March 27, 2025 • 25 mins
In the fifth episode of "Bending the Edge with Beef and Lettuce," Ryan Coyle and Nick McClay look at the EDGE rushers and linebackers ahead of the #NFLDraft.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:01):
Hello everyone, and welcome back to Bending the Edge here
on Fox Sports The Gambler, Episode five. We are back
today after a one week break, a little hiatus for
some extended March Madness coverage. We're now back into the
Sweet sixteen and Elite eight and as we continue to
wind down with college basketball, continue to ramp up the
NFL Draft coverage, and we got you covered here today's episode,
(00:24):
as we're joined by Nick McLay. As always Ryan Coyle hosting,
we are into the edge rushers and the off ball linebackers,
and Nick, I'll start it off with this edge rusher
class I'm very impressed with. I think we can make
an argument that Abdol Carter's the best prospects in the
entire class.
Speaker 2 (00:39):
Guys like Jalen Walker, James Pearce.
Speaker 1 (00:41):
I think there's a lot, but it's just like we've
talked about with all these players, the grades are so
varying on all these different position groups. Interested to hear
where you think these guys will stack up. And then
also the off ball linebackers, a position that for the Eagles,
I don't think they're necessarily paying attention to as much
this year. For the first time in forever, as Zach
Bond seems to have that spot locked up, as you
(01:03):
can argue, maybe even the best linebacker in the NFL
right now. You know, Kobe Dean as well looked really
good but coming back from injuries. So I'm interested to
see kind of what the what they're planning an attack
is there. But edge rusher is definitely going to be
an area of focus for this Eagles team. But welcome back, Nick,
how are we and uh tell me you're where I
guess you would kind of stack up the edge rushers
(01:24):
and the off ball linebackers and in terms of kind
of the position groups for this draft.
Speaker 3 (01:28):
Uh, yes, this edge class linebacker class is definitely among
the It is the best in in the in the draft,
uh draft, best position you know, deep, It's just so deep.
Uh every There's like probably five or six guys that
could be drafted first round and even late or early
(01:49):
second that will make a difference on Sundays. To start
it off, I mean, ab blul Carter, like you said already,
he's probably the best prospect in this draft. There's also
uh note Hunter, but I think Carter personally to me
is the best in this class. I think he will
be a future All Pro, a future Defensive Player of
the Year award winner. He's one of those guys that
(02:10):
literally can just go in there and completely game wreck
an opposing offense. He just completely like. I think he
can have a very long successful career doing that too.
I mean we saw it in the playoffs. He literally
only had one arm and still dominated that Notre Dame
game we saw throughout the year against Illinois, had seven tackles,
(02:31):
four of them for a loss, two of them for
a sack. I mean, he did it all year. Unanimous
All American Big Ten Player of the Year. Yeah, I
think he's a guy that will be a future pro
All Pro and a future Defensive Player of the Year
award winner.
Speaker 1 (02:46):
Yeah. To dive in a little bit deeper on Abdell Carter,
it seems like more and more as the weeks go
on and on, like cam Ward is going to be
the number one pick there for the Titans, So Abdull
Carter could potentially see slide. I guess we'll see kind
of what the Browns do it two giants there at three,
maybe scoop him up.
Speaker 2 (03:06):
But very similar to Michael Parsons.
Speaker 1 (03:08):
And where he played off ball linebacker at Penn State,
and this is his only year playing as an ed
drusher at Penn State, So he might just be really
scratching the surface kind of of what he can be.
Just go into that and what you solve out of
him in just one year, and how high his ceiling is.
I know you're saying, all pro potential guy, but do
you see him being in that Miles Garrett, Michael Parsons, TJ.
Speaker 2 (03:30):
Watt type of category one day?
Speaker 3 (03:32):
I could definitely see him being like that. He has
the athletic ability, the instincts to the you know awareness
just to do it all. And like you said, he
used to be an off ball linebacker. He has that
you know ability to do that. He has the ability
to drop back. I don't really know if he'll be
doing that a lot in the at the next level,
but he has the you know, the experience doing so
(03:55):
and that can only help you. The more you've done
in your past, the more it'll help you in your future.
So I think this guy is going to be one
of the best defensive players, not only just in this class,
but I think in the league for the future. And
I think he's going to be just a game wrecker
wherever he goes. I saw a tweet from Schefter today
saying that Browns are likely to take him at two,
(04:17):
and I think they should. I mean him and Miles
Garrett paired up together, that's going to be, you know,
a huge headache for offensive lineman to go up against.
So I think he's well deserving of a top three
pick in this class. And like I said, he will.
I think he will win a Defensive Player of the
Year award at some point in his career.
Speaker 1 (04:36):
Yeah, it's pretty lofty praise there, and that would make
you a little bit hesitant if you're that high on
him to go with a guy like cam Ward who
might not be as sure of a thing at the
quarterback and pass over that generational talent that the Titans
touched on in the past. But the crazy part is
with Carter and what we talked about basically only played this.
Speaker 2 (04:58):
Year at ed rusher the beginning of the year.
Speaker 1 (05:00):
He was a back half of the first round type
of guy, and they saw how good he was just
in one year. Imagine you get him up into an
NFL system, NFL coaching. This sky's a limit. This guy
was actually the projected number one pick on most boards
coming into the draft. James Pearce out of Tennessee six
five two underd forty three pounds has fallen down the
board a little bit. I believe he had a good
(05:21):
combine though, correct me if I'm wrong, and he might
be kind of back into that upper first round. But
give me your thoughts on James Pearce and why he
kind of slid down the board and isn't really being
discussed as that top five pick that he was at
the beginning of the season. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (05:35):
I don't really know why he signed down a bit.
I guess his twenty twenty three production just kind of
outproduced his twenty twenty four production. Twenty twenty three at
ten sacks, which was top ten in the nation, had
fifteen tackles for a loss, which led the team. This
year only had seven and a half sacks thirteen tackles
for loss. But I still think this guy should be
(05:55):
a first round pick. He definitely is a first round pick.
I think he has the talent to be top fifteen pick.
Speaker 2 (06:02):
Really.
