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 Feb. 18, 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 | FB | 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 | FB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | NT | 3-4 OLB | 3-4 DE | OLB | ILB | CB | S | K | P

1. Auburn image Keldic Faulk*, DT/DE, Auburn
Height: 6-6. Weight: 288.
Projected 40 Time: 4.90.
Projected Round (2025): 1-2.

2/18/25: 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.



2. Clemson image Peter Woods, DT/DE, Clemson
Height: 6-3. Weight: 315.
Projected 40 Time: 5.15.
Projected Round (2025): 1-2.

2/18/25: Woods got his season off to a strong start against Georgia and he has been disruptive for Clemson. In 2024, he had three sacks and 26 tackles. Woods has upside to be better in 2025.



3. Clemson image DeMonte Capehart, DT, Clemson
Height: 6-4. Weight: 320.
Projected 40 Time: 5.19.
Projected Round (2025): 1-3.

2/18/25: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.



4. Miami image Rueben Bain Jr.*, 3-4DE, Miami
Height: 6-3. Weight: 275.
Projected 40 Time: 4.80.
Projected Round (2025): 1-3.

2/18/25: 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.



5. Michigan image Rayshaun Benny, DT, Michigan
Height: 6-4. Weight: 296.
Projected 40 Time: 4.80.
Projected Round (2025): 2-3.

2/18/25: 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.



6. Penn State image Dani Dennis-Sutton, DE, Penn State
Height: 6-5. Weight: 272.
Projected 40 Time: 4.73.
Projected Round (2025): 3-5.




7. Alabama image L.T. Overton*, DE, Alabama
Height: 6-5. Weight: 283.
Projected 40 Time: 4.80.
Projected Round (2025): 3-5.




8. Florida image Jabari Lyons*, DT, Florida
Height: 6-4. Weight: 305.
Projected 40 Time: 5.15.
Projected Round (2025): 3-5.




9. Texas A&M image Tyler Onyedim*, 3-4DE, Texas A&M
Height: 6-4. Weight: 295.
Projected 40 Time: 4.95.
Projected Round (2025): 4-6.




10. West Virginia image Sean Martin, DE, West Virginia
Height: 6-5. Weight: 293.
Projected 40 Time: 4.90.
Projected Round (2025): 5-7.




11. Alabama image Jaheim Oatis, 3-4DE, Alabama
Height: 6-3. Weight: 321.
Projected 40 Time: 5.10.
Projected Round (2025): 7-FA.




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 | FB | 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 | FB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | NT | 3-4 OLB | 3-4 DE | OLB | ILB | CB | S | K | P