Best available EDGE in 2026 NFL Draft: Updated results, top prospects still on board originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The NFL Draft has arrived. No more conjecture or hypothetical. Five months of preparations and the biggest job interview in the world will now become real. Viewers have become accustomed to certain similarities. The best quarterbacks, edge rushers, offensive linemen and cornerbacks are towards the top, while running backs, safeties and linebackers are less prioritized at the top. In 2026, they throw out almost all the positional tendencies and trends. A year from now we could be looking at one of the deeper position groups. In the short time, many will focus on Bailey, Bain, Faulk, Mesidor and Howell. However, the depth of this group cannot be overlooked. There could be as many as ten EDGE players taken from the 3rd round forward that not only project to starters but could be big impact players at the next level. There are even draft analyst darlings well into the fifth round.
The 2026 NFL draft kicks off at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday in Pittsburgh (ESPN, ABC and NFL Network-- available on Fubo), The Las Vegas Raiders will likely select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick.
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