The NFL draft is just over two weeks away. We are at the time of year where evaluators have watched all the players and now it is just a matter of stacking up their boards. Looking at each position and deciding who you like best relative to the others.
While I look at all of these players through the lens of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, there are some that I like more than others who might not fit the Bucs needs as much. So this is not a list of best fits, but just my rankings of players. However, based on what they are as players, it’s easy enough to draw conclusions as to who the best fits would be in Tampa.
With that said, here are my 2026 NFL draft Edge rankings.
Honorable Mentions
Nadame Tucker – Western Michigan
What do you do with a guy like this? Tucker had one great year of production last year in the Mid American Conference, but otherwise did very little over his college football career. The thing is, he’s already 25 years old, so physically he was literally a man among boys a lot of the time. But the tape was great and he also looked good at the Senior Bowl. He’s a day three flyer that I’d be willing to bet on.
Derrick Moore – Michigan
Moore can do a bit of everything. He plays with power to rush the passer and has complimentary bend and skill. I’m not sure he’s a starter in the NFL, but I’d love to have him as part of the rotation.
10) R Mason Thomas – Oklahoma
I like Thomas’ physical skill set as a pass rusher. He’s fast, fairly twitchy and can even do some speed to power stuff. I don’t think he’s as polished with his hands as other guys in this draft and he isn’t a very good run defender, but he’s absolutely someone who can help a pass rush rotation.
9) Zion Young – Missouri
Young may have played for the Tigers, but this guy is a dog. He’s powerful at the point of attack and had a breakout year as a pass rusher in 2025. He’s a great fit as a 4-3 defensive end and if he can perfect the mental side of things then he’ll turn out to be a pretty go player.
8) TJ Parker – Clemson
Parker is someone who can defend the run and put pressure on the quarterback. And while I don’t think he’s going to be great at either in the NFL, I do think there’s something to be said about being well rounded. Teams who are looking for the bigger body, hand in the dirt prototype will likely gravitate towards Parker.Â
7) Akheem Mesidor – Miami
The other Miami defensive end is pretty good in his own right. Mesidor is a well rounded player who can play the run and recorded 12.5 sacks and 17.5 tackles for loss last year. He’ll be a 25 year old rookie and he has had an injury history, but my biggest issue here is that he doesn’t bend around the corner as some of the other guys do on that list and I think that limits how great he can be at the next level.Â
6) Romello Height – Texas Tech
Speed and quickness are the name of the game. Height is so fast and light on his feet that he can threaten the edge and so easily cut back inside on counters. Make no mistake, this is a designated pass rusher, but pass rush is so valuable and I really like him in that role.
5) Gabe Jacas – Illinois
There aren’t many rush linebackers who play with the power that Jacas does. He also flashes a really good jump off the line of scrimmage at 260+ lbs. If he can be more consistent with his get off, then this is the human battering ram type of player that can cause major problems for the offensive line.
4) Malachi Lawrence – Central Florida
Very few edge rushers accelerate the way Lawrence does. He closes the gap very quickly and can be in the quarterback’s face in the blink of an eye. He could still use a little polishing and consistency with his hands, but that’s something very coachable. I really believe that Lawrence’s best football is still ahead of him.
3) David Bailey – Texas Tech
Bailey is very much what the NFL has been about over the last decade; get after the quarterback with speed around the edge. In terms of pure pass rush, this guy has it. I don’t know if he has the physicality for it to transfer seamlessly to the NFL level, but there is a lot to like here.
2) Cashius Howell – Texas A&M
The Southeastern Conference defensive player of the year, Howell does it all as a pass rusher. He is very quick and can beat you with speed, but he also has the power to catch tackles on their heels and collapse the pocket. What Howell lacks as a run defender at the point of attack, he makes up for with hustle.
1) Rueben Bain – Miami
If you watched college football in 2025 then you know that this was the guy. Bain was a disruptive force all season and led his team to the national championship game.Â
Bain is both powerful and bendy. He can beat blockers in so many ways and there is no doubt in my mind that he’s the best pass rusher in the draft. Some people don’t like him as much because his arms are shorter or his hair style isn’t fancy or whatever other non football reason you can think of. But in terms of what Bain does on the field and his intangibles, this is a star in the making.
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