2027 NFL Draft Summer Report: John Henry Daley, edge, Michigan

Summer is here, sort of, and it is everyone’s favorite time of the year, scouting time. Every year, we do Summer Scouting to preview college football for Bucs fans, but also give them an idea of names to follow and watch in the fall as needs pop up for Tampa Bay.

Are we going to write about quarterbacks? Offensive tackles? Edge rushers? You know it, but why? Because other NFL teams will draft them, just as they will draft every other position. It all matters whether these players end up on the Bucs, the Bears, or the Steelers. We write these so Bucs fans can be the most informed fans.

So if you are still with us, enjoy our latest Summer Scouting report as we prepare you for the Fall.

• 6-foot-4, 255 pounds
• Redshirt Sophomore
• Alpine, Utah native
• Lone Peak High School graduate
• Pre-Business major
• Former three-star recruit
• Utah transfer heading to Michigan
• Walter Camp First-Team All-American in 2025
• AP Second-Team All-American in 2025
• All-Big 12 First Team selection in 2025

• 55 career tackles
• 18.5 tackles for loss
• 12.5 sacks
• 2 forced fumbles
• 597 career defensive snaps
• 48 tackles in 2025
• 17.5 tackles for loss in 2025
• 11.5 sacks in 2025

• 59 career pressures
• 10 quarterback hits
• 38 hurries
• 92.0 defensive grade in 2025
• 93.4 pass-rush grade in 2025
• 77.6 run-defense grade in 2025
• 51 pressures in 2025 alone
• 10 sacks and 32 hurries in 2025

• Power at the point of attack
• Strong leverage
• Effective spin move
• Good motor
• Functional play strength
• Strong run defender
• Gap discipline
• Finishes tackles
• Good hand strength
• Consistent effort
• Productive pass rusher
• Comfortable working through contact

• Limited pass-rush arsenal
• Relies heavily on spin move
• Average lateral agility
• Doesn’t appear comfortable in coverage
• Limited change-of-direction ability
• More power than finesse
• Lacks elite bend
• Doesn’t possess a deep collection of counters
• May be a better fit inside than as a true EDGE

John Henry Daley enters the 2026 season coming off one of the most productive years by an edge defender in college football. His 17.5 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks earned him All-American honors and helped establish him as one of the top transfer additions in the country when he moved from Utah to Michigan.

The first thing that stands out on film is that Daley does not necessarily look like the modern prototype edge rusher. He is not an elite space athlete, nor does he consistently win with burst and flexibility around the corner. Instead, his game is built on power, leverage, and efficiency.

Daley consistently works underneath blockers and generates movement through strength rather than athleticism. He plays with a strong motor and routinely fights through contact. While many edge defenders rely on a collection of pass-rush counters, Daley’s game revolves around a powerful rush style paired with a surprisingly effective spin move that he executes without losing ground.

That spin move is currently his best weapon. Rather than drifting upfield or creating extra space, he stays tight to the blocker and uses the move to generate immediate pressure. It is a polished tool that repeatedly shows up on film.

His run defense may ultimately translate best to the next level. Daley does an excellent job controlling blockers, extending his arms, maintaining vision into the backfield, and finishing plays once runners enter his area. He is not the type of defender who flies all over the field, but he consistently controls his assignment and makes life difficult for offenses.

One of the more interesting aspects of his evaluation is his positional projection. While Michigan currently lists him as a defensive end, portions of his film resemble a 4i or 5-technique defender more than a traditional stand-up edge rusher. His play style appears better suited for working through contact and controlling gaps than operating extensively in space.

The biggest question moving forward is whether he can continue producing as a pass rusher without developing additional counters. His power and spin move have carried him to this point, but NFL offensive linemen will force him to expand his toolbox. Even so, players with Daley’s toughness, effort, and production often find roles because they consistently do the dirty work coaches value.

This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: 2027 NFL Draft Summer Scouting Report on Michigan’s John Henry Daley