Lucas came out of high school as a 5 Star recruit. He consistently improved throughout his college career at Texas A&M and USC. Lucas has the tools of a star and will be a better fit for teams in a 4-3 scheme, where his long arms and ability to play in space will be an asset. Anthony Lucas has high upside, a developmental type that could turn into a solid pass rusher.
Anthony Lucas 2026 NFL Draft Overview
Position: EDGE
Height: 6’5 ½”
Weight: 256
School: USC
Anthony Lucas 2026 NFL Draft Anthony Lucas Scouting Report
Strengths
- Wingspan: 84 inches;
- Good closing speed, 4.85 time in the 40-yard dash;
- 10 ¼ inch hands;
- Closes on ball carriers quickly, hits with heavy pads.
- Comfortable playing all across the line;
- Labeled by scouts as a 5-star talent with elite tools.
- Uses long arms(33 ½ inches) effectively;
- Outstanding tackler who rarely misses.
- Passes the eye test for an edge rusher with a freakish combination of wingspan and arm length;
- Comes from blue blood programs of Texas A&M and USC;
- Skilled at stunts;
- Plays inside-out and is sound technically.
- Sets the edge in run defense, stout at the point of attack.
- Versatile, can play standing up as a linebacker or in a 3-point stance;
USC EDGE Anthony Lucas could be a sleeper in the Draft ⚔️
– 6'6" 267 lbs
– 7 foot wingspan (98%)
– 37 Tackles, 3 sacks, 3.5 TFL in 2025
pic.twitter.com/37JViRVIoL— SleeperCFB (@SleeperCFB) March 30, 2026
Weaknesses
- Run support is average.
- Limited college production at Texas A&M before transferring to USC for senior year;
- Lacks pass rush repertoire, has predictable rushing moves.
- Did not produce big pass rush numbers, just three sacks in 1,100 defensive reps;
- Lack of production earns label as developmental project;
- His burst off the line of scrimmage is below par.
- Lacks counter moves when his first move is stalled;
- Struggles in pass rush stunts, missing lateral quickness limits his ability to loop around blocking schemes.
- Missed the last half of junior season with a lower leg injury.
- Light for a defensive end;
- Doesn’t tackle with urgency of action, takes too much time to prepare before contact.
- Gap in expectations coming out of high school and his college production is alarming
NFL Comparison: Chauncey Golston
Teams With Need At Position Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, Indianapolis Colts, San Francisco 49ers, Tennessee Titans
Projection: Rounds 3-5 Bottom Line on Anthony Lucas
Anthony Lucas is the type of prospect that make NFL draft evaluators drool. He gives every appearance of being a pass rushing stud, but the production says otherwise. On film and on the stat sheet, Lucas hasn’t produced. Lucas is a great example of betting on the future, definitely a project. He has played like a low floor ballplayer, but his ceiling is high. He is projected to be drafted somewhere between rounds 3 and 5, but unless he refines his technique and consistency, he will be a solid backup at best. Teams reportedly eyeing Lucas include the San Francisco 49ers, Baltimore Ravens, Indianapolis Colts, Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals and Tennessee Titans.
