2026 NFL Draft prospect rankings: Edge rushers

theScore's NFL draft prospect rankings series gives you everything you need to know about the top players available in this year's incoming rookie class.

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Bain is an all-time outlier in terms of length, with his 30 7/8-inch arms putting him in the first percentile among edge defenders. That could be a fatal flaw for many other players at the position, but we probably shouldn't spend too much worrying about it in this case. While length can certainly be a plus when it comes to keeping an offensive lineman from getting into your chest and taking control of a rep, it was clearly never a problem for Bain in college. He's one of the more powerful players you'll find on the edge, and, more often than not, he's got the hand usage to beat his opponent to the punch anyway.

Bain is a supremely explosive pass-rusher who gets to the quarterback in various ways. He bends the edge better than you'd expect for such a stout player, counters effectively to the inside, and can convert speed to power to go right through the offensive tackle. And yet Bain's ability as a run defender is somehow even more impressive. He stacks and sheds to make plays on the ball, punishes pullers sent his way, and can relentlessly knife his way into the backfield, which should make him a regular on TFL leaderboards. Bain is one of the few blue-chip talents in this class. Any team writing him off based on measurables alone would be making a mistake.

Betting on Reese as a top-five pick on the edge requires a bit of projection. He didn't begin rotating down from his original off-ball linebacker spot until 2025. Even then, his hybrid role meant he logged just 87 pass-rush snaps from a defensive line alignment, according to PFF. At this moment, Reese is a more complete linebacker and could start his career there. But his combination of athleticism and physicality is exactly what teams are looking for in potential game-changers on the edge.

Reese will need time to develop his pass-rush repertoire and will likely have to add weight to handle full-time run-game duties. However, his explosiveness allows for unlimited upside, and he's already shown flashes of power in both phases. Crucially, Reese is still only 20. The dream scenario here is that he ends up with a creative defensive coordinator who can truly maximize his rare, do-it-all skill set. But there's a reason the NFL's best pass-rushers are now making upwards of $40 million per year. Given the necessary time to develop, there's no reason Reese can't one day find himself in that class of perennial Pro Bowlers on the edge.

Bailey has a clear argument as the best pure pass-rusher in this draft. The Texas Tech standout is a nightmare to defend off the edge, often putting his opponent at an immediate disadvantage by the way he explodes off the ball. Bailey also pairs that dangerous first step with a fairly deep repertoire of rush moves. He can win by converting speed to power, bending around the edge, or quickly countering back inside, including with a lethal spin move. It's easy to see why he led the nation with 14.5 sacks in 2025.

Perhaps even more impressively, Bailey's 81 pressures were only two shy of Bain for the FBS lead despite recording 177 fewer pass-rush snaps, according to PFF. He will have to improve against the run to have any well-rounded impact on defense, as he struggles to consistently hold his ground in that phase. Getting after the quarterback is what gets you paid, though, and Bailey has a chance to do so at a Pro Bowl level.

If personnel evaluators were tasked with building their ideal defensive end, there's a good chance they'd land on a final product that looks a lot like Faulk. At a time when it feels like we're constantly questioning whether prospects have enough size to hold up in every-down roles on the edge, the Auburn product comes with no such concerns. And he just so happens to be an incredibly impressive athlete for his 6-foot-6, 276-pound frame.

Faulk needs to develop his pass-rush plan further before it consistently shows up in the pass game, and his lack of bend could prevent him from ever becoming an elite sack artist off the edge. But he already demonstrates the power, technique, and motor to be a difference-maker against the run. That'll get him on the field from Day 1. Given the necessary time to develop, it's easy to see how a 20-year-old with these kinds of unteachable traits might soon become a productive three-down player who offers the versatility to reduce inside in sub packages.

It may surprise many if and when Lawrence hears his name called in the first round of this year's draft. Consider this your advance warning. Questions regarding the level of competition he faced this year at UCF are certainly fair, and a Day 1 edge defender would ideally produce more than seven sacks in such a favorable situation. Lawrence also needs to improve his strength and discipline to set a strong edge in the run game. Still, there aren't many players making the jump to the NFL who can offer this combination of athletic profile and developed pass-rush skills.

Lawrence showcased his speed and explosiveness at the combine, recording a 4.52 40, a 40-inch vertical, and a 10-foot, 10-inch broad jump. He makes the most of those physical gifts when it comes to getting after the quarterback, possessing a deep arsenal of pass-rush moves that afford him countless ways to win with speed or power. With a relentless motor and high ceiling, Lawrence is a first-round talent.

