Top NFL Defensive Ends 2026
Explore pass-rush technique, edge containment and finishing ability along the defensive front.
32 of up to 32 qualifying players ยท Updated Oct 8, 2026.
Click a player to expand their bio and latest scouting report.
#1
Will Anderson Jr.
95/100- College
- Alabama
- Jersey
- 51
- Height (in)
- 76
- Weight (lb)
- 243
- Experience (years)
- 4
Taken by Texans with No. 3 pick in 2023 out of Alabama.
Full player profile and scouting reports →Latest scouting report
4.5 sacks and 23 tackles through 4 games, a half sack last week. best defensive player in football for me, 0-4 team and he's still a monster
#2
Myles Garrett
95/100- College
- Texas A&M
- Jersey
- 95
- Height (in)
- 76
- Weight (lb)
- 272
- Experience (years)
- 10
Owns a minority stake in the Cleveland Cavaliers (NBA).
Full player profile and scouting reports →Latest scouting report
left knee surgery put him on ir with about a 6 week timeline, though he says he'll be back sooner. when he's healthy he's the most dominant pass rusher in football and it's not close. the defense just isn't the same without him.
#3
Micah Parsons
95/100- College
- Penn State
- Jersey
- 1
- Height (in)
- 75
- Weight (lb)
- 250
- Experience (years)
- 6
Had 37 points and 16 rebounds in the 2024 NBA All-Star Celebrity Game.
Full player profile and scouting reports →Latest scouting report
hasn't played yet this year, still on the pup list with the knee. packers are aiming for the oct 18 game vs dallas for his return. when he's out there he wrecks games, green bay badly needs that pass rush.
#4
Maxx Crosby
94/100- College
- Eastern Michigan
- Jersey
- 98
- Height (in)
- 77
- Weight (lb)
- 255
- Experience (years)
- 8
An assistant GM for Eastern Michigan, is the first active player to hold a college football personnel position.
Full player profile and scouting reports →Latest scouting report
only 2 sacks and 8 tackles through 4 games, quiet for him. he still wrecks plays but the numbers don't match the name
#5
Jared Verse
91/100- College
- Florida State
- Jersey
- 8
- Height (in)
- 76
- Weight (lb)
- 260
- Experience (years)
- 3
Part of the trade that sent Myles Garrett from the Browns to Rams.
Full player profile and scouting reports →Latest scouting report
2.5 tfl but 0 sacks. hasn't been the pass rusher everyone expected, still a strong run defender
#6
Cameron Jordan
85/100- College
- California
- Jersey
- 94
- Height (in)
- 76
- Weight (lb)
- 287
- Experience (years)
- 16
Father, Steve, played TE in the NFL for 13 years.
Full player profile and scouting reports →Latest scouting report
Jordan is still the heartbeat of this front. His game is more veteran craft than reckless speed now, but his hands, strength and feel for pivotal snaps remain special.
Strengths: Elite career production, heavy hands, run defense, situational savvy, durability and unmatched team leadership.
Weaknesses: At 16 seasons in, snap management matters; he no longer wins every rep with the same pure burst of his prime.
#7
Chase Young
85/100- College
- Ohio State
- Jersey
- 99
- Height (in)
- 77
- Weight (lb)
- 265
- Experience (years)
- 7
Drafted No. 2 overall by Commanders in 2020.
Full player profile and scouting reports →Latest scouting report
3.5 sacks and a forced fumble, good bounce back. saints are 1-2. calf thing seems minor.
#8
Danielle Hunter
84/100- College
- LSU
- Jersey
- 55
- Height (in)
- 77
- Weight (lb)
- 263
- Experience (years)
- 12
Signed a one-year, $40M deal with the Texans before the 2026 season.
Full player profile and scouting reports →Latest scouting report
2 sacks and 3 passes defended is a lot for a guy that rushes the passer. still productive at his age
#9
Kobie Turner
84/100- College
- Wake Forest
- Jersey
- 91
- Height (in)
- 74
- Weight (lb)
- 294
- Experience (years)
- 4
Drafted 89th overall by Rams in 2023.
