I feel like the odd man out that doesn't want an Edge early (or at all) in this class. I'd rather have DT1 or MLB1 or RB2 than Edge6 with serious question marks. The MM system does not need a stand out attention grabbing edge, i'd rather we spent a little bit on the veteran market instead.
Age is just a number. The concern on Mesidor isn't age, it's injury. And not a one-off injury like befell Mills, but a repeat issues. It's the same reason i've scratched Banks off the board for the 'Hawks. Poorly timed one-offs are one thing, fundamental health issues are quite another. I also worry strongly about his ability to transition to higher level opposition. His twitch speed is good, but he does not convert that into power once a Tackle has got themselves into contact with him. I also don't see a ton of growth potential, his ceiling feels very close to where he is now. Not that any of this makes him bad, it's just all bits that add up to make him a very risky 1st Round pick. If he was there as a 3rd Rd option i'd love it, if he was an FA off a stuttering couple of NFL years i'd love it. But to invest that 1st Rd, no way, stay clear.
I’m no scout, but in my ideal world, SEA picks Mesidor, and he is good enough to get one more contract after his rookie deal.
There’s no way to get a top edge rusher (on paper) at pick 32, and with only four selections, I can’t imagine that Schneider would trade up. Age and previous injuries won’t matter, if he has talent and can quickly improve skills.
The other way to play this thing is to pick a safety or other, lower value position. It’s possible to get the best safety at 32 without red flags.
That’s the trade off. Get a flawed (on paper) pick at a high demand position, or the best player on the board at a less valuable position.
Taking a guard at 18 and trading up for a safety in the second round was the play last year. Best players; lower value positions. But you can only do that so often. Eventually, you need QB, edge, WR…
I can hardly wait to see how Schneider approaches the draft this year. Let’s make a habit of making great picks at 1.32, 2.64, 3.96, etc.
Schneider has drafted players who fell to the late first or early second round “only” because of injury. Who ever amounted to anything? Malik McDowell, CJ Prosise, and Darrell Taylor were a waste of draft capital. Paul Richardson was okay, but nothing to write home about. Pass on Mesidor, especially considering that he is a poor tackler in the bargain.
He had "an ankle" that caused him to miss the last 3 games, but the coaching staff at MSU thought he was faking it. Teammates felt like he'd quit on the team. One of Dugar's best articles was about the whole saga of McDowell. I'll find and link it.
I have Mesidor as a potential stick and pick player at 32. But my personal preference to slip to 32 is Keldrick Faulk. I don’t expect it to happen, but then there’s Byron Murphy. You never know. I also like TJ Parker and Zion Young as potential Edges at 32. With a trade back there is another group of edges between pick 34 and 64 that make sense. I’m all in on whoever JS/MM select!
Michael Edwards on FieldGulls just mocked Faulk to the Seahawks at 32. (I guess he was there) This is what he had to say about Faulk with two quotes from draft analysts:
Seahawks at pick Round 1 Edge Keldric Faulk - Auburn
He doesn't have the sexy edge stats yet, but he is so young and still developing. Already though, he is one of the best against the run, which is the biggest thing for our defense.
Faulk has a long, developing frame, good movement skills and the potential for odd or even fronts once he gains more muscle mass. He’s a culture player with high character who earns a grade bump based on his age (turns 21 in September), traits and advanced foundation.
Faulk, who won’t turn 21 until September, is one of the youngest players in the draft, and there’s no denying that he’s a raw prospect. His production declined in 2025, but his tape is much better than his numbers indicate. He plays with outstanding effort, and you simply cannot coach his combination of size, length, and athleticism.
He’s my dream fall guy in this draft. Highly unlikely. At the end of January, I wrote down he was 11 on the consensus board. Now he’s fallen to 20. Same player. Beginning with Chicago at 25, almost any team before us could easily take an edge. What if JS has him graded at pick 11? Cleveland has two first round picks - 6 and 24. Is a trade up from 32 to 24 a worthwhile attempt for Faulk? Cleveland has a ton of picks this year, but we could give them pick 96 and one of our 4th round picks from 2027. Faulk can play the run and bring the pressure.
All I can say is that 25 isn’t old and his injury was in 2023 - that’s 3 years ago! And he just had his best year.
Not really ‘negatives’ in my eyes. Sounds ok to me.
I’m with Dan though. I trust whatever JS and his crew do.
I feel like the odd man out that doesn't want an Edge early (or at all) in this class. I'd rather have DT1 or MLB1 or RB2 than Edge6 with serious question marks. The MM system does not need a stand out attention grabbing edge, i'd rather we spent a little bit on the veteran market instead.
