Top 10 Edge Rushers in the 2026 NFL Draft

By Owain Jones

The 2026 NFL Draft edge rusher class is a melting pot of styles, sizes, and traits. The group is packed with developmental talent that will be found through all three days of April’s draft and is exemplified by top prospects who will go off the board quickly on night one.

From twitch-heavy speed rushers to power-based disruptors to hybrid defenders who blur positional lines, this edge rusher class forces evaluators to project development rather than relying on production alone, and the 2026 class showcases why pressure creation is a premium currency in the NFL.

2026 NFL Draft Edge Rusher Rankings

10. Romello Height, Texas Tech

Romello Height is a speed-first rusher whose first step consistently beats tackles before they can set. His acceleration and bend allow him to win the corner cleanly, and his ability to convert speed into pure disruption showed up in double-digit sacks in 2025. He plays with urgency, pursues relentlessly, and has a natural instinct for attacking the football, forcing multiple fumbles through timing and awareness rather than raw power.

However, his projection is narrow, heading to the next level. Height is massively undersized at 6’3”, 235 pounds, and would be the joint third-lightest edge rusher drafted since 1999 per Mockdraftable. Furthermore, he will be a 25-year-old rookie, limiting his developmental runway. Height can be locked up too easily when tackles land their hands, giving up his chest and leverage, and his run defense will be negligible in the NFL at that size. This means he will profile as a sub-package pass-rush specialist whose value is tied to burst and timing on intermittent downs.

9. R. Mason Thomas, Oklahoma

R. Mason Thomas is a twitchy, high-motor edge rusher who attacks the passer with acceleration and intent. His get-off consistently stresses tackles, and his lower-body flexibility allows him to bend sharply and close pockets without losing balance. He plays fast, chases relentlessly, and brings playmaking instincts, with highlighted awareness beyond pure pressure production.

Yet physically, Thomas lacks elite length and can struggle to anchor against power tackles, particularly on early downs. His rush plan still leans heavily on his first move, and he needs more refined counters once engaged. The Oklahoma pass rusher offers burst, effort, and trajectory that point toward a rotational NFL role with starter upside in movement-based schemes.

8. Malachi Lawrence, UCF

Malachi Lawrence is flying massively under the radar at this point in the 2026 NFL Draft cycle. The 6’4”, 260-pound edge rusher offers a prototype edge frame with long arms, quick feet, and active hands. He bursts out of his stance with purpose, converts speed to power, and consistently disrupts blockers early in the rep. His 22.7 percent pressure rate in 2025 reflects steady pocket impact, and his pass breakups show awareness and valuable length that affects throwing lanes.

Consistency remains the trait that Lawrence needs to continue improving. He plays too upright and high, especially against the run, leading to leverage issues and a missed-tackle rate over 20%. His bend is functional but not elite, and he can be neutralized quickly on stalled rushes without a secondary plan. He will be best deployed situationally early in his NFL career while he learns to play with more control, but the tools are clear if he can clean up the variability from snap to snap.

7. Keldric Faulk, Auburn

Keldric Faulk is one of the most physically imposing edge defenders in the class at 6’6” and 285 pounds, especially given his age. At only 20 years old, his length, mass, and functional strength allow him to dominate at the point of attack and consistently disrupt run lanes. He is already an elite run defender, where he displays sharp intelligence, awareness on stunts, and a high-effort motor that shows up away from the ball.

However, as a pass rusher, he remains developmental. Faulk’s get-off lacks to a frustrating degree, and his initial speed rush rarely threatens tackles. The Auburn defender’s pass-rush arsenal leans heavily on his size rather than refined moves or technique. Furthermore, his lateral flexibility is still improving, and he projects more comfortably as an every-down run defender with pass-rush upside rather than a primary finisher. The ceiling is high, but patience will be required.

6. Akheem Mesidor, Miami

Akheem Mesidor is one of the more technically refined rushers in this class. He plays with length, power, and a clear pass-rush plan, using shoulder fakes and sequencing to manipulate tackles rather than relying solely on speed. His get-off is explosive, his hand usage is controlled, and he sets a firm edge against the run with discipline and effort.

His tape demonstrates his experience and control. However, his age will shape his pre-draft evaluation. Mesidor will be 25 on draft day and missed the 2023 season with a foot injury. Meanwhile, there are instances on tape that show he can lose his balance against power, revealing that he relies more on finesse than raw drive to win. His lack of coverage ability also limits role versatility at the next level. Even so, his technical floor and reliability make him a relatively safe projection as an NFL edge prospect.

