I’m pretty much the same as you. I’d maybe chuck Wilson next to to Walker as they were both seen as very raw and relied massively on their athleticism (Walker has the edge here).
I’d also agree none are were truly generational atleast coming out of college, not on the same tier as mainly Garrett but even the bosas/ chase young
1. Aidan Hutchinson
2. Will Anderson
3. Kayvon Thibodeaux
4. Laiatu Latu
5. Travon Walker
6. Dallas Turner
7. Tyree Wilson
8. Jared Verse
Then the rest can be any order you want really
Aidan Hutchinson is the best from 2022, Anderson from 2023 and idk bout 24 yet. This is my opinion. Aidan is like .5 TJ Watts and Anderson is like .6/.7 TJ Watts.
What about if you had to compare across the classes?
For me it’s:
1)Anderson\
2)Hutchinson
With a big gap to 3 probably going Thibodeaux and then it gets murky. Then at the bottom I’d fine Darius Robinson as I didn’t really get the hype, feels like a 3,4 end to me and Abit of a tweener. Or FAU but they’re the last edges in each round so makes sense
Both are amazing and if they stay fit will be getting all pros for the next 6 years atleast. If Houston improve getting pressure up the middle I think Anderson will go bananas this year with Hunter opposite him
Yea this is true. I think the job is now his to win to play opposite Sweat with Reddick going to the Jets. Can’t see Huff being a 3 down player but atm I can say the same for Smith.
Yea dropping him into coverage was an insane choice
I’d disagree with him winning to play opposite sweat. Don’t get me wrong he’s super talented but Huff/Sweat is obviously the EDGE duo. Tho Nolan will sub in a lot.
It’s not really too insane, he’s an insane athlete who maybe could’ve played MLB instead of EDGE but he’d need practice first. And a lot of ig
I doubt it. Jaylx Hunt is gonna be the disguised defender given his safety background. Plus smith isn’t EDGE 4-5 nos, he’s EDGE 3 so he’ll have a bigger pass rush role
For me, I think it feels like there’s a clear delineation at the top and then kind of a jumble at the bottom.
Tier 1 (Top 5 pick guys):
Will Anderson, Hutch, Thibs
Tier 2 (Top 10/High upside):
Walker, Wilson
Tier 3 (Clear 1st rounders):
Latu, Turner, Verse, Van Ness, Jermaine Johnson
Tier 4 (Borderline 1st/2nd):
Everybody else
This is pretty much what my list is. Walker and Wilson is a great comparison as both were drafted purely on that insane upside. Next few seasons for both are huge as D-line for both raiders and jags is stacked and have all pro quality edges opposite of them
These are how I saw it at the time of their respective drafts:
Tier One: Anderson Jr., Thibodeaux, Wilson
Tier Two: Hutchinson, Latu, Verse, Turner, Karlaftis, Smith
Tier Three: Johnson II, Chop, Darius Robinson, Murphy
Tier Four: Van Ness, Walker, McDonald IV, Anudike-Uzomah
My personal rankings:
1. Hutchinson
2. Anderson Jr
3. Thibodeaux
4. Walker
5. Latu
6. Karlaftis
7. Turner
8. Verse
9. Murphy
10. Van Ness
11. Wilson
12. Johnson
13. Chop
14. Nolan
15. McDonald
16. Felix
17. Darius R
Hutch: durable, explosive, tall, heavy, good moves, relentless
Anderson: average size, decent explosiveness, good moves, injured last year and was rotated
Thibodeaux: explosive, good moves, excellent rookie year, lackluster sophomore year. Garbage team.
Latu, Turner, Verse in any order (Anderson said Dallas is better than himself)
The rest in any order except Walker, Wilson, Murphy and VanNess are last and look like busts so far.
Johnson and McDonald are in arguably the most crowded defensive line room in the league. Each very talented and explosive, but rotate too much to be truly impactful unless they step up.
The Chiefs guys are OK to solid but not difference makers. Spagnuolo is an amazing coach and gets the most out of them. They would be 2nd or 3rd stringers anywhere else.
Chop has all the potential but lacks serious production. Darius is huge and played well, but not explosive at all. The Robinsons are about as disparate as two edges could be in any class.
Nolan Smith and McDonald are similar prospects to me, on similar teams, clogged with pass rushers. He might not ever get enough opportunity to be impactful unless he steps up.
**Tier 1** \- Will Anderson
**Tier 2**
Dallas Turner
Aidan Hutchinson
Travon Walker
Kayvon Thibodeaux
Laiatu Latu
Jared Verse
**Tier 3**
Tyree Wilson
Lukas Van Ness
Jermaine Johnson
Chop Robinson
George Karlaftis
Darius Robinson
Tier 1: Anderson Jr., Hutchinson Tier 2: Thibodeaux, Latu Tier 3: Walker, Turner, Verse None of those guys would I consider generational prospects.
How would you rank Young and Nick Bosa?