Full player profile and scouting reports →Latest scouting report
17 tackles from a line spot is a lot. 2 passes defended too, he's a disruptor and not many people notice
#10
Za'Darius Smith
83/100- College
- Kentucky
- Jersey
- 55
- Height (in)
- 76
- Weight (lb)
- 270
- Experience (years)
- 11
Began college career at East Mississippi CC.
Full player profile and scouting reports →Latest scouting report
33 years old and he's still got 2.5 sacks. smart vet who knows how to rush.
#11
Aidan Hutchinson
81/100- College
- Michigan
- Jersey
- 97
- Height (in)
- 79
- Weight (lb)
- 268
- Experience (years)
- 5
Mother, Melissa Sinkevics, won 1988 Miss Michigan Teen USA.
Full player profile and scouting reports →Latest scouting report
3.5 sacks and a forced fumble, quiet last week though. still the best edge on that team but not a ton of help around him
#12
Travon Walker
81/100- College
- Georgia
- Jersey
- 44
- Height (in)
- 77
- Weight (lb)
- 272
- Experience (years)
- 5
First overall pick by Jaguars in 2022.
Full player profile and scouting reports →Latest scouting report
1.5 sacks and 10 tackles, fine on a 3-1 team. not a star
#13
Josh Hines-Allen
80/100- College
- Kentucky
- Jersey
- 41
- Height (in)
- 77
- Weight (lb)
- 255
- Experience (years)
- 8
Sister, Myisha Hines-Allen, plays in the WNBA.
Full player profile and scouting reports →Latest scouting report
1.5 sacks, 15 tackles, nothing special. solid for a 3-1 team but not the guy he was
#14
Zach Allen
79/100- College
- Boston College
- Jersey
- 99
- Height (in)
- 77
- Weight (lb)
- 285
- Experience (years)
- 8
Drafted 65th overall by the Cardinals in 2019.
Full player profile and scouting reports →Latest scouting report
3 sacks and 13 tackles, nice start. team is 2-2 and he's one of the few good ones
#15
Laiatu Latu
78/100- College
- UCLA
- Jersey
- 97
- Height (in)
- 77
- Weight (lb)
- 265
- Experience (years)
- 3
Drafted in first round by Colts in 2024.
Full player profile and scouting reports →Latest scouting report
1 sack and 14 tackles, half a sack last week. getting better and better each week
#16
Montez Sweat
78/100- College
- Mississippi State
- Jersey
- 98
- Height (in)
- 78
- Weight (lb)
- 270
- Experience (years)
- 8
Spent a season at Copiah-Lincoln between his time at Michigan State and Mississippi State in college.
Full player profile and scouting reports →Latest scouting report
2 sacks but only 7 tackles, decent edge on a 3-1 team. nothing exciting
#17
Braden Fiske
77/100- College
- Florida State
- Jersey
- 55
- Height (in)
- 77
- Weight (lb)
- 294
- Experience (years)
- 3
Drafted 39th overall by the Rams in 2024.
Full player profile and scouting reports →Latest scouting report
Fiske brings juice to the middle. When he wins the first half-second, he can ruin a quarterback's platform and chase plays from the back side like a much smaller defender.
Strengths: Fast first step, interior pass-rush upside, active hands, pursuit speed and a high-energy playing temperament.
Weaknesses: At times he can get washed out by bigger downhill blockers when his initial quickness does not win.
#18
John Franklin-Myers
76/100- College
- Stephen F. Austin
- Jersey
- 91
- Height (in)
- 76
- Weight (lb)
- 288
- Experience (years)
- 9
Drafted in fourth round out of Stephen F. Austin in 2018.
