The 2025 NFL Draft is over and teams are getting comfortable with their new draft picks. The next class of players is getting prepared now for another year of college football. Each position will be analyzed in the coming days. Here is the 2026 NFL Draft prospect watchlist: Edge Rushers.
Bain was a four-star recruit in the class of 2023 who decided to stay home to play for Miami. As a freshman, he impressed with 44 total tackles, 13 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks. He helped the team go 7-6 that season. In 2024, Bain totaled 23 total tackles, six tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. He only played in nine games and battled a calf injury. He led the team to a 10-win season.
At 6-foot-3 and 275 pounds, Bain is shorter, but has a well-filled out frame. He has heavy hands and a good motor. His solid athleticism helps him win, but he also has solid pass-rush moves. Bain can set the edge better against the run and add counter moves to his game as well. If he can stay healthy in 2025, Bain could be the first edge rusher off the board in the 2026 NFL Draft.
As a five-star recruit in the class of 2022, Dennis-Sutton signed with Penn State out of Maryland. He had 17 tackles, four tackles for loss and three sacks as a freshman. His role increased in 2023, as he finished the season with 26 total tackles, six tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. His play helped the Nittany Lions win 10 games that season. In 2024, Dennis-Sutton took a big jump forward with 42 total tackles, 13 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks. He led the team to 13 wins and an appearance in the CFP semifinals.
He has a good frame for an edge rusher at 6-foot-5 and 265 pounds. Dennis-Sutton has a good motor getting plenty of production with his second and third efforts. He uses his hands well and sets the edge as a run defender. Dennis-Sutton has average burst at the snap and will have to add to his pass rush moves to improve his stock.
Overton was a five-star recruit who signed with Texas A&M out of Georgia in the class of 2022. Over two seasons with Texas A&M he tallied one sack. He transferred to Alabama for the 2024 season. Overton totaled 42 tackles, three tackles for loss and two sacks. He helped the Crimson Tide to a nine-win season.
At 6-foot-5 and 280 pounds, Overton has great size for an edge rusher. He has great play strength and sets the edge well against the run. Overton is a good athlete who moves well for his size. In 2025, Overton can show improvement by adding to his pass rush moves and having a better plan going into plays. If he can do that, produce more and prove he isn’t a tweener that could be better as an interior defensive lineman, Overton could be selected early in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Parker was a four-star prospect in the class of 2023 who signed with Clemson out of Alabama. He played well as a freshman with 32 total tackles, 13 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. His production helped the Tigers win nine games that season. In 2024, he improved with 57 total tackles, 20 tackles for loss and 11 sacks. He led the Tigers to 10 wins and an appearance in the CFP.
He stands at 6-foot-3 and 265 pounds with a pretty well-filled out frame. Parker plays good run defense, but also has nice pass-rush versatility. He has a good bull rush and is able to rush from the inside if asked. Parker has a solid amount of pass-rush moves as well. His burst at the snap is just average and he lets his pad level get too high, but Parker is the frontrunner to be the first edge rusher selected in the 2026 NFL Draft.
In the class of 2023, Uiagalelei was a four-star recruit who signed with Oregon out of California. He played some as a freshman, totaling 18 tackles, three tackles for loss and two sacks. His role increased in 2024 and he delivered with 38 total tackles, 13 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks. His play helped the Ducks win 13 games and make the CFP.
Uiagalelei is a big edge rusher at 6-foot-5 and 270 pounds, which gives him solid play strength. He’s a good athlete, especially for his size, which allows him to be quick at the snap. Uiagalelei understands his assignment against the run and does ok in that regard too. He’ll need to improve his pass-rush moves, improve his awareness and shed faster in 2025.
David Bailey, Texas Tech Red Raiders- Bailey had seven sacks last season for Stanford and now is taking his talents to Texas Tech.
Cashius Howell, Texas A&M Aggies- After great production at Bowling Green, Howell had 4.5 sacks for the Aggies in 2024 and they’ll need him to improve.
Gabe Jacas, Illinois Fighting Illini- Jacas had four sacks in each of his first two seasons with Illinois, but that jumped to eight in 2024.
Mikail Kamara, Indiana Hoosiers- Kamara made the jump from James Madison to Indiana last season and his production improved as he finished with 10 sacks.
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