Edge Rushers

EDGE1: Abdul Carter, Penn State

Abdul Carter is a blazing-fast, high-upside edge rusher with elite bend and burst. A former off-ball linebacker, his instincts and range show up when spying QBs or reacting to misdirection. Carter wins often with speed around the corner and has a lightning-quick inside counter that keeps tackles guessing. His ability to dip, bend, and contort through contact is special, and when paired with his spin move and strong finishing through contact, he becomes a nightmare for slower-footed linemen. However, his lighter frame and below-average size led to inconsistent results when trying to shed blocks or stack against the run, and he ends up on the ground more than you'd like. While his block deconstruction needs work, he flashes enough strength and leverage to eventually grow into more of a well-rounded player. His ability to penetrate gaps and create chaos with speed alone makes him a constant threat against both the run and pass, even if he doesn’t always finish cleanly. Carter's explosiveness, motor, and natural pass rush tools make him one of the most dangerous defensive players in the class.

Grade: Round 1

EDGE2: Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M

Shemar Stewart is an edge rusher with elite size, strength, and athleticism that consistently flashes on tape. He possesses overwhelming power and explosiveness, often collapsing the pocket with poor technique simply due to his natural ability. His speed-to-power conversion is unreal, and his long-arm move is a true weapon. Stewart is dangerous on stunts, and he shows great burst and closing speed to make plays from the backside in the run game. However, his instincts and awareness are very inconsistent. He frequently overruns plays, struggles to disengage in time, and misreads direction. His hand usage is raw, his pad level varies, and his pass-rush plan remains underdeveloped—he wins off traits rather than technique. Still, Stewart's upside is undeniable. If he can add polish and discipline, he has the tools to become a game-wrecking presence. For now, he’s a traits-based projection who wins in flashes and frustrates just as often.

Grade: Round 1

EDGE3: Mykel Williams, Georgia

Mykel Williams is an edge rusher who displays great athleticism, length, and strong run defense. He’s explosive off the ball with a quick first step, and he consistently sets the edge using his length and strength. Williams shows good play speed, can chase runners down from the backside, and is a very reliable tackler in space. His ability to drop into coverage occasionally adds a touch of versatility, and he flashes a strong long-arm move and an inside-out speed counter that shows his pass-rush potential. However, his pass-rush consistency needs improvement. Outside of a couple go-to pass rush moves, his arsenal is very limited and often inefficient. His hand usage is messy, his bend is average, and his rushes frequently lack structure. Despite this, Williams’ blend of size, athleticism, and run-game reliability makes him a valuable contributor now, with the tools to grow into a more complete player if his pass-rush technique can continue to progress.

Grade: Round 1

EDGE4: Nic Scourton, Texas A&M

Nic Scourton is a well-rounded edge rusher with solid burst and a few standout tools that give him a great foundation to build on. He generates pressure consistently with his speed-to-power and has shown the ability to push the pocket. Scourton has a strong spin move, a quick swim against tight ends, and flashes a workable bull rush. His hand usage is improving, and he’s a dependable tackler who sheds blocks well to make plays against the run. He’s also shown comfort dropping into coverage, adding a bit of versatility to his profile. Against the run, he’s active but not the most instinctive—occasionally taking poor angles or getting displaced by pullers. His balance can falter on speed rushes, and while he flashes bend, he doesn’t always fight through contact with enough urgency. Still, Scourton's physical tools and flashes of pass-rush excellence suggest there's more untapped potential if he can be more consistent in the technical side of his game.

Grade: Round 2

EDGE5: Mike Green, Marshall

Mike Green is an explosive, high-motor edge rusher who wins with twitch, bend, and a surprisingly well-rounded pass-rush repertoire. He’s a natural mover with a quick first step and flashes impressive closing speed. His spin move is fantastic, and he’s capable of winning with inside counters, swim moves, and speed rushes off the edge. Green also shows solid bend and body control when looping on stunts or attacking the outside shoulder, and his athleticism leads to quality backside pursuit plays in the run game. While his frame is a bit undersized and limits his ability to consistently set the edge or anchor against stronger blockers, his strong hands and flashes of power allow him to hold his own at times. His run defense is inconsistent—he can get pushed around or lose edge discipline—but he also has reps where he sheds blocks and finishes plays with violence. His instincts and awareness are still a work in progress, but his athletic tools and pass-rushing creativity could make him a disruptive defensive piece. Green may not be a true No. 1 edge rusher, but he’s the kind of high-energy presence who can thrive as a complementary rusher.

