2026 Defensive Ends/ DEFENSIVE TACKLES/NOSE TACKLES
MY VIEWS ON DEFENSIVE LINE DRAFTING
Year after year I watch many NFL GM's just blindly draft DE's with little or no regard for the type of defense their team plays or the defense the players is best suited for. Some players are clearly better suited for a 4-3 defense, some will excel in a 3-4 set, yet again NFL types insist on stuffing round pegs in square holes! Yes, sure some can crossover but even those will be far more valuable at the position they are best suited for. This is why I separate the two position and rank both.
When it comes to DT's
I consider this the most over drafted and overpaid position on the defensive side of the ball, the list of failures and wasted money is endless.
As for NT's check history, there have been a few EXTREMELY RARE individuals who could be considered playmakers the other 99.9% were just space eaters, not belittling the job, it is a skill, and absolutely a better skillset will make the player more valuable and productive but often pure mass will be adequate to complete the job.
NUMERICAL RATINGS/DRAFT VALUE EXPLANATION DEFENSIVE END
95-100 Elite player, Yearly in All Pro debate Looking for 10/15-year career at elite level Top 5 player at position yearly. Perennial Pro Bowler. Likely Hall of Fame career. Elite at all phases, dominant against run and an elite pass rusher. High character, one of the faces of the Franchise, defensive team leader, likely team Captain no injury concerns. TOP 5/10 DRAFT PICK
90-94 Top 5/10 at the position most years, All Pro 3-5 years over career. Top 5/8 players at position yearly. Numerous Pro Bowls expected, 10+ year career at top level. Likely a few more with another team. In HOF disscussion. Must excell at all aspects of the game, run stuffing , and pass rush and be elite at one, team leader, character important no injury concerns 1st Round pick
85-89 Solid at the position 5/8 year career at top level. Player should finish in top half of players at position most years. Perhaps a Pro Bowl or two. Very good but only occasionally great. Looking for a player dominant as a Run stuffer OR Pass rusher, Very solid and dependable player but team will be looking for replacement after about 5 years. 2nd round through Mid 3rd round
80-84 Flaws that can be overcome/Injury concerns 4/6 year career max at best level in most cases with some patience, good coaching, and personal work ethic. Likely a quality back up/role player for several year after that, potential to become starter for few years but the team will always be looking for a better option. Often living on the bubble year to year. Draft mid 3rd/Mid 4th round
75-79 Player developmental possibilities, with limited skills or injury concerns. 3/5 year career, one contract with drafting team,, then several years of living on the bubble. Could have great size/speeed and unrealized potential. Could carve out a longer career as a backup or special teams ace. Another reason for this rating could be major injury concerns, other reason would lack of dominant NFL skills With intense work ethic player could evolve into solid back up/special teams/role player even start. Will play for multiple teams over career. Draft Late 4th/5th round
70-74 Back up /specials teams. The player could be receiving this rating due to injury concerns lack of fit or scheme in college career or simply lack of physical attributes. Could develop a role and possibly into more depending on patience and work ethic. Must be a special teams ace to stick around long. Player likely will not finish rookie contract with drafting team if it's more than 2 years. Will live on the bubble. Draft 6th/7th round
65-69 Developmental Practice squad player, The player has basic skill set needed for position, could develop into role player with tenacity and patience, must be able to play special teams. Likely just on roster a year or two at best. 1 in 50 can beat the odds and have a longer career. Draft late 7th round or Priority Free Agent (PFA)
60-64 Player for Training camp or Practice Squad Likely will only be active when a team desperately needs a body could be active for a couple games due to injuries. or special teams ability. Not long for the team. Week to Week. 1 in 100 will carve out a longer career due to incredible diligence and tenacity. Likely will sign with several teams over a few years. Teams will lead these guys on often knowing they will never play a down for them. Better not completely leave school before graduation that degree will be necessary. Free Agents only.(UDFA)
Under 60 Training camp body at best, HOPE YOU GOT YOUR DEGREE!!! THE REAL WORLD IS COMING!!!!!!!!! Players with some skills or perhaps tremendous intangables worthy of a Camp Invite, 1 in 500 can make more of this. Frankly, GM's who sign these guys for anything more than a camp body will be looking for work soon.
EXPLANATION OF OTHER TERMS
BUST ALERT!!! A player highly ranked by many others but one I do hold in the same regard. Also, this term will be used for players who I call "ONE YEAR WONDERS" these players are either freakish athletes or players who had one season that FAR exceeded their previous production creating serious risk. This term will be reserved for 1st round projections where mistakes can cripple a franchise.
