Complete 2026 NFL Draft Edge Rankings:
You are currently viewing our edge rusher rankings for the 2026 NFL Draft. The 2026 edge rusher class has a chance to make it back to back years with really deep classes.
Our top edge prospects are selected after thousands of hours carefully scouting the most talented defensive ends and outside linebackers in college football. Even though only about 30 will get selected in the draft, a lot more are signed as free agents, and many more receive a training camp invite.
We’ll provide you with inside information to help you know who will be a star, who will be a bust, and which sleepers will shock the world.
BNB Football is the best place for in-depth analysis of 2026 NFL draft edge rusher prospects at all levels of college football. To view other positions, follow the links below.
(Last Updated: April 21, 2025)
1. TJ Parker, Clemson
DE | 6’3″ | 265 lbs | 3rd Year
TJ Parker Preseason Scouting Report
TJ Parker is the most dominant player returning to college football in 2025, totaling 19.5 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, and a remarkable 6 fumbles forced last year. The Clemson edge rusher was the only player in the country to rank in the top 10 nationally in all three categories.
Parker’s sophomore season was filled with standout moments, including a game against Pitt where he recorded 4 sacks and 5 tackles for loss, tying a school record. His consistent ability to disrupt offenses earned him All-ACC honors and national recognition.
At 6-foot-3 and 265 pounds, Parker combines size, speed, and technique, making him a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks. If he’s able to continue the same level of dominance this coming season, he’s a lock for a top-3 pick in the 2026 draft.
TJ Parker 2024 Stats
14 games: 57 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, 1 pass defended, 6 fumbles forced
2. Rueben Bain, Miami (FL)
DE | 6’3″ | 275 lbs | 3rd Year
Rueben Bain Preseason Scouting Report
Rueben Bain enters his true junior season at Miami looking to recapture the dominance he displayed as a freshman. In 2023, Bain burst onto the scene with 44 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles, earning him ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. He was the only freshman in the conference to record more than seven sacks that season.
His sophomore campaign in 2024 was less impactful, partly due to nagging injuries which caused him to miss 4 games. Standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing 275 pounds, Bain possesses elite size for an edge rusher. He combines that with good quickness, hand usage, and solid pass rush moves for his age.
With a full offseason to recover and refine his skills, Bain is poised to make a significant impact in 2025. If he can stay healthy and build upon his previous performances, he has the potential to be one of the top defensive players in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Rueben Bain 2024 Stats
9 games: 23 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks
3. Gabe Jacas, Illinois
OLB | 6’3″ | 275 lbs | 4th Year
Gabe Jacas Preseason Scouting Report
Coming soon.
Gabe Jacas 2024 Stats
13 games: 74 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 8 sacks, 3 fumbles forced
4. Dani Dennis-Sutton, Penn State
DE | 6’5″ | 265 lbs | 4th Year
Dani Dennis-Sutton Preseason Scouting Report
Coming soon.
Dani Dennis-Sutton 2024 Stats
16 games: 42 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, 4 passes defended, 1 interception, 2 fumbles forced
5. Matayo Uiagalelei, Oregon
DE | 6’5″ | 270 lbs | 3rd Year
Matayo Uiagalelei Preseason Scouting Report
Coming soon.
Matayo Uiagalelei 2024 Stats
14 games: 37 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, 2 passes defended, 1 interception, 2 fumbles forced
6. David Bailey, Texas Tech
OLB | 6’3″ | 250 lbs | 4th Year
David Bailey Preseason Scouting Report
Coming soon.
David Bailey 2024 Stats
12 games: 31 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, 7 sacks, 1 pass defended, 5 fumbles forced
7. Braylan Shelby, USC
DE | 6’5″ | 260 lbs | 3rd Year
Braylan Shelby Preseason Scouting Report
Coming soon.
Braylan Shelby 2024 Stats
12 games: 28 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 1 pass defended
8. Patrick Payton, LSU
DE | 6’5″ | 250 lbs | 5th Year
Patrick Payton Preseason Scouting Report
Coming soon.
