NFL draft: Anthony Lucas could become a late bloomer in the pros

In today's NFL , one of the most important positions on the field is the edge rusher. Teams are looking for guys who can get after the quarterback. Teams can score as much as they want and have all the offensive talent possible, but they still need that closer on defense to win it all.

The edge position in this draft class will be a premium for teams, and it is a deep one. Former Trojan Anthony Lucas is a part of that class, and he is one of the potential sleepers at the position. Anthony Lucas has the size to be a game wrecker. He stands at 6 feet 5, 256 pounds. Lucas also has a seven-foot wingspan. He has the size and athletic ability teams are looking for, yet there is still some concern with his lack of production.

Last season with the Trojans , he had 37 tackles, 3 sacks, 3 tackles for a loss, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. He showed flashes in some points of the season, but there was no consistent string of dominance. Many of the best defensive coaches in the league believe all they need is size and athleticism in a player, and they can turn him into an impactful defensive end. That could be exactly what is in store for Anthony Lucas.

If Anthony Lucas lands with a winning organization and one that has a defensive coordinator who can develop him, he could end up being one of the best surprises of this draft. I believe Lucas will fall late in this draft, but the situation matters in this case. He has stuff that cannot be taught, which will ultimately take him a long way.

This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: USC's Anthony Lucas is a sleeper at his position in 2026 NFL draft