NFL · 11 hours ago

Mel Kiper Ranks Top 10 Defensive Ends | 2026 NFL Draft Combine Results

John Canady

Host · Writer

10) Vincent Anthony Jr., Duke
Vincent Anthony Jr.'s Combine Measurements
- Height: 6'6"
- Weight: 258 lbs.
- Hand: 10"
- Arm: 34 1/8"
Vincent Anthony Jr. used his length and athleticism to make plays in 2025, posting 34 total tackles, 7.5 sacks, two pass defenses, and a forced fumble. He flashes as a disruptive edge rusher, able to bend around the corner and get into the backfield, showing upside as a dynamic playmaker when he wins the leverage battles.

Vincent Anthony Jr.'s Combine Results
- 40-Yard Dash: 4.84
- 10-Yard Split: 1.67
- Vertical Jump: 32.5”
- Broad Jump: 10’3”
- 3-Cone Drill: n/a
- 20-Yard Shuttle: n/a
- Bench Press: n/a
1) Rueben Bain Jr., Miami
Rueben Bain Jr.'s Combine Measurements
- Height: 6'2"
- Weight: 263 lbs.
- Hand: 9 1/8"
- Arm: 30 7/8"
Rueben Bain Jr. brings a powerful, pro-ready presence off the edge, producing 54 total tackles, 9.5 sacks, one forced fumble, one pass defense, and one interception in 2025. He wins with strength at the point of attack, heavy hands, and the ability to collapse the pocket, projecting as a sturdy three-down defensive end capable of impacting both the run and pass game.

Rueben Bain Jr.'s Combine Results
- 40-Yard Dash: n/a
- 10-Yard Split: n/a
- Vertical Jump: n/a
- Broad Jump: n/a
- 3-Cone Drill: n/a
- 20-Yard Shuttle: n/a
- Bench Press: n/a
2) Keldric Faulk, Auburn
Keldric Faulk's Combine Measurements
- Height: 6'6"
- Weight: 276 lbs.
- Hand: 9 7/8"
- Arm: 34 3/8"
Keldric Faulk offers rare length and size on the edge, totaling 29 tackles, four pass defenses, and two sacks in 2025 after posting seven sacks in 2024. He uses his frame to disrupt passing lanes and set a firm edge against the run, flashing developmental pass-rush upside with the physical tools teams covet at defensive end.

Keldric Faulk's Combine Results
- 40-Yard Dash: n/a
- 10-Yard Split: n/a
- Vertical Jump: 35"
- Broad Jump: 9'9"
- 3-Cone Drill: n/a
- 20-Yard Shuttle: n/a
- Bench Press: n/a
3) Zion Young, Missouri
Zion Young's Combine Measurements
- Height: 6'6"
- Weight: 262 lbs.
- Hand: 9 1/2"
- Arm: 33"
Zion Young emerged as a disruptive presence up front, recording 42 total tackles, 6.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and two pass defenses in 2025. He combines length with active hands and bursts off the edge, showing the ability to create splash plays while holding up as a steady every-down defender.

Zion Young's Combine Results
- 40-Yard Dash: n/a
- 10-Yard Split: n/a
- Vertical Jump: n/a
- Broad Jump: n/a
- 3-Cone Drill: n/a
- 20-Yard Shuttle: n/a
- Bench Press: n/a
4) Akheem Mesidor, Miami
Ahkeem Mesidor's Combine Measurements
- Height: 6'3"
- Weight: 259 lbs.
- Hand: 10"
- Arm: 32 1/8"
Akheem Mesidor delivered one of the more productive seasons in the class, finishing with 63 total tackles, 12.5 sacks, and four forced fumbles. He plays with power and urgency off the edge, consistently collapsing the pocket and finishing plays. However, some evaluators remain hesitant because he is an older prospect than others in the group.

Ahkeem Mesidor's Combine Results
- 40-Yard Dash: n/a
- 10-Yard Split: n/a
- Vertical Jump: n/a
- Broad Jump: n/a
- 3-Cone Drill: n/a
- 20-Yard Shuttle: n/a
- Bench Press: n/a
5) Dani Dennis-Sutton, Penn State
Dani Dennis-Sutton's Measurements
- Height: 6'6"
- Weight: 256 lbs.
- Hand: 10 1/8"
- Arm: 33 1/2"
Dani Dennis-Sutton was a consistent disruptor in 2025, recording 42 total tackles, 8.5 sacks, and three pass defenses. He combines size, length, and physicality with a quick first step, showing the ability to pressure quarterbacks and hold up against the run.