Full player profile and scouting reports →Latest scouting report
3 tfl and 1 sack, 2 tfl last week. on a 0-4 team and he's one of the only ones making plays
#19
Jermaine Johnson II
76/100- College
- Florida State
- Jersey
- 11
- Height (in)
- 77
- Weight (lb)
- 254
- Experience (years)
- 5
Drafted 26th overall by Jets in 2022.
Full player profile and scouting reports →Latest scouting report
a sack and 12 tackles, ok. team is 0-4 so it's tough to stand out
#20
Kwity Paye
76/100- College
- Michigan
- Jersey
- 95
- Height (in)
- 75
- Weight (lb)
- 265
- Experience (years)
- 6
Drafted 21st overall by Colts in 2021.
Full player profile and scouting reports →Latest scouting report
2 sacks and 11 tackles for the raiders. nice piece on a 3-0 team. solid.
#21
Mykel Williams
76/100- College
- Georgia
- Jersey
- 98
- Height (in)
- 77
- Weight (lb)
- 267
- Experience (years)
- 2
Drafted 11th overall by the Niners in 2025 out of Georgia.
Full player profile and scouting reports →Latest scouting report
Williams still looks like a major piece of the defensive front, even if the rookie stat line was quiet. He made 17 tackles in nine games and only one sack, but his length and power already showed up against the run. The next step is turning those heavy hands into more clean quarterback finishes. Opening camp on PUP is a concern after a shortened first season, so seven feels right: plenty of starter talent, but health and pass-rush production still need proof.
Strengths: Williams has rare length, a powerful base and the strength to compress the edge instead of running around blocks. He can reduce inside, control tight ends and tackles in the run game, and still has the athletic ceiling to become a much more productive rusher.
Weaknesses: His rush plan remains unfinished, and one sack in nine rookie games shows how often pressure failed to become a finish. He can play too upright, and the active/PUP designation makes durability and early-season readiness legitimate concerns.
#22
Isaiah McGuire
75/100- College
- Missouri
- Jersey
- 57
- Height (in)
- 76
- Weight (lb)
- 268
- Experience (years)
- 4
Drafted in fourth round by Browns in 2023.
Full player profile and scouting reports →Latest scouting report
McGuire has a bigger opportunity now. He already knows the system and should see more one-on-one chances next to Verse; converting those into steady disruption is what turns him from depth into an edge pillar.
Strengths: Returning system familiarity, projected expanded role, initial-53 place, and fit in an aggressive front.
Weaknesses: Must prove he can replace more of the departed production instead of remaining only a complementary edge.
#23
Calais Campbell
74/100- College
- Miami
- Jersey
- 93
- Height (in)
- 80
- Weight (lb)
- 307
- Experience (years)
- 19
Had career-high 14.5 sacks with Jaguars in 2017.
Full player profile and scouting reports →Latest scouting report
40 years old and still playing lol. 6 tackles and no sacks. smart but there isn't much juice left.
#24
Will McDonald IV
74/100- College
- Iowa State
- Jersey
- 9
- Height (in)
- 76
- Weight (lb)
- 245
- Experience (years)
- 4
Drafted 15th overall by Jets in 2023.
Full player profile and scouting reports →Latest scouting report
McDonald is the Jets edge rusher who can change a snap with his first step. He has legitimate finishing talent; the question is how complete his down-to-down game becomes.
Strengths: Explosive burst, bend and natural pass-rush finishing give him high-impact quarterback-pressure potential.
Weaknesses: He needs steadier run defense and play strength when offenses make him take on blocks rather than chase.
#25
Myles Murphy
74/100- College
- Clemson
- Jersey
- 99
- Height (in)
- 77
- Weight (lb)
- 275
- Experience (years)
- 4
Drafted with 28th overall pick by Bengals in 2023.
Full player profile and scouting reports →Latest scouting report
1.5 sacks and a forced fumble, a sack last week. rotational but good in spots
#26
Grady Jarrett
72/100- College
- Clemson
- Jersey
- 50
- Height (in)
- 73
- Weight (lb)
- 294
- Experience (years)
- 12
Father, Jessie Tuggle, played in the NFL for the Falcons from 1987 to 2000.
