The 'On The Clock' crew of Matt Williamson, Mike Prisuta and Max Starks take a look at the top prospects in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft, which will be held in Pittsburgh in April. Today, they delve into the EDGE position.
Note: The opinions expressed here are their own and not those of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Matt's Take
There should be several edge defenders that come off the board early in this draft. It is also a deep class, and the second day could see plenty of players at this position drafted as well. There are several very interesting sleepers, and it wouldn't be surprising that when it's all said and done, some edge defenders drafted in the third and fourth round outperform players drafted much earlier.
Matt's Rankings
1. Arvell Reese, Ohio State, 6-4, 241 lbs. - Reese very well could be a better off the ball linebacker than edge defender at this stage of his career. But he also might be the best player at any position in this entire draft-and he wants to be considered an edge player. He has a great head for the game to go along with suddenness in all his movements and a passionate playing style. And Reese is only 20 years old!
2. David Bailey, Texas Tech, 6-4, 251 lbs. - Bailey is incredibly productive and just a terror coming off the edge rushing the passer. He doesn't offer a lot as a run defender but has a wide variety of pass-rush moves with rare bend and burst off the ball and when closing in on his prey. Right now, he is probably the best pass-rusher in the draft.
3. Rueben Bain, Miami, 6-2, 263 lbs. - Bain is also highly productive and coming off a simply fantastic season for the Hurricanes. He is thickly built with a powerful frame but without question, his biggest concern is uncommonly short arms. Few with Bain's arm length have gone on to have successful NFL careers at this position. Bain is an attacking block destructor that can set the tone for a defense.
4. Malachi Lawrence, Central Florida, 6-4, 253 lbs. - There just isn't enough buzz surrounding Lawrence right now and if he played at Georgia or Alabama, most might consider him a lock for the first round. Lawrence plays very hard, is an excellent athlete with bend and power, and might only be getting better. He could be the steal of the 2026 Draft.
5. Cashius Howell, Texas A&M, 6-2 1/2, 253 lbs. - Howell does one thing well: rush the passer. If Bailey isn't the best pass-rusher in this draft class, it is Howell. Amazingly, there are many reps in which the offensive tackle doesn't even get a hand on Howell. He explodes off the ball and can run under a table at full speed with flexibility you just rarely see. He too has short arms, is very unconventional overall for this position, and offers little against the run.
Sleeper: Jaishawn Barham, Michigan, 6-3 1/2, 240 lbs. - Like Reese, Barham is somewhat of a tweener between off the ball linebacker and edge defender. He is a bit undersized to handle every down duty against NFL offensive tackles on the line of scrimmage, but few defenders play the game with more passion and violence to go along with very impressive overall athletic ability. Barham is just a playmaker though and could really take his game to the next level as a 3-4 outside linebacker at the next level.
Mike's Take
NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah is adamant about EDGE being the class of this year's position groups.
"It's the overall star of the (NFL Scouting) Combine and of this draft," Jeremiah maintained during coverage in Indianapolis.
He also put his rankings where his mouth is on his most recent Top 50 list There are three EDGE rushers represented among Jeremiah's Top 7 candidates available (No. 4, No. 5 and No. 7), and seven more included among the Top 46 (No. 22, No. 27, No. 28, No. 32, No. 41, No. 43 and No. 46).
"It is a really loaded class," Jeremiah maintained.
Stacking such a robust group is much more a matter of individual preference than it is the caliber of a specific player available. They can all play.
And there will be takers for all of them.
"The next team I talk to that says they're set with pass rushers will be the first," Jeremiah said.
Mike's Rankings
1. Arvell Reese, Ohio State, 6-4, 241 lbs. - The only question about Reese involves whether his best NFL fit would be as an EDGE rusher or at off-the-ball linebacker. He seemingly did it all for the Buckeyes, including play in the slot and "spy" a mobile QB if needed. "Off the ball, on the ball, however you want to use him," Jeremiah assessed. "I like him as an EDGE rusher but that is a certified freak." A freak who ran a faster 40-yard dash (4.46) than Myles Garrett (4.64 in 2017). For what it's worth, Reese ran and drilled with the linebackers in Indy. Let him do what he wants.