Speaker 3 (06:02):
I think he's just he checks really all the boxes
besides that mass and weight, you know, like he has
good length, god has good height, has good speed. It's
just he's not really you know, all the way built
into that frame that he has, which that'll come as
he he goes along. And I guess there's those reports
(06:22):
he has the off the field issues character issues, but
I think if you have any type of you know,
psychotic brain or in your brain, I want you on
my team as a defender. So it does that that
off the field issue doesn't really bother to bother me.
I think he has one of the highest ceilings in
this draft with like the mix of his length is athleticism,
(06:44):
is in his production even the last two seasons. I
think he'll be a game changer at the next level,
no matter where what team he's in.
Speaker 1 (06:53):
All Right, there's two more edge rushers out of Georgia, surprise, surprise.
I'm sure the Eagles have have eyes on them as well.
But Jalen Walker and Michael Williams. Just give me a
little bit about each of those and kind of who
you see as a better NFL player going forward, whose
draftstock is kind of higher at the moment. And if
(07:14):
just say you like Walker better, do you think there's
a chance Michael Williams could surpass him in the NFL
One day as one more pro ready than the other,
one has a higher seial And just give me the
full kind of scope on these two Georgia edg rushers
that are looking like for Trump picks as well.
Speaker 3 (07:27):
Yeah, I mean both of them should should be you know,
impactful defenders at the next level. I'm loving Jalen Walker.
I think he should be going in top ten. I've
been having a mop eight to the Panthers a lot
that is also his hometown, so it would be a
cool little story for him to go back to hometown
North Carolina. But he's one of those guys that you
just kind of need to put on the field and
(07:48):
he's gonna go make plays. He's at like hybrid type
of you know, edge rusher, but he can He's also
played in the middle of the field. He's got that
amazing play recognition up there with one of the best
in the nation. He can swing from off ball to
to you know, on the ball. He has the athletic
ability to do both and be great at both and both.
Kirby Smart, the coaches, the scouts have all raved about
(08:11):
Jalen Walker's leadership in the locker room. That's huge for
you know, scouts to listen to and GMS to, you know,
gain the knowledge on. So I like him as a
player that could just be like a cornerstone in your defense.
And Michael Williams kind of the same thing. I think
he's more of a bit like raw kind of guy.
He was a little hurt banged up throughout the season,
(08:33):
but he has a crazy frame six five two six.
He is an EDG rusher and he's very athletic as well.
So I think both of these guys will be dominant
at the next level. That's not very crazy to say.
For Georgia, you know defenders, but he's one of those
guys that just has all the traits that you look
for in an ed rusher. He has the prototypical, you
know NFL frame, and he has time to develop into
(08:55):
that frame too, even if if he's not ready you know,
day one. But he's one of those explosive athletes that
will turn into like a sack and tackle for loss
machine at the next level.
Speaker 1 (09:07):
So the edge rusher is a position that I've seen
a lot of guys projected in the first round. You
look at a lot of like top fifty, top one hundreds,
there's a lot of edge rushers in there not so
many kind of off ball linebackers. The top one on
ESPN's Top one hundred board at number seventeen is Jahad
Campbell out of Alabama. Can you touch on him a
(09:28):
little bit for me? Six three, two thirty five. He
seems like a bit of a bigger linebacker. What are
your thoughts on him? And can he kind of continue
that lineage of really good Alabama linebackers.
Speaker 3 (09:39):
Yeah, I think he will. I know I keep kind
of saying the same things, but he has one of
the best instincts in this class. He's, you know, going
to Alabama, you kind of have to. But he's produced
all season long. He was the pretty much the heart
and soul of that Alabama defense, and we saw how
good that defense was. So I think he's someone that
will produce at the next level. He should be a
(10:00):
first round pick. I got him kind of going in
the mid teens, but either way, I think he's someone
that will will cause problems on for a defense. He's
very athletic for the size he is. Like you said,
he's a bigger middle linebacker that can kind of move
all around. But he's someone that I really like in
this class. And it's kind of hard going against Alabama
(10:20):
defenders too, So you can't really go wrong with him
if you want him in your defensive system.
Speaker 1 (10:28):
All right, So we talked about Georgia, we talked about
Penn Stay, We've talked about Alabama. Now here's a guy
that I've seen all over the first round. I've seen
him as high as the top ten. I've seen him
towards the bottom of the first round. Comes from a
smaller school. Mike Green out of Marshall led the FBS
in sacks as past season with seventeen, and then I
believe he went down to the Senior Bowl, correct me
(10:49):
if I'm wrong and dominated down there. ESPN has him
listed as twenty two on their big board. Interested to
hear what you think about him. And you know, Abdul Carter,
I think is the consensus number one edge rusher.
Speaker 2 (11:02):
Where would you kind of slack.
Speaker 1 (11:03):
Green and after Abdul Carter in terms of the top
ed rushers in this class.
Speaker 3 (11:07):
Yeah, I'd probably have him around two three, you know,
two A, two B. You can't really go wrong with
him or even like a Michael Williams. But I think
he you know, the production shows on tape and you
can't really you know, look away to that. He's highly productive,
ed rusher, very high motor. He should translate well with
(11:28):
the traits and tools and frame that he has. I
think he'll be a very impactful player at the next level.
Sun Belt Player of the Year led the country in
sacks seventeen, which is also a sun Belt record. He
was also second in the nation and tackles for a
loss with twenty three. He's just one of those guys
that will do really anything to get in the back
(11:49):
in the backfield, creates mismatches literally any against anyone that
he goes up against his bag. His arsenal is endless.
He'll do. He has a million and assortment and amount
of moves to put on any lineman that he sees.
He keeps everyone guessing. He kind of reminds me a
little bit of Jared Verse coming off the edge, and
(12:12):
that's someone that you know, we saw in the playoffs completely,
you know, game wreck us. So I think he's someone
that will at the next level be a game wrecker,
especially with the production that he's already put up.
Speaker 1 (12:23):
All Right, so what do you think about this kind
of narrative and conversation like The Eagles were kind of
in the spot last year with corners on the board,
and they wound up taking Quinnion Mitchell out of Toledo,
and she was like, all r, why would you take
a guy to Toledo when.
Speaker 2 (12:37):
There's guys from forget who exactly was on the board
at the moment, but.
