Five months of preparations and the biggest job interview in the world will now become real. Viewers have become accustomed to certain similarities. The best quarterbacks, edge rushers, offensive linemen and cornerbacks are towards the top, while running backs, safeties and linebackers are less prioritized at the top.

In 2026, they throw out almost all the positional tendencies and trends. A year from now we could be looking at one of the deeper position groups. In the short time, many will focus on Bailey, Bain, Faulk, Mesidor and Howell.

However, the depth of this group cannot be overlooked. There could be as many as ten EDGE players taken from the 3rd round forward that not only project to starters but could be big impact players at the next level. There are even draft analyst darlings well into the fifth round.

Best available EDGE in 2026 NFL Draft Name SchoolHTWTRangePick TeamDavid BaileyTexas Tech6'3250Top 102JetsRueben Bain JrMiami6'3270Top 2015BuccaneersKeldric FaulkAuburn6'6285Rd 1-231TitansAkheem MesidorMiami6'3280Rd 1-222ChargersCashius HowellTexas A&M6'2248Rd 1-241BengalsZion YoungMissouri6'5262Rd 1-245RavensTJ ParkerClemson6'3260Rd 1-235BillsR Mason ThomasOklahoma6'2249Rd 1-240ChiefsDerrick Moore Michigan6'3260Rd 1-244LionsKeyron CrawfordAuburn6'4255Rd 2-367RaidersMalachi Lawrence UCF6'4250Rd 2-323CowboysLT OvertonAlabama6'5283Rd 2-3137CowboysGabe JacasIllinois6'3270Rd 2-355PatriotsMax LlewellynIowa6'5263Rd 2-3238DolphinsTyreak SappFlorida6'2274Rd 2-3Romello HeightTexas A&M6'3240Rd 2-37049ersJaishawn BarhamMichigan6'3243Rd 2-492CowboysGeorge Gumbs JrFlorida6'4250Rd 2-4156ColtsJoshua JosephsTennessee6'3240Rd 2-4147CommandersWesley WilliamsDuke 6'3265Rd 3-5119JaguarsDani Daniels-SuttonPenn State6'5265Rd 3-5120PackersMikail KamaraIndiana6'1262Rd 3-5Nadame Tucker W. Michigan6'3250Rd 3-5Caden CurryOhio State6'3280Rd 3-5214ColtsQuintayvious HutchinsBoston College6'3240Rd 3-5247PatriotsMarvin Jones JrOklahoma6'5262Rd 3-5Aidan HubbardNorthwestern6'4255Rd 4-6Patrick PaytonLSU6'6255Rd 4-6Nyjalik KellyUCF6'5250Rd 4-6TJ GuyMichigan6'4250Rd 4-6Vincent Anthony JrDuke6'6260Rd 4-6Anthony LucasUSC6'5285Rd 4-6Eric O'NeillRutgers6'3261Rd 4-6Mason Reiger Wisconsin6'5248Rd 4-6Logan FanoUtah6'5260Rd 4-6Keyshawn James-NewbyNew Mexico6'2244Rd 5-7252EaglesBen BellVirginia Tech6'1235Rd 5-7Jack PyburnLSU6'4264Rd 5-7Dean MillerKansas6'5240Rd 5-7Mo WestmorelandTulane6'2250Rd 5-7Jimmori RobinsonW. Virginia6'4250Rd 5-72026 NFL Draft social media reactions to EDGE selectionsPick No. 252: Eagles select New Mexico EDGE Keyshawn James-Newby. pic.twitter.com/B3TVbCVjuF— SleeperEagles (@SleeperEagles) April 25, 2026QUINTAYVIOUS HUTCHINSWELCOME TO THE PATRIOTS pic.twitter.com/tc5xtozBvg— DomThePatsFan (@domthepatsfan) April 25, 2026Takin' it to the Max! 💯With the 238th pick, we have selected Max Llewellyn from @HawkeyeFootballpic.twitter.com/FrPpJGomYX— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) April 25, 2026We have selected Washington DE Zach Durfee with the No. 233 overall pick!@Dream_Finders | #NFLDraftpic.twitter.com/DTzY27AFeT— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) April 25, 2026The Detroit Lions have selected Tennessee DL Tyre West with the 222nd pick of the NFL Draft#OnePridepic.twitter.com/vmGtNpJojU— Crunch Time Sports (@officialctpod) April 25, 2026George Gumbs to Indy‼️@GeorgeGumbs ➡️ @Colts#NFLDRAFT | #GoGatorspic.twitter.com/bIy1m55luX— Florida Gators Football (@GatorsFB) April 25, 2026Headed to D.C.@joshuajosephs2 ➡️ @CommandersRound 5 | Pick 147#NFLDraft | #RaiseHailpic.twitter.com/vfg2SSRUbf— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) April 25, 2026With the No. 136 overall pick in the 2026 @NFLDraft, the @Saints select Bryce Lance.NFL Draft on NFLN/ESPN/ABCStream on @NFLPluspic.twitter.com/lkC6G25nFa— NFL (@NFL) April 25, 2026Trey Moore is headed to Miami 🤘@treyyymoore x @MiamiDolphinspic.twitter.com/I9XexxYPS4— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) April 25, 2026PACKERS DRAFT DANI DENNIS-SUTTON✅ pic.twitter.com/zV6FwB7GBM— IKE Packers Podcast (@IKE_Packers) April 25, 2026With Pick 119 the #Jaguars select Duke EDGE Wesley Williams pic.twitter.com/ZIPT708wKH— SleeperJaguars (@SleeperJaguars) April 25, 2026Pro Football HOFers Drew Pearson and Tony Dorsett announced the Dallas Cowboys third-round pick:Michigan's Jaishawn Barham ⭐ pic.twitter.com/9igBbAb1Eh— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) April 25, 2026The pick is in.EDGE Romello Height from Texas Tech is selected by the San Francisco 49ers.@height_romello | @TexasTechFB | @49ers#TheDraftStartsInMobilepic.twitter.com/Xn702H4FMg— Panini Senior Bowl (@seniorbowl) April 25, 2026DRAFTED✅Congratulations to Tyler Onyedim from @AggieFootball on being drafted by the @Broncos in the 2026 #NFLDraft#ShrineBowlPRO | #BroncosCountrypic.twitter.com/OpddAfrx4L— East-West Shrine Bowl (@ShrineBowl) April 25