One of the strongest positions in the 2026 NFL Draft is defensive end. At the top of the class, I have four players with first-round grades, which would match the number of defensive ends selected in the first round of both the 2025 and 2024 NFL Drafts. The group also offers plenty of depth, including two late-round prospects who could end up being strong value picks in Texas’ Ethan Burke and Wisconsin’s Mason Reiger.
Top Player: Rueben Bain Jr., Miami
While it is widely debated who the top defensive end in the 2026 NFL Draft is between Miami’s Rueben Bain Jr. and Texas Tech’s David Bailey, the top player on my board at the position is Bain. He is easily the most complete defensive end in the class, a proven pass rusher who led the nation this year in pressures and brings an impressive blend of speed and power. He also holds up well against the run, consistently showing the strength to stand his ground at the point of attack.
Guy I Would Stand on the Table For: R Mason Thomas, Oklahoma
While Oklahoma’s R Mason Thomas may not have the size at 6-foot-2, 241 pounds to be an every-down defensive end in an even front, he should end up being an impact situational pass rusher or a 3-4 outside linebacker. This is due to his impressive burst off the ball and ability to consistently get around the corner as a pass rusher. He also has the fluid hips to hold up in coverage on a limited basis as a 3-4 outside linebacker. If he falls to the middle of the second round, a team is going to get good value, as he should be able to consistently produce six or seven sacks a season in the NFL.
Breakout Player: Caden Curry, Ohio State
One of the biggest breakout stars in college football last season was Ohio State’s Caden Curry. In his first season as a starter, he recorded an impressive 16.5 tackles for loss after never having more than 3.5 in a season and 11 sacks after never having more than 2.5 in a season. This strong year led to him being named both an All-American and a first-team Big Ten selection. While his short arms and lack of elite burst limit his upside, his outstanding production this season will likely still make him a mid-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Biggest Risk: Logan Fano, Utah
A player with a scary history of injuries is Utah’s Logan Fano. He missed both the 2022 and 2023 seasons due to torn ACLs and while he has been healthy the last two seasons this could scare teams away from him. Another concern with him is he lacks much of a burst coming off the line of scrimmage and has some trouble breaking down in space. For these concerns don’t be shocked if Fano ends up not getting drafted.
Sleeper No. 1: Ethan Burke, Texas
A player who should have been invited to the NFL Combine is Texas defensive end Ethan Burke, and he could end up being a valuable late-round pick. Over the past two seasons he has recorded 16 tackles for loss and does a strong job holding up against the run. That comes from his impressive strength, which helped him earn an 83.2 PFF run defense grade and even slide inside to defensive tackle on pass-rushing situations. In addition to being a player who can provide quality depth at defensive end, he is also a strong special teams contributor who has blocked three kicks during his Longhorn career, including two this past season.
"At the end of the day, Ethan Burke is a mechanic. He goes to work. He rolls his sleeves up. He doesn’t mind getting grimy. He’s always going to try to find an edge somewhere, and he’s got good wits about him."Texas Head Coach Steve Sarkisian
Sleeper No. 2: Mason Reiger, Wisconsin
This year’s defensive end class has strong value on Day Three, and a player who carries an NFL Mock Draft Database consensus seventh-round grade but has a fourth-round grade on my board is Wisconsin’s Mason Reiger. What stands out about Reiger is his quickness off the ball and his ability to consistently turn the corner as a pass rusher. That combination, along with his overall athletic ability, helped him register 45 pressures and five sacks this season. While he may not project as an every-down defender right away because he needs to add bulk and strength, even contributing as a situational pass rusher or 3-4 outside linebacker, where he could eventually start, would make him strong value as a late-round pick.
Had a Disappointing Season: T.J. Parker, Clemson
Going into the 2025 season, expectations were sky high for Clemson’s T.J. Parker, as The Athletic named him the top player in the ACC entering the year. He did not live up to that billing, as his production dropped across the board and he was not named an All-ACC selection at season’s end. Despite the down season, teams like the Chicago Bears could still consider him late in the first round based on his upside and prior body of work.
Overrated: David Bailey, Texas Tech
A defensive end widely viewed as a possible top-ten pick but carrying only a late first-round grade on my board is Texas Tech’s David Bailey. While he is a dynamic pass rusher, the question is whether he can be more than a situational player. Right now, that is difficult to project, as he lacks the strength to consistently set the edge against the run as a defensive end and is not fluid enough in coverage to hold up as a 4-3 outside linebacker. Do not be surprised if a team selects him in the top ten but ultimately regrets the decision.
Overall Rank
1. Rueben Bain Jr., Miami (first round)
2. David Bailey, Texas Tech (first round)
3. T.J. Parker, Clemson (first round)
4. Keldric Faulk, Auburn (first round)
5. R Mason Thomas, Oklahoma (second round)
6. Zion Young, Missouri (second round)
7. Akheem Mesidor, Miami (second round)
8. Gabe Jacas, Illinois (third round)
9. Derrick Moore, Michigan (fourth round)
10. Mason Reiger, Wisconsin (fourth round)
11. Caden Curry, Ohio State (fifth round)
12. Dani Dennis-Sutton, Penn State (fifth round)
13. Anthony Lucas, USC (sixth round)
14. Patrick Payton, LSU (sixth round)
15. Mikail Kamara, Indiana (sixth round)
16. Ethan Burke, Texas (sixth round)
17. Tyreak Sapp, Florida (seventh round)
18. Logan Fano, Utah (seventh round)