Thursday, April 30, 2026

2026 Lions UFDA DE Anthony Lucas

Scouting Reports:

USC:  https://usctrojans.com/sports/football/roster/anthony-lucas/17706






CBS (Anthony Lucas - Pro Comparison: Tyquan Lewis.  Summary:  Anthony Lucas looks the part of a prototypical edge rusher with his tall, long frame, but he is not especially twitchy or explosive. Production has been limited throughout his career, and he can be prone to losing gap contain. Lucas projects more as a depth defender who can provide added size on run downs.  About - 2025: Career-highs in sacks (3.0) and tackles for loss (3.5).  2023: Pac-12 Academic Honor Roll.  Strengths:  Ideal size and length for the position.  Good upper-body strength to deconstruct blocks.  Shows good setup on pass-rush moves with solid overall athleticism.  Weaknesses:  Average-to-below-average waist bend when trying to flatten at the top of his rush.  Former five-star recruit who did not record any of his three career sacks until his final season.  Inconsistent setting the edge in the run game; can get pulled inside and lose contain.):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/prospect-rankings/edge/

ESPN (Anthony Lucas - Pre-Draft Analysis:  Lucas did not have a productive college career, but he is coming off his best season with three sacks and a forced fumble. He has good length and hand size for an edge rusher. Despite having a leaner build, power is his best asset as he maintains good leverage. Lucas lacks great fluidity in his movements and can have trouble disengaging from blocks. He is strictly a power rusher who can generate push and flashes an effective long-arm move, though he still needs to improve his mass and strength. Overall, Lucas possesses some tools that can be better developed if he finds the right fit. -- Scouts Inc.):  https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft/bestavailable/_/position/edge

Rankings:


Video:

Anthony Lucas | USC Football Career Highlights:  https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DmyfuYHHTSE

Anthony Lucas picks up a pair of sacks against Georgia Southern Stream of General Videos (9-7-25):  https://www.cbssports.com/watch/general/video/anthony-lucas-picks-up-a-pair-of-sacks-against-georgia-southern

Articles:

The Way USC's System Prepared Anthony Lucas for NFL After Undrafted Free Agent Deal (4-25-26):  https://www.si.com/college/usc/football/usc-trojans-system-prepared-anthony-lucas-nfl-undrafted-free-agent-deal

Top-15 Undrafted Free Agents After 2026 NFL Draft: Louis Moore, Michael Trigg, Diego Pavia Among Best UDFAs Available (EDGE Anthony Lucas, USC | No. 136-Ranked Prospect. Anthony Lucas brings a perplexing evaluation to the fold in the 2026 NFL Draft cycle. A true senior and a former five-star recruit, Lucas passes the eye test with his long 6’5″, 272-pound frame and energized athleticism. However, the production and consistency haven’t quite come along for him, even in his fourth season. The high-end flashes on tape are extremely enticing. At his size, Lucas has actionable power, stacking strength in the run game, and has shown he can win with inside counters using his lateral agility and heavy hands. Much of his evaluation is ultimately a projection, but he has even and odd-front versatility as a stand-up or hand-in-the-dirt rusher.(4-25-26):  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/top-20-undrafted-free-agents-udfa-2026-nfl-draft/

The Best Remaining USC Prospects After Day 2 of NFL Draft (Anthony Lucas:  One of the more intriguing prospects yet to be selected for the Trojans is edge rusher Anthony Lucas. Standing at 6-5 and 285 pounds, Lucas has a frame that could translate very well to the NFL level.  With his size, Lucas can set the edge well in the run game and could potentially move inside in pass rush situations to take advantage of opposing guards with his speed and power.  The versatility that Lucas possesses is something that could be very tempting for NFL teams looking to add depth up front to improve their rush defense, in addition to adding another solid pass rusher.) (4-25-26):  https://www.si.com/college/usc/football/best-remaining-usc-trojans-prospects-day-2-nfl-draft-kamari-ramsey

2026 NFL Draft: The best remaining players ahead of Day 3 (31. ED Anthony Lucas, USC Trojans
Lucas has an NFL-ready frame and good overall athleticism for his size, but he does not consistently win quickly enough to project as a full-time edge rusher. His length and strength give him versatility across the front in odd schemes.) (4-24-26):  https://www.pff.com/news/draft-the-best-remaining-players-ahead-of-day-3

