Way Too Early Top-5 EDGE Rushers for the 2026 NFL Draft
Summer Scouting Early Top-5 EDGE Rushers:
And we’re back! Today diving into my early Top-5 EDGE rushers looking ahead towards the 2026 NFL Draft, because it’s never too early to scout the NFL Draft. This EDGE class is a fun one, with all 5 of these names being Top-30 players on my early big board, with the top-4 EDGE rushers being Top-16 early on.
As always, this is very subject to change throughout the college football season and even later on in the summer, but without further ado, let’s dig into the 2026 NFL Draft’s Top-5 EDGE rushers early on.
#1: T.J. Parker · EDGE · Clemson
6’3 · 265 · JR
Early hype with Parker is warranted. His combination of burst-to-finish is my favorite with this class, he showcases the ability to burst past the OL within moments of the snap and utilizes plus-power to finish sack opportunities. Parker’s hand usage is refined and simply put just a non-stop nightmare for offensive linemen. He has a dominant bull-rush to utilize sheer power to win plenty of reps, he has a great mentality in pursuit, and he can disengage from blockers consistently and efficiently. All-in-all Parker checks plenty of boxes to be a #1 EDGE in an NFL Draft, and following a year where he was 7th in FBS sacks (11), my eyes are on Parker to hold this #1 spot long-term. While I don’t have many concerns with Parker, his motor has brought up questions for me, tending to be inconsistent. He could use better body control and overall balance, being an overall stiff athlete at times, but his burst/mobility/power combination make up for these issues.
#2: Rueben Bain Jr. · EDGE · Miami
6’3 · 275 · JR
For being 275 lbs Bain’s athleticism will surprise you. He explodes off of the line of scrimmage with an excellent first step and moves laterally extremely well. He has phenomenal closing burst to finish plays and rack up sacks, but the production wasn’t ideal in 2024 with only 3.5 sacks in 8 games played. Bain’s lack of production doesn’t worry me though, as his traits all check the box, one standing out is his excellent hand usage which he routinely displays the perfect blend of violence and refinement, packing a major punch. Bain is consistently able to disengage from blockers in run defense to get solid stops proving to be a very valuable run defender for an otherwise lackluster Miami defense in 2024. If he can stay healthy in 2025 I have full confidence that the production will rise, and he could even have a chance to be the 1st EDGE rusher off the board in the 2026 NFL Draft.
#3: Matayo Uiagalelei · EDGE · Oregon
6’5 · 270 · JR
Oregon’s sack leader in 2024, Uiagalelei has been able to consistently stand out for the Ducks. He’s a prototype 4-3 DE with a good blend of length and strength, solid quickness off the line of scrimmage, and a fluid athlete with nice flexibility to set the EDGE. My favorite thing about Uiagalelei is his ability to work off of blockers and provide a fantastic counter-move as the play goes on. He has violent hand usage, plays with good leverage at the point of attack, and has forceful upper-body strength with the ability to shrug off opposing offensive linemen. Put all these traits together, you get the man who was 8th in FBS sacks (10.5) as a sophomore. I’d like to see Uiagalelei diversify his pass-rush arsenal, as well as clean up his pursuit angles, but those issues don’t stand out due to his strengths complementing his playstyle so well. Primed to be Oregon’s #1 returning defensive player in 2025, Matayo Uiagalelei could be in #1 EDGE off the board talks when we get to the 2026 NFL Draft.
#4: Keldric Faulk · EDGE · Auburn
6’6 · 288 · JR
Faulk is a height-weight-speed monster EDGE rusher who’s traits flash pure excellence. He explodes off the line of scrimmage with a great first step and has phenomenal closing burst, put that together and you’ll have a very productive EDGE rusher. Faulk was 41st in FBS sacks in 2025 with 7, so there is room to grow, but banking on a jump I think it’s very possible we talk about him in the Top-10 of sacks by the end of the college football season. He has an excellent feel for working off blockers with a great pass-rush arsenal and the ability to disengage from blockers with ease. Faulk is a refined EDGE all-in-all with good hand usage, violent tackling ability and a non-stop motor. Some weaknesses include his lapses in run defense with abandoning run assignments to get upfield, and he’s slow at times to read and react the ball against the run. These issues can get resolves with a progressed year at Auburn and I’m very excited to see what Keldric Faulk has in store for the 2025 season.
#5: Dani Dennis-Sutton · EDGE · Penn State
6’5 · 272 · SR
Rounding out the Top-5 is Penn State’s Dani Dennis-Sutton, who decided to return to Penn State following a 8.5 sack Junior year. Penn State is an EDGE rusher factory and this year their high-profile piece happens to be Dani Dennis-Sutton. He’s a good hustle player with a great motor, has solid upper body strength to collapse the pocket, and is quick out of his stance with good hand usage. Dennis-Sutton has a lethal spin move which pairs well with his impressive size and length as a whole, he’s able to shrug past offensive-linemen with electric burst off the line of scrimmage. Going back to the hustle note, DDS is an active player with the ability to comfortably drop into coverage when need be. All-in-all, a very good EDGE rusher. Among weaknesses, few noteworthy, but his bend isn’t ideal, and at times was late at the point of attack, although thankfully he was able to show improvement in those areas across his 2024 tape.
In summary:
T.J. Parker · EDGE · Clemson
Rueben Bain Jr. · EDGE · Miami
Matayo Uiagalelei · EDGE · Oregon
Keldric Faulk · EDGE · Auburn
Dani Dennis-Sutton · EDGE · Penn State
Edit: Following this article I have moved Oklahoma’s R Mason Thomas, Alabama’s LT Overton above Dani Dennis-Sutton.
Parker, Bain, Uiagalelei, and Faulk sit comfortably in my Top-16 prospects at the moment, with Parker and Bain residing in my Top-10. Dennis-Sutton is in my Top-30 currently, with room to grow as I expect a big year for him as Penn State’s lead EDGE rusher. This will be a very fun class to monitor over the college football season and I expect high sack totals for everyone listed here.
As always, these are very subject to change over the season and summer, and stay tuned for more content here on the substack and on my Twitter/X page @AndyyNFL covering the NFL draft all year long.