2026 NFL Draft Prospects: 3-4 Defensive End



The top 2026 3-4 Defensive End prospects available for the 2026 NFL Draft. * – denotes 2027 prospect. ** – denotes 2028 prospect.

This page was last updated Oct. 15, 2025. Follow Walter @walterfootball for updates.

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2024 NFL Draft Position Rankings:
QB | RB | FB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | NT | 3-4 OLB | 3-4 DE | OLB | ILB | CB | S | K | P

2025 NFL Draft Position Rankings:
QB | RB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | NT | 3-4 OLB | 3-4 DE | OLB | ILB | CB | S | K | P

2026 NFL Draft Position Rankings:
QB | RB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | NT | 3-4 OLB | 3-4 DE | OLB | ILB | CB | S | K | P

1. Auburn image Keldric Faulk*, DE, Auburn
Height: 6-6. Weight: 288.
Projected 40 Time: 4.80.
Projected Round (2026): 1-2.

Previous Seasons
  • ’25 – Mason Graham, Michigan
  • ’24 – Darius Robinson, Missouri
  • ’23 – Jalen Carter, Georgia

10/15/25: Faulk has 13 tackles with two sack and three passes batted thus far in 2025. Faulk was a beast for Auburn in 2024, with a big-time presence behind the line of scrimmage. He had seven sacks, 45 tackles, and one forced fumble. He has shown speed and power as a pass rusher while being a big-bodied lineman to defend the run. The 6-foot-6, 288-pounder has upside to develop as he gains experience. He could grow into being a full-time tackle or drop weight to be a full-time end. Faulk is very versatile with the ability to line up at end, tackle, and play a variety of techniques. On top of being a very talented player, sources say he is a great kid and has good character.



2. Alabama image L.T. Overton*, 3-4DE, Alabama
Height: 6-5. Weight: 283.
Projected 40 Time: 4.90.
Projected Round (2026): 1-2.

Previous Seasons
  • ’25 – Kenneth Grant, Michigan
  • ’24 – Kris Jenkins, Michigan
  • ’23 – Tyree Wilson, Texas Tech

10/15/25: In 2025, Overton has 20 tackles and three sacks. He played really well against Missouri to help Alabama win a close game over the Tigers. Overton is a tough defender at the point of attack with height, length, quickness, and athleticism. In 2024, he totaled 42 tackles with two sacks, one forced fumble, and one pass defended.


Seasonal Defensive Stats

Season Team Tackles Solo Ast Sack FF PD Int
2024 ALA 42 17 25 2 1 1 0
2023 TA&M 17 6 11 0 0 0
2022 TA&M 31 12 19 1 0 0 0

Game Log

Date Opponent Result Tackles Solo Ast Sack FF PD Int
12/31/2024 MICH 19-13 7 2 5 0 0 0
11/30/2024 AUB 28-14 2 0 2 0 0 0
11/23/2024 OU 24-3 4 4 0 0 0 0
11/16/2024 MER 52-7 1 0 1 0 0 0
11/9/2024 LSU 15 42-13 4 1 3 0 0 0
10/26/2024 MIZ 21 34-0 2 2 0 0 0 0
10/19/2024 TENN 11 24-17 5 2 3 1 0 0 0
10/12/2024 SC 27-25 4 3 1 0 0 1
9/28/2024 UGA 2 41-34 2 0 2 0 0 0
9/14/2024 WIS 42-10 6 2 4 1 1 0 0
9/7/2024 USF 42-16 1 0 1 0 0 0
8/31/2024 WKU 63-0 4 1 3 0 0 0
Stats from ESPN 8/4/2025


3. Clemson image Peter Woods*, 3-4DE, Clemson
Height: 6-3. Weight: 315.
Projected 40 Time: 5.15.
Projected Round (2026): 1-2.

Previous Seasons
  • ’25 – Walter Nolen, Ole Miss
  • ’24 – Ruke Orhorhoro, Clemson
  • ’23 – Bryan Bresee, Clemson

10/15/25: In 2025, Woods had 18 tackles with .5 sacks and a pass batted. He has not been as good as the media hype suggests. Woods got his season off to a strong start against Georgia, and he was disruptive for Clemson all year. In 2024, he had three sacks and 26 tackles. Woods has upside to be better in 2025. He is strong, quick, and athletic at the point of attack.


