FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in February. Here’s a look at Southern California EDGE rusher Anthony Lucas.
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2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Anthony Lucas
Anthony Lucas (EDGE – USC)
6-foot-5 | 285 Pounds
Background
Anthony Lucas was a five-star recruit who originally attended Texas A&M, where he played one season, recording 10 tackles, before transferring to USC. He had another 10 tackles in his first season with the Trojans, then recorded 16 tackles as a starter before sustaining a season-ending leg injury about halfway through the 2024 season. Rebounded to put together his best season in 2025, with a 37-3.5-3.0 line.
Positives
Jumbo-sized stand-up EDGE defender playing in an odd defensive front who also plays out of three- and four-point stances as well. Functionally strong defender who plays with an aggressive, urgent style. Tools allow him to play both one- and two-gap styles against the run. Has some explosiveness and suddenness to his game, and is capable of threatening gaps out of stance to create disruption.
Bends his knees well and can lock out and control blockers when defending the run. Does a nice job of creating distance from blockers and using his height/eyes to locate the football. Doesn’t shy away from contact and can smack pullers. Uses his hands well to shed blocks. Runs a lot better than you’d expect given his size, and shows a good motor in pursuit, giving him impressive range.
Lucas looks fast in backside pursuit. He has been a reliable tackler, with a long radius due to his length. Relentless motor in the run game carries over to passing downs, where he shows good activity with his hands. Can create movement with his bull rush. Can effectively convert speed to power. Body control and coordination are good on stunts/games.
Negatives
The USC prospect never really put everything together in college, with only one relatively productive season. Lucas’ balance can be an issue as he gets too aggressive. Will occasionally seal himself out of the play by guessing wrong. Could be more consistent about keeping his shoulders square.
At this point, Lucas’ approach as a pass-rusher is more active than calculated, and it’d be nice to see him develop more go-to moves and counters in order to avoid wasted motion and improve his overall efficiency there. Didn’t bat down any passes during his career despite his size/length. Season-ending leg injury in 2024 will be medically flagged for further investigation.
Summary
A prospect who offers a tantalizing combination of size, length, quickness and effort, but who never quite put it all together to dominate at the college level. Will certainly need to improve his overall instincts, discipline and hand usage to reach his potential at the next level, but his ceiling is higher than many of his peers in the class.
It’s easy to see why Lucas was a five-star recruit out of high school. Likely to be a somewhat polarizing, boom-or-bust type prospect, so expect a wide range of grades depending on preferences.
Projection: Round 3/Round 4
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