7 Edge-Rushers on the Verge of a Breakout 2026 NFL Season

Edge-rushers are the highest-paid defensive players in the NFL, which makes developing the position crucial to disrupting the top offenses.

Like any other position, a high-upside pass-rusher's growth isn't always immediate or linear. 

This year, we could see a few edge defenders reach their peak after a handful of seasons in the league, while others make an early career leap in Year 2 or 3.

Here are seven defensive ends/outside linebackers categorized as edge-rushers who could break out in the upcoming campaign.

Abdul Carter, New York Giants

AP Photo/John Locher

The New York Giants benched Abdul Carter twice last season for missing team activities, which is disappointing for the No. 3 overall pick from last year's draft. He also registered only four sacks while on the field for 76 percent of the defensive snaps.

On the other hand, Carter tied for 13th across the league in pressures with 34, indicating that his first year wasn't a total bust. He'll continue to play a significant role as Kayvon Thibodeaux tries to rebound from a couple of injury-riddled seasons.

Since 2024, Thibodeaux has missed 12 games. He's also seen a drop-off in sacks and pressures since his breakout 2023 campaign. His name has come up in trade chatter. According to The Athletic's Dan Duggan, Big Blue wants a second-round pick for him.

If the Giants trade Thibodeaux, Carter has a clear pathway to a breakout year, playing opposite Brian Burns.

Even if New York retains Thibodeaux, Carter will still see enough time on the field to make a significant leap if he's more committed to preparation leading into game days.

K'Lavon Chaisson, Washington Commanders

AP Photo/Nick Wass

K'Lavon Chaisson has been on a slow buildup to a breakout season. After four mostly unproductive years with the Jacksonville Jaguars, he showed flashes in the second half of the 2024 campaign with the Las Vegas Raiders, logging four sacks between Weeks 13 and 17 of that year. 

On a one-year, $3 million deal with the New England Patriots, Chaisson continued to make strides in 2025, recording single-season career highs in sacks (7.5), pressures (23) and tackles for loss (10).

As a starter in 10 out of 16 outings with the Patriots, Chaisson played 67 percent of the defensive snaps. On a one-year contract worth $11 million, he could be primed for an even bigger role in the Washington Commanders' new-look defense.

Washington also signed edge-rusher Odafe Oweh to a four-year, $96 million deal. With 17.5 sacks over the previous two seasons, he'll likely draw most of the attention off the edge, allowing Chaisson to take advantage of his one-on-one opportunities on the opposite side.

Defensive-minded head coach Dan Quinn can turn both of his new pass-rushers into stars. In a lead role, Chaisson has more room for growth. 

Jalyx Hunt, Philadelphia Eagles

AP Photo/Matt Rourke

Jalyx Hunt is a sleeper breakout candidate. He's not guaranteed a lead role on the edge. The Philadelphia Eagles acquired Jonathan Greenard from the Minnesota Vikings and exercised the fifth-year option in Nolan Smith Jr.'s rookie deal.

However, both Greenard and Smith missed five games because of injuries last season. Also, Hunt has more upside than the former, who turned 29 in May, and showed more promise than the latter in the previous season.

Comparing early numbers, Hunt has made more strides than Smith as a pass-rusher. He also forced a few turnovers last season, recording three interceptions. 

Between 2024 and 2025, Hunt saw his snap count on special teams drop from 56 to 23 percent. As an emerging edge-rusher, he could lead the Eagles in sacks for consecutive seasons.

Laiatu Latu, Indianapolis Colts

AP Photo/David J. Phillip

The Indianapolis Colts selected Laiatu Latu with the No. 15 overall pick in the 2024 draft, making him the first edge-rusher off the board in the class. 

After a decent rookie season with four sacks, 23 pressures and five tackles for loss, Latu doubled his sack total last year and led the team in pressures (26) and tackles for loss (12).

The Colts signed eight-year pro Arden Key and career backup Micheal Clemons, but they're projected to be complementary role players on the edge.

Entrenched as a full-time starter, Latu should continue to develop in a lead role. He also mentioned the need to be a leader following the departure of Kwity Paye and Samson Ebukam in free agency.

"Without Kwity or Samson here, they're looking to me to be one of the guys, and a leader in that aspect," Latu said to reporters. "So, I'm doing that part on the field and off the field." 

Latu could be a household name by the end of the season.

Boye Mafe, Cincinnati Bengals

AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster

The Cincinnati Bengals signed Boye Mafe to a three-year, $60 million deal, an indication that he'll play a big role in their pass rush. 

In four seasons with the Seattle Seahawks, Mafe played in a rotational role at linebacker, starting in 34 out of 65 games. As a starter in 16 outings for the 2023 campaign, he recorded 52 tackles (nine for loss), nine sacks, 25 pressures and six pass breakups. As a priority free-agent pickup, the 27-year-old could match or top those numbers with the Bengals.

After a few years in Pete Carroll's and Mike Macdonald's defenses, Mafe can be a versatile defender within the Bengals' front seven. That said, expect play-caller Al Golden to unleash him in the pass rush.

Myles Murphy, a 2023 first-rounder, also deserves an honorable mention here, though Mafe's contract raises the expectations for his production in Cincinnati.

Jaelan Phillips, Carolina Panthers

AP Photo

If not for injuries, Jaelan Phillips may have had his breakout season years ago. As a rookie, he showed immediate promise, logging 42 tackles (nine for loss), 8.5 sacks and 26 pressures.

After a solid 2022 campaign, Phillips missed 22 games between 2023 and 2024 because of injuries, though he bounced back last year, despite some instability. The Miami Dolphins traded him to the Philadelphia Eagles. He finished the campaign with 53 tackles (seven for loss), five sacks and 35 pressures, one short of his single-season career high.

Based on total contract value, the Carolina Panthers signed Phillips to the biggest deal in free agency, a four-year, $120 million contract. He cashed in on a productive five-year resume and should be the lead edge-rusher in defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero's defense.  

If Phillips stays healthy, he'll be able to make plays with Derrick Brown and Bobby Brown III eating up space and taking on initial blocks on the interior.

Dallas Turner, Minnesota Vikings

AP Photo/Paul Sancya

Defensive coordinator Brian Flores may be on the verge of turning Dallas Turner into a star. 

As a rookie, Turner played in a backup role behind Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel, who both earned Pro Bowl nods with double-digit sack numbers that year. 

Last season, Greenard missed five games and saw a significant drop-off in his pass-rushing production, logging just three sacks. Turner made the most of increased playing time, registering a team-leading eight sacks, 24 pressures and 66 tackles (11 for loss).

Minnesota traded Greenard to the Philadelphia Eagles, and Ginkel is entering his age-31 campaign. Heading into his third term, Turner will enter the 2026 season as a full-time starter coming off a momentous year.

In 2024, the Vikings selected Turner between Laiatu Latu and Jared Verse with the No. 17 overall pick. He's currently two years younger than both of them and may have the most upside.

Maurice Moton covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @MoeMoton.