- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 442,230
- Reaction score
- 44
The New England Patriots could use another edge rusher after signing Harold Landry and still waiting for a breakout season from Keion White.
While White has flashed, he needs to show more refinement to be an every-down disruptor. This draft class has some intriguing options on the edge, and today, we’re diving into the top-10 edge defenders available in the 2025 NFL draft.
These rankings focus on players whose primary role will be pressuring quarterbacks from outside alignments — either as stand-up edge defenders or defensive ends in even fronts.
Let’s get into it.
A solidly built pass rusher with natural play strength and a high motor, Scourton brings a lot of the intangibles coaches love. He has good initial quickness, knows how to shoot gaps and has experience on special teams. His violent hands and physical presence make him a handful in one-on-one matchups.
However, Scourton lacks hip flexibility, which limits his ability to bend and flatten around the edge. He struggles against double teams and needs to add a secondary pass-rush plan after his first move is neutralized. He projects as a rotational pass rusher early in his career.
At 6-foot-6 and 264 pounds, Jackson is a long, physical edge defender who sets a firm edge in the run game. He’s a natural power player who uses his strength and leverage to walk tackles into the quarterback. He’s disciplined in his run fits, versatile enough to align from the 3-tech out to a wide-9 and he brings a nonstop motor.
However, Jackson lacks the elite bend to consistently win around the corner and can look stiff in space. There are shades of Patriots veteran Deatrich Wise Jr. in his game — a rugged, dependable edge with high-floor potential, who also went to Arkansas.
One of the more technically refined pass rushers in the class, Ezeiruaku explodes off the ball with a quick first step and excellent hand usage. He’s relentless in his effort, rarely out of position and constantly applies pressure even when he doesn’t get home. He needs to improve against the run and lacks elite athletic traits, but his motor, savvy and bend give him a path to playing time early on passing downs. He projects as a developmental edge with rotational upside and the potential to grow into a full-time contributor.
Umanmielen is a well-rounded edge defender with a diverse pass-rush skillset. He has good burst, powerful hands and a polished spin move that helps him win inside. He can convert speed to power and collapse the pocket, while also flashing awareness in zone drops and run fits. However, he struggles to disengage when blockers lock on and can get washed out against double teams. If he refines his counter moves and plays with more violence, he could become a long-term starter at defensive end.
Green is an explosive edge rusher with an elite 3-cone and short-area agility that shows up on tape. He plays with great pad level, fluid hips and violent hands. His wrestling background is evident in how he sheds blocks and works in tight spaces. Though he's a bit undersized and needs to bulk up to better anchor against the run, Green brings a twitchy, energetic presence to any defensive front. He’s a strong candidate to thrive as a third-down specialist early in his career.
One of the most naturally gifted edge rushers in the class, Pierce has elite burst, flexibility and pass-rush instincts. He times the snap well and has the twitch and ankle mobility to dip under tackles and finish. He’s disruptive in the backfield and has the athletic profile to be a true game-wrecker. That said, Pierce must develop more strength to hold up against the run and improve consistency with leverage. There are also rumblings of potential off-field red flags, which could impact his draft stock. Still, the ceiling is sky-high.
Stewart has a prototype frame at 6-foot-5 and 267 pounds, and he plays with serious pop. He’s an athletic freak who can convert speed to power and bully tackles with a devastating bull rush. He flashes good hand usage and closes quickly when the opportunity arises. Stewart’s biggest knock is a lack of production — just 4.5 career sacks — despite quality traits and playing time. He’s raw as a technician, but with the right coaching, he has the traits to become a three-down NFL starter.
A hybrid edge/off-ball linebacker, Walker is a rare two-phase defender. He has the athleticism to rush off the edge and the awareness to drop into zone. His change-of-direction skills and burst are top-tier. He plays with great pad level, is disciplined in contain and brings legitimate coverage ability. He’s still raw and lacks starting experience, but his upside as a multi-role defender is incredibly enticing. In the right system, he could become a Micah Parsons-like chess piece.
Williams is a powerful edge defender who uses leverage, length and effort to overwhelm offensive linemen. He plays with a relentless motor and has the frame to add weight and stay versatile across fronts. Though he’s not the most explosive off the line, he uses power to create pressure and has the instincts to read plays as they develop. Williams is a high-floor, high-ceiling prospect who should find a starting role early in his NFL career.
The crown jewel of this edge class, Carter is a dominant, twitchy pass rusher with rare athleticism. He’s explosive off the ball, bends naturally and brings off-ball linebacker instincts to the edