JACKSONVILLE – It's a strong year for an important defensive position.

The 2026 NFL Draft isn't considered the strongest in recent memory. But it is considered at least good at the top and deep throughout at a few key spots.

Among those spots: Outside linebacker/defensive end.

"It's a really, really good edge class," NFL/Jaguars Media Analyst Bucky Brooks said.

This story assesses multiple positions on the defensive front seven in the 2026 NFL Draft, and it's sometimes tricky in the modern NFL to separate outside linebackers and defensive ends. It's tricky at times in this particular draft to separate inside and outside linebackers.

Such is the increasingly multiple nature of modern NFL defense. But pass rushing is value whatever the scheme – and in what is considered a down year for interior defensive line in the draft, edge defender is very up.

"It's really good and it's really deep," NFL Media Analyst Daniel Jeremiah said of the edge class. "We've had other years where we've had guys carry bigger individual grades. But we have three legit Top 10 players in this draft.

"You can get depth all the way into the fourth round where you'll see guys making an impact next year. It's a really good group. Getting some dynamic edge rushers, it's a good draft to do that. Even into fourth round, there are some good players."

Brooks called the edge group "intriguing."

"They're going to have the ability to make impacts in their respective roles," Brooks said. "These are the kind of players that, as part of a rotation, they're going to have a high impact because the athleticism really stands out on tape."

Two of the draft's top defenders, Arvell Reese of Ohio State and David Bailey of Texas Tech, are both linebackers. Reese is an athletic player who can play "off-ball" linebacker and who also has pass rushing ability, with Bailey considered more of "pure edge rusher."

Many analysts project Reese and Bailey to be selected Nos. 2 and 3 (New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals, respectively). Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles also is projected in the Top 5.

"He has a chance, of all the players in this draft class, to emerge as one of the better players in the entire league," Jeremiah said of Styles. "That's how highly I feel about him."

Few analysts feel that way about the defensive interior.

"The defensive tackles, you could see potentially none of them go in the first round," Jeremiah said. "In this draft, we don't have a lot of interior pass rush."

Brooks said while "it's just a bit of a down year" at tackle, "We always say that, and then someone emerges and we're like, 'That guy was a really good player. How do we overlook it?'''

The draft also is considered deep at "off-ball" linebacker, with many analysts projecting early starters available there into and beyond the second round.

"There's a good chunk at linebacker that I think are going to be really good pros and there will be some value there," Jeremiah said of the late second-round linebackers, with Brooks adding that he's "really excited about the linebacker class."

"It's not a premium position, but there are just a lot of good players in that position," Brooks said. "If you're a team in need of a linebacker, you feel like you'll be able to solve that issue. Day 2 or third round, you should be able to get it.

HANDICAPPING THE JAGUARS

These could be areas of serious interest on draft weekend, particularly following the loss of All-Pro outside linebacker Devin Lloyd as an unrestricted free agent last month. The team likes linebacker Ventrell Miller and is comfortable if he enters the season as a starter, and veteran Foyesade Oluokun remains a front-line defender and leader at insider/middle linebacker. The team also likes the potential of linebackers such as Dennis Gardeck, Yasir Abdullah, Branson Combs, Jack Kiser and Jalen McLeod. But considering the strength of the position in this draft, it will be a position to watch – particularly on Day 2 and early Day 3. While the team could use more interior pass rush, the draft is considered weak overall in that area. A major area to watch early for the Jaguars this weekend: Edge defender, where it wouldn't be surprising if the team was active early to add depth and athleticism at the position behind Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker.

CHANCE JAGUARS TAKE A DEFENSIVE LINEMAN/LINEBACKER ON DAYS 1-2 (ROUNDS 1-3)

Very good.

DL ON THE JAGUARS ROSTER

End Josh Hines-Allen, end Travon Walker, nose tackle DaVon Hamilton, tackle Arik Armstead, lineman Matt Dickerson, end B.J. Green II, end Danny Striggow, tackle Ruke Orhorhoro, lineman Keivie Rose.

LB ON THE JAGUARS ROSTER

Foyesade Oluokun, Ventrell Miller, Dennis Gardeck, Yasir Abdullah, Branson Combs, Jack Kiser, Jalen McLeod.

BUCKY BROOKS' TOP 5 2026 DEFENSIVE TACKLES

1. Peter Woods, Jr., Clemson
2. Caleb Banks, Sr., Florida
3. Lee Hunter, Sr., Texas Tech
4. Kayden McDonald, Jr., Ohio State
5. Christen Miller, Jr., Georgia

BUCKY BROOKS' TOP 5 2026 DEFENSIVE ENDS

1. Reuben Bain Jr., Jr., Miami
2. Akheem Mesidor, Sr., Miami
3. Keldric Faulk, Jr., Auburn
4. Zion Young, Sr., Missouri
5. Derrick Moore, Sr., Michigan

BUCKY BROOKS' TOP 5 2026 OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS

1. David Bailey, Sr., Texas Tech
2. Cashius Howell, Sr., Texas A&M
3. T.J. Parker, Jr., Clemson
4. Gabe Jacas, Sr., Illinois
5. R Mason Thomas, Sr., Oklahoma

BUCKY BROOKS' TOP 5 2026 INSIDE LINEBACKERS

1. Arvell Reese, Jr., Ohio State
2. Sonny Styles, Sr., Ohio State
3. CJ Allen, Jr., Georgia
4. Anthony Hill Jr., Jr., Texas
5. Jacob Rodriguez, Sr., Texas Tech

POSSIBLE FIRST-ROUND DEFENSIVE TACKLES

McDonald, Woods, Banks.

POSSIBLE FIRST-ROUND DEFENSIVE ENDS

Bain, Faulk, Young, Mesidor.

POSSIBLE FIRST-ROUND INSIDE LINEBACKERS

Reese, Styles, Allen.

POSSIBLE FIRST-ROUND OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS

Bailey, Parker, Howell.