Speaker 1 (12:40):
Guys from Alabama, guys from Georgia on the table. Those
are those schools that have had all the success in college,
and then the Eagles have had good luck with drafting
those guys over the past few years. Why take a
guy from a smaller school when you're risking the competition?
How do you value that in terms of the edge
rushers where it's like, all right, we already talked about
ed dressers from Georgia. We got ones from EXAs A
(13:00):
and m We got ones from South Carolina, Boston College.
Guys that have been proven to play at high competition,
have success against high competition, and they were recruited coming
out like these are guys that have been high level
prospects for years. Some of these other guys are more
so late bloomers that they just thrive against underwhelming competition.
How do you kind of value that or do you
not really look at the sticker on the side of
(13:22):
the helmet and just value what you see when you
actually watch the player itself.
Speaker 3 (13:26):
A lot of the times it really just comes down
to the tape and the film and the traits that
you see, you know, and the instincts that you watch.
I know, a lot of it will come down to
the helmet on the on your head. But if you
see someone you know, out of the sun, bout out
of the mac that can you know, play that has
really held their own and honestly not only held their own,
(13:48):
but just dominated in that league. If you have the production,
you have the resume that shows that you can play football,
then you can play football. And I know you don't.
Speaker 2 (13:56):
Can't.
Speaker 3 (13:56):
You can't really, you know, look at the combine and say, oh,
just because he's athletic, that means he'll be a productive
NFL player. But I mean if he has the film
and he has the tape and he also you know,
adds that great combine, I think it's hard to go
pass something like that up. So it doesn't matter really
what's on your helmet. I think if you can play,
(14:17):
you can play. If you can produce and you've shown
that you can produce, then you know, why why not?
Speaker 2 (14:22):
Why not?
Speaker 3 (14:23):
You know, take the chance?
Speaker 2 (14:26):
All right?
Speaker 1 (14:27):
A and M's got a couple guys as well, scorting,
And then I believe the other one, yes, Chamar Stewart.
Tamar Stewart's the one that is like the chiseled Greek god,
has all the tools, all the trades, but hasn't really
quite put it all together on the field yet. Only
four and a half sacks his entire career in three seasons.
Speaker 2 (14:47):
And he's a guy that's being discussed as a first
round pick.
Speaker 1 (14:51):
Give me the reason. Why, give me the discussion why.
I assume he just has all the freakish tools and athleticism,
but he just hasn't really fully developed yet. It seems
like that's been the story of a lot of these
A and M guys the past few years that were
these really high recruits.
Speaker 3 (15:05):
Yeah. I mean, you see the tape and you watch him,
and he does get home, he does get pressures, but
he just doesn't finish the job. Like he does disrupt
quarterbacks and running backs in the middle of the field,
but he just doesn't finish the job. And the thing
is with him, I still think he can do that.
I think he can produce in the next level. He's
(15:26):
had one of the best combins. I know we just
talked about that, But just because that production doesn't show up,
I think defenses are going to see his frame, see
the traits that he has the tools, and just want
him on that team to be able to build up.
So I don't really know if a player like him,
if his production really knocks him with just how he
(15:46):
looks and performs and how athletic he is. He scored
a perfect ten out of ten relative athletic score, which
is first of almost nineteen one hundred defensive ends from
nineteen eighty seven to five, like rank number one out
of that. That's that's insane. But he also dropped his way.
He was two eighty five coming into the season, waiting
(16:08):
at the combine at two sixty seven, so he's working
on the body, getting getting healthy. I think he should
be a first round pick, should be a top twenty pick.
I think even with the production not being there, I
think his athleticism will show once he gets in an
NFL system and he'll get taught up to do to
you know, more technique and to add more you know,
(16:29):
move to his arsenal, So I would take the risk
on him, even with the production being so low.
Speaker 1 (16:36):
That's a player that I think a team like the
Eagles with experienced defensive coordinator with. I know that they've
lost Brandon Graham, Josh Schwett, They've lost a handful of
guys on that defensive line, but they still have a
young stable guys. Let this guy go to Philadelphia. He
doesn't have to play right away. Let Vic Fangio coach
him up. He doesn't even have He can have kind
(16:56):
of what Jaylex Hunt did this season, where it's wasn't
really playing at the beginning, but by the end of
the season in the playoffs, he was a key rotational piece.
He has all the tools, all the freak athleticism. Let
him develop into that type of player. I mean, we
saw kind of even the jump that Nolan.
Speaker 2 (17:11):
Smith took this year.
Speaker 1 (17:12):
Like, I don't think it's far fetch to say going
into this year, it's fair enough to have expectations that
Nolan Smith's gonna be one of the ten best edge
rushers in the league. Like the leaps and jumps that
he took in just the past year alone is amazing.
So this is a player that I think even without
the production, all the athleticism in the world, all the
talent in the world, to potentially fall to number thirty
(17:35):
two to the Eagles, or even if the Eagles have
to trade up a little bit to get them, that's.
Speaker 2 (17:38):
Something that I would certainly kind of be eyeing up.
Speaker 1 (17:41):
All right, give me a couple more off ball linebackers
that we should be keeping an eye on. We've talked
about a lot about the edge rushers, but as we
said that, the off ball linebackers other than Jahad Campbell,
you don't really see many of these guys names definitely
in the first rounds and mostly even in the top fifty.
To give me your thoughts on them, And it's the
linebacker class the weakest class outside of the quarterbacks in
(18:02):
your eyes.
Speaker 3 (18:03):
Yeah, there's not too many linebackers that will really make
a difference. I think there's like a handful that will
probably be drafted in the top one hundred and fifty maybe,
but I like a couple of them. I like Carson
sweesssinger from UCLA, former walk on that wasn't all American
this year, so I love that story. There is a
(18:23):
edge rusher from UCLA Oladeo, who was a middle linebacker,
moved the edge rusher, which kind of opened up the
spot for Sweassenger. I like him, Like I said, former
walk on turn into an All American. He's one of
those that just is a pure football junkie. Pure you know, natural,
pure instincts. You can't really teach it. He has very
(18:44):
high football IQ. He knows where to be, He's always
in position. I think his athleticism, his instincts, the competitive
drive of him will develop him into a future starter
at some point. I don't know if he'll really make
an impact right away, but he first team All American,
first team All Big Ten. He was thirty in the
country and tackles this year with one hundred and thirty six,
(19:05):
and he led the country in solo tackles with nineties.
