The 2026 NFL Draft is just a few days away, and with the marquee weekend of the offseason nearly here, the hype and excitement surrounding this year's event has reached a boiling point.
Over the last several weeks, we've taken a look at some position groups in this year's class while examining a handful of names to know. Here's what we've covered so far:
We'll wrap up this series with the edge rushers.
Five Names to Know
Depending on where you look, the various experts from around the web have identified a handful of players who are widely considered the top edge rusher prospects in this year's class.
Here's a look at five players to know.
Arvell Reese – Ohio State
Measurables: 6-foot-4, 241 pounds
Snapshot: A versatile chess piece on Ohio State's defense last season, Reese piled up 10 tackles-for-loss, 6.5 sacks and two forced fumbles.
Big Board Rankings:
Daniel Jeremiah Top 50 4.0 (NFL.com - April 1): No. 5 overall (No. 2 EDGE)
Dane Brugler Top 100 (The Athletic - April 8): No. 1 overall (No. 1 EDGE)
Matt Miller Top 50 (ESPN – April 17): No. 4 overall (No. 1 LB)
Pro Football Focus: No. 2 overall (No. 1 LB)
Expert Analysis:
NFL.com: "Reese is a fluid and explosive athlete. Ohio State used him as a chess piece on defense. He aligned off the ball at linebacker, on the edge as a rusher and occasionally was deployed as a QB spy. He projects best as an edge rusher at the next level. When he rushes off the edge, he flashes elite speed and bend. He can overpower OTs, TEs and RBs when he has a runway…He can match/mirror TEs and RBs in coverage. Against the run, he can generate knock-back power on the front side and has elite speed to chase from the back side. Overall, Reese reminds me a lot of 2025 first-round pick Jalon Walker."
The Athletic: "Overall, Reese has the dynamic talent to play a variety of different linebacker or edge roles at a high level, although his ceiling as a pass rusher is his most valuable asset. It is hard to find versatile defenders with his caliber of explosive tools."
ESPN: "A hybrid defender who plays linebacker and edge rusher, there are obvious comparisons to Micah Parsons and Abdul Carter. Reese has the length, elite burst and power to be dangerous off the edge, as evidenced by his 6.5 sacks last season in a part-time edge role. His flexibility and athletic tools at a premium position could make Reese the first defender off the board."
PFF: "Reese is an elite athlete for the position with exceptional strength. While still developing in coverage, he has the tools to become a versatile defensive weapon."
For more on Reese, check out his draft profile at NFL.com.
David Bailey – Texas Tech
Measurables: 6-foot-3, 251 pounds
Snapshot: A three-year starter at Stanford, Bailey transferred to Texas Tech ahead of the 2025 campaign and turned in his best season yet, racking up 19.5 tackles-for-loss and 14.5 sacks.
Big Board Rankings:
Daniel Jeremiah Top 50 4.0 (NFL.com - April 1): No. 4 overall (No. 1 EDGE)
Dane Brugler Top 100 (The Athletic - April 8): No. 7 overall (No. 2 EDGE)
Matt Miller Top 50 (ESPN – April 17): No. 6 overall (No. 1 EDGE)
Pro Football Focus: No. 6 overall (No. 2 EDGE)
Expert Analysis:
NFL.com: "Bailey is an ultra-explosive edge rusher with outstanding production. He operated out of both a two-point and four-point stance in Texas Tech's scheme. His game is all about get-off and winning early in the down. He eats ground in a hurry and uses a dip/rip move before flattening quickly to the passer. He complements his speed rush with a sudden inside spin move. He flashes the ability to convert speed to power, but that is an area where he can improve at the next level. Against the run, he plays with effort and range from the back side but needs to improve his consistency and physicality when holding the point of attack. Overall, Bailey has areas to address, but his ability to create short corners to the passer is exceptional."
The Athletic: "Overall, Bailey is still developing his rush counters, but he is an explosive, quick-twitch athlete with the power, length and desire to be a disruptive rush piece. He projects as a versatile NFL starter."
ESPN: "Bailey was the nation's most impactful defensive transfer, finishing last season with 14.5 sacks (tied for first in the FBS) after arriving from Stanford. He also had 71 pressures (tied for second in the FBS). Bailey's first step causes problems for offensive tackles, and he counters well with leverage and strong hands. He is also relentless in pursuing the ball, which helped him rack up 23 tackles for loss last season. Bailey's 4.5 40-yard dash and 33¾-inch arm length at the combine could tempt the Jets at No. 2."
PFF: "[Bailey has] elite explosiveness and twitch…His pass-rush upside is significant."
For more on Bailey, check out his draft profile at NFL.com.
Rueben Bain Jr. – Miami (FL)
Measurables: 6-foot-2, 263 pounds
Snapshot: A force on Miami's defense who played a major role in the Hurricanes march to the National Championship Game in 2025, Bain led the FBS in total pressures with 83.