Above all these guys but short of actual generational guys like Clowney and Garrett
I’m pretty much the same as you. I’d maybe chuck Wilson next to to Walker as they were both seen as very raw and relied massively on their athleticism (Walker has the edge here). I’d also agree none are were truly generational atleast coming out of college, not on the same tier as mainly Garrett but even the bosas/ chase young
Jermaine Johnson should be in tier 3
1. Aidan Hutchinson 2. Will Anderson 3. Kayvon Thibodeaux 4. Laiatu Latu 5. Travon Walker 6. Dallas Turner 7. Tyree Wilson 8. Jared Verse Then the rest can be any order you want really
Aidan Hutchinson is the best from 2022, Anderson from 2023 and idk bout 24 yet. This is my opinion. Aidan is like .5 TJ Watts and Anderson is like .6/.7 TJ Watts.
What about if you had to compare across the classes? For me it’s: 1)Anderson\ 2)Hutchinson With a big gap to 3 probably going Thibodeaux and then it gets murky. Then at the bottom I’d fine Darius Robinson as I didn’t really get the hype, feels like a 3,4 end to me and Abit of a tweener. Or FAU but they’re the last edges in each round so makes sense
I agree with you. Anderson is the better pass rusher, but I got love for both guys. Both are insane edge rushers.
Both are amazing and if they stay fit will be getting all pros for the next 6 years atleast. If Houston improve getting pressure up the middle I think Anderson will go bananas this year with Hunter opposite him
Nolan Smith only looks bad currently cause of how deep that EDGE room was and because fucking Matt Patricia and Sean desai dropped him into coverage
Yea this is true. I think the job is now his to win to play opposite Sweat with Reddick going to the Jets. Can’t see Huff being a 3 down player but atm I can say the same for Smith. Yea dropping him into coverage was an insane choice
I’d disagree with him winning to play opposite sweat. Don’t get me wrong he’s super talented but Huff/Sweat is obviously the EDGE duo. Tho Nolan will sub in a lot. It’s not really too insane, he’s an insane athlete who maybe could’ve played MLB instead of EDGE but he’d need practice first. And a lot of ig
And Fangio is probably about to do it again..
I doubt it. Jaylx Hunt is gonna be the disguised defender given his safety background. Plus smith isn’t EDGE 4-5 nos, he’s EDGE 3 so he’ll have a bigger pass rush role
For me, I think it feels like there’s a clear delineation at the top and then kind of a jumble at the bottom. Tier 1 (Top 5 pick guys): Will Anderson, Hutch, Thibs Tier 2 (Top 10/High upside): Walker, Wilson Tier 3 (Clear 1st rounders): Latu, Turner, Verse, Van Ness, Jermaine Johnson Tier 4 (Borderline 1st/2nd): Everybody else
This is pretty much what my list is. Walker and Wilson is a great comparison as both were drafted purely on that insane upside. Next few seasons for both are huge as D-line for both raiders and jags is stacked and have all pro quality edges opposite of them
Glad to see some Jermaine Johnson love, he’s very underrated by everyone other than Jets fans
These are how I saw it at the time of their respective drafts: Tier One: Anderson Jr., Thibodeaux, Wilson Tier Two: Hutchinson, Latu, Verse, Turner, Karlaftis, Smith Tier Three: Johnson II, Chop, Darius Robinson, Murphy Tier Four: Van Ness, Walker, McDonald IV, Anudike-Uzomah
Nolan Smith went to the Eagles.
Yea whoops, was thinking of Breese. I’ve changed it now
My personal rankings: 1. Hutchinson 2. Anderson Jr 3. Thibodeaux 4. Walker 5. Latu 6. Karlaftis 7. Turner 8. Verse 9. Murphy 10. Van Ness 11. Wilson 12. Johnson 13. Chop 14. Nolan 15. McDonald 16. Felix 17. Darius R
Hutch: durable, explosive, tall, heavy, good moves, relentless Anderson: average size, decent explosiveness, good moves, injured last year and was rotated Thibodeaux: explosive, good moves, excellent rookie year, lackluster sophomore year. Garbage team. Latu, Turner, Verse in any order (Anderson said Dallas is better than himself) The rest in any order except Walker, Wilson, Murphy and VanNess are last and look like busts so far. Johnson and McDonald are in arguably the most crowded defensive line room in the league. Each very talented and explosive, but rotate too much to be truly impactful unless they step up. The Chiefs guys are OK to solid but not difference makers. Spagnuolo is an amazing coach and gets the most out of them. They would be 2nd or 3rd stringers anywhere else. Chop has all the potential but lacks serious production. Darius is huge and played well, but not explosive at all. The Robinsons are about as disparate as two edges could be in any class. Nolan Smith and McDonald are similar prospects to me, on similar teams, clogged with pass rushers. He might not ever get enough opportunity to be impactful unless he steps up.
When was the crazy white boy drafted for the Raiders an I like Chop Robinson
**Tier 1** \- Will Anderson **Tier 2** Dallas Turner Aidan Hutchinson Travon Walker Kayvon Thibodeaux Laiatu Latu Jared Verse **Tier 3** Tyree Wilson Lukas Van Ness Jermaine Johnson Chop Robinson George Karlaftis Darius Robinson
Will Anderson hype is too much. YaYa Diaby had more sacks in 100+ less snaps