2026 NFL Draft: EDGE Big Board

The 2026 NFL Draft is days away, with the process wrapped up and the show just waiting to happen. Teams are double-checking their lists and making sure the facility looks twice as nice. Who are the best EDGE prospects on this 2026 big board? Are there any sleepers who could surprise a few folks and rise into the early stages of the draft?

In case you missed the previous position groups in the big board series, they are listed below:

Quarterback

Running Back

Wide Receiver

Offensive Tackle

Interior Offensive Line

Note: All statistics are courtesy of College Football Reference, and all RAS numbers are courtesy of @MathBomb

1. David Bailey | 6’4 251 | Texas Tech

Bailey transferred to Texas Tech from Stanford, where he showed flashes of becoming one of the best EDGE prospects in all of college football. He broke out as a senior in 2025 with 14.5 sacks after combining for 14.5 in the three seasons prior. The former Red Raider is one of the best athletes in the class, regardless of position. Bailey possesses a quick first step and an explosive burst to surprise blockers. He tested extremely well during the process, earning a 9.65 RAS score. Teams will love his athleticism and frame to take him in the top five as the top EDGE in the class. Texas Tech used him in a dropback role as well, and he proved adept at it. His physical traits are similar to former UGA pass rusher Lorenzo Carter, while his style is similar to Danielle Hunter.

Round Projection: Top Five

Player Comp: Lorenzo Carter (traits) / Danielle Hunter (play style)

RAS: 9.65

Statistics: 52 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, 14.5 sacks, three PBUs, and three forced fumbles

2. Rueben Bain, Jr. | 6’2 263 | Miami

Bain is a unicorn who doesn’t have a direct comparison due to his frame with shorter arm length. He’s a physical force of nature with 20.5 sacks in three seasons for the Hurricanes. Teams will question his length, but the raw power wins the day for him. He possesses strong hands to stun blockers and sufficient lateral athleticism to combat bigger offensive linemen. His versatility is showcased throughout his career, with reps seemingly everywhere along the line. If he were a little bit bigger, he would be a surefire top-five selection, but a top-ten choice should be assured for him. He’s a power rusher with athleticism to make OL lives miserable. Bain is hands down a top-three EDGE prospect in the class.

Round Projection: Top 10

Player Comp: N/A

Statistics: 54 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and one interception

3. Arvell Reese | 6’4 241 | Ohio State

Reese could be the most intriguing prospect in the class, given his lack of reps at the position until the 2025 season. The former Buckeye has limited starting experience at multiple positions, so the team that drafts him must be cautious not to force-feed him too much at once. He’s an explosive athlete who can cover sideline to sideline in an instant and the burst to confound blockers. The good news is that he increased his production from the 2024 season to the 2025 season, so teams will love that. What position he ultimately plays will be an interesting development to monitor for the future top 10 selection. He compares physically and stylistically to former Georgia and current Packers linebacker Quay Walker.

Round Projection: Top 10

Player Comp: Quay Walker

Statistics: 69 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, two PBUs

4. Zion Young | 6’6 262 | Missouri

Young is a physical presence that will stand out, even among a land of giants, coming in at 6’6 262. He participated in the Senior Bowl after a breakout senior season in which he posted 6.5 sacks. Teams will love his size and length profile on the perimeter, with a chance that he could move inside on certain downs. The former Missouri Tiger pass rusher compares favorably to veteran Dawuane Smoot, who carved out a steady NFL career. There’s potential for the big man to sneak into the first round, but the second round seems more likely.

Round Projection: First to Second

Player Comp: Dawuane Smoot

RAS: 7.68

Statistics: 42 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, two PBUs, and two forced fumbles

5. Akheem Mesidor | 6’3 259 | Miami

Mesidor started his career at West Virginia, then transferred to the Hurricanes before the 2022 season, but he didn’t break out until the 2025 campaign. He posted 12.5 sacks in 2025 and showed up large during the Hurricanes’ run to the national championship game. While he didn’t test at all during the offseason, he’s a sufficient athlete with the power to bully offensive tackles. He’s a versatile prospect who possesses experience inside and outside throughout his career. Teams love the versatility aspect, along with the brute strength and size. He’s an older prospect, but he has only one great season on his CV. The Canadian native compares physically and stylistically to former Eagles legend Derek Barnett.

Round Projection: Second

Player Comp: Derek Barnett

Statistics: 63 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks, and four forced fumbles

6. Keldric Faulk | 6’6 276 | Auburn

Faulk possesses the size and speed profile that teams covet in EDGE rushers at 6’6 276. He played a lot of quality football at Auburn over three seasons. He’s the first guy you want coming off the bus with his size. He has the power and athleticism to play inside as well as outside if a team needs him to. Teams will draft him high based on the measureables, even though the numbers aren’t ideal for a prospect of his caliber. The former Auburn pass rusher is scratching the surface of his potential, so he needs a good development team around him. He has a chance to get into the first round but will probably settle for the early second round. His physical profile is similar to Trey Hendrickson’s.

Round Projection: Second

Player Comp: Trey Hendrickson

RAS: 9.11

Statistics: 29 tackles, five tackles for loss, two sacks, and four PBUs

7. Malachi Lawrence | 6’4 253 | UCF

Lawrence is a big-time athlete who started and finished his career with the Knights in a monster fashion. Over his three seasons of consistent reps, he produced 19 sacks. He tested very well during the process, which matched the tape. The former UCF star led the way in head coach Scott Frost’s return to Orlando with seven sacks, notching a first-team All-Big 12 selection. An accomplishment that means so much, given the talent at EDGE in the conference. He’s an experienced pass rusher who’s seen a lot and knows how to defeat blockers with veteran guile. Lawrence projects as a Day 2 selection and compares physically to former Clemson standout Vic Beasley.