So he's not afraid to get get dirty. So I
think he's someone that can make a difference. And there's
another one from South Carolina, Demetrius Knight. He's someone that
is just a dog like he'll go out there and
head hunt. He's someone that I do think will make
a difference on Sundays. I think he his knock is
(19:25):
kind of he's he's a six year guy. But so
he's got that wear and tear on him, but overall,
he knows football. He's has the character, the instincts to
be an NFL starter. So I think those two off
ball linebackers could kind of make a jump, make it
an impact at the next level. For yeah, for off
ball linebackers, all right.
Speaker 1 (19:46):
This guy is an edge rusher that I think if
he would have came out last year, there was a
chance that he would have been a first round.
Speaker 2 (19:52):
It came back this year.
Speaker 1 (19:53):
I don't think hurt his case, but I think it's
a much deeper class this year. JT to Amul allow
you want to pronounce his name out of Ohio State,
but if you remember, like two years ago, he completely
ruined the Penn State game, like single handedly. He's a
guy that I've seen takeover games. He's been a force
on the defensive line. Him and then Jack Sawyer as well.
(20:14):
Jack Sawyer had an awesome playoff run, had some awesome
plays down the stretch to help Ohio State win the
national title in such a deep class, So I feel
like these guys aren't getting enough attention where you kind
of see these two national champions falling and is there
a chance that.
Speaker 2 (20:28):
Either of them find their way into the first round.
Speaker 3 (20:31):
I don't know if any of them go in the
first round, but they they should definitely be Day two
or round two picks. Like you said, JT probably would
have been a first round Picknick or last year if
he would have came out, he stayed, got the championship.
You can't really knock him for that. But yeah, I
think both these two guys have have the talent to
(20:51):
be first round picks, but it's just such a cloud,
it's such a you know, deep class that it's it's
tough to do that to j He's one of the
he is like you said with Sawyer who popped off
in the college playoffs, so h j T had six
and a half sacks and four games in the in
the college playoffs. So and he also has seven BOWLT
games in his career. So he's one of those experienced
(21:12):
guys that you know, you put him in an offense,
he'll get to work right away. He'll be a sponge,
he'll learn. And I think both of these guys, I
think I don't know if they'll be a star right away,
but I think they can work both their ways into
become an impactful edge rusher at the in the NFL.
Speaker 1 (21:29):
All right, a few minutes left, We're gonna go some
would you rather? I'm gonna give you some of these
edge rushers and tell me if you were you're the GM,
you were on the clock, who would you rather have
to pick? All right, We'll start with the guys from Georgia,
Jaalen Walker or mikel Williams.
Speaker 3 (21:44):
I think I have to go Jalen Walker. I've been
talking him up all year or all season. I think
he's a top ten pick and he's so versatile. I
know Michael is a great edge rusher. He has the
frame to be, you know, an elite one. But I
think Jalen Walker will be the guy to just be
Put him in the middle of field. You can also
put him on the edge and he will make an impact.
You got to have two guys looking at him at
(22:06):
all the time. So give me Jalen Walker.
Speaker 2 (22:07):
There, what about Mikeel Williams or Mike Green.
Speaker 3 (22:13):
See that's where I get a little iffy, just based
on the production. I give me the Georgia guy.
Speaker 4 (22:20):
I gotta go with with with Michel the frame that
he has Asians saying that he can still even grow
into I know Mike Green has the production and we
were talking about it earlier, but give me the Georgia bulldog.
Speaker 2 (22:32):
In that one.
Speaker 1 (22:33):
Yeah, that's like one of the things I would have
if you have a heavily involved owner. How do you
like convince him we should take a guy from Marshall
over from Georgia.
Speaker 3 (22:44):
Like that is what you would say is literally just
the production. But like you look at a player like
Michael Williams, who has been a highly touted recruit for
a while, I mean, and you look at him, and
how do you say, well, we are we looking at
this transfer from Virginia they transferred to Marshall. He just
randomly put up seventeen sacks. How do you move off
(23:06):
of that? So that's exactly why I would go Mike
Williams there.
Speaker 2 (23:10):
How about Mike Green or James Pearce out of Tennessee.
Speaker 3 (23:15):
I think I'd go Green there that one, just based
off of the I know both of them do have
the NFL already traits, but Pierce is a little smaller
on the weight size, which he will increase that. But
I think I would go Mike Green just based off
more pro ready right now?
Speaker 2 (23:32):
All right? And final one, Shamar Stewart or James Pearce.
Speaker 3 (23:40):
That's tough. This is gonna sound like I hate James Pearce,
but I'm going with just Schamar Stewart with this one.
Production obviously sucks. I'm not going to sugarcoat that, but
I just love the way the man moves at his size.
Like you said, he's a perfect fit with the Eagles.
If he gets put in the Eagle system, he doesn't
(24:02):
have to play right away. He can learn, he can improve,
he can develop. We know he already needs to develop
based off of him not producing it in college with
the traits that he already has. So I still think
i'd take Shamar, but Pierce is someone that will will
definitely be you know, I wouldn't be surprised if he's
(24:22):
up there for Defensive Rookie of the Year this upcoming season,
just based off how athletic he is. It's just I
think the mass of him. I think he needs to
gain some more weight and he'll be I think I
think he'll be top twenty in this upcoming Both of
them should be top twenty picks.
Speaker 1 (24:41):
Yeah, man, it's a deep, it's a very deep group.
While we talked about it with the running backs are
really deep. But I just think this one is, like,
I think there's a realistic chance we see like eight
nine addressers. You want to throw all the defensive lineman
maybe like twelve, fourteen, fifteen defensive lineman in this first round.
Speaker 2 (24:57):
So we got about a month left. We'll be uh
next week.
Speaker 1 (25:01):
We'll be hitting on the secondary, hitting on the corners,
the safety, the other all the jack of trade defensive
backs as well, and then we'll be getting into some
some deeper discussions and then hit on a couple of
mock drafts on our way out before before the draft.
