2026 NFL Draft Prospects: 3-4DE



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 Jan. 8, 2026. 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


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1. Auburn image Keldric Faulk*, 3-4DE, Auburn
Height: 6-6. Weight: 288.
Projected 40 Time: 4.80.
Projected Round (2026): 1-2.

Previous Seasons
  • ’25 – Mason Graham, Michigan
    -Drafted, no. 5 Jaguars
  • ’24 – Darius Robinson, Missouri
    -Drafted, no. 27 Cardinals
  • ’23 – Jalen Carter, Georgia
    -Drafted, no. 9 Broncos

1/9/26: Faulk had 29 tackles with two sacks and three passes batted 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. 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 – Kenneth Grant, Michigan
    -Drafted, no. 13 Dolphins
  • ’24 – Kris Jenkins, Michigan
    -Drafted, no. 49 Bengals
  • ’23 – Tyree Wilson, Texas Tech
    -Drafted, no. 7 Broncos

1/9/26: In 2025, Woods had 30 tackles with two 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.



3. 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 – Walter Nolen, Ole Miss
    -Drafted, no. 16 Cardinals
  • ’24 – Ruke Orhorhoro, Clemson
    -Drafted, no. 35 Falcons
  • ’23 – Bryan Bresee, Clemson
    -Drafted, no. 29 Broncos

1/9/26: In 2025, Overton had 40 tackles and four sacks. Overton missed time with injuries late in the season. 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.



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
    -Drafted, no. 21 Steelers
  • ’24 – Justin Eboigbe, Alabama
    -Drafted, no. 105 Chargers
  • ’23 – Gervon Dexter, Florida
    -Drafted, no. 53 Broncos

1/9/26: In 2025, Jackson had 44 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.



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
    -Drafted, no. 43 49ers
  • ’24 – Maason Smith, LSU
    -Drafted, no. 48 Jaguars
  • ’23 – Zacch Pickens, South Carolina
    -Drafted, no. 64 Broncos

1/9/26: Banks injured his foot in September and missed over two months. He has three tackles in 2025. 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.



6. Georgia image Christian Miller, 3-4DE, Georgia
Height: 6-4. Weight: 305.
Projected 40 Time: 5.20.
Projected Round (2026): 2-4.

Previous Seasons
  • ’25 – Tyleik Williams, Ohio State
    -Drafted, no. 28 Lions
  • ’24 – Brandon Dorlus, Oregon
    -Drafted, no. 109 Falcons
  • ’23 – Nesta Jade Silvera, Arizona State
    -Drafted, no. 231 Broncos

1/9/26: In 2025, Miller had 23 tackles and 1.5 sacks. He has some talent, but has not produced much on the field. In 2024, he had 27 tackles with 1.5 sacks. Miller needs to show more pass-rush ability to close out the season.



7. Iowa State image Domonique Orange, 3-4DE, Iowa State
Height: 6-4. Weight: 325.
Projected 40 Time: 5.25.
Projected Round (2026): 2-4.

Previous Seasons
  • ’25 – T.J. Sanders, South Carolina
    -Drafted, no. 41 Bills
  • ’24 – Fabien Lovett, Florida State
  • ’23 – Tyler Lacy, Oklahoma State
    -Drafted, no. 130 Broncos

1/9/26: In 2025, Orange had 18 tackles and a pass batted 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. Team sources say that he has talent but is not a good worker.



8. Minnesota image Deven Eastern, 3-4DE, Minnesota
Height: 6-4. Weight: 296.
Projected 40 Time: 4.80.
Projected Round (2026): 3-5.

Previous Seasons
  • ’25 – Jordan Burch, Oregon
    -Drafted, no. 78 Cardinals
  • ’24 – Leonard Taylor, Miami
  • ’23 – Dante Stills, West Virginia
    -Drafted, no. 213 Broncos

1/9/26: Eastern had a solid senior season for the Golden Gophers. He totaled 38 tackles with 2.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and one pass batted. Eastern plays hard and is tough at the point of attack.



9. South Carolina image Nick Barrett, 3-4DE, South Carolina
Height: 6-3. Weight: 322.
Projected 40 Time: 5.28.
Projected Round (2026): 3-5.

Previous Seasons
  • ’25 – Landon Jackson, Arkansas
    -Drafted, no. 72 Bills
  • ’24 – Gabe Hall, Baylor
  • ’23 – Darius Robinson, Missouri

1/9/26: Barrett had a quality 2025 season for the Gamecocks as he was a solid run defender at the point of attack. He totaled 42 tackles with two sacks and one pass batted. Barrett has good size at the point of attack to compete as a nose tackle.



10. Michigan image Rayshaun Benny, 3-4DE, Michigan
Height: 6-4. Weight: 296.
Projected 40 Time: 4.80.
Projected Round (2026): 3-5.

Previous Seasons
  • ’25 – Nic Scourton, Texas A&M
    -Drafted, no. 51 Panthers
  • ’24 – Eric Watts, Connecticut
  • ’23 – Trajan Jeffcoat, Missouri

1/9/26: In 2025, Benny had 35 tackles with 1.5 sacks and two passes batted. 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.



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

Previous Seasons
  • ’25 – Ty Hamilton, Ohio State
    -Drafted, no. 148 Rams
  • ’24 – Myles Murphy, North Carolina
  • ’23 – Jaden Crumedy, Mississippi State

1/9/26: In 2025, Cleveland had 35 tackles and two sacks. 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.



12. 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 – Deone Walker, Kentucky
    -Drafted, no. 109 Bills
  • ’24 – Myles Cole, Texas Tech
    -Drafted, no. 236 Jaguars
  • ’23 – Shakel Brown, Troy

1/9/26: In 2025, Ball had 27 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.



13. 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 – Jared Ivey, Ole Miss
  • ’23 – Isaiah Mullens, Wisconsin

1/9/26: In 2025, Burke had 40 tackles with three sacks and a pass batted. 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


New - Build your own Prospect Rankings or view other Reader's Rankings