2. David Bailey, Texas Tech, 6-4, 251 lbs. - Jeremiah's reaction while watching Bailey slap tackling dummies in Indianapolis didn't say it all, but it said enough. "Goodness gracious," Jeremiah gasped. "Everything he does is quick and violent." Bailey told NFL Network reporter Stacey Dales the next goal in his continued development is to master the mental approach and become an even better student of the game. After graduating from Stanford in three years before landing at Texas A&M, Bailey may well have that club in his bag, along with a wide variety of others.
3. Rueben Bain, Miami, 6-2, 263 lbs. - His arms measured out at a much-less-than ideal 307/8" in Indy. But Bain nonetheless managed to check each box on Jeremiah's three "Ds" of defense: "Disruption," "Destruction" and "Dominance." Bain defends the run and rushes the passer and he can do the latter from the edge or inside along the defensive front. And he does it in a manner that draws attention. "The tape is exceptional," Jeremiah said. It's also consistent. "Just chuckin' dudes every tape you watch," Jeremiah added.
4. Cashius Howell, Texas A&M, 6-2 1/2, 253 lbs. - Howell's arms (301/4") are shorter than Bain's but that shouldn't be a deal-breaker in Jeremiah's estimation. "I know he lacks prototypical measurements, but a smart team will set that aside and add an energetic force off the edge," Jeremiah contended. Howell grew up playing baseball, which speaks to his athleticism. His football bonafides included being named the 2025 SEC Defensive Player of the Year and becoming the first Texas A&M player with 11-plus sacks (11.5) since Garrett. Sold.
5. Akheem Mesidor, Miami, Fla., 6-3, 259 lbs. - Bain's running mate with the Hurricanes can also rush from inside or outside along the defensive line. Both learned a lot, according to NFL Network reporting, from Hall-of-Famer Jason Taylor in Miami about the art of the rush. Mesidor considers himself "a seasoned rookie," according to Dales, who also credited Mesidor for leadership skills that included organizing non-scheduled, player-led team meetings in Miami. Mesidor's 12.5 sacks in 2025 tied for the third-most in FBS (three more than Bain's 9.5). Pour me something tall and strong, make it a Hurricane before I go insane.
Sleeper: Nadame Tucker, Western Michigan, 6-17/8, 247 lbs. - Central Florida's Malachi Lawrence might have been a candidate here but it's safe to assume everyone is wide awake by now in the wake of Lawrence blowing up the Combine. But there may be a few who are still snoozing on Tucker because he comes from the Mid-American Conference (following three seasons at the University of Houston). Tucker's 14.5 sacks tied for the most in FBS (along with Bailey). Tucker followed up winning 2025 MAC Defensive Player of the Year honors by registering two sacks, three tackles for a loss and a forced fumble in the Senior Bowl.
Max's Take
This year's edge group is nothing short of deep and productive. The sacks, the tackles for loss and the pressure on the quarterback were a premium at the collegiate level. Can this group match that performance at the NFL level? NFL teams will have lots of options with this group as there's a lot of depth and talent available throughout the draft.
Max's Rankings
1. David Bailey, Texas Tech, 6-4, 251 lbs. - Just turn on the big 12 championship game tape and you will know why David Bailey's at the top of this list.
2. Rueben Bain, Miami, 6-2, 263 lbs. - Bain is an absolute problem off of the edge his explosiveness, first step quickness and his ability to redirect in his hips makes him an exciting and deadly edge player.
3. Arvell Reese, Ohio State, 6-4, 241 lbs. - Reese has the experience, the strength and the skill to be a top edge at the next level. Instant fit on any team he's drafted by.
4. Keldric Faulk, Auburn, 6-6, 276 lbs. - Faulk is a bit on the young side, with experience, but I think he makes up for it with a tremendous ceiling and potential. If coached the right way, he can be a difference maker.
5. Akheem Mesidor, Miami, Fla., 6-3, 259 lbs. - Mesidor is a really good athlete and created a lot of problems off of the edge, part of the tandem in Miami. The questions will be past injury issues, and is age only a number.
Sleeper: Zion Young, Missouri, 6-6, 262 lbs. - I could not keep Zion Young off of this list because he offers a unique skill set, and a "Get it done by any means" type of personality!
