The 2027 NFL Draft’s top edge rushers are so good, they might not even need to step on the field this coming season to secure their spots as first-round picks. Seriously. Mike Renner dropped the scouting report, and it’s wild: Dylan Stewart and Colin Simmons are already being talked about as potential top-10 talents, with their status so locked in, they could *sit out* the entire 2026 season and still go high in April. This whole edge class has a chance to be special, with the potential for a Clowney vs. Mack-level showdown between Stewart and Simmons for the top spot. The class as a whole has a 9/10 strength rating, loaded with guys who *look* the part, which is huge this far out from the draft.
Dylan Stewart Is 90% Myles Garrett, Right Now
Let’s talk about Dylan Stewart first, because this guy is an absolute freak of nature. Listed at 6-foot-5 and 250 pounds, his physical talent has been on display since his freshman year. He’s got a combination of bend and burst that looks more like a cornerback than someone his size, which is just absurd. Renner says he is the closest physical specimen to Myles Garrett since Garrett entered the league back in 2017. While Stewart’s strength hasn’t shot up quite like Garrett’s did post-freshman year , Garrett packed on 30 pounds to reach 270, while Stewart is still at 250 , even 90% of a Myles Garrett is still an elite NFL edge rusher. Stewart’s already got an early grade as a top-10 pick, and by all accounts, he doesn’t need to show anything more to maintain that status.
Colin Simmons Is the Modern Speed Demon
Then there’s Colin Simmons, the other contender for the top edge spot. This guy is the modern prototype speed rusher, pure and simple. He can thrive in the 240s because his athleticism and pure physicality are off the charts. With how many defenses are using stunts and slanting blitzes these days, an athlete like Simmons is incredibly valuable. You get slow out of your stance against him, and you’re toast. He’s another prospect who doesn’t even have to play another down to solidify a top-10 spot. And don’t sleep on Will Heldt out of Clemson, either. He’s a 4-3 defensive end who, at 6-foot-7 and 260 pounds, surprised everyone by being more effective than some of his more hyped teammates last year. Heldt wins with bend and agility, not just raw power, and he’s got a whirlwind spin move he uses in passing situations. He’s looking like a late Day 1 or early Day 2 pick, and Renner compares his pre-breakout tape to Aidan Hutchinson.
This fall is going to be all about tracking how these guys continue to develop. With two potential top-10 talents leading the charge, the 2027 NFL Draft’s edge class is already shaping up to be something special to look forward to.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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