Final 2025 NFL Draft Rankings: Edge Rushers

Dynamic edge rushers are some of the most exciting players in football. Everyone loves when their favorite team drafts an explosive pass rusher to elevate the defense, and this here is a good group. We have an elite prospect at the top, a handful of other great options in the first round, and a solid selection to choose from on Day 2.

This list includes my top 20 edge defenders for the 2025 draft. The top 10 have full scouting reports, while the rest have shorter write-ups that still explain their strengths, weaknesses, and why I have them ranked where I do. If you don’t see a name you expected, it’s likely because I have them categorized as a 3-4 defensive end. They’re in my defensive tackle rankings, so check those out, as well the rest of my final position rankings series below. My cornerback rankings release tomorrow, so stay tuned!

Final Position Rankings:

• Quarterbacks
• Running Backs
• Wide Receivers
• Tight Ends
• Offensive Tackles
• Interior Offensive Line
• Defensive Tackles
• Linebackers
• Safeties

1: Abdul Carter, Penn State

A 6-3, 250-pound junior from Philadelphia, Carter was a high school star in both football and basketball when he committed to play for the Nittany Lions. Originally a linebacker, he played off-ball his first two seasons at State College, only getting rotational snaps at edge defender as a sophomore. He flashed such high upside as a pass rusher that the coaching staff decided they weren’t going to have a repeat of the Micah Parsons situation and moved him to the edge full-time in 2024. In just 10 games this season, Carter had 70 pressures, 15 sacks and two forced fumbles as well as 68 tackles.

Carter’s bend off the edge is the best I’ve ever scouted. Once he gets to a position he likes, he drops his inside shoulder and rubs around the tackle, shedding the block and charging at the quarterback. His first-step explosiveness is special, giving him a quick advantage off the snap. Carter is extremely athletic, making Bruce Feldman’s “Freaks List” as one of the most athletic players in college football. This shows up in the speed, power, and agility present in his pass rushes.

With two years of off-ball linebacker experience at the college level, Carter has a more advanced understanding of run defense principles than you might expect. He knows how to deal with complex blocking schemes and how to shed pulling guards, using his strong upper body to fight through blocks and make plays on the ball carrier. Pursuit speed is a plus with Carter, whether he’s trailing a play downfield or chasing down a scrambling quarterback, he can close and make the tackle.

For all his strengths, Carter is still a fairly raw pass rusher. He’s only been doing this full-time for one season, mind you. He doesn’t have the advanced bag of pass rush moves others in this class do, and he’s still learning how to coordinate hand usage with his rush plan. It’s a little too easy for tackles to get into his chest right now and knock him off his path, disrupting the timing of his rush. Like many young edge defenders, he can get caught chasing the big play a little too often, sometimes losing integrity on his play-to-play responsibilities.

The advanced metrics Carter generated as a junior put him in truly elite company. It’s a profile that stacks up similarly to elite pass-rushing prospects like Browns ED Myles Garrett and Chargers ED Joey Bosa. Carter was a first-team All-American twice — at two different positions. The sky is the limit with his potential, and he’s a top-five lock in this draft. It’s unlikely he makes it out of the first three picks.

2: James Pearce Jr., Tennessee

A true junior from Charlotte, North Carolina, Pearce was a four-star high school recruit and leaves Knoxville as one of the most decorated Volunteers of all time. After being a solid rotation player as a freshman, Pearce exploded onto the scene as a sophomore, earning first-team All-American nods behind a 13-sack, 54-pressure campaign. He entered his junior year with substantial hype and eyes on being the No. 1 pick in this draft. While it was a quieter season, Pearce pulled down another eight sacks and logged 59 pressures, once again being named first-team All-SEC.

At 6-5, 245, Pearce possesses great length to get into the chests of opposing tackles. The way he can bend the edge is nothing short of incredible — he has the uncanny ability to flatten himself against the tackle, running almost parallel to the ground until he wins the outside shoulder and beelines for the quarterback. When he fires out of his stance, it forces tackles to defend him differently, granting him immediate advantages in his rush just based off his first step alone.

