Ranking 17 edge rushers in the 2026 NFL Draft

ORLANDO, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 18: Malachi Lawrence #51 of the UCF Knights waves to the crowd against the West Virginia Mountaineers after the game at at FBC Mortgage Stadium on October 18, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Eston Parker/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images) | ISI Photos via Getty Images

It’s NFL Draft Season! Before you read, some important context…

I’ve ranked these players based on the Eagles’ needs and scheme fit. So while I may rate player ‘X’ higher than player ‘Y’ on pure talent, ‘Y’ could rank higher here due to fit or need. Focus more on tiers than exact order. Players in the same tier have similar grades, with minimal separation. I may note injury or off-field concerns, but they aren’t factored into rankings that often due to limited information. If a player isn’t listed, I haven’t evaluated them yet. I’ll try to get to as many prospects as possible.

You can find more on my podcast, and I’ll be releasing some videos on these prospects over on Patreon.

EDGE

This is an incredibly strong EDGE class, particularly on Day 2, and I fully expect the Eagles to target the position in Rounds 1 or 2. Losing Jaelan Phillips in free agency has left a real hole in the pass-rush rotation. The current group of Nolan Smith, Jalyx Hunt, and Arnold Ebiketie has some promise, but not nearly enough proven talent at the top. The Eagles badly need to add a high-level edge rusher to that group. There is real variety in this class – pass-rushing specialists, run defenders, and players who can do a bit of everything. Some of the names near the top of this board may not make it to pick 23, but with the depth in this class on Day 2, the Eagles should have plenty of options regardless of how the first round shakes out. I would be very surprised if the Eagles don’t address this position early.

Tier 1: Top 10

1. Rueben Bain Jr, Miami

Overall: A powerful, technically advanced edge defender whose strength, leverage, and early-down reliability make him a fantastic rusher, despite a real lack of length. His technique compensates for the limited arm length better than most, and he is a legitimate run defender as well as a pass rusher.

Eagles Thoughts: Not a chance in hell he makes it to 23. One of the best players in this class, and he will be long gone before the Eagles are on the clock.

2. David Bailey, Texas Tech

Overall: A burst-driven speed rusher whose first-step acceleration and ability to win quickly off the edge define his NFL upside. Bailey is an elite athlete at the position with a clear pass-rush identity that should translate immediately.

Eagles Thoughts: No chance he’s available at 23 either! Moving on…

Tier 2: Rounds 1-2

3. Malachi Lawrence, UCF

Overall: An explosive rusher whose combine testing has everyone taking notice. The biggest question mark is the level of competition he faced, but the film is impressive, and his athleticism is hard to ignore at any level.

Eagles Thoughts: Lawrence is flying up draft boards after the combine, and it’s easy to see why. I think he’s outstanding. There’s no chance he’s still there at 54. Pick 23 feels early given the level of competition, but honestly… I might be all in anyway.

4. Akheem Mesidor, Miami

Overall: A versatile EDGE who can rush the passer as well as anyone in this class and drops into coverage at a high level. His age, somewhat questionable run defense, and injury history are significant concerns that will split opinion on draft day.

Eagles Thoughts: If you want elite pass-rushing juice on passing downs (assuming the medicals come back clean) you aren’t going to find better than Mesidor at 23. It might feel like a reach for an older player with injury history, but I wouldn’t hate it.

5. Cashius Howell, Texas A&M

Overall: A flexible, speedy edge rusher whose bend, closing speed, and natural pass-rush instincts make him one of the more dangerous pure pressure threats in this group.

Eagles Thoughts: Howell will likely struggle on early downs to set the edge in this defense, so his value depends on whether the Eagles want a pass-rush specialist. It didn’t work with Bryce Huff, but I like Howell as a late first or early second pick. Pick 23 is probably rich, but this is a weak draft class overall and if they want a pure pass rusher, he and Thomas are two of the best pure rushers available.

6. R Mason Thomas, Oklahoma

Overall: A quick-trigger threat whose burst and immediate upfield acceleration create consistent pressure potential. He projects as an immediate contributor as a sub-rusher at the next level, with the tools to develop into a more complete player.

Eagles Thoughts: Thomas is a fantastic fit for the stunts and twists the Eagles run, though I’d worry about him as an early-down option. A second-round shot on him would be outstanding value. Just like Howell, 23 is probably a little rich, but in a weak class, if you want a pass-rush specialist, these two are the best available.

Tier 3: Round 2

7. Keldric Faulk, Auburn

Overall: A long-framed power defender whose physical tools and run-game presence give him a high floor as a run defender. The pass-rushing side of his game is a significant work in progress.

Eagles Thoughts: I’ve seen Faulk mocked to the Eagles at 23, and that feels too early for me. He likely can’t drop into coverage at his size, though the Eagles do have a need for a more physical run defender at edge. The profile makes more sense in the second round than at 23.