Dani Dennis-Sutton's Results
- 40-Yard Dash: 4.63
- 10-Yard Split: 1.63
- Vertical Jump: 39.5”
- Broad Jump: 10'11"
- 3-Cone Drill: 6.9
- 20-Yard Shuttle: n/a
- Bench Press: n/a
6) Caden Curry, Ohio State
Caden Curry's Combine Measurements
- Height: 6'3"
- Weight: 257 lbs.
- Hand: 9 3/8"
- Arm: 30 1/8"
Caden Curry had a dominant 2025, recording 66 total tackles, 11 sacks, two pass defenses, and one forced fumble. He combines twitch, effort, and power off the edge, consistently disrupting the backfield and showing the ability to impact both the run and pass game.

Caden Curry's Combine Results
- 40-Yard Dash: n/a
- 10-Yard Split: n/a
- Vertical Jump: n/a
- Broad Jump: n/a
- 3-Cone Drill: n/a
- 20-Yard Shuttle: n/a
- Bench Press: n/a
7) LT Overton, Alabama
LT Overton's Combine Measurements
- Height: 6'3"
- Weight: 274 lbs.
- Hand: 10 5/8"
- Arm: 33 1/4"
LT Overton recorded 40 total tackles, four sacks, and one pass defense in 2025. He pairs length and strength to set the edge, consistently applying pressure and holding up in the run game, showing the ability to impact both phases as a physical defensive end.

LT Overton's Combine Results
- 40-Yard Dash: 4.87
- 10-Yard Split: 1.70
- Vertical Jump: n/a
- Broad Jump: n/a
- 3-Cone Drill: n/a
- 20-Yard Shuttle: n/a
- Bench Press: n/a
8) Jack Pyburn, LSU
Jack Pyburn's Combine Measurements
- Height: 6'4"
- Weight: 258 lbs.
- Hand: 10"
- Arm: 30 7/8"
Jack Pyburn posted 51 total tackles, two sacks, and two pass defenses in 2025, showing a balanced game as a defensive end. He uses length and quickness to disrupt plays, contributing both against the run and as a pass rusher while maintaining consistent effort throughout the season.

Jack Pyburn's Combine Results
- 40-Yard Dash: n/a
- 10-Yard Split: n/a
- Vertical Jump: n/a
- Broad Jump: n/a
- 3-Cone Drill: n/a
- 20-Yard Shuttle: n/a
- Bench Press: n/a
9) Max Llewellyn, Iowa
Max Llewellyn's Combine Measurements
- Height: 6'6"
- Weight: 258 lbs.
- Hand: 9"
- Arm: 32 1/4"
Max Llewellyn turned in a playmaking season with 26 tackles, 6.5 sacks, five pass defenses, and two forced fumbles in 2025. Known for his burst off the edge and ability to time blocks, he creates chaos in both passing and running situations, making him a high-impact, unpredictable presence on the field.

Max Llewellyn's Combine Results
- 40-Yard Dash: 4.81
- 10-Yard Split: 1.64
- Vertical Jump: 32.5”
- Broad Jump: 9’7”
- 3-Cone Drill: n/a
- 20-Yard Shuttle: n/a
- Bench Press: n/a
10) Vincent Anthony Jr., Duke
Vincent Anthony Jr.'s Combine Measurements
- Height: 6'6"
- Weight: 258 lbs.
- Hand: 10"
- Arm: 34 1/8"
Vincent Anthony Jr. used his length and athleticism to make plays in 2025, posting 34 total tackles, 7.5 sacks, two pass defenses, and a forced fumble. He flashes as a disruptive edge rusher, able to bend around the corner and get into the backfield, showing upside as a dynamic playmaker when he wins the leverage battles.

Vincent Anthony Jr.'s Combine Results
- 40-Yard Dash: 4.84
- 10-Yard Split: 1.67
- Vertical Jump: 32.5”
- Broad Jump: 10’3”
- 3-Cone Drill: n/a
- 20-Yard Shuttle: n/a
- Bench Press: n/a
1) Rueben Bain Jr., Miami
Rueben Bain Jr.'s Combine Measurements
- Height: 6'2"
- Weight: 263 lbs.
- Hand: 9 1/8"
- Arm: 30 7/8"
Rueben Bain Jr. brings a powerful, pro-ready presence off the edge, producing 54 total tackles, 9.5 sacks, one forced fumble, one pass defense, and one interception in 2025. He wins with strength at the point of attack, heavy hands, and the ability to collapse the pocket, projecting as a sturdy three-down defensive end capable of impacting both the run and pass game.

Rueben Bain Jr.'s Combine Results
- 40-Yard Dash: n/a
- 10-Yard Split: n/a
- Vertical Jump: n/a
- Broad Jump: n/a
- 3-Cone Drill: n/a
- 20-Yard Shuttle: n/a
- Bench Press: n/a