2026 NFL Draft: 10 best available players at every position ahead of Day 3 (Edge Defender - 4. ED Anthony Lucas, USC Trojans:  Lucas has an NFL-ready frame and good overall athleticism for his size, but he does not consistently win quickly enough to project as a full-time edge rusher. His length and strength give him versatility across the front in odd schemes.) (4-24-26):  https://www.pff.com/news/draft-10-best-available-players-at-every-position-ahead-of-day-3



2026 NFL Draft: The best remaining players after Round 1 (77. ED Anthony Lucas, USC Trojans:  Lucas has an NFL-ready frame and good overall athleticism for his size, but he does not consistently win quickly enough to project as a full-time edge rusher. His length and strength give him versatility across the front in odd schemes.) (4-23-26):  https://www.pff.com/news/draft-best-remaining-players-after-round-1

NFL draft prospects who could become biggest steals in 2026 (Anthony Lucas — EDGE, USC:  Lucas offers an intriguing combination of size, explosiveness, and positional versatility along the defensive front. He has the athleticism to win off the edge and the strength to hold up against the run, giving coordinators flexibility in deployment. While consistency has been an area for growth, his flashes of dominance indicate untapped potential. If his technique continues to progress, Lucas could emerge as one of the more productive edge defenders in his class.) (4-16-26):  https://www.thebiglead.com/nfl-draft-prospects-who-could-become-the-biggest-steals-in-2026/

Three USC Trojans Who Could Surprise in NFL Draft (Defensive End Anthony Lucas:  Another NFL Combine invitee, defensive end Anthony Lucas, also suffered from bouts of injury during his time with USC. In three seasons with the Trojans, he played in just 30 games, missing half of the 2024 season. Lucas is uber-talented. He’s a 6-5, 285 athletic freak on the field. Coming out of high school in 2022, Lucas was named an All-American, but things never truly panned out for the defensive lineman. However, this past season saw Lucas put it all together. He had 37 tackles and one forced fumble for the Trojans. But with the right team in the NFL, Lucas could potentially be USC‘s most underrated prospect who could sneak into the 2026 NFL Draft. His game has been trending upward over the past year, and it could lead to a Day 3 selection.) (4-15-26):  https://www.si.com/college/usc/football/usc-trojans-nfl-draft-lake-mcree-decarlos-nicholson-anthony-lucas

Eight Prospects Who Will Be Steals in the 2026 NFL Draft (Anthony Lucas, edge, USC:  When an NFL coach mentioned to me that Lucas was one of his favorite under-the-radar players in the draft, I immediately remembered his scouting combine interview in Indianapolis. He had thoughtful and engaging responses, and in that interview, he mentioned that his coaches at USC got him to study game film of Lions star Aidan Hutchinson and productive Chargers edge rusher Tuli Tuipulotu. The study sessions definitely paid off because the 6'6", 256-pound Lucas has the attention of NFL coaches.) (4-14-26):  https://www.si.com/nfl/nfl-draft-prospects-steals-2026



TWENTYMAN: Combine Day 2 observations (Lions love: Edge rushers Anthony Lucas and T.J. Parker had great quotes Wednesday on looking up to Aidan Hutchinson.) (2-26-26):  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/detroit-lions-combine-day-2-observations-cisse-mccoy-ponds

Jets Met With 6'4'' USC Edge as Combine Buzz Picks Up (2-25-26):  https://www.si.com/nfl/jets/onsi/news/jets-met-with-6-4-usc-edge-as-combine-buzz-picks-up-pat3