It’s not just speed with Pearce, either. While his rushes as a sophomore mostly consisted of him trying to (and succeeding at) “out-athleting” his opponents, as a junior he took strides in his technique and pass rush plan. He has several go-to moves, including a rip and a spin, and he uses his hands well to create leverage and keep his pads clean. Converting speed to power is something he can do, as well, with a noticeable pop on contact when delivering those moves.

Pearce’s weaknesses are mostly what you’d expect for a player with his profile, and they’re all things he can work on. As a run defender, he doesn’t have the strength at the point of attack to hold the edge. That’s not surprising for an undersized edge defender, but it does mean his snaps might be limited on early downs to start his career. There are moments on his tape where he gets tunnel vision while rushing the quarterback, losing lane integrity and contain. That needs to be cleaned up, and I’d also like to see him add a few more pass-rush moves. He’s off to a good start in that department, but the best NFL rushers are always adding new tricks.

Though he’s been passed in the consensus by other players, I still love Pearce as a prospect. I thought he noticeably improved this season, refining his game in some pretty major ways, and he has game-changing potential at the next level. Teams are always searching for pass rushers who can single-handedly alter the way an offense has to operate, guys who can win on third downs and in the fourth quarter to get their defense off the field, and Pearce can do all of that. He has a chance to go top-10 and depending on his landing spot, I might be eyeing some early Defensive Rookie of the Year bets with this guy. He’s that good.

3: Nic Scourton, Texas A&M

A Texas native and former four-star recruit, Scourton started his career at Purdue before transferring to Texas A&M for the 2024 season. He broke out in a major way as a sophomore, leading the Big 10 in sacks with 10 and racking up 46 pressures for the Boilermakers on his way to a first-team All-Big 10 selection. As a junior with the Aggies, Scourton didn’t have quite as flashy a season, finishing with just four sacks. But he still made his presence felt, creating 38 pressures and making first-team All-SEC.

Scourton is a unique player and it makes him an interesting evaluation when projecting to the NFL. At 6-4, 257, Scourton lined up the majority of his snaps as a stand-up outside rusher in all three of his collegiate seasons. His best work is done from a two-point stance, where he has the flexibility to release and attack in multiple directions. That’s not to take anything away from his versatility, however, as Scourton does line up all over the defensive line and can win from any alignment.

During Scourton’s breakout sophomore year at Purdue, he played under former Boilermakers’ head coach (and current Washington defensive coordinator) Ryan Walters. Walters runs a unique scheme that asks a lot of its edge defenders. That year, Scourton logged 131 snaps in coverage, not simply on underneath zones, but often carrying running backs and tight ends in man coverage. He performed admirably, highlighting how rare his combination of skill and athleticism is.

But let me be clear: pass rushing is Scourton’s specialty. His big frame gives him leverage advantages against many tackles, and he has the power to pair with that size. When he makes initial contact, he moves people, pushing tackles off their marks and immediately disrupting the pocket. What’s so impressive about Scourton’s game is the speed he pairs with that power, enough to legitimately threaten the outside shoulder and make pursuit tackles in the backfield. It’s not just athleticism with him, either, as he has an impressive array of moves in his arsenal, consistently winning against top college competition through his blend of speed, power, and technique. In run defense, he holds the edge well, shedding blocks and making plays.

Ironically, given his size, the main thing I still want to see with Scourton is more reps with his hand in the dirt. He’ll be asked to do that a lot in the NFL, and right now he’s more comfortable rushing from a two-point stance. Additionally, at his size, he’s not the bendiest guy in this draft. Still, he’s proven his adequate agility on tape, and his success in coverage indicates movement ability isn’t a concern with him.

Scourton is a wild watch on tape. You might not scout a more unique player in this class, at any position. His combination of skill and athleticism is rare, especially at his age. He’s one of the youngest players in the class and won’t turn 21 until well into training camp his rookie year. That’s almost NBA-level youth in a prospect, and it makes his future all the more exciting. If he’s this good now, just wait until he gets a few years in an NFL system. The league is lower on Scourton than I am, and he’ll likely be a late-first or early-second round pick.

