Welcome to my Early Look: 2026 NFL Draft IDP Defensive Linemen Prospects article, where I will examine the defensive line position before the NFL Draft in order to examine which ones you should be following in your Pre-NFL Draft IDP Rookie scouting process.
As we wrap up this defensive rookie preview series, the 2026 class has delivered some serious intro music. The safeties represent one of the deepest groups we’ve seen in years. The linebackers, meanwhile, stand out as one of the strongest and most athletic collections in recent memory. But if those positions are stealing scenes, the defensive line class (in this article, covering edge rushers, DL, interior defensive tackles, and those 3-4 defensive ends who end up playing defensive tackle in 4-3 roles) truly shines as the undisputed heavyweight of the draft.
While the 2026 edge rusher class lacks a true generational talent on the level of Myles Garrett or Aidan Hutchinson, it remains a deep and talented group overall. What it does is feature plenty of high-end performers and outstanding depth that could yield multiple Day 1 and Day 2 impact players. It’s top-heavy; the first 10-14 picks will go high, then there’s a tier drop-off with solid role players tumbling in. Scouting gurus from ESPN’s Mel Kiper, Matt Miller, and Dane Brugler at The Athletic, Bleacher Report, and NFL Draft Buzz agree that the defensive front ranks among the draft’s strongest premier position groups.
So then picture the 2026 defensive line class as a blockbuster WWE Premium Live Event, where a handful of headline-grabbing superstars sell every ticket while the midcard crew keeps things steady without ever threatening to upstage them.
To bring it home, think back to WrestleMania X in 1994, the year without Hulk Hogan, and new performers picked up the mantle. The card was packed with talent. A show forever remembered for two absolute bangers that carried the night while the rest played solid support. The opener with Bret Hart versus Owen Hart was a technical masterpiece, a sibling showdown not seen since Kain and Able. So good it’s still hailed as one of the greatest kickoffs ever, much like Rueben Bain Jr. bursting onto the scene as the explosive, unmissable EDGE1, ready to steal draft night early and leave quarterbacks regretting their life choices.
Then came Shawn Michaels versus Razor Ramon in that groundbreaking ladder match, complete with iconic chaos like HBK dangling helplessly from the ropes, basically inventing high-flying madness on the fly. That’s your David Bailey or Keldric Faulk, the athletic freaks with elite moves who will elevate the entire position and make scouts drool.
Razor Ramon vs Shawn Michael. Wrestlemania X Highlights
The undercards brought competent performances without stealing the thunder from the true classics, offering solid redemption moments for the Earthquake (who squashed Adam Bomb like a fly) and Lex Luger catching the full E-Honda combo from the late Yokozuna, followed by a Bazai Drop. Sprinkle in some reliable tag action from Mabel and the crew that kept the crowd buzzing until that final Bushwhacker gets tossed over the ropes, and it’s the same feeling I get when a late-round draft prospect carves out a role.
That’s this 2026 Defensive Line class to sum it up. They won’t all be hits. Take the career arc of Adam Bomb, a hulking talent who I thought was going to be a sure thing, but never panned out.
Join me in evaluating this next crop of proven up-front warriors as they transition to the NFL. Get ready to grab a steel chair from under the ring and throw a headshot (just kidding, fun fact, they’re not allowed to do that anymore) because this article absolutely slaps.
