In this article I will be going over my rankings for the top edge rushers in this draft class. Note that Jalon Walker I have listed as a linebacker, so he will not be on this list. I have done extensive work scouting this draft class and these are the results I came out with, so let’s dive in.
1. Abdul Carter – Penn State
Age: 21 | Height/Weight: 6’3″, 250 lbs
2024 Stats: 12 sacks, 24 TFLs
Value: Top 5 Pick
Abdul Carter is the prototype of the modern NFL pass rusher—a freak athlete with terrifying closing speed and violent explosion off the snap. He’s got the first-step quickness to stress tackles immediately, and once he gains a half-step, it’s game over. What really separates Carter is how well he converts speed to power—his hips are loaded with torque, allowing him to deliver jarring hits that frequently lead to turnovers.
His spatial awareness stands out too. He consistently sniffs out screens and blows up outside runs before they develop. While some raw athletes rely solely on traits, Carter has a growing pass rush bag, mixing speed, dip, and inside counters to keep linemen guessing.
That said, he could still use refinement—his hand usage isn’t elite, and he occasionally gets stuck if his initial move is stuffed. His arm length is also slightly below prototype standards, and he doesn’t have overwhelming raw strength, which limits his bull rush potential.
Still, the upside here is outrageous. Carter is a top-tier athlete with rare explosiveness and the mindset to match. If he continues to sharpen his technique, he has franchise pass rusher written all over him.
2. James Pearce Jr. – Tennessee
Age: 21 | Height/Weight: 6’5″, 245 lbs
2024 Stats: 7.5 sacks, 13 TFLs
Value: Round 1
James Pearce Jr. is one of the twitchiest edge rushers in the class, and his blend of speed and bend is downright terrifying. With a verified 4.47 40-yard dash at 6’5″, he’s a straight-line blur and closes on the quarterback in a flash. His first step is deadly, and once he dips his shoulder, most tackles simply can’t recover. The ankle flexion and body control he shows through contact are elite traits.
Pearce brings more than just speed—his hand usage is advanced, and he plays with high awareness. He uses his length well to separate and disengage, and he’s an effective space tackler with range and effort. You rarely see him taken out of a play entirely thanks to his motor.
That said, his frame still needs more mass to survive against NFL tackles in the run game. He occasionally loses contain or gets pushed around on the edge. There are also rumblings about off-field concerns, but I personally have nothing concrete to make it weigh down his grade.
As a pass rusher though, Pearce has all the tools. He’s a scheme-diverse edge with ridiculous upside and one of the most dangerous speed rushes in the draft.
3. Shemar Stewart – Texas A&M
Age: 21 | Height/Weight: 6’5″, 265 lbs
2024 Stats: 1.5 sacks, 6 TFLs
Value: Round 1
Shemar Stewart is one of the most polarizing players in the draft. The tools are absolutely there—he’s a long, explosive athlete with bend and power that remind some scouts of Myles Garrett in his early days. His edge-setting ability is rock solid, and his pursuit effort stands out on film. For his size, his flexibility is downright rare, and he flashes some jaw-dropping plays.
But then there’s the production. Stewart’s sack totals have barely budged year over year, and his pass rush win rate is alarmingly low. He’s not finishing plays despite generating pressure, and he still looks raw from a technical standpoint. His hand usage is minimal, and he often defaults to athleticism without a real plan of attack.
Despite those red flags, the ceiling is massive. Stewart is a true boom-or-bust prospect. With coaching and development, he could emerge as a superstar. Right now though, he’s more projection than product.
4. Mike Green – Marshall
Age: 21 | Height/Weight: 6’3″, 250 lbs
2024 Stats: 17 sacks, 23 TFLs
Value: Round 1
Mike Green’s 2024 campaign was one of the most productive in the country—and the tape backs it up. He’s got an explosive first step, can bend the arc, and shows excellent hand placement to keep himself clean. His change-of-direction ability is outstanding for his size, and he closes like a missile once he breaks through the line.
His pass rush repertoire is deep and diverse, and he plays with a fire that jumps off the screen. The motor is nonstop, and he has the agility to chase down mobile QBs and reset quickly.
Still, there are some concerns. Green lacks ideal NFL bulk and doesn’t have the length to consistently disengage when blockers anchor. He also tends to wear down a bit in the second half of games. While he dominated his level of competition, there’s a question of how that’ll translate against pro tackles.