4: Mike Green, Marshall

A transfer from Virginia, Green has been a revelation for the Thundering Herd over the last two seasons. A monster athlete, Green checks in at 6-3, 251 pounds, with impressive high school testing numbers that have likely only improved in college. His junior campaign in 2024 totaled 81 tackles and 69 pressures for an eye-popping 17 sacks, earning him an All-American nod for this work. He impressed at the Senior Bowl, as well, proving he belongs at this level.

Green’s wrestling background is evident in how he wins off the edge. Advanced hand-fighting techniques anchor his skillset, where he uses effective stiff-arm and rip moves to keep his chest clean. Tackles struggle to make initial contact with Green, as his natural leverage created by his length gives him the ability to dictate a rep off the snap. Impressively for his size, he plays with a lot of power in his actions, shocking blockers on contact and moving them off the line.

Twitchy hips and quick feet give Green a big advantage when rushing the passer. The way he bends the edge and flattens back to the quarterback is impressive. He has an explosive first step and the speed to generate immediate pressure, paired with a strong set of counter moves to exploit any tackles who overcommit to their outside shoulders. On top of all that, Green has the closing speed to chase down scrambling quarterbacks and downfield runners, making plays that other defensive linemen just can’t.

There’s no escaping that Green is undersized for a full-time NFL edge rusher. He can’t always anchor properly against the run, getting moved off his spot by down blocks and double teams. Additionally, he can sometimes lose rush integrity, moving past the quarterback and allowing scrambling lanes when the play breaks down.

It’s rare for a small-school prospect to be this athletic, this refined and this young. That combo is usually only seen in former five-star recruits at premier programs. Green was recruited by some top football schools, and after his Senior Bowl performance, there’s no concern with his ability to translate. Green is probably looking at a top-15 selection on draft night and will be one of the more intriguing prospects to watch early in his career.

5: Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M

A 6-5, 267-pound true junior from Miami, Stewart was a five-star prospect and immediate contributor for the Aggies, starting six games as a freshman. His breakout came as a junior in 2024, locking in his role as an every-week starter and contributing 31 tackles, 42 pressures and two sacks, with a forced fumble to boot. Stewart was unblockable at the Senior Bowl, dominating the event, and he’s turned in an even better testing performance at the Combine. He’s one of the most alluring prospects in the draft based on the physical tools he possesses.

Off the snap, Stewart displays plus quickness and agility to create initial contact and dictate the rep. He converts speed to power as well as anyone in this class, with a powerful bull rush that moves people and the know-how to work through that to create pressure. He has strong hands and the lower-body power profile to be a problem against the run, holding his own against drive blocks and staying disciplined in his assignments. Notably in 2024, he showcased an expanding repertoire of pass-rush moves, even chaining some together in a nice pass-rush plan.

Much has been made of the fact that Stewart only had five sacks in his college career. While that number is very low for a top edge defender prospect, it’s a little deceiving. Stewart’s pass-rush win percentage and pressure rates were much better, with 42 total pressures in 2024. The way he contorts himself around tackles is insane, with incredible bend and agility to flatten around the tightest corners to attack the quarterback. His movement skills will be among the best in the NFL even as a rookie, with his lateral quickness, burst, and top speed all off the charts.

That said, Stewart is mostly all traits right now. He’s incredibly athletic, one of the most athletic prospects in Combine history in fact. It remains to be seen if he can pay off those traits into more consistent production. He’s still learning how to properly use his hands and needs to expand his pass rush bag to be more consistently disruptive in the NFL. Finishing plays is of particular concern, as his solid pressure numbers but low sack total indicate difficulty bringing down the quarterback once he gets there.

Stewart is still a young player and the arrow is pointing up for him. I’ve grown on him as a prospect over time — he displayed more on tape than I think he gets credit for. Traits and athleticism are so hugely important for NFL edge rushers that wider latitude is given to prospects who haven’t put it all together yet. Stewart will be a top-20 pick, maybe a top-10 pick, and coaching staffs will line up to trust their ability to get the most out of him.

