DEFENSIVE ENDS
1. Rueben Bain – Miami • Junior • 6’3” • 275 lbs
Bain is a former four-star recruit and the 10th-ranked defensive tackle in the 2023 high school class who quickly emerged as one of the best freshmen in the nation at Miami when he recorded 7.5 sacks and 44 total tackles. He immediately jumped onto the scene with a blend of size, strength, power, and quickness that makes him a nightmare for offensive linemen in a 4-3 defensive front. Bain demonstrated effortless upper-body power, using his strength to dislodge blockers from the edge in both the pass and run game. His bull rush is his go-to move, but he also has a strong chop to keep hands off him when bending and wrapping around the edge. He shows relentless pursuit of the quarterback and can impact the run game as well, making him a very well-developed and NFL-ready player. His athleticism and production suggest he has the potential to be a perennial Pro Bowler.
2. Keldric Faulk – Auburn • Junior • 6’6” • 275 lbs
Athleticism and relentlessness are the words that best define Faulk, who became a nightmare for defensive coordinators in 2024 after building more muscle onto his 6’6” frame and recording seven sacks. The former four-star recruit uses his hands exceptionally well, staying out of the chest of blockers and leveraging his long arms to prevent contact. His movement skills are unmatched for a player of his size, and his relentless mentality in both the pass and run game consistently wears down offensive linemen. Faulk has a genuine power move and can often win on the inside, but he also threatens with speed, keeping tackles off balance and allowing him to win around the edge. His combination of size, athleticism, and motor make him a dangerous edge rusher.
3. TJ Parker – Clemson • Junior • 6’3” • 265 lbs
Parker is a traditional 4-3 defensive end with a wrecking-ball mentality off the line of scrimmage. A former four-star edge rusher, he made an immediate impact as a freshman with 5.5 sacks and followed it up with an 11-sack sophomore season, dominating some of the nation’s top offensive tackles. Parker shows a rare blend of power, quickness, and bend off the edge, and he can also work inside effectively as a run defender. He made a particularly strong impression on film against Anthony Belton, a 2025 Packers draft pick, where Parker ran straight through him multiple times. While he may not have elite length and may have reached his athletic ceiling, his skill set and production make him a potential day-one starter in the NFL.
4. Matayo Uiagalelei – Oregon • Junior • 6’5” • 270 lbs
Matayo, the younger brother of quarterback DJ Uiagalelei, combines elite athleticism with size and a developing pass-rush repertoire. After recording 10 sacks in his sophomore season, he has emerged as one of the best players in this year’s class. Matayo has a variety of moves, including a speed chop, power bull rush, and outside stunts. He fights on every pass-rush down with maximum effort and is relentless in pursuit of the quarterback. While he can get bullied on run plays at times and occasionally tempers his effort in those situations, his overall athleticism, emerging production, and versatility make him an intriguing NFL prospect.
5. Gabe Jacas – Illinois • Senior • 6’3” • 280 lbs
Jacas is one of the most underrated defensive ends in this draft class, largely flying under the radar entering 2025. He combines size, speed, and power off the edge and can do virtually anything asked of him as a 4-3 DE. Jacas uses his hands well and is disciplined, able to set the edge and contain plays to the center. He has multiple pass-rush moves, can rush effectively inside and outside, and is solid against the run. Despite his compact frame, he has surprising quickness, making him a versatile and reliable NFL prospect who can contribute immediately.
6. Akheem Mesidor – Miami • 6th-Year Senior • 6’3” • 280 lbs
Mesidor began his career as a three-star recruit at West Virginia, tallying just under 10 sacks in his first two years, before transferring to Miami as a four-star recruit. He has played on some of the best defensive lines in college football and proven to be a valuable contributor at both schools. His large frame allows him to dominate off the edge, while his quickness and agility enable him to bend and make plays effectively. His versatility, combined with the ability to impact both run and pass plays, makes him valuable for NFL teams looking for an immediate contributor. However, injury concerns and his age may cause him to slide in the draft despite his production.
