2026 Draft Eligible Edge Defenders - Early Top 5

Newt Westen

The edge rusher class for the 2026 NFL Draft is stacked with athletic freaks, savvy technicians, and relentless motors who can wreck games off the edge. From twitchy first-step rushers to long-bodied power players, this group offers a diverse mix of styles that will have NFL teams lining up for talent. With Gabe Jacas earning an honorable mention spot, let’s count down the top five edge defenders in the country.

Honorable Mention, Gabe Jacas

• Height: 6’3”

• Weight: 279 lbs

• School: Illinois

Gabe Jacas is an experienced defender with twitchy explosiveness and a strong pass-rush profile built on speed and power. His footwork and motor allow him to create consistent pressure, and he’s been productive across more than 1,700 career snaps. The concern is his run defense, where he too often gets erased once tackles lock onto him. With 44 pressures in 2024, Jacas has shown he can affect quarterbacks, but improving his technique with his hands will help him round out his game.

5. LT Overton

• Height: 6’2¼”

• Weight: 274 lbs

• School: Alabama

LT Overton is a long, athletic edge rusher who combines size and movement skills to hold up in both run defense and pass rush. His lateral quickness and ability to counter make him versatile, and his motor shows through as a three-down defender. Where he falls short is play strength—despite a big frame, he doesn’t always play with the power his build suggests. He also struggles to finish the play as a pass rusher, generating only 3 sacks on nearly 40 pressures. Still, Overton had a 27.6% true pass rush win rate in 2024, showing disruptive upside if he develops more consistent finishing power.

4. Keldric Faulk

• Height: 6’6”

• Weight: 288 lbs

• School: Auburn

Keldric Faulk brings an exceptional frame with scheme versatility, excelling as both a run defender and pass rusher. His strong hands and reliable tackling make him a steady force, while his agility at his size is rare. He isn’t the twitchiest athlete, and he can get stalled when offensive tackles get their hands on him, limiting his pass-rush burst. Even so, with 45 total pressures in 2024 and consistent growth, Faulk has the makeup of a high-level every-down NFL edge.

3. Max Llewellyn

• Height: 6’5⅛”

• Weight: 260 lbs

• School: Iowa

Max Llewellyn is a length-athleticism blend with a polished pass-rush toolkit, including a nasty inside spin move and a variety of counters. His motor runs hot, and his burst allows him to collapse the pocket quickly. Run defense remains an area for improvement, as he can struggle to disengage once linemen latch on and has a poor pad level. With 35 pressures across limited snaps in 2024, Llewellyn flashes the upside of a disruptive pro if he continues refining his craft.

2. Rueben Bain Jr.

• Height: 6’3”

• Weight: 275 lbs

• School: Miami (FL)

Rueben Bain Jr. is a twitched-up pass rusher who explodes off the line and wins with a diverse set of moves, from power rushes to swims and rips. He plays with strong pursuit and sets a physical edge against the run. His biggest flaw is tackling consistency, as a career 20% missed tackle rate shows, and he sometimes stalls when his first move doesn’t land. Still, with 69 total pressures in 2024, Bain’s disruptive ability and high motor make him one of the most dangerous defenders in this class.

1. T.J. Parker

• Height: 6’3”

• Weight: 265 lbs

• School: Clemson

T.J. Parker is a refined technician with an advanced pass-rush arsenal and the agility to beat linemen inside or outside. His deadly speed-rip move and relentless effort make him a nightmare off the edge, while his hands allow him to win consistently as a rusher. At times, he can be neutralized if offensive tackles get their hands locked in, and his run-defense technique needs polishing. Even so, with a Clemson-record six forced fumbles in 2024 and 51 total pressures, Parker has all the traits of a first-round NFL edge defender.