Ranking TJ Parker, Keldric Faulk, R Mason Thomas, and a unpopular omission highlight early look at 2026 NFL Draft EDGE class

1. Keldric Faulk (Auburn)

Faulk is listed at 6-6 and 288 pounds. If that listing is even close to legitimate, he is going to go in the top ten when April finally gets here. He is a rare athlete at that size, having the ability to all over the line of scrimmage. Faulk’s game is very similar to current Buffalo Bills standout Gregory Rousseau. 

2. R Mason Thomas (Oklahoma) 

People are going to hyperfocus on the size for Thomas, and I completely understand it. Thomas is in the Shaq Barrett mold, boasting incredible explosiveness, bend, and underrated hand strength. No matter what game you flip on, Thomas pops on film. He has the look of a high-end NFL pass rusher for a long time. 

3. TJ Parker (Clemson) 

At around 6-4 and 260 pounds, Parker is a powerful rusher that does his best work playing down the chests of opposing offensive tackles. The first step and power is very nice, but Parker does need to be a lot more consistent from a game to game perspective. The Alabama native has the talent to go in the first half of round one, but Parker needs to take it to another level in 2025.

4. LT Overton (Alabama) 

A bit smaller than Alabama lists him (6’ 2 3/8”, 274 pounds), Overton is still a very impressive athlete for his size. His movement skills are impressive, which could allow him to stink on the edge. There is, however, a reality where he could be incredibly impactful developing his frame and playing a lot more inside, more often. 

5. Dani Dennis-Sutton (Penn State) 

At 6’ 5 5/8” and 265 pounds, Dennis-Sutton is the body type you’re looking for at the position. He also possesses nice movement, and closing speed to finish a lot of plays in the backfield. There are stretches where Dennis-Sutton seems to disappear a bit. If the game can continue slowing down in 2025, he has first round upside. 

6. Kenyatta Jackson Jr. (Ohio State)

Hidden behind Jack Sawyer and JT Tuimoloau, Jackson was pretty disruptive in the opportunities he was given. At about 6-6 and 260 pounds, Jackson is a very gifted mover. He has some uncommon bend at that size. I expect Jackson to become a hot commodity with a bigger volume this season. 

7. Anto Saka (Northwestern) 

Due to some spotty production, Saka has become one of the more underrated defenders in the entire country. He is a very explosive pass rusher with a ton of upside to work with. At 6-4 and 247 pounds, Saka has every tool to become one of the biggest risers in the class. 

8. Matayo Uiagalelei (Oregon)

Still just 19 years old, Uiagalelei is an impressive athlete at around 6-5 and 270 pounds. His bend is impressive for that size, and there is a substantial amount of upside to tap into. Uiagalelei needs to have an uptick in terms of physicality and aggressiveness. That would take his game to a whole other level. 

9. Will Heldt (Clemson) 

Head coach Dabo Swinney had been a bit hesitant to tap into the transfer portal in his career, but he changed that opinion for Heldt. At 6-6 and 265 pounds, he is a very impressive athlete for his size. With Parker and Peter Woods there to take some attention off of Heldt, he has a chance to put together a tremendous 2025 season for the Tigers. 

10. Boubacar Traore (Notre Dame)

Traore had his season cut short early with a knee injury. Before he got injured, Traore was beginning to take his game a much higher level. He was on track for 16 tackles for loss and 10 sacks if he had played the entirety of the season. At 6-4 and 247 pounds, Traore is an explosive pass rusher who is just starting to figure out how good he can be. 

Just missed the just 

Here are a few other top 2026 EDGE defenders that need to be in the conversation. Each brings a unique skill set to the table. 

Beau Atkinson (Ohio State) 

Atkinson opted to leave the North Carolina Tar Heels this offseason, and the Buckeyes eventually won out after high demand. At 6-6 and 265 pounds, Atkinson is a powerful rusher with very surprising closing speed. He isn’t a bendy pass rusher, but his size and explosiveness provides some alignment upside.

Tyreak Sapp (Florida) 

If you love bend, Sapp is not going to be for you. If you do value power and a motor, however, then you will love Sapp. He is a very physical and aggressive EDGE defender that excels in the run game. Sapp isn’t going to ever be a great pass rusher, but he’s hard to handle for offensive tackle with average anchors. 

Trey Moore (Texas) 

The former UTSA transfer came to Austin as one of the better sack artists in college football, and became an underrated performer for the Longhorns last season. Moore is an undersized standup rusher (6’ 1 1/4”, 246 pounds) but brings a nice level of versatility to the table. That should allow him to stick on the next level as a valuable role player for a long time.