But that'll do it for episode five here all betting
the Edge on Fox Sports The Gambler. We will be
(25:22):
back next week either Tuesday or Wednesday, and we'll be
talking to you guys here next time.
Hello everyone, and welcome back to Bending the Edge here
on Fox Sports The Gambler, Episode five. We are back
today after a one week break, a little hiatus for
some extended March Madness coverage. We're now back into the
Sweet sixteen and Elite eight and as we continue to
wind down with college basketball, continue to ramp up the
NFL Draft coverage, and we got you covered here today's episode,
(00:24):
as we're joined by Nick McLay. As always Ryan Coyle hosting,
we are into the edge rushers and the off ball linebackers,
and Nick, I'll start it off with this edge rusher
class I'm very impressed with. I think we can make
an argument that Abdol Carter's the best prospects in the
entire class.
Speaker 2 (00:39):
Guys like Jalen Walker, James Pearce.
Speaker 1 (00:41):
I think there's a lot, but it's just like we've
talked about with all these players, the grades are so
varying on all these different position groups. Interested to hear
where you think these guys will stack up. And then
also the off ball linebackers, a position that for the Eagles,
I don't think they're necessarily paying attention to as much
this year. For the first time in forever, as Zach
Bond seems to have that spot locked up, as you
(01:03):
can argue, maybe even the best linebacker in the NFL
right now. You know, Kobe Dean as well looked really
good but coming back from injuries. So I'm interested to
see kind of what the what they're planning an attack
is there. But edge rusher is definitely going to be
an area of focus for this Eagles team. But welcome back, Nick,
how are we and uh tell me you're where I
guess you would kind of stack up the edge rushers
(01:24):
and the off ball linebackers and in terms of kind
of the position groups for this draft.
Speaker 3 (01:28):
Uh, yes, this edge class linebacker class is definitely among
the It is the best in in the in the draft,
uh draft, best position you know, deep, It's just so deep.
Uh every There's like probably five or six guys that
could be drafted first round and even late or early
(01:49):
second that will make a difference on Sundays. To start
it off, I mean, ab blul Carter, like you said already,
he's probably the best prospect in this draft. There's also
uh note Hunter, but I think Carter personally to me
is the best in this class. I think he will
be a future All Pro, a future Defensive Player of
the Year award winner. He's one of those guys that
(02:10):
literally can just go in there and completely game wreck
an opposing offense. He just completely like. I think he
can have a very long successful career doing that too.
I mean we saw it in the playoffs. He literally
only had one arm and still dominated that Notre Dame
game we saw throughout the year against Illinois, had seven tackles,
(02:31):
four of them for a loss, two of them for
a sack. I mean, he did it all year. Unanimous
All American Big Ten Player of the Year. Yeah, I
think he's a guy that will be a future pro
All Pro and a future Defensive Player of the Year
award winner.
Speaker 1 (02:46):
Yeah. To dive in a little bit deeper on Abdell Carter,
it seems like more and more as the weeks go
on and on, like cam Ward is going to be
the number one pick there for the Titans, So Abdull
Carter could potentially see slide. I guess we'll see kind
of what the Browns do it two giants there at three,
maybe scoop him up.
Speaker 2 (03:06):
But very similar to Michael Parsons.
Speaker 1 (03:08):
And where he played off ball linebacker at Penn State,
and this is his only year playing as an ed
drusher at Penn State, So he might just be really
scratching the surface kind of of what he can be.
Just go into that and what you solve out of
him in just one year, and how high his ceiling is.
I know you're saying, all pro potential guy, but do
you see him being in that Miles Garrett, Michael Parsons, TJ.
Speaker 2 (03:30):
Watt type of category one day?
Speaker 3 (03:32):
I could definitely see him being like that. He has
the athletic ability, the instincts to the you know awareness
just to do it all. And like you said, he
used to be an off ball linebacker. He has that
you know ability to do that. He has the ability
to drop back. I don't really know if he'll be
doing that a lot in the at the next level,
but he has the you know, the experience doing so
(03:55):
and that can only help you. The more you've done
in your past, the more it'll help you in your future.
So I think this guy is going to be one
of the best defensive players, not only just in this class,
but I think in the league for the future. And
I think he's going to be just a game wrecker
wherever he goes. I saw a tweet from Schefter today
saying that Browns are likely to take him at two,
(04:17):
and I think they should. I mean him and Miles
Garrett paired up together, that's going to be, you know,
a huge headache for offensive lineman to go up against.
So I think he's well deserving of a top three
pick in this class. And like I said, he will.
I think he will win a Defensive Player of the
Year award at some point in his career.
Speaker 1 (04:36):
Yeah, it's pretty lofty praise there, and that would make
you a little bit hesitant if you're that high on
him to go with a guy like cam Ward who
might not be as sure of a thing at the
quarterback and pass over that generational talent that the Titans
touched on in the past. But the crazy part is
with Carter and what we talked about basically only played this.
Speaker 2 (04:58):
Year at ed rusher the beginning of the year.
Speaker 1 (05:00):
He was a back half of the first round type
of guy, and they saw how good he was just
in one year. Imagine you get him up into an
NFL system, NFL coaching. This sky's a limit. This guy
was actually the projected number one pick on most boards
coming into the draft. James Pearce out of Tennessee six
five two underd forty three pounds has fallen down the
board a little bit. I believe he had a good
(05:21):
combine though, correct me if I'm wrong, and he might
be kind of back into that upper first round. But
give me your thoughts on James Pearce and why he
kind of slid down the board and isn't really being
discussed as that top five pick that he was at
the beginning of the season. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (05:35):
I don't really know why he signed down a bit.
I guess his twenty twenty three production just kind of
outproduced his twenty twenty four production. Twenty twenty three at
ten sacks, which was top ten in the nation, had
fifteen tackles for a loss, which led the team. This
year only had seven and a half sacks thirteen tackles
for loss. But I still think this guy should be
(05:55):
a first round pick. He definitely is a first round pick.
I think he has the talent to be top fifteen pick.
Speaker 2 (06:02):
Really.