7. Wesley Williams – Duke • Junior • 6’3” • 265 lbs
Williams is a bowling-ball type of 4-3 defensive end who uses his smaller, compact frame to create an impact off the edge. He may not have elite length, but his athleticism allows him to win with both power and finesse. Williams possesses a solid bull rush and often surprises tackles by cutting back inside to win on the interior. He bends effectively around the edge and is far quicker than his 260+ pound frame suggests. While he still has room to expand his pass-rush arsenal, he is already a very consistent defensive end who can impact every down.
8. Dani Dennis-Sutton – Penn State • Senior • 6’6” • 265 lbs
Dennis-Sutton returned to Penn State for his senior year after recording 8.5 sacks as a junior, a season overshadowed by Abdul Carter. He is a traditional edge rusher who uses his length to set the edge and provide consistent pressure. While he is not an elite athlete, Dennis-Sutton’s feel for the game, versatility, and ability to impact the run and pass make him a reliable NFL prospect who can contribute in multiple roles.
9. Derrick Moore – Michigan • Senior • 6’3” • 265 lbs
Moore has been an integral part of Michigan’s defensive front since 2022, with his best season in 2023 when he posted five sacks, including one in the playoff against Alabama. Expected to breakout in 2024, he instead returned to school to refine his game. Moore’s “ghost move” is effective due to his consistent power and ability to convert speed into strength. He excels in the run game, fights relentlessly for the ball, and can impact plays all over the field. Every NFL team could benefit from a player like Moore, who combines technique, effort, and versatility.
10. Zion Young – Missouri • Senior • 6’5” • 255 lbs
Young transferred from Michigan State to Missouri, bringing length, discipline, and consistent effort to his edge-rushing role. He has proven effective as a pass and run defender and shows the ability to impact games consistently. Concerns remain regarding an off-field incident at Michigan State, but his on-field performance, including the ability to set the edge and disrupt plays, suggests NFL potential.
11. LT Overton – Alabama • Senior • 6’5” • 280 lbs
Overton’s versatility makes him an intriguing prospect. While his early production as an edge rusher was limited, he has shown effectiveness lining up all over the defensive line. He has flashes as a pass rusher, can set the edge, and has even displayed coverage ability. His elite athleticism ensures he will be drafted highly, and his versatility makes him valuable to NFL teams seeking multi-role linemen.
12. Tyreak Sapp – Florida • Senior • 6’2” • 265 lbs
Sapp is one of the safest edge rusher prospects in the draft. He provides plug-and-play ability as a 5-tech DE in a 4-3 scheme. While he lacks elite length and athleticism, his technique, consistency, and effort allow him to consistently impact both run and pass plays. He anchors well in the run game, can impact the pocket for quarterbacks, and sets the edge reliably against outside runs. Sapp is ideal for teams looking for a disciplined, every-down defensive end.
13. Anthony Lucas – USC • Senior • 6’5” • 280 lbs
Lucas is an elite athlete with a massive frame and movement skills that allow him to win with both speed and power. He can line up as a stand-up edge rusher or with his hand in the dirt and has a variety of pass-rush moves. While he has struggled at times against the run, his frame and athleticism make him highly coachable, and he projects as one of the best edge rushers in this year’s class.
14. Marvin Jones Jr – Oklahoma • Senior • 6’4” • 260 lbs
Jones is a traditional edge rusher with a strong combination of speed and power. He wins with finesse in the pass game using long arms and leverage, but his greatest impact may be in the run game, where he blows up rushing lanes and maintains discipline on the edge. After starting at Georgia, transferring to Florida State, and landing at Oklahoma, Jones has proven to be a consistent every-down contributor who can make an impact at the NFL level.
15. Caden Curry – Ohio State • Senior • 6’2” • 255 lbs
Curry may lack ideal length, but his production speaks volumes. He is one of the most consistent defensive ends in the draft, impacting both the run and pass. His compact build allows him to generate power low and follow the ball effectively, while his burst off the edge allows him to pressure quarterbacks. Though not an athletic freak like other Ohio State DEs, Curry’s technique, consistency, and work ethic make him a dependable rotational player at the next level.