Even with those caveats, Green has the juice to contribute right away. His production and technique make him a Day 1 impact player.
5. Donovan Ezeiruaku – Boston College
Age: 21 | Height/Weight: 6’2″, 250 lbs
2024 Stats: 16.5 sacks, 21 TFLs
Value: Round 1
Donovan Ezeiruaku is as refined a technician as you’ll find in this class. He’s got a complete pass rush arsenal, and he knows exactly how to deploy it. His first step is sudden, and his ability to bend while maintaining speed around the edge is high-level. He’s got surprisingly long arms for his height, and he leverages them extremely well to keep tackles at bay.
His effort and motor are top notch. You won’t catch him giving up on a rep, and his closing speed is enough to finish when the QB tries to escape.
Where he struggles is in the power game. Ezeiruaku doesn’t collapse pockets and has a hard time holding the point against the run. He’s not a complete player yet and may not be unless he adds functional strength. The size concerns may limit his scheme versatility as of now, projecting best as an edge in a 3-4 defense.
Still, there’s a ton to like. He’s a pass rush specialist with real impact potential from Day 1 and has room to grow.
6. Mykel Williams – Georgia
Age: 21 | Height/Weight: 6’5″, 260 lbs
2024 Stats: 5 sacks, 9 TFLs
Value: Late Round 1 to Early Round 2
Mykel Williams is one of the most physically imposing edge defenders in this class, with rare point-of-attack strength and prototypical length. He sets a firm edge and uses his long arms well to disrupt passing lanes and shed blocks. Against the run, he’s one of the best—stout, disciplined, and technically sound. He’s got enough lateral mobility to track plays down the line, and he brings consistent effort until the whistle.
That said, the pass rush side of his game remains underdeveloped. He lacks burst off the snap and doesn’t threaten with speed. His pad level rises as the game wears on, and his upright play style limits his ability to bend the corner. His pass rush toolbox is bare—he wins with raw power more often than skill.
Still, Williams has a strong foundation and the right physical traits. With NFL-level coaching, he could evolve into a well-rounded starter who thrives as a base end in a 4-3 or strongside edge in a 3-4.
7. Nic Scourton – Texas A&M
Age: 20 | Height/Weight: 6’3″, 255 lbs
2024 Stats: 5 sacks, 14 TFLs
Value: Round 2
Nic Scourton brings a pro-ready skill set built around polished technique and nonstop effort. He plays with good power at the point of attack and has one of the most refined pass rush repertoires in this class. His hand work is smart and strategic, consistently using swipes and counters to keep tackles guessing. He’s got a solid first step and fights through contact well to stay in the play.
Where he falls short is the athletic upside. Scourton lacks top-end speed and agility—he doesn’t have the juice to turn the corner and win with burst. His frame is also a bit undersized without the compensatory bend or quickness you’d want from a smaller edge.
Even so, he’s tough, smart, and technically sharp. Scourton is ready to contribute immediately as a rotational edge or early-down starter, even if his long-term ceiling is capped.
8. Landon Jackson – Arkansas
Age: 22 | Height/Weight: 6’7″, 265 lbs
2024 Stats: 6.5 sacks, 10 TFLs
Value: Round 2
Landon Jackson might be the most intriguing traits-based prospect in this class. At 6’7″, 265, he moves like a much smaller man and brings elite length, power, and explosiveness to the table. He sets the edge with natural leverage, and his motor is nonstop. Jackson can align across the line and wreak havoc in different roles—whether it’s crashing off the edge or working inside.
But the mechanics aren’t there yet. His extreme length works against him at times—he struggles to bend, and his change of direction is sluggish. He hasn’t developed a consistent rush plan, and his pursuit in space can be hit-or-miss.
Still, you can’t teach the tools. If Jackson lands with a team that knows how to unlock his potential, he could turn into a matchup nightmare for years to come.
9. JT Tuimoloau – Ohio State
Age: 21 | Height/Weight: 6’4″, 265 lbs
2024 Stats: 12.5 sacks, 22 TFLs
Value: Round 2
JT Tuimoloau enters the draft with a ton of experience and a resume of real production. He’s a power-first rusher with heavy hands, strong diagnostic skills, and an ability to shed blocks with technique and strength. His body control and balance at the point of attack are impressive, and he uses his length well to disrupt passing lanes and set a strong edge.