5 East-West Shrine Bowl Prospects to Watch: Defense (EDGE Anthony Lucas - USC:  It has been six seasons since a Bucs' pass rusher recorded more than 10 sacks in a season. In 2025, Tampa Bay finished at the bottom half of the league with 37 total sacks. The franchise continues to search for impactful players in free agency and the draft to generate more pressure. At the East-West Shrine Bowl, Anthony Lucas' measurables make him worth a closer look.  The USC Trojan stands just above 6-foot-4 and weighs 267 pounds, with more than ideal hand and arm length to excel as a defensive end. His senior season was his most productive, amassing 37 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks and one forced fumble in 2025. Lucas' strength allows him to set the edge without giving up position. Additionally, he has a set of refined moves that can catch unprepared linemen off-guard. The Arizona-native possesses rare athleticism for a defensive lineman of his size.  Lucas' upside is easy to see, but his stats do not necessarily jump off the page. There were times when powerful offensive linemen neutralized his impact and shut down any adjustments. Lucas also suffered a lower-leg injury in 2024, raising questions about future durability. With all that in mind, the USC product earns his intrigue with his NFL build and athletic advantage. He is projected to be selected late on Day Two or early on Day Three. With the right development, Lucas has the physical tools to develop into a special player in the league.) (1-27-26):  https://www.buccaneers.com/news/5-east-west-shrine-bowl-prospects-watch-2026-defense-nfl-prospects-buccaneers

How to Watch Former USC Trojans at the NFL Combine (USC defensive lineman Anthony Lucas has a chance to show off his rare athleticism and combination of size and speed. Drills that Lucas can prove himself in would be the three-cone drill and the 40-yard dash.) (1-24-26):  https://www.si.com/college/usc/football/watch-usc-trojans-nfl-combine-schedule-kamari-ramsey-makai-lemon-drills-media

USC Trojans linebacker Eric Gentry has made headlines at the Shrine Bowl for his unique measurables but also his play on the field. Gentry is one of four USC players competing at the Shrine Bowl. (Defensive end Anthony Lucas is the fourth USC player at the Shrine Bowl. Similar to Gentry, Lucas returned this season after a lower body injury in early October cost him the rest of the 2024 season. In 12 games this season, he registered three sacks and three tackles for loss. He's a player that showed flashes this season, particularly as a pass rusher that can lineup at defensive spots in the front seven, but the production wasn't quite there.  Gentry, McRee, Fitzgerald and Lucas all project as day three picks in April's NFL Draft.) (1-24-26):  https://www.si.com/college/usc/usc-trojans-eric-gentry-turning-heads-shrine-bowl-nfl-draft-linebacker-prospect

There is some future NFL talent to watch in the Alamo Bowl (Anthony Lucas, Edge:  He's the only 2026 NFL Draft prospect on USC who hasn't opted out of this game. And his draft stock is much higher than some of the players who did. Lucas accepted an East-West Shrine Bowl invitation, and the edge rusher projects as a third-to-fourth round prospect.  Overall, USC is among the worst teams in the nation, this bowl season, when it comes to having key players who have opted out. Honestly, fans who bought tickets to the Alamo Bowl deserve a partial refund.) (12-29-25):  https://draftwire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/draft/2025/12/29/opt-outs-nfl-talent-in-the-alamo-bowl/87946959007/

Anthony Lucas NFL Draft Profile: Week 13 Scouting Report for the USC EDGE (11-22-25):  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/anthony-lucas-nfl-draft-week-13-2025/

USC vs. Oregon features 12 players in top 100 NFL Draft prospect rankings including Dante Moore, Makai Lemon (EDGE Anthony Lucas, USC - Prospect ranking: No. 79 overall | No. 14 EDGE.  Anthony Lucas represented one of Lincoln Riley's countless transfer portal wins as he packed his bags for Los Angeles after one year at Texas A&M. The former five-star recruit made most of his impact in run defense but took a step forward this season as a pass rusher, posting not only his first career sack but two more to follow in what has been by far his most productive campaign. He is poised to finish 2025 with more tackles in one year than in his previous three combined.) (11-20-25)

5 Draft Prospects Lions Should Scout Week 12 (DL Anthony Lucas, USC:  Lucas is back for the Trojans following a season-ending injury in 2024, and he is back with a vengeance. The senior is in the middle of a career year, with three sacks, 26 tackles, and a forced fumble all being career highs.  Lucas had an excellent outing against Nebraska at the start of the month, with a sack and an additional partial tackle for loss. Last time out for the Trojans, he added his first career fumble recovery as they rolled Northwestern 38-17.  At 6-foot-5, 285 pounds, he is an intriguing “tweener” the staff could utilize on the defensive line. Currently, his prospect value is in the middle of the third round.) (11-15-25):  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/onsi/news/2025-draft-prospects-lions-should-scout-denzel-boston

