Welcome to Washington Joshua Josephs

[method man]

Sheehan had Suter on to break the draft. He does not like Josephs. Thinks all he has is speed rush

Poor tackler, no ability to set someone up on a speed rush with something like an inside rip and needs rush techniques. Thinks he may be uncoordinated

 

[Canuck]

If they wanted an edge, at this stage, I would have taken Curry over Josephs

 

[KDawg]

If they wanted an edge, at this stage, I would have taken Curry over Josephs

I’m with you. But Joseph’s is the Peters prototype. I’m not high on this move. But he’s a Commander and I’m hoping the traits develop.

I know a lot of people in the media and draft world had this guy rated as a second rounder… and me as a forum poster’s opinion is glossed over as a forum poster.

But a lot of his win rate and pressure % stats are due to Tennessee scheming it that way. He has good get off, but not a whole lot else. I’m not even sure he uses that wing span real well.

He has tight hips, which is why the long sticks to the A-gap often got him free but not finish.

There is potential. Can’t deny it.

But there’s a lot of work that needs to be done.

 

[DWinzit]

Using a 5th rounder on a guy like Josephs makes more sense if you already have a strong established roster and wish to take a stab at a traitsy player at a highly valued position like Edge.

I must agree the more I look over tape of him, the more concern I have for the amount of development will be required. I hope the new staff is up to the challenge and can turn him into a pass rush machine

 

[skinsinparadise]

I just watched one game and highlights, I'll get to more. But in it you can see the motor and length in play. There is something about his body type where lol the long arms seem almost out of place with his frame so it feels like he's flailing at times. He seems relentless in pursuit, which I like and knows how to use his length. Good first step, average bend. Needs to refine pass rushing moves -- saw bull rush, rip but not much else.

He is probably there most popular pick next to Styles with the draft media and analytics community. 21% pass rush win rate via PFf one of the highest in the class. 6 forced fumbled in two seasons considering how much they rotate that D line is impressive.

The way I see it is if there a spot I like to keep adding on its pass rush -- adding a dude with traits who by a mile whether its the draft media or scouts (McGinn's scouts rated him a top 100 player and 8th best pass rusher in this class) had as the best in the class available at that spot and on the aggregate very high for that spot -- tough for me to crap on this pick.

Part 8, Edge: Deep 2026 class promises to torment quarterbacks

David Bailey, Rueben Bain will go early, but they're far from alone. NFL scouts dissect one of the deepest Edge classes in recent memory. As always, however, there are red flags to examine.

www.golongtd.com

8. JOSHUA JOSEPHS, Tennessee (6-3, 243, 4.73, 2-3): Spent four seasons in Knoxville, starting 16 games (11 as a senior). “One of the top edge rushers in the draft,” one scout said. “Not a sexy rusher. He’s is a long-armed speed-to-power rusher who has consistently created vertical rush. He won’t get as much love as Zion Young because he doesn’t look as athletic nor will he get the love of Rueben Bain because the hype isn’t there. However, he has a chance to produce more than either one because his style will carry over to the NFL more efficiently. He’ll most likely go in the second round and should be a career starter capable of eight to 12 sacks per season due to his speed-to-power conversion and relentless motor.” Finished with 104 tackles (22 for loss), 9 ½ sacks, six forced fumbles and nine batted passes. Had a vertical jump of 38 1/2. Arms were 34 ¼, hands were 10.

 

[skinsinparadise]

If they wanted an edge, at this stage, I would have taken Curry over Josephs

I liked Curry, he popped when watching Ohio State. At the same time if I am going to worry about Bain's length and the idea that he didn't want to do any of the athletic exercises. Tough for me to not worry about a dude like Curry with even shorter arms than Bain and also didn't want to do any of the athletic exercises.

 

[Boone]

As I said in the pod, I didn't love going EDGE at that pick and I am not on the RAS train as so many (apparently including AP) are... sorry, but I'll never recover from the Jamin Davis pick. It feels like a boom or bust pick.