2026 NFL Draft Defensive Line Prospects
| Name | College | Projection | Bowl Invite | Scheme | Win Rate % | QB Hits | Sacks ’24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top 10 | |||||||
| Rueben Bain Jr. | Miami (FL) | Top 10 | — | DL/ Edge | 14.6 | 4 | 3.5 |
| Peter Woods | Clemson | Top 10 | — | DT | 13.5 | 4 | 3 |
| 1st Round | |||||||
| Joshua Josephs | Tennessee | 1st Round | — | Edge | 15.8 | 3 | 1.5 |
| TJ Parker | Clemson | 1st Round | Senior Bowl | Edge | 15.0 | 11 | 11 |
| Christen Miller | Georgia | 1st Round | — | DT | 10.7 | 1 | 1.5 |
| Top 20 | |||||||
| David Bailey | Texas Tech | Top 20 | Senior Bowl | Edge | 27.5 | 8 | 7 |
| Cashius Howell | Texas A&M | Top 20 | Senior Bowl | “Jack” Edge | 19.9 | 6 | 4 |
| Keldric Faulk | Auburn | Top 20 | — | 3-4/4-3 | 11.5 | 5 | 7 |
| Top 50 | |||||||
| LT Overton | Alabama | Top 50 | Senior Bowl | “Bandit” DL | 18.0 | 4 | 2 |
| Damon Wilson II | Missouri | Top 50 | — | Edge | 7.9 | 5 | 3 |
| R Mason Thomas | Oklahoma | Top 50 | Senior Bowl | Edge | 14.3 | 10 | 9 |
| Kayden McDonald | Ohio St. | Top 50 | — | Nose Tackle | 4.0 | 10 | 0 |
| A’Mauri Washington | Oregon | Top 50 | — | Nose Tackle | 8.6 | 6 | 0 |
| Domonique Orange | Iowa St. | Top 50 | Senior Bowl | Nose Tackle | 12.4 | 17 | 1 |
| Mid Day 2 (Round 2-early 3) | |||||||
| Zion Young | Missouri | Mid Day 2 | Senior Bowl | Defensive End | 11.1 | 3 | 2.5 |
| Matayo Uiagalelei | Oregon | Mid Day 2 | — | DefensiveEnd | 15.5 | 14 | 10.5 |
| Romello Height | Texas Tech | Mid Day 2 | Senior Bowl | Edge | 11.5 | 6 | 2.5 |
| Jaishawn Barham | Michigan | Mid Day 2 | — | WILL LB/ Edge | 10.3 | 2 | 1 |
| Caleb Banks | Florida | Mid Day 2 | Senior Bowl | DT | 11.2 | 5 | 4.5 |
| Darrell Jackson Jr. | Florida St. | Mid Day 2 | Shrine Bowl | Nose Guard | 13.9 | 5 | 3.5 |
| Aaron Graves | Iowa | Mid Day 2 | — | DT | 9.9 | 6 | 6 |
| 3rd Round | |||||||
| Gabe Jacas | Illinois | 3rd Round | Senior Bowl | Base 4-3 End | 18.7 | 8 | 8 |
| Dani Dennis-Sutton | Penn St. | 3rd Round | Senior Bowl | Defensive End | 14.4 | 13 | 8.5 |
| Tim Keenan III | Alabama | 3rd Round | Senior Bowl | DT | 10.3 | 3 | 2.5 |
| Bear Alexander | Oregon | 3rd Round | — | DT | 10.3 | 2 | 0 |
| Early Day 3 (Round 4) | |||||||
| Derrick Moore | Michigan | Early Day 3 | Senior Bowl | Edge | 23.4 | 7 | 4 |
| Clev Lubin | Louisville | Early Day 3 | — | Edge | 22.3 | 10 | 9.5 |
| Akheem Mesidor | Miami (FL) | Early Day 3 | — | Defensive End | 12.9 | 8 | 5.5 |
| Anthony Smith | Minnesota | Early Day 3 | — | Defensive End | 10.9 | 5 | 6 |
| Max Llewellyn | Iowa | Early Day 3 | Senior Bowl | Edge | 21.0 | 6 | 5.5 |
| Mikail Kamara | Indiana | Early Day 3 | — | Edge | 16.6 | 18 | 10 |
| Malachi Lawrence | UCF | Early Day 3 | Shrine Bowl | Edge | 13.6 | 4 | 1 |
| Keyron Crawford | Auburn | Early Day 3 | Senior Bowl | Edge | 16.2 | 4 | 1 |
| Lee Hunter | Texas Tech | Early Day 3 | Senior Bowl | DT | 10.3 | 7 | 1 |
| Zxavian Harris | Ole Miss | Early Day 3 | — | DL | 3.8 | 0 | 1 |
| Zane Durant | Penn St. | Early Day 3 | Senior Bowl | DT | 8.4 | 7 | 3 |
| Rayshaun Benny | Michigan | Early Day 3 | Senior Bowl | DT | 8.6 | 4 | 1.5 |
| Dontay Corleone | Cincinnati | Early Day 3 | Shrine Bowl | Nose Guard | 9.8 | 6 | 3.5 |
| Mid Day 3 (Rounds 5-6) | |||||||
| Anthony Lucas | USC | Mid Day 3 | Shrine Bowl | Edge | 13.0 | 7 | 0 |
| Tyreak Sapp | Florida | Mid Day 3 | Shrine Bowl | DefensiveEnd | 12.9 | 4 | 7 |