OUTSIDE LINEBACKER
1. David Bailey – Texas Tech • Junior • 6’3” • 250 lbs
Once one of the top 25 recruits ever to commit to Stanford, Bailey entered the transfer portal this offseason and landed at Texas Tech, where he is looking to solidify his draft profile as one of the best speed rushers in the nation. Bailey has proven to be one of the quickest EDGE players in college football, displaying elite bend, explosive get-off at the line of scrimmage, and a variety of moves that keep offensive tackles off balance. He uses his hands effectively and can threaten both the outside and inside pass rush with equal skill. The question for Bailey now is whether he can maintain his dominance against the very best competition and prove that he can handle a full-time role in the NFL if he hopes to hear his name called in the top 50 this spring.
2. R. Mason Thomas – Oklahoma • Senior • 6’2” • 250 lbs
Thomas exploded onto the national radar as a junior after recording nine sacks, including one against Will Campbell, the fourth overall pick in the NFL Draft, who allowed just two sacks in his entire college career. One of the purest speed rushers in this class, Thomas has arguably the best first step in the nation and can explode off the snap with incredible quickness. Though undersized, he uses his lack of length to his advantage, bending low and avoiding blockers’ hands while generating consistent pressure off the edge. His speed and agility create a difficult matchup for offensive tackles, who often struggle to get their hands on him. While he has minimal power, Thomas remains solid against the run and projects best as a 3-4 outside linebacker in the NFL, where his speed-rushing skill set will translate immediately.
3. Joshua Josephs – Tennessee • Senior • 6’3” • 235 lbs
Josephs has long been viewed as one of the most athletically gifted EDGE players in this class, combining elite burst, quick feet, and strong hands to bend effectively around the edge and collapse the pocket. He showed promise as a sophomore with three sacks, but a subpar 2024 set him back. This season, he is looking to rebound and prove to scouts that he is the twitchy, explosive speed rusher he can be. If he can demonstrate consistent pass-rush production, Josephs has the traits to rise significantly in draft evaluations and make an immediate impact at the next level.
4. Cashius Howell – Texas A&M • Senior • 6’2” • 250 lbs
Howell was a three-star recruit out of Kansas City who initially committed to Bowling Green, where he developed slowly before exploding in his sophomore season with 9.5 sacks. He has a wide range of pass-rush moves and is adept at using his hands to keep offensive linemen off balance. On film, Howell often looks bigger than his listed size, but his lack of length could be a limitation at the NFL level, as teams value players who can gain extension at the line of scrimmage. Howell has a good spin move and several speed-rush moves, though his power remains a concern. He projects best as a 3-4 outside linebacker in the NFL, where his speed-rushing ability will allow him to pressure the quarterback efficiently. Howell has flashed increased power this season and has the tools to sneak into day-one consideration.
5. Jaishawn Barham – Michigan • Senior • 6’3” • 240 lbs
Barham has been one of the most intriguing prospects this season due to his incredible play off the edge for Michigan. After transferring from Maryland, where he primarily played inside linebacker, Barham has transitioned into an edge role while retaining his linebacker skill set, including burst, tackling ability, and play recognition. He possesses the athleticism of a 3-4 outside linebacker and is becoming increasingly effective as a pass rusher as he refines his technique and develops a more polished pass-rush plan. Barham has one of the highest ceilings in this class, and in the right system with the right coaching, he could become a lethal NFL EDGE presence.
6. Patrick Payton – LSU • Senior • 6’5” • 250 lbs
Payton has elite length and speed, which allow him to create consistent pressure off the edge. His size suggests he could add weight, but he functions effectively as a speed rusher in his current frame. Payton’s first step and explosive get-off make him a difficult matchup for any tackle, though he can occasionally be bullied by power. He projects well as a 3-4 outside linebacker in the NFL, where he could be utilized in coverage situations as needed, and his combination of length, speed, and athleticism makes him a high-upside prospect.
