March 9, 2026
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2027 NFL Draft Prospects: Defensive End

Charlie Campbell08 mins


*Walt taking 2014 and 2018
Charlie Campbell, Senior Draft Analyst
Follow Charlie on Twitter @draftcampbell for updates.
Led all NFL media in draft rumor accuracy in '15, '16, '17, '18, '20, and '21
Led all NFL media in correct picks for the 2017, 2019, 2022, and 2024 NFL Drafts.
2nd Place in all NFL media with correct picks for 2021
2021 NFL MOCK DRAFT - WALT'S | CHARLIE'S ROUND: 1

The top 2027 Defensive End prospects available for the 2027 NFL Draft. * – denotes 2028 prospect. ** – denotes 2029 prospect.

This page was last updated Feb. 22, 2026. 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 | 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
1. South Carolina image Dylan Stewart*, DE, South Carolina
Height: 6-6. Weight: 248.
Projected 40 Time: 4.60.
Projected Round (2027): 1-2.
Previous Seasons
  • ’26 – David Bailey, Texas Tech
  • ’25 – Abdul Carter, Penn State
  • ’24 – Dallas Turner, Alabama

2/20/26: In 2025, Stewart had 33 tackles, 4.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and two passes defended. Stewart flashed big-time ability as a freshman in 2024 and was an immediate contributor for the Gamecocks. In his debut season, Stewart recorded 6.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and 23 tackles. He jumped out, and he looks like a player with special talent.



2. Alabama image Yhonzae Pierre*, DE/OLB, Alabama
Height: 6-3. Weight: 248.
Projected 40 Time: 4.60.
Projected Round (2027): 1-2.
Previous Seasons
  • ’26 – Rueben Bain Jr., Miami
  • ’25 – Mykel Williams, Georgia
  • ’24 – Jared Verse, Florida State

2/20/26: Pierre has been a tough defender for the Crimson Tide in 2025. He has been a dangerous edge rusher with speed and physicality to push through blocks. In 2025, Pierre had 52 tackles with eight sacks, three forced fumbles, and one pass batted. He is an ascending player with a ton of upside.



3. Utah image John Henry Daley, DE/OLB, Utah
Height: 6-4. Weight: 247.
Projected 40 Time: 4.70.
Projected Round (2027): 1-2.
Previous Seasons
  • ’26 – Keldric Faulk, Auburn
  • ’25 – James Pearce Jr., Tennessee
  • ’24 – Laiatu Latu, UCLA

2/20/26: Daley was a beast as a pass rusher for the Utes in 2025. He was dominating tackles with functional strength, quickness, and an insane motor. In 2025, Daley had 48 tackles with 11.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. He needs to improve his run defense in 2026.



4. Arkansas image Quincy Rhodes Jr., DE, Arkansas
Height: 6-6. Weight: 276.
Projected 40 Time: 4.80.
Projected Round (2027): 1-2.
Previous Seasons
  • ’26 – Zion Young, Missouri
  • ’25 – Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M
  • ’24 – Chop Robinson, Penn State

2/20/26: Rhodes was a bright spot for Arkansas in 2025, racking up eight sacks with 43 tackles. He has good size to set the edge with height and length. Rhodes could have entered the draft, but decided to return to Arkansas.



5. Clemson image Will Heldt*, DE, Clemson
Height: 6-6. Weight: 260.
Projected 40 Time: 4.72.
Projected Round (2027): 1-3.
Previous Seasons
  • ’26 – R. Mason Thomas, Oklahoma
  • ’25 – Donovan Ezeiruaka, Boston College
  • ’24 – Darius Robinson, Missouri

2/20/26: in 2025, Heldt has 39 tackles with 7.5 sacks and one forced fumble. Heldt has played well for Clemson showing speed and athleticism off the edge. Heldt played well for Purdue in 2024, recording 56 tackles with five sacks. The 6-foot-6, 260-pounder has good size, a surprising burst, and plays really hard. Heldt has upside, and he could be a nice value pick in the first or second round.



