Continuing our 2026 NFL Combine media session recap series, we move to the defensive line class. The Detroit Lions could very much be in the mix for a defensive end, and this year’s class is full of physical, strong players that fit Detroit’s style of play. The following are four high-character players I spoke with during Wednesday’s media sessions.
Note: Miami EDGE Akheem Mesidor was a target to talk to, but was a no-show during his allotted timeslot. He did eventually go (nearly an hour later) and said he formally met with the Lions, but I was not present for that media.
Size: 6-foot-3, 260 pounds
Quick bio: A four-year player at Illinois, Jacas saw his productivity grow every year. A strong, physical edge player, he tallied 27 total sacks over four years, 11 of which came in his final year. Has a wrestling background, which is clear in his understanding of leverage and hand usage. Despite being known for his bruising playing style, he has more athleticism than meets the eye, and could test great this week.
Current draft projection: Round 2
Combine vibes:
I came into the Combine with Jacas as one of my favorite early targets for the Lions at 50th overall, and I left a little disappointed from his media session. Don’t get me wrong, he didn’t say anything concerning, but I was hoping his personality would shine through a little more.
I will say, he did say several things that made me believe he’d be a good fit in Detroit, though. Here’s how he descirbed himself.
“They’re going to get a physical player, a disciplined player, someone that doesn’t take a play off,” Jacas said. “Someone that is just a natural leader. Someone that is going to attack every play, and someone you can depend on.”
In terms of his play style, too, it’s a great fit in Detroit. Jacas raved about his speed-to-power pass rush move and talked about his motor.
In other words, the content of his media session confirmed to me he would fit the Lions well, but the press conference was certainly missing some sizzle.
Florida EDGE George Gumbs Jr.
Size: 6-foot-4, 250 pounds
Quick bio: Gumbs took a fascinating route to the NFL Draft, starting as a Northern Illinois WIDE RECEIVER before moving to tight end, then defensive end, before transferring to Florida. Understandably, he’s a little rough around the edges as a pass rusher, but the physicality of being a tight end has translated well to run defense. Only one full year as a starter at Florida.
Current draft projection: Day 3
Combine vibes:
While I was hoping for more personality from Gumbs, his story is unique enough to catch your attention. There aren’t many wide recevier-turned-edge defender stories out there, let alone one that includes a transfer to an SEC program. I asked Gumbs what the biggest challenge was moving from a skill position player to a defensive player, and he noted that overlap between tight end and defensive end that he believes actually made the move relatively easy.
“I’m going against similar body types,” Gumbs said. “Playing tight end, I know schemes, I know the looks. Tight ends, we have a lot we need to understand and what we’re against. So I feel like tight end really helped me play tight end.”
My favorite part of the press conference was when Gumbs was asked if his walk-on mentality at Florida had ever gone away.
“No, it really don’t. It really don’t,” Gumbs said. “Because when I think about it, I never had a hand-out for me. I never went to a place where I’m at the top of the depth chart. When I went to Florida, I was on the second field, so I had to work my way up.”
Note: Gumbs also said he had an informal meeting with the Lions.
Auburn EDGE Keldric Faulk
Size: 6-foot-6, 285 pounds
Quick bio: Two-year starter at Auburn, Faulk played up and down the defensive line. Was a captain in 2025, but saw his production significant dip in sacks (7.0 in 2024, just 2.0 in 2025). But he plays with violence, which could be a good fit in Detroit. Faulk is also still just 20 years old, making him one of the youngest players in this year’s draft class.
Current draft projection: Round 1-2
Combine vibes:
The first thing that stuck out from Faulk’s media session was when he parroted a line we’ve heard for years under both Aaron Glenn and Kelvin Sheppard
“That’s what we pride ourselves at Auburn. Since my freshman year, we always say we have to earn the right to rush the passer,” Faulk said. “That right came first and second down. We really had to pride ourselves in stopping the run, staying low, getting our hands right, and exploding out of our hips, and we do just that.”
I also appreciated Faulk’s honesty when it came to his lack of pass rush productivity in his final season in Auburn.
“I’m still working on it,” Faulk said. “A lot of my production came from the 5-tech. I still had a little bit of production down at the 3-tech and 2i, but most of my production came from the 5-tech. Whenever I step on the field, it’s more of me trying to get better. It’s not me trying to be the same. I never want to be the same player every year, and I want to continue to try and get better and continue to improve my game so I can improve the well-being of the team.”
Georgia DT Christen Miller
Size: 6-foot-4, 310 pounds
Quick bio: A nose tackle and two-year starter at Georgia, Miller is a run-stopping machine. The production numbers have been relatively low—20 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks in 2025—but he elevates players around him by occupying double teams.
Current draft projection: Round 2-3
Combine vibes:
I know nose tackle is not high on the Lions’ list of needs, but Miller was the best media session I went to on Wednesday. Back in March 2023, Miller was caught going 95 miles per hour, but Miller talked openly and honestly about how that changed the trajectory of his career and served as a wake-up moment.
“When mistakes like that happen, when things like that happen, it kind of teaches you you’ve got to grow up fast,” Miller said. “I had to understand that decision that I made when I was speeding, it not only affected me, but it affected my teammates, my family. So I had to understand that I have to be more intentional when I’m driving.”
Miller paid his dues—literally. He was fined, he came in early to the facility, he did community service all to get back in the good graces of the team and the law, and it worked. He put his head down, waited his turn, and became a strong player.
You can watch a lot of his presser here:
