2026 NFL Draft Position Review – Edge

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April 8, 2026

By Noonefromtampa

The edge rusher class this year is strong, with a lot of talent available on day one and day two of the draft. As many as six edge players could be taken in the first round. Washington, with the seventh pick in the draft, is one of the teams that needs help with their pass rush. If you follow our weekly draft column, the edge position is the one most mocked to Washington but has been declining since free agency. The free agent signings do not preclude the Commanders taking another edge player in the draft.

Top Picks

Player College Ht Wt Class Draft Projection
Rueben Bain Jr. Miami (FL) 6’3″ 275 JR Day 1
David Bailey Texas Tech 6’3″ 250 SR Day 1
Keldric Faulk Auburn 6’5″ 288 JR Day 1
Akheem Mesidor Miami (FL) 6’2″ 280 RSR Day 1-2
Cashius Howell Texas A&M 6’4″ 245 RSR Day 1-2
T.J. Parker Clemson 6’3″ 265 JR Day 1-2
L.T. Overton Alabama 6’4″ 283 SR Day 2
Romello Height Texas Tech 6’3″ 240 RSR Day 2
Dani Dennis-Sutton Penn State 6’4″ 266 SR Day 2
Gabe Jacas Illinois 6’2″ 275 SR Day 2
Joshua Josephs Tennessee 6’3″ 245 SR Day 2
R Mason Thomas Oklahoma 6’2″ 243 SR Day 2
Tyreak Sapp Florida 6’3″ 275 RSR Day 2
Derrick Moore Michigan 6’3″ 256 SR Day 2
Anthony Lucas USC 6’4″ 285 SR Day 2
Zion Young Missouri 6’5″ 265 SR Day 2-3
Mikail Kamara Indiana 6’0″ 265 RSR Day 2-3
Caden Curry Ohio State 6’3″ 260 SR Day 2-3
Patrick Payton LSU 6’5″ 250 RSR Day 2-3
Max Llewellyn Iowa 6’4″ 263 RSR Day 2-3
T.J. Guy Michigan 6’4″ 250 RSR Day 2-3
Trey Moore Texas 6’3″ 245 RSR Day 2-3
Malachi Lawrence UCF 6’4″ 260 RSR Day 2-3

The biggest uncertainty is which edge player will be the first off the board in the draft. Bailey is the most athletic and best pure pass rusher in the group. He will likely be the first edge rusher off the board. Rumors have the Cowboys trying to trade up with the Cardinals to take him. Bain will have a solid career at end, but I think Mesidor will have better sack numbers. Faulk, Howell and Parker will be either at the back half of the first round or the top half of the second round.

Sack Leaders

Player Sacks
Bailey 14.5
Mesidor 12.5
Howell 11.5
Curry 11.0
Jacas 11.0
Height 10.0
D. Moore 10.0
Bain 9.5
Dennis-Sutton 8.5
Lawerence 7.0
Llewellyn 6.5
Thomas 6.5
Young 6.5
Parker 5.0
Overton 4.0
Josephs 4.0

Bain

Bailey

Faulk

Parker

Howell

Mesidor

Jacas

Lower round players who the Commanders have interviewed:

  • Malachi Cooper, Univ. of San Diego
  • Ricky Freymond, Western Colorado
  • Michael Heldman, Central Michigan
  • Aidan Hubbard, Northwestern
  • Keyshawn James-Newby, New Mexico
  • Malachi Lawrence, Central Florida
  • Mason Reiger, Wisconsin
  • Bryan Thomas Jr, South Carolina
  • Wesley Williams, Duke

Sources: nflmockdraftdatabase.com, tankathon.com, nfldraftbuzz.com

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