Big Board Rankings:
Daniel Jeremiah Top 50 4.0 (NFL.com - April 1): No. 7 overall (No. 3 EDGE)
Dane Brugler Top 100 (The Athletic - April 8): No. 9 overall (No. 3 EDGE)
Matt Miller Top 50 (ESPN – April 17): No. 13 overall (No. 2 EDGE)
Pro Football Focus: No. 5 overall (No. 1 EDGE)
Expert Analysis:
NFL.com: "His game tape is littered with disruption, destruction and dominance…He wins with leverage, power and polish. He launches out of his four-point stance, uproots offensive tackles and forces open one of their shoulders to get to the quarterback. He has a nasty chop/rip move, violent hump move and nifty Euro step. Against the run, he ragdolls tight ends and his motor to chase is unrelenting. Overall, he might lack ideal speed and length, but those shortcomings haven't stopped him from taking over big games in key moments. His drafting team is adding a certified junkyard dog, similar to former Eagle Trent Cole."
The Athletic: "His power profile, leveraged attack and tenacious play style show in all areas of his game and directly lead to backfield disruption. He projects as a scheme versatile NFL starter who can line up wide, over the tackle or inside as a three-technique."
ESPN: "Bain has produced since arriving on campus as a freshman, registering 7.5 sacks in 2023 and not looking back. He has combined power with first-step speed and strong hands to become a well-rounded, refined 5- or 6-technique defensive end. With an all-around game that reminds of Jared Verse, Bain is the most finished defensive line prospect in this class."
PFF: "Bain's lack of length will be a talking point, but his production and play strength outweigh those concerns. He consistently wins with power and intelligence as both a run defender and pass rusher."
For more on Bain, check out his draft profile at NFL.com.
Keldric Faulk – Auburn
Measurables: 6-foot-5, 276 pounds
Snapshot: A versatile prospect capable of playing anywhere on the defensive front, Faulk logged five tackles-for-loss and two sacks in 12 games last season.
Big Board Rankings:
Daniel Jeremiah Top 50 4.0 (NFL.com - April 1): No. 31 overall (No. 7 EDGE)
Dane Brugler Top 100 (The Athletic - April 8): No. 15 overall (No. 4 EDGE)
Matt Miller Top 50 (ESPN – April 17): No. 29 overall (No. 6 EDGE)
Pro Football Focus: No. 22 overall (No. 4 EDGE)
Expert Analysis:
NFL.com: "Faulk is a versatile defensive lineman with an ideal frame and length. He aligned up and down the front in Auburn's scheme…He's a very loose, fluid mover. As a pass rusher, he doesn't have an elite get-off but still finds ways to win with a swooping arm-over or steady pocket push…Against the run, he can stack and hold the point of attack because of his length and balance. He'll shoot gaps at times and provide penetration to force negative plays. His effort is good, and coaches rave about his character/work ethic. Overall, I was hoping he would play with more ferocity, but there's a lot to dream about with his potential."
The Athletic: "You bet on a developing, 20-year-old player with his exciting traits (he's similar in several ways to Mykel Williams as a prospect)."
ESPN: "Teams that run a base 4-3 or 3-4 defense will like what they see on Faulk's tape. He is a versatile defensive lineman who can anchor against double-teams, set the edge in run defense and explode into gaps with first-step quickness…He'll enter the NFL with high-end run-defense tools and the traits to develop into a quality power rusher."
PFF: "His length and strength make him an ideal fit for multiple or odd fronts. He excels at holding the line of scrimmage and generating pressure through power."
For more on Faulk, check out his draft profile at NFL.com.
T.J. Parker – Clemson
Measurables: 6-foot-3, 263 pounds
Snapshot: Parker filled the stat sheet during his time at Clemson, recording 41.5 tackles-for-loss, 21.5 sacks, six forced fumbles and five passes defensed in 39 career games.
Big Board Rankings:
Daniel Jeremiah Top 50 4.0 (NFL.com - April 1): No. 24 overall (No. 5 EDGE)
Dane Brugler Top 100 (The Athletic - April 8): No. 31 overall (No. 6 EDGE)
Matt Miller Top 50 (ESPN – April 17): No. 27 overall (No. 5 EDGE)
Pro Football Focus: No. 29 overall (No. 6 EDGE)
Expert Analysis:
NFL.com: "Parker is an intriguing edge rusher with the versatility to slide inside. He had a monster 2024 campaign (11 sacks) but saw his production drop off this past season (five sacks). He is a rugged pass rusher with a powerful shake/bull move coming off the edge. He can jolt blockers with his hands before separating and closing the distance with the quarterback. He doesn't have an elite burst when rushing outside, but his quickness plays better when he rushes inside. Against the run, he can generate knock-back power at the point of attack and he's adept at keeping opponents' hands off his frame. Overall, Parker wasn't quite as impactful in 2025, which ultimately could lead to a real value selection for his drafting team, but he did help himself with a strong week at the Senior Bowl."
The Athletic: "Overall, Parker is still learning how to unlock counter maneuvers, but he offers a reliable foundation built on leveraged power and a consistent motor that helps him make plays as a rusher and run defender. He projects as a solid NFL starter, similar to Jabaal Sheard."
ESPN: "Parker has the power and heavy hands to be an effective 4-3 defensive end and can consistently beat double-teams to set the edge in run defense."
PFF: "Parker is a well-rounded edge defender who does many things at a solid level…He projects as a rotational player with starting potential if he develops more strength or explosiveness."
For more on Parker, check out his draft profile at NFL.com.
