NFL Draft 2026 Scouting Report for Michigan Edge Jaishawn Barham

Jaishawn Barham is a former off-ball linebacker who switched positions in Week 3 of this past season, which shows in his athleticism while playing on the edge.

With a good frame and more power at the point of attack than the 6'3", 240-pounder's size suggests, it's easy to see why an NFL team would be willing to take a flier on him as a developmental prospect.

Barham's college career began as a 4-star recruit in the 2022 class at Maryland. The former Terrapin spent two seasons in College Park, racking up 95 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, seven sacks, an interception, two passes defended and a forced fumble over 23 games.

He earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors twice (2022 and '23) and was a freshman All-American at Maryland before transferring to Michigan in 2024.

The former Wolverine collected 98 tackles, 13.5 TFLs, five sacks (four in 2025), five PDs and a FF during his two seasons and 25 games in Ann Arbor. The performance resulted in one honorable mention All-Big Ten selection (2025).

Matt Holder has been a part of B/R's Scouting Department for four seasons. He also writes about the Las Vegas Raiders and NFL draft for SB Nation's Silver and Black Pride, and co-hosts a YouTube Channel, Tape Don't Lie, providing film breakdowns and more draft prospect analysis.

Where He Wins

Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

- Barham is an impressive overall athlete for an edge-defender, showing good burst, closing speed and smooth lateral movement skills.

- Good frame with room to add weight.

- Accelerates off the line of scrimmage to get penetration against the run or threaten offensive tackles with speed as a pass-rusher.

- Has some natural power and good leg drive through contact to help set the edge against offensive linemen or when taking on pullers. These traits also allowed him to flash the ability to win with power as a pass-rusher.

- No issues beating blocks from tight ends when working against the run.

- Flashes the ability to set up his pass-rush moves by stemming inside and using his change-of-direction skills and quickness to win outside or vice versa.

- With his background as an off-ball linebacker, he offers some position versatility and the ability to drop into coverage as a standup outside linebacker.

Areas of Improvement

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

- Barham is light for an NFL edge, which will impact his ability to win with power as a pass-rusher and set the edge consistently at the next level.

- Poor hand usage in both phases of the game. He's slow to get his hands up and often plays with them down by his waist, preventing him from stacking and shedding against the run and getting clean wins as a pass-rusher.

- Has a habit of working inside of reach blocks, often sealing himself and giving running backs an outside rushing lane.

- Also likes to duck inside as a pass-rusher and will lose contain on the quarterback.

- Not bendy as a pass-rusher, he struggles to corner at the top of the rush and take efficient paths to the quarterback, often getting run past the quarterback on the high side of the rush.

Grade, Rank, and Pro Comparison

G Fiume/Getty Images

GRADE: 6.6 (Role Player/Part-Time Contributor — 4th Round)

COMPARABLE GRADE: Josaiah Stewart, Michigan (6.6 in 2025), Mohamed Kamara, Colorado State (6.6 in 2024), Dominique Robinson, Miami of Ohio (6.7 in 2022)

OVERALL RANK: 130

POSITION RANK: EDGE14

PRO COMPARISON: DeAngelo Malone

Measurables and Testing Data

Cooper Neill/Getty Images

Height: 6'4"
Weight: 240
Hand: 10¼"
Arm: 32⅜"
Wingspan: N/A

40-Yard Dash: 4.64
10-Yard Split: 1.61
3-Cone: N/A
Shuttle: N/A
Vertical: 33"
Broad: 10'3"