Welcome to Washington Joshua Josephs

[burgold]

Joshua Josephs Defensive End - EDGE Tennessee | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

Rating: 85.5 Rank: #11 Forty: 4.73 Watch him play and you see an edge defender whose athletic profile makes coordinators drool. The combination of 4.6ish speed, 34-plus inch arms, and an 80+...

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Scouting Report: Strengths​

• That 82-inch wingspan creates problems before the snap even happens, allowing him to strike offensive tackles at range while keeping his body clean from their punch attempts.
• First step explosiveness is legitimately special, with a 4.68 forty time that shows up on tape as elite get-off that leaves SEC linemen lunging at air.
• When setting the edge against the run, he plays with discipline and gap integrity that belies his age, anchoring hard and forcing ball carriers back inside.
• Pass rush repertoire has developed nicely with a devastating cross-chop, effective push-pull, and a bull-to-rip sequence that gave Alabama and Oklahoma fits.
• Shows legitimate football intelligence when diagnosing screen passes and misdirection, rarely biting on the eye candy that fools less patient rushers.
• Long arm technique converts his speed to power effectively, delivering shocking jolts that knock SEC tackles off their spot and reset the line of scrimmage.
• Closing speed on the quarterback is electric, and once he turns the corner his natural bend lets him flatten to the passer at angles tackles cannot mirror.
• Plays with a genuine mean streak when games hang in the balance, hunting down pressure opportunities with the killer instinct you cannot coach.

Scouting Report: Weaknesses​

• At 240 pounds, the lack of mass becomes apparent when power-profile tackles sit down and anchor against his rush, neutralizing his speed advantage.
• Stiff ankles limit his ability to maximize bend around the corner, preventing him from fully utilizing his flexibility through his torso and knees.
• Tight end chips and combo blocks collapse him inside far too easily, opening up outside run lanes that better anchored defenders would seal.
• Tackling inconsistency is concerning with a 23.5% missed tackle rate, suggesting issues with technique or effort when bringing down ball carriers.
• Sack totals have not matched his pressure rate throughout his career, indicating he struggles to finish plays when he wins his rep and reaches the quarterback.

Scouting Report: Summary​

Watch him play and you see an edge defender whose athletic profile makes coordinators drool. The combination of 4.6ish speed, 34-plus inch arms, and an 80+ inch wingspan creates a physical package that should translate immediately as a situational pass rusher at the next level. He wins with quickness and length off the snap, and his hand timing has improved markedly over the past two seasons. Tennessee deployed him primarily as a designated pass rusher for good reason, and NFL teams would be wise to follow that blueprint initially.

Here's the deal with Josephs: he's going to need time to develop into a complete three-down player. The tackling issues and anchor problems against power are real concerns that will show up against NFL offensive lines with better technique and more strength. His situational college usage, with only 17 career starts and 626 pass rush snaps over four years, means he hasn't been tested as an every-down defender against top competition. Teams with strong rotational philosophies will get more immediate value than those expecting a day-one starter who can handle 50-plus snaps.

A 4-3 scheme that can deploy him as a designated speed rusher on third downs makes the most sense initially, though he possesses the versatility to kick inside on obvious passing situations. As he adds functional mass and refines his technique against the run, the ceiling expands considerably. Defensive coordinators who specialize in matchup-based game plans will appreciate his ability to threaten tackles with speed while possessing enough moves to win inside when opponents over-commit to taking away the edge. The projection here is a productive NFL pass rusher whose long-term value depends entirely on whether he can add 15-20 pounds of good weight without sacrificing the explosiveness that makes him dangerous

 

[burgold]

Joshua Josephs Draft and Combine Prospect Profile | NFL.com

All Combine and Draft-Related Analysis, News, Video, and Biographical Information for Joshua Josephs

www.nfl.com

Long, upright edge defender with an NBA-caliber wingspan and room to continue filling out his frame. Josephs uses his arms to stay separated from blocks and spill runs wide. However, he needs to get bigger and stronger to better support the run against NFL blocking. He has long strides and plus closing burst to chase and capture. His pass rush is the same on every snap, showing good burst and effort but a predictable track that is slowed by force. He’s not a natural bender, so adding go-to moves, a functional inside counter and better rush plans will be essential. With added weight and continued schooling, Josephs could deliver much more consistent production than he’s provided so far.

