You possibly can by no means have sufficient rush males in at this time’s sport of soccer, significantly within the NFL. Mike Tomlin as soon as stated that, and the Pittsburgh Steelers made positive of that within the 2025 NFL Draft, deciding on Jack Sawyer out of Ohio State within the fourth spherical.
That transfer was even though the Steelers had T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig already on the roster. Sawyer’s transfer ended up paying off, but it surely additionally put the Steeler sin a robust place to not have to deal with the EDGE place anytime quickly — not less than within the 2026 draft.
One would suppose, not less than.
Regardless of not having a lot of a necessity for extra exterior linebackers, the Steelers might get an excellent take a look at some gifted move rushers on the 2026 East-West Shrine Bowl in Dallas, Texas this week, led by UCF star Malachi Lawrence and LSU’s Patrick Payton.
A complete of 11 EDGE defenders are headed to Dallas for the week-long session in entrance of NFL scouts and media members. Under are a handful to look at throughout the session earlier than the Jan. 27 sport.
EDGE TO WATCH
MALACHI LAWRENCE — CENTRAL FLORIDA
Age: N/AYear: SeniorHeight/Weight: 6040, 247PFF Place Rank: EDGE19 (149th total)
One of many extra standard EDGE defenders coming into the week on the East-West Shrine Bowl, Central Florida’s Malachi Lawrence has NFL groups preserving a detailed eye on him as a consequence of his dimension, size and manufacturing lately for the Knights. Final season, Lawrence recorded seven sacks, after which measured in with 33 4/8-inch arms.
In 39 profession video games with 22 begins, Lawrence generated 28 tackles for loss sand 20 sacks. He earned first-team All-Massive 12 accolades in 2025 and has the look of an athletic, productive EDGE defender that may rush the quarterback whereas nonetheless with the ability to defend the run. He has an opportunity to actually shine on the Shrine Bowl stage.
AIDAN HUBBARD — NORTHWESTERN
Age: 23Year: Graduate SeniorHeight/Weight: 6040, 257PFF Place Rank: EDGE37(336th total)
The final title and the place would possibly ring a bell for AFC North followers, however there isn’t any relation between Northwestern EDGE Aidan Hubbard and former Cincinnati Bengals defensive finish Sam Hubbard, regardless of each coming from Ohio. Aidan Hubbard made his personal title at Northwestern, developing as a three-star recruit and ending his collegiate profession with 20.5 sacks.
Showing in 46 profession video games for the Wildcats, Hubbard completed his profession with 105 tackles, 26.5 tackles for loss and 20.5 sacks, together with a career-best 7.5 sacks all whereas enjoying via a decrease physique harm in 2025. Hubbard sits fifth all-time in Northwestern historical past in sacks and has an opportunity to point out open some eyes in Frisco in entrance of NFL scouts and personnel after graduating from Northwestern.
BRYAN THOMAS JR. — SOUTH CAROLINA
Age: 21Year: SeniorHeight/Weight: 6013, 245PFF Place Rank: NR
One of many extra ignored EDGE defenders within the class, but one which brings a great deal of manufacturing to the desk and loads of intangibles is South Carolina’s Bryan Thomas Jr. A workforce captain for the Gamecocks in 2025, Thomas gained each award there was for South Carolina this season, incomes Workforce co-MVP, defensive MVP, the Gamecock Toughness Award, the co-Most Excellent Senior, and was a third-team All-SEC choice by the coaches.
In 46 profession video games, together with 19 begins, Thomas recorded 92 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks. In 12 begins in 2025, Thomas recorded seven sacks and put himself on the NFL map. He’s barely undersized and may be higher fitted to an off-ball position, however he confirmed he can get after the passer within the SEC.
PATRICK PAYTON — LSU
Age: 23Year: Redshirt SeniorHeight/Weight: 6045, 251PFF Place Rank: EDGE25 (214th total)
One of many largest names on the defensive aspect of the soccer on the East-West Shrine Bowl is LSU’s Patrick Payton, who burst onto the scene at Florida State in 2022, incomes ACC Defensive Rookie of the 12 months after recording 5 sacks for the Seminoles. After that huge 12 months coming onto the scene, Payton put collectively a few first rate seasons with the Seminoles, however his transfer to LSU for the 2025 season was speculated to be his likelihood to dominate.
He had only one sack on the season, recording half a sack in two completely different video games. In 53 profession video games, Payton had simply 17 sacks. He has all of the bodily traits of a high-end edge, however the manufacturing simply wasn’t there in his lone season in Baton Rouge. So, the week in Frisco can be about exhibiting NFL scouts and personnel what he brings to the desk off the sting. A giant week right here might catapult him within the draft image. A quiet week might increase higher issues.
Different DL competing within the East-West Shrine Bowl:
-Oklahoma EDGE Marvin Jones Jr. -Texas EDGE Ethan Burke-Florida EDGE George Gumbs Jr.-New Mexico EDGE Keyshawn James-Newby-USC EDGE Anthony Lucas-Wisconsin EDGE Mason Reiger-Duke EDGE Wesley Williams
Extra on the 2026 East-West Shrine Bowl
East-West Shrine Bowl Primer: QBs To Watch East-West Shrine Bowl Primer: RBs To Watch2026 East-West Shrine Bowl Primer: WRs To Watch2026 East-West Shrine Bowl Primer: TEs To Watch2026 East-West Shrine Bowl Primer: OL To Watch