Grade: Round 2

EDGE6: James Pearce Jr, Tennessee

James Pearce is a lightning-quick edge rusher with elite play speed, burst, and change of direction that consistently pops on tape. He thrives as a speed rusher with the bend, body control, and agility to threaten the edge. There are flashes of a long-arm move and speed-to-power conversion, and his athleticism allows him to loop effectively on stunts and occasionally drop into coverage. Most of Pearce’s issues stem from his lack of functional strength, which limits his ability to shed blocks and hold up against the run. He can be moved off his spot, sometimes even by tight ends, and struggles to generate consistent power as a pass rusher. His instincts are still developing, and his finishing is inconsistent due to numerous missed tackles. Still, the raw tools are promising. Pearce may not be a true three-down player yet, but his pass-rushing upside as a speed threat is real, and his best football is likely ahead of him.

Grade: Round 2

EDGE7: Landon Jackson, Arkansas

Landon Jackson is a long, well-built edge rusher who brings a strong foundation as a run defender. He's great at setting the edge, plays with good leverage, and effectively uses his length to shed blocks and finish tackles. Jackson shows a quick first step and flashes power when slanting or working a bull rush, but he lacks the explosiveness to consistently win around the edge. His pass rush arsenal is limited, and he struggles to generate force behind his moves or stay balanced when trying to bend. While he occasionally shows great promise as a pass rusher with moves like a cross-chop or inside counter, his pass rushing remains unrefined. Jackson may not be the most dynamic athlete, but his combination of size, strength, and technique give him a great floor with the potential to develop into a more well-rounded reliable starter.

Grade: Round 2

EDGE8: Josaiah Stewart, Michigan

Josaiah Stewart is an undersized but explosive edge rusher with a quick first step, advanced hand usage, and relentless energy. While he lacks the ideal size and bend of a top-tier pass rusher, he wins with twitch, technique, and the ability to convert speed into disruption. Stewart thrives as a speed rusher, often gaining early advantages with leverage and timing. His pass rush plan is still a work in progress, but he flashes enough nuance and urgency to consistently threaten tackles. Despite his smaller frame, Stewart is a technically sound and surprisingly stout run defender. He holds up well against linemen, sheds blocks with clean hand placement, and plays with discipline down the line. His play strength is serviceable, though his power as a pass rusher remains inconsistent. That said, Stewart’s lack of size and limited bend could cap his upside as a pass rusher and make it harder for him at the next level. Still, his effort, explosiveness, and sound technique give him a real path to outplay his frame and grow into a more complete player.

Grade: Round 2

EDGE9: David Walker, Central Arkansas

David Walker is an explosive, athletic edge rusher with amazing bend and closing speed who dominated FCS competition with his natural tools. His quick first step and ability to run the arc make him a dangerous speed rusher capable of creating disruption. He plays with strong pursuit and effort, flashing range and a high motor, along with some functional power on his bull rush when he stays low. That said, Walker remains technically raw. He can play too upright, often lacks a clear pass rush plan, and gets knocked off balance by more technically refined blockers. His run defense is also inconsistent—his instincts and gap integrity need work, and while he flashes strength and block shedding, he can get washed down or end up on the ground when he misreads his keys. Walker’s athletic ceiling is incredible, but significant development is needed in technique, discipline, and consistency to earn a long-term NFL role.

Grade: Round 3

EDGE10: Princely Umanmielen, Ole Miss

Princely Umanmielen is a twitchy edge rusher with exceptional play speed and one of the top pure speed rushes in the class. His first-step explosiveness and ability to consistently run the arc puts constant pressure on offensive tackles, and he also shows versatility as a dropper in coverage. When his timing and technique align, he has the burst to create big-play disruption. That said, Umanmielen’s game leans heavily on speed, with the rest of his profile still developing. He lacks functional strength, particularly against the run, and his inconsistent tackling and finishing often lead to missed sack opportunities. While Umanmielen is a great speed rusher, his limited power makes him easier to neutralize when his initial burst doesn’t win. Umanmielen has amazing speed-rush upside and can be a weapon in passing situations, but concerns about his size, strength, and run defense will likely limit him to a designated pass rusher role in his career unless he develops a more well-rounded game.