Speaker 3 (06:02):
I think he's just he checks really all the boxes
besides that mass and weight, you know, like he has
good length, god has good height, has good speed. It's
just he's not really you know, all the way built
into that frame that he has, which that'll come as
he he goes along. And I guess there's those reports
(06:22):
he has the off the field issues character issues, but
I think if you have any type of you know,
psychotic brain or in your brain, I want you on
my team as a defender. So it does that that
off the field issue doesn't really bother to bother me.
I think he has one of the highest ceilings in
this draft with like the mix of his length is athleticism,
(06:44):
is in his production even the last two seasons. I
think he'll be a game changer at the next level,
no matter where what team he's in.
Speaker 1 (06:53):
All Right, there's two more edge rushers out of Georgia, surprise, surprise.
I'm sure the Eagles have have eyes on them as well.
But Jalen Walker and Michael Williams. Just give me a
little bit about each of those and kind of who
you see as a better NFL player going forward, whose
draftstock is kind of higher at the moment. And if
(07:14):
just say you like Walker better, do you think there's
a chance Michael Williams could surpass him in the NFL
One day as one more pro ready than the other,
one has a higher seial And just give me the
full kind of scope on these two Georgia edg rushers
that are looking like for Trump picks as well.
Speaker 3 (07:27):
Yeah, I mean both of them should should be you know,
impactful defenders at the next level. I'm loving Jalen Walker.
I think he should be going in top ten. I've
been having a mop eight to the Panthers a lot
that is also his hometown, so it would be a
cool little story for him to go back to hometown
North Carolina. But he's one of those guys that you
just kind of need to put on the field and
(07:48):
he's gonna go make plays. He's at like hybrid type
of you know, edge rusher, but he can He's also
played in the middle of the field. He's got that
amazing play recognition up there with one of the best
in the nation. He can swing from off ball to
to you know, on the ball. He has the athletic
ability to do both and be great at both and both.
Kirby Smart, the coaches, the scouts have all raved about
(08:11):
Jalen Walker's leadership in the locker room. That's huge for
you know, scouts to listen to and GMS to, you know,
gain the knowledge on. So I like him as a
player that could just be like a cornerstone in your defense.
And Michael Williams kind of the same thing. I think
he's more of a bit like raw kind of guy.
He was a little hurt banged up throughout the season,
(08:33):
but he has a crazy frame six five two six.
He is an EDG rusher and he's very athletic as well.
So I think both of these guys will be dominant
at the next level. That's not very crazy to say.
For Georgia, you know defenders, but he's one of those
guys that just has all the traits that you look
for in an ed rusher. He has the prototypical, you
know NFL frame, and he has time to develop into
(08:55):
that frame too, even if if he's not ready you know,
day one. But he's one of those explosive athletes that
will turn into like a sack and tackle for loss
machine at the next level.
Speaker 1 (09:07):
So the edge rusher is a position that I've seen
a lot of guys projected in the first round. You
look at a lot of like top fifty, top one hundreds,
there's a lot of edge rushers in there not so
many kind of off ball linebackers. The top one on
ESPN's Top one hundred board at number seventeen is Jahad
Campbell out of Alabama. Can you touch on him a
(09:28):
little bit for me? Six three, two thirty five. He
seems like a bit of a bigger linebacker. What are
your thoughts on him? And can he kind of continue
that lineage of really good Alabama linebackers.
Speaker 3 (09:39):
Yeah, I think he will. I know I keep kind
of saying the same things, but he has one of
the best instincts in this class. He's, you know, going
to Alabama, you kind of have to. But he's produced
all season long. He was the pretty much the heart
and soul of that Alabama defense, and we saw how
good that defense was. So I think he's someone that
will produce at the next level. He should be a
(10:00):
first round pick. I got him kind of going in
the mid teens, but either way, I think he's someone
that will will cause problems on for a defense. He's
very athletic for the size he is. Like you said,
he's a bigger middle linebacker that can kind of move
all around. But he's someone that I really like in
this class. And it's kind of hard going against Alabama
(10:20):
defenders too, So you can't really go wrong with him
if you want him in your defensive system.
Speaker 1 (10:28):
All right, So we talked about Georgia, we talked about
Penn Stay, We've talked about Alabama. Now here's a guy
that I've seen all over the first round. I've seen
him as high as the top ten. I've seen him
towards the bottom of the first round. Comes from a
smaller school. Mike Green out of Marshall led the FBS
in sacks as past season with seventeen, and then I
believe he went down to the Senior Bowl, correct me
(10:49):
if I'm wrong and dominated down there. ESPN has him
listed as twenty two on their big board. Interested to
hear what you think about him. And you know, Abdul Carter,
I think is the consensus number one edge rusher.
Speaker 2 (11:02):
Where would you kind of slack.
Speaker 1 (11:03):
Green and after Abdul Carter in terms of the top
ed rushers in this class.
Speaker 3 (11:07):
Yeah, I'd probably have him around two three, you know,
two A, two B. You can't really go wrong with
him or even like a Michael Williams. But I think
he you know, the production shows on tape and you
can't really you know, look away to that. He's highly productive,
ed rusher, very high motor. He should translate well with
(11:28):
the traits and tools and frame that he has. I
think he'll be a very impactful player at the next level.
Sun Belt Player of the Year led the country in
sacks seventeen, which is also a sun Belt record. He
was also second in the nation and tackles for a
loss with twenty three. He's just one of those guys
that will do really anything to get in the back
(11:49):
in the backfield, creates mismatches literally any against anyone that
he goes up against his bag. His arsenal is endless.
He'll do. He has a million and assortment and amount
of moves to put on any lineman that he sees.
He keeps everyone guessing. He kind of reminds me a
little bit of Jared Verse coming off the edge, and
(12:12):
that's someone that you know, we saw in the playoffs completely,
you know, game wreck us. So I think he's someone
that will at the next level be a game wrecker,
especially with the production that he's already put up.
Speaker 1 (12:23):
All Right, so what do you think about this kind
of narrative and conversation like The Eagles were kind of
in the spot last year with corners on the board,
and they wound up taking Quinnion Mitchell out of Toledo,
and she was like, all r, why would you take
a guy to Toledo when.
Speaker 2 (12:37):
There's guys from forget who exactly was on the board
at the moment, but.
Speaker 1 (12:40):
Guys from Alabama, guys from Georgia on the table. Those
are those schools that have had all the success in college,
and then the Eagles have had good luck with drafting
those guys over the past few years. Why take a
guy from a smaller school when you're risking the competition?
