2026 NFL Draft Chatter

So after watching some highlights of the edge rushers, here is your assignment: Compare and contrast Cashius Howell and R Mason Thomas.

Like both a lot. They look so similar to me. Almost identical size. Both bendy. Both have that nose for the QB. Possibly Howell is better play after play (?), but Thomas might be even a hair twitchier... he has great get-off.

What do you think are the differences?

Side note, I need to watch more, as I was focused more on the 34 OLB type pure rusher, the guy you count on when it's 3rd and 8 on a crucial down in the fourth quarter and you need a sack. But I wasn't as impressed with Zion Young. I know he's a bigger, heavier guy and more of a down player. FWIW I did like some little things from Faulk.
 
Chocolate Lab said:
So after watching some highlights of the edge rushers, here is your assignment: Compare and contrast Cashius Howell and R Mason Thomas.

Like both a lot. They look so similar to me. Almost identical size. Both bendy. Both have that nose for the QB. Possibly Howell is better play after play (?), but Thomas might be even a hair twitchier... he has great get-off.

What do you think are the differences?

Side note, I need to watch more, as I was focused more on the 34 OLB type pure rusher, the guy you count on when it's 3rd and 8 on a crucial down in the fourth quarter and you need a sack. But I wasn't as impressed with Zion Young. I know he's a bigger, heavier guy and more of a down player. FWIW I did like some little things from Faulk.
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They're extremely similar to me, similar strengths, similar weaknesses. I think Howell is more consistently explosive around the edge, better bend, and is more comfortable in space dropping into coverage. He also produced more consistently against high level competition this year.

I think Mason is a little stouter against the run and probably more effective on stunts and navigating getting bumped around in traffic due to his frame. I think he might have a little more variation in terms of bull rushes and such here and there due to having better length.
 
One is an aggie and one is a sooner. Both says something about lack of good decision making.
 
Chocolate Lab said:
So after watching some highlights of the edge rushers, here is your assignment: Compare and contrast Cashius Howell and R Mason Thomas.

Like both a lot. They look so similar to me. Almost identical size. Both bendy. Both have that nose for the QB. Possibly Howell is better play after play (?), but Thomas might be even a hair twitchier... he has great get-off.

What do you think are the differences?

Side note, I need to watch more, as I was focused more on the 34 OLB type pure rusher, the guy you count on when it's 3rd and 8 on a crucial down in the fourth quarter and you need a sack. But I wasn't as impressed with Zion Young. I know he's a bigger, heavier guy and more of a down player. FWIW I did like some little things from Faulk.
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The simple answer? Production is the biggest difference. R Mason Thomas only played in 9 games and logged 6.5 sacks this year. Howell logged 11.5 sacks but played in 12 games. So I guess you could also say health.

But yeah, similar sizes, both extremely explosive. R Mason Thomas had 9 sacks when he played all 12 games in 2024.

Ultimately I like both guys a lot. I think they are both perfect fits as 3-4 OLBers. They play stronger than their size but ultimately they are athletic enough to not just be an every down pass rusher in the defense. Because while we all think of a 3-4 OLBer as a DE, the truth is sometimes they have to drop back. And if they can't drop back than you might as well call is a 5-2 defense.

I like Howell slightly better. I think he plays a little more violent. But it's not some massive difference. One guy would be a 20-32 type player for me and the other is a high second round type player for me. And if I missed out on Howell and my consolation was R Mason Thomas, I'm perfectly happy. For example Bruglar has Howell at 29 and R Mason Thomas at 35. That's not a massive gap at all. And Derrick Moore might not be that far behind those two for me as more of a middle to late second type.

And I much prefer those guys to what I'd consider more base 4-3 ends who wouldn't be ideal as an OLBer in guys like TJ Parker and Zion Young. Even though I'm sure those two guys would be capable of playing in a 3-4. I just want the speed and athletic traits in my 3-4 OLBers.
 
Cowboysrock55 said:
And I much prefer those guys to what I'd consider more base 4-3 ends who wouldn't be ideal as an OLBer in guys like TJ Parker and Zion Young. Even though I'm sure those two guys would be capable of playing in a 3-4. I just want the speed and athletic traits in my 3-4 OLBers.
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Same here. I get being well-rounded, but I want the Bonitto type who gets to the QB.
 
Good Lord, Love ran a 4.36?

I knew he had breakaway speed, but that’s crazy fast, Gibbs territory.
 
 
Are we even sure that's accurate and not some iffy account?
 
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