Full player profile and scouting reports →Latest scouting report
33 and slowing down, 6 tackles and 0 sacks. bears are 2-1 but he isn't making plays.
#27
George Karlaftis
71/100- College
- Purdue
- Jersey
- 56
- Height (in)
- 76
- Weight (lb)
- 263
- Experience (years)
- 5
Drafted with No. 30 pick by Chiefs in 2022.
Full player profile and scouting reports →Latest scouting report
15 tackles, 5 last week with 1.5 tfl. 0 sacks but a pick and 2 pass breakups, not your typical edge
#28
Austin Booker
70/100- College
- Kansas
- Jersey
- 94
- Height (in)
- 78
- Weight (lb)
- 245
- Experience (years)
- 3
Drafted by the Bears in the fifth round in 2024.
Full player profile and scouting reports →Latest scouting report
2 sacks and a forced fumble, 1 sack last week. depth edge who's playing above his role
#29
Arden Key
70/100- College
- LSU
- Jersey
- 98
- Height (in)
- 77
- Weight (lb)
- 240
- Experience (years)
- 9
Drafted in third round by Raiders in 2018.
Full player profile and scouting reports →Latest scouting report
Key gives Indianapolis a veteran pass-rush option who plays with urgency. He has shown he can create pressure and tackles for loss, and he joins a front where he will not need to win every snap alone. That should suit his upfield, attack-minded style.
Strengths: Speed off the edge, experience, backfield disruption and a recent record of sack production. He can provide an energetic complement to Latu and Buckner.
Weaknesses: His best work comes as an attacker, while run-game consistency is less reliable. A veteran with a lighter frame, he needs favorable usage and sustained health.
#30
Derek Barnett
69/100- College
- Tennessee
- Jersey
- 97
- Height (in)
- 75
- Weight (lb)
- 260
- Experience (years)
- 10
Drafted 14th overall by Eagles in 2017.
Full player profile and scouting reports →Latest scouting report
Barnett gives Cleveland a feisty veteran rotation option who can align on either edge. He should benefit from the interior push and does not need to carry the rush alone to be a useful 2026 addition.
Strengths: Two-side versatility, recent sack production, nine years of experience, and trusted rotational fit.
Weaknesses: Late arrival limits acclimation time, and a deep edge group means snap volume could be situational.
#31
Darius Robinson
69/100- College
- Missouri
- Jersey
- 56
- Height (in)
- 77
- Weight (lb)
- 290
- Experience (years)
- 3
Drafted with No. 27 pick by Arizona in 2024.
Full player profile and scouting reports →Latest scouting report
Robinson took a meaningful step in 2025 by becoming an every-week starter and a productive tackler. The sack total is modest for a former first-rounder, but the physicality and high snap involvement are a solid base. Arizona needs the Missouri pass-rush upside to show up more often in 2026.
Strengths: Strong frame, run-defense activity, 12 starts and a highly productive collegiate pass-rush history. He has shown he can stay involved around the ball and compete inside or on the edge.
Weaknesses: One sack and two quarterback hits in 2025 are not enough pressure for his draft pedigree. He must turn tackles and effort into more disruptive backfield plays.
#32
Jadeveon Clowney
68/100- College
- South Carolina
- Jersey
- 90
- Height (in)
- 77
- Weight (lb)
- 266
- Experience (years)
- 13
Drafted No. 1 overall by Texans in 2014.
Full player profile and scouting reports →Latest scouting report
Clowney is a forceful, physical edge who can make a play look uncomfortable for an offense even without recording the sack. In this front, he can attack favorable matchups.
Strengths: Power, length, run-setting ability, veteran awareness and the knack for creating disruption beyond the box score.
Weaknesses: His snap-to-snap pass-rush finish is no longer as explosive as in his prime, so rotation matters.
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