Edge Rushers - 2026 NFL Draft Preview

Ourlads Staff
11/04/2025 10:11AM ET
Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

* Denotes Underclassman

1. Bain Jr, Rueben*

Miami  6030 / 270

Three year starter, Miami, FL. Honorable mention All-ACC in 2024. Thick build to go with strong quick hands when engaging blocks. Can set the edge and control blockers with natural knee bend and a powerful strike to create separation. Can redirect off blocks and make plays inside or on the perimeter. Versatile as he aligns from a 4 to a wide 9 with his hand in the dirt or a two point stance. Quick at the snap he has an arsenal of pass rush moves and is adept at hand swipes to keep blockers off his frame. He has quick powerful arm over move and can also can bull rush into a move. Shows bend and squeeze around the corner and accelerates to the quarterback. Arm length is less than ideal but his quick power makes up for it. Should develop into a solid starting defensive end in the NFL. 

2. Parker, TJ*

Clemson  6030 / 265

Two year starter, Phenix City, AL. Second team All-ACC in 2024. Powerful edge defender with a diverse skill set. Can play all over the front and has played 4i to wide 9 in the Clemson front. Plays from a two and three point stance and has even effectively dropped in flat coverage. Shows strong quick hands attacking blocks and can stack and shed on the move. Shows a quick pop and pull move to get free. Excels at sifting inside to make plays against the run. Lateral movement is solid and he can chase down ball carriers across the field from the backside. Draws a lot of attention on pass plays and often sees a chip by a back or tight end. His power on a bull rush can collapse the pocket and he shows various hand swipes and a push pull to get free. Has a closing burst to the quarterback. Doesn’t always finish and lacks elite bend to consistently turn the corner. That said his motor and overall skill set will play well in the NFL.

3. Faulk, Keldric*

Auburn 6060 / 288

Two year starter, Highland Home, AL. Pre-season All-SEC in 2025. Has ideal size for an NFL defensive end to go with excellent power and strength. Aligns in two or three point stance in a 3 technique out to a wide 9. Is most effective as a 5 technique where he uses his power effectively to stuff the run. Long arms and strong hands allow him to get separation from a tackle's block and shed working to the ball. Makes a lot of plays along the line. Effective with a bull rush into an arm over or under in the pass rush. Also has an excellent push pull move to escape and work around a tackle. Gets more pressure than sacks and could use some refinement as a pass rusher. Some inconsistency with pad level when playing outside the box. Has the size of a 3-4 defensive end that could work inside in nickel packages.

4. Howell, Cashius

Texas A&M 6040 / 245

Two year starter, Kansas City, MO. Transfer from Bowling Green in 2024 where was third team All-MAC in 2023. Tall lengthy outside linebacker who uses his length effectively to take on blocks and separate. Has solid pop engaging and is quick to shed on the move. Excellent chase skill he covers a lot of ground pursuing from the backside and can chase to the perimeter and make plays. Will play both from a two and three point stance but is most effective as a pass rusher with his hand in the dirt. He flashes snap quickness and shows a versatile set of pass rush moves. His quick hands allow him to use various hands swipes and counters working inside or outside a tackle. He also shows a spin move as an inside counter. Has solid ability to drop in flat coverage with speed to peel off on a back. He lacks ideal bend around the corner and can get knocked upright and ridden out at times. Still developing but has a high upside. 

5. Uiagalelei, Matayo* 

Oregon 6040 / 270

Two year starter, Bellflower, CA. Second team All-Big Ten in 2025. Solid frame with length and impressive size. Plays with a hot motor and relentless effort. Versatile by alignment he’s often in a wide 9 in a two point but will also get into a 5, 6 and 4 in a three point. Explosive with first step he attacks blocks with a stiff strike using his long arms to separate. Shows lateral agility to set the edge and is difficult to get around. Has range to chase from the backside. As a pass rush often uses a bull rush initially and can stun a blocker on his heels to collapse the pocket. Has been effective stressing the throw and has some batted balls as a result. Not a natural knee bender and can get upright at times. Relies too much on speed to get around the corner. Can be slow to get off blocks. Needs refinement in pass rush technique as he lacks an adequate counter. 

6. Bailey, David
Texas Tech 6030 / 250

7. Josephs, Joshua
Tennessee  6030 / 245

8. Height, Romello
Texas Tech 6030 / 240

9. Dennis-Sutton, Dani
Penn State 6050 / 266
 
10. Overton, LT
Alabama 6050 / 280
 
11. Sapp, Tyreak
Florida 6020 / 274
  
12. Thomas, R Mason*
Oklahoma 6020 / 249
 
13. Jacas, Gabe
Illinois 6031 / 271

14. Lucas, Anthony
USC 6050 / 285

15. Moore, Derrick
Michigan 6030 / 256
 
16.  Payton, Patrick
LSU 6060 / 256
 
17. Perkins, Suntarine*
Mississippi 6020 / 220
            
18. Rhodes Jr, Quincy*
Arkansas 6060 / 275 

19. Jackson Jr., Kenyatta
Ohio State 6060 / 265
 
20. Saka, Anto*
Northwestern 6040 / 255
                
21. Barham, Jaishawn
Michigan 6030 / 242
 
22.  Bell, Ben
Virginia Tech 6010 / 235

23. Kamara, Mikail
Indiana 6010 / 260
  
24.  Heldt, Will*
Clemson 6060 / 260
 
25. Llewellyn, Max
Iowa 6052 / 263
 
26. Traore, Boubacar*
Notre Dame 6040 / 250
 
27. Young, Zion
Missouri 6055 / 262
             
28.  Lubin, Clev*
Louisville 6030 / 250
 
29. Guy, TJ
Michigan 6040 / 250
              
30. O’Neill, Eric
Rutgers 6030 260
   
31. Wilson ll, Damon*
Missouri 6040 / 250
 
32. Umanmielen, Princewill*
Mississippi 6050 / 245
 
33. Mesidor, Akheem
Miami 6031 / 280

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