Other than quarterback, edge rushers might be the most important position on an NFL team. People look every year to draft a top-five edge rusher and develop him into a building block to build a defense around. The Dallas Cowboys traded away one of those last August, and are now looking to find his replacement using one of their two first-round draft picks.
This position was the toughest of the top five to finalize. While there isn’t a no-brainer option in this draft class, there are a good number of highly-skilled prospects who could be the next big thing at edge. Technicians, power rushers, speed merchants… and that’s just in the top five of the class.
Edge Cashius Howell, Texas A&M
Cashius Howell has proven production at the highest level and traits that should translate to the NFL. He led the Southeastern Conference (SEC) in sacks, was a unanimous All-American, and the SEC Defensive Player of the Year.
His quickness off the snap is so good that a team might draft him and try to develop him on that alone. He adds an impressive ghost move and counter spin for jumpy offensive tackles who overplay to counter his speed rush. Howell is a third-down, pass-rush specialist entering his rookie season, while he develops as an edge setter and run defender. Non-offensive linemen too often block him, and that has to improve before he can be counted on as a three-down player.
Edge Malachi Lawrence, UCF
Malachi Lawrence uses his length as the catalyst for his success. Whether it’s extending to gain leverage and set an edge or countering an offensive lineman trying to deal with his length to get pressure, length is the main part of his game. Lawrence isn’t reliant on length; his get-off on the snap is good, and he has an arsenal of go-to moves and counters. He isn’t going to bend around the edge, and tackles with good length cause him to struggle, but a relentless motor allows him to clean up plays like quarterback scrambles and opposite side rushes.
Edge Akheem Mesidor, Miami
Akheem Mesidor is a ready-made, high-floor prospect who would be a perfect fit for a team that is looking for an immediate starter at the edge position. He doesn’t have a high ceiling like most first-round edge rushers, though as he will be 25 when the season starts and isn’t likely to develop much more than he is now.
Luckily for the team that drafts him, Mesidor can already play. He finished last season with 12.5 sacks, 17.5 tackles for a loss, and 4 forced fumbles. He isn’t a prospect loaded with traits, but he doesn’t have a ton of weaknesses either, and he plays full throttle every snap. Mesidor will be a plus run defender from Day 1, and has an immense toolbox as a pass rusher. Near double-digit sacks and tackles for a loss should be expected every year he is healthy. He has had multiple foot injuries that could keep him out of the top 20 of the draft.
Edge Rueben Bain Jr., Miami
Ruben Bain Jr. was Mesidor’s teammate and allowed his fellow pass rusher to see limited double-team blocks because opposing offenses focused on him. Reports continue to attempt to provide a reason not to draft Bain Jr. He lacks arm length, dynamic athleticism, andexplosive snap get off at the snap, but his ranking remains top 10 because his power game and ability to use his hands are unmatched in this draft class.
Tight ends and less powerful tackles struggle to keep him in front of them. His traits don’t blow scouts away, but his production does. In less than 40 college games, he had over 20 sacks and over 30 tackles for a loss. He is an outlier, but he shouldn’t be overthought. He will be a positive three-down player in the NFL.
Edge David Bailey, Texas Tech
David Bailey is the most complete edge prospect in this class. He has the requisite frame, at nearly 6-foot-4 and over 250 pounds with 33-inch arms. He wins with a good first step and enough bend, and he also wins physically with a long arm that can be jarring to opposing offensive tackles. He isn’t a great edge setter, but he isn’t a pushover, and his ability to slip into the backfield to cause havoc is impressive, plus he still has plenty to grow.
There is a big difference between an 8-10 a season sack guy, and one who gets 12 a season and goes up from there. As Bailey develops his counters and game plan to attack the better tackles, his sack totals will increase.
You can find Mike Crum on Twitter @cdpiglet or on YouTube at Across the Cowboys podcast
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Ranking the Top 5 edge rushers for Cowboys in the 2026 NFL draft
Reporting by Mike Crum, Cowboys Wire / Cowboys Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