 

[Canuck]

I liked Curry, he popped when watching Ohio State. At the same time if I am going to worry about Bain's length and the idea that he didn't want to do any of the athletic exercises. Tough for me to not worry about a dude like Curry with even shorter arms than Bain and also didn't want to do any of the athletic exercises.

Agreed, but difference is you can get Curry in the 5th, not the firs, so less risk.

 

[Canuck]

I’m with you. But Joseph’s is the Peters prototype. I’m not high on this move. But he’s a Commander and I’m hoping the traits develop.

I know a lot of people in the media and draft world had this guy rated as a second rounder… and me as a forum poster’s opinion is glossed over as a forum poster.

But a lot of his win rate and pressure % stats are due to Tennessee scheming it that way. He has good get off, but not a whole lot else. I’m not even sure he uses that wing span real well.

He has tight hips, which is why the long sticks to the A-gap often got him free but not finish.

There is potential. Can’t deny it.

But there’s a lot of work that needs to be done.

Looks like Tarzan, plays like Jane? Maybe a bit harsh

He seems decent v the run setting, which we struggled with last yr. So he may have some value even if the pass rush doesn't develop.

 

[DWinzit]

As I said in the pod, I didn't love going EDGE at that pick and I am not on the RAS train as so many (apparently including AP) are... sorry, but I'll never recover from the Jamin Davis pick. It feels like a boom or bust pick.

Oh he is definitely a boom or bust. Actually probably more of pop or bust. I don't see him being a big boom of a hit

 

[skinsinparadise]

As I said in the pod, I didn't love going EDGE at that pick and I am not on the RAS train as so many (apparently including AP) are... sorry, but I'll never recover from the Jamin Davis pick. It feels like a boom or bust pick.

There have been studies done on the success rate of the dratt per round. If I recall by the time you get to the 5th, its like 15% or something like that. By nature, they are all boom-bust in that range.

I am sort of the opposite on the edge spot. I hate that this team hardly ever takes swings in the mid rounds at that spot. Over the years, some taken like Nick Herbig and Diaby who I liked before the draft have panned out well.

That's IMO the postion to stack and bet on traits. That spot and CB IMO.

Part of the reason why I loved the Antonio Williams pick was the early third IMO is sort of the end of the range where you get a high floor player versus boom-bust types.

Arguably you can get high floor players typically at safety and RB depending on the draft in the mid rounds and later and they arguably did it with Allen in the 6th. But tough to find premium spot high floor players in the mid to late range,

We all got our own quirky I guess draft preferences. And for me one of them is keep taking edge players. You can never have enough. And I was Jean-Baptise guy in that draft, but the 7th round isn't where you are fishing for gold at edge. In the 4th-early 5th, its sort of the last range in the draft to get high upside players at edge. And take that swing there IMO.

I recall being frustrated with Ron that he skipped that run of pass rushers in the 4th round in 2023, and then desperately trades up for who in his mind was the one left in that tier left in KJ Henry and it me he was a tier below the group who went ahead of them, so he missed out.

 

[skinsinparadise]

Agreed, but difference is you can get Curry in the 5th, not the firs, so less risk.

I am betting on an athlete with freakish length with a 21% pass rush rate wins versus a dude with 30 inch arms, isn't a good athlete and a 13% pass rush win rate.

 

[Boone]

Good points as always SiP. As Neophyte was arguing last night, I'd have preferred they get their future center there and maybe grab Eli Heidenreich from Navy after that. But we don't know how this pick will work out, so I am fine with it until proven otherwise. I am not a huge fan of making picks purely on measureables (ie.. RAS and other athletic scores). Not saying that's the case here, it just had that feel to it a little bit. Draft guys who have shown they can play their position at the highest level even if their measureables don't jump off the page (Gulbin). Again, not saying we didn't here, just some question marks.

 

[Commander Wraith]

I too thought it was a spot we might go for a center, a position I’ve thought could derail our offense if things don’t work out.

We only have 2 DEs under contract for next year though, so a developmental guy with upside makes a lot of sense. Particularly a guy with plus traits that translate to the NFL, and whose negatives are (for the most part) coachable.