| TJ Guy | Michigan | Mid Day 3 | — | Edge | 20.9 | 6 | 5.5 |
| Trey Moore | Texas | Mid Day 3 | — | 3-4 Will/Edge | 11.6 | 6 | 5.5 |
| Albert Regis | Texas A&M | Mid Day 3 | Shrine Bowl | DT | 2.4 | 3 | .5 |
| Brandon Cleveland | N.C. State | Mid Day 3 | Shrine Bowl | DT | 5.8 | 5 | .5 |
| Chris McClellan | Missouri | Mid Day 3 | Senior Bowl | DT | 4.0 | 3 | 2.5 |
| Deven Eastern | Minnesota | Mid Day 3 | Senior Bowl | DT | 8.3 | 5 | 2 |
| Keanu Tanuvasa | BYU | Mid Day 3 | — | DT | 5.8 | 5 | 1 |
| Skyler Gill-Howard | Texas Tech | Mid Day 3 | — | DT | 12.8 | 7 | 4.5 |
| Gracen Halton | Oklahoma | Mid Day 3 | Senior Bowl | DT | 11.3 | 1 | 5 |
| Late Day 3 (Round 7 / Priority UDFA) | |||||||
| Eric O’Neill | Rutgers | UDFA/ 7th | — | Edge | 18.8 | 6 | 13 |
| Arden Walker | Colorado | Late Day 3 | — | Edge | 19.7 | 4 | 4.5 |
| Kalil Alexander | Texas St. | UDFA/ 7th | — | WILL LB/Edge | 22.2 | 8 | 6.5 |
| Patrick Payton | LSU | Late Day 3 | Shrine Bowl | Edge | 10.3 | 3 | 4 |
| Demonte Capehart | Clemson | Late Day 3 | Shrine Bowl | 0-tech | 5.1 | 2 | 5 |
| Tyler Onyedim | Texas A&M | 6th- 7th | Shrine Bowl | DT | 5.9 | 4 | 0 |
*All college defensive statistics sourced from NCAA.org, team official sites, ESPN, and PFF snap counts. We’ll have 2025 updates once the playoff season ends, for the next series of articles.
Rueben Bain Jr, Miami
Rueben Bain Jr. has always been a force to reckon with. Being a force throughout high school and College, it’s only a matter of time before he feels his presence known in the NFL.
He began his career at Miami Central High School with an eye-popping 77 career sacks. Yep, that’s no typo, helping lead his team to four state championships, shocking none of us here. He then became a consensus four-star recruit. At Miami, in his true freshman season (2023), he earned ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year honors, along with Freshman All-America recognition.
You can’t really define him either. He’s lined up effectively from the edge, as a wide-9 defender, and even kicked inside at times, thriving in both 3-4 and 4-3 fronts, though the latter is his strong suit. While he’s widely regarded as an elite pass rusher with standout pressure numbers and PFF grades, the part of his game that gets overlooked is his run defense, an 86.7 run defense grade that sets him apart.
Rueben Bain Jr. is the clear-cut DL1 in this draft class, but arm length is a major concern at this position. Quiet mumlings concerns about his arm length, reportedly around 30¾ inches, which raises questions about his long-term viability as a pure edge rusher.
Historical precedents for elite production at the position are rare below the 31-inch threshold: standout outliers include Elvis Dumervil (32⅝ inches), Robert Mathis (around 31–32 inches), Dwight Freeney (32⅛ inches), and Micah Parsons (31½ inches) even these successes typically feature arms at or just above 31 inches, with no pure edge rusher posting double-digit sack seasons or Pro Bowls when truly sub-31.
For Bain, many evaluators believe his exceptional power, violent hands, and refined technique could make him a rare exception, much like Freeney or Mathis, while others project a potential transition inside to defensive tackle. The absence of strong sub-31-inch precedents remains a significant knock on his edge projection, and official measurements at the NFL Combine will be pivotal in resolving the debate.