8. TJ Parker, Clemson

Overall: A physical, long, powerful pass rusher who is also an excellent run defender. His 2025 production didn’t quite match the expectations coming in, which has tempered some of the early hype around his profile.

Eagles Thoughts: Parker’s upside feels limited by some athletic constraints, so I see him as a second-round option rather than someone I’d be comfortable taking at 23.

9. Zion Young, Missouri

Overall: A long, physical edge defender who isn’t quite there yet as a pass rusher, but has the size and traits to develop. His run defense is the strongest part of his game at this stage.

Eagles Thoughts: If the Eagles want a stout EDGE who can defend the run and potentially develop as a pass rusher over time, Young is a relatively safe second-round pick. The floor is higher than most in this range.

10. Joshua Josephs, Tennessee

Overall: A twitchy, production-driven edge rusher whose burst, length, and natural pass-rush instincts make him a disruptive presence with clear upside as a pressure specialist.

Eagles Thoughts: This feels like a strong fit for the Eagles. Josephs needs a lot of work as a rusher and probably needs to add weight, too, but he can drop into coverage and rush like he’s been shot out of a cannon. He’ll excel in schemed pressures, stunts, and twists. The film isn’t quite as good as the traits suggest, but I could easily see him in the second round.

11. Romello Height, Texas Tech

Overall: A compact speed-based rusher with long arms who gets upfield fast and consistently creates pressure as a sub rusher. His burst off the line is a legitimate NFL weapon.

Eagles Thoughts: If the Eagles want a third-down pass-rush specialist with real juice, I’m in. I love a pass-rushing chaos merchant. The Eagles need some fire in their rotation, and Height would deliver it. I’d do it in the second round, even if he projects as a sub rusher only. He’s a bit of a budget Howell / Thomas.

12. Jaishawn Barham, Michigan

Overall: A versatile hybrid defender whose size and physicality allow him to impact both edge and second-level responsibilities.

Eagles Thoughts: Yes. Barham needs a lot of work as an edge rusher, but he has the traits and talent to be a fascinating fit in this defense, as the Eagles have shown they love the EDGE/off-ball hybrid type. I’m not sure how early he’ll go, but I’d expect the Eagles to want to develop him. I think they’ll look at him in the second round, even if that’s ahead of where most boards have him.

Tier 4: Rounds 2-3

13. Derrick Moore, Michigan

Overall: A powerful, high-effort edge defender whose physicality, motor, and reliability make him a dependable rotational piece with developing pass-rush upside. He brings it every snap.

Eagles Thoughts: Coverage ability is a question mark, but the Eagles will like the way Moore plays. The motor and physicality are exactly what this edge group needs more of. A good fit in the second round, sitting comfortably in the Rounds 2–3 range.

14. Keyron Crawford, Auburn

Overall: A long, productive edge defender whose length, motor, and disruptive play style give him developmental upside as a rotational pass rusher. His small-school background means there are projection questions, but the tools are real.

Eagles Thoughts: Crawford isn’t ready to be a full-time EDGE who handles run-game responsibilities yet, but he plays with good effort, and the Eagles will likely be drawn to his versatility and motor. The second round is probably a touch rich, but I could see it.

15. Gabe Jacas, Illinois

Overall: A highly productive edge defender whose relentless motor, strong hands, and physical play style have generated strong college production. The concern is that he wins almost entirely with power and there isn’t much else in the toolkit yet.

Eagles Thoughts: I love the mentality and power, but I worry that he’s an average athlete who won’t win consistently at the next level. Coverage ability is also uncertain. If the Eagles want a physical EDGE with a high motor, the second round is reasonable, if slightly early for my liking.

Tier 5: Rounds 3-4

16. Dani Dennis-Sutton, Penn State

Overall: A high-level athlete who lit up the combine with complete edge traits, but his testing numbers don’t currently match what he shows on film. There’s a disconnect between the measurables and the tape that makes him difficult to evaluate.

Eagles Thoughts: Dennis-Sutton is a tough player to get a read on. He looks the part physically, but he doesn’t play like it consistently right now. I wouldn’t look his way until the third round, though he’ll go earlier than that due to his size and athletic profile.

17. LT Overton, Alabama

Overall: A big EDGE or small tackle? Overton has an unusual frame that makes him genuinely hard to categorize. His power and edge-setting ability make him a credible run defender, but the pass-rush game is limited, and the positional fit at the next level is unclear.

Eagles Thoughts: If you want a bigger, physical presence to play the run and set the edge, Overton is the man. But there isn’t a lot else in the profile.

Thank you for reading! I’d love to hear your thoughts, so feel free to comment below and ask any questions. If you enjoyed this piece, you can find more of my work and podcasthere. If you would like to support me further, please check out my Patreon here!