2026 Rankings: Explosive Edge Rushers YOU Need to Know

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our 2026 rankings had some phenomenal edge rushers. Today, I wanted to highlight a handful of edge rushers you need to know about going into next season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["283704"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67c7b2b717a7c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sanchez was a driving force behind Arvada West's playoff run last year. The 6'0 210-pound edge rusher had 127 total tackles (47 solo, 80 assisted), 7 TFL, 1.5 sacks, 1 QB hurry, 2 PD, and 1 fumble recovery. Sanchez is an explosive pass rusher who doubles as an off-ball linebacker, and edge rusher. He has vey good athletic ability due to very good acceleration, speed, and change of direction. He has a quick twitch to him. Good strength. Sanchez has a very good bend around the edge mixed with a nasty spin move making him a formidable opponent. He also has a good bull rush to keep OL on their toes. He's a good tackler. Sanchez has good mental processing not getting fooled by read options, staying patient, and watching the ball. He's an exciting player to watch, and I believe he will get a ton more sacks next season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1311258"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67c7b2b717adc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Measuring in at 6'2 215-pounds, Monroe was a consistent defensive presence to offenses. He had 65 total tackles (49 solo, 16 assisted), 1 TFL, 11 sacks, 2 FF, and 2 FR. Monroe has very good acceleration, good speed, and lateral quickness. He uses his good strength with a low pad level to get underneath the OL. Good bend around the edge.  Very good hand placement and hand strength to move OL around easily. Good bull rush.  Monroe is a good block shedder, then accelerates to the QB or RB. He has long strides and lengthy arms not having to waste as much energy running around. His eyes are always where the ball is. He didn't get faked on a fake jet sweep play action, and got the tackle. Monroe's relentless ability to stay in pursuit is an attractive trait for an edge rusher. Watch out for Monroe.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1621653"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67c7b2b717b2e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Palmer balled out this past season for Highland, playing edge rusher and tight end. Measuring in at 6'5 220-pounds, Palmer had 73 total tackles (42 solo, 31 assisted), 28 TFL, 11 sacks, 49 QB hurries, 9 PD, 7 FF, 2 FR, 17 receptions for 306 yards and 1 touchdown. He has very good acceleration, good speed, lateral quickness, and change of direction. Very good burst out of his stance, engaging with the defender first. Palmer's very good strength is evident. He has very good hand placement and hand strength, moving the OL around at will. Very good block shedder who knows when to release the OL to make a play. Very good mental processing. He's smart against read options and stays patient with tackling. Palmer will also try to punch the ball out or strip it from the running back's hands. He's an all-around great player, and should have some teams giving him offers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1621239"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67c7b2b717b71"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wade is a gamebreaker, and I am very high on Wade. The 6'5 230-pound defensive end accounted for 64 total tackles (27 solo, 37 assisted), 12.5 TFL, 7 sacks, 17 QB hurries, 2 PD, 2 FR, and a blocked field goal. He uses his elite strength to overpower anyone who lines up against him. He has very good athletic ability due to very good acceleration, lateral agility, and good speed. Elite quickness out of his stance. He instantly engages with the offensive line. Very good bend around the edge mixed with a very good bull rush. He is consistently knocked the OL off their anchor. Wade lived in the backfield using his very good block shedding and very good acceleration to eat up the QB and RB. I'm thoroughly impressed with how Wade plays and wouldn't be surprised if he's get multiple season awards next year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1621480"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67c7b2b717bb4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Glenwood Springs has been producing some studs recently, and Enewold is no different. The defensive end measures in at 6'4 175-pounds. He had 60 total tackles (26 solo, 34 assisted), 6 TFL, 1.5 sacks, 7 QB hurries, 2 PD, 1 FF, 1 FR, and 2 blocked field goals. Enewold has good athletic ability due to very good lateral agility, good speed, and acceleration. He starts with a low pad level out of his stance. He uses his solid hand placement and good hand strength to create mismatches against the offensive line. Enewold uses his good bull rush to knock the offensive line around. He has good mental processing by staying patient on read options and jet sweeps. He's a rising prospect to know moving forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->