Defensive End Rankings 2026 NFL Draft

LAST UPDATED: 04/01/2026

Player Rankings - Defensive End

# Player Pos H/W/S Team Weight Height 40YD AVG POS RANK AVG OVR RANK Rating Summary
38

DE/ED
Cade
Denhoff

6-5 260lbs 4.68
DE/ED
Clemson   Mascot
Clemson Mascot
260lbs 6-5 4.68 130 543.5
62.1
Denhoff has an excellent motor and shows the stamina to last deep into the fourth quarter. He explodes off the line with a quick first...
2

DE/ED
Keldric
Faulk

6-6 276lbs 4.67
DE/ED
TEN   Mascot
TEN Mascot
276lbs 6-6 4.67 2 20.7
88.4
The tape on Faulk tells two very different stories depending on which side of the ball is in focus. In run defense, this is one of the...
5

DE/ED
R Mason
Thomas

6-2 241lbs 4.67
DE/ED
KC   Mascot
KC Mascot
241lbs 6-2 4.67 14 46.7
86.2
Thomas is a pass rush weapon, full stop. That first-step explosion, the ability to bend the corner at absurd angles, and the violent...
22

DE/ED
George
Gumbs Jr.

6-4 245lbs 4.66
DE/ED
IND   Mascot
IND Mascot
245lbs 6-4 4.66 48 174.6
81.2
Gumbs is the kind of prospect who makes more sense on paper in two years than he does right now. He has only been playing defensive...
10

DE/ED
Derrick
Moore

6-4 255lbs 4.65
DE/ED
DET   Mascot
DET Mascot
255lbs 6-4 4.65 18 66.5
84.9
Moore's pass rush ability is the reason he will get drafted, and the senior season tape backs it up. The bull rush generates real pocket...
29

DE/ED
Patrick
Payton

6-5 260lbs 4.65
DE/ED
LSU   Mascot
LSU Mascot
260lbs 6-5 4.65 60 241.3
79.0
Payton's tested speed is outstanding for an edge rusher his size, and it shows up on tape in chase situations. At his height, that kind of...
12

DE/ED
Romello
Height

6-3 239lbs 4.64
DE/ED
SF   Mascot
SF Mascot
239lbs 6-3 4.64 21 72.9
84.9
Height profiles as a situational pass rusher who can contribute immediately on third downs while developing the strength and technique to...
33

DE/ED
Keaten
Wade

6-4 235lbs 4.64
DE/ED
Colorado   Mascot
Colorado Mascot
235lbs 6-4 4.64 90 474.5
74.0
Raw talent with a sky-high ceiling, but currently more of a traits-based prospect than a polished product. His transfer to Colorado...
36

DE/ED
Clayton
Smith

6-5 255lbs 4.64
DE/ED
Arizona State   Mascot
Arizona State Mascot
255lbs 6-5 4.64 120 531
72.0
Smith shows good quickness off the line of scrimmage and flashes the violent hands to win around the edge. He’s a capable blitzer with...
13

DE/ED
Dani
Dennis-Sutto...

6-6 256lbs 4.63
DE/ED
GB   Mascot
GB Mascot
256lbs 6-6 4.63 22 75.1
84.7
Dennis-Sutton's combine performance changed the calculus on this evaluation. His explosion and agility numbers ranked among the best ever...
35

DE
Dylan
Brooks

6-4 245lbs 4.60
DE
Kansas   Mascot
Kansas Mascot
245lbs 6-4 4.60 85 397
73.8
Quick to read run, showing good agility and speed to get past blockers and finish. Experienced in coverage and gets a strong jam on outside...
4

DE/ED
Cashius
Howell

6-2 253lbs 4.59
DE/ED
CIN   Mascot
CIN Mascot
253lbs 6-2 4.59 6 32.4
87.1
Indianapolis changed the calculus on Howell, and anybody who tells you otherwise is not being straight with you. The 30 1/4-inch arms and...

2026 NFL Draft Athleticism Chart - Defensive End

We've compared players post combine 40 times and weight and charted them on the scatter chart below. You'll find the 40 time on the Y-axis and on the X-axis the weight in pounds.
The exceptional athletic freaks (determined by the combination of speed vs weight) will be found at the top right of the chart while the less impressive athletes will be sitting towards the bottom left.

For a much improved viewing experience (with more players) please view on a larger screen.

2026 NFL Draft Athleticism Chart - Defensive End

We've compared players 40 times and weight and charted them on the scatter chart below. You'll find the 40 time on the Y-axis and on the X-axis the weight in pounds.
The exceptional athletic freaks (determined by the combination of speed vs weight) will be found at the top right of the chart while the less impressive athletes will be sitting towards the bottom left.