Patrick Payton 2024 Stats
12 games: 35 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 4 sacks
9. Will Heldt, Clemson
DE | 6’6″ | 265 lbs | 3rd Year
Will Heldt Preseason Scouting Report
Coming soon.
Will Heldt 2024 Stats
12 games: 56 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 5 sacks
10. Derrick Moore, Michigan
DE | 6’3″ | 255 lbs | 4th Year
Derrick Moore Preseason Scouting Report
Coming soon.
Derrick Moore 2024 Stats
11 games: 19 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 2 passes defended
Complete 2026 NFL Draft Edge Rusher Rankings
| RANK | NAME | SCHOOL | AGE | HT | WT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | TJ Parker | Clemson | 3rd | 6'3" | 265 |
| 2 | Rueben Bain | Miami (FL) | 3rd | 6'3" | 275 |
| 3 | Gabe Jacas | Illinois | 4th | 6'3" | 275 |
| 4 | Dani Dennis-Sutton | Penn State | 4th | 6'5" | 265 |
| 5 | Matayo Uiagalelei | Oregon | 3rd | 6'5" | 270 |
| 6 | David Bailey | Texas Tech | 4th | 6'3" | 250 |
| 7 | Braylan Shelby | USC | 3rd | 6'5" | 260 |
| 8 | Patrick Payton | LSU | 5th | 6'5" | 250 |
| 9 | Will Heldt | Clemson | 3rd | 6'6" | 265 |
| 10 | Derrick Moore | Michigan | 4th | 6'3" | 255 |
| 11 | Tyreak Sapp | Florida | 5th | 6'3" | 270 |
| 12 | Beau Atkinson | North Carolina | 3rd | 6'6" | 265 |
| 13 | Marvin Jones Jr. | Oklahoma | 4th | 6'5" | 255 |
| 14 | Keldric Faulk | Auburn | 3rd | 6'6" | 285 |
| 15 | Trey Moore | Texas | 5th | 6'3" | 245 |
| 16 | LT Overton | Alabama | 4th | 6'5" | 285 |
| 17 | Qua Russaw | Alabama | 3rd | 6'2" | 240 |
| 18 | Anthony Smith | Minnesota | 4th | 6'6" | 285 |
| 19 | R Mason Thomas | Oklahoma | 4th | 6'2" | 250 |
| 20 | Damon Wilson II | Missouri | 3rd | 6'4" | 250 |
| 21 | Tre Smith | Arizona | 5th | 6'5" | 270 |
| 22 | Jimmori Robinson | West Virginia | 7th | 6'5" | 250 |
| 23 | Mikail Kamara | Indiana | 6th | 6'1" | 265 |
| 24 | Eric O'Neill | Rutgers | 5th | 6'3" | 250 |
| 25 | Max Llewellyn | Iowa | 5th | 6'5" | 260 |
| 26 | Dasan McCullough | Nebraska | 4th | 6'5" | 235 |
| 27 | Devean Deal | TCU | 5th | 6'4" | 255 |
| 28 | Ben Bell | Virginia Tech | 6th | 6'2" | 255 |
| 29 | Jack Pyburn | LSU | 4th | 6'3" | 265 |
| 30 | Cashius Howell | Texas A&M | 5th | 6'4" | 255 |
| 31 | Akheem Mesidor | Miami (FL) | 6th | 6'3" | 275 |
| 32 | Jimari Butler | LSU | 6th | 6'5" | 260 |
| 33 | Wesley Williams | Duke | 4th | 6'3" | 235 |
| 34 | Mi'Quise Grace | Kentucky | 4th | 6'4" | 255 |
| 35 | CJ Nunnally IV | Purdue | 5th | 6'3" | 240 |
| 36 | Cameron Robertson | SMU | 4th | 6'4" | 250 |
| 37 | Arden Walker | Colorado | 5th | 6'3" | 250 |
| 38 | Dayon Hayes | Texas A&M | 6th | 6'3" | 265 |
| 39 | Romello Height | Texas Tech | 6th | 6'3" | 230 |
| 40 | Eddie Walls III | Florida International | 5th | 6'4" | 245 |
| 41 | TJ Guy | Michigan | 5th | 6'4" | 250 |
| 42 | Josh Celiscar | South Florida | 6th | 6'4" | 265 |
| 43 | Korey Foreman | Fresno State | 6th | 6'4" | 235 |
| 44 | Jordan Botelho | Notre Dame | 6th | 6'3" | 250 |
| 45 | Nyjalik Kelly | UCF | 4th | 6'5" | 250 |
| 46 | Wesley Bailey | Louisville | 6th | 6'5" | 255 |
| 47 | Michael Heldman | Central Michigan | 5th | 6'4" | 260 |
| 48 | Cian Slone | NC State | 5th | 6'4" | 235 |
| 49 | Jordan Lawson | Louisiana | 6th | 6'4" | 245 |
