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EspañolThe Seattle Seahawks' defense powered a dominant run through the playoffs and a Super Bowl title in 2025. Their defense has talent on all three levels of the unit but the defensive line was arguably its strongest point.
A rotation of effective rushers from all areas of the line was instrumental in Seattle controlling the point of attack more often than not against their opponents.
Teams looking to emulate their success need to bolster their defensive line. Luckily, the NFL Draft has plenty of options once again.
This year's draft class has talented players on the interior as well as on the edge. Teams won't have to be picky on where they can find help along the defensive front with options everywhere on all days of the draft.
Here's a look at which defensive linemen are invited to the NFL combine this year plus our top 10 rankings at the position in 2026:
DLs at the 2026 NFL combine
- Vincent Anthony Jr., Duke
- David Bailey, Texas Tech
- Rueben Bain Jr., Miami
- Cameron Ball, Arkansas
- Caleb Banks, Florida
- Jaishawn Barham, Michigan
- Nick Barrett, South Carolina
- Rayshaun Benny, Michigan
- DeMonte Capehart, Clemson
- Brandon Cleveland, N.C. State
- Dontay Corleone, Cincinnati
- Keyron Crawford, Auburn
- Caden Curry, Ohio State
- Dani Dennis-Sutton, Penn State
- Zane Durant, Penn State
- Bryson Eason, Tennessee
- Deven Eastern, Minnesota
- Logan Fano, Utah
- Keldric Faulk, Auburn
- Skyler Gill-Howard, Texas Tech
- George Gumbs Jr., Florida
- David Gusta, Kentucky
- Gracen Halton, Oklahoma
- Zxavian Harris, Mississippi
- Romello Height, Texas Tech
- Cashius Howell, Texas A&M
- Aidan Hubbard, Northwestern
- Lee Hunter, Texas Tech
- Quintayvious Hutchins, Boston College
- Gabe Jacas, Illinois
- Darrell Jackson Jr., Florida State
- Bobby Jamison-Travis, Auburn
- Marvin Jones Jr., Oklahoma
- Joshua Josephs, Tennessee
- Tim Keenan III, Alabama
- Nyjalik Kelly, UCF
- Malachi Lawrence, UCF
- Max Llewellyn, Iowa
- Anthony Lucas, USC
- Jackie Marshall, Baylor
- Chris McClellan, Missouri
- Kayden McDonald, Ohio State
- Akheem Mesidor, Miami
- Christen Miller, Georgia
- Derrick Moore, Michigan
- Trey Moore, Texas
- Tyler Onyedim, Texas A&M
- Domonique Orange, Iowa State
- LT Overton, Alabama
- T.J. Parker, Clemson
- Patrick Payton, LSU
- Kaleb Proctor, Southeastern Louisiana
- Jack Pyburn, LSU
- Albert Regis, Texas A&M
- Mason Reiger, Wisconsin
- Tyreak Sapp, Florida
- Gary Smith III, UCLA
- R Mason Thomas, Oklahoma
- Nadame Tucker, Western Michigan
- Damonic Williams, Oklahoma
- Wesley Williams, Duke
- Peter Woods, Clemson
- Zion Young, Missouri
2026 NFL Draft: Top DLs
Note: For these rankings, Ohio State's Arvell Reese is considered a linebacker.
1. David Bailey, Texas Tech
Scouting report: Bailey was one of the most prolific edge rushers in the country in 2025 with 81 pressures, 15 sacks and 23 quarterback hits. He led the FBS in all three categories. His quick twitch, hand usage, bend and overall athleticism in a 6-foot-3 and 250-pound frame make him the most pro-ready edge rusher in the class. There are some concerns about his run defense abilities which means he may be a designated pass rusher to start his career.
NFL comparison: Nik Bonitto
2. Keldric Faulk, Auburn
Scouting report: Faulk is one of the youngest prospects in the class and with impressive tools at 6-foot-6 and 285 pounds. He can align inside or outside for a defensive play-caller with strength and physicality at the point of attack. His recognition of running plays pairs well with a high motor as a pass rusher. He already has a few pass-rush moves to deploy against blockers at the NFL level.
NFL comparison: Carlos Dunlap, slimmer Calais Campbell,
3. Rueben Bain Jr., Miami (FL)
Scouting report: Bain stepped up in the College Football Playoff and that improved his stock. At 6-foot-3 and 275 pounds, his physicality and power will fit in at the NFL level immediately. He wasn't as productive numbers-wise as you'd like from a top-10 pick and his arm length may force him inside long-term. But he has the makings of a high-end No. 2 pass rusher.
NFL comparison: Shades of George Karlaftis, Brandon Graham
4. Caleb Banks, Florida
Scouting report: Fluid mover for his imposing size with all of the tools you could look for in a dominant interior DT. Elite length with impressive burst off the line. A difference-maker in pass rush but needs work in run defense and consistency. Fully healed from midseason foot injury; came back early from that to compete with teammates late in-season.
NFL comparison:Gervon Dexter, Jordan Davis' frame
5. Kayden McDonald, Ohio State
Scouting report: The Buckeyes will have many first-round players in this draft and McDonald very well could be one of them in a deep interior defensive line class. His 6-foot-3, 330-pound frame eats up blocks in the running game thanks to his play strength and overall power. He hasn't put much on tape as a pass rusher but he could improve that with time.
NFL comparison: DJ Reader
6. Cashius Howell, Texas A&M
Scouting report: Howell has a shorter frame at 6-foot-2 with less than 31-inch arms but makes up for it with his impressive burst and bend off the edge at 250 pounds. He took a big step in 2025 with 41 pressures and 12 sacks for the Aggies' defense. His smooth athleticism with that burst and bend will give him a solid floor in the NFL. He has some lapses in run defense that may limit him initially.
NFL comparison: Bendier Will McDonald IV
7. Peter Woods, Clemson
Scouting report: Woods looks at times like a prospect who is 90% of what Jalen Carter offers, thanks to his mix of size (6-foot-3, 315 pounds) and athleticism. He can beat defenders with a bull rush, chase down ball-carriers in the run game and eat up double teams. Yet he struggles with consistency. We're willing to bet on the tantalizing, Pro Bowl-caliber upside.
NFL comparison: Shades of Jeffrey Simmons
8. Christen Miller, Georgia
Scouting report: Elite anchor and strength shows up in both run defense and pass rush scenarios. He can move to multiple spots on the line thanks to his lateral agility. Needs to improve his hand usage to be effective as an interior rusher at the NFL level.
NFL comparison: Shades of Kenny Clark
9. Akheem Mesidor, Miami (FL)
Scouting report: Biggest concerns from evaluators will likely be his age (26) and injury history. Once you look past that, he offers a lot to like as an edge rusher. Double-digit sacks in 2025 thanks to his quickness and bend. A bit of a tweener but has a high motor and good block shedding in run defense.
NFL comparison: Johnathan Greenard
10. Zion Young, Missouri
Scouting report: Ideal frame and length mix with an aggressive attitude and steady motor. Can set the edge against the run or bull rush blockers as a pass rusher. Good strength with his long arms. Lacks elite traits but is very good at most everything.
NFL comparison: Za'Darius Smith
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2026 NFL combine: Bailey, Bain Jr. lead DL invitees and rankings