2026 Draft: EDGE

[mayoclinic]

If we can't generate pressure rushing only 4 down linemen, odds improve that we will be in position to draft a good one.

 

[manxman2601]

David Bailey had six more pressures this weekend. That's 16 for the season which puts him on course for 60 plus.

Ruben Bain had 5 against USF which gives him 10 on the year.

 

[manxman2601]

David Bailey had six more pressures this weekend. That's 16 for the season which puts him on course for 60 plus.

Ruben Bain had 5 against USF which gives him 10 on the year.

When I use PFF to look at stats, I tend to ignore prospects from smaller schools that I've not heard of in the context of the draft. So I might say a certain safety is the best tackler in the draft but ignore someone from Tulsa or Abilene-Christian who might have more. So take David Bailey. He's currently the leading 'draftable' EDGE rusher for total pressures, but in truth, he's tied with a number of prospects and there are two above him, one from Hawaii and one from Nevada.

I want to focus on the one from Nevada today.

Keyshawn James-Newby, New Mexico, 6-2, 244

I can't find a highlight reel or a scouting report and I can't even find him listed on the NFL Mock Draft Database consensus big board and there are over 800 names there. However, when a pundit I respect like Connor Rogers calls someone a "sleeper pick", my ears prick up.

James-Newby is a transfer to Nevada from Idaho and he's been incredibly productive.

In his freshman year at Idaho he had 43 pressures and 5 sacks.

His sophomore year, 51 pressures and 10 sacks

This year, he's had an FBS leading 22 pressures although is yet to register a sack. Against UCLA, he had 12 pressures alone. He even got 3 against Michigan.

It's hard to get much info on him besides his stats but he's a name I'll keep an eye on as the season progresses.



Apparently he's 27. Disregard. And thanks to Clonamery for seeing this.

 

[Clonamery]

When I use PFF to look at stats, I tend to ignore prospects from smaller schools that I've not heard of in the context of the draft. So I might say a certain safety is the best tackler in the draft but ignore someone from Tulsa or Abilene-Christian who might have more. So take David Bailey. He's currently the leading 'draftable' EDGE rusher for total pressures, but in truth, he's tied with a number of prospects and there are two above him, one from Hawaii and one from Nevada.

I want to focus on the one from Nevada today.

Keyshawn James-Newby, Nevada, 6-2, 244

I can't find a highlight reel or a scouting report and I can't even find him listed on the NFL Mock Draft Database consensus big board and there are over 800 names there. However, when a pundit I respect like Connor Rogers calls someone a "sleeper pick", my ears prick up.

James-Newby is a transfer to Nevada from Idaho and he's been incredibly productive.

In his freshman year at Idaho he had 43 pressures and 5 sacks.

His sophomore year, 51 pressures and 10 sacks

This year, he's had an FBS leading 22 pressures although is yet to register a sack. Against UCLA, he had 12 pressures alone. He even got 3 against Michigan.

It's hard to get much info on him besides his stats but he's a name I'll keep an eye on as the season progresses.

PFN has him as at New Mexico. He's a grad student, smaht fella. He's 27.

 

[manxman2601]

PFN has him as at New Mexico. He's a grad student, smaht fella. He's 27.

I meant New Mexico. Thanks, I'll edit. However I didn't realise he's 27. Nevermind.

 

[mayoclinic]

EDGE rushers getting some attention:

2026 NFL Mock Draft: Full first-round mock draft predictions

The latest 2026 NFL Mock Draft includes a full first-round projection with a new QB in the #1 overall slot and Arch Manning finding a new NFL fit.

nflspinzone.com

7. Keldric Faulk, Auburn (to NE!)
13. TJ Parker, Clemson
18. Matayo Uiagalelei, Oregon
23. Sonny Styles, Ohio St. (LB)
24. Rueben Bain, Miami (too low!)
26. Anthony Hill, Texas (LB)
27. Cashius Howell, Texas A&M
28. David Bailey, Texas Tech
30. LT Overton, Alabama

Good EDGE class.

Manx as usual ahead of everyone.

 

[manxman2601]

EDGE rushers getting some attention:

2026 NFL Mock Draft: Full first-round mock draft predictions

The latest 2026 NFL Mock Draft includes a full first-round projection with a new QB in the #1 overall slot and Arch Manning finding a new NFL fit.

nflspinzone.com

13. TJ Parker, Clemson
18. Matayo Uiagalelei, Oregon

1. Parker has disappointed me so far this season as has Woods. Things are not good at Clemson.

2. I need to give Ukelele a watch. He's one I haven't studied yet. FWIW, 3 sacks already this year although Oregon have yet to be tested.

