Ranking the NFL’s Five Best Pass-Rushing Duos for 2026
The 2026 NFL season is shaping up to be a golden age for pass-rushing duos, with teams like the Denver Broncos, Houston Texans, and Los Angeles Rams leading the charge. According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), the Broncos’ Malik Reed and Zach Allen were among the league’s top 10 edge defenders in 2023, while the Texans’ Will Anderson Jr. and Jonathan Greenard ranked in the top 15, per ESPN’s 2024 preseason analysis. These pairings, combined with emerging talents and strategic roster moves, have positioned several teams to dominate the edge in the coming years.
Why the Broncos’ Malik Reed and Zach Allen Are Top Contenders
The Denver Broncos’ pass-rushing duo of Malik Reed and Zach Allen has consistently ranked among the league’s most effective. In 2023, Reed recorded 12.5 sacks and 44 total pressures, while Allen added 8.5 sacks and 38 pressures, according to NFL.com. Their complementary styles—Reed’s relentless gap control and Allen’s explosive first step—have made them a formidable force. The Broncos’ 2024 draft class, which included edge rusher KJ Jefferson, further strengthens their depth, according to ESPN’s Mike Rothstein.
How the Texans’ Will Anderson Jr. and Jonathan Greenard Could Rise in 2026
The Houston Texans’ 2023 first-round pick, Will Anderson Jr., emerged as a dominant force, recording 11 sacks and 69 pressures in his rookie season, per Pro Football Reference. Partnering with veteran Jonathan Greenard, who notched 7.5 sacks and 52 pressures in 2023, the duo has the potential to become a top-5 pass-rushing unit by 2026. “Anderson’s development and Greenard’s experience create a dynamic that could challenge the league’s best,” said NFL Network analyst Charley Casserly.
What Makes the Rams’ Leonard Floyd and Sebastian Joseph-Day a Threat?
The Los Angeles Rams’ edge rushers, Leonard Floyd and Sebastian Joseph-Day, have shown flashes of dominance. Floyd, a four-time Pro Bowler, recorded 7.5 sacks and 41 pressures in 2023, while Joseph-Day, acquired via trade in 2024, added 5.5 sacks and 35 pressures. Their ability to pressure quarterbacks from multiple angles has drawn comparisons to the 2022 Bills’ Tremaine Edmunds and Jordan Phillips, according to CBS Sports. The Rams’ defensive scheme, which emphasizes edge pressure, further elevates their potential.
Which Other Duos Could Challenge for the 2026 Title?
Several other pairings could break into the top five by 2026. The Pittsburgh Steelers’ T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith, who combined for 22 sacks in 2023, remain a threat. The Kansas City Chiefs’ Frank Clark and Chris Jones, though less consistent, have the talent to rebound. Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Jason Pierre-Paul and Willington Previlon, who totaled 15 sacks in 2023, could thrive under new defensive coordinator Mike Vrabel’s scheme, per The Athletic.
Why 2026 Matters for the NFL’s Defensive Landscape
The 2026 season could redefine the NFL’s pass-rushing standards, with teams prioritizing edge defenders more than ever. The league’s 2024 rule changes, which emphasize protecting quarterbacks, have shifted focus to speed and agility at the position. “Teams that invest in edge rushers now will dominate for the next decade,” said former NFL defensive end Marcus Davenport. As the Broncos, Texans, and Rams continue to build their rosters, the competition for the top pass-rushing duos is set to intensify.
For now, the Broncos, Texans, and Rams remain the clear frontrunners, but the evolving landscape of the NFL ensures that surprises are always possible.