Grade: Round 3

EDGE11: Ashton Gillotte, Louisville

Ashton Gillotte is a technically sound edge rusher who brings solid play strength and consistency against the run. Though not the most explosive off the snap, he flashes solid hand usage when working to the quarterback and against the run. His speed rush can be effective, and while his bend and lateral quickness are both serviceable, they’re not difference-making. He’s shown flashes of a rip and swim move, but his pass rush plan often lacks cohesion, and he struggles to finish plays due to poor tackling. Against the run, Gillotte is more impressive—he holds his ground well for his size, maintains gap integrity, and consistently sheds blocks with proper extension and leverage. His strength is solid, but his power rush lacks consistency. He can occasionally surprise with a strong bull rush or a good rep on stunts, but these flashes aren’t common enough to be in the top tier of edge rushers. Overall, Gillotte profiles as a dependable run defender with the tools to contribute in a rotation. If his pass rush and finishing continue to develop, he has a chance to become a well-rounded starter in the league.

Grade: Round 3

EDGE12: Kyle Kennard, South Carolina

Kyle Kennard is an athletic edge rusher with strong explosiveness and impressive bend. His quick first step and burst make him a legitimate threat as a speed rusher, and he shows good closing speed in pursuit. While Kennard flashes solid technique and hand usage—especially when shedding blocks—his game is marked by inconsistency. He struggles with functional strength and often plays too high, which causes him to lose leverage and limits his ability to disengage or anchor against the run. His tackling and overall run defense are inconsistent, but there are promising flashes of lateral agility and playmaking ability in run support. Ultimately, Kennard’s ceiling is intriguing thanks to his tools and athletic upside, but his development will hinge on improving his strength, consistency, and overall polish. Right now, he projects best as a developmental rotational edge rusher with the potential to grow into a starting-caliber defender.

Grade: Round 3

EDGE13: Jordan Burch, Oregon

Jordan Burch is a well-built edge rusher with solid size and flashes of power. He plays with good technique, especially in the run game, showing the ability to shed blocks and finish as a reliable tackler. His lateral quickness and flashes of strength allow him to disrupt runs and hold his ground at the point of attack. As a pass rusher, Burch shows flashes of effectiveness with speed moves and the ability to bend, especially for a player his size. However, his lack of explosiveness and play speed limit his ability to win quickly or consistently. He doesn’t always play to his size or strength, often getting overpowered or failing to finish reps with urgency. He also has stretches where his effort and physical demeanor taper off, leading to a passive playstyle that undermines his natural tools. Burch has the tools to be a productive rotational defender, particularly in a hybrid edge/interior role, but his lack of burst, inconsistent physicality, and up-and-down motor make him more of a developmental player than a plug-and-play contributor.

Grade: Round 3

EDGE14: JT Tuimoloau, Ohio State

JT Tuimoloau is a big, physical edge rusher with the size and strength to hold up well against the run. He plays with solid leverage and flashes the ability to shed blocks, showing several strong reps setting the edge and making tackles in pursuit. His hand usage and technique are sound, and he can show effectiveness as a rusher with long-arm moves or inside counters. However, his overall athletic profile is limited—he lacks explosiveness, bend, and top-end speed off the edge. As a pass rusher, he struggles to consistently generate pressure, and his instincts and awareness remain questionable. He’s often slow to react, gets overpowered, or fails to disengage, leading to missed opportunities. While Tuimoloau has the frame and flashes of power to contribute in the league, his lack of explosiveness and overall consistency likely cap his ceiling as a rotational defender unless he can further develop his game.

Grade: Round 4

EDGE15: Jared Ivey, Ole Miss

Jared Ivey is a powerful edge rusher with the size, length, and strength to hold up well in the run game. He consistently plays with good gap integrity and puts together impressive reps of block-shedding, especially when using his hands to extend and disengage. Ivey is a sound, physical tackler and flashes solid lateral quickness for his frame. His hand usage is a clear strength—he shows a reliable club and swim move and can win with technique even without top-tier athleticism. However, Ivey lacks explosiveness, bend, and play speed, which limits his pass-rushing ceiling and effectiveness in space. His power rush is underwhelming for someone with his frame, and he tends to play too high at times, leading to leverage issues. While he may never be a high-impact pass rusher, his size, intelligence, and strength give him a clear path to a rotational role as a hybrid edge/interior defender—especially if he becomes more consistent with his pad level.

