2026 NFL Draft: The place Will the Prime Defensive Prospects Land?

[ad_1] A lot of the blue-chip prospects on this 12 months’s draft class are defensive gamers. So, the place will they land?

Right here’s my projection for 10 of the highest defenders, all of whom may hear their names referred to as on Day 1 of the draft subsequent Thursday:

EDGE/LB Arvell Reese (Ohio State): New York Jets 2025 stats (14 video games): 6.5 sacks, 69 tackles (10.0 for loss), 2 cross breakupsMeasurables: 6-foot-4, 241 kilos

Reese, a hybrid edge rusher/linebacker, helps the Jets within the pass-rush division — New York traded edge Jermaine Johnson II in March and Professional Bowl defensive deal with Quinnen Williams final November — however the former Ohio State star may step in at inside linebacker as wanted, too. The Jets' projected starters there are 37-year-old Demario Davis and former fifth-rounder Kiko Mauigoa.

Projected draft slot: No. 2 general Ohio State All-American Arvell Reese presents the flexibility of being an edge rusher or inside linebacker within the NFL. (Photograph by Cooper Neill/Getty Pictures)

EDGE David Bailey (Texas Tech): Arizona Cardinals 2025 stats (14 video games): 14.5 sacks, 19.5 tackles for loss, 3 PBUs, 3 compelled fumblesMeasurables: 6-foot-4, 251 kilos

The perfect pure edge rusher on this 12 months’s draft class, Bailey may kind a deadly exterior linebacker tandem with veteran Josh Sweat (12.0 sacks final season). Sweat is the one returning Cardinal who had greater than two sacks final season.

Projected draft slot: No. 3 general David Bailey closes in on Oregon QB Dante Moore throughout the School Soccer Playoff quarterfinal in January. Within the sport, Bailey had 9 tackles, one sack, two tackles for loss and two passes defensed. (Photograph by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire through Getty Pictures)

LB Sonny Types (Ohio State): New York Giants 2025 stats (14 video games): 82 tackles (6.5 for loss), 1 INT, 1 sack, 1 FFMeasurables: 6-foot-5, 244 kilos

The Giants had the second-worst run protection within the NFL final season (145.3 speeding yards allowed/sport), so Types would slot in alongside free-agent acquisition Tremaine Edmunds to man the current and way forward for New York’s linebacker spot. A transformed security, Types is a plus participant in protection, too.

Projected draft slot: No. 5 general S Caleb Downs (Ohio State): Washington Commanders 2025 stats (14 video games): 68 tackles (5.0 for loss), 2 INTs, 2 FFs, 1 sackMeasurables: 6 ft, 206 kilos

Downs, arguably one of the best general participant within the draft, would immediately be a weapon and a Swiss military knife in Dan Quinn’s secondary. The Commanders signed veteran security Nick Cross in free company, however he doesn’t have a assured wage in 2027.

Projected draft slot: No. 7 general Ryan Day on teaching Ohio State, Caleb Downs CB Mansoor Delane (LSU): Kansas Metropolis Chiefs 2025 stats (11 video games): 45 tackles, 2 INTs, 11 PBUsMeasurables: 6 ft, 187 kilos

The perfect cornerback within the 2026 class, Delane might be Kansas Metropolis’s CB1 instantly. This offseason, the Chiefs traded All-Professional Trent McDuffie and misplaced fellow starter Jaylen Watson in free company, each to the Rams.

Projected draft slot: No. 9 general EDGE Rueben Bain Jr. (Miami): Cincinnati Bengals 2025 stats (16 video games): 9.5 sacks, 15.5 tackles for loss, 1 INT, 1 FFMeasurables: 6-foot-2, 263 kilos

Bain may turn out to be the long-term No. 1 edge rusher the Bengals want post-Trey Hendrickson. Cincinnati signed Boye Mafe as a big-ticket free agent, however he had simply two sacks in 17 video games final season for the Seahawks. Former first-round picks Myles Murphy and Shemar Stewart mixed for simply 6.5 sacks in 2025.

The latest revelation that Bain was concerned in a 2024 automobile accident by which an individual later died may affect his draft slot, however he is a top-five expertise.

Projected draft slot: No. 10 general DL Akheem Mesidor (Miami): Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2025 stats (15 video games): 12.5 sacks, 17.5 tackles for loss, 4 FFsMeasurables: 6-foot-3, 259 kilos

The Bucs signed veteran Al-Quadin Muhammad in free company however nonetheless want a younger edge rusher within the fold. Mesidor wouldn't solely convey manufacturing (12.5 sacks for Miami final season) but additionally the flexibility to play a number of spots. Plus, with six years of faculty expertise, he is extra skilled than the standard rookie.

Projected draft slot: No. 15 general Akheem Mesidor (3) had two sacks within the School Soccer Playoff Nationwide Championship Sport in opposition to Indiana. (Photograph by CFP/Getty Pictures)

S Dillon Thieneman (Oregon): Minnesota Vikings 2025 stats (15 video games): 96 tackles, 2 INTs, 5 PBUsMeasurables: 6 ft, 201 kilos

Thieneman, one of many prime safeties on this 12 months’s draft class, appears like the proper substitute on paper for Vikings legend Harrison Smith, who’s considering retirement. With eight interceptions in school and security/nickel versatility, Thieneman may make an affect on Day 1 in Brian Flores’ protection.

Projected draft slot: No. 18 general CB Jermod McCoy (Tennessee): Dallas Cowboys 2025 stats: n/a (injured)Measurables: 6-foot-1, 188 kilos

The Cowboys want reinforcements at cornerback, with veteran DaRon Bland coming off season-ending foot surgical procedure in December. McCoy missed his closing season at Tennessee resulting from a torn ACL, so Dallas might need to be affected person with him. However he’s a CB1 expertise, having registered six interceptions and 16 cross breakups throughout 2023 (at Oregon State) and ‘24.

Projected draft slot: No. 20 general [2026 NFL Draft Big Board: Top 150 Overall Prospects]

S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (Toledo): Chicago Bears 2025 stats (13 video games): 77 tackles (5.5 for loss), 2 INTs (1 pick-6), 5 PBUs, 3 FFsMeasurables: 6-foot-3, 201 kilos

After letting Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker stroll in free company, the Bears can’t be content material at security even after signing ex-Seahawk Coby Bryant. McNeil-Warren will convey playmaking potential to Chicago’s again finish, as he recorded 5 interceptions and 9 compelled fumbles in his school profession.