Keldric Faulk, Auburn
Keldric Faulk looks to be one of the funnest profiles in this draft class. Standing at an imposing 6’6″, with a well-built frame, he’s still adding muscle mass, which has scouts excited to see his upside as an edge rusher.
The comparison to Calais Campbell is absolutely fitting. Built to thrive in the 5-technique at the NFL level, offering that uncommon mix of length, strength, and multi-alignment versatility. Faulk consistently raises his game against top-tier opponents: look no further than his standout tape against Georgia (7 tackles, 2 sacks) and a truly dominant, game-wrecking performance against Alabama (6 tackles, 2 TFLs, forced fumble, and recovery).
He’s equally stout against the run, posting an elite 85.2 PFF run-defense grade that underscores his three-down potential. While he may not possess the same explosive first step as someone like Rueben Bain Jr., Faulk’s ability to stay on the field for all downs and anchor against the run makes him every bit the cornerstone talent with franchise-changing upside.
I just want you to think about this for a second. We have 6’6 edge players who can cover the run as well as the pass. Scary times. Nuff said.
David Bailey, Texas Tech
This four-star recruit hit the transfer portal from Stanford to Texas Tech and never looked back. Led the Nation in Sacks (14.5 ), tied with Nadame Tucker. When compared to other pass rushers on this list, he posted 31 quarterback hits and a 23.7 % pressure rate that nobody else in the country can touch. He led FBS in total pressures (74), which is a massive margin (13 ahead of the next Power 4 player). We featured him highly on our linebacker list as well, so questions are asked about which position he will play, and with stats this elite, why is he not ranked higher as an edge rusher? Go ahead. Read on.
He has truly committed to improving, and that transformation is most evident in his run defense. Early in his career, he had significant flaws as a tackler, which is why he didn’t even start at the beginning of the season despite otherwise strong production. Fast forward to the Orange Bowl, and he was arguably the best tackler on the field against Oregon.
Accumulating over 40 tackles for loss and 28 sacks across four seasons is impressive, but a 15.8% missed tackle rate knocks him down a few spots. Combined with his elite pass-rushing ability, these factors make him better suited as an edge rusher rather than an interior defender. There are also lingering concerns about his size and build, even though he has established himself as one of the premier pass-rush talents in the class with a PFF grade above 93.
Obviously, Bailey is someone I want to see up close at the Senior Bowl and see how this translates against the top competition in the Country.
Cashius Howell, Texas A&M
Cashius Howell stands out as a wrecking ball and incredibly efficient pass rusher in the 2026 NFL Draft class, a consensus top-20 prospect with many having him in the conversation as either EDGE 3–5, depending on your scoring settings.
At 6’3 and 245 lbs, he gets knocked for having shorter arms (stop me if you’ve heard this one, just 31 inches, you’ll get tired of me saying that before this read is done), but he has exclusive techniques, brilliant multiple pass moves with counters, and arguably the best spin move among all the college edges.
The 2025 season proved to be an impressive leap for Howell, with 11.5 sacks, which was top-10 nationally. and a pressure rate well over 20%, often leading in win rate and productivity while earning an elite 91.4 PFF pass rush grade.
Run defense remains a work in progress, something that the other edges in front of him don’t have an issue with. Both Bain and Faulk are solid in that regard. Film study shows he may struggle to anchor at times, but don’t worry. I’m betting on the production, motor, as his overall grade (81.6 PFF) proves he can hold his own.
TJ Parker, Clemson
T.J. Parker, Clemson’s powerful edge defender at 6’3″ and 265 pounds, profiles as one of the most complete every-down talents in the 2026 NFL Draft class, a polished senior prospect with elite run defense, violent hand usage, and consistent pass-rush production. Yet, he ranks lower in this tier and runs the risk of dropping down further in this next installment. Wait what? What gives? Read on. Things you need to know.
He exploded in 2024 as a monster sophomore, posting 57 tackles, 11 sacks, a school-record six forced fumbles, and 19.5 TFLs while earning All-ACC honors. Most of us were surprised he returned for his junior year, given his tremendous upside. Yet 2025 brought inconsistency and a perceived letdown, only getting five sacks, 9.5 TFL. and a mere 37 total tackles and 0 (good grief) forced fumbles
As the Clemson team struggles, so too do its best players, and with production dipping from 11 to 5 sacks, it is a major concern. Sprinkle in the forced fumbles and tackle declines, and we might have major concerns. Despite all this, don’t hold college stats or the teams’ play against him; there were some positive metrics, after all.