6. Miami image Damon Wilson II*, DE/OLB, Miami
Height: 6-4. Weight: 250.
Projected 40 Time: 4.70.
Projected Round (2027): 1-3.
Previous Seasons
  • ’26 – Cashius Howell, Texas A&M
  • ’25 – J.T. Tuimoloau, Ohio State
  • ’24 – Chris Braswell, Alabama




7. Notre Dame image Boubacar Traore*, DE, Notre Dame
Height: 6-5. Weight: 247.
Projected 40 Time: 4.69.
Projected Round (2027): 1-3.
Previous Seasons
  • ’26 – Gabe Jacas, Illinois
  • ’25 – Mike Green, Marshall
  • ’24 – Adisa Isaac, Penn State




8. Ohio State image Kenyatta Jackson, DE, Ohio State
Height: 6-6. Weight: 258.
Projected 40 Time: 4.80.
Projected Round (2027): 1-3.
Previous Seasons
  • ’26 – Akheem Mesidor, Miami
  • ’25 – Nic Scourton, Texas A&M
  • ’24 – Marshawn Kneeland, Western Michigan




9. Florida image L.J. McCray*, DE, Florida
Height: 6-6. Weight: 264.
Projected 40 Time: 4.70.
Projected Round (2027): 1-3.
Previous Seasons
  • ’26 – T.J. Parker, Clemson
  • ’25 – Jordan Burch, Oregon
  • ’24 – Jonah Elliss, Utah




10. Oregon image Teitum Tuioti*, DE/OLB, Oregon
Height: 6-3. Weight: 263.
Projected 40 Time: 4.73.
Projected Round (2027): 2-4.
Previous Seasons
  • ’26 – Derrick Moore, Michigan
  • ’25 – Landon Jackson, Arkansas
  • ’24 – Bralen Trice, Washington




11. Oregon image Matayo Uiagalelei*, DE, Oregon
Height: 6-5. Weight: 270.
Projected 40 Time: 4.85.
Projected Round (2027): 2-4.
Previous Seasons
  • ’26 – Dani Dennis-Sutton, Penn State
  • ’25 – Jack Sawyer, Ohio State
  • ’24 – Xavier Thomas, Clemson




12. Northwestern image Anto Saka*, DE, Northwestern
Height: 6-4. Weight: 255.
Projected 40 Time: 4.73.
Projected Round (2027): 2-4.
Previous Seasons
  • ’26 – Mason Reiger, Wisconsin
  • ’25 – Princely Umanmielen, Ole Miss
  • ’24 – Austin Booker, Kansas




13. Indiana image Joshua Burnham, DE, Indiana
Height: 6-4. Weight: 253.
Projected 40 Time: 4.80.
Projected Round (2027): 4-6.
Previous Seasons
  • ’26 – Romello Height, Texas Tech
  • ’25 – Bradyn Swinson, LSU
  • ’24 – Zion Tupuola-Fetui, Washington




14. Michigan image T.J. Guy, DE, Michigan
Height: 6-4. Weight: 250.
Projected 40 Time: 4.75.
Projected Round (2027): 4-6.
Previous Seasons
  • ’26 – Keyron Crawford, Auburn
  • ’25 – Fadil Diggs, Syracuse
  • ’24 – Gabriel Murphy, UCLA




15. USC image Anthony Lucas, DE, USC
Height: 6-5. Weight: 275.
Projected 40 Time: 4.80.
Projected Round (2027): 5-7.
Previous Seasons
  • ’26 – Vincent Anthony Jr., Duke
  • ’25 – Tyler Baron, Miami
  • ’24 – Grayson Murphy, UCLA




16. Texas A&M image Rylan Kennedy*, DE, Texas A&M
Height: 6-4. Weight: 250.
Projected 40 Time: 4.70.
Projected Round (2027): 6-FA.
Previous Seasons
  • ’26 – Logan Fano, Utah
  • ’25 – Jared Ivey, Ole Miss
  • ’24 – Javon Solomon, Troy




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


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