The most sought-after position behind the quarterback is, no doubt, edge rusher. Teams dream of having a rusher who can take over the game at any moment; that’s why, during the NFL draft, we see a lot of “reaches” or “gambles” when it comes to edge rushers. Every general manager dreams of having a Myles Garrett or Micah Parsons on their team (well, except Jerry Jones).

This year, there isn’t a true No. 1 edge rusher within this class. Many will say it’s Texas Tech’s David Bailey, but I say otherwise. It’s a fun class, with a lot of upside among most of these players, traits that teams can easily fall in love with.

Here are my top-10 edge rushers heading into the 2026 NFL Draft. 1. Rueben Bain Jr., Miami The conversation around Bain has been his short arms; he measured in at 30 7/8 inches at the NFL combine. That’s in the 0th percentile for arm length among edge rushers.

It’s a concern, but I didn’t think it affected him as much as people assume. He doesn’t have traditional size, being 6-foot-2 and 263 pounds, but man, does he use his weight and size well. Very smart edge and knows how to be adaptable when he has to.

MIAMI GARDENS, FL – JANUARY 19: DL Rueben Bain Jr. 4 of the Miami Hurricanes battles OL Kahlil Benson 67 of the Indiana Hoosiers during the Indiana Hoosiers versus the Miami Hurricanes College Football Playoff National Championship Game Presented by AT&T on January 19, 2026, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, FL. Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire COLLEGE FOOTBALL: JAN 19 College Football Playoff National Championship Presented by AT&T Indiana vs Miami EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon260119548544 Sets the edge well, has the speed and bend to win around the edge, strength to win with a simple bull rush and just plays with energy.

He’s everything you’d want in an edge rusher and in my mind the best in this draft class. 2. David Bailey, Texas Tech Bailey is another rusher who doesn’t have the preferred size at the edge, but for him, it’s weight. He comes in at 6-f00t-4 and 251 pounds, the weight is 19th percentile for edge rushers.

He makes up for it with athleticism out on the edge. He’s at his best when pushing up the field vertically and using his speed with his bend to get around the edge. He’s not all speed, can win with power if he wants to, by getting his arms in the chest of tackles and just driving them back.

Very versatile with his moves. December 06, 2025 Texas Tech Red Raiders linebacker David Bailey 31 during the 1st half of the NCAA, College League, USA Football game between BYU Cougars the and Texas Tech Red Raiders at McLane Stadium in Waco, Texas. /CSM Arlington US – ZUMAc04_ 20251206_zma_c04_889 Copyright: xMatthewxLynchx He gives effort against the run; it’s not elite, but I felt throughout the season he got better at it. Won’t set a hard edge, but will put effort into making a stop. 3.

Zion Young, Missouri Young has great size out on the edge, being 6-foot-6 and 262 pounds with 33-inch arms. Finished with eight sacks for Missouri this past season and thrives with his elite power profile. Can transfer his power from his hips easily to his hands, letting him collapse pockets.

Has a very high floor in the NFL with his strong run defense. Doesn’t have elite bend, but showed versatility on the edge with a strong inside move and the ability to use a spin move. NCAA, College League, USA Football: SEC Media Day Jul 17, 2025 Atlanta, GA, USA Missouri Tigers defensive end Zion Young talks to the media during the SEC Media Days at Omni Atlanta Hotel.

Atlanta Omni Atlanta Hotel GA USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xJordanxGodfreex 20250717_jhp_th5_0212 There’s still a ton for him to learn out on the edge, but he’s strong with his hands and keeps his feet moving through reps. Lacks explosion off his first step, but the upside is there. Size and power aren’t the worst things to have when entering the NFL, and Young has them. 4.

Akheem Mesidor, Miami The age concern with Mesidor, I don’t think, matters at all; he’s 25 and has played six seasons of college football. The main reason he stayed longer in college is that he played interior defensive line with West Virginia early in his career and slowly switched to edge rusher when he transferred to Miami. He’s spent time refining his body and conditioning to rush the passer out on the edge, and it all came together this past season.

November 1, 2025: Miami Hurricanes defensive lineman Akheem Mesidor 3 rushes the quarterback during a game between the Miami Hurricanes and the Southern Methodist Mustangs at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas, Texas. /CSM Dallas United States of America – ZUMAc04_ 20251101_zma_c04_853 Copyright: xFreddiexBeckwithx He had 13 sacks with 67 total pressure in 2025, and he and Bain were the spearheads of the Miami college football playoff run just months ago. Mesidor wins with an explosion off the edge and is strong enough to use his inside arm to push tackles off to his inside to win. Has e