He also tested better than expected, showing a 40 time that hints at more athleticism than his film suggests. The issue is that it doesn’t always translate—his get-off is just average, and he doesn’t bend the arc fluidly. He lacks quick twitch traits and lateral agility, and his pass rush toolbox is still somewhat limited.
Tuimoloau may not have superstar upside, but he’s one of the safest bets in this class to be a solid, productive pro. He’s plug-and-play and can contribute early in a heavy rotation.
10. Princely Umanmielen – Ole Miss
Age: 23 | Height/Weight: 6’4″, 245 lbs
2024 Stats: 10.5 sacks, 14 TFLs
Value: Round 2
Princely Umanmielen is a true pass-rushing specialist with an explosive first step and elite bend. He thrives in space, where his change-of-direction ability and burst allow him to chase down quarterbacks and disrupt plays with ease. His spatial awareness is a major plus, and he uses his length effectively to create separation and keep himself clean.
The concerns revolve around strength and consistency. He struggles to hold up in the run game, often getting washed out or failing to set the edge. His hand usage is still developing, and he doesn’t yet have a deep move set to fall back on when speed doesn’t win.
Umanmielen is a dangerous third-down weapon right out of the gate. With added bulk and refinement, he could grow into a more complete player. But at worst, he’s a high-end rotational piece with pass rush juice.
11. Bradyn Swinson – LSU
Age: 22 | Height/Weight: 6’4″, 255 lbs
2024 Stats: 8.5 sacks, 13 TFLs
Value: Round 2–3
12. Jack Sawyer – Ohio State
Age: 22 | Height/Weight: 6’4″, 260 lbs
2024 Stats: 9 sacks, 9 TFLs
Value: Round 3
13. Kyle Kennard – South Carolina
Age: 23 | Height/Weight: 6’4″, 255 lbs
2024 Stats: 11.5 sacks, 16 TFLs
Value: Round 3
14. Oluwafemi Oladejo – UCLA
Age: 21 | Height/Weight: 6’3″, 260 lbs
2024 Stats: 4.5 sacks, 14 TFLs
Value: Round 3
15. Jordan Burch – Oregon
Age: 23 | Height/Weight: 6’4″, 280 lbs
2024 Stats: 8.5 sacks, 11 TFLs
Value: Round 3
16. Josaiah Stewart – Michigan
Age: 21 | Height/Weight: 6’1″, 250 lbs
2024 Stats: 8.5 sacks, 13 TFLs
Value: Round 3
17. David Walker – Central Arkansas
Age: 24 | Height/Weight: 6’1″, 265 lbs
2024 Stats: 10.5 sacks, 23 TFLs
Value: Round 3–4
18. Sai’Vion Jones – LSU
Age: 21 | Height/Weight: 6’5″, 280 lbs
2024 Stats: 4.5 sacks, 8 TFLs
Value: Round 4
19. Tyler Baron – Miami
Age: 23 | Height/Weight: 6’5″, 260 lbs
2024 Stats: 5.5 sacks, 11 TFLs
Value: Day 3
20. Ahmed Hassanein – Boise State
Age: 22 | Height/Weight: 6’2″, 265 lbs
2024 Stats: 9.5 sacks, 16 TFLs
Value: Day 3
21. Elijah Ponder – Cal Poly
Age: 22 | Height/Weight: 6’2″, 255 lbs
2024 Stats: 10 sacks, 13 TFLs
Value: Day 3
22. Fadil Diggs – Syracuse
Age: 23 | Height/Weight: 6’4″, 255 lbs
2024 Stats: 7.5 sacks, 14 TFLs
Value: Day 3
23. Kaimon Rucker – North Carolina
Age: 23 | Height/Weight: 6’1″, 255 lbs
2024 Stats: 6 sacks, 8 TFLs
Value: Day 3
24. Barryn Sorrell – Texas
Age: 22 | Height/Weight: 6’3″, 255 lbs
2024 Stats: 6 sacks, 11 TFLs
Value: Day 3
25. Jah Joyner – Minnesota
Age: 23 | Height/Weight: 6’4″, 260 lbs
2024 Stats: 4.5 sacks, 6 TFLs
Value: Day 3
Check out my top interior offensive line prospects here!
Photo Credits: DAZN, Bleacher Report, ESPN, Marshall University, Acme Packing Company, The Draft Network, Tennessee Athletics, The 33rd Team, 501 Life Magazine, Packers Wire, GoHeels.