6: Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College

A high school track and field and football star in his hometown of Williamstown, New Jersey, Ezeiruaku was a rotational piece as a freshman. He became a star for the Eagles as a sophomore, however, earning second-team All-ACC honors with 60 tackles, seven sacks, and three forced fumbles. Though his junior year saw some statistical regression, he turned in his best season yet as a senior in 2024, winning ACC Defensive Player of the Year and racking up 80 tackles, 16 sacks, and three forced fumbles. Not only that, but he showed up to the Combine and tested well, putting NFL scouts on notice.

At 6-2 and a half, 248 pounds, Ezeiruaku is on the smaller side for an NFL edge defender. But he makes up for it with the best bag of pass-rush moves in this class. There’s practically nothing he can’t do, and he has the speed, agility and explosiveness to threaten every tackle he faces. Expert hand usage lets him manipulate the tackles he faces, running devastating counters or ripping through them if they’re unprepared. He creates pass rush plans over the course of a game, setting up tackles early on only to whip out devastating counters late in games. The sophistication Ezeiruaku brings to his pass rushing is awe-inspiring.

I mentioned how well Ezeiruaku tested at the Combine, and it quells most of the concerns I had about his game translating. He’s exceptionally fast off the ball, with the explosive get-off to immediately threaten a tackle’s outside shoulder. The way he bends around the edge is reminiscent of some of the sport’s best pass rushers, as he can fold back to the quarterback almost instantly. If burst and bend weren’t enough, he plays with great pursuit speed, consistently chasing down scrambling quarterbacks and running backs from the backside. In the run game, he’s pretty good at stacking and shedding his blocker to stay involved.

Now, Ezeiruaku is still undersized. This mostly shows up in the run game, where he can get stood up and washed out of plays. His anchor ability to hold the edge is threatened by even tight ends at times — run defense isn’t his strength. But it can also be a problem in his pass rush, as there are times on tape where longer, powerful tackles get their hands on him and stall his rush. It doesn’t happen all the time, but it’s often enough to be something to monitor against NFL strength.

Pass rushing is everything in the NFL and Ezeiruaku is among the best in the class at pressuring the quarterback. I don’t know if he’ll be a first-round pick, but it wouldn’t surprise me if he manages to be one. Refined technical prowess backed up by strong athletic tools is a great combo. He may never be the most complete player, but he doesn’t need to be to star in this league.

7: Landon Jackson, Arkansas

A Texas native and former four-star recruit, Jackson committed to LSU out of high school. After barely playing as a freshman, he transferred to Arkansas where he put together an impressive three-year career. Though he only played rotationally as a sophomore in 2022, he broke out in a big way in 2023, with 44 tackles and six sacks on his way to first-team All-SEC honors. As a senior he was named a preseason All-American, upping his numbers across the board with 49 tackles, seven sacks, a forced fumble, and three passes defensed. After an eye-catching performance at the Combine, Jackson has continued to rise up draft boards.

Standing at 6-6, 264, Jackson has prototypical length for an edge rusher. Combined with his natural power, he displaces people at the line of scrimmage, getting into their chest and resetting the line. Against the run, Jackson displays good anchor and footwork to hold his spot, setting the edge and avoiding getting washed out of the play. He’s explosive out of his stance, consistently maximizing his start up the field and initiating contact on the rep. Nothing slows this guy down — he is a relentless pursuer, chasing plays down from the backside and never giving up on a tackle.

Speed-to-power is Jackson’s best move, and he’s elite at it. He possesses serious explosive juice in his movements and he can crater the tackle in, gashing a path to the quarterback. Great hand-fighting techniques help him keep his chest clean, preventing the tackle from locking him up or knocking him off his path. He’s particularly adept at cross-chop and arm-over moves, creating instant advantages and breaking through the line. With excellent lateral agility and fluidity in his movements, he can execute a variety of moves with ease.

