The 2026 NFL Draft pass rush class is viewed as one of the strongest position groups, but one standout sounds like he’s rising up boards following a strong showing in the NFL Combine.
While there could be as many as three edge rushers chosen in the first 10 picks, there’s also a strong breadth of talent across the board, which could make pass rushers one of the strongest groups in this year’s class.
Dani Dennis-Sutton rising up NFL Draft Boards
NFL Draft
Dec 31, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton (33) against the Boise State Broncos during the Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Penn State players have built a reputation over the past decade as some of the strongest performers during the NFL Combine, and it sure sounds as if edge rusher Dani Dennis-Sutton is the next to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Saquon Barkley, Troy Apke, Odafe Oweh, Mike Gesicki and others who parlayed a strong showing in Indianapolis into a stronger draft stock.
According to Pro Football Focus’ Trevor Sikkema, Dennis-Sutton’s stock is surging at the moment.
“Dennis-Sutton then impressed even more with a 39.5-inch vertical jump,” Sikkema points out. “And a 10-foot-11 broad jump. But we’ve seen plenty of big defensive players be explosive before, only for lateral quickness and agility to be their Achilles’ heel on the field when asked to change direction. But to that point, Dennis-Sutton ran a 6.90 in the three-cone, which puts him in the 93rd percentile for all defensive ends before accounting for weight adjustments.
“Sutton earned an 80.1 PFF overall grade this past season with a 77.7 PFF run-defense grade and a 78.2 PFF pass-rush grade against true pass sets. There were times when you wondered if he was fluid enough of an athlete to be a difference-making pass rusher at the next level. But his testing at the combine showed he possesses that athletic ability, giving him a likely top-75 type of draft projection.”
Adisa Isaac, Baltimore Ravens
Penn State defensive end Adisa Isaac (20) celebrates a sack from Dani Dennis-Sutton (33) in the first half of an NCAA football game against Michigan at Beaver Stadium Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in State College, Pa.
After posting 8.5 sacks apiece each of the past two seasons, Dennis-Sutton has proven that his twitchy athleticism and explosiveness translate to production at the highest levels. Some NFL team may need to select him earlier than they first anticipated, in order to harness it.