Grade: Round 4

EDGE16: Bradyn Swinson, LSU

Bradyn Swinson is an explosive edge rusher with flashes of both speed and power in his game. He has a quick first step and shows good strength when executing a bull rush with proper leverage. His hand usage is generally effective, and he flashes both inside counters and speed rush potential when he times things up well. However, inconsistency plagues nearly every part of his game. He plays high too often, struggles with block recognition—especially against pullers—and frequently loses sight of the ball, leading to missed tackles and blown opportunities. His bend, instincts, and tackling are all underwhelming, and his run defense suffers from poor technique and slow reaction time. Swinson’s physical tools and flashes as both a speed and power rusher make him intriguing, but without more consistency, he projects best as a developmental rotational piece with solid upside.

Grade: Round 4

EDGE17: Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College

Donovan Ezeiruaku is a long edge rusher with flashes of impressive bend, but he's one of the more puzzling evaluations in this class. At his best, he shows an excellent speed rush with real flexibility, and he’s capable of creating quick pressure. He’s a consistent tackler who shows good effort in pursuit and adds value with his ability to drop into coverage. However, Ezeiruaku struggles with consistency in almost every phase. He plays too high, loses balance due to a narrow base, and has frequent issues with hand placement despite his length. His reaction time is inconsistent, and he too often bites hard on fakes or loses track of the ball, which limits his reliability in the run game. He’s not very explosive or fast in space, and his pass rush lacks power even when he does time things up. That said, the flashes of impressive bend and occasional technical wins suggest there's something to work with if a team can make him a consistent performer. Right now, he's a developmental edge with some traits you can't teach—but a lot you need to fix.

Grade: Round 4

EDGE18: Sai'vion Jones, LSU

Sai’vion Jones is a massive edge rusher who flashes solid raw power. Though his get-off can be a step slow and his footwork and hand usage are inconsistent, he stays active and plays with enough strength to occasionally overwhelm blockers—especially when converting speed to power. His bull rush can collapse the pocket, and he’s shown flashes of success on speed rushes from wide alignments. However, his inconsistent hand placement and tendency to play too high limit his ability to unlock that strength consistently. He struggles in the run game, often due to below-average lateral agility and inconsistent pad level. He can set the edge and shed blocks when he has a good base, but he’s been overpowered by double teams and pullers, and his run-fit discipline wavers. Despite those concerns, Jones has the size, strength, and flashes of disruption to be a developmental rotational piece who could contribute in a limited role.

Grade: Round 5

EDGE19: Tyler Batty, BYU

Tyler Batty is a big, strong edge rusher who flashes power and physicality but lacks the athletic traits and consistency to be a high-level impact player. His get-off can be quick at times, and he’s shown some decent juice when converting speed to power. He has moments of success with cross chops, long-arms, and inside counters. Despite some pass rush success, Batty is stiff and struggles to bend or move with flexibility, limiting his ability to finish cleanly. Against the run, his effort and strength show up occasionally, but he’s inconsistent with gap discipline and has been caught overcommitting or getting pushed back at the point of attack. He also shows awareness lapses, particularly in setting the edge and reacting to misdirection. Batty's ability to drop into coverage and show some short-area quickness is a surprising plus for his size, and he’s had several high-effort pressures. While he’s not a standout athlete, his size, strength, and flashes as a pass rusher give him value as a depth option with rotational upside—especially if he can improve his technique and run discipline.

Grade: Round 5

EDGE20: Jack Sawyer, Ohio State

Jack Sawyer is a strong, stout edge rusher who flashes power at the point of attack. His bull rush can collapse the pocket, and his strength helps him hold up against the run when playing with sound technique. He’s shown the ability to shed blocks and make plays when at his best, and his effort and physicality stand out in flashes. However, Sawyer’s athletic profile is limited. He lacks length, burst off the ball, and fluidity around the edge, which caps his upside as a pass rusher. His hand usage is inconsistent, and his pass rush moves often lack polish. He struggles to bend, and his speed rush rarely poses a threat. While he shows decent run defense at times, his technique and pad level frequently break down, especially when facing pullers or combo blocks. Sawyer’s strength and flashes of run defense provide a foundation, but his limited athleticism and polish make him more of a depth piece with rotational potential.

Grade: Round 5