The 2026 NFL Draft will be a great event for teams to start building for their future. Here is the Joshua Josephs NFL Draft Profile.
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Position: Edge Rusher
School: Tennessee
Size: 6-foot-3 1/8, 242 pounds
Class: Senior
2025 stats: 33 total tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, 3 passes defended, 3 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 touchdown
Josephs was a four-star recruit in the class of 2022 who signed with Tennessee out of Georgia. He played a little bit in his first year, registering 12 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and one sack. Josephs continued as a backup in 2023, totaling 20 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and 3 sacks. He started five games in 2024, totaling 39 tackles, 9 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. His play helped Tennessee win 10 games and make the CFP. In 2025, he racked up 33 tackles, six tackles for loss and four sacks. He led the Volunteers to an eight-win season.
Following the season, Josephs has been preparing for the 2026 NFL Draft. He is currently projected to be a mid-round pick.
Josephs has a solid frame for playing edge rusher at the NFL level. He is over 6-foot-3 and 242 pounds. Josephs will need to add strength to his frame, but it looks like he has space to do so. The most intriguing part of his frame is his 34.25-inch arms, which he can use to disengage from blocks well.
At this point of his career, Josephs is a much better pass rusher than run defender. He has a good burst at the snap and turns it into good speed, which helps him on the edge. He has solid flexibility to help him bend around the edge. Joseph can generate pressure because of his ability to attack a tackle’s edge.
As mentioned, he gets such a good start to a play at the snap. He times up the snap really well and gets a good jump. His quickness at the snap is impressive and it really puts linemen in recovery mode early. If he can continue to add to his pass-rush arsenal, his burst can get him more success.
Josephs has below-average strength for the position. He is just 242 pounds and will need to add at least 10 pounds to really hold up on the edge, if not more. Josephs has trouble setting the edge against the run, but also converting his speed to power as a pass rusher. He could be a rotational edge rusher at the next level because of his size.
His run defense can use some real work at this point. He needs to set the edge better and can have better gap integrity. Josephs could find the ball quicker and make more plays. At this point, it is best if he doesn’t play on clear running downs.
While he gets pressure, Josephs has to improve some areas of his pass rush. Mainly, he needs to finish pressures with a sack. He can add more pass-rush moves and counters to help, as well as have more of a pass-rush plan in place.
Projected Draft Range: Third Round Pick-Fifth Round Pick
Draft Grade: Fourth Round Pick
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