Top 5 performers at DE in pre-draft athletic testing metrics for Jaguars

[ASFN Admin]

Looking ahead to the 2026 NFL draft for the Jacksonville Jaguars, here are the tight ends from this year's class who have stood out above the rest in the athletic testing portion of the pre-draft process.

To compare the athletic testing and measurements of each wideout, we will be using Kent Lee Platte's Relative Athletic Score (RAS).

In short, RAS is a way to compare a player's athleticism and size to the rest of his position group through an easily digestible number based on height, weight, and athletic testing numbers. The RAS scale ranges from 0-10, and the closer to 10 a player scores, the better the athlete.

While a player's athletic testing certainly isn't the be-all, end-all when it comes to the evaluation process, it very much is something that NFL teams pay attention to.

Here are this year's standout performers from the defensive end position.

Dani Dennis-Sutton, Penn State​

RAS: 9.96

Dennis-Sutton has had steady pass rush production the last two seasons, totaling 45 pressures and 51 pressures, respectively.

Dani Dennis-Sutton is a DE prospect in the 2026 draft class. He scored a 9.96 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 9 out of 2105 DE from 1987 to 2026.https://t.co/uLxgNBAJHQpic.twitter.com/pLozoMwmif

— RAS.football (@MathBomb) March 22, 2026

Malachi Lawrence, UCF​

RAS: 9.90

Each season, Lawrence's production has increased, going from generating 25 pressures in 2023, to 28 in 2024, to 40 this past season. He has 20 total sacks during that span as well, according to PFF.

Malachi Lawrence is a DE prospect in the 2026 draft class. He scored an unofficial 9.90 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 22 out of 2046 DE from 1987 to 2026.

Splits projected, all times unofficial, agilities left to run, bench tomorrow.https://t.co/FkEfUpGX2bpic.twitter.com/g3ShOCKYx5

— RAS.football (@MathBomb) February 26, 2026

Michael Heldman, Central Michigan​

RAS: 9.88

Heldman's production took a big step forward in 2025, going from 30 pressures to 53 pressures. He was also one of PFF's top graded run defenders as well.

Michael heldman is a DE prospect in the 2026 draft class. He scored a 9.88 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 26 out of 2105 DE from 1987 to 2026.https://t.co/1qrW1f0yGFpic.twitter.com/xMGqrOWXxb

— RAS.football (@MathBomb) March 22, 2026

Zach Durfee, Washington​

RAS: 9.77

Durfee generated 35 pressures last season after totaling just 10 during the 2024 season.

Zach Durfee is a DE prospect in the 2026 draft class. He scored a 9.77 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 50 out of 2094 DE from 1987 to 2026.https://t.co/NpXZreGVlIpic.twitter.com/Wn1EkoUvCD

— RAS.football (@MathBomb) March 21, 2026

David Bailey, Texas Tech​

RAS: 9.65

Bailey was one of the most productive edge rushers in college football, totaling 81 pressures and 15 sacks. He also graded out quite well against the run.

David Bailey is a DE prospect in the 2026 draft class. He scored a 9.65 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 78 out of 2204 DE from 1987 to 2026.

Pro day results pending, expect them in the next group.https://t.co/QPNfnRoilmpic.twitter.com/frqRXARAz6

— RAS.football (@MathBomb) March 31, 2026

Other top RAS performers at defensive end​

• Mason Reiger, Wisconsin: 9.63
• Logan Fano, Utah: 9.61
• Tyce Westland, Wyoming: 9.48
• TJ Parker, Clemson: 9.38
• Cian Slone, NC State: 9.29
• George Gumbs Jr.: 9.18

This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: 2026 NFL draft: 5 most athletic defensive ends in pre-draft process

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