The 2025 NFL Draft is right around the corner, and with the marquee weekend of the offseason less than two weeks away, the hype and excitement surrounding this year's event is already heating up.
In the meantime, we're going to take a look at some position groups in this year's class while examining a handful of names to know. Here's what we've covered so far:
We'll continue with this year's class of edge rushers. Previous spotlights have focused on six prospects to know at each position, but considering that a handful of the edge rushers mentioned below will likely hear their names called early in Round 1, here's a look at 10 of the top pass-rushers in this year's class.
Ten Names to Know
Depending on where you look, the various experts from around the web have identified a handful of players who are widely considered the top edge rusher prospects in this year's class.
Here's a look at 10 players to know.
Abdul Carter – Penn State
Measurables: 6-foot-3, 250 pounds
Snapshot: One of the top players in all of college football last year, Carter led the FBS with 23.5 tackles-for-loss in 16 games. He's in contention to be the first player selected in the draft, and he'll almost certainly hear his name called within the top five.
Big Board Rankings:
Pro Football Focus (Post-Combine): No. 2 overall (No. 1 EDGE)
Daniel Jeremiah (NFL.com) Top 50 (April 2): No. 1 overall (No. 1 EDGE)
Dane Brugler (The Athletic) Top 100: No. 2 overall (No. 1 EDGE)
Expert Analysis:
NFL.com: "Carter is an electric edge rusher. He has average height and bulk, but he has an ELITE burst and his ability to flatten at the top of his rush is special…Overall, Carter can take over and completely wreck an offensive game plan. He demands attention on every snap and that is going to free up everyone else around him."
PFF: "It's hard not to see some Micah Parsons in Carter, who not only wears the same No. 11 but also pops off the screen nearly every play due to being a rare caliber athlete. If he can get even stronger, he has All-Pro potential as a player worthy of a top-five pick."
The Athletic: "Overall, Carter is a disruptive presence, because of his explosive nature and how he mixes up his rushes to win with speed, force and a budding arsenal of moves. He projects as a 1A pass rusher, with a gift for consistently making the quarterback move his feet and making plays in the run game."
For more on Carter, check out his draft profile at NFL.com.
Jalon Waker – Georgia
Measurables: 6-foot-1, 243 pounds
Snapshot: A versatile defender who won the Butkus Award last season as the nation's top linebacker, Walker led the Bulldogs in tackles-for-loss (10.5) and sacks (6.5) in 2024.
Big Board Rankings:
Pro Football Focus (Post-Combine): No. 28 overall (No. 2 LB)
Daniel Jeremiah (NFL.com) Top 50 (April 2): No. 5 overall (No. 2 EDGE)
Dane Brugler (The Athletic) Top 100: No. 5 overall (No. 2 EDGE)
Expert Analysis:
NFL.com: "Walker is a compact, powerful defender with length and explosiveness. He played both on and off the ball in the Georgia defensive scheme, but he's at his best on the edge…Overall, Walker is a tone-setter on defense and UGA coaches rave about his makeup and leadership."
PFF: "Walker is a physically and athletically gifted player who presents box presence versatility as an off-ball linebacker."
The Athletic: "[Walker] is at his best using his long, sleek athleticism to explode downhill and close at the top of his rush to affect the quarterback. There is projection involved with his evaluation, but his pass-rush upside and overall versatility make him one of the best talents in the class."
For more on Walker, check out his draft profile at NFL.com.
Mike Green – Marshall
Measurables: 6-foot-3, 251 pounds
Snapshot: A Second-Team Associated Press All-American who led the FBS in sacks (17) and ranked second in tackles-for-loss (22.5), Green was among the most disruptive defenders in all of college football last season.
Big Board Rankings:
Pro Football Focus (Post-Combine): No. 12 overall (No. 2 EDGE)
Daniel Jeremiah (NFL.com) Top 50 (April 2): No. 21 overall (No. 3 EDGE)
Dane Brugler (The Athletic) Top 100: No. 10 overall (No. 4 EDGE)
Expert Analysis:
NFL.com: "Green was an ultra-explosive and productive edge rusher for the Thundering Herd. He jumped on the radar with an outstanding performance against Ohio State in September and continued to dominate through the entire campaign. He's continued to add weight over the last year and checked in at over 250 pounds at the Reese's Senior Bowl…Overall, Green is a very gifted pass rusher and more than holds his own against the run."
PFF: "Green absolutely dominated the way you'd want a future NFL player to with elite pass-rush and run-defense grades in addition to high-90th-percentile numbers in win rate and run stops."
