Edge Rush Draft Class: Who Fits the Eagles?

Edge Rush Remains the Eagles' Biggest Draft Need

Whether Jaelan Phillips re-signs or not, the Philadelphia Eagles need to invest in their edge rush pipeline. Nolan Smith is developing but hasn't become a consistent game-wrecker. The depth behind the starters is thin. And in Vic Fangio's defense, you can never have too many pass rushers.

The 2026 draft class offers legitimate options for the Eagles at every level — first round, Day 2, and even Day 3 developmental picks. NFL Draft Bible founder Ric Serritella broke down the edge class with an Eagles lens ahead of the combine, and several names should be on every Philadelphia fan's radar.

Cashius Howell, Texas A&M — The Premium Option

Howell is the most explosive edge rusher in this draft class. A transfer from Bowling Green who became a dominant force at Texas A&M, Howell has the first-step quickness and relentless motor that NFL teams covet. He's currently ranked as a top-3 edge prospect by PFF and ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. has him as the No. 2 outside linebacker.

The concern? Howell is older for a prospect — he'll be 25 as a rookie, which is unusual for a first-round edge. But the production and athleticism are undeniable. If Howell falls to the Eagles at 23, that's a gift. More likely, Philadelphia would need to trade up to grab him, which gets expensive.

Howell's combine performance will determine whether he goes top 15 or slides into the Eagles' range. Watch his 40 time and three-cone closely.

Keldric Faulk, Auburn — The Power Rusher

At 6-foot-4 and 265 pounds, Faulk brings a different profile than Howell. He's a length-and-power edge setter who wins with hand technique and leverage rather than pure speed. In Fangio's system, which values edge defenders who can hold up against the run and rush the passer, Faulk's versatility is appealing.

Faulk projects as a late first to early second-round pick, putting him squarely in the Eagles' sweet spot. If the board falls right, Philadelphia could grab a tackle at 23 and get Faulk early on Day 2 — a dream scenario for addressing multiple needs.

Zion Young, Missouri — The Upside Play

Young is the classic developmental edge rusher with elite physical traits but who hasn't fully put it together yet. At Missouri, he showed flashes of dominant pass-rushing ability but was inconsistent from game to game.

For a team like the Eagles that has Fangio coaching up the defensive front, Young is exactly the kind of project that can become a contributor by Year 2. He's likely a Day 2 pick — second or third round — with first-round athletic testing potential.

The combine will be huge for Young. If he posts elite numbers in the 40 and vertical, his stock could skyrocket. If the testing doesn't match the tape, he could slide into the third round where Philadelphia could pounce.

Dani Dennis-Sutton, Penn State — The Under-the-Radar Fit

This might be the most intriguing name for Eagles fans. Dennis-Sutton doesn't get enough national attention, but at 6-foot-5-and-a-half and 265 pounds, he has the prototypical size and length that NFL teams crave at the edge position.

Penn State has a well-documented track record of producing NFL pass rushers, and Dennis-Sutton fits that mold. He's considered a high-floor prospect — you know what you're getting — with the physical tools to develop into more. Serritella grades him as a top-50 overall prospect.

The knock? He plateaued a bit this past season and didn't take the expected developmental leap. But the tools are there, the college pedigree is there, and the combine will give him a chance to remind evaluators of his upside.

Dennis-Sutton as a late Day 2 pick would be excellent value for a team that needs edge depth regardless of the Phillips outcome.

How the Eagles Should Approach It

The ideal scenario: sign Jaelan Phillips, then draft one of these edge rushers on Day 2 as a developmental piece. That gives Philadelphia four legitimate edge options (Phillips, Nolan Smith, draft pick, plus a rotational piece) and builds the pipeline for the future.

The fallback scenario: if Phillips walks, the Eagles may need to go edge at 23 — which likely means Howell or Faulk if they're available — and then double-dip on Day 2 with a second edge or a different position of need.

Either way, the edge rush class has Eagles-friendly options. The combine starts next week. It's time to watch these guys move.