Age is just a number. The concern on Mesidor isn't age, it's injury. And not a one-off injury like befell Mills, but a repeat issues. It's the same reason i've scratched Banks off the board for the 'Hawks. Poorly timed one-offs are one thing, fundamental health issues are quite another. I also worry strongly about his ability to transition to higher level opposition. His twitch speed is good, but he does not convert that into power once a Tackle has got themselves into contact with him. I also don't see a ton of growth potential, his ceiling feels very close to where he is now. Not that any of this makes him bad, it's just all bits that add up to make him a very risky 1st Round pick. If he was there as a 3rd Rd option i'd love it, if he was an FA off a stuttering couple of NFL years i'd love it. But to invest that 1st Rd, no way, stay clear.
I’m no scout, but in my ideal world, SEA picks Mesidor, and he is good enough to get one more contract after his rookie deal.
There’s no way to get a top edge rusher (on paper) at pick 32, and with only four selections, I can’t imagine that Schneider would trade up. Age and previous injuries won’t matter, if he has talent and can quickly improve skills.
The other way to play this thing is to pick a safety or other, lower value position. It’s possible to get the best safety at 32 without red flags.
That’s the trade off. Get a flawed (on paper) pick at a high demand position, or the best player on the board at a less valuable position.
Taking a guard at 18 and trading up for a safety in the second round was the play last year. Best players; lower value positions. But you can only do that so often. Eventually, you need QB, edge, WR…
I can hardly wait to see how Schneider approaches the draft this year. Let’s make a habit of making great picks at 1.32, 2.64, 3.96, etc.
Schneider has drafted players who fell to the late first or early second round “only” because of injury. Who ever amounted to anything? Malik McDowell, CJ Prosise, and Darrell Taylor were a waste of draft capital. Paul Richardson was okay, but nothing to write home about. Pass on Mesidor, especially considering that he is a poor tackler in the bargain.
I only recall a character issue for McDowell, but I could be wrong.
JSN probably a top 10 pick if he doesn’t miss his junior season.
He had "an ankle" that caused him to miss the last 3 games, but the coaching staff at MSU thought he was faking it. Teammates felt like he'd quit on the team. One of Dugar's best articles was about the whole saga of McDowell. I'll find and link it.
Edit: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/1071419/2019/07/11/what-happened-to-malik-mcdowell/ and I don't think it's paywalled.
You got me on JSN!
i think it's paywalled.
I have Mesidor as a potential stick and pick player at 32. But my personal preference to slip to 32 is Keldrick Faulk. I don’t expect it to happen, but then there’s Byron Murphy. You never know. I also like TJ Parker and Zion Young as potential Edges at 32. With a trade back there is another group of edges between pick 34 and 64 that make sense. I’m all in on whoever JS/MM select!
Go Hawks! 9 days left!
And Faulk would be one of the youngest picks at edge.
Michael Edwards on FieldGulls just mocked Faulk to the Seahawks at 32. (I guess he was there) This is what he had to say about Faulk with two quotes from draft analysts:
Seahawks at pick Round 1 Edge Keldric Faulk - Auburn
Measurements: 6'-6" 276, 34 3/8" arms, 9 7/8" Hands
Vert - 35"
Broad - 9' 9"
He doesn't have the sexy edge stats yet, but he is so young and still developing. Already though, he is one of the best against the run, which is the biggest thing for our defense.
Faulk has a long, developing frame, good movement skills and the potential for odd or even fronts once he gains more muscle mass. He’s a culture player with high character who earns a grade bump based on his age (turns 21 in September), traits and advanced foundation.
Faulk, who won’t turn 21 until September, is one of the youngest players in the draft, and there’s no denying that he’s a raw prospect. His production declined in 2025, but his tape is much better than his numbers indicate. He plays with outstanding effort, and you simply cannot coach his combination of size, length, and athleticism.
He’s my dream fall guy in this draft. Highly unlikely. At the end of January, I wrote down he was 11 on the consensus board. Now he’s fallen to 20. Same player. Beginning with Chicago at 25, almost any team before us could easily take an edge. What if JS has him graded at pick 11? Cleveland has two first round picks - 6 and 24. Is a trade up from 32 to 24 a worthwhile attempt for Faulk? Cleveland has a ton of picks this year, but we could give them pick 96 and one of our 4th round picks from 2027. Faulk can play the run and bring the pressure.