That said, Jackson isn’t the best at turning the corner. He doesn’t threaten a tackle’s outside shoulder as strongly as you’d like, at least not consistently. His height might be working against him here, as he tested much better than you’d expect from this aspect of his tape. Speaking of his height working against him, he lacks discipline in his leverage, getting too high out of his stance and letting offensive linemen neutralize his natural length advantages. Developing better counter moves would be big for him, counteracting these weaknesses in his game.

Jackson is a player who’s slowly worked his way up my board through this entire process. Stewart got all the Combine headlines, but Jackson tested almost as well. He’s a freaky athlete with ideal measurables and solid college production. That’s a fantastic combination in a prospect. There are a few concerns with his ability to consistently win the outside shoulder, but everything else in his profile gives him an excellent floor. I expect he’ll be a Day 2 pick, probably a second-rounder, and could start right away if needed.

8: JT Tuimoloau, Ohio State

One of the most highly anticipated high school prospects of all time, Tuimoloau was a five-star and the top recruit in his class. His production has grown year-over-year, culminating in a 14-sack, 48-pressure senior season, helping lead Ohio State to the College Football Playoff national championship. He’s been a first-team All-Big 10 selection for three straight years, dominating on the biggest stages and being a leader for the Buckeyes on and off the field.

Tuimoloau stands at 6-5, 269 pounds, with prototypical NFL size and length. The power in this guy’s hands is remarkable — tackles are shocked back on contact, with Tuimoloau able to dictate a rep just through the pop on his initial contact alone. If you don’t play with proper anchor, Tuimoloau will go through your chest in an instant, as he plays with overpowering strength and leg drive on his pass rushes. This strength extends to the run game, where he can hold his side of the line and lock down rushing lanes at the point of attack.

With a solid bag of pass-rushing moves, Tuimoloau is equipped to deal with a variety of opposing tackles. He has nice spin, bull rush, ghost, and rip moves, among others, and he knows how to win the leverage battle. Physicality is the name of Tuimoloau’s game, as he uses his natural gifts well in conjunction with his high-level awareness and understanding of opposing schemes. He has the explosive get-off to win quickly and threaten the outside shoulder, and the lateral agility to jump back inside on a speedy counter move.

The limiting factors with Tuimoloau as a prospect are his lack of elite bend and his undisciplined hands. He struggles to bend the edge against NFL-caliber tackles, seeming to lack the ability to wrap around a tackle’s outside shoulder fast enough to consistently threaten quarterbacks. Tuimoloau is also still learning to chain pass-rush moves together and his hands can get sloppy, allowing tackles into his chest and stalling too many of his rushes. If he continues to grow in this area, his production should only improve.

What makes Tuimoloau such an exciting prospect is his floor — it’s hard to envision him not being, at worst, a strong No. 2 pass rusher with elite run defense. He’ll give you good sack and pressure production even if he never takes the next step as a more complete pass rusher. But if he does take that next step and plays with better hands, he’s got the athletic profile to pay it off.  There’s little chance he makes it outside the top 50 and he could sneak into the end of Round 1.

9: Bradyn Swinson, LSU

A transfer from Oregon who spent the first four years of his career as a situational pass rusher, Swinson had a monster breakout year in 2024. After three years in Eugene, he transferred to the Tigers in 2023, racking up 33 tackles, two sacks, two forced fumbles, and four passes defensed that year. His final year in college, he earned second-team All-SEC with 59 tackles, eight sacks, two forced fumbles, and three passes defensed. It was Swinson’s first season as a full-time starter and it changed his NFL outlook.

At 6-4, 255, Swinson has the frame to hold up at the next level. Long arms let him dictate contact on every snap, getting into the tackle’s chest and controlling the rep. With an explosive first step and devastating speed-to-power combo, Swinson is a master of getting the tackle off balance and countering off his initial move. He has the quick-twitch athleticism and change-of-direction ability to switch up his attack angle in an instant, capitalizing on any mistakes his opponent makes. If the tackle over-commits to either shoulder, Swinson can rip back to the other side before they can recover.

