BYU Linebacker Jack Kelly is a tough nosed kid. Probably not an elite athlete or a good cover guy at the next level but I don’t see how he’s not at minimum a good 2-down linebacker in the NFL. David Bailey’s get off is so damn good. He and Romello Height are going to be good NFL players. Bailey is a first rounder I’d guess. Both at Texas Tech.
Throwing DT in here. Peter Woods of Clemson is a really good player on the LOS. Good pass rusher? Not really. Can collapse the pocket but a bit slow off the line and fantastic run defender. Derrick Brown-type. Tough to justify taking a guy like that in the top ten but he’s a can’t miss fantastic defensive tackle.
Interested to hear feedback about Edge TJ Parker (Clemson). Several draft sites have him at about 13 === that might be in the area of the Colts pick. Maybe its a very silly argument - but I'm skittish about Clemson DEs == some of them historically have flamed out in the NFL. His 2024 season was much better than current 2025. He's Jermaine Johnson size at 6-3 265. He certainly won't be blocked 1 on 1 by a TE like Will McDonald IV. Parker might be the right pick at the right time because no idea what the future holds for both WM IV & JJ III after 2026.
And while I'm here in this LB forum ---- would love Sonny Styles (Ohio St.) or Anthony Hill Jr. (Texas) at the NYJ projected 2nd round pick (33-39 area).
@Lon Chaney likes him a lot. I haven’t watched a ton of Clemson this year since they fell off the planet. I have the same worry as you but mainly because they’re always playing next to elite defensive tackles. Ferrell next to Dexter Lawrence & Wilkins. Beasley next to Grady Jarrett. Myles Murphy next to Bresee. TJ Parker plays next to Peter Wood who should be another top 15-ish DT.
I love this kid. His size and strength are elite level. Very smart player. A gamer. Loved football altruism to what I read. The knock on him is his get off is a tick slow. But that's something that's very coachable. I would 100 love if he was one of our first round picks.
I think we can expand this into interior defensive lineman given the large amount of activity in the thread lol. I like both Oregon defensive tackles A’mauri Washington & Bear Alexander. Well coached, used to taking on blocks and shedding. Not much pass rushing upside but both block balls at the LOS. Would love to grab one of them. I think they both can anchor a defense.
As impressed as I was with Rueben Bain yesterday, - I kept asking who the hell is #3 on the other side? Akheem Mesidor - 6-3 265 edge rusher. Looked real strong on every play during the game with great hustle. Its his 6th year in college football though. From Canada. Currently projected end of round 2 in the low 60s. Would be great if we had a 3rd round pick about 65/66 - but we traded that away w/the Hasaan Reddick disaster show.
I think Mesidor looked better than Bain did yesterday. I’ve been confused all year why he’s not talked about in the same regard but it must be the age. I didn’t realize that. He’ll be a 25 year old rookie.
Some Edge guys I'd like to add in here; Gabe Jacas (6-2 275 Illinois Sr.). Seems to be end of 1st / early 2nd rounder. Super strong. Freak athlete. Kenyatta Jackson Jr. (6-5 265 Ohio St. RJR). Great length. Projected 4th rounder. Really upped his play in the later games. Caden Curry (6-3 260 Ohio St. Sr.) Good size & strength to be on the end. Same as Jackson = he's picked up his game lately. Projected 4th rounder.
