2026 Free Agency and Draft: DL

[MaroonBells]

Dane just mocked him to the Dolphins at 11. I don’t see a consistent double digit sack guy, but a good run defender who can get the QB off his spot. Is that worth the 18?

Not sure you can expect double digit sacks from anyone outside of a full-time edge rusher.

[JustInTime]

Not sure you can expect double digit sacks from anyone outside of a full-time edge rusher.

Not in this D. Just ask Hargrave.

[MaroonBells]

Not in this D. Just ask Hargrave.

Yep. Makes me think Flores told them to stop the run first and we'll generate pass rush from our blitz and OLBs. But if that's the case, why not just draft a fatty? If Flo is ever going to take one this is the year to do it.

[Knucklehead]

As we get closer, I'm getting more and more intrigued by Keldric Faulk. Again, he's most often listed as an edge so not a lot of Viking fans are talking about this kid. He also didn't have a lot of sacks at Auburn because they used him all over the line. I think that kind of versatility will appeal to Brian Flores. He's 6-6, his weight at the combine was 276, but he's played around 290. What is the Flores size profile for his 5t/3t/4i? A good clue would be the guy we drafted on day three last year, Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins. They are the exact same size. Faulk is only 20 years old. 

https://youtube.com/shorts/x0EgO9eVQI8?s...ZIYNJZ-R8f

If we draft DL at #18, this is the guy that I want. But if you take Brez at his word, that they will value production over traits, then it won't be Faulk.

[StickierBuns]

Yes please:

33. Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 326 | Grade: Round 1/2

The rugged McDonald blossomed in 2025, anchoring Ohio State's run defense in 14 games and 440 defensive snaps. He mostly lined up as a head-up nose tackle under defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, overwhelming centers in the running game and consistently resetting the line of scrimmage. He also made life easier on second-level defenders by creating space.

McDonald showed a little bit of pass-rush juice this past season, logging 3.0 sacks, but his more important contributions will be his ability to change the shape of the interior of the pocket. He is scheme versatile and will appeal to teams looking to crack down on chunk runs allowed.

[medaille]

Yep. Makes me think Flores told them to stop the run first and we'll generate pass rush from our blitz and OLBs. But if that's the case, why not just draft a fatty? If Flo is ever going to take one this is the year to do it.

I don't think that's the issue.  Flo doesn't really want big fatties.  I think it's more that in a traditional 4-3, you just ask your DL to rush the passer while defending the run and your talent allows your stats to unfold, but in Flores's scheme, the scheme is designed to get specific guys open, so maybe 60% of the time (made up number) you're doing things to help other guys get stats, while waiting your turn.  Also, anyone could be dropping back into coverage which screws with these guys sack numbers.

We clearly went from "big fatty" in Philips to more pass rush DTs in Hargrave and Allen, and I think that shows what Flores wants out of those guys.

I think we're looking for a guy who's less big fatty, but more pass rushing DT who can hold up in the run game, although I think there's room for a big fatty like Dexter Lawrence that ruins the pocket if the offense isn't doubling him.

I think that's why I'm so high on Caleb Banks, because he's a big guy that plays fast like a small guy, but just has bonus size.

[MaroonBells]

I don't think that's the issue.  Flo doesn't really want big fatties.  I think it's more that in a traditional 4-3, you just ask your DL to rush the passer while defending the run and your talent allows your stats to unfold, but in Flores's scheme, the scheme is designed to get specific guys open, so maybe 60% of the time (made up number) you're doing things to help other guys get stats, while waiting your turn.  Also, anyone could be dropping back into coverage which screws with these guys sack numbers.

We clearly went from "big fatty" in Philips to more pass rush DTs in Hargrave and Allen, and I think that shows what Flores wants out of those guys.

I think we're looking for a guy who's less big fatty, but more pass rushing DT who can hold up in the run game, although I think there's room for a big fatty like Dexter Lawrence that ruins the pocket if the offense isn't doubling him.

I think that's why I'm so high on Caleb Banks, because he's a big guy that plays fast like a small guy, but just has bonus size.

I'd be pretty excited about Banks after a big trade down, or in the 2nd round. He's a gamble, but maybe one worth taking. 

I wouldn't call Harrison Phillips a fatty. He's part of the reason I've been thinking that Flores has avoided them. He was here when Flo came on board, but Flo was here when we extended Phillips, so my assumption was that he liked Phillips in that nose role. But Phillips is 6-3, 307, not exactly the size profile for a two-gapping nose. AI tells me the average size of the NFL 3-4 nose is 6-3 to 6-4, 320 to 350 lbs. Behold the fatty. 

With the exception of Taimani there isn't a player on our roster who fits the nose size profile. We've had several opportunities to add them in the draft and free agency, and we've chosen the smaller guys every time: LDR, TID, J Roy, Hargrave, Allen. 

Who knows, maybe that was just a Kwesi fetish. I'll be curious to see if they add one in this draft, which is studded with nose tackles in almost every round.