5. T.J. Parker, Clemson

T.J. Parker had a down year in 2025, meaning he has fallen out of favor with many draft analysts. However, there is still plenty to like about the Clemson pass rusher who put up elite production in 2024. That is because Parker brings a sturdy frame, functional length, and smooth mobility that shows up both rushing the passer and defending the run. He plays with good snap timing, flexible hips, and practical hands, allowing him to disengage cleanly and track ball carriers. His motor is consistent, and he has flashed the ability to create turnovers through effort and awareness.

2025 production dipped, and there are stretches where his impact depends more on effort and toughness rather than disruptive technique. To solidify his projection, he needs greater urgency and refinement as a finisher. But as it stands, he profiles as a dependable edge with starting potential.

4. Cashius Howell, Texas A&M

Cashius Howell is a classic speed-and-bend edge rusher with an explosive first step that immediately disrupts protections. He flattens cleanly to the quarterback, plays with a low pad level, and uses violent hands to disengage from blocks. His effort never wanes, and his turnover production reflects awareness and aggression around the football.

For Howell, his size limits his margin for error. At 6’3” and 248 pounds, he can be overwhelmed by longer, stronger tackles, particularly in short-yardage situations. His rush plan revolves around speed rather than physicality, and he will need more consistent tools to beat more physically gifted NFL linemen. In a scheme that prioritizes wide alignments and movement, Howell profiles as a valuable pressure specialist who can have instant impact as a rookie.

3. David Bailey, Texas Tech

David Bailey is one of the most refined and productive pass rushers in the 2026 class. His 2025 output (14.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss) reflects sustained dominance built on burst, bend, and advanced hand usage. He chains together moves naturally, keeping tackles guessing, and consistently turns speed into disruption.

But Bailey is more of a pass-rush specialist than an all-rounder right now. The Texas Tech edge has proven production throughout his college career, but his run defense caps his projection compared to others at this stage. The former Stanford standout can struggle to anchor against power and is often viewed as more of a pass-rush specialist than a true three-down defender. That concern is mitigated by his uncanny ability to terrorize quarterbacks snap after snap, and in a league that values pressure above all, Bailey’s skill set translates cleanly and carries legitimate impact value as a top 10 pick.

2. Rueben Bain, Miami

Rueben Bain is a power-based edge defender who consistently collapses pockets through strength, leverage, and violent hands. He wins with a heavy bull rush, converts speed to power with purpose, and has the tangible, functional strength to churn through contact and reset the line of scrimmage. His production has been consistent since his freshman season, and against the run, he plays with authority, driving blockers backward and creating disruption in the backfield.

However, there are system-based limitations because Bain is not a natural coverage defender and shouldn’t be asked to drop back into coverage often. Meanwhile, his aggressive playstyle can backfire, leading him to play too aggressively, occasionally gambling for splash plays at the expense of gap discipline. His 30 3/4-inch arm length could also be a significant red flag for teams that traditionally stick to longstanding measurable metrics, meaning some teams may view him as an interior rusher at the next level. Even so, his power, motor, and sustained production translate cleanly to the NFL, and he’s worthy of a top 5 selection.

1. Arvell Reese, Ohio State

Arvell Reese was a marvel in 2025 and is the most exciting and dynamic edge defender in this draft class. His combination of size, speed, and explosive athleticism allows him to impact games from multiple alignments, as he proved throughout his breakout year. The Ohio State hybrid linebacker closes ground instantly, plays with rare sideline-to-sideline range, and consistently disrupts both run fits and passing lanes. His 2025 production came against top-tier competition and anchored one of the nation’s most dominant defenses, with a real, tangible impact.

It is easy to get carried away with Reese’s evaluation, with some projecting a similar trajectory to Micah Parsons. But he does come with areas to improve. The refinement areas are technical, where Reese’s pass-rush plan can rely too heavily on athleticism, and his counter usage needs greater nuance against stronger tackles. In coverage, he can appear stiff at times despite strong instincts and positioning. His role definition will matter early as a tweener, but his versatility is a bonus for NFL teams. Reese’s ceiling, movement skills, and three-phase impact separate him from the rest of the class as he appears to move to the edge permanently at the next level.

OWAIN JONES

college football & NFL DRAFT ANALYST

OWAIN jones COVERS EVERYTHING college football & NFL DRAFT. COMING WITH PLENTY OF EXPERIENCE, OWAIN was PREVIOUSLY a writer for pfsn and WAS THE NFL DRAFT EDITOR AT NINETY-NINE YARDS WHERE HE CREATED DRAFT TALK, YOU CAN FOLLOW HIM ON TWITTER @OwainJonesCFB_

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