The Post’s Ryan Dunleavy gives his top 10 edge rushers in this year’s NFL draft, based on evaluations and conversations with people around the league.
1. Arvell Reese, Ohio State, 6-4, 241
Expected to make a Micah Parsons-like jump after mostly spying quarterbacks as an off-ball linebacker. Elite closing burst and twitch, but will he turn tools into sacks? Can he bend the edge? Mirrors in coverage. Only one year of production (14 career starts), but sponges coaching.
2. David Bailey, Texas Tech, 6-4, 251
Half of his 29 career sacks came last season — his third straight with a pressure rate greater than 20 percent. Fires off the ball and can bend the edge or get the inside track. Run defense improved in 2025, especially in the backfield.
3. Rueben Bain Jr., Miami, 6-2, 263
Biography title: “Strong hands, small arms.” Sets the edge by forklifting blockers with the former, historical outlier because of the latter. No edge with sub-31-inch arms has been a first-round pick since 2003. Tallied 20.5 career sacks (33.5 tackles for loss). Always hustling.
4. Keldrick Faulk, Auburn, 6-6, 276
Disappointing two-sack season included a lot of “shoulda beens.” Best suited as 4-3 defensive end, but can slide inside on passing downs and create knockback. More of a student of the art than toolsy athlete. Chases the ball. Helped pay walk-on teammate’s tuition.
5. Akheem Mesidor, Miami, 6-3, 259
Needed six seasons to put it all together but finally did (12.5 sacks, four forced fumbles). Was he just a grown man (will be 25-year-old rookie) beating up boys? Invents new pass rush moves. Doesn’t take plays off against the run. Only knows full speed.
6. T.J. Parker, Clemson, 6-4, 263
Preseason top-10 projected pick didn’t match 11-sack production from 2024. Goes for the strip when making the hit. Speed-to-power rushes are the name of his game. What’s his Plan B move? Versatility to slide inside. Gets off run blocks.
7. Cashius Howell, Texas A&M, 6-2 ½, 253
Projected rotational pass rusher with go-to spin move as a rookie. Of 27 career sacks, three on three straight plays vs. Utah State was most impressive. Will disguise a drop in coverage (14 pass breakups). Improvements as a run defender needed to play three downs.
8. Zion Young, Missouri, 6-6, 262
Stout, rangy, assignment-sound edge-setter. Won’t win with his first step but will walk most single blockers backward (53 pressures in 2025). Used to double-teams. Capped strong Senior Bowl week by winning Player of the Game. Contagious energy. Two arrests (DWI, assault).
9. R Mason Thomas, Oklahoma, 6-2, 241
Remained twitchy as he added strength — still missing some length. Aggressive style leads to splash plays but also can work against him with over-pursuit and offsides penalties. Missed games due to injury in three of four seasons. Scoop-and-score mindset.
10. Derrick Moore, Michigan, 6-4, 255
Contributor to 2023 national champions who was voted 2025 team MVP after 10.5-sack breakout. Bullrushes like a boulder rolling downhill. Some stiffness bending the edge. Steamrolled a blocker at Senior Bowl. Needs same commitment to playmaking — not just edge-setting — against the run.
Late Riser
Malachi Lawrence, Central Florida, 6-4, 253: Only Reese and Bailey ran the 40-yard dash faster (4.52). Ranked No. 2 among edges in vertical and broad jumps. Diverse bag of tricks. Not tested by many top tackle prospects. Can he add mass without sacrificing explosion? Why so few tackles?
Falling Fast
Max Llewellyn, Iowa, 6-6, 258: Tested near bottom of position across the board at combine. Tantalizing size and backfield production (20.5 career tackles for loss) but also misses too many tackles. Flashes but lacks consistency. One year starting experience for 24-year-old rookie.
Small-school wonder
Nadame Tucker, Western Michigan, 6-2, 247: MAC Defensive Player of the Year converted lateral quickness into 14.5 sacks and 21 tackles for loss in 2025. Didn’t have a sack in three seasons at Houston. Zero-star recruit began football career as high school senior. Freelances too often.
