Edge David Bailey, Texas Tech

David Bailey dominated the Big 12 and tied for the FBS lead with 14.5 sacks in 2025. Bailey ranked second with 19.5 tackles for loss and was named a first-team Associated Press All-American and the Big 12 Conference DL of the Year. Bailey lived behind the line of scrimmage and his rare first-step quickness forces tackles to have proper positioning out of their stance. He pairs natural rush instincts with a beautiful inside spin move in his counter toolkit. Bailey often wins before linemen can get their hands up and he has a relentless motor from the second the ball is snapped.

Edge Arvell Reese, Ohio State

The first-team Associated Press All-American and Big ten Conference LB of the Year, Arvell Resse served as a dynamic chess piece for the Buckeyes. He filled a variety of roles, whether spying the quarterback, dropping into coverage or rushing the passer. Reese is a missile once he triggers and he developed his patience and diagnosis on the field. He combines lateral twitchiness with the ability to mirror running backs and tight ends, along with staying square in the hole in taking down backs. Reese split time between the edge and being down in the box and his speed does not give rushers time to adapt to his pursuit angle. He has surprising power at the point of attack and only had four missed tackles in 2025. Reese's pass rush upside is evident and he is expected to go high in Round One.

Edge Rueben Bain Jr., Miami

Rueben Bain Jr. earned the nickname "Hurricane" for a reason. In 2025, he nabbed 54 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks, earning him second-team Associated Press All-American honors, along with ACC Defensive Player of the Year and first-team All-ACC accolades. Bain uproots tackles and his movements are coordinated and in sync to shed and bend around the edge. He plays with a lethal leverage/power combination and performed well on the big stage, including five sacks in the College Football Playoffs. Bain holds his own against combo blocks and against the run; his legs always stay churning in pursuit.

Edge Akheem Mesidor, Miami

Akheem Mesidor, a relentless effort rusher with an advanced rush arsenal, tied for third in the FBS with 12.5 sacks in 2025, tied for fifth with 17.5 tackles for loss and finished sixth in forced fumbles with four. He is able to stack moves with effective adjustments in-game and can win with power or finesse. Mesidor rushes with purpose and always keeps tackles guessing with swipes, cross-chops and arm overs and he punishes tackles when they overset. Mesidor plays with a competitive disposition and is a menace when working inside versus guards, providing flexibility on third downs. If he does not win initially, Mesidor keeps working with an insatiable appetite for getting to the quarterback and beating the opposition.

Edge T.J. Parker, Clemson

T.J. Parker had a strong outing at the Senior Bowl but his production dropped from 2024-25. He accumulated 11 sacks in 2024 but that number decreased to five last season. Parker has the power to steer blockers out of the pocket and sets a firm edge against the run. He pairs a nasty long-arm maneuver with active hands. Parker quickly sheds and will need to develop his rush plan when the first move stalls.

Edge Cashius Howell, Texas A&M

Cashius Howell, the Chuck Bednarik Award winner and the recipient of the Lombardi Award, led Texas A&M with 14 tackles for loss and tied for seventh in the FBS with 11.5 sacks. Howell has a lethal inside spin move and a bag of go-to moves. He has outstanding bend at the top of the rush and can stack moves to gain control of the rush. The Aggie product amassed 31 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks and 41 quarterback pressures in 2025 en route to All-American honors.

Edge Keldric Faulk, Auburn

Keldric Faulk played the five-technique, three-technique and stood up on the edge to create advantageous matchups. His numbers dipped in 2025 with two sacks and 29 tackles, although that is largely due to the alignments Auburn placed him in from a two to four-technique, which is less conducive to racking up the sack total. Faulk led FBS edge defenders in run stops with 62 over three seasons and plays with outstanding gap integrity. He dominates at the point of attack and has the athleticism to corral scrambling quarterbacks. Faulk is a high effort player that is effective versus misdirection and against pulling guards. He may not 'wow' with upfield burst off the line but he has a varied set of rush moves in his bag.