No position has generated more discourse than edge this year. I’ve seen Bain mocked as high as 3 and as low as 14. I’ve seen Bailey at number 2 overall and down to 9. Since teams apparently don’t know how to draft, I figured I’d deliver my objectively correct opinion before draft night.
5. Malachi Lawrence, UCF
Physical Traits — 6’4, 253 lbs
Accolades — 72 tackles, 20 sacks, 4 PDs, 2025 First-Team All-Big 12
Last year, RJ Harvey was my draft “pet cat.” There must be something in the central Florida waters besides gators, because Malachi Lawrence is criminally underrated.
At 6’4, he has no business moving the way he does. He bends edges with explosive burst, acting as a personified heat-seeking missile zeroed in on opposing quarterbacks. His athleticism rivals anyone in this class, and he swats tackles’ hands away with ease.
That said, whoever drafts him needs to put twenty bags of whey protein in his contract. He gets washed out of run plays far too often and could use more power in his lower half. There are moments where his dominance feels more like an athleticism mismatch with lower competition than refined technique. Pass rush move development is another area worth watching.
Still, his weaknesses are correctable. If Malachi falls to Day 2, someone’s franchise is walking away with an A+ grade.
4. Akheem Mesidor, Miami
Physical Traits — 6’3, 280 lbs
Accolades — 208 tackles, 4 PDs, 34.5 sacks, 5 FFs, 2025 First-Team All-ACC
In my mind, Akheem is the second most pro-ready player in this class, right behind his 305 teammate. With a motor that would’ve put Henry Ford out of business, he brings technically sound hand fighting, explosive burst off the line, consistent stunt wins, and an all-around feel for the game that you simply cannot manufacture.
When you draft Akheem, you’re not landing the next Will Anderson. He’s a jack of all trades, master of none. 25 years old, unlikely to be a perennial First-Team All-Pro, and lacking the elite athleticism you’ll see in some of the names above him. But his technique and football IQ alone make this a bust-proof selection. Low ceiling, high floor.
3. Cashius Howell, Texas A&M
Physical Traits — 6’2, 253 lbs
Accolades — 126 tackles, 15 PDs, 27 sacks, 3 FFs, 1 INT, 2025 Unanimous All-American, 2025 SEC DPOY
It just means more in the SEC. And when it comes to Cashius Howell, there’s little more he could’ve accomplished at the college level.
The 2025 SEC Defensive Player of the Year is a defensive coordinator’s dream when it comes to stunting packages. He bends the edge and punishes guards inside with equal conviction, sets tackles up beautifully for a lethal spin move, and plays with an electric energy.
The immaturity shows up in pre-snap penalties and unnecessary false steps. The spin move is a weapon, but his hand technique needs refinement. And please, I’m begging, do not ask this man to drop into coverage. Put your hand in the dirt, big fella. As you’ll hear me say throughout this piece, the flaws are fixable. Howell will be just fine on Sundays.
2. Rueben Bain, Miami
Physical Traits — 6’3, 275 lbs
Accolades — 121 tackles, 2 PDs, 20.5 sacks, 4 FFs, 1 INT, 2025 Consensus All-American, 2025 ACC DPOY, 2025 Ted Hendricks Award
1 and 2 are really 1A and 1B for me. If you need a defensive end and run a 3-4 scheme, Bain is your guy. He’s the most NFL-ready prospect in this class, bullying competition all season in South Beach.
He stacks and sheds with authority, boasts the most elite bend in the draft, and I’ve never once seen him driven backwards. My favorite quality? He’s a gamer. If it’s the fourth quarter, Rueben Bain is going to be in the backfield. Drop him in a 3, 4i, 4, 5, or 9 technique, he’ll find a path to a win.
I’d like to see his arsenal of hand moves continue to expand, something he’s visibly been working on throughout the pre-draft cycle. There’s also a heavy reliance on the bull rush and bend-rip combo that better tackles will eventually solve for. And at 275 lbs, you’d love to see that weight trend toward more functional explosion. But none of that changes the bottom line: Bain is a future All-Pro caliber talent.
1. David Bailey, Texas Tech
Physical Traits — 6’3, 250 lbs
Accolades — 163 tackles, 29 sacks, 10 FFs, 3 PDs (all this season), 2025 Unanimous All-American, 2025 Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year, 2025 First-Team All-Big 12
4-3 scheme? Bailey is your franchise cornerstone. But what separates him in a loaded position group is his viability as a 3-4 OLB as well, a rare two-scheme weapon that adds real value on draft night.
Watching David Bailey play is entertaining for a reason you don’t often get. He’s arguably the most gifted athlete in this class, yet he’s already layering technique on top of God-given abilities. He rushes from the outside and inside with equal comfort, has plans and counters mapped out for every engagement, disrupts passing lanes, and can neutralize double teams. Max Iheanachor is a first or second round talent, and Bailey had him chasing his own tail.
Room remains for growth, specifically with pad level in the run game. When tackles do get their hands on him cleanly, the play is usually over. But that’s a minor asterisk on an otherwise immaculate resume. David Bailey lives up to every bit of his hype.
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