NFL Network's Bucky Brooks shares his top five EDGE players ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.
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With the league gathering in Indianapolis for the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, it's a good time to provide my second projection of how the entire first round will play out in Pittsburgh when the 2026 NFL Draft takes place on April 23-25. It will be interesting to see how this week's events at Lucas Oil Stadium impact the prospect pecking order. But at the moment -- just before the free agency frenzy -- this is my forecast for Round 1.
NOTE: NFL Network and NFL+ will have live coverage of the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine beginning Feb. 26.
Las Vegas Raiders Fernando Mendoza Indiana · QB · Junior (RS) The Raiders kick off the Klint Kubiak era with a perfect match at quarterback. Mendoza's pinpoint passing skills and clutch playmaking ability should energize an offense that already has blue-chip talents in place at running back and tight end.
New York Jets David Bailey Texas Tech · Edge · Senior With Aaron Glenn taking over the defensive play-calling duties, the Jets could opt for a pass rusher to generate more takeaway opportunities in 2026 and beyond. Bailey is a spectacular sack specialist with the explosiveness to wreak havoc on quarterbacks.
Arizona Cardinals Francis Mauigoa Miami · OT · Junior With or without Kyler Murray, the Cardinals need to find a tackle to man the right side opposite athletic LT Paris Johnson Jr. Mauigoa is a talented edge blocker with the size, strength and nastiness to bully opponents at the point of attack.
Tennessee Titans Arvell Reese Ohio State · LB/Edge · Junior Robert Saleh cannot resist the opportunity to take a chance on building a defense around an explosive athlete with natural playmaking skills as an off-ball linebacker and edge rusher. Reese's overall development could take some time, especially considering he only served as a full-time starter for one season at Ohio State, but the Titans' defensive-minded head coach could unlock his enticing potential.
New York Giants Caleb Downs Ohio State · S · Junior Given his success with All-Pro safeties (Ed Reed and Kyle Hamilton) in the lineup, John Harbaugh could push for a multi-faceted defensive playmaker to fortify a unit that disappointed in 2025. Downs' IQ, communication skills and playmaking potential could significantly boost a Giants defense that doesn't lack talent.
Cleveland Browns Spencer Fano Utah · OT · Junior The Browns must revamp their offensive line to control the trenches. Fano is an athletic people mover with the quickness and agility to play in a zone-based or gap scheme.
Washington Commanders Rueben Bain Jr. Miami · Edge · Junior The high-motor defender is a relentless pass rusher with a power-based game that could remind Dan Quinn of a young Dante Fowler Jr. Bain's disruptive potential exceeds his production, making him the perfect complement to a more traditional edge rusher.
New Orleans Saints Jeremiyah Love Notre Dame · RB · Junior Adding a dynamic playmaker should help Tyler Shough make a leap in Year 2. Love could spend a season serving as a true apprentice to Alvin Kamara or team with the five-time Pro Bowler to form a formidable 1-2 punch in the Saints' backfield.
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Kansas City Chiefs Carnell Tate Ohio State · WR · Junior The acrobatic pass catcher could add another dimension to the Chiefs' passing game as a big-play threat. Tate's speed and explosion would enable Kansas City to run various combination routes with Xavier Worthy and the Ohio State standout creating and exploiting mismatches on the perimeter.
Cincinnati Bengals Keldric Faulk Auburn · Edge · Junior Despite his unrefined game as a pass rusher, Faulk could be in play for the Bengals due to his disruptive potential on the edge. As a rugged run defender with explosive strength and power, the Auburn product could thrive as a base end in Al Golden's scheme.
Miami Dolphins Mansoor Delane LSU · CB · Senior The talented technician would help the Dolphins match up with the high-powered offenses around the league. Delane's instincts, awareness and versatility mesh well with Jeff Hafley's vision-and-break scheme.
Dallas Cowboys Akheem Mesidor Miami · Edge · Senior The Cowboys' installation of a Vic Fangio-like scheme under new DC Christian Parker could make the high-motor edge defender a top priority. Mesidor's energy, effort and relentlessness, combined with his advanced pass-rushing skills after six years in college, could make him a double-digit sack artist early in his pro career.
Los Angeles Rams (via ATL) Jermod McCoy Tennessee · CB · Junior If McCoy shows evaluators that he is fully recovered from the ACL tear suffered in January of 2025, the Tennessee standout could be a steal for the Rams as a CB1 with ballhawk potential.
Baltimore Ravens Olaivavega Ioane Penn State · OG · Junior (RS) Ioane feels like a perfect fit for a team that wants to build a bully at the line of scrimmage. The Penn State product is a mauler/brawler with a nasty temperament and dominant game that would help Baltimore continue to run the rock at a high level.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sonny Styles Ohio State · LB · Senior With Lavonte David mulling retirement, Styles could perfectly slide into the role of run-and-chase linebacker in Todd Bowles' attacking defense.
New York Jets (via IND) Jordyn Tyson Arizona State · WR · Junior (RS) If the Jets find a quarterback via trade or free agency, they could add another perimeter weapon to the mix to alleviate some of the pressure on WR1 Garrett Wilson. Tyson's injury history is a concern, but the Arizona State star is a polished route runner with outstanding hands and ball skills.
NFL.com Analyst Bucky Brooks ranks his top 5 wide receiver prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Detroit Lions Kadyn Proctor Alabama · OT · Junior The gargantuan Alabama product needs to smooth out the rough parts of his game, but he displays the potential to develop into a franchise-caliber tackle in time.
Minnesota Vikings Emmanuel McNeil-Warren Toledo · S · Senior The long, rangy playmaker is an ideal fit in Brian Flores' aggressive scheme. McNeil-Warren is a rare find as a box-area banger with top-notch skills as a center fielder.
Carolina Panthers Peter Woods Clemson · DT · Junior Finding a disruptive playmate for Derrick Brown could elevate Carolina's defense in 2026. Woods' athleticism and explosiveness could create problems for opponents attempting to attack the Panthers between the tackles.
