After the interior defensive linemen entered the field to initiate field drills at the 2026 NFL Combine, the Edge Rushers were next and they put on a show. We previewed 10 Edge Rushers We Previewed for Detroit Lions Fans to Watch during this part of the field exercises, and although not everyone participated, those who did performed well.
Here are the top five Edge Rushing winners at this year’s NFL Combine.
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TJ Parker, Clemson (6-foot-4, 263)
With a 1.61/4.68 10/40 yard split, a 34-inch vertical jump and a 10-foot broad jump, Parker notched a Top 5 athleticism score among edge rushers participating at the Combine.
Despite NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah predicts the Lions will select Parker 17th overall in his latest mock draftI still had some reservations about Parker after a season of regression at Clemson. His performance at the Combine helped ease those concerns. Parker was a sweetheart in on-field drills, showing balance, control and quickness throughout the day. During passing drills, he married his hands and feet, demonstrated a quick strike, gained ground in a hurry, showed controlled rotation and dip, as well as speed when bending the turn. He hunched at the waist at times, which slowed his speed, but overall it was a very athletic move. Finally, he participated in linebacker drills, demonstrating that he could get to space if necessary, but it was not a skill he could practice regularly.
David Bailey, Texas Tech (6-foot-4, 251)
Bailey’s 1.62/4.50 split with a vertical jump of 35 inches and a broad jump of 10 feet, 9 inches gave him the third-best track and field score at the Combine.
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Bailey has had his share of doubters in the draft media, but his performance in on-field drills showed why most predict him to be selected in the top 10, or even the top 5. With quick feet and a powerful burst/cut, Bailey puts all his strength into his change-of-direction efforts. Despite the power generated, he remained surprisingly light on his feet and did well to hug them with his heavy hands. His turn can get tight at times, but he has controlled rotation and flattens out quickly out of corners.
Keldric Faulk, Auburn (6-foot-6, 276)
Faulk did not participate in the measured tests at the Combine; instead, they chose to participate only in field exercises.
Faulk’s length stands out immediately, as does his body control. He has a smooth, controlled slant that was best showcased during the “hoop drill,” illustrating his turn toward the pass. Not only did he hang the towels off the floor, but he gave them an extra half-second of showmanship, holding them a little longer than the others, demonstrating his control. In other passing drills, he could look stiff at times and even have a little hitch in his gate early in the process, but he has natural, translatable skills, including keeping his head up and eyes in the correct position, as well as a solid initial punch drill in the bag. He also looked very natural during LB drills, showing off surprisingly soft hands.
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Dani Dennis-Sutton, Penn State (6-foot-5 1/2, 256)
Dennis-Sutton lost 12 pounds from his weight at the Senior Bowl, and it paid off with his ability to test measuring drills. His 1.63/4.64 split, 39.5-inch vertical jump, 10-foot-11 broad jump and remarkable 6.9-second 3-cone drill gave him the second-highest track and field score in that position group.
During drills, he was impressively fluid for a player expected to play a “core” role at the next level. His powerful punch was loud, showing off his violent hands, and while he was explosive with his initial step, his curvature and spin were slower than most of the others in this group. It was difficult for him to get down into his bath, but there was little wasted movement and he showed promise. Linebacker drills aren’t his specialty, but as a basic, it’s not surprising at all.
Malachi Lawrence, UCF (6-foot-4, 253)
Lawrence wasn’t on my watch list before the Combine, but he had a standout day showcasing his measurable and on-field skills. With a split of 1.58/4.52, a vertical jump of 40 inches and a broad jump of 10 feet, 10 inches, Lawrence came away with the No. 1 track and field score among edge runners.
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Lawrence started strong and improved as the day went on. He showed smooth feet, great change of direction skills, stiff planting and explosion with the stick. His ability to bend was demonstrated in the “Hoop Drill”, with control and speed, although he occasionally elevated himself while bending in other exercises. He showed a lot of power in his hands, dropping his skills during linebacker drills, showcasing his range even more.
Final score
There were a handful of small rushers who had very good performances – like Keyron Crawford (Auburn), Romello Height (Texas Tech) and Cashius Howell (Texas A&M) – but I view them as players unlikely to fit the Lions’ scheme in a starting role. With all of them expected to be Day 2 picks or higher, I’m not sure the Lions would spend that level of capital on a player who may only be a part-time player, unless there is an unexpected change of plans.
