BEST EDGE RUSHERS IN RUN DEFENSE 2026 NFL Draft

2026 BEST EDGE RUSHERS IN RUN DEFENSE

The linchpin in anchoring solid run defense often comes from the peripheries. Edge rushers, such as Jadeveon Clowney from South Carolina, have exemplified the significant role that disciplined and aggressive play on the exterior defensive line can have in stymieing the opponent’s ground game, forcing negative yardage plays and altering offensive strategies.

Delve into the data below to identify the emerging edge rushers in college football, defining their legacy through an adept ability to stifle run plays. Explore metrics such as tackles for loss, run stops, and edge containment to discern how these adept defenders are imperiling offensive game plans and sealing off pivotal rushing lanes.

2026 Edge Rushers ranked by RUN DEFENSE

RANK Player Pos Team TACKLING PASS RUSH RUN DEFENSE Rating
1

Joshua
Josephs

DE
/ED
Tennessee   Mascot
Tennessee Mascot
72 94 100
86.0
2

Keldric
Faulk

DL
/ED
Auburn   Mascot
Auburn Mascot
84 81 93
88.9
3

Tyreak
Sapp

DE
/ED
Florida   Mascot
Florida Mascot
72 84 91
86.7
4

Mikail
Kamara

DE
/ED
Indiana   Mascot
Indiana Mascot
71 95 86
87.0
5

Peter
Woods

DL
/ED
Clemson   Mascot
Clemson Mascot
60 76 86
88.2
6

LT
Overton

DE
/ED
Alabama   Mascot
Alabama Mascot
62 80 85
87.6
7

T.J.
Parker

DE
/ED
Clemson   Mascot
Clemson Mascot
70 86 85
90.9
8

Jalen
Thompson

DL
/ED
Michigan State   Mascot
Michigan State Mascot
68 62 81
78.1
9

Rueben
Bain Jr.

DL
/ED
Miami   Mascot
Miami Mascot
48 81 81
87.9
10

Korey
Foreman

DL
/ED
Fresno State   Mascot
Fresno State Mascot
53 61 79
75.2
11

Eric
O'Neill

DE
/ED
James Madison   Mascot
James Madison Mascot
41 80 79
82.9
12

Mitchell
Melton

LB
/ED
Ohio State   Mascot
Ohio State Mascot
58 79 78
74.0
13

Dani
Dennis-Sutto...

DE
/ED
Penn State   Mascot
Penn State Mascot
59 82 77
87.4
14

Keaten
Wade

DE
/ED
Kentucky   Mascot
Kentucky Mascot
76 76 76
75.0
15

Kamran
James

DE
/ED
Florida   Mascot
Florida Mascot
66 57 76
76.5
16

Da'Shawn
Womack

DE
/ED
LSU   Mascot
LSU Mascot
72 79 75
78.0
17

Caleb
Banks

DE
/ED
Florida   Mascot
Florida Mascot
54 82 75
86.2
18

Cashius
Howell

DL
/ED
Texas A&M   Mascot
Texas A&M Mascot
69 95 74
84.5
19

Derrick
Moore

DE
/ED
Michigan   Mascot
Michigan Mascot
69 91 73
86.4
20

Akheem
Mesidor

DL
/ED
Miami   Mascot
Miami Mascot
70 69 73
77.0