Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
By Ross Jackson
The NFL Combine workouts are finally about to get started on Thursday and while the New Orleans Saints could look to address defensive end in free agency, the NFL Draft will provide a healthy stock of players to consider as well.
Here are five edge rushers worth your attention at the Combine either for the sake of getting updated measurements, seeing them participate in on-field drills or witness the always exciting workouts.
Arvell Reese, Ohio State
Reese will be viewed as a linebacker by many but is set to participate in Indianapolis as a defensive end. He’ll be an intriguing player to watch because his athleticism is sure to impress if he does on-field drills, especially because he could opt to do off-ball coverage drills as well. Reese is one of the more versatile and talented players at the position.
Rueben Bain Jr., Miami
For a more traditional look at the position, Bain presents with inside-out versatility while being dominant off of the edge in college. Measuring in at 6-foot-2 and 270 pounds with 30 ⅞-inch arms, his size and arm length will be scrutinized during the two to three months that arm length seems to matter every NFL season. But his production and game-wrecking ability at the collegiate level is sure to excite and still make him a top pick in the draft.
David Bailey, Texas Tech
If a pure pass rusher is your speed, don’t miss Bailey. The 6-foot-3, 251 pounder boasts better than 33-inch arms and a refined, polished pass rush plan. He’ll have to make strides at the next level as a run defender with his size. But for teams looking for a stand up pass-rush specialist that can grow into an all-around talent, the Red Raider will be atop the list.
Derrick Moore, Michigan
Another more traditional style of pass rusher that wins with speed to power conversion, what sets Moore apart is his athleticism otherwise. He has a relentless motor that teams will fall in love with throughout the process.
Akheem Mesidor, Miami
Can a potential first-rounder be a sleeper? If so, Mesidor is the definition of that. With 12.5 sacks opposite the destructive Bain in 2025, Mesidor fits the bill of an NFL defensive end. His age (25 as a rookie) and height (6-foot-3) will raise questions, but he’s slimmed down to 259 pounds at the Combine (previously listed in the 265-275 range) and has the length with 32 ⅛-inch arms to make a measurables-focused franchise comfortable. If he runs and runs well in the 4.6-second range, he might shoot up boards.
There are at least 18 edge rushers that make sense for the Saints to key in on throughout this process. That only includes those with Combine invites. This draft has more edges than my neighborhood barbershop, and New Orleans should be shopping for their cut this offseason.
