6 NFL Draft prospects who are perfect fits for Vic Fangio's defense

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The NFL offseason is quickly moving along, and all eyes will turn toward the 2026 NFL draft. The first day will feature only the first round, the second day will feature the second and third rounds, and the draft will conclude with the final four rounds on the third day. This year, the NFL Draft Main Theater and Main Stage will be located just outside Acrisure Stadium on Pittsburgh's North Shore, placing the Draft at the heart of one of the country's most recognizable sports districts.

Philadelphia will look to add more dynamic pieces to a reshaped and retooled defense, and it takes a special player to get snaps in Vic Fangio's scheme. Cornerback Chris Harris, Jr, who played for Fangio in Denver in 2019, said this about his defensive philosophy: “It’s versatile. He has a wide variety of defenses. … You have to be smart to know how to play your spot, your zone, and your position. I think that’s why I’ve always liked it. It has so much. He has a lot of different looks he can bring.”

Philadelphia has several players who can play multiple positions.

The “Fangio Defense” will always employ a two-high shells look before the snap. The two-high structure allows for flexibility in the secondary. The Fangio Defense uses the appearance of simplicity while encompassing a plethora of coverages, pressures, and assignments.

With the draft fast approaching, we're looking at six draft prospects who fit Vic Fangio's defensive scheme.

Jalen Stroman, S/Nickel, Notre Dame

A versatile and hybrid defensive back in the mold of Ar'Darius Washington, Stroman offers versatility and special teams ability, which should give him a chance to contribute immediately. Stroman is a hybrid defender and would thrive in Philadelphia.

DB A.J. Haulcy, LSU

Haulcy, a transfer from Houston, led LSU with a total of 88 tackles. He showcased impressive performance during a four-game stretch, achieving double-digit tackles against Ole Miss (13 tackles), South Carolina (12 tackles), Vanderbilt (13 tackles), and Texas A&M (12 tackles). Over the course of 702 defensive snaps, Haulcy recorded three interceptions, four pass breakups, a forced fumble, and one tackle for loss. While in pass coverage for 406 snaps, he allowed only one touchdown and limited opponents to just 24 receptions.

EDGE R Mason Thomas, Oklahoma

Thomas was named to the 2024 All-SEC Second Team and received recognition as a second-team All-American by both the Associated Press and the AFCA. He was selected for the All-SEC First Team by the coaches and the All-SEC Second Team by the Associated Press. He was also a semifinalist for the Bednarik Award. Thomas is a dynamic pass rusher with speed and agility, recording 15.5 sacks over the last two seasons, including 6.5 sacks in 10 games in 2025. He also had 25.5 tackles for loss for the Sooners' defense in 2024 and 2025. Among edge players in the SEC with at least 106 pass rush snaps, Thomas finished ninth in pass rush productivity, according to Pro Football Focus.

EDGE Gabe Jacas, Illinois

Jacas is a versatile edge rusher whose combination of size (6'3", 270 pounds) and athleticism aligns well with the Ravens' style. He led the Big Ten with 11.0 sacks during the regular season, ranking sixth in the nation. He also tied for 13th nationally (and third in the Big Ten) with three forced fumbles, bringing his career total to seven, which ties him for sixth in Illinois' career record book. With 27.0 career sacks, he holds the record for the most among active Big Ten defenders and ranks fifth nationally in FBS. Jacas started all 12 regular-season games, recording 43 total tackles (23 solo), 13.5 tackles for loss, 11.0 sacks, six quarterback hurries, three forced fumbles, and one pass breakup. In a rivalry win against Northwestern on November 29, 2025, he contributed four tackles (two solo), 2.5 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, and two QB hurries.

EDGE Zion Young, Missouri

Young, a transfer from Michigan State, started all 13 games at the JACK position last season. He recorded a total of 23 tackles, including 9 solo tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss (TFL), and a team-high 9.0 sacks, along with one interception. His average of 0.69 sacks per game ranked him 19th nationally and fourth in the SEC. According to Pro Football Focus, he was the 34th-ranked pass rusher in the nation with a grade of 80.9, and He ranked 13th nationally among all edge players in Pass Rush Productivity (PRP) with a score of 10.5, which is calculated using a formula that combines sacks, hits, and hurries relative to the number of times he rushes the passer. PFF credited him with 37 quarterback hurries and nine quarterback hits. Young was also named to the Second Team All-SEC by league coaches.

CB D'Angelo Ponds, Indiana

During his final season, Ponds started 14 games and missed one due to injury (at Iowa). He was named the Defensive MVP of both the Rose Bowl and the Peach Bowl. He was a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award and received first-team All-America honors from The Sporting News. Additionally, he earned second-team All-America selections from the Associated Press, the American Football Coaches Association, and the Walter Camp Football Foundation. He also received All-America recognition from The Athletic (2nd team), CBS Sports (2nd team), On3 (2nd team), and Sports Illustrated (1st team). Furthermore, he was named first-team All-Big Ten by both the conference's media and coaches panels.

EDGE Romello Height, Texas Tech

A first-team All-Big 12 selection, Height has 32 tackles, including 8 1/2 sacks, last season.

EDGE LT Overton, Alabama

Overton is a versatile edge rusher standing 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighing 278 pounds, showcasing significant potential as a pass-rusher. In his final season, he played in 13 games, starting 12. He recorded a total of 42 tackles, including six tackles for loss (totaling 28 yards) and four sacks (for a loss of 23 yards). Additionally, he contributed four quarterback pressures and had one pass breakup. Overton received preseason All-America recognition from ESPN.com, earning first-team honors, and was named a third-team preseason All-American by Athlon. He was also selected for the Nagurski Trophy Watch List, which is awarded annually to the top defensive player in college football. Furthermore, he was included on the watch lists for the Wuerffel Trophy, the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award, and the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team.

This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: NFL Draft: 6 prospects who are perfect fits for Vic Fangio’s defense

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