Early EDGE Rankings - 2026 NFL Draft

Newt Westen

Top 10 Edge Defenders

Over the last couple of weeks, I have been given the wonderful opportunity to pair my two loves in football, the NFL Draft and the Green Bay Packers. That opportunity comes from creating content for Cheesehead TV as their Lead Draft Analyst. For my early position rankings, I have been recording and sharing my thoughts on their YouTube channel and website. Please feel free to check them out! If you want a shorter, written synopsis, check out my rankings below. Until next time, Prost!

10. Max Llewellyn (Iowa)

A 6'5", 260-pound technical pass rusher with good length (~33" arms) and a high motor. He shows burst off the line and a varied toolbox—including speed-to-power, swim, chop, cross-chop, and a deadly inside spin move. He covers ground quickly for his size. Concerns include average run defense, difficulty disengaging from blocks, and a high 33% missed tackle rate. A developmental rotational piece with Day 3 potential.

9. Derrick Moore (Michigan)

At 6'3", 265 pounds with nearly 34" arms, Moore brings explosive first-step quickness, high effort, and smart pass-rush sequencing (baiting tackles, speed-to-power, inside counters). He plays with good leverage and uses length effectively. Run defense is improving but needs more play strength and refined hand placement for consistency. Solid Day 2 upside as a versatile edge.

8. Malachi Lawrence (UCF)

Lawrence stands out with elite length (35" arms) at 6'4", 263 pounds. He wins with powerful bull rushes, speed-to-power, and multiple counters, showing well-rounded traits and progress in run defense. He has three-down potential if he refines his game. Limitations include limited bend/flexibility (high-waisted build affects change of direction) and a 22% missed tackle rate. Projects as a Day 2 rotational edge with starter traits in the right scheme.

7. Zion Young (Missouri)

A 6'5", 255-pound well-rounded defender who stands out as the group's best run defender. He converts speed to power effectively, flashes inside counters, and plays bigger than his listed weight. Technique and hand usage need polishing, and he can appear slower in open space. A high-floor Day 2/early Day 3 option who could rise with added strength.

6. Akheem Mesidor (Miami)

A sixth-year senior with injury history (including foot surgery), Mesidor remains explosive with phenomenal foot speed, refined hands, and high effort. He shows gap discipline in the run game and earned All-conference honors across programs. Concerns include limited bend, inconsistent run defense at times, and shorter arms/height for the position. Age and health may push him to late Day 2, but his tape warrants consideration.

5. Cashes Howell (Texas A&M)

Highly productive (12 sacks, 40 pressures, strong snaps per loss rate), How is twitchy and explosive with great vision, quickness, and active hands. He disrupts consistently off the edge. Shorter arms (~30¾") may limit leverage against bigger tackles. A high-upside Day 2 pass-rush specialist with starter potential in sub-packages.

4. David Bailey (Texas Tech)

An elite pass-rush producer (14 sacks, 74 pressures, ~40% win rate, strong snaps/loss). Bailey uses length, refined plans (counters, spins, swims, outside speed), and All-American-level traits. Run defense needs work, and his success partly ties to Texas Tech's strong front. High Day 2 floor with possible first-round climb if he improves against the run.

3. Kendrick Faulk (Auburn)

At 6'6", 288 pounds, Faulk has an old-school 4-3 DE build with versatility across fronts. He excels with strong hands for stacking/shedding, reliable tackling (<10% miss rate), and solid get-off. Three-down potential stands out. He needs more play strength for edge-setting and isn't the most explosive or bendy. Early first-round projection as a complete, high-floor edge.

2. TJ Parker (Clemson)

A 6'3", 265-pound athlete with elite speed and tools at the position. Parker shows refined pass-rush technique (28% win rate) and strong production (6 sacks, 41 pressures). First-round frame and traits shine through. Productivity dipped amid team struggles, and he needs better one-on-one hand usage. Consensus first-round talent with high ceiling.

1. Ruben Bain Jr. (miami)

The class's clear top EDGE, Bain combines a high floor in run defense with imposing pass-rush traits (59 pressures, 7 sacks, 33% win rate). Strong, explosive, elusive, and high-motor—he wins in multiple ways. Shorter arms (reported ~30-32") require better consistency, counters, and sack conversion from pressures. High first-round grade with top-15 overall upside in many mocks.