The 2026 combine confirmed this class’s depth at edge rusher, with several prospects turning strong tape into equally impressive testing numbers. Teams left Indianapolis with clearer athletic profiles: 40 times, short‑area splits, jumps, and positional drills, which will be folded into medicals and interviews as front offices finalize their boards.
David Bailey- Texas Tech: explosion and speed
David Bailey is already on many boards for his twitch and bend, and his combine reinforced that projection as a potential top-10 selection. Bailey posted one of the fastest 40‑yard dash times among edge prospects and backed it up with a high broad jump that highlighted lower‑body explosion. In positional drills, he showed suddenness off the snap and the ability to close on quarterbacks, traits that translate to early‑down pass‑rush upside and consistent pressure in sub‑packages.
Malachi Lawrence- UCF: twitch and bend
Malachi Lawrence used the combine to validate his reputation as a bendy, high‑motor rusher. Lawrence posted strong short‑area numbers, notably a quick 10‑yard split and a solid three‑cone, that reinforced his ability to convert speed into edge wins. His positional drills emphasized suddenness and hand placement, and his testing suggested he can sustain rushes across multiple snaps, making him an intriguing Day 2 target for teams that prioritize technique and effort.
Dani Dennis‑Sutton- Penn State: length and athleticism
Dani Dennis‑Sutton combined length with explosive testing that caught scouts’ attention. Dennis‑Sutton’s vertical and broad jump underscored lower‑body power, while his 40‑yard dash placed him among the faster long‑armed prospects. In one‑on‑one drills, he showed a developing counter package and the ability to set the edge in the run game, projecting as a high‑ceiling starter for teams willing to refine his pass‑rush repertoire.
George Gumbs Jr.- Florida: short‑area dynamo
George Gumbs Jr. stood out for his short‑area quickness and burst. Gumbs posted one of the better short shuttle and three‑cone times in the edge group, signaling elite change‑of‑direction for his size. His positional work highlighted a violent first step and improving hand usage, traits that could make him a situational pass rusher early in his career, with upside to expand into a full‑time role.
Trey Moore- Texas: power and production
Trey Moore’s combine emphasized power metrics that matched his college production. Moore posted a high broad jump and strong bench press reps, indicating the strength to win through contact and collapse pockets. While not the fastest in straight‑line drills, his combination of explosion and technique in positional reps suggested he can be an immediate contributor on early downs and in short‑yardage pass‑rush packages.
Cashius Howell- Texas A&M: developmental upside
Cashius Howell used the combine to showcase traits that fit a developmental mold: twitch, length, and improving technique. Howell’s testing was solid across the board: respectable 40 time, good vertical, and a clean three‑cone, and his on‑field drills showed a willingness to mix speed with power. Teams that value long‑term upside and coaching polish may view Howell as a mid‑round target with starter potential after refinement.
How teams will use the numbers
Combine testing is an objective snapshot of traits teams covet: straight‑line speed, burst, lateral agility, and power. A fast 40 and elite 10‑yard split suggest a rusher can close quickly; a high vertical and broad jump indicate explosion; strong three‑cone and short shuttle scores point to bend and change‑of‑direction.
Front offices will weigh those metrics against medical reports, interviews, and game tape to decide whether a prospect’s athletic profile fits their defensive system.
Not every strong tester is an automatic riser, and not every underwhelming drill performance spells doom. Some edge players prioritize technique and hand work over timed drills; others limit certain tests because of minor injuries or strategic choices.
The combine’s primary value this year was clarifying which athletes pair elite testing with proven on‑field production, and which still need to show consistent pass‑rush production against top competition.
