2027 NFL Draft Preseason Rankings - EDGE

The 2027 NFL Draft could be absolutely loaded at EDGE next spring - eight prospects carry preseason first-round grades into the 2026 season, with arguably Stewart and Simmons grading out as candidates to go first overall next spring.

1. Dylan Stewart / South Carolina

2025 Statistics

33 tackles / 4.5 sacks / 12 TFL / 3 Forced Fumbles

An impactful player since the moment he arrived on campus, Stewart has recorded 11 sacks and 22.5 TFL over his first two seasons in Columbia. Stewart has the height and length (6'5" / 250 lbs) desired in a pass rusher and displays elite bend and burst to close on the QB. Stewart may be the best prospect in the nation for the 2027 NFL Draft.

Area for Improvement - Stewart lacks some desired mass and strength for leveraging the run back inside as a down linemen and may need to play as an off-the-ball LB on run downs. Stewart does have the frame to add more mass, although he may never add size due to fears that will reduce his speed and burst, both of which is elite.

2. Colin Simmons / Texas

2025 Statistics

43 tackles / 12 sacks / 15.5 TFL / 3 Forced Fumbles

Simmons (6'3" / 240 lbs) entered Austin as a 5-star recruit and immediately has played to the hype with 21 sacks, 29.5 TFL, and 6 Forced Fumbles over his first two seasons. Simmons has a fantastic first step and an impressive closing burst on the QB in the pocket and may be the best pure pass rusher in next year's draft. Simmons looks locked in as a top 10 pick in either 2027 or 2028.

Area for Improvement - Simmons lacks the desired size to line up as an EDGE on an even front on running downs and lacks strength, especially in the upper body. He may play off-the-ball on early downs in the NFL due to size limitations.

3. Boubacar Traore / Notre Dame

2025 Statistics

37 tackles / 6.5 sacks / 10 TFL / 1 Forced Fumble

A fast-rising prospect entering this draft cycle, Traore (6'5" / 253 lbs) seems ready to become a star this fall in South Bend. With his combination of size/size potential and pure athleticism, Traore has the raw skills and high ceiling to be developed into a perennial All-Pro.

Area for Improvement - Traore only has one year of production in college and he needs a lot of development in shedding blocks and pass rush techniques this season.

4. Matayo Uiagalelei / Oregon

2025 Statistics

34 tackles / 6 sacks / 9.5 TFL / 2 Forced Fumbles / 4 Deflected Passes

Uiagalelei (6'5" / 272 lbs) is a premiere power rusher who has significantly improved his run defense over his first two seasons. Uiagalelei has produced 18.5 sacks and 25 TFL over two-plus seasons of playing time in Eugene. Uiagalelei establishes a strong edge against the outside run while unleashing a powerful bull rush to pressure the QB in the pocket.

Area for Improvement - Although far from immobile, Uiagalelei lacks great twitch and quickness and is overly reliant on power to get to the QB. Uiagalelei needs to add some pass rush moves to his arsenal as a senior.

5. Kenyatta Jackson / Ohio State

2025 Statistics

28 tackles / 6.5 sacks / 11 TFL / 2 Deflected Passes

Jackson (6'6" / 265 lbs) is coming off his first season as a starter in Columbus and flirted with entering last April's draft after having a break through season last fall. Jackson is a well-rounded EDGE who leverages the run back inside consistently while utilizing elite speed-to-power conversion to get in the QB's face and disrupt the play.

Areas for Improvement - Jackson is still somewhat raw and needs development in shedding blocks and needs to develop some additional pass rush moves to finish at the QB more efficiently.

6. Princewill Umanmielen / LSU

2025 Statistics

44 tackles / 9 sacks / 13 TFL / 1 INT / 1 Deflected Pass

Umanmielen (6'4" / 244 lbs) follows coach Lane Kiffin from Ole Miss to LSU for the 2026 season after having his best season of his career after teasing his immense talent his first two seasons at Nebraska. Umanmielen has the ability to bend, flatten, and then accelerate to close on the QB like NFL teams want out of their speed rushers.

Areas for Improvement - Umanmielen needs to improve his consistency and show out more regularly as a senior in Baton Rouge.

7. Will Heldt / Clemson

2025 Statistics

46 tackles / 7.5 sacks / 15.5 TFL / 1 Forced Fumble / 2 Deflected Passes

Heldt (6'6" / 260 lbs) transferred into Clemson prior to the 2025 season from Purdue and displayed significant improvement last season as arguably Clemson's most effective pass rusher - on a team with second-round draft pick TJ Parker (Bills) - and returns and will be the focus of offensive game plans this season.

Area for Improvement - Heldt needs to improve his core strength as a senior to better set an effective edge in the running game.

8. Damon Wilson / Miami, Fl

2025 Statistics

23 tackles / 9 sacks / 9.5 TFL / 1 INT / 2 Deflected Passes

Wilson (6'4" / 250 lbs), a former 5-star recruit at Georgia, finally started to meet his hype last season at Missouri, and transfers into Miami looking to vault into first-round consideration for the 2027 NFL Draft. Wilson, with 12.5 career sacks and 15.5 TFL, has the ability to bend, flatten, and close at an elite level and is a great natural athlete.

Area for Improvement - Wilson needs to improve his strength and down-to-down consistency as a senior if he wants to hear his name called out in the first 32 picks next spring.

9. Anto Saka / Texas A&M

2025 Statistics

13 tackles / 3 sacks / 4 TFL / 2 Forced Fumbles / 1 Fumble Recovery

Saka (6'4" / 255 lbs) has always teased with his size, length, and raw athleticism and finally started to put it all together last season at Northwestern. Saka has three-years of playing experience with 12 sacks and 14 TFL during his time in Evanston.

Area for Improvement - Saka needs to improve his core strength and speed-to-power conversion to improve his ability in setting an edge and not be overly reliant on his speed rush.

10. Teitum Tuioti / Oregon

2025 Statistics

68 tackles / 9.5 sacks / 16 TFL / 2 Forced Fumbles / 5 Passes Defensed

Perhaps the most disruptive defensive player in the nation, Tuioti (6'3" / 263 lbs) is a smart, disciplined, and instinctive jack of all trades that is deployed creatively by the Oregon coaching staff. Tuioti's versatility and play making ability make him a dark horse first-round draft candidate next spring.

Area for Improvement - Tuioti may not have a natural position in the NFL and would be best drafted by a creative defensive coordinator who knows how to best utilize Tuioti's unique skill set.

Watch List - Yhonzae Pierre / Alabama, Jah-Marien Latham / Alabama, Qua Russaw / Ohio State, Beau Atkinson / Ohio State, Bryce Young / Notre Dame, Anthony Smith / Minnesota, Quincy Rhodes / Arkansas, Clev Lubin / Louisville, Gabe Harris / Georgia, Da'Shawn Womack / Auburn, Adam Trick, Texas Tech, Trey White / Texas Tech, and John Henry Daley / Michigan.