I’ve been grinding through college tape since last summer, and these 30 defensive prospects stand out as potential Philly Fits, players that are built for this scheme, this city, and the traits that have become the Philadelphia standard. With the NFL Draft approaching, NFL teams have basically finalized their boards
DL- Christen Miller, Georgia
One of the best run defenders in this class. Active, violent hands, good balance, understands and uses leverage, versatile, and eats double teams. His ceiling will be determined by how much pass-rushing juice he can add to his game.
DL- Lee Hunter, Texas Tech
Another DL with above-average run defense and a pass rush that needs work. He has a huge wingspan and violent hands to win in the trenches. He will be ideal for a team looking for 20 early-down snaps and one patient for him to develop, moved into his pass-rushing repertoire.
DL — Gracen Halton, Oklahoma
A solid interior pass rusher who has a good burst and consistently beats guards with a punch and a juke. His long-term value will be as a player who can get to the quarterback.
DL- Zane Durant Penn State
Durant is a havoc-creating interior presence whose quickness off the snap and relentless motor show up across 71 career pressures, backed by durability (658 snaps in 2024, 476 in 2025) and a stronger, more controlled game in 2025, with a reduced 7.7% missed-tackle rate and 4 sacks. His strong lower body gives him leverage, and Zane could be a DT who develops in the mold of Moro Ojomo.
DL-Landon Robinson, Navy
Landon understands the game within the game and has figured out how to win in the trenches. He dominated with good pad level, getting under blockers, leverage, bend, and elite burst. He dictates the hitting rather than absorbing it. A high motor disruptor who likely falls in the draft due to his height, 6'0, but he could end up being a steal and vastly outperform his draft position.
*Honorable mention to athletic freak Uar Bernard, who the Eagles seem enamored with.
EDGE — Keldric Faulk, Auburn
Keldric Faulk is a long, explosive edge defender with rare physical tools and the kind of upside you bet on early. Power, length, an above-average first step, and a true pocket-collapser. His traits suggest that he has an edge for a very high ceiling.
EDGE — Cashius Howell
Cashius Howell wins immediately with an elite first step, bend, and active hands, pairing that with consistent effort against the run. His hybrid ability at edge/linebacker and his high sack and pressure production make him a clean Philly fit — an attacking, disruptive piece who can be moved around to create chaos.
EDGE — Derrick Moore, Michigan
Moore’s explosive first step, lateral movement, and athleticism make him a high-upside pass-rushing threat, and his aggressive, physical, high-energy play style screams Philly fit. With a 15.5% pressure rate and the ability to impact both phases, he profiles as a disruptive force with room to grow into more.
EDGE — Gabe Jacas, Illinois
Gabe Jacas is a high-motor edge defender who wins with effort, burst, and physicality. He consistently sets the edge against the run and plays with strong hands, showing the ability to shed and finish through contact. As a pass rusher, he’s still developing counters, but the toughness, discipline, and relentless play style give him a dependable floor with upside as a rotational piece who can grow into more. A Team Captain with 27 sacks and 35.5 TFLs is welcomed on any NFL Defense.
EDGE — Joshua Josephs, Tennessee
EDGE — Dani Dennis-Sutton, Penn State
DDS is the type of defender with the kind of traits you bet on. Length, burst, and real power at the point of attack. He sets the edge well against the run, using his frame and strength to control tackles, while flashing a developing pass-rush arsenal with speed-to-power and active hands. Still putting it all together consistently, but the ceiling is high as a disruptive, every-down edge with Philly Fit written all over him.
EDGE — Jaishawn Barham, Michigan
Barham is an ascending player with a nonstop motor and a physical edge, showing versatility as a run-stopper who can set the edge and generate pressure. While his coverage discipline still needs refinement, his 89 career pressures and willingness to do the dirty work make him an intriguing late Day 2-to-early Day 3 option with upside.
EDGE — Mikail Kamara, Indiana
The Eagles like edge rushers who are disciplined against the run and attack quarterbacks with a plan, and Kamara checks every box. His twitchy, electric hand-fighting, strong motor, and ability to set up counters make him a perfect rotational pass-rusher, while his ability to set the edge and funnel ball carriers back inside fits exactly how this defensive front is built.
CB — Mansoor Delane, LSU
Delane profiles as the best corner in the draft. The vision for an NFL team is simple: build a No Fly Zone for the next five years. A long, physical, and dominant secondary foundational piece for whichever franchise selects him.
