The 2026 NFL Draft is nearly upon us, and we’re continuing to roll out highlights from our latest version of the Grit Index, a metric designed to identify desirable character traits that the Detroit Lions actively seek. In our first article, we explored the top 30 highest-scoring prospects on our grit scale, then followed that up with a deep dive into the offensive tackle class.
Next, we are breaking down this year’s EDGE rusher class and trying to identify which prospects would fit the Lions’ high-character
culture. Let’s start with the EDGE rusher who achieved the highest Grit Index score in this year’s class.
Tier 1: Gabe Jacas, Illinois (9.14, Top 5%)
Most national NFL Draft evaluators are projecting Jacas to come off the board somewhere between pick No. 37 and 61, but on the Grit Index, he checks in at No. 22, amongst the top 5% of graded players. He’s been a very popular mock draft pick in the second round for the Lions (who hold pick No. 50) because he is both a stylistic fit on the edge, as well as a player who possesses many character traits the Lions covet.
Those traits were highlighted throughout the Grit Index, including in some of the following ways:
- Leadership: Team Captain
- Work Ethic: Pursuit motor never stops
- Durability: 43 starts over four seasons
- Instincts: Weaponizes the peanut-punch; 7 career forced fumbles
- Preparation: Two-time State wrestling champion, uses skills learned to develop better hand usage
- Intangibles: Ambidextrous; learned how to write with both hands following a surgery when he was seven years old
- Awards: Freshman All-American, Third-team All-American (2024)
- Football character:
- Strength/toughness: From an NFC scouting director (via NFL.com profile), “He’s smart, he’s a great teammate and he’s really, really strong. Play-through-your-face type of guy.”
- Competitiveness/Intelligence: From Todd McShay’s profile, “He has everything that NFL teams look for in terms of toughness and effort. And I’ve heard from NFL personnel that he’s been one of the A+ interview guys.”
A stylistic match with the Lions on and off the field, Jacas could be the answer Detroit fans have been hoping to see start opposite Aidan Hutchinson.
Projected first-round picks
- Keldric Faulk, Auburn: 8.75 (Top 10%)
- Akheem Mesidor, Miami: 8.68 (11%)
- Rueben Bain, Miami: 7.38 (36%)
- David Bailey, Texas Tech: 6.5 (57%)
- T.J. Parker, Clemson: 6.08 (65%)
Faulk finished just outside of Tier 1 on the Grit Index, but he still checks in amongst the top 10% of players in this draft class, with Mesidor right behind him in the 11th percentile. Bain and Bailey are expected to be the top two edge rushers off the board on Thursday night, and I believe they would have Bain ranked higher due to schematic fit and Grit score.
Parker’s a bit of a wildcard for the first round, as some believe he could be selected in the top 32 picks, while others believe he may be available to the Lions at pick No. 50. While his Grit score is in the bottom half of the prospects available, I believe he would get consideration from the Lions in the second round. This is a good opportunity to remind readers that Grit Scores are only one piece of the overall puzzle, and there will be instances where Detroit selects players who score lower on the Grit Index.
Projected options on Day 2
- Gabe Jacas, Illinois: 9.14 (5%)
- Keyron Crawford, Auburn: 8.41 (16%)
- Cashius Howell, Texas A&M: 8.35 (17%)
- R Mason Thomas, Oklahoma: 7.91 (26%)
- Zion Young, Missouri: 7.73 (30%)
- Joshua Josephs, Tennessee: 7.21 (40%)
- Jaishawn Barham, Michigan: 7.05 (45%)
- Dani Dennis-Sutton, Penn State: 6.79 (52%)
- Derrick Moore, Michigan: 6.68 (54%)
- LT Overton, Alabama: 6.68 (54%)
- Malachi Lawrence, UCF: 6.56 (57%)
- Romello Height, Texas Tech: 4.79 (87%)
In addition to Jacas, there are several other edge prospects that the Lions could consider on Day 2 (rounds 2 and 3) of the NFL Draft. Crawford and Barham have the range to rush the passer and play SAM linebacker, and both end up with positive scores, with Crawford reaching the 16th percentile. Howell and Thomas are dynamic pass rushers (enough so that some teams may consider them in the first round), and while they’re undersized for the Lions’ traditional scheme, adding in a top Grit score will certainly help their case to end up in Detroit. Young, Dennis-Sutton, and Moore fall more along the lines of traditional defensive ends, with Young achieving a higher Grit score, despite having some negative off-the-field history.
High grit options on Day 3
- George Gumbs, Florida: 8.86 (8%)
- Wesley Williams, Duke: 8.54 (13%)
- Cian Slone, N.C. State: 8.47 (15%)
- Jack Pyburn, LSU: 8.23 (19%)
- Trey Moore, Texas: 8.06 (22%)
- Caden Curry, Ohio State: 8.00 (24%)
- Michael Heldman, Central Michigan: 7.94 (25%)
Once we get to Day 3, teams mainly view these prospects more as specialists, rather than every-down players. Within this group, Gumbs achieved the highest Grit score, while also developing pass-rushing skills with the range to contribute at SAM linebacker at times. Keep an eye on Slone, who fits a very similar role, but could likely be selected later in the draft or as a UDFA.
Solid grit options on Day 3
- Michael Heldman, Central Michigan: 7.94 (25%)
- Mason Reiger, Wisconsin: 7.66 (32%)
- Tyreak Sapp, Florida: 7.51 (34%)
- Logan Fano, Utah: 7.3 (38%)
- Anthony Vincent, Duke: 7.13 (42%)
I was asked about Heldman on the Pride of Detroit Mid-Week Mailbag a few weeks back, and I noted that I was still learning about him because there was not a ton written about him. Well, since then, I’ve uncovered some stories, and my interest has been piqued. Late credits for instincts, path through adversity, and award recognition have raised his Grit score. The Romeo, Michigan product is a sleeper to join the Lions.
The rest of the EDGE class
- Quintayvious Hutchins: 6.37
- Mikail Kamara, Indiana: 6.37
- Max Llewellyn, Iowa: 6.13
- Nadame Tucker, Western Michigan: 5.94
- Aidan Hubbard, Northwestern: 5.58
- Zach Durfee, Washington: 5.58
- Khordae Sydnor, Vanderbilt: 5.58
- Ethan Burke, Texas: 5.42
- Keyshawn James-Newby, New Mexico: 5.24
- Anthony Lucas, USC: 4.97
- Nyjalik Kelly, UCF: 4.29
- Nathan Voorhis, Ball State: 4.00
- Eric O’Neill, Rutgers: 3.68
- Patrick Payton, LSU: 3.07
- Bryan Thomas, South Carolina: 3.07
- Dasan McCullough, Nebraska: 3.07