The Athletic: "Overall, Green is a twitchy athlete with the burst and body control to win one-on-one as a pass rusher and set a violent edge in the run game…He is one of the top pass-rush prospects in the draft class, with the disruptive ability to be an NFL starter."
For more on Green, check out his draft profile at NFL.com.
Mykel Williams – Georgia
Measurables: 6-foot-5, 260 pounds
Snapshot: Williams recorded 8.5 tackles-for-loss and five sacks last season in 12 games despite playing through an injury all year long that he suffered in Week 1. He earned Second-Team All-SEC honors for his efforts.
Big Board Rankings:
Pro Football Focus (Post-Combine): No. 26 overall (No. 5 EDGE)
Daniel Jeremiah (NFL.com) Top 50 (April 2): No. 22 overall (No. 4 EDGE)
Dane Brugler (The Athletic) Top 100: No. 21 overall (No. 5 EDGE)
Expert Analysis:
NFL.com: "Williams is a talented edge rusher with rare physical traits. Unfortunately, he suffered an injury in the opening game against Clemson and played through pain for the remainder of the season. When healthy, he has a dynamic get-off and can win early from the edge or when he's reduced inside…Overall, the 2024 tape isn't a fair representation of Williams' talent. He has game-changing tools when healthy and locked in."
PFF: "Williams is a long, strong, versatile edge prospect whose motor is always running hot…His floor as an elite run defender is so high, and his build is so alluring, that he's worth taking the chance on in that range for a team running odd or even fronts."
The Athletic: "The individual traits (length, strength, explosiveness), promising toughness and football character are reasons to bet on his upside. Similar in ways to Jason Pierre-Paul, he projects as an NFL starter on the edge."
For more on Williams, check out his draft profile at NFL.com.
Donovan Ezeiruaku – Florida State
Measurables: 6-foot-2, 248 pounds
Snapshot: The recipient of the Ted Hendricks Award in 2024 as the top defensive end in the nation, Ezeiruaku racked up 16.5 sacks and 20 tackles-for-loss in 12 games last season.
Big Board Rankings:
Pro Football Focus (Post-Combine): No. 15 overall (No. 3 EDGE)
Daniel Jeremiah (NFL.com) Top 50 (April 2): No. 25 overall (No. 5 EDGE)
Dane Brugler (The Athletic) Top 100: No. 22 overall (No. 6 EDGE)
Expert Analysis:
NFL.com: "Ezeiruaku is a compact edge rusher with outstanding length, burst and production…He's an outstanding finisher (16.5 sacks in 2024)…Overall, Ezeiruaku has an ideal body type to rush the passer, and he has all the tricks in his bag to win against good players."
PFF: "His quick, smooth style paired with high football IQ and some very nice bend make him an ideal 3-4 pass rush type of defender to draft on Day 2."
The Athletic: "Rushing the passer is his calling card, and he has the arc acceleration, body flexibility and long, active arms to break down the balance of blockers. He has NFL starter level talent, and his tape says he is more than a DPR (designated pass rusher)."
For more on Ezeiruaku, check out his draft profile at NFL.com.
James Pearce Jr. – Tennessee
Measurables: 6-foot-5, 245 pounds
Snapshot: A First-Team All-SEC selection in 2024, Pearce led the Volunteers in tackles-for-loss (13) and sacks (7.5) last season. His 23% "pass-rush win rate," as calculated by Pro Football Focus, ranked second among all FBS edge rushers with at least 250 pass-rush snaps.
Big Board Rankings:
Pro Football Focus (Post-Combine): No. 23 overall (No. 4 EDGE)
Daniel Jeremiah (NFL.com) Top 50 (April 2): No. 26 overall (No. 6 EDGE)
Dane Brugler (The Athletic) Top 100: No. 36 overall (No. 7 EDGE)
Expert Analysis:
NFL.com: "Pearce is a long, lean edge rusher. The Volunteers moved him around in their scheme and he created havoc from a variety of entry points. His first three steps are very explosive when he's rushing off the edge. For such a lean-framed player, he can generate a lot of pocket push with his bull rush…Overall, Pearce has double-digit sack potential and should make an immediate impact in the league."
PFF: "Pearce is the kind of athlete with the production and disruption scores you don't let out of the first round. His twitchy movements show difference-making NFL traits that can be situational at worst and All-Pro at best."
The Athletic: "His blend of explosiveness and power creates consistent disruption as a pass rusher. He shows promise in the run game, too. If he works to maximize his talent, he will be a productive pro."
For more on Pearce, check out his draft profile at NFL.com.
Shemar Stewart – Texas A&M
Measurables: 6-foot-5, 267 pounds
Snapshot: Stewart racked up 39 pressures for the Aggies last season, and while he never recorded more than 1.5 sacks in a season during his time in college, his athletic traits indicate a bright future in the NFL.