OVERRATED ALERT!!! Similar to the above but not as extreme, for after 1st/2nd rounds.. Players are not as highly rated so mistakes while still important do not carry the same weight. There are multiple reasons for this designation some but not limited to character, talent, injuries,college scheme or system.
UNDERRATED ALERT!!! Players I feel deserve a higher ranking than many/most other so called experts. These players in the future will be referred to as "STEALS" but I want it known my evaluation were on point when they were drafted.
SLEEPER ALERT!!!! A player that perhaps played in a poor scheme for his talents, suffered from poor coaching, revolving door coaching, poor supporting cast but has shown flashes that can lead him to success in the proper environment.
POSITION CHANGE ALERT!!! These are players who I feel due primarily to their skill set or more rarely at times measurables will reach their maximum level of NFL success by changing from their primary College position.
CHARACTER ALERT!!! This designation is reserved for players who have had multiple issues concerning there character. This can be legal issues, multiple transfers, poor practice habits, friction with teammates and/or Coaches, Academic issues and or any other infraction that brings into question the players decision making. Teams must weigh the risk/reward related to these players VERY CAREFULLY!!
INJURY ALERT!!!! A player with serious injury concerns, medicals vital. Possibly multiple injuries while in college or one severe injury. Also could have a long history in College and even perhaps High School "Injury Prone" is the common term. If you are missing time on the field you are costing your team $$$$
. 4-3 DEFENSIVE ENDS / AKA "EDGE"
Classic old school outside pass rush 1st specialists, some run defense separates the Elite, good, role player tags. Must have ability to disrupt the backfield on a regular basis. Pressure on QB is vital; these players can change the pace of a game.
But NEVER FORGET since '12 such names as Quinton Coples #16, Shea McClellan #19, Dion Jordan #3, Barkevious Mingo #6, Jarvis Jones #17, Bjoern Werner #24, Shane Ray #23, Soloman Thomas #3 Clelin Ferrell #4, have all been drafted in the Top 25 and underachieved or flat out flopped to different levels, this position only trails QB for players who were wildly overrated.
2026 4-3 DEFENSIVE END OVERVIEW
4-3 DEFENSIVE ENDS/EDGE RANKINGS/ CLASS GRADE A+
Rank Name Sch Ht Wt Rtg Rnd Value
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3-4 DEFENSIVE ENDS/ "5 TECHNIQUE"
Run stuffer 1st, (5 Technique) if these players excel at pass rush they are rare and can become elite(JJ Watt). Generally larger and closer to the DT body mold than the classic 4-3 DE. Rarely are these players worth more than a 2nd round pick. Many will be highly drafted and paid way to much causing salary cap issues when a second contract comes along.. Often just big guys that need to hold point of attack. VERY rare prospects worthy of a top 15 pick. Often many more are drafted that high. ANY AND ALL of these prospects can move inside and some will and have some success. That said I feel they are BEST SUITED to play here.
2026 3-4 DEFENSIVE END OVERVIEW
3-4 DEFENSIVE ENDS/5 TECHNIQUE RANKINGS/CLASS GRADE A+
Rank Name Sch Ht Wt Rtg Rnd Value
NUMERICAL RATINGS/DRAFT VALUE EXPLANATION DEFENSIVE TACKLE/NOSE TACKLE
95-100 Elite player, Yearly in All Pro debate Looking for 10/15 year career at elite level Top 5 player at position yearly. Perennial Pro Bowler. Likely Hall of Fame career. Elite at all phases, dominant in run stuffing and pass rush. High character, one of the faces of the Franchise, Defensive team leader, likely team Captain, no injury concerns. TOP 5/10 DRAFT PICK
90-94 Top 5/10 at the position most years, All Pro 3-5 years over career. Top 5/8 players at position yearly. Numerous Pro Bowls expected 10+ year career at top level. Likely a few more with another team. In HOF discussion. Must excel at all aspects of the game, run stuffer, pass rusher and be elite at one, team leader, character important no major injury concerns. 1st Round pick
85-89 Solid at the position 5/8 year career at top level. Player should finish in top half of players at position most years. Perhaps a Pro Bowl or two. Very good but only occasionally great. Looking for a player dominant as a Run stuffer OR Pass rusher, very solid and dependable player but team will be looking for replacement after about 5 years. 2nd round through Mid 3rd round
80-84 Flaws that can be overcome/Injury concerns 4/6-year career max at best level in most cases with some patience, good coaching, and personal work ethic. Likely a quality back up/role player for several year after that, potential to become starter for few years but the team will always be looking for a better option. Often living on the bubble year to year. Draft Mid 3rd/ Mid 4th round
