As the spotlight remains fixed on first-round talent, the back end of the 2026 NFL Draft continues to offer intriguing value, especially at linebacker. On a recent episode of “Football Debate Club,” analysts highlighted a pair of Day 3 prospects who bring vastly different skill sets but share one common thread: they consistently impact the game.
How Red Murdock’s Production and Leadership Set Him Apart
When asked which Day 3 linebacker he would stand on the table for, NFL draft analyst Omari Cooper pointed to Red Murdock, a prospect whose resume jumps off the page despite modest athletic traits.
“Red Murdock is a pure football player,” said Cooper. “He’s not going to wow you with a RAS score. He’s not going to wow you with a 40, but you know what he is going to do? He’s going to get you in the right spot. He’s going to be a leader. He’s going to be a culture changer.
“And he, know what else he did? He broke Khalil Mack’s forced fumble record. He had 364 career tackles, 39 and a half TFLs, 17 forced fumbles, and 9 sacks across 42 games. So not only was he durable, he was productive.”
That production aligns with what shows up on tape. According to the PFSN scouting report, Murdock’s impact stems from instinctive processing, physical urgency, and an ability to consistently find the football. His B- grade and 82.3 score in PFSN’s CFB LB Impact Metrics reinforce that steady presence across nearly every snap.
There are limitations. The report notes average size and clear speed constraints, which could narrow his role at the next level.
But Murdock has consistently countered those concerns with effort, physicality, and strong angles as a blitzer. His record-setting forced-fumble total underscores his knack for creating turnovers, a trait that often translates, regardless of testing numbers.
In a league that values reliability and locker room presence on Day 3, Murdock’s profile fits. He may not project as a high-end starter early, but his combination of leadership and production makes him a strong candidate to carve out a role, especially on special teams.
Why Kendal Daniels Brings Rare Versatility and Upside
While Murdock wins with instincts and consistency, Kendal Daniels offers a completely different appeal built on size, movement skills, and schematic flexibility.
“I’m a big fan of what he has to offer,” said PFSN NFL draft analyst Ian Cummings. “In Brent Venable’s defense, he played nickel overhang linebacker, box defender as well. And then rushing off the edge, 6’5, 242, 32 and a half inch arms. He had 5.5 sacks in 2024 and 19 tackles for loss over the past two seasons.
“He’s instinctive. He’s explosive. He doesn’t quite have the top-end range that styles us, but as a former safety, he’s got endless versatility and is incredibly physical in the box, engaging blocks.”
That versatility is central to Daniels’ projection. As noted in his PFSN scouting report, his background as a safety allows him to operate comfortably in coverage while still holding up in the box. His ability to transition between roles in Brent Venables’ defensive scheme highlights a modern linebacker archetype that many NFL teams covet.
There are areas to refine, particularly as a tackler, where inconsistency shows up in form and angles. Still, his combination of length, explosiveness, and coverage instincts gives him a developmental ceiling that stands out on Day 3.
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Both players are projected late in the draft, with Murdock landing at No. 220 to the Buffalo Bills and Daniels at No. 231 in the latest mock from PFSN’s Jacob Infante. Their paths to impact may be different, but each has traits that could translate quickly in the right role, making them names worth tracking as potential late-round finds.