| 50 | Ethan Hurkett | Iowa | 6th | 6'3" | 260 |
| 51 | Malachi Lawrence | UCF | 5th | 6'4" | 250 |
| 52 | Prince Dorbah | Arizona State | 6th | 6'2" | 240 |
| 53 | Maurice Westmoreland | Tulane | 6th | 6'2" | 250 |
| 54 | Clayton Smith | Arizona State | 5th | 6'4" | 240 |
| 55 | Raishein Thomas | Mississippi State | 6th | 6'4" | 260 |
| 56 | Shad Banks | UTSA | 5th | 6'1" | 240 |
| 57 | Keanu Koht | Vanderbilt | 5th | 6'4" | 240 |
| 58 | JaQues Evans | Colorado State | 6th | 6'2" | 250 |
| 59 | David Hoage | West Georgia | 7th | 6'3" | 245 |
| 60 | Ejike Adele | Rice | 5th | 6'2" | 270 |
| 61 | Reggie Grimes II | Memphis | 6th | 6'4" | 275 |
| 62 | Keyshawn James-Newby | New Mexico | 6th | 6'2" | 240 |
| 63 | Braden Mullen | Charlotte | 5th | 6'4" | 240 |
| 64 | Malin White | Buffalo | 6th | 6'2" | 260 |
| 65 | Kristopher Ross | Nevada | 4th | 6'2" | 270 |
| 66 | Anthonie Cooper | Arizona State | 7th | 6'2" | 265 |
| 67 | Malachi Cooper | San Diego | 5th | 6'4" | 260 |
MORE NFL DRAFT RANKINGS
Traits That Make an Edge Rusher Prospect Great
Edge rusher is likely the most important position in the game outside of quarterback. Being an elite edge rusher prospect requires a rare blend of elite physical traits. Quickness, bend, arm length, and strength are just a few of these traits.
Some of the factors we consider when scouting are included below.
Flexibility
No edge rusher is going to be highly touted if they aren’t good at bending around the edge, quickly flipping their hips, staying on their toes, and redirecting to chase down ball carriers. Edge rushers need to react quickly and remain coordinated, while having the uncoachable traits to beat tackles 1-on-1.
Burst
Having a quick yet powerful burst off the line of scrimmage is vital for pass rushers. If you’re able to beat the offensive lineman to his spot, you’ll get in the backfield consistently and disrupt a lot of plays. Having a burst is a lot more than just playing with a high motor, you need innate athletic talent.
Power
Being an edge rusher isn’t all about the pass rush, it’s also about setting the edge in the run game. For that, you need a lot of power. Holding up against double teams blocks from offensive linemen who are bigger than you, or even pushing them into the backfield to disrupt running lanes is a top trait for defensive ends and outside linebackers.
Length
A big part of being an edge rusher is disrupting plays even if you aren’t making a tackle for loss. Length is the best way to do that. It will help setting the edge, knocking down passes at the line of scrimmage, and slowing down or tackling running backs through a tight lane.
2026 Edge Draft Prospects FAQs
Who is the best edge rusher in the 2026 NFL Draft?
TJ Parker from Clemson is the heavy favorite to be the first edge rusher selected in the 2026 NFL Draft. His elite combination of size, athleticism, and proven production helps him stand out from the rest.
How good is the edge rusher draft class in 2026?
The 2026 edge rusher draft class is very strong. Following a strong class in 2025, this group is led by a large number of rising juniors who dominated as sophomores when they weren’t yet draft eligible.