Seasonal Defensive Stats

Season Team Tackles Solo Ast Sack FF PD Int
2024 CLEM 26 18 8 3 1 0 0
2023 CLEM 26 13 13 1 0 0

Game Log

Date Opponent Result Tackles Solo Ast Sack FF PD Int
12/21/2024 TEX 5 38-24 5 3 2 0 0 0
11/30/2024 SC 15 17-14 3 2 1 0 0 0
11/23/2024 CIT 51-14 2 1 1 1 0 0 0
11/16/2024 PITT 24-20 3 1 2 1 0 0 0
11/2/2024 LOU 33-21 1 1 0 1 0 0
10/19/2024 UVA 48-31 4 4 0 0 0 0
10/12/2024 WAKE 49-14 2 1 1 0 0 0
8/31/2024 UGA 1 34-3 6 5 1 1 0 0 0
Stats from ESPN 8/4/2025


4. Florida State image Darrell Jackson Jr., 3-4DE, Florida State
Height: 6-5. Weight: 330.
Projected 40 Time: 5.25.
Projected Round (2026): 2-3.

Previous Seasons
  • ’25 – Derrick Harmon, Oregon
  • ’24 – Justin Eboigbe, Alabama
  • ’23 – Gervon Dexter, Florida

10/15/25: Thus far in 2025, Jackson has 19 tackles with one sack. In 2024, Jackson had a quality season for the Seminoles as one of the replacements for Braden Fiske. Jackson totaled 31 tackles with 3.5 sacks and a forced fumble. His 2023 season was lost to NCAA transfer rules after Jackson left the Miami Hurricanes for the Seminoles. He had 27 tackles and three sacks in 2022.


Seasonal Defensive Stats

Season Team Tackles Solo Ast Sack FF PD Int
2024 FSU 31 14 17 3.5 1 1 0
2023 FSU 3 1 2 0 0 0
2022 MIA 27 11 16 3 0 1 0
2021 MD 22 15 7 0 0 0

Game Log

Date Opponent Result Tackles Solo Ast Sack FF PD Int
11/30/2024 FLA 31-11 3 1 2 0 0 0
11/23/2024 CHSO 41-7 1 1 0 0 0 0
11/9/2024 ND 10 52-3 3 1 2 0 0 0
11/2/2024 UNC 35-11 5 1 4 1 0 0 0
10/26/2024 MIA 6 36-14 3 3 0 2 1 0 0
10/18/2024 DUKE 23-16 3 2 1 0 0 0
10/5/2024 CLEM 15 29-13 2 1 1 0 0 0
9/28/2024 SMU 42-16 3 2 1 0 0 0
9/21/2024 CAL 14-9 1 0 1 .5 0 0 0
9/14/2024 MEM 20-12 2 2 0 0 0 0
9/2/2024 BC 28-13 3 0 3 0 0 0
8/24/2024 GT 24-21 2 0 2 0 0 0
Stats from ESPN 8/4/2025


5. Florida image Caleb Banks, 3-4DE, Florida
Height: 6-6. Weight: 325.
Projected 40 Time: 5.25.
Projected Round (2026): 2-3.

Previous Seasons
  • ’25 – Alfred Collins, Texas
  • ’24 – Maason Smith, LSU
  • ’23 – Zacch Pickens, South Carolina

10/15/25: Banks has yet to play this season. In his second season with the Gators, Banks is a large interior defender who flashed some pass-rush ability in 2024. He recorded 4.5 sacks with 21 tackles, one forced fumble, and one pass defended. He had 19 tackles with a sack in 2023. Prior to that, Banks had two tackles with a sack while playing at Louisville. Banks has a good skill set with upside.


Seasonal Defensive Stats

Season Team Tackles Solo Ast Sack FF PD Int
2024 FLA 21 10 11 4.5 1 1 0
2023 FLA 19 7 12 1 0 0 0
2022 LOU 2 1 1 1 1 0 0

Game Log

Date Opponent Result Tackles Solo Ast Sack FF PD Int
11/23/2024 MISS 9 24-17 4 3 1 2.5 0 0 0
11/16/2024 LSU 22 27-16 3 2 1 1 1 0 1
11/2/2024 UGA 2 34-20 1 0 1 0 0 0
10/12/2024 TENN 8 23-17 OT 5 1 4 0 0 0
10/5/2024 UCF 24-13 2 0 2 0 0 0
9/21/2024 MSST 45-28 2 2 0 0 0 0
9/7/2024 SAM 45-7 2 1 1 1 0 0 0
8/31/2024 MIA 19 41-17 2 1 1 0 0 0
Stats from ESPN 8/4/2025


6. Clemson image DeMonte Capehart, 3-4DE, Clemson
Height: 6-4. Weight: 320.
Projected 40 Time: 5.19.
Projected Round (2026): 2-4.