Big Board Rankings:
Pro Football Focus (Post-Combine): No. 27 overall (No. 6 EDGE)
Daniel Jeremiah (NFL.com) Top 50 (April 2): No. 27 overall (No. 7 EDGE)
Dane Brugler (The Athletic) Top 100: No. 9 overall (No. 3 EDGE)
Expert Analysis:
NFL.com: "Stewart is a long, dynamic and athletic edge rusher…He has a very explosive first step and uses his long-arm move to run offensive tackles back to the passer. He bends well at the top of his rush for such a big edge defender. He has an outstanding closing burst once he clears the tackle."
PFF: "Stewart is a scheme-versatile, high-potential athlete who is still working on winning his reps with technique and discipline as much as athletic ability."
The Athletic: "He has a rare combination of talent and motor to be a game-wrecker against both the pass and the run. His best football is ahead of him."
For more on Stewart, check out his draft profile at NFL.com.
Nic Scourton – Texas A&M
Measurables: 6-foot-3, 257 pounds
Snapshot: Scourton led the Aggies in tackles-for-loss (14) and sacks (5) last season, earning All-SEC honors in the process.
Big Board Rankings:
Pro Football Focus (Post-Combine): No. 33 overall (No. 7 EDGE)
Daniel Jeremiah (NFL.com) Top 50 (April 2): No. 49 overall (No. 9 EDGE)
Dane Brugler (The Athletic) Top 100: No. 59 overall (No. 12 EDGE)
Expert Analysis:
NFL.com: "Scourton is a thick/square edge rusher. He was a highly productive pass rusher at Purdue (10 sacks in 2023) before joining Texas A&M for the 2024 season. He has torque and power as a rusher. He also possesses a nifty inside spin and an effective chop/rip move to win one-on-one matchups."
PFF: "Scourton brings an alluring combination of overall size and pass-rush moves to the edge spot, which gives him ideal versatility for 3-4 or 4-3 fronts."
The Athletic: "Overall, Scourton is a banshee of the edge, with the quickness and power to work half-a-man and wear down blockers…His aggressive worker-bee play style should translate to starting snaps in the NFL."
For more on Scourton, check out his draft profile at NFL.com.
Landon Jackson – Arkansas
Measurables: 6-foot-6, 264 pounds
Snapshot: Jackson was an All-SEC selection in each of the last two seasons, combining to tally 23 tackles-for-loss and 13 sacks in that time.
Big Board Rankings:
Pro Football Focus (Post-Combine): No. 42 overall (No. 8 EDGE)
Daniel Jeremiah (NFL.com) Top 50 (April 2): No. 46 overall (No. 8 EDGE)
Dane Brugler (The Athletic) Top 100: No. 47 overall (No. 9 EDGE)
Expert Analysis:
NFL.com: "Jackson has outstanding size (6-6, 264), length and explosion. As a pass rusher, he utilizes a long-arm move to notch wins in the backfield. He has a nice burst to close and finish. I love his effort…He has climbed up the rankings this offseason with an awesome performance in the Reese's Senior Bowl game and an impressive showing at the combine."
PFF: "Jackson is a fundamentally sound player with alluring length and surprising cornering ability for a player of his size. His overall pass-rush win percentage has been low throughout his career, which presents him as a high-floor, versatile defensive end who can be a solid starter for odd or even fronts."
The Athletic: "His raw power, strength in his hands and consistent effort make him effective. He should be expected to compete for starter-level snaps as a rookie."
For more on Jackson, check out his draft profile at NFL.com.
J.T. Tuimoloau – Ohio State
Measurables: 6-foot-4, 265 pounds
Snapshot: A First-Team All-Big 10 selection in each of the last three years, Tuimoloau ranked third in the FBS with 21.5 tackles-for-loss in 2024. He also notched 12.5 sacks, three passes defensed and two forced fumbles.
Big Board Rankings:
Pro Football Focus (Post-Combine): No. 52 overall (No. 11 EDGE)
Daniel Jeremiah (NFL.com) Top 50 (April 2): Not Ranked
Dane Brugler (The Athletic) Top 100: No. 43 overall (No. 8 EDGE)
Expert Analysis:
PFF: "Tuimoloau presents a good floor for an edge rusher in a 4-3 defensive front."
The Athletic: "He is competitive, skilled and doesn't have major deficiencies that would keep him from being a dependable edge presence in the NFL. He is one of the most well rounded defensive prospects in the class."
For more on Tuimoloau, check out his draft profile at NFL.com.
