BEST EDGE RUSHERS IN COVERAGE 2026 NFL Draft

2026 BEST EDGE RUSHERS IN COVERAGE

The demand for edge rushers who can efficiently merge pass-rushing prowess with coverage aptitude has risen notably in modern football. Players like Khalil Mack (Buffalo) and Anthony Barr (UCLA) have exemplified this dual-threat nature at the collegiate level, showcasing that the capability to disrupt passing plays and provide coverage adds a multifaceted defensive weapon. Their influences echo in the subsequent generations, underscoring an evolution in the defensive playmaker archetype.

Below, embark on a journey through the present landscape of college football, identifying edge rushers who not only manifest a relentless ability to pressurize quarterbacks but also surprise offensive plays with their deftness in pass coverage. Dive into metrics such as passes defended, coverage snaps per reception, and coverage grades to highlight how these adaptable defenders are augmenting their team’s defensive strategy by blending stellar pass rush with coverage prowess.

2026 Edge Rushers ranked by COVERAGE

RANK Player Pos Team TACKLING PASS RUSH RUN DEFENSE Rating
1

David
Bailey

LB
/ED
Stanford   Mascot
Stanford Mascot
73 100 65
85.1
2

Trey
Moore

LB
/ED
Texas   Mascot
Texas Mascot
62 85 68
78.8
3

Suntarine
Perkins

LB
/ED
Ole Miss   Mascot
Ole Miss Mascot
73 69 64
86.3
4

Kalil
Alexander

LB
/ED
Texas State   Mascot
Texas State Mascot
50 86 64
82.5
5

Keanu
Koht

LB
/ED
Vanderbilt   Mascot
Vanderbilt Mascot
67 60 57
66.0
6

Mitchell
Melton

LB
/ED
Ohio State   Mascot
Ohio State Mascot
58 79 78
74.0
7

Rara
Dillworth

LB
/ED
Troy   Mascot
Troy Mascot
58 55 60
73.0
8

Princewill
Umanmielen

LB
/ED
Ole Miss   Mascot
Ole Miss Mascot
42 76 62
79.5
9

Gabe
Jacas

LB
/ED
Illinois   Mascot
Illinois Mascot
67 80 65
84.4
10

Samuel
M'Pemba

LB
/ED
Georgia   Mascot
Georgia Mascot
78 60 46
70.0
11

Boubacar
Traore

DL
/ED
Notre Dame   Mascot
Notre Dame Mascot
55 71 69
78.0
12

Adonijah
Green

DL
/ED
Louisville   Mascot
Louisville Mascot
75 72 53
63.4
13

Solomon
Tuliaupupu

DE
/ED
USC   Mascot
USC Mascot
58 57 70
77.0
14

Keldric
Faulk

DL
/ED
Auburn   Mascot
Auburn Mascot
84 81 93
88.9
15

Cashius
Howell

DL
/ED
Texas A&M   Mascot
Texas A&M Mascot
69 95 74
84.5
16

Patrick
Payton

DL
/ED
LSU   Mascot
LSU Mascot
48 71 70
81.0
17

Tyreak
Sapp

DE
/ED
Florida   Mascot
Florida Mascot
75 88 94
86.7
18

Da'Shawn
Womack

DE
/ED
LSU   Mascot
LSU Mascot
72 79 75
78.0
19

Kamran
James

DE
/ED
Florida   Mascot
Florida Mascot
66 57 76
76.5
20

Clayton
Smith

DL
/ED
Arizona State   Mascot
Arizona State Mascot
52 61 68
74.0