Previous Seasons
  • ’25 – Tyleik Williams, Ohio State
  • ’24 – Brandon Dorlus, Oregon
  • ’23 – Nesta Jade Silvera, Arizona State

10/15/25: Capehart has 12 tackles and a sack thus far in 2025. In 2024, Capehart had 21 tackles and two passes batted. Clemson had a rotation of defensive linemen in 2023, but Capehart played well enough to impress the NFL advance scouts. In 2023, Capehart totaled 15 tackles, five tackles for a loss, one sack, one forced fumble, and one pass broken up. Capehart has a good skill set with upside. He is a bear at the point of attack in the ground game.


Seasonal Defensive Stats

Season Team Tackles Solo Ast Sack FF PD Int
2024 CLEM 21 11 10 0 2 0
2023 CLEM 15 12 3 2 1 1 0
2022 CLEM 12 6 6 0 0 0
2020 CLEM 3 2 1 1 0 0 0

Game Log

Date Opponent Result Tackles Solo Ast Sack FF PD Int
12/21/2024 TEX 5 38-24 5 1 4 0 0 0
12/7/2024 SMU 8 34-31 1 0 1 0 0 0
11/2/2024 LOU 33-21 2 2 0 0 0 0
10/19/2024 UVA 48-31 3 3 0 0 0 0
10/12/2024 WAKE 49-14 2 1 1 0 0 0
10/5/2024 FSU 29-13 1 0 1 0 0 0
9/28/2024 STAN 40-14 3 0 3 0 0 0
9/7/2024 APP 66-20 1 1 0 0 0 0
8/31/2024 UGA 1 34-3 3 3 0 0 0 0
Stats from ESPN 8/4/2025


7. LSU image Dominick McKinley*, 3-4DE, LSU
Height: 6-6. Weight: 308.
Projected 40 Time: 5.10.
Projected Round (2026): 2-4.

Previous Seasons
  • ’25 – T.J. Sanders, South Carolina
  • ’24 – Fabien Lovett, Florida State
  • ’23 – Tyler Lacy, Oklahoma State

10/15/25: Thus far in 2025, McKinley has six tackles with a sack and a pass batted. McKinley was a reserve as a sophomore in 2024, but he flashed a special skill set with excellent physical talent. He had three sacks as a backup and could be poised to rise high in the years to come.



8. Iowa State image Domonique Orange, 3-4DE, Iowa State
Height: 6-4. Weight: 325.
Projected 40 Time: 5.25.
Projected Round (2026): 3-5.

Previous Seasons
  • ’25 – Jordan Burch, Oregon
  • ’24 – Leonard Taylor, Miami
  • ’23 – Dante Stills, West Virginia

10/15/25: In 2025, Orange has 12 tackles thus far. He is a heavy gap-plugging nose tackle at the point of attack. In 2024, Orange totaled 24 tackles with one sack and one pass batted. Orange is a big nose tackle and needs to produce more in 2025 to rise.


Seasonal Defensive Stats

Season Team Tackles Solo Ast Sack FF PD Int
2024 ISU 24 13 11 1 0 1 0
2023 ISU 16 7 9 0 0 0
2022 ISU 8 3 5 0 0 0

Game Log

Date Opponent Result Tackles Solo Ast Sack FF PD Int
12/28/2024 MIA 13 42-41 2 0 2 0 0 0
12/7/2024 ASU 15 45-19 4 3 1 1 0 0 0
11/23/2024 UTAH 31-28 4 2 2 0 0 0
11/16/2024 CIN 34-17 3 2 1 0 0 0
11/2/2024 TTU 23-22 1 0 1 0 0 0
10/19/2024 UCF 38-35 1 0 1 0 0 0
10/5/2024 BAY 43-21 1 1 0 0 0 0
9/28/2024 HOU 20-0 1 0 1 0 0 0
9/21/2024 ARST 52-7 1 1 0 0 0 0
9/7/2024 IOWA 21 20-19 1 1 0 0 0 0
8/31/2024 UND 21-3 4 2 2 0 0 0
Stats from ESPN 8/4/2025


9. N.C. State image Brandon Cleveland, 3-4DE, N.C. State
Height: 6-4. Weight: 300.
Projected 40 Time: 5.12.
Projected Round (2026): 3-5.