Strengths​

• Carries an NBA small forward wingspan.
• Effective use of length to stay separated from blockers at the point.
• Widens the edge effectively and spills runs to the perimeter.
• Spins a wide tackle web to ensnare runners anywhere near his gap.
• Races out of stance and upfield into his rush.
• Inside jab step baits tackles into pausing their slide and opening the edge.
• Long arms and strides create inside-move pressure opportunities.
• Rushes with effort and targets the throwing arm to generate strip sacks.

Weaknesses​

• Tight hips force him into a more limited, linear rush attack.
• Unable to sink and trim the edge tightly at the top of the rush.
• Can’t generate enough leverage or power for speed-to-power conversion.
• Drops his eyes when attacking blocks and loses track of play design.
• Needs better upper-body strength to press and control the edge.
• Hands and feet lack harmonious coordination.

 

[Dlts20]

 

[The Rook]

2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Tennessee EDGE Joshua Josephs

From now until the 2026 NFL Draft, we will scout and create profiles for as many prospects as possible, examining their strengths, weaknesses and what they can bring to an NFL franchise. These players could be potential top-10 picks, all the way to Day 3 selections and priority undrafted free...

steelersdepot.com

Nice write up.




The Rook

 

[HTTRDynasty]

 

[Solitary Man]

An absolute cold blooded steal in this draft.

 

[Faithful Fan]

The thing about his first sack being against Jayden is a cool synchronicity.

 

[The Brotherhood]

An absolute cold blooded steal in this draft.

Yeah this guy is a relentless machine

 

[burgold]

The thing that worries me about the Joseph pick is that he is one of those super high potential guys who hasn't really gotten it done on the field (at least in terms of sacks.) Hopefully, we can convert that potential into consistent production.

 

[Boone]

I hear you burgold. AP by all accounts is very enamored with RAS. Personally, we have had a number of guys who scored off the chart on RAS but who it turns out weren't very good football players. Obviously in a vacuum, great athleticism is not a negative. But it also isn't some panacea. The greatest predictor of NFL performance we have is previous documented on-the-field performance. So I think we are right to be a little skeptical when a player doesn't have that on his resume but is a great 'athlete'.

 

[DWinzit]

The thing that worries me about the Joseph pick is that he is one of those super high potential guys who hasn't really gotten it done on the field (at least in terms of sacks.) Hopefully, we can convert that potential into consistent production.

Yeah, super specimen that's going to require development in techniques and strength. We may not see him on the field much early but could be looked on as a steal

He definitely fits DQ and we think Jones's profile

 

[Anselmheifer]

Yeah, super specimen that's going to require development in techniques and strength. We may not see him on the field much early but could be looked on as a steal

He definitely fits DQ and we think Jones's profile

Logan Paulsen was pointing out that a Flores style defense might mitigate some of his pass rush move repertoire, by generating free runs at the QB and favorable match ups. It’s not just a line up and beat the guy in front of you defense

 

[KDawg]

Logan Paulsen was pointing out that a Flores style defense might mitigate some of his pass rush move repertoire, by generating free runs at the QB and favorable match ups. It’s not just a line up and beat the guy in front of you defense

Which is how he manufactured a VERY high percentage of his pressures at Tennessee. Sticks and long sticks.

But that’s something you can use anyone to do. Josephs has stiff hips and is fairly slow on those stunts, which is why even though he was virtually unblocked on many of those rushes (so high win rate) he struggled to actually make plays on the QB.

It’s a flier on a guy with high potential so I can’t say I’m mad at the selection. But as the draft class plays out this pick will either be justified or panned.