Above-average (but not elite) metrics around a 15% pass-rush win rate. A strong run and pass defender that could play all three downs is a coveted asset in today’s NFL, regardless of the semantics some team will try to unlock him. I don’t see a red flag,s but he’s clearly back in the top three or so prospects now. He’s still in the mix, just not the top asset coming back to school as previously thought.
R Mason Thomas, Oklahoma
Sleeper. A player who can easily move up the ranks in the upcoming months is R Mason Thomas. An Explosive pass rusher with quick get off, he is almost tailor-made for the combine and should test well. A former sprinter who converts speed to power and uses this to his advantage.
Thomas broke through in 2024 during his junior season, starting 11 of 13 games and producing nine sacks. 23 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, and one of the highest pressure rates among Power 4 edges (often mixing in with the top-10 nationally). He forced two fumbles and recovered two others.
Speaking of fumbles, really good tape against LSU features a fumble return for a TD. His production earned All-SEC Second Team recognition from coaches, and he received weekly honors as both Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week and SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week. Thomas ranked fifth in the SEC and 20th nationally with his 9.0 sacks, with six coming in fourth-quarter situations. In 2025, he missed significant time due to injuries (especially later in the season), yet still finished with higher metrics scores and 6.5 sacks. I think, because of the 2025 season, and size/ length concerns (who doesn’t in this draft class), he will be slept on by some in the upcoming Draft.
Zion Young, Missouri
Zion Young is a former three-star recruit, and ESPN rated him at 73 coming out of High School. He is a classic example of doing more with less. After a solid but understated 2024 season (including an 11.1% pass-rush win rate), he topped that in 2025.
This year, Young earned First-Team All-SEC with an eye-popping 16.5 TFL and 6.5 Sacks. But what the profiles really get you is his ability to maneuver under pressure, which led his team.
PFF ranked him among the top pass-rushing edges nationally, with elite run-defense grades and advanced metrics like a high pass-rush productivity rating that placed him near the top of the country early in the season.
Some good film study is his tape versus South Carolina, three solo tackles, 2 TFLs, and a sack, which earned him SEC Defensive Lineman of the week, an award he was nominated for twice this season. He doesn’t have the elite speed burst or first step like some of the others on this list, but it’s conceivable that some team will make him a valuable starter at the next level.
Joshua Josephs, Tennessee
Projected to go 1st Round, and profiles as a 3-4 edge defender with an explosive first step, this edge rusher has a natural bend and finishing ability; a high upside with some of the top of the class traits. The case has been made for this draft class as a top-10 edge.
2025 senior season: 33 tackles, 6.0 TFLs, 4.0 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries (one for a 41-yard TD), and high PFF grades are over 90 in both the run and pass rush.
Tape is indeed memorable, and the highlights worth looking at include his 9 tackles and a sack/fumble recovery TD vs. Tennessee, and his 8 tackles vs. Mississippi State. This distinction earned him SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week honors, and an award he received multiple times.
Matayo Uiagalelei, Oregon
As of 1/4/2026, he has not declared yet, but we will write the profile here anyway, as this is to put players on your radar. He’s a true Junior, standing at 6’5 “and 270lb, who profiles as a 4-3 end with good length and power. He has one of the best cross chops you will see in this entire draft class.
Many people have him as a fringe first- rounder or top-50 talent. That may be true, as I have him lower, as he is an exceptional pass rusher, but leaves questions to be desired as a run tackler. If that remains the case, this may make him only a pass-rush specialist at the next level. Buyer beware, as this one may come with risk.
Akheem Mesidor, Miami (FL)
Mesidor in 2025 is making a case for himself and will be tested during evals. He will be an older prospect, 25 at the start of his rookie season. Still, Powerful, heavy-handed 3-4 end with strong bull rush and run-stopping ability; a designated pass rusher. Great run defender also, so should be arguably mentioned, at the end of the top tier of Defensive Lineman in this class.
Peter Woods, Clemson
Our first DT to make our list, the first of two with very distinctive profiles. A former five-star recruit weighing in at 315 pounds, Woods is called a “positional chess piece” because he can play 4–5 different alignments in the same game. Drawing player comps to Walter Nolan.