Expert hand usage is a product of Swinson’s developed set of pass-rush moves. He’s a master of hand-fighting to free himself and displace his opponent. He plays with natural leverage to get under the pads of the tackle, giving himself options for which moves to combine on any given play. Against the run, Swinson has great pursuit speed to chase plays from the backside, and his length lets him shed blockers at the point of attack to make tackles.

Swinson is often too aggressive, leaving himself exposed against misdirection and speedier running backs. He doesn’t play with proper gap discipline, chasing the splash play instead of staying true to his assignment. On occasion, bigger tackles can lock up his pass rush, and he’s not quite athletic enough to break free from the stronger tackles he faced in college.

Refined, productive, and athletic is a great combination when projecting to the next level. Swinson has some limitations to his game — and his struggles in run defense may confine him to a designated pass rusher role early in his career. But NFL teams covet the kind of game-breaking pass rushers Swinson can be, and that’ll have him come off the board early next week. As a Day 2 pick, he has a lot of upside in a team’s edge rusher rotation.

10: Princely Umanmielen, Ole Miss

A fifth-year senior and transfer from Florida, Umanmielen has shown steady improvement over his career. He showed flashes with the Gators, totaling 11.5 sacks between 2022-2023, but it was with the Rebels that he had his true breakout. This past season, Umanmielen was named first-team All-SEC and second-team All-America, with 58 pressures and 12 sacks in his best season in college.

At 6-4, 244, Umanmielen is a little smaller than you want your edge defenders built in the NFL. Still, he has a nasty combination of explosive speed and advanced pass-rush plans — Umanmielen knows how to win against experienced tackles and uses his first-step burst to create leverage he can exploit through hand-fighting. He’s another example of an edge rusher in this class with excellent bend, as he turns the corner well against some noteworthy competition in the SEC. When pursuing backside or downfield, Umanmielen plays with a relentless motor that doesn’t wane over the course of a game.

What separates Umanmielen from other prospects is not just his athleticism, but also the glimpses of an advanced pass-rush bag we see on tape. He has examples of spins, rips, pin-and-pulls, and more on film. There’s more he can add to his repertoire, but he has a vast, budding collection of moves to win with. He combines this with his versatility, capable of winning from multiple alignments, to be a devastating force on the defensive line.

For all Umanmielen’s athletic gifts, he’s still learning how to hand-fight. The moves he puts on tackles don’t always work because his hand usage isn’t disciplined. Leverage is a consistent issue for Umanmielen on tape, playing too high off the snap and letting the tackle control his chest. He also gets washed out against the run too often, either from being blocked out of the play or from overpursuing and losing the ball carrier.

Umanmielen is a great speed rusher prospect who should be in play for teams on Day 2. His combination of athleticism and flashes of technical upside gives him tantalizing potential. He’s been on a consistent upward trajectory his whole career, finally seeming to put it all together at Ole Miss in 2024. This is a loaded edge defender class, but Umanmielen brings a lot of valuable skills to the table and shouldn’t be overlooked.

The Next Ten

11 — Antwaun Powell-Ryland, Virginia Tech:

The 6-3, 258-pound Powell-Ryland has been among the most productive edge rushers in college football over the last two years. His pass-rush move set is among the best in the class, he’s a true technician from the position. He plays with exceptional leverage and knows how to work tackles, showcasing devastating combos of every move you can imagine. Solid against the run, Powell-Ryland tested extremely well at the Combine, flashing his explosive burst and long speed.

Length limitations show up on tape for Powell-Ryland, as he has short arms that longer tackles can exploit. For as well as he tested, you wouldn’t necessarily guess that based on the way he plays. He truly has some of the best burst off the line in this class, but for some reason looks a step slow on tape. When targeted in the run game, he gives ground, especially against double-teams. Powell-Ryland will likely be a Day 3 pick, but I think he has starter-level upside and could be one of the steals of the draft. There truly aren’t many more developed pass rushers in this class.