It’s not a pick I’d have made. But I’m not a GM, I don’t get paid to do this for a NFL team. So until I see otherwise I’ll cross my fingers.

I have doubts. But he has the profile.

But this looks like an underwear Olympics gold medalist, on-field JAG

 

[Conn]

I hear you burgold. AP by all accounts is very enamored with RAS. Personally, we have had a number of guys who scored off the chart on RAS but who it turns out weren't very good football players. Obviously in a vacuum, great athleticism is not a negative. But it also isn't some panacea. The greatest predictor of NFL performance we have is previous documented on-the-field performance. So I think we are right to be a little skeptical when a player doesn't have that on his resume but is a great 'athlete'.

Totally. And certain positions gain more value from elite measurables than others, over very large sample sizes. WR, no predictive power at all. EDGE? Different story, but the technique still has to be developed for any amount of freakishness to matter. Which means you’re relying on coaching and in-house player development to justify these picks. That hasn’t been a strength of this regime so far.

McCloughan had the opposite problem where all he cared about were “football players”, many of whom didn’t have the athleticism to hang in the league. (Though side note, ironically two of his most premium picks were weirdly soft, finesse guys who didn’t love football in Doctson + Cravens)

So hopefully we can find a good balance as the years pass, if AP keeps earning more time. Raising the overall speed and athleticism of the roster, including ST’s and depth, is an admirable goal but he needs to overall draft better if it’s going to transform the roster. Right now many of our most intriguing players are still on 1-2 year contracts and lots of FA turnover is still to come in future years. Hard to build anything longterm if the high-RAS draft picks don’t start hitting in a big way. Hopefully this is the start (or hopefully last year was).

 

[Anselmheifer]

I think drafting high RAS players makes a hell if a lot of sense starting day 3, and especially rounds 6 and 7. The hit rate there is already so low. Draft a guy that has the tools and try to develop them.

On days 1 and 2, I want a football player that has been productive, and also has a solid SAS. It’s a balance.

 

[Boone]

Yeah, that's a great point Ansel - there should be a difference in what you are looking for as the draft progresses. Almost by definition, guys with high proven production and demonstrated difference makers are going to be towards the top half of the draft, so it makes sense to lean in to proven performance and history of outstanding play early on, vs. perhaps looking more at athleticism and 'high ceiling' guys later on.

 

[Anselmheifer]

Which is how he manufactured a VERY high percentage of his pressures at Tennessee. Sticks and long sticks.

But that’s something you can use anyone to do. Josephs has stiff hips and is fairly slow on those stunts, which is why even though he was virtually unblocked on many of those rushes (so high win rate) he struggled to actually make plays on the QB.

It’s a flier on a guy with high potential so I can’t say I’m mad at the selection. But as the draft class plays out this pick will either be justified or panned.

It’s not a pick I’d have made. But I’m not a GM, I don’t get paid to do this for a NFL team. So until I see otherwise I’ll cross my fingers.

I have doubts. But he has the profile.

But this looks like an underwear Olympics gold medalist, on-field JAG

How do you feel about Josephs vs Lorenzo Styles?

Also, as a coach, I’d wanted to specifically pick your brain about Gulbin. How do you feel he’d fit in a Ben Johnson style offense? Does the center have to pull much? Have you watched enough of him to say whether you think he could pull? Or do you think we could be planning incorporating some hybrid concepts?

 

[BayouBrave86]

Loved this pick. He is one mean mofo. Hopeful he gets into the rotation heavily by November/December and starts to wreak havoc.

 

[Anselmheifer]

I think my assessment is that Josephs is a rich man’s Javonte Jean-Baptiste.

 

[method man]

I think my assessment is that Josephs is a rich man’s Javonte Jean-Baptiste.

What makes you say that? They feel like fairly different players. JJB is high character, more of a run defender and would have had a better college and NFL career if it were not for ongoing injury issues