75-79 Player developmental possibilities, with limited skills or injury concerns. 3/5 year career, one contract with drafting team,, then several years of living on the bubble. Could have great size/speeed and unrealized potential. Could carve out a longer career as a backup or special teams ace. Another reason for this rating could be major injury concerns, other reason would lack of dominant NFL skills With intense work ethic player could evolve into solid back up/special teams/role player even start. Will play for multiple teams over career. Draft Mid 4th/5th round
70-74 Back up /specials teams. The player could be receiving this rating due to injury concerns lack of fit or scheme in college career or simply lack of physical attributes. Could develop a role and possibly into more depending on patience and work ethic. Must be a special teams ace to stick around long. Player likely will not finish rookie contract with drafting team if it's more than 2 years. Will live on the bubble. Draft 6th/7th round
65-69 Developmental Practice squad player, The player has basic skill set needed for position, could develop into role player with tenacity and patience, must be able to play special teams. Likely just on roster a year or two at best. 1 in 50 can beat the odds and have a longer career. Draft late 7th round or Priority Free Agent (PFA)
60-64 Player for Training camp or Practice Squad Likely will only be active when a team desperately needs a body could be active for a couple games due to injuries. or special teams ability. Not long for the team. Week to Week. 1 in 100 will carve out a longer career due to incredible diligence and tenacity. Likely will sign with several teams over a few years. Teams will lead these guys on often knowing they will never play a down for them. Better not completely leave school before graduation that degree will be necessary. Free Agents only. (UDFA)
Under 60 Training camp body at best, HOPE YOU GOT YOUR DEGREE!!! THE REAL WORLD IS COMING!!!!!!!!! Players with some skills or perhaps tremendous intangables worthy of a Camp Invite, 1 in 500 can make more of this. Frankly, GM's who sign these guys for anything more than a camp body will be looking for work soon.
EXPLANATION OF OTHER TERMS
BUST ALERT!!! A player highly ranked by many others but one I do hold in the same regard. Also, this term will be used for players who I call "ONE YEAR WONDERS" these players are either freakish athletes or players who had one season that FAR exceeded their previous production creating serious risk. This term will be reserved for 1st round projections where mistakes can cripple a franchise.
OVERRATED ALERT!!! Similar to the above but not as extreme, for after 1st/2nd rounds. Players are not as highly rated so mistakes while still important do not carry the same weight. There are multiple reasons for this designation some but not limited to character, talent, injuries, college scheme or system.
UNDERRATED ALERT!!! Players I feel deserve a higher ranking than many/most other so called experts These players in the future will be referred to as "STEALS" but I want it known my evaluation were on point when they were drafted. .
SLEEPER ALERT!!!! A player that perhaps played in a poor scheme for his talents, suffered from poor coaching, revolving door coaching, poor supporting cast but has shown flashes that can lead him to success in the proper environment.
POSITION CHANGE ALERT!!! These are players who I feel due primarily to their skill set or more rarely at times measurables will reach their maximum level of NFL success by changing from their primary College position.
CHARACTER ALERT!!! This designation is reserved for players who have had multiple issues concerning their character. This can be legal issues, multiple transfers, poor practice habits, friction with teammates and/or Coaches, Academic issues and or any other infraction that brings into question the players decision making. Teams must weigh the risk/reward related to these players VERY CAREFULLY!!
INJURY ALERT!!!! A player with serious injury concerns, medicals vital. Possibly multiple injuries while in college or one severe injury. Also could have a long history in College and even perhaps High School "Injury Prone" is the common term. If you are missing time on the field you are costing your team $$$$
4-3 DEFENSIVE TACKLES /"3 TECHNIQUE"
Classic run stuffers, (3 technique) when able to provide pass rush value increases significantly, on RARE occasions to elite level. Position is OFTEN overrated and wildly overpaid, countless long term huge cap strangling contracts have been given and soon regretted. Get a few years out of them and move on. Again VERY rare prospects worthy of a top 15 pick. Again very often many more are drafted that high and NFL execs still fail to learn!
2026 DEFENSIVE TACKLE OVERVIEW
DEFENSIVE TACKLE RANKINGS/CLASS GRADE C+
Rk Name Sch Ht Wt Rtg Rnd Value
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3-4 NOSE TACKLES /" 1 TECHNIQUE"
Inside guys playing the middle on 3-4 defenses, paid to stuff up the middle at let LB's do the tackle work. RARELY a player with 1st round ability. Many will be drafted to play DT and has average at best careers or be out of the league in a few seasons.
2026 NOSE TACKLE OVERVIEW
NOSE TACKLE RANKINGS/CLASS GRADE D
Rank Name Sch Ht Wt Rtg Rnd Value