12 — Jordan Burch, Oregon:

A former five-star recruit and Columbia native who initially stayed home to play for South Carolina, Burch spent three years there before transferring to the Ducks for his last two. At 6-4, 279, he’s a big end who can play multiple positions on the defensive line. Power oozes off the tape with Burch, as he’s adept at collapsing the pocket and driving through offensive linemen. Speed is a big part of his game too, with the burst to threaten the edge and the chase plays down from the backside. He can win with speed or power in his pass rush, and he’s a solid run defender too.

Burch plays too high off the snap and that’s a big reason for his mediocre backfield production. He needs to learn to play with better leverage, and his hand-fighting techniques are underdeveloped as well. There’s a huge athletic payoff with Burch if he develops, but he’s not yet ready to hit that ceiling. It’ll take coaching and development to get him there.

13 — Mykel Williams, Georgia:

Built like a tank at 6-5, 260, Williams does his best work against the run, using his long frame and powerful leg drive to control the point of attack. He shuts down runs to his side of the field, sealing the edge and working back inside. Comfortable playing as both a down lineman and stand-up rusher, Williams can effectively rush the passer from the interior as well as the edge. The production isn’t spectacular, but he’s incredibly athletic, giving him major upside if he can develop. His strength is often enough to win reps on its own, and it’s made more dangerous by his impressive lateral agility.

Williams currently rushes the passer through his athletic gifts alone. He’s not a refined rusher, often slow off the snap despite his burst and failing to disengage from blockers. With a limited bag of moves, Williams is ineffective when trying to hand fight, stalling out on way too many reps. The payoff with him is a long way away, but he has a chance to go in the first round just based on his tools alone.

14 — Kyle Kennard, South Carolina:

A 6-4, 254-pound Georgia Tech transfer, Kennard is explosive off the edge and can win with his first step alone. Often the first defender moving off the snap, he wastes little time or movement, stepping straight into an advanced array of pass-rush moves, including rips, spins, cross-chops, step-throughs and one of the most devastating ghost moves you’ll ever see. He can line up in a variety of alignments and is capable of initiating his rushes from any of them. He’s a solid run defender who plays with good discipline.

Kennard’s not a terrible athletic player, and his play strength is of particular concern. This shows up most often in run support, especially when down blockers get their hands on him, but he can also get into trouble when rushing the passer. Tackles who can keep pace with his initial rush and get their hands on him can stymie his momentum, and he hasn’t developed a consistently reliable counter move yet to break contact and work back under the blocker’s other shoulder. He’ll be a designated pass rusher early in his career and probably selected early on Day 3.

15 — Ashton Gillotte, Louisville:

An old-school-style 6-3, 264-pound edge defender, Gillotte is big, strong, and fast. The explosive power in his hands and feet is evident on tape, shocking offensive linemen on contact and driving them back. He can close in a flash to make a tackle or finish a sack, using his speed to round the corner against a tackle or chase down from the backside. He has a decent set of moves he uses to beat tackles one-on-one, but his strength is what wins the day. When he drives into blockers, they move, and he can collapse the pocket consistently.

Gillotte isn’t the bendiest player, and he has some later agility limitations that show up in certain pass rush situations. Length is a concern, as well, with shorter arms that struggle to win positioning and maintain leverage throughout the rep. Lastly, his pass rush bag is still developing, and he could use more counters in his arsenal. But overall, Gillotte is one of the more underrated players in this class and should provide good value on Day 3.

16 — Jack Sawyer, Ohio State:

A 6-4, 260-pound Buckeye for life, Sawyer has a powerful frame and knows how to maximize it, using his strong lower half to hold the point of attack in the run game. When rushing the passer, he’s able to run through blockers, moving them off the line and discarding them to chase the quarterback. He plays with good leverage, too, getting under his opponents’ pads to create separation to conduct his moves. In run defense, he showcases good ability to shed blocks with a combination of hand-fighting and raw strength.