How do you value that in terms of the edge
rushers where it's like, all right, we already talked about
ed dressers from Georgia. We got ones from EXAs A
(13:00):
and m We got ones from South Carolina, Boston College.
Guys that have been proven to play at high competition,
have success against high competition, and they were recruited coming
out like these are guys that have been high level
prospects for years. Some of these other guys are more
so late bloomers that they just thrive against underwhelming competition.
How do you kind of value that or do you
not really look at the sticker on the side of
(13:22):
the helmet and just value what you see when you
actually watch the player itself.
Speaker 3 (13:26):
A lot of the times it really just comes down
to the tape and the film and the traits that
you see, you know, and the instincts that you watch.
I know, a lot of it will come down to
the helmet on the on your head. But if you
see someone you know, out of the sun, bout out
of the mac that can you know, play that has
really held their own and honestly not only held their own,
(13:48):
but just dominated in that league. If you have the production,
you have the resume that shows that you can play football,
then you can play football. And I know you don't.
Speaker 2 (13:56):
Can't.
Speaker 3 (13:56):
You can't really, you know, look at the combine and say, oh,
just because he's athletic, that means he'll be a productive
NFL player. But I mean if he has the film
and he has the tape and he also you know,
adds that great combine, I think it's hard to go
pass something like that up. So it doesn't matter really
what's on your helmet. I think if you can play,
(14:17):
you can play. If you can produce and you've shown
that you can produce, then you know, why why not?
Speaker 2 (14:22):
Why not?
Speaker 3 (14:23):
You know, take the chance?
Speaker 2 (14:26):
All right?
Speaker 1 (14:27):
A and M's got a couple guys as well, scorting,
And then I believe the other one, yes, Chamar Stewart.
Tamar Stewart's the one that is like the chiseled Greek god,
has all the tools, all the trades, but hasn't really
quite put it all together on the field yet. Only
four and a half sacks his entire career in three seasons.
Speaker 2 (14:47):
And he's a guy that's being discussed as a first
round pick.
Speaker 1 (14:51):
Give me the reason. Why, give me the discussion why.
I assume he just has all the freakish tools and athleticism,
but he just hasn't really fully developed yet. It seems
like that's been the story of a lot of these
A and M guys the past few years that were
these really high recruits.
Speaker 3 (15:05):
Yeah. I mean, you see the tape and you watch him,
and he does get home, he does get pressures, but
he just doesn't finish the job. Like he does disrupt
quarterbacks and running backs in the middle of the field,
but he just doesn't finish the job. And the thing
is with him, I still think he can do that.
I think he can produce in the next level. He's
(15:26):
had one of the best combins. I know we just
talked about that, But just because that production doesn't show up,
I think defenses are going to see his frame, see
the traits that he has the tools, and just want
him on that team to be able to build up.
So I don't really know if a player like him,
if his production really knocks him with just how he
(15:46):
looks and performs and how athletic he is. He scored
a perfect ten out of ten relative athletic score, which
is first of almost nineteen one hundred defensive ends from
nineteen eighty seven to five, like rank number one out
of that. That's that's insane. But he also dropped his way.
He was two eighty five coming into the season, waiting
(16:08):
at the combine at two sixty seven, so he's working
on the body, getting getting healthy. I think he should
be a first round pick, should be a top twenty pick.
I think even with the production not being there, I
think his athleticism will show once he gets in an
NFL system and he'll get taught up to do to
you know, more technique and to add more you know,
(16:29):
move to his arsenal, So I would take the risk
on him, even with the production being so low.
Speaker 1 (16:36):
That's a player that I think a team like the
Eagles with experienced defensive coordinator with. I know that they've
lost Brandon Graham, Josh Schwett, They've lost a handful of
guys on that defensive line, but they still have a
young stable guys. Let this guy go to Philadelphia. He
doesn't have to play right away. Let Vic Fangio coach
him up. He doesn't even have He can have kind
(16:56):
of what Jaylex Hunt did this season, where it's wasn't
really playing at the beginning, but by the end of
the season in the playoffs, he was a key rotational piece.
He has all the tools, all the freak athleticism. Let
him develop into that type of player. I mean, we
saw kind of even the jump that Nolan.
Speaker 2 (17:11):
Smith took this year.
Speaker 1 (17:12):
Like, I don't think it's far fetch to say going
into this year, it's fair enough to have expectations that
Nolan Smith's gonna be one of the ten best edge
rushers in the league. Like the leaps and jumps that
he took in just the past year alone is amazing.
So this is a player that I think even without
the production, all the athleticism in the world, all the
talent in the world, to potentially fall to number thirty
(17:35):
two to the Eagles, or even if the Eagles have
to trade up a little bit to get them, that's.
Speaker 2 (17:38):
Something that I would certainly kind of be eyeing up.
Speaker 1 (17:41):
All right, give me a couple more off ball linebackers
that we should be keeping an eye on. We've talked
about a lot about the edge rushers, but as we
said that, the off ball linebackers other than Jahad Campbell,
you don't really see many of these guys names definitely
in the first rounds and mostly even in the top fifty.
To give me your thoughts on them, And it's the
linebacker class the weakest class outside of the quarterbacks in
(18:02):
your eyes.
Speaker 3 (18:03):
Yeah, there's not too many linebackers that will really make
a difference. I think there's like a handful that will
probably be drafted in the top one hundred and fifty maybe,
but I like a couple of them. I like Carson
sweesssinger from UCLA, former walk on that wasn't all American
this year, so I love that story. There is a
(18:23):
edge rusher from UCLA Oladeo, who was a middle linebacker,
moved the edge rusher, which kind of opened up the
spot for Sweassenger. I like him, Like I said, former
walk on turn into an All American. He's one of
those that just is a pure football junkie. Pure you know, natural,
pure instincts. You can't really teach it. He has very
(18:44):
high football IQ. He knows where to be, He's always
in position. I think his athleticism, his instincts, the competitive
drive of him will develop him into a future starter
at some point. I don't know if he'll really make
an impact right away, but he first team All American,
first team All Big Ten. He was thirty in the
country and tackles this year with one hundred and thirty six,
(19:05):
and he led the country in solo tackles with nineties.
