The 2026 NFL Draft has plenty of top-rated EDGE talent, but it also has some intriguing developmental prospects, and Jaishawn Barham will be in that mix. A productive four-year starter who made the full-time switch to EDGE in his senior season at Michigan, Barham brings size and length with explosiveness to pressure quarterbacks. After beginning his career as an off-ball linebacker before making the position switch, it’s all about projecting what he can become as a pro.
Measurables
Height: 6’3 1/2″
Weight: 240 pounds
Arms: 32 3/8″
Hands: 10 1/4″
40-yard: 4.64
Vertical: 33″
Broad jump: 10’3″
School: Michigan
Position: EDR
Jaishawn Barham NFL Draft Overview
Barham was a four-star recruit and one of the top linebackers in the 2022 class. He initially committed to South Carolina before switching to his home state, Maryland. Jaishawn made an immediate impact as a true freshman in 2022, starting all 12 games and earning Freshman All-American honors while leading the team with 6.5 tackles for loss and four sacks. As a sophomore in 2023, he posted 37 tackles, three sacks, and his first career interception. Following the season, Barham entered the transfer portal and landed at Michigan. In 2024, he started all 13 games at linebacker and finished second on the team with 66 tackles. As a senior in 2025, he transitioned to EDR full-time and racked up 10 tackles for loss and four sacks. Barham finished his college career with 194 tackles, 23.5 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, one interception, and two forced fumbles.
Strengths
- Possess the appropriate physical stature for the position
- Combines a high motor with an angry demeanor
- Delivers first to blockers to set the slip
- Has good bend rounding the edge
- Has good recognition and reaction
- Can be an immediate contributor to the subpackage football
Weaknesses
- Can be overly aggressive in pursuit
- Has not developed much of a toolbox as a rusher
- Needs to learn when to settle instead of overrunning the outside
- Can get swamped under if mistiming his initial drive into blockers
Projection: Round 3
Best Fits: Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens, New England Patriots, Los Angeles Rams
Bottom Line on Jaishawn Barham
With burst and pop at the line, the physical gifts are available for Barham to develop into a starting NFL EDR. While still raw as a dedicated rusher, Basham is already productive after just one year learning the position. He has the versatility, intensity, and bend to become a player that an offense has to account for when preparing. Teams looking for a high-motor defender with a nasty streak will find plenty to like in Barham’s tape.
Athletically, Jaishawn Barham compares well to Clay Matthews of USC, including some of the reckless play style. If paired with a good situation, Jaishawn Barham will be a problem on the edge quickly as a pro.
