2026 NFL Draft Prospects: 3-4 Defensive End

8/5/25: 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.

8/4/25: 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.

8/4/25: 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.

8/4/25: 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.

8/4/25: 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.

8/5/25: Bain had an excellent freshman season for Miami, totaling 7.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and 44 tackles. The 6-foot-3, 275-pounder has the upside to be better as he gains experience. Bain was injured to start 2024 and didn’t debut until early October. He had 23 tackles with 3.5 sacks thus far.

8/4/25: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.

8/4/25: 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.

8/4/25: 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.

8/4/25: 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.

8/4/25: 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.

8/4/25: 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.

8/5/25: 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.