Defensive Line Rankings 2026 NFL Draft

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LAST UPDATED: 03/20/2025

Player Rankings - Defensive Line

# Player Pos H/W/S Team Weight Height 40YD AVG POS RANK AVG OVR RANK Rating Summary
39

DE/ED
Keaten
Wade

6-4 245lbs 4.45
DE/ED
Colorado   Mascot
Colorado Mascot
245lbs 6-4 4.45 44 384
72.5
Raw talent with a sky-high ceiling, but currently more of a traits-based prospect than a polished product. His transfer to Colorado...
48

DL/ED
Khordae
Sydnor

6-4 262lbs 4.47
DL/ED
Vanderbilt   Mascot
Vanderbilt Mascot
262lbs 6-4 4.47 73 666
57.2
Plays with leverage at the point of attack whether inside or outside. Keeps eyes in the backfield when inside; moves linemen to either side...
46

DL/ED
Demon
Clowney

6-4 250lbs 4.55
DL/ED
Charlotte   Mascot
Charlotte Mascot
250lbs 6-4 4.55 57 531
61.3
With a powerful lower body and the ability to hold up at the point of attack as a run defender, Clowney is remarkably instinctive. He's...
37

DE
Dylan
Brooks

6-4 240lbs 4.60
DE
Kansas   Mascot
Kansas Mascot
240lbs 6-4 4.60 42 374
73.0
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...
57

DL/ED
Adonijah
Green

6-6 240lbs 4.62
DL/ED
Louisville   Mascot
Louisville Mascot
240lbs 6-6 4.62 124 992
35.6
He’s a capable blitzer with the ability to close quickly. He’s also very good in coverage, rangy with good awareness in zone coverage, and...
24

DE/ED
R Mason
Thomas

6-2 240lbs 4.62
DE/ED
Oklahoma   Mascot
Oklahoma Mascot
240lbs 6-2 4.62 25 157
82.3
Thomas fits the profile of an immediate impact pass rush specialist who has the tools to develop into an every-down edge defender at the...
42

DL/ED
Clayton
Smith

6-4 240lbs 4.64
DL/ED
Arizona State   Mascot
Arizona State Mascot
240lbs 6-4 4.64 48 439
66.1
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...
25

DL/ED
Cashius
Howell

6-4 245lbs 4.65
DL/ED
Texas A&M   Mascot
Texas A&M Mascot
245lbs 6-4 4.65 26 185
81.5
Howell's profile is that of a high-upside edge rusher with the potential to contribute immediately as a designated pass-rush specialist....
22

DL/ED
Patrick
Payton

6-5 250lbs 4.65
DL/ED
Florida State   Mascot
Florida State Mascot
250lbs 6-5 4.65 22 147
82.6
Payton projects as a high-ceiling edge rusher with the bend and burst to be a day-one contributor in passing situations. His length and...
20

DE/ED
Derrick
Moore

6-3 256lbs 4.65
DE/ED
Michigan   Mascot
Michigan Mascot
256lbs 6-3 4.65 20 136
82.9
Moore projects as a high-upside edge defender with the physical tools to become a disruptive force at the NFL level. His combination of...
1

DE/ED
T.J.
Parker

6-3 265lbs 4.65
DE/ED
Clemson   Mascot
Clemson Mascot
265lbs 6-3 4.65 1 9
90.4
5

DE/ED
Braylan
Shelby

6-5 265lbs 4.65
DE/ED
USC   Mascot
USC Mascot
265lbs 6-5 4.65 5 42
86.7
Shelby displays good lateral movement skills, capable of working his way down the line with decent range when chasing in pursuit. He has...

2026 NFL Draft Athleticism Chart - Defensive Line

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 Line

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.