Zak Drapeau's Top 10 Edge Rushers 2025 NFL Draft
- Zak Drapeau
- Apr 8
- 6 min read
Always a focused on position, the Edge prospects this year are an odd bunch compared to past years. There are several very high potential impact players but most have a low floor as well. Several players had low college production but tested well, several have great profiles but character concerns and even more are scheme-dependent.
That being said, due to positional value and the natural athletes that come with the position, these prospects are incredibly talented and we should see all 10 go in Rounds 1 and 2.
The standout in this class is Abdul Carter who will go Top-5 but beyond him, there can be a case made for no other Edge being a Round 1 lock.
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1. Abdul Carter
Penn State 6'3" 250 lbs.
Big Board Rank: 2
Archetype: All-Around 3-4 OLB
Abdul Carter has a chance to be only the third non-QB drafted at #1 in the last decade. Carter's blend of raw power and athleticism make him a cant-miss prospect. Carter's injuries since the CFP are a bit worrisome but none have seemed to linger. Carter will be an immediate impact player in the NFL and will tally double-digit sacks from his first or second year and then many more after that. His experience at off-ball linebacker make him a complete player who can drop back into coverage on multiple sets or rush the passer from as an OLB or even 4-3 DE if needed even though his best utilization will come from the 3-4.
Pro Comp: Shades of Von Miller
Draft Projection: Top-4 Picks
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2. Mike Green
Marshall 6'3" 251 lbs.
Big Board Rank: 18
Archetype: 3-4 OLB
Green's production at Marshall was insane from a hurries-to-sack perspective, leading the nation this season with 17 sacks. Top-end pass rushers have the same trajectory as Green did including a terrific showing at the Senior Bowl. Green has some off-field concerns with 2 claims of sexual assault against him whilst he was at Virginia that Green has denied. His talent is well-documented but his past may have him drop into the 2nd round depending on how teams view these allegations and what it means to his character.
Pro Comp: Brian Burns
Draft Projection: Round 1
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3. James Pearce Jr.
Tennessee 6'3" 245 lbs.
Big Board Rank: 19
Another fantastic athlete pushed down boards because of character concerns, Pearce Jr. may be the best edge talent in the draft. Coming into the season JPJ was the #1 prospect but had a tough Junior season because of double teams and "an attitude of being better than and above the university." A big ego and lack of maturity shouldn't be too big of a deal as long as he backs it up and with 21 sacks and 71 hurries in the past two seasons combined with a great athletic showing at the NFL Combine and Pearce Jr. should still be amongst the cream of the crop at the Edge position.
Archetype: Speed Rushing 3-4 OLB
Pro Comp: Nik Bonitto
Draft Projection: Round 1-2
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4. Shemar Stewart
Texas A&M 6'5" 267 lbs.
Big Board Rank: 20
Archetype: Athletic 4-3 DE
In the position that houses the best athletes, Shemar Stewart walks away with the best athleticism of the draft. With incredible reach, position bests in vert and broad jump and the 2nd best 40-time, Stewart also tested outstandingly in Senior Bowl 1-on-1s. Stewart played at 290 at Texas A&M but tested at under 270 so he'll likely be best at Defensive End but could likely line up at 3-4 OLB or even 3-4 DE in a pinch. With only 4 sacks in 2 years, Stewart is more of a project based on his athleticism but should become a force within a year or two in the NFL.
Pro Comp: Travon Walker
Draft Projection: Round 1
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5. Mykel Williams
Georgia 6'5" 260 lbs.
Big Board Rank: 25
Archetype: Run Stopping 4-3 DE
Another projection for the Georgia D-End, Mykel Williams' best traits come from his size. At 6'5" with 34.5" arms, Williams has pro-ready abilities to stand up against the run and plug holes against the run. If Williams can learn some pass rush moves utilizing his size he could become one of the biggest mismatches in the league. At his absolute floor, Williams will be a good rotational piece on 1st and 2nd downs but at his ceiling he could be one of the best pass-run edge defenders in the league.
Pro Comp: Marshawn Kneeland
Draft Projection: Round 1
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6. Donovan Ezeiruaku
Boston College 6'2" 248 lbs.
Big Board Rank: 35
Archetype: Finesse 3-4 OLB
Another standout from this past season, Ezeiruaku had his best of 3 very good season at Boston College with 14 sacks. A lack of strength may hinder his ability to line up in a 3-point stance. His bend, agility and speed will make him a force to stop even in the NFL though evident from his sub-7 second 3C; best of any edge in the class and by some margin.
Pro Comp: B.J. Ojulari
Draft Projection: Late 1st-Early 2nd
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7. Nic Scourton
Texas A&M 6'3" 257 lbs.
Big Board Rank: 38
Archetype: All-Around Rushing 4-3 DE
Scourton's transfer to Texas A&M and the SEC was good to get him used to better competition but also hurt his production, going from 8 sacks last year to 4 this year. Scourton also didn't have the overwhelming Combine I expected him to but he is still a very intriguing Edge prospect with good strength and athleticism and versatility along the D-line. His potential is certainly a good edge rusher with multi-sack potential but his floor is just a bit too low for me to put him near the Top-5.
Pro Comp: Shaq Lawson
Draft Projection: Round 2-3
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8. J.T. Tuimoloau
Ohio State 6'4" 265 lbs.
Big Board Rank: 47
Archetype: Power Rushing 4-3 DE
For the Ohio State rushers, I have Tuimoloau a bit higher because of his power rushing upside. J.T. was Top-5 in sacks this season with 15 while adding 22 QB hurries. Tuimoloau is one of the best pure power rushers in the class with violent hands and above average run defense too. Tuimoloau chose to come back to school this year along with so many other Buckeyes to pursue a championship and was a major reason Ohio State did just that. Tui's experience at only 22 years old will set him apart from many players and his absolute floor is very high.
Pro Comp: Kwity Paye
Draft Projection: Round 2
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9. Jack Sawyer
Ohio State 6'4" 260 lbs.
Big Board Rank: 55
Archetype: Off-Ball/Rush Hybrid OLB
Just below Tuimoloau is Jack Sawyer, the other side to Ohio State's dominant pass rush. As an off-ball linebacker/edge hybrid, Sawyer has progressed nicely in his 4 years at Ohio State. Like J.T., Sawyer could've came out last year but stayed for a Championship but may have hurt his stock in doing so after a weaker Senior season than his Junior campaign. A fumble-recovery TD may have been the highlight play of the CFP but some concerns of Sawyer's edge potential has been raised. Whether he projects best to a Will LB or a 3-4 edge rusher or something in between, Sawyer is a great athlete and a proven winner who will be as impactful on the field as he will in the locker room.
Pro Comp: Sam Hubbard
Draft Projection: Round 2-3
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10. Princely Umanmielen
Ole Miss 6'4" 244 lbs.
Big Board Rank: 72
Archetype: Power Rushing 3-4 OLB
Umanmielen is very similar to Tuimoloau as an edge rusher who can do 1 particular thing very very well. As a 3-4 power rushing OLB, Umanmielen has the potential to a 10+ sack guy for years to come. What drops him a bit on that list is the fact he will be able to line up at almost no other position at least for now. Umanmielen's twitch and athleticism allow him to get a great jump off the ball and then his strength and motor give him a NFL-ready bull rush. His bag may need some improvement without a special swim or rip move but that may come in time. If you are a 3-4 scheme defense, Umanmielen could be a steal in Round 3.
Pro Comp: Boye Mafe
Draft Projection: Round 2-3
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Make sure to stay tuned as we continue coverage of the 2025 NFL Draft. LB Prospects dropping tomorrow!
-Z.D.
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