But where was the production? Just like the rest of the Clemson team, the players there fell short. But no fault of his own, Woods had really good tape and cleaned up his missed-tackle rate this season, as well as his analytics.
Woods shows his explosiveness and athleticism, showcasing himself as one of the most complete defensive linemen in this class. NFL teams are going to be excited, as his ability to win with either power or finesse is going to make him an early pick in the NFL.
Romello Height, Texas Tech
Who would have guessed that one of the most polarizing NFL prospects—sure to spark debate over his ADP—is actually a clear-cut elite pass rusher coming off one of the best seasons of the class? History is a funny thing sometimes—it remembers what hype forgets. Let’s break this down.
There’s no denying Romeo Height is another gem in a long line of pass-rush talent heading toward the NFL. That point is clear. The issue is that many evaluators will rank him much higher than I do, and, to be fair, the production backs it up. His 10.5 sacks in 2025 firmly established him as one of the most productive edge rushers in this class.
That said, this is where my evaluation diverges from the consensus. While much of the community views Height as a first-round talent, I see him more as a Day 2 option, firmly in the second- or third-round range. That’s a sizable gap, and it matters.
Height has bounced between four programs in six years and has consistently produced, but he remains undersized and profiles best as a designated pass-rusher with a relentless motor rather than a true every-down edge. He is only around 240 pounds, so his run defense isn’t a strong suit. He’ll be at the Senior Bowl, and we’ll get to see how he fares against elite competition
In IDP leagues, that archetype often gets overdrafted. Someone in your league will fall in love with the sack totals and pull the trigger too early. The smart move is to let the top tier of pass rushers come off the board and target Height once the value finally aligns with the profile after several players fall your way.
Derrick Moore, Michigan
This is a player going on Day three, but I wanted to give you a flyer “my guy” pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. As it stands right now, a high-upside dart throw who ranks around edge 17, but I could see him climbing with a strong pre-draft process. Could legitimately climb into the top-10 edge conversation over the next few months.
At 6’3″ and 260 pounds, Moore delivered a true breakout senior season with 10 sacks. He has had two strong seasons, earning two All-Big Ten honors. In both consecutive seasons has had a 33.3%+ pass-rush win rate in true pass sets, a 4.27% sack rate, and a 17.52% pressure rate, numbers that stack up favorably against the class’s elite. Few defenders can match his raw power and explosive traits, giving him legitimate top-10 upside at the position.
Right now, the consensus is that many teams view him as a situational pass-rush specialist likely headed to Day 3, partly because, unlike three-down guys like Rueben Bain Jr. or Keldric Faulk, his run defense and consistency still need polish. But he stands to gain the most in the next few months and could see his stock rise.
Christen Miller, Georgia
Miller is the second DT to make our list. At 6’4″, 310 pounds, he profiles as a two-down run-stuffer. A (14 tackles, 4 TFL, 1 sack), started 10 games in 2024 (27 tackles, 3.5 TFL, 1.5 sacks), and finished 2025 with 23 tackles (10 solo), 4 TFL, 1.5 sacks across 13–14 games (All-SEC first-team from AP).
For IDP, you are looking at him for what he could bring for a bad team in the tackles department, as his run defense is certainly elite. In addition, to strengthen against the run, he takes on double teams and uses leverage 3-4/4-3 fronts. He is a limited pass-rusher (only 4 sacks total), but that doesn’t mean he won’t be able to translate that production to the next level. We’ve seen players develop into better prospects during their pro seasons.
Honorable Mentions on the Radar
LT Overton, Alabama
A former five-star recruit who hasn’t developed yet. He hasn’t been productive, as he is used to eating up blockers and taking multiple linemen at once, as expected of a five-star player. He’s a raw talent, and we haven’t seen his best yet.
Kayden McDonald, Ohio St.
Nose guard. Powerful 0 tech defender. Didn’t have any sacks in 2024, but in ’25 produced three.
A’Mauri Washington, Oregon
Profiles as Top 50 potential Disruptive Nose Tackle Big, explosive nose tackle with strong hands and quick get-off; a disruptive space-eater with upside as a run-plugger.
Domonique Orange, Iowa St.
Profiles of the top 50 potential selections. Nose Tackle Dominant run-plugging nose with freakish power and leverage; one of the best true nose tackles in the class.
