The Jacksonville Jaguars added some serious edge-rushing potential in the seventh round of the 2026 NFL Draft, selecting Washington defensive end Zach Durfee with the 233rd overall pick. If you're looking for a late-round gem with a high motor and impressive athletic traits, Durfee might just be the player to watch.
Durfee's 2025 season was a true breakout campaign. After managing just 10 pressures the year before, he exploded for 35 pressures, showcasing a dramatic improvement in his ability to disrupt the quarterback. According to Pro Football Focus, his pass-rush win rate ranked 11th among all defensive ends, and ESPN even tabbed him as a "2026 Prospect X" — a player poised to outplay his draft position.
His athletic testing backs up the hype. Durfee posted a Relative Athletic Score (RAS) of 9.78 out of 10.00, which ranks 51st out of 2,257 defensive ends evaluated from 1987 to 2026. That kind of explosiveness and agility is rare for a seventh-round pick and gives the Jaguars a developmental prospect with a sky-high ceiling.
NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein describes Durfee as a "twitchy athlete" with good short-area quickness and sudden change of direction. While he notes that Durfee has short arms and may struggle with edge-setting duties against NFL tackles, his ability to stay alive after being initially blocked and rally to the ball-carrier is a standout trait. Zierlein adds that Durfee creates pressure with his footwork and rush surge, even if he lacks polish as a pass rusher. His athletic profile and special-teams potential could buy him time to develop on the back end of the roster.
Jaguars GM James Gladstone echoed that sentiment, saying, "Certainly excited to bring him into the organization, knowing that he's got really a cool background, and one that is not all that different than some of the others that we drafted, and overcoming the odds and earning their place. He was really, really effective in rushing the passer or creating disruption this past season."
Durfee enters a defensive end room headlined by Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker. Behind them, he'll compete with BJ Green, Danny Striggow, and others for rotational snaps. Typically, four defensive ends see regular playing time, leaving two spots up for grabs. If Durfee can translate his athletic gifts into consistent production, he could carve out a role sooner than most seventh-rounders.
For Jaguars fans and draft enthusiasts alike, Zach Durfee is a name to remember — a high-upside edge rusher who's just getting started.