3. Joshua Josephs still interests me. Looked good in flashes against Georgia. Has great length and plays the run well. He has one sack in every game so far this season so he's consistent.

4. I don't know if it's a better class than last year though. There doesn't seem to be anyone of Abdul Carter or Mike Green levels of pass rush yet although David Bailey might stake that claim. Bain and Faulk are excellent all-rounders but I'm not sure they're elite pass rushers. It's early though.

 

[manxman2601]

 

[manxman2601]

The pass rushers haven't been blowing my socks off this season.

I think Ruben Bain and Keldric Faulk are the clear 1 & 2 so far this year, Matayo Ukulele is in the running for EDGE 3 and David Bailey, limited though he is, is clearly the best pure pass rusher so far.

TJ Parker hasn't been productive enough to justify his beginning of season hype and then there's Cashius Howell, Gabe Jacas and Joshua Josephs who have flashed without stating a claim to be definite first rounders.

Early days but I am a little underwhelmed by this EDGE class so far.

 

[mayoclinic]

It's a good year to be able to go BPA and not have to reach for need.

Someone will take TJ Parker in the 1st, based on traits + hype.

A bunch of teams will reach in desperation for QBs, in a very flawed class.

1st tier: Woods, Faulk, Bain, Downs, Fano. I agree with Erik Galko that Keldric Faulk is ELITE.

2nd tier all Oregon: World, Sadiq, Uiagalelei, Thieneman. Add on Sonny Styles and Anthony Hill in that tier for me.

Factor in the WRs and CBs, Love at RB, and some other linemen, and there will be a solid 1st round.

 

[mayoclinic]

2026 NFL Draft Summer Scouting: Edge Rusher Overview

PFF Lead NFL Draft Analyst Trevor Sikkema offers his breakdowns for 28 edge defenders in the 2026 NFL Draft, including T.J. Parker, R Mason Thomas and Dani Dennis-Sutton.

www.pff.com

 

[manxman2601]

 

[manxman2601]

A poor rep from the RT but if you don’t get hands on David Bailey, he’s past you in a flash. Looking forward to seeing how Fano and Lomu deal with him this weekend. The matchup feels important for their relative draft implications.

 

[manxman2601]

Romello Height, Texas Tech, 6-3, 240lbs
If you watch the Texas Tech v Utah game this weekend to see David Bailey go up against Lomu and Fano, keep an eye on Romello Height too (Bailey is no 31 and Height no 9).

Height, like Bailey, is an undersized but super twitched up edge rusher, who has been almost as productive as Bailey so far this season. Sadly he's a little on the older side at 24 so probably a day three guy, but if you miss on Bailey and you're looking for that type of pass rusher, Height could be your guy. Currently, Ruben Bain leads all draft eligible prospects with a defense grade of 94.2. Height is close behind on 94.0 and has 14 total pressures and two sacks.

Here he is on a stunt. I love how quick and athletic he is.



Height and Bailey lead the FBS in getting pressures in under 2.5 seconds





It's going to be a really interesting test for Fano and Lomu Saturday. Sadly I don't coverage of the game here in the UK so I'll be hoping for a watchable Youtube stream.

 

[manxman2601]

Ha! The David Bailey dilemma.

Scouting report on David Bailey.

The best pure pass rusher in the class.

Putrid run defender..



For me, platoon him with Anfernee Jennings and win.

 

[Uptown]

 

[manxman2601]

In answer to the player comparison question, I asked Grok and it came up with Jonathan Allen of the Redskins. I like that comp although Allen was about 15lbs heavier.

 

[manxman2601]

PFF has Bain down for 10 total pressures for yesterday's game. I'm not sure I saw that, but he was outstanding throughout. Here are Bain's defensive grades per game this year.

v Notre Dame - 92.6
v Bethune-Cookman - 90.6
v USF - 90.0
v Florida - 93.8

He's putting together quite the season.

 

[manxman2601]

Anto Saka v Oregon

There are things I like. The size and length, the effort and his ability on stunts. He does seem to be limited with his pass rush weapons though and there's not much evidence of being able to bend the edge. The latter may be a scheme thing where he's being asked to effectively two gap to prevent runs to the outside rather than pinning his ears back.

 

[mayoclinic]

PFF has Bain down for 10 total pressures for yesterday's game. I'm not sure I saw that, but he was outstanding throughout. Here are Bain's defensive grades per game this year.

v Notre Dame - 92.6
v Bethune-Cookman - 90.6
v USF - 90.0
v Florida - 93.8

He's putting together quite the season.

Cam Jordan?