The NFL Combine is where contenders separate from pretenders. If teams want to unlock the full potential of Aidan Hutchinson, they’ll need the right running mate off the edge — and this year’s class offers three intriguing answers waiting to explode onto the national stage.
As the NFL scouting combine approaches, teams searching for pass-rush help will be studying a deep and versatile edge class. For a contender built around a premier defensive end like Aidan Hutchinson, the priority isn’t just finding talent — it’s finding the right complement. Whether it’s a power rusher who can anchor against the run or a speed threat who can win one-on-one matchups, this year’s group offers intriguing options. Three prospects to watch closely in Indianapolis are Missouri’s Zion Young, Michigan’s Jaishawn Barham and Texas A&M’s Cashius Howell.
Zion Young, Missouri
At 6-foot-5 and 262 pounds, Zion Young looks the part of an NFL defensive end the moment he steps off the bus. The Missouri product emerged as a disruptive force in his final collegiate season, totaling 42 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks while consistently collapsing pockets with his length and power. Young’s frame allows him to set a firm edge in the run game, and he has shown the ability to convert speed to power with an effective bull rush.
Scouts currently project Young as a late first to second-round pick, though a strong combine showing — particularly in the 40-yard dash and three-cone drill — could push him into early Day 2 consideration. His game would mesh well opposite Hutchinson because of his physicality. While Hutchinson often wins with relentless motor and refined hand usage, Young’s size and ability to anchor could prevent offenses from sliding protection too heavily to one side. He may not have elite bend, but his upside as a three-down edge defender makes him one of the more intriguing names in the second tier of this class.
Jaishawn Barham, Michigan
Jaishawn Barham brings a different profile at 6-3 and 243 pounds. A former off-ball linebacker who transitioned into more of an edge role, Barham offers hybrid versatility that defensive coordinators covet in today’s NFL. During his final season at Michigan, he recorded 32 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and four sacks, flashing closing speed and downhill physicality.
Barham is widely viewed as a late Day 2 to early Day 3 prospect, though teams valuing scheme flexibility could see him higher. His ability to rush standing up, drop into coverage and defend the run gives him situational appeal. In a defense anchored by Hutchinson, Barham could function as a movable chess piece — blitzing from different alignments and attacking protections that are already stressed by an elite edge presence. He may not project as a double-digit sack artist early in his career, but his athletic profile and versatility raise his floor as a rotational contributor with developmental upside.
Cashius Howell, Texas A&M
Cashius Howell might be the most explosive of the trio. Listed at 6-2 and roughly 248 pounds, Howell put together a breakout season at Texas A&M, compiling 11.5 sacks and 14 tackles for loss while consistently winning with first-step quickness. His burst off the line forces tackles to open their hips early, and he counters effectively with inside moves when linemen overset.
Most draft analysts project Howell as a late first-round to early second-round selection, with the potential to climb even higher if he tests well in Indianapolis. Though slightly undersized compared to prototypical 4-3 defensive ends, his bend and pass-rush repertoire give him immediate sub-package value. Paired with Hutchinson, Howell’s speed would present offenses with a difficult dilemma — commit extra help to the power side or risk getting beaten by pure acceleration off the opposite edge.
The Outlook
Each prospect offers a distinct skill set. Young provides size and strength, Barham delivers versatility and Howell brings dynamic pass-rush juice. As teams finalize their boards at the combine, finding the right complement to an established star like Hutchinson will be less about raw talent and more about fit. For franchises seeking to maximize their defensive front in 2026, these three edge rushers will be worth a long look in Indianapolis.