Jaishawn Barham, Michigan
Not consistent Versatile 3-4 edge/outside linebacker hybrid with sideline-to-sideline coverage ability.
Gabe Jacas, Illinois
Former wrestler with a 20% pass-rush win rate profiles as a 3rd-round pick with bull-rush ability.
Dani Dennis-Sutton, Penn St.
Long, productive edge with good bend, loves putting hits on the quarterback. Very inconsistent season.
Anthony Smith, Minnesota
Had six sacks in ’24, but actually led the Big Ten in 2025 with 12.5. Smith can play multiple alignments.
Max Llewellyn, Iowa
Explosive, high-motor edge with good bend profiles as a rotational pass rusher.
Mikail Kamara, Indiana
Undersized, bendy prospect, quick-twitch; terrible run defense but a high-upside end pass-rush specialist.
Malachi Lawrence, UCF
Long, athletic 3-4 edge rotational piece.
Keyron Crawford, Auburn
Has played 3-4 Edge/Wide-9 pass rush specialist
Anthony Lucas, USC
Good length and athleticism; a developmental prospect who needs time to refine his pass-rush arsenal.
Tyreak Sapp, Florida
A former Defensive tackle, and it shows on tape. Great run defender but lacks pass-rush. Powerful, heavy-handed end with strong run defense and bull-rush ability; a Shrine Bowl prospect who anchors the edge well.
TJ Guy, Michigan
Athletic, explosive, designated pass rusher; a rotational edge who thrives in obvious passing situations.
Trey Moore, Texas
3-4 edge with excellent get-off and hand usage
Eric O’Neill, Rutgers
Long, athletic edge with good length and developing rush moves; a later-round prospect
Arden Walker, Colorado
Powerful, bull-rush ability; a late-round prospect.
Kalil Alexander, Texas St.
Lighter prospect with an absurd win rate. Plays multiple roles: Will/Edge/Sam. Had 6.5 sacks in ’24, and another four in 2025. Yet the competition wasn’t elite. Texas State is in the Sun Belt, a Group of 5 conference. That level of competition often dampens draft stock because scouts weigh performance against Power 5 opponents more heavily; a possible late-round prospect with special-teams upside.
Patrick Payton, LSU
Long, athletic edge with good length profiles as a rotational piece.
Caleb Banks, Florida
Exells as one gap 3-technique penetrator; a high-upside interior pass rusher.
Darrell Jackson Jr., Florida St.
Massive, powerful nose tackle with elite run-stopping ability; a Shrine Bowl prospect.
Aaron Graves, Iowa
Profiles a prototypical defensive tackle with good run-stuffing ability
Tim Keenan III, Alabama
A stout, two-gap interior lineman with excellent leverage can control multiple gaps.
Bear Alexander, Oregon
You won’t see it on this list, but this DT in ’25 broke out with 50 tackles, 19 solos, and strong run defense.
Lee Hunter, Texas Tech
Two-gapping interior lineman with excellent run-stopping ability.
Zxavian Harris, Ole Miss
Explosive, quick interior backfield disruption; a high-upside.
Zane Durant, Penn St.
Twitchy, explosiveinterior 3-technique
Rayshaun Benny, Michigan
3-tech run defense and has some pass-rush interior ability.
Dontay Corleone, Cincinnati
Massive, powerful nose tackle with elite run-stopping ability
Albert Regis, Texas A&M
Big, strong run-stuffing interior lineman excellent space-eater.
Brandon Cleveland, N.C. State
Stout, powerful prototypical defensive tackle with good run defense.
Chris McClellan, Missouri
Later round interior pass rusher.
Deven Eastern, Minnesota
Massive, powerful nose tackle.
Keanu Tanuvasa, BYU
Athletic Run defender, interior lineman.
Skyler Gill-Howard, Texas Tech
Interior pass rusher pentrates line of scrimmage.
Gracen Halton, Oklahoma
Twitchy, explosive 3-technique penetrator with elite first-step playing interior.
Demonte Capehart, Clemson
Big, strong run-stuffing interior lineman who clogs lanes.
Tyler Onyedim, Texas A&M
Long, athletic 4-3 end with good length and developing rush moves; a Shrine Bowl prospect with upside as a rotational piece.