So he's not afraid to get get dirty. So I
think he's someone that can make a difference. And there's
another one from South Carolina, Demetrius Knight. He's someone that
is just a dog like he'll go out there and
head hunt. He's someone that I do think will make
a difference on Sundays. I think he his knock is
(19:25):
kind of he's he's a six year guy. But so
he's got that wear and tear on him, but overall,
he knows football. He's has the character, the instincts to
be an NFL starter. So I think those two off
ball linebackers could kind of make a jump, make it
an impact at the next level. For yeah, for off
ball linebackers, all right.
Speaker 1 (19:46):
This guy is an edge rusher that I think if
he would have came out last year, there was a
chance that he would have been a first round.
Speaker 2 (19:52):
It came back this year.
Speaker 1 (19:53):
I don't think hurt his case, but I think it's
a much deeper class this year. JT to Amul allow
you want to pronounce his name out of Ohio State,
but if you remember, like two years ago, he completely
ruined the Penn State game, like single handedly. He's a
guy that I've seen takeover games. He's been a force
on the defensive line. Him and then Jack Sawyer as well.
(20:14):
Jack Sawyer had an awesome playoff run, had some awesome
plays down the stretch to help Ohio State win the
national title in such a deep class, So I feel
like these guys aren't getting enough attention where you kind
of see these two national champions falling and is there
a chance that.
Speaker 2 (20:28):
Either of them find their way into the first round.
Speaker 3 (20:31):
I don't know if any of them go in the
first round, but they they should definitely be Day two
or round two picks. Like you said, JT probably would
have been a first round Picknick or last year if
he would have came out, he stayed, got the championship.
You can't really knock him for that. But yeah, I
think both these two guys have have the talent to
(20:51):
be first round picks, but it's just such a cloud,
it's such a you know, deep class that it's it's
tough to do that to j He's one of the
he is like you said with Sawyer who popped off
in the college playoffs, so h j T had six
and a half sacks and four games in the in
the college playoffs. So and he also has seven BOWLT
games in his career. So he's one of those experienced
(21:12):
guys that you know, you put him in an offense,
he'll get to work right away. He'll be a sponge,
he'll learn. And I think both of these guys, I
think I don't know if they'll be a star right away,
but I think they can work both their ways into
become an impactful edge rusher at the in the NFL.
Speaker 1 (21:29):
All right, a few minutes left, We're gonna go some
would you rather? I'm gonna give you some of these
edge rushers and tell me if you were you're the GM,
you were on the clock, who would you rather have
to pick? All right, We'll start with the guys from Georgia,
Jaalen Walker or mikel Williams.
Speaker 3 (21:44):
I think I have to go Jalen Walker. I've been
talking him up all year or all season. I think
he's a top ten pick and he's so versatile. I
know Michael is a great edge rusher. He has the
frame to be, you know, an elite one. But I
think Jalen Walker will be the guy to just be
Put him in the middle of field. You can also
put him on the edge and he will make an impact.
You got to have two guys looking at him at
(22:06):
all the time. So give me Jalen Walker.
Speaker 2 (22:07):
There, what about Mikeel Williams or Mike Green.
Speaker 3 (22:13):
See that's where I get a little iffy, just based
on the production. I give me the Georgia guy.
Speaker 4 (22:20):
I gotta go with with with Michel the frame that
he has Asians saying that he can still even grow
into I know Mike Green has the production and we
were talking about it earlier, but give me the Georgia bulldog.
Speaker 2 (22:32):
In that one.
Speaker 1 (22:33):
Yeah, that's like one of the things I would have
if you have a heavily involved owner. How do you
like convince him we should take a guy from Marshall
over from Georgia.
Speaker 3 (22:44):
Like that is what you would say is literally just
the production. But like you look at a player like
Michael Williams, who has been a highly touted recruit for
a while, I mean, and you look at him, and
how do you say, well, we are we looking at
this transfer from Virginia they transferred to Marshall. He just
randomly put up seventeen sacks. How do you move off
(23:06):
of that? So that's exactly why I would go Mike
Williams there.
Speaker 2 (23:10):
How about Mike Green or James Pearce out of Tennessee.
Speaker 3 (23:15):
I think I'd go Green there that one, just based
off of the I know both of them do have
the NFL already traits, but Pierce is a little smaller
on the weight size, which he will increase that. But
I think I would go Mike Green just based off
more pro ready right now?
Speaker 2 (23:32):
All right? And final one, Shamar Stewart or James Pearce.
Speaker 3 (23:40):
That's tough. This is gonna sound like I hate James Pearce,
but I'm going with just Schamar Stewart with this one.
Production obviously sucks. I'm not going to sugarcoat that, but
I just love the way the man moves at his size.
Like you said, he's a perfect fit with the Eagles.
If he gets put in the Eagle system, he doesn't
(24:02):
have to play right away. He can learn, he can improve,
he can develop. We know he already needs to develop
based off of him not producing it in college with
the traits that he already has. So I still think
i'd take Shamar, but Pierce is someone that will will
definitely be you know, I wouldn't be surprised if he's
(24:22):
up there for Defensive Rookie of the Year this upcoming season,
just based off how athletic he is. It's just I
think the mass of him. I think he needs to
gain some more weight and he'll be I think I
think he'll be top twenty in this upcoming Both of
them should be top twenty picks.
Speaker 1 (24:41):
Yeah, man, it's a deep, it's a very deep group.
While we talked about it with the running backs are
really deep. But I just think this one is, like,
I think there's a realistic chance we see like eight
nine addressers. You want to throw all the defensive lineman
maybe like twelve, fourteen, fifteen defensive lineman in this first round.
Speaker 2 (24:57):
So we got about a month left. We'll be uh
next week.
Speaker 1 (25:01):
We'll be hitting on the secondary, hitting on the corners,
the safety, the other all the jack of trade defensive
backs as well, and then we'll be getting into some
some deeper discussions and then hit on a couple of
mock drafts on our way out before before the draft.
But that'll do it for episode five here all betting
the Edge on Fox Sports The Gambler. We will be
(25:22):
back next week either Tuesday or Wednesday, and we'll be
talking to you guys here next time.
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