Looking for Lions DNA on the Edge
The draft is breathing down our necks, and you know what that means. Time to figure out which edge rushers might actually give a damn about wearing Honolulu Blue. Because let’s be real, we’ve been burned before by guys who looked good on paper but had the heart of a wet paper bag when it mattered.
The Grit Index is back, and this time it’s breaking down the edge rusher class. You know, that position we’ve been trying to fix since the last ice age. At least now we have a method to find guys who won’t fold like lawn chairs when December rolls around.
The Gold Standard: Gabe Jacas
Illinois outside linebacker Gabe Jacas scored a 9.14 on the Grit Index, landing him in the top 5% of all prospects. Most draft nerds have him going somewhere between picks 37 and 61, but he’s sitting pretty at No. 22 overall on the character scale. And yes, he’s been mocked to Detroit at pick 50 more times than we can count.
Here’s why Jacas fits what Dan Campbell is building. Team captain who never stops pursuing the ball carrier. Started 43 games over four seasons without his motor giving out. Forces fumbles like it’s his job, racking up 7 career forced fumbles. Oh, and he’s a two-time state wrestling champion who uses those skills to destroy offensive linemen’s hands.
The cherry on top? Kid learned to write with both hands after surgery when he was seven. An NFC scouting director called him a “play-through-your-face type of guy.” Todd McShay says he’s been getting A+ reviews in interviews. This is exactly the kind of player who thrives in Allen Park.
First Round Reality Check
The projected first-round edge rushers break down like this on the Grit Index: Keldric Faulk from Auburn hits 8.75, landing in the top 10%. Akheem Mesidor from Miami follows at 8.68. Then there’s Rueben Bain at 7.38, David Bailey at 6.5, and T.J. Parker at 6.08.
Bain and Bailey are expected to go early Thursday night, but the Lions would probably lean toward Bain based on scheme fit and character score. Parker’s the wild card who might slip to Detroit’s second-round pick, even though his grit score sits in the bottom half.
And yes, I know what you’re thinking. Sometimes talent trumps character. The front office knows this too.
Day Two Depth
Beyond Jacas, there are plenty of Day 2 options worth watching. Keyron Crawford from Auburn and Cashius Howell from Texas A&M both scored above 8.35, putting them in the top 17%. Crawford and Michigan’s Jaishawn Barham can rush the passer and play SAM linebacker, which fits the Lions’ versatility obsession.
Howell and R Mason Thomas are undersized pass rushers who might get first-round looks from other teams. Their size doesn’t scream Detroit, but their grit scores help their case. Meanwhile, guys like Zion Young, Dani Dennis-Sutton, and Derrick Moore fit the traditional defensive end mold better.
Young scored higher despite some off-field baggage, which tells you how much the character metrics matter in this evaluation.
Day Three Diamonds
Once we hit Day 3, these guys become specialists rather than every-down players. George Gumbs from Florida leads the way with an 8.86 grit score, landing in the top 8%. He can rush the passer and slide over to SAM linebacker when needed.
Keep an eye on Cian Slone from N.C. State. Similar skill set to Gumbs but might last until the late rounds or go undrafted. That’s Lions-level value hunting right there.
Michael Heldman from Central Michigan deserves a mention too. The Romeo, Michigan native scored 7.94, and his backstory keeps getting more interesting the deeper you dig. Sometimes the best finds come from your own backyard.
The rest of the edge class falls into mediocre territory, with scores ranging from the high 6s down to the basement. Those are the guys who might have the physical tools but lack the mental makeup to survive in Detroit’s culture.
So there you have it. Jacas looks like the perfect fit if he’s there at 50, but don’t be shocked if the Lions reach for character over pure talent. We’ve seen this movie before, and it usually works out better than the alternative.
Think Jacas is the answer to our pass rush prayers or just another second-round reach waiting to happen? Let me know what you’re seeing in the comments.