Parker seemed to be well on his way to becoming one of the top talents in this class after a sensational sophomore season, but a disappointing 2025 campaign complicates his outlook. Personally, I'm inclined to believe he's closer to the player who consistently dominated his competition the year prior. That's not to say he'll be an All-Pro at the next level, as he doesn't quite have the explosiveness or bend of the most dynamic pass-rushers at the position. However, Parker is already a strong run defender, having demonstrated the ability to set a good edge, stack and shed blocks, and find the ball to make a play.

As a high-effort player who checks in at 263 pounds, there shouldn't be much doubt about his chances of translating those skills to the NFL. Parker can effectively convert speed to power as a pass-rusher coming off the edge, often using his length to unleash an excellent long-arm move to get inside his opponent's chest and collapse the pocket. While he doesn't yet have a deep rush repertoire, I'm bullish on the way he'll use his hands to fight through a rep and give himself a chance, even when his initial effort stalls. Parker could have a long, successful career as an every-down contributor who operates as a team's No. 2 pass-rusher.

Tackles and tight ends tasked with blocking Jacas are typically in for a long day, but he's not the most fluid athlete for the position. Considering he lacks the burst and bend to challenge the edge in pursuit of the quarterback, his pass-rush upside might not be overly high. Still, Jacas knows how to win with power, using heavy hands and an ability to drive through blocks to make for the kind of bull rush that can put an offensive lineman on his heels.

Though he doesn't have the most extensive arsenal of moves at the moment, Jacas' violent hand usage to keep opponents off his frame hints at some developmental upside in that regard. He even shows some lateral quickness to counter inside when there's an opening. Jacas' powerful physical traits also offer a high floor as an edge setter in the run game, and he'll make his share of plays thanks to his relentless style. He should be a valuable long-term starter on the edge, even if the sack production doesn't quite reach the level most are hoping for from an early draft pick.

Young should be a plus run defender from the moment he sets foot on an NFL practice field. The Missouri standout showcases impressive play strength and refined technique to set a strong edge, and he can stack and shed to make plays on the ball carrier. With great hand usage and the instincts to read blocks sent his way, Young records plenty of stops as a play-side run defender. He also plays with the relentless effort of any steady contributor in that area of the game.

Young's pass-rush upside requires some projection, especially since he decided to forgo most pre-draft testing aside from the 40-yard dash, which would appear to validate concerns about his athleticism as a full-time edge defender. He doesn't have an extensive arsenal of rush moves, either. But that repertoire can be developed at the next level, and Young's ability to push the pocket with an effective speed-to-power move should be enough to complement his abilities in the run game in the meantime. He may even be a candidate to handle some pass-rush reps on the inside, where his quickness might play up against guards.

Mesidor was a breakout star for Miami en route to a national title game appearance, racking up 12.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss opposite Bain. There's a lot to like about Mesidor's skill set: he's a solid athlete who demonstrates good hand usage and a deep arsenal of rush moves. He also plays with an impressive motor, fighting through initial losses in the pass game and chasing down ball carriers as a backside defender against the run.

However, it's a bit of a different story on the play side, as Mesidor lacks gap discipline and doesn't appear to have the necessary play strength or anchor ability to set the edge. Crucially, he's also 25. Not only does that likely mean he's maxed out physically, but it's also fair to wonder whether that was a big part of him dominating in his sixth year of college football. Although Mesidor can still be a productive member of a pass-rush rotation, the ceiling may not be as high as his 2025 production suggests.

Howell is an explosive edge rusher. His elite upfield burst, along with his ability to bend the edge and maintain balance through contact, makes him a nightmare matchup for any offensive tackle who might struggle with speed. The Texas A&M product also demonstrates the rush plan and lateral quickness to counter back inside when his opponents are forced to overset. This is another case where we have to touch on length, though, as Howell's 30 1/4-inch arms put him in the zeroth percentile among edge defenders. While it was easy to shake off any such concerns with Bain on account of his power and hand usage, Howell doesn't offer those same traits.

Howell needs more development on those fronts to avoid being swallowed up by NFL offensive tackles. He's not short on effort in the run game, but it's tough to see him having the ability to set the edge at the professional level. Ideally, a team drafts Howell as a pass-rush specialist in a 3-4 front with the hope that he can eventually hold his own as a run defender. Even if that doesn't happen, he offers the kind of 10-sack upside that can make him an incredibly valuable part of a pass-rush group.

Dan Wilkins is theScore's senior NFL writer.