Sawyer isn’t a great athlete and his short arms are a problem against NFL-caliber tackles. He has limited lateral quickness and struggles to bend the edge, too often getting strung out by a tackle who can handle his power moves. He’s also not the fastest edge rusher, unable to win on speed alone. This forces him to spend time fighting through tackles instead of bending around them consistently, slowing his overall time to the quarterback. Sawyer is what he is for the most part, but he provides a lot of utility in run defense and can give you a few sacks each year through effort alone.

17 — Ahmed Hassanein, Boise State:

A 6-2, 267-pound prospect from Cairo, Hassanein is a master of exploiting leverage. He fires off the line of scrimmage, able to threaten the outside shoulder, and gets into the tackle’s pads to neutralize any potential length advantages. He works hard to initiate contact and can drive straight through his blocker, using his powerful leg drive to move people. The way he bends the edge is impressive at his size, particularly against the more nimble tackles he faced. Advanced hand-fighting techniques let him win consistently with a variety of moves, and he plays as hard as anyone on the field. In run defense, he sets a hard edge, with good production in that phase.

Hassanein is relatively new to the sport and is still learning a lot of technique as a result. His tackling form is inconsistent, failing to wrap up too often on tape. His pass rush arsenal is still in its infancy. Although he’s flashed great moves and hand discipline, he’s still learning to incorporate counters, string multiple moves together, and how to execute some of his newer tricks. With athletic upside and a rapidly evolving game, Hassanein is one of my favorite sleepers in this draft.

18 — Elijah Roberts, SMU:

A combo edge rusher/3-4 defensive end, Roberts stands at 6-4, 285 pounds. Against the run, he’s elite, holding his ground against double teams and routinely sealing his edge. He can work off blocks to make tackles and can drive individual blockers into the backfield, destroying play designs. In his pass rush, he plays with powerful hands to knock back his opponent and is a good hand-fighter, maintaining leverage and granting himself advantages throughout the rep. Speed-to-power is Roberts’ go-to move and it’s devastatingly effective, and he adds a number of counters off it to win in multiple ways.

Roberts doesn’t often threaten the outside shoulder of the tackle, usually winning through power or inside moves instead of around the edge. His pass-rush skillset could use some refinement, where a more varied set of attacks could be beneficial. He missed a lot of tackles in college, as well, raising concerns about his ability to finish plays in the NFL. Another mid-round pick, Roberts offers scheme versatility and a useful profile as a rotational piece in the NFL.

19 — Josaiah Stewart, Michigan:

A 6-1, 249-pound edge rusher from the Bronx, Stewart is exceptionally fast off the edge. He threatens the outside shoulder of the tackle immediately off the snap, with the burst to immediately win the rep if his opponent isn’t prepared. It’s not just speed with Stewart, though, as he’s a great hand-fighter who can win with a variety of moves. He wins with well-planned pass rush combos to take advantage of his opponents’ tendencies, using his hands to keep himself clean and execute.

Stewart lacks ideal length, and well-built tackles are able to keep him at bay. When he can’t get into the pads of the tackle, a lot of his moves are neutralized. For all his speed, flexibility and bend aren’t his calling cards, and he struggles to turn the corner quickly once he’s won the edge. Additionally, he gets washed out against the run by most offensive linemen, limiting his role at the next level. Still, as a designated pass rusher, Stewart can find a role in the NFL.

20 — David Walker, Central Arkansas:

A 6-1, 263-pound FCS superstar, Walker is athletic and explosive off the edge. He knows how to win with his hands, knocking away tackles’ arms to get into their chests and force them off balance. Once he does, he can trigger either way, with exceptional quickness in his feet to burn towards the quarterback. He plays with power well, creating movement on the line and converting speed-to-power effectively. With a solid track record against the run, that doesn’t appear to be a negative on film.

Walker has severe length limitations that could cap his ceiling in the NFL. Not only is he short for an edge defender, but he has short arms, limiting his ability to initiate contact and keep his chest clean. He lacks bend around the edge, as well, a concerning trend given his FCS competition level. Those two factors combined likely push him to the fifth or sixth round, but I like his technique and he plays a tough, gritty brand of football. I’m a fan of this kid and I think he can stick around in the league as a depth piece.