Ranking the 10 best edge rushers in 2026 NFL Draft, from Arvell Reese to Malachi Lawrence

Ranking the 10 best edge rushers in 2026 NFL Draft, from Arvell Reese to Malachi Lawrence originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

There is another strong class of edge pass rushers coming into the league in the 2026 NFL Draft. From versatile linebackers to beefy ends, there are plenty of impact defenders to help a variety of schemes.

Whether a team runs a base 4-3 or 3-4, hybrid principles are in play to get the most out of productive college sack artists. There are also teams looking to follow the Seahawks' Super Bowl-winning model with a deep pass rush by committee.

Here are the top edge options available early on April 23 and April 24, the first three rounds:

MORE:Sporting News' complete 7-round mock draft

Ranking the 10 best edge rushers in 2026 NFL Draft

Rueben Bain

1. Arvell Reese, Ohio State (6-4, 241 pounds)

Reese is a very active playmaker who has proved he can stand out in the pass-rush capacity as well as disrupt well laterally all over the field on the second level. He is a pure defensive weapon who will allow a schemer to be very creative to put him in a position for maximum upfield impact.

Draft projection: Early first round

2. Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami (6-2, 263 pounds)

Bain is a strong, powerful end prospect who is a natural force against the run and tapped into his massive upside getting to the quarterback during the Hurricanes' surprise push to the CFP national championship game. Despite the hand size and off-field past, the present should keep him a top-10 pick.

Draft projection: Early first round

MORE:SportingNews' mock draft with first-round trades

david bailey

3. David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech (6-4, 251 pounds)

Bailey has shot up boards to the point a team might take him ahead of Bain because of rare smarts and top coverage skills for the position. As a pass rusher, Bailey also packs plenty of natural explosiveness.

Draft projection: Early-to-mid first round

4. Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami (6-3, 259 pounds)

Mesidor developed into a fine bookend to Bain, showing impressive burst on the pass rush in his own right in relation to his bulky frame. He can fit a number of teams with maybe more appeal in a 3-4 than Bain.

Draft projection: Mid-to-late first round

MORE:NFL power rankings 2026 after free agency

5. Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn (6-6, 276 pounds)

Faulk's massive frame suggests he would be a powerful run stopper with size and strength. He is definitely that and translates that power into pass-rush pop.

Draft projection: Mid-to-late first round

6. Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M (6-3, 253 pounds)

Howell is a high-energy, smooth athlete who is still growing into his frame. He can flash as an explosive situational pass rusher while getting his foundation down to see more work on running downs.

Draft projection: Mid-to-late first round

t.j. parker

7. T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson (6-4, 265 pounds)

Parker stands out most for his quickness and instincts to get off the line well, considering his big frame. That body also comes through in blowing up run plays.

Draft projection: Mid-to-late first round

MORE:Biggest, strongest, fastest from 2026 NFL Combine

8. Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri (6-6, 262 pounds)

Young is much like Howell with his relentless energy in getting to the quarterback. He can be inconsistent with his technique, in which his instincts can slow his burst, but he will be a strong rotation producer at first.

Draft projection: Early-to-mid second round

Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman R Mason Thomas

Imagn Images

9. R Mason Thomas, EDGE, Oklahoma (6-2, 241 pounds)

File under Thomas under Howell and Young as another promising pass rusher who needs to round out his game and is lighter against the run. But the pedigree and promise are there for some team to tap into his upside earlier than expected.

Draft projection: Early-to-mid second round

10. Malachi Lawrence, EDGE, UCF (6-4, 253 pounds)

Lawrence has a nice blend of power and quickness to rush the passer and he can continue to grow vs. the run to be a better supporting No. 2 end or a top-rotation option.

Draft projection: Early-to-mid second round