Bob Hayes was signed on his track speed way back in the 60s. Landry was famously quoted as saying, "get me an athlete and I'll make him a football player."
EDGE Solomon Byrd FOLLOW 6'3"255 lbsUSC 28POS RK 286OVR RK 37GRADE Pre-Draft Analysis Byrd has the active hands and length to keep blockers off his frame defending the run and rushing the passer. He has a good motor and makes plays with pure effort, and he gets good push rushing the passer. Byrd forced four fumbles in 2023. -- Steve Muench
I like Byrd for pass rushing downs. His get skinny move happens fast. Might be able to play the pass on the interior on late & long downs. Gabe Hall and Leonard Taylor still available should we try to address our actual need.
The lack of enthusiasm for large DTs leads me to speculate Demeco prefers experimenting with the Nascar Rushing theory over designated BEEF roles.
I think they gambled that one of the top DT’s would fall to them in the 2nd RD and when that didn’t happen, they went a different direction
That's why they were willing to gamble if my speculation is correct. They have accumulated several hybrid DL at 285 +/- 20 lbs. who are tweeners, being small for DT and large for DE. I don't think it's by accident. But it's firmly in the camp of speculation.
DT Marcus Harris FOLLOW 6'2"286 lbsAuburn 17POS RK 170OVR RK 56GRADE Pre-Draft Analysis Harris is at his best slipping blocks, getting into gaps and making plays in the backfield. He's light with short arms but plays with good pad level and flashes the ability to stack bigger blockers. Harris displays strong hands and the ability to push the pocket as a pass-rusher. He chases the run and the quarterback with good effort. -- Steve Muench
OT LaDarius Henderson FOLLOW 6'4"309 lbsMichigan 28POS RK 285OVR RK 37GRADE Pre-Draft Analysis Henderson is a graduate transfer who started 20 games at left tackle and 19 games at left guard over the course of his college career. He has long arms, and his length makes it tough for speed rushers to turn the corner. He's quick and can get some push when he keeps his pads down in the run game. Henderson has the big hands to latch onto defenders. -- Steve Muench
I’ve got no opinion other than if you’re picking the crap shoot of the final rounds, you could employ worse strategies than targeting players from schools like Michigan, Georgia, Bama, Texas
221. Bills: Travis Clayton, OT, International Pathway Program 222. Commanders: Javontae Jean-Baptiste, Edge, Notre Dame 223. Raiders: Trey Taylor, S, Air Force 224. Bengals: Daijahn Anthony, S, Ole Miss 225. Chargers: Brenden Rice, WR, USC 226. Cardinals: Jaden Davis, CB, Miami 227. Browns: Myles Harden, CB, South Dakota 228. Ravens: Nick Samac, C, Michigan State 229. Raiders: M.J. Devonshire, CB, Pitt 230. Vikings: Michael Jurgens, C, Wake Forest 231. Patriots: Jaheim Bell, TE, Florida State 232. Vikings: Levi Drake Rodriguez, DT, Texas A&M-Commerce 233. Cowboys: Nathan Thomas, OT, Louisiana 234. Colts: Jonah Laulu, DT, Oklahoma 235. Broncos: Devaughn Vele, WR, Utah 236. Jaguars: Myles Cole, Edge, Texas Tech 237. Bengals: Matt Lee, C, Miami 238. Texans: Solomon Byrd, DT, USC 239. Saints: Josiah Ezirim, OT, Eastern Kentucky 240. Panthers: Michael Barrett, LB, Michigan 241. Dolphins: Tahj Washington, WR, USC 242. Titans: James Williams, S, Miami 243. Browns: Jowon Briggs, DT, Cincinnati 244. Cowboys: Justin Rogers, DT, Auburn 245. Packers: Michael Pratt, QB, Tulane 246. Bucs: Devin Culp, TE, Washington 247. Texans: Marcus Harris, DT, Auburn 248. Chiefs: C.J. Hanson, G, Holy Cross 249. Texans: Ladarius Henderson, G, Michigan 250. Ravens: Sanoussi Kane, S, Purdue 251. 49ers: Tatum Bethune, LB, Florida State 252. Titans: Jaylen Harrell, Edge, Michigan 253. Chargers: Cornelius Johnson, WR, Michigan 254. Rams: KT Leveston, G, Kansas State 255. Packers: Kalen King, CB, Penn State 256. Broncos: Nick Gargiulo, C, South Carolina 257. Jets: Jaylen Key, S, Alabama God bless and good night