Anthony Lucas NFL Draft Profile: Week 12 Scouting Report for the USC EDGE (11-15-25):  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/anthony-lucas-nfl-draft-week-12-2025/

Built to Rise: Anthony Lucas’ Response to Adversity (11-15-25):  https://usctrojans.com/news/2025/11/15/usc-trojans-football-feature-profile-story-anthony-lucas

Anthony Lucas NFL Draft Profile: Week 11 Scouting Report for the USC EDGE (11-8-25):  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/anthony-lucas-nfl-draft-week-11-2025/

Anthony Lucas NFL Draft Profile: Week 10 Scouting Report for the USC EDGE (11-1-25):  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/anthony-lucas-nfl-draft-week-10-2025/

Anthony Lucas NFL Draft Profile: Week 9 Scouting Report for the USC EDGE (10-25-25):  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/anthony-lucas-nfl-draft-week-9-2025/


What USC Trojans Defensive Captain Said About Much-Improved Defense (And at the center of his praise is senior defensive end Anthony Lucas, who delivered a two-sack breakout performance that Gentry called the mark of a “freak of nature.”  For Gentry, it was more than just a strong game—it was validation. Lucas, once a five-star recruit and transfer from Texas A&M, is finally healthy and producing at the level USC envisioned when he arrived in 2023. And for a defense that has long been criticized as the Trojans’ weak link, his emergence is proof that this group might finally be ready to change the narrative.) (9-13-25):  https://www.si.com/college/usc/football/usc-trojans-defensive-captain-eric-gentry-defense-defensive-coordinator-danton-lynn-anthony-lucas-lincoln-riley-big-ten

Positives and negatives from USC's 59-20 victory over Clay Helton, Georgia Southern (Positive: Anthony Lucas - Entering Saturday's game, the senior defensive lineman had yet to record a sack in his college football career across USC and Texas A&M. Against Georgia Southern, he had two.) (9-7-25):  https://trojanswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/college/trojans/football/2025/09/07/usc-football-defeats-georgia-southern-positives-negatives/86021961007/

8 college players the Detroit Lions scouted during Week 8 of the NCAA season, including a hidden gem (Anthony Lucas, Edge, USC:  Lucas is a first-time starter at USC, and so far, he’s playing fairly well. He’s getting a fair amount of pressure with 18, but he’s only gotten home twice. Still, he has nine quarterback hits this year.  You can see that he’s getting better every week, and once he fine-tunes his ability, he’s going to be a problem. Do the Lions want to wait on that, though?) (8-29-25):  https://atozsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions-news/8-college-players-the-detroit-lions-scouted-ohio-state-usc-jayden-maiava-notre-dame-wisconsin-utah-spencer-fano-byu-missouri-auburn-connor-lew/

Five USC Trojans named to 2026 Senior Bowl Top 300 list (USC Trojans listed - Senior Defensive end Anthony Lucas:  Lucas is looking for a strong final season after a promising junior campaign was cut short due to injury suffered in the season’s sixth game. He’s still looking for his first college sack but showed a strong presence in the run game last year. Lucas has been talked about as a practice field standout his entire USC career and is looking to end things by showing that consistently during games. He should be a significant piece of a talented Trojan defensive line this season.) (8-20-25):  https://www.on3.com/teams/usc-trojans/news/five-usc-trojans-named-to-2026-senior-bowl-top-300-list/

Insider notes on UCLA and USC: Draft grades for top prospects ft. Nico Iamaleava, Ja'Kobi Lane, and more (Defensive lineman Anthony Lucas also gets love from the scouting community, as he’s an athletic big man with outstanding size and speed. The issue for Lucas is limited production, a combined 26 tackles with no sacks the past two seasons, although he was limited to just six games last year.) (7-30-25):  https://www.sportskeeda.com/college-football/news-insider-notes-ucla-usc-draft-grades-top-prospects-ft-nico-iamaleava-ja-kobi-lane


USC defense looking for breakout senior season from Anthony Lucas (6-9-25):  https://reignoftroy.com/usc-defense-looking-for-breakout-senior-season-from-anthony-lucas-01jxan0n0cdp
Posted by LionsFan at 3:29 PM

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