Previous Seasons
  • ’25 – Landon Jackson, Arkansas
  • ’24 – Gabe Hall, Baylor
  • ’23 – Darius Robinson, Missouri

10/15/25: Thus far in 2025, Cleveland has 18 tackles and one sack. In 2024, Cleveland had a quality season as a run defender for the Wolfpack notching 36 tackles. He had only .5 sacks, but he did have three sacks and 28 tackles in 2023. Cleveland needs to produce more in the pass rush to rise as a senior.


Seasonal Defensive Stats

Season Team Tackles Solo Ast Sack FF PD Int
2024 NCST 36 10 26 .5 0 1 0
2023 NCST 28 13 15 3 2 0 0
2022 NCST 7 1 6 .5 0 0 0

Game Log

Date Opponent Result Tackles Solo Ast Sack FF PD Int
12/28/2024 ECU 26-21 2 1 1 0 0 0
11/30/2024 UNC 35-30 3 2 1 0 0 0
11/21/2024 GT 30-29 6 2 4 0 0 0
11/9/2024 DUKE 29-19 5 0 5 0 0 0
11/2/2024 STAN 59-28 4 0 4 0 0 0
10/19/2024 CAL 24-23 2 1 1 0 0 0
10/12/2024 SYR 24-17 3 1 2 0 0 0
10/5/2024 WAKE 34-30 2 1 1 0 0 0
9/28/2024 NIU 24-17 1 0 1 0 0 1
9/21/2024 CLEM 21 59-35 1 0 1 0 0 0
9/14/2024 LT 30-20 1 0 1 0 0 0
9/7/2024 TENN 14 51-10 4 1 3 0 0 0
8/29/2024 WCU 38-21 2 1 1 .5 0 0 0
Stats from ESPN 8/4/2025


10. Arkansas image Cameron Ball, 3-4DE, Arkansas
Height: 6-5. Weight: 324.
Projected 40 Time: 5.40.
Projected Round (2026): 5-7.

Previous Seasons
  • ’25 – Nic Scourton, Texas A&M
  • ’24 – Eric Watts, Connecticut
  • ’23 – Trajan Jeffcoat, Missouri

10/15/25: In 2025, Ball has 11 tackles. Ball had 46 tackles with 1.5 sacks in 2024. He was a heavy nose tackle and run lane plugger at the point of attack. If Ball can increase his pass production, he could be a riser.



11. Michigan image Rayshaun Benny, 3-4DE, Michigan
Height: 6-4. Weight: 296.
Projected 40 Time: 4.80.
Projected Round (2026): 6-FA.

Previous Seasons
  • ’25 – Ty Hamilton, Ohio State
  • ’24 – Myles Murphy, North Carolina
  • ’23 – Jaden Crumedy, Mississippi State

10/15/25: In 2025, Benny has 13 tackles and 1.5 sacks. Benny had 29 tackles with 1.5 sacks and two passes defended. In 2023, Benny flashed NFL ability as a rotational player with 27 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, and one pass batted. He is expected to take on a bigger role in 2025 with Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant off to the NFL.



12. Texas image Ethan Burke, 3-4DE, Texas
Height: 6-6. Weight: 257.
Projected 40 Time: 4.80.
Projected Round (2026): 6-FA.

Previous Seasons
  • ’25 – Deone Walker, Kentucky
  • ’24 – Myles Cole, Texas Tech
  • ’23 – Shakel Brown, Troy

10/15/25: In 2025, Burke has 13 tackles thus far. Burke had 27 tackles, two sacks, four passes defended, and an interception. He is a tough defender at the point of attack, but is not very productive. Burke played better in 2023, recording 41 tackles, one forced fumble, and 5.5 sacks. He ate up the Alabama offensive line in Week 2. Burke needs to improve his pass-rush production in 2025.



2024 NFL Draft Position Rankings:
QB | RB | FB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | NT | 3-4 OLB | 3-4 DE | OLB | ILB | CB | S | K | P

2025 NFL Draft Position Rankings:
QB | RB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | NT | 3-4 OLB | 3-4 DE | OLB | ILB | CB | S | K | P

2026 NFL Draft Position Rankings:
QB | RB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | NT | 3-4 OLB | 3-4 DE | OLB | ILB | CB | S | K | P