2026 NFL Draft Prospects: Defensive End



The top 2026 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.

Send Charlie an e-mail here: [email protected]


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. Clemson image T.J. Parker, DE, Clemson
Height: 6-3. Weight: 265.
Projected 40 Time: 4.80.
Projected Round (2025): 1-2.

2/18/25: Parker has enjoyed a breakout sophomore season for the Tigers with 57 tackles, 11 sacks, and six forced fumbles in 2024. The 6-foot-3, 265-pounder has quality size and impressive instincts for a young player. In his freshman season, Parker had 5.5 sacks and 33 tackles.



2. Auburn image Keldic Faulk*, DE/DT, Auburn
Height: 6-6. Weight: 288.
Projected 40 Time: 5.15.
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.



3. Clemson image Peter Woods, DE/DT, 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.



4. Oregon image Mateo Uiagalelei, DE, Oregon
Height: 6-5. Weight: 270.
Projected 40 Time: 4.75.
Projected Round (2025): 1-2.

2/18/25: Uiagalelei was a beast for the Ducks in 2024, recording 10.5 sacks with two forced fumbles, one interception, one pass batted, and 38 tackles. The 6-foot-5, 270-pounder has good size, strength, and athleticism.



5. Miami image Rueben Bain Jr.*, DE, 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.



6. Texas A&M image Rylan Kennedy, DE, Texas A&M
Height: 6-4. Weight: 240.
Projected 40 Time: 4.70.
Projected Round (2025): 1-3.




7. Florida image Tyreak Sapp, DE, Florida
Height: 6-3. Weight: 272.
Projected 40 Time: 4.74.
Projected Round (2025): 1-3.




8. Illinois image Gabe Jacas, DE, Illinois
Height: 6-3. Weight: 275.
Projected 40 Time: 4.74.
Projected Round (2025): 1-3.




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




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




11. LSU image Patrick Payton, DE, LSU
Height: 6-5. Weight: 240.
Projected 40 Time: 4.80.
Projected Round (2025): 3-5.




12. Indiana image Mikail Kamara, DE, Indiana
Height: 6-1. Weight: 265.
Projected 40 Time: 4.70.
Projected Round (2025): 3-5.




13. Texas image Ethan Burke, DE, Texas
Height: 6-6. Weight: 257.
Projected 40 Time: 4.80.
Projected Round (2025): 4-6.




14. Indiana image Jacob Mangum-Farrar, DE/OLB, Indiana
Height: 6-3. Weight: 238.
Projected 40 Time: 4.70.
Projected Round (2025): 4-6.




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




16. Miami image Elijah Alston, DE, Miami
Height: 6-2. Weight: 256.
Projected 40 Time: 4.75.
Projected Round (2025): 4-6.




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




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