Round Projection: Second to Third

Player Comp: Vic Beasley

RAS: 9.95

Statistics: 28 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, seven sacks, three PBUs, and two forced fumbles

8. T.J. Parker | 6’4 263 | Clemson

The former five-star recruit had a solid career for Clemson, producing over 40 tackles for loss and 21.5 sacks in three seasons. Of all the pass rush talent that has come out of the program in recent years, Parker’s talent could be the best of the lot. He does possess the speed and quickness to stay at EDGE, but power is how he makes his name. Parker tested well during the offseason process, posting an excellent 9.39 RAS. He projects as a locked-in Day 2 selection after standing out at the Senior Bowl and Combine. While the traits are similar to those of Kylie Fitts of Utah fame, the player profile resembles that of Kwity Paye.

Round Projection: Second to Third

Player Comp: Kylie Fitts (traits) / Kwity Paye (player)

RAS: 9.39

Statistics: 37 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, five sacks, and one PBU

9. Cashius Howell | 6’2 253 | Texas A&M

Howell transferred to A&M before the 2024 season from Bowling Green. He used 2024 as an onboarding season before breaking out in 2025 with 11.5 sacks, leading the SEC. The consistency in production will entice teams to select him early in the draft, but his lack of length will hinder him. He’s an explosive, bursty pass rusher, but sub-33 33″ arms allow for bigger blockers to stop him. Speed and athleticism are his primary calling cards, and he uses them well while bending around the corner. The former Aggies star rusher tested well during the draft process and compares physically to the emerging Nick Herbig. He has a chance to be taken in Day 2 of the draft, but will likely fall into early Day 3.

Round Projection: Third to Fourth

Player Comp: Nick Herbig

RAS: 8.11

Statistics: 31 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks, and six PBUs

10. R Mason Thomas | 6’2 241 | Oklahoma

Thomas started two seasons for the Sooners and quickly established himself as the heartbeat of the defense, leading the way with 15.5 sacks over that period. He posted 6.5 in an injury-marred 2025 season that easily could’ve reached double digits had he remained healthy. The former Oklahoma star is pass-rush terror, using his speed and athleticism to overwhelm blockers. However, teams will be wary of his medical history, filled with soft-tissue injuries, but won’t question his heart. He doesn’t have much length, so blockers will defend him more than they would longer prospects. Thomas is a relentless worker despite his physical misgivings and will work tirelessly from snap to snap. He’s an undersized prospect similar to Ty’Ron Hopper and should get called early on Day 3.

Round Projection: Early to Middle Day 3

Player Comp: Ty’Ron Hopper

RAS: 7.23

Statistics: 26 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and one PBU

11. Romello Height | 6’3 239 | Texas Tech

The “other” EDGE from Texas Tech is a solid prospect in his own right. Height transferred to Texas Tech after starting at Auburn, then made pit stops at USC and Georgia Tech. He’s an impressive athlete, but is slightly undersized for the position. The offseason process was excellent for him, as he tested very well, resulting in a high RAS score. The former Red Raiders star racked up 10 sacks in 2025 using his bendy, quick-twitch explosiveness. He has a deep bag of pass-rush tricks to beat back blockers who can overwhelm with size. There’s a slight chance that he’s a Day 2 selection, but early Day 3 seems like the basement for him. Physically, he compares to Andrew Van Ginkel, who really got going when converted to EDGE from off-ball linebacker.

Round Projection: Early Day 3

Player Comp: Andrew Van Ginkel

RAS: 8.83

Statistics: 38 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, two forced fumbles, and one PBU

12. Gabe Jacas | 6’4 260 | Illinois

Jacas played a variety of roles for the Illini but primarily aligned at EDGE, which helped his sack numbers immensely. He tested well during the process and definitely looks the part of an impressive pass rusher. Power carries the day more than his above-average athleticism. He’s a sufficient athlete laterally, but teams probably won’t often ask him to chase running backs out of the backfield. His size and athletic profile are adaptable to any scheme, but a four-man front is ideal for him. The former Illini’s pass rusher possesses a wide variety of pass-rush moves to counter any blocking scheme. He’s a quiet sleeper who could go higher than many think on Day 3, despite a loaded class. Physically and stylistically, he compares to former Texans/Wisconsin standout Brooks Reed.

Round Projection: Day 3

Player Comp: Brooks Reed

RAS: 9.59

Statistics: 43 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, and three forced fumbles

13. Dani Dennis-Sutton | 6’6 256 | Penn State

Dennis-Sutton is on the bigger side of the EDGE class at 6’6 256, and has the consistent production to be selected much higher than Day 3. He tested very well during the offseason, earning a sky-high 9.96 RAS score. While athleticism isn’t the biggest tool in his arsenal, he has it in his tool bag. Power and brute force are the key assets he relies on as his go-to. Another strength of his game is his football IQ and relentless work ethic. He projects as a Day 3 pick at this juncture due to the inconsistent lateral athleticism. He compares physically and stylistically to Leonard Floyd. Teams will love using his straight-line speed in certain pass-rush situations. Penn State has another talented pass-rushing prospect who could make waves in the league.

Round Projection: Day 3

Player Comp: Leonard Floyd

RAS: 9.96

Statistics: 42 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, three PBUs, and three forced fumbles