CB- Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
If you are building your draft board based on CB play via the film, elite traits, and advanced technique, then he is in the conversation for CB1, and no lower than second. He is violent through contact and a competitor in every sense of the word. A scrapper who refuses to back down. In short, if you want a Dawg at the corner, and Philly always welcomes more Dawgs, then McCoy is the one you want.
CB — Avieon Terrell, Clemson
Terrell brings fluid hips, strong ball skills, and physicality, aligning perfectly with a scheme that values versatility and disguise. His ability to match different receiver types makes him a clean “Philly Fit” piece in a secondary built on flexibility and aggression.
CB — Colton Hood, Tennessee
Hood emerged as McCoy’s counterpart and an SEC disruptor, bringing twitch, competitiveness, and strong press ability. His footwork, instincts, and physicality are consistently on display, making him an opportunistic defender who thrives in tight coverage.
CB- Chris Johnson, San Diego State
Johnson has fluid hips, and “hip don’t lie!” The ultimate corner tell. Processor, ballhawk, athletic, dependable, and a film junkie. He has the ability to be a lockdown corner and could be a steal in the second round.
CB — Julian Neal, Arkansas
Neal is another highly physical corner who stands out as an excellent run defender, bringing toughness and willingness to hit. He could fall right into the range where Howie is comfortable doubling up at the position, adding more edge and depth to the secondary.
CB- Malik Muhammad, Texas
Muhammad is twitchy, has a quick trigger, and mirrors receivers' hips tightly. Thrives in zone, making him a natural Philly fit. Toolsy, physical & instinctive.
CB- Davison Igbinosun, Ohio State
He has the length, the physicality, and the skill to start day one. He cut his penalties by over 65%, a crazy reduction, and was still equally effective. He has improved at turning his head to the ball and has proven highly durable, which makes him a pretty popular player. If he corrects some hip issues, he could be one of the best CBs in the draft.
CB- Hezekiah Masses, California
If not for his size, he would be mentioned as an option in earlier rounds. He has shown above-average ball production and ball-tracking skills, and he uses his long arms to disrupt passes and create PBUs.
CB- Domani Jackson, Alabama
Jackson is a projection, not a finished product. He has a long, explosive game and boasts legit top-end speed. NFL bloodlines, and the kind of athlete you bet on and let develop. He’s been around the game, training and practicing technique, his whole life.
S- Caleb Downs, Ohio State
My highest-rated player in the 2026 NFL Draft. Fast, fluid, physical, elite tackler, processor, and any other superlative one can think of. Day one starter with All-Pro potential very early in his career.
S- Dillon Thieneman, Oregon
A sturdy, well-built safety with ball skills, elite speed, elite coverage ability, and the hips and backpedal to mirror and transition to be a menace with every coverage assignment he is given. For a Fangio defense that uses pre-snap disguise, Dillon is a perfect fit.
S — Emmanuel McNeil-Warren
McNeil-Warren is a physical, aggressive tone-setter who brings box presence, range, and playmaking ability. With size, instincts, and versatility, he fits the mold of a safety who can impact all levels of the field while setting the edge defensively with attitude.
S — Jalon Kilgore, South Carolina
At 6’1, 211 with 4.40 speed, Kilgore brings positional versatility, physicality, and ball skills, highlighted by 8 interceptions and elite tracking ability. He smothers receivers with length and strength, plays effectively in the box, and combines instincts, durability, and athleticism to project as an exciting Day 2 talent
S- AJ Haulcy, LSU
Elite ball skills and a knack for creative turnovers, 10 career interceptions. AJ has a sturdy 220-plus-pound frame that he willingly uses to mix it up against the run, while also having good sideline-to-sideline speed.
S — Zakee Wheatley, Penn State
Wheatley allowed the fewest yards per snap in coverage, playing clean football with zero career penalties and an 82.7 run defense grade. With over 2100 career snaps, he’s battle-tested, reliable, and efficient , exactly the type of steady presence you trust on the back end.
S- Kamari Ramsey, USC
Kamari can play in the box, deep, or cover the slot. Fluid hips for safety with shutdown ability versus tight ends, and diagnoses plays fast at all three levels. If he improves his run defense, Ramsey could end up being a steal. His coverage ability will be what gets him drafted on day 2.
S — Michael Taaffe, Texas
Michael plays fast and aggressively downhill with strong range, recovery speed, and an 89.3 coverage grade in 2025. He also brings seven career interceptions and leadership traits. He improved his missed tackle rate from over 20% down to under 10% in 2025, and has a high football IQ, suggesting he will grow into a lot more than a core special teams player.
As always, thank you for reading!
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