I think Logan Paulsen mentioned that he looked comfortable dropping off the line and sees him as maybe the closest guy we have to Andrew Van Ginkel - a key piece in the Vikings D.

 

[burgold]

I think this pick may be the only time that Peters rolled the dice this draft. I can't blame a GM for wanting one boom/bust guy that he thinks if he figures it out has star potential.

When it comes to Josephs, and honestly all our picks, the result will depend on how good our coaches are at teaching because the clay is there. It just needs remolding, glazing, and firing.

 

[Anselmheifer]

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

Extremely similar physical profile, height, arm length, weight, 40, 10 yard split, vertical.

Jean Baptise was about a year and a half older when drafted, and as a 6th year senior he 5 sacks, 10 TFL’s , 49 tackles, 1PBU and 1 FF.

Josephs as a 4th year senior, had 4 sacks, 6 TFL, 33 tackles, 3 FF and 3 PBU’s.

So, I am not basing my opinion on tape, but on physical profile and production.

 

[skinsinparadise]

Extremely similar physical profile, height, arm length, weight, 40, 10 yard split, vertical.

Jean Baptise was about a year and a half older when drafted, and as a 6th year senior he 5 sacks, 10 TFL’s , 49 tackles, 1PBU and 1 FF.

Josephs as a 4th year senior, had 4 sacks, 6 TFL, 33 tackles, 3 FF and 3 PBU’s.

So, I am not basing my opinion on tape, but on physical profile and production.

Joseph did it with so few reps, they rotate their D line like crazy, so I am not fixated on overall sack numbers with him. I take pressure rate much more seriously. And 6 forced fumbles in 2 seasons with limited reps is impressive.

My one disagreement with KDawg is him wondering if he uses his length well. I've gone a little deeper watching him now, to my eyes, he relies on his length too much if anything like a crutch. But with arms like that, i think can get some batted balls, forced fumbles in the pros.

 

[KDawg]

Joseph did it with so few reps, they rotate their D line like crazy, so I am not fixated on overall sack numbers with him. I take pressure rate much more seriously. And 6 forced fumbles in 2 seasons with limited reps is impressive.

My one disagreement with KDawg is him wondering if he uses his length well. I've gone a little deeper watching him now, to my eyes, he relies on his length too much if anything like a crutch. But with arms like that, i think can get some batted balls, forced fumbles in the pros.

That’s part of what I mean…I don’t think he uses it in an advantageous way. He just… uses it. So he doesn’t use it well.

 

[DWinzit]

He needs to take more advantage of the leverage he has with those arms. He needs to keep blockers out of his body or he is stymied. I hope he is working out hard everyday to build more strength all around.

He can hit the OT quickly with his burst off the line and get him off balance. That however won't happen much in the pros.

He has a motor, plays with passion and has some decent rush moves which is better than many developmental players.

One thing I find strange with him is he actually seems to be good at setting the edge, yet not a great tackler.

 

[skinsinparadise]

That’s part of what I mean…I don’t think he uses it in an advantageous way. He just… uses it. So he doesn’t use it well.

6 batted balls, 6 forced fumbles in two seasons and did so on a limited pitch count, to me is a clear outcome of using your length in an advantgeous way

Going a bit deeper on him, he doesn't seem too complicated.

He sort of plays out of control, like the joke about Riggs in Lethal Weapon for those who know the movie, and that out of control is sometimes good, and sometimes bad.

I can see the bet on the good because of the length, athleticism, and motor. Those are tools that a good coach can work with

His character stuff seems to be driven by being pals with James Pearce but suppposedly he's matured later in his college career. I guess will see.

Some draftniks ala Jeremy Greene, I know some on the board are big fans of his, he's got him as a 2nd rounder, some have as a 2nd-3rd rounder. Scouts, according to McGinn are high on him, too. I can see the idea that these guys might be a bit carried away with his tools. But a 5th round flier on this dude, is more than fine with me.