Top EDGE Rushers - 2026 NFL Draft Preseason Watch List

John B. Everett
Aug 15
7 min read

Updated: Sep 2

The 2026 Edge Rusher class looks to be on par with last year’s class, if not even slightly better, although there does not figure to be any prospects that are likely to grade out as highly as Penn State’s Abdul Carter (Giants). However, as many as a half dozen prospects could earn first round grades by the time the 2026 NFL Draft rolls around next April and the depth should provide NFL contributors even late on day three and into free agency.

Top of the Class

1. TJ Parker / Clemson

After a promising freshman campaign, Parker burst on the national scene with 11 sacks and six forced fumbles recorded last year. Parker looks the part at 6’3” / 265 lbs with a significant wingspan that he uses to disrupt passing lanes. Parker excels as a pass rusher but holds the point of attack (POA) well and figures to best be used in an even front. Parker looks like a Top 10 pick next spring.

2. Matayo Uiagalelei / Oregon

Uiagalelei became a starter as a sophomore and immediately became an impact player for the Ducks, tying for the Big Ten lead in sacks with Abdul Carter (10.5). Uiagalelei has prototypical size (6’5” / 272 lbs) for an EDGE in an even front and sets a strong edge in the run game.

3. Dani Dennis-Sutton / Penn State

The other half of Penn State’s dynamic duo at EDGE last year, Dennis-Sutton returns for his senior year in Happy Valley. A former 5-star recruit, the light really came on last year for Dennis-Sutton as he provided 8.5 sacks and two forced fumbles in 2024 and had a great game in the national semifinal loss to Notre Dame when he recorded two sacks when the Nittany Lions were without Carter, who was unavailable due to injury. Very good height (6’5”), frame, and mass (265 lbs) with a large wingspan. Flashes elite quick twitch at the snap. Can get skinny and slice through gaps in the line of scrimmage (LOS). Very strong closing burst. Dennis-Sutton needs to become more consistent but he looks like a first-round pick.

4. Rueben / Bain / Miami, Fl

After earning Freshman All-American honors after the 2023 season, Bain battled injuries last season and missed significant time which diminished his production (recorded 7.5 sacks in 2023 and only 3.5 sacks in 2024). Bain (6’3” / 275 lbs) is a well-rounded player who does an effective job against the run and displays a very effective bull rush. A season of full health and the development of additional pass rush moves could lead to Bain being a first-round pick next year.

5. Mikail Kamara / Indiana

Kamara transferred to Indiana from James Madison last year and became an instant impact player for the Hoosiers last season as he recorded ten sacks, two forced fumbles, and an amazing 73 QB pressures (led FBS) in leading Indiana to the national playoffs. Kamara lacks desired height (6’1”) but has the frame, mass (265 lbs), and long arms desired for a 4-3 DE. Very athletic and quick. Very good first step quickness. Lacks many pass rushing moves and needs to add some techniques to aid his pass rush. Needs to improve hand use to shed blocks more efficiently but fights hard and usually maintains containment on the edge. Uses length well to disrupt passing lanes.

6. David Bailey / Texas Tech

Bailey is part of the Texas Tech NIL charge the team made over the off season and will be expected to provide pressure on opposing QBs. Bailey (6’3” / 250 lbs) fits in well in either an odd or an event front and has steadily improved over his three years at Berkeley, finishing the 2024 season with seven sacks and five forced fumbles, Bailey gets to finish his college career playing for a team that is driven to make the playoffs and he has a chance to be a first-round pick in April.

7. LT Overton / Alabama

Overton, a former 5-star recruit at Texas A&M, is beginning his second season in Tuscaloosa. Ideal combination of height/length (6’5”), with the frame and size to carry more mass (278 lbs) if desired – size is prototypical for a 5T. Better at setting a strong edge in the run game than pressuring the QB – only three career sacks in three seasons of SEC play. Needs to develop more counter moves to beat OTs at the LOS – overly dependent on his bull rush to generate power. Physical freak in the mode of Shemar Stewart (Bengals 2025 first-round pick) with a similar lack of production despite his natural tools.

8. Keldric Faulk / Auburn

Faulk burst on the scene last season, recording seven sacks, 11 TFL, seven QB hurries, and a forced fumble in his first full season as the starter at Auburn. Faulk displays excellent range against the run and specializes on closing down cutback lanes in the run game. Faulk wins on effort and needs to improve his strength and develop some additional pass rush moves to increase his effectiveness. With another quality season like last year, Faulk could be drafted on day one next April.

9. Romello Height / Texas Tech

Height spent the last two seasons at USC (2023) and Georgia Tech (2024) and was lured to the Red Raiders to give them a pair of legitimate speed rushers to pressure the QB. Height has flashed big time pass rushing skill - quick twitch at the snap and the ability to bend and flatten on the QB - but needs to do it more consistently. Height has good height and length (6’3”) with a sizeable reach and acceptable mass (235 lbs) for a 3-4 OLB. Height has 6.5 sacks recorded over the course of the last two seasons.

Other Names to Monitor:

· Patrick Payton / LSU. Payton is hoping for a bounce back season after only recording four sacks as Florida State stumbled to a horrid 2024 season (2-10 record). Payton has 16 sacks recorded over his three years in Tallahassee. Payton looks the part – 6’6” / 255 lbs and flashes dominating play but his lack of consistency is troublesome.

· Jayden Virgin-Morgan / Boise State. Virgin-Morgan (6’3” / 253 lbs) is a tweener in terms of size and skill set between a 4-3 DE and a 3-4 OLB but demonstrated the ability to get after the QB (10 sacks). Another similar campaign will likely get him drafted early on day two.

· Beau Atkinson / Ohio State. The Buckeyes’ hole at EDGE, created by the entry to the NFL of Jack Sawyer (Steelers) and JT Tuimoloau (Colts), will be partially addressed by Atkinson (6’6” / 258 lbs), who recorded 7.5 sacks last year with North Carolina.

· Gabe Jacas / Illinois. Jacas is a very good-sized LB with great length (6’3”), a huge frame, and 4-3 DE mass (275 lbs). Despite size, moves quickly and fluidly. Can bend, flatten, and close on the QB effectively. Finished the 2024 season with eight sacks and has 16 combined sacks over the last three years.

· Will Heldt / Clemson. Hell must have frozen over! Clemson coach Dabo Swinney made an addition through the transfer portal! Heldt displayed promise last year at Purdue, recording five sacks. Heldt (6’6” / 260 lbs) transfers to Clemson where he should be able to feast on single blocking lining up with All-Americans TJ Parker and IDL Peter Woods on the same line.

· Derrick Moore / Michigan. Moore (6’3” / 256 lbs) is the emotional leader up front for the Wolverines. Moore is steady if not spectacular, recording 11 total sacks over the last three years combined and is one of the best run-stopping EDGEs in college football.

· Korey Foreman / Fresno State. Foreman has yet to put it together in college after entering USC as a 5-star recruit and the top EDGE prospect in the nation coming out of high school. Foreman has had difficulty producing much with only 5.5 career sacks in three plus seasons of college football. Foreman did force three fumbles last year, as well as three sacks, so the light might be starting to come on for Foreman.

· R. Mason Thomas / Oklahoma. Thomas is coming off a nine-sack season and his first step and closing burst are amongst the best in this class. Thomas has an adequate frame, length (6’2”), and mass (249 lbs) for a 3-4 OLB but is not tasked with dropping back much in coverage – he is better going forward than backwards.

· Wesley Williams / Duke. Williams has teased with his potential but finally started to put things together last year for the Blue Devils. Williams (6’3” / 265 lbs) has put on good size and now should be more effective holding the edge in the run game. Williams is quick off the snap and is able to win with his first step. Williams finished with eight sacks last season.

· Tyreak Sapp / Florida. Sapp (6’3” / 274 lbs) possesses very good size and sturdiness for holding down the edge in the run game and shows promise as an outside pass rusher. Sapp combines natural power with a quick first step to generate pressure on the QB.

· Cashius Howell / Texas A&M. Howell has good size for a 3-4 OLB (6’2” / 248 lbs) and has quality production pressuring the QB – 13.5 sacks over the last two seasons, with 9.5 coming during the 2023 season. Howell’s quickness, burst, and lateral agility make him a dangerous pass rusher.