Titans Draft Pick Watch List: College Football Playoff edge rushers who could quickly fix a massive problem in Tennessee

Here are the pass rushers to watch in the CFP for the Titans.

Easton Freeze, Ryan Roberts
Add as preferred source on Google

The College Football Playoff is upon us, and the field is stacked with some of the best EDGE prospects expected to declare for the NFL Draft this spring. The Tennessee Titans have many needs they’ll have to address this offseason, but their pass rush is very high on that list. As far back as a full year ago, before their 2025 class was finalized, we were all penciling in a high draft pick on and EDGE in the 2026 draft.

Here’s a primer on each of the pass rushers in the playoff field expected to go in the top-100 this April. And for extra credit, A to Z Sports Draft Analyst Ryan Roberts provides a handful of intriguing names to watch in other bowl games this postseason.

College Football Playoff edge rushers to watch

2. Arvell Reese | LB/EDGE | Ohio State

Reese is a tricky eval as a pure edge rusher. Ask any given draft expert, and they’re liable to tell you he’s the single-most talented football player in this class. At 6’4″ and 243lbs, his size and athleticism makes him a near lock to be productive in the NFL. There’s a decent chance he’s the first non-QB taken off the board in Round 1, and if the Titans end up with a top 5 pick, that will put them in range to land him. But Ohio State has used him in a frustrating way for NFL projection purposes. He basically hasn’t successfully rushed the passer at all in the final month of this season, but it isn’t because he’s losing; it’s because he isn’t being asked to. He’s playing his role phenomenally, but right now that isn’t as a pure pass rusher. So he’ll be a projection in that capacity.

4. Rueben Bain | EDGE | Miami

Rueben Bain is already proving to be a very controversial player in this class. He’s been projected as a top-10, perhaps top-5 pick all fall long. But he’s waned down the stretch of the season, which may be a result of playing through injury. More to the point though, his frame is going to eliminate him from some teams boards.

His sub-31in arms are 1st percentile for edge rushers. Some teams see him as more of a second round pick, others wonder if he’ll be at his best as a 3 tech DT. He’ll still end up being drafted highly if you ask me, but it’s fair to wonder if he’s the right fit for what the Titans need.

14. David Bailey | EDGE | Texas Tech

David Bailey is my pick for the EDGE that will do the most “rising” from a narrative standpoint this cycle, and that may very well begin with Texas Tech in the playoffs. He’s got pro length, noticeably high-level explosiveness, and has 14 sacks and 42 hurries this season. He simply produces. He’ll be a high first round pick when it’s all said and done if you ask me, and it’s going to be very easy to make a case for him on the Titans.

26. Cashius Howell | EDGE | Texas A&M

Howell first broke onto the scene when he led the MAC with 9.5 sacks at Bowling Green in 2023. He transferred to Texas A&M and played behind recent high draft picks Shemar Stewart and Nic Scourton in 2024, but still managed 4 sacks and 9 TFLs. 2025 has been his year to shine. He’s racked up 12 sacks and 26 hurries in the regular season, and if A&M makes a run in the postseason, his ability to terrorize QBs is likely to be a big part of it.

32. Matayo Uiagalelei | EDGE | Oregon

Don’t let Oregon’s top rusher’s mere 6 sacks this season fool you: he has 30 hurries on the year and a versatile 6’5″ 272lb frame that will translate to professional ball. The brother of former Clemson QB DJ Uiagalelei, Matayo is a former five star recruit who began making an impact as freshman, broke out as a sophomore, and has maintained his NFL trajectory as a junior. He’s a rare athlete who NFL coordinators will be interested to use in a handful of ways at the next level.

37. L.T. Overton | EDGE | Alabama

The Alabama pass rusher has perhaps taken a step back from a consistency standpoint in 2025, tallying half the total QB hurries he did in 2024. But at 6’5″ and 278lbs, his build and athleticism are going to intrigue NFL front offices regardless. If he can develop a better pass rush plan and fundamentals at the next level, he’s got all the tools to be a strong starter.

49. R Mason Thomas | EDGE | Oklahoma

From a size perspective, Thomas isn’t going to be for everyone. His lack of size and length will limit him a good bit against the run, but his ability to affect the quarterback is as good as anyone in the 2026 class. Thomas has a combination of explosiveness, bend and motor that helps to overcompensate for his lack of size. From a play style perspective, there is a lot of Shaq Barrett in Thomas’ game. If a defensive coordinator uses him correctly, Thomas could end up being a double digit sack artist on the next level, even if he is never a major asset on early down.

51. Romello Height | EDGE | Texas Tech

Height is a true speed build off the edge. At 6’3″ 230lbs, he wins with his explosive first step. It’s led to an impressive 8 sack and 38 hurry season for the Red Raiders alongside standout teammate David Bailey.

65. Akeem Mesidor | EDGE | Miami

Mesidor is 6’3″ and 280lbs of powerful defensive front leverage. His versatile frame and athletic prowess makes him a regular penetrator in the backfield, racking up tackles for loss in each of his six college seasons.

Extra Credit: Intriguing edge rushers to watch outside of the playoffs

Gabe Jacas | EDGE | Illinois

Jacas is your old school 4-3 defensive end who brings a ton of physicality to the table. That shows up in the run game, where his motor and power profile allow him to set firm edges while being difficult to uproot at the point of attack. The pass rush for Jacas also took a step forward as a senior in 2025 as well. While he has been very productive getting after the quarterback this past season, Jacas doesn’t project to be a high volume sack guy on the next level due to some tightness. Instead, he is a better pass rushing version of Joshua Pascal, possessing the versatility to play up and down the line of scrimmage on passing downs.

Boubacar Traore | EDGE | Notre Dame

It’s uncertain if Traore will declare for the 2026 NFL Draft, but if he does, he has a great chance to rise to be a Top 100 selection. Possessing a prototype build at 6-4 and 250 pounds with very long arms, Traore has the twitch and bend to develop into a good pass rusher on the next level. Traore suffered a knee injury in 2024, and you can tell that his explosiveness is still coming back. If it does continue to come, and Traore managed to add more power to his game, there is some substantial upside to continue tapping into.

Clev Lubin | EDGE | Louisville

It has been a fascinating journey for Lubin, who began his career at Army before going to JUCO route before starring at Coastal Carolina and Louisville the last two seasons. Having played with his hand in the ground, as well as a standup rusher, Lubin plays with good explosiveness and pop in his hands. He is one of the more natural pass rushers in the entire 2026 class. As Lubin continues to add more moves to his pass rush arsenal, there should be a long future as a DPR on the next level.

Related Articles