xwalker
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I wanted to answer this question from @fivetwos and touch on the 2026 rookie class in general.
Rotation Positions
Being at a rotational position like DL helps as compared to playing OL which is rarely a rotational position.
M. Law
Something would have to go terribly wrong for him not to be in the Edge defender rotation.
J. Barham
Off-ball LB is not traditionally a rotational type position.
It's hard for a rookie to beat out a veteran even if the rookie is physically superior.
Larry Allen and Darren Woodson were not full-time starters as rookies...
There are only 2 ILB positions in either the 3-4 or 4-2-5 alignments.
Only 1 off-ball LB when they play 5-1-5.
I expect him to get snaps in all games but Winters/Overshown are the likely game 1 starters.
Side Notes
I get the feeling they might have considered him in the 2nd if they had a pick in that round.
Prototype size/athleticism for off-ball LB.
Similar physical measurables to Fred Warner.
Pass Rush ability more valued in Parker's defense than some others.
Drew Shelton
I expect him to make the roster.
Devin Moore
He'll make the roster.
Top 3 to start the season: Bland, Revel, Durant
CBs 4 thru 6 gameday status might be determined by Special Teams ability.
DT LT Overton
I expect him to make the roster as the 5th IDL.
Seems like a good fit at the 4i position.
Showed terrific anchor in college.
Top 4: Williams, Clark, Bullard (4i) and Ogbonnia (NT)
Anthony Smith
They've kept at least 6 WRs since about 2018.
Sometimes 7 on the 53 at points during the season.
Only 2 of 6 spots available.
Holden, Mims, Mingo, Valdes-Scantling, multiple other WRs on the 90 man roster.
Prediction: Makes the 53 if he can play Special Teams.
Draft picks more likely to be claimed than journeyman types.
.
Other than Caleb Downs, I think the playing time of rookies might be determined as much by the performance of other players at their position as it is their own training camp / preseaon performances.
Rotation Positions
Being at a rotational position like DL helps as compared to playing OL which is rarely a rotational position.
M. Law
Something would have to go terribly wrong for him not to be in the Edge defender rotation.
J. Barham
Off-ball LB is not traditionally a rotational type position.
It's hard for a rookie to beat out a veteran even if the rookie is physically superior.
Larry Allen and Darren Woodson were not full-time starters as rookies...
There are only 2 ILB positions in either the 3-4 or 4-2-5 alignments.
Only 1 off-ball LB when they play 5-1-5.
I expect him to get snaps in all games but Winters/Overshown are the likely game 1 starters.
Side Notes
I get the feeling they might have considered him in the 2nd if they had a pick in that round.
Prototype size/athleticism for off-ball LB.
Similar physical measurables to Fred Warner.
Pass Rush ability more valued in Parker's defense than some others.
Drew Shelton
I expect him to make the roster.
Devin Moore
He'll make the roster.
Top 3 to start the season: Bland, Revel, Durant
CBs 4 thru 6 gameday status might be determined by Special Teams ability.
DT LT Overton
I expect him to make the roster as the 5th IDL.
Seems like a good fit at the 4i position.
Showed terrific anchor in college.
Top 4: Williams, Clark, Bullard (4i) and Ogbonnia (NT)
Anthony Smith
They've kept at least 6 WRs since about 2018.
Sometimes 7 on the 53 at points during the season.
Only 2 of 6 spots available.
Holden, Mims, Mingo, Valdes-Scantling, multiple other WRs on the 90 man roster.
Prediction: Makes the 53 if he can play Special Teams.
Draft picks more likely to be claimed than journeyman types.
.
