE.

[Moriarty]

Morris is a big dude that looks more like a DT than a DE.

He does.
But I think I've seen more than 1 site insisting "don't be fooled by his size, he's not an interior candidate". (And I don't recall any claiming it was an option.)

[cblaz11]

Morris is a 3/4 DE….not sure he’s anything but that.

Let’s talk about Will McDonald….his ability to get to the QB is top notch. I think he goes much earlier then people are thinking.

[Moriarty]

Morris is a 3/4 DE….not sure he’s anything but that.

Let’s talk about Will McDonald….his ability to get to the QB is top notch. I think he goes much earlier then people are thinking.

Love it if we still had a 34. Don't like tiny DEs in a 43.

[thunderspirit]

Morris is a 3/4 DE….not sure he’s anything but that.

Let’s talk about Will McDonald….his ability to get to the QB is top notch. I think he goes much earlier then people are thinking.

Love it if we still had a 34. Don't like tiny DEs in a 43.

Pretty much agree with this. He's a pure 3-4 edge rusher. McDonald looked great when rushing from a wide 9 spot in the Senior Bowl practices, but less so when a lineman could engage.

I think Will Anderson is right on the edge of being the same, but he's demonstrated physical strength to maybe get away with it in a 4-3.

[noblestofall]

We have to go with Will Anderson number one. I know a lot of analysts are starting to knock him but he is still the best. Daniel Kelly called him lazy but this guy who wrote this gets it.
https://www.draftdive.com/will-anderson ... ng-report/

[RichH55]

Love it if we still had a 34. Don't like tiny DEs in a 43.

Pretty much agree with this. He's a pure 3-4 edge rusher. McDonald looked great when rushing from a wide 9 spot in the Senior Bowl practices, but less so when a lineman could engage.

I think Will Anderson is right on the edge of being the same, but he's demonstrated physical strength to maybe get away with it in a 4-3.

Yep and even saw him getting eaten up on a run by Musgrave - and that is Not the strength of Musgraves game

[wab]

If Anderson is more or less equal to Parsons...you take him in the top 4.

[LacertineForest]

[wulfy]

Highly intrigued by Iowa's Lukas Van Ness in a trade down to the 10 to 15 range. Lots of good edge rushers in the draft, why it's so critical to address 3T in Free Agency.

[IE]

Why didn't Van Ness start?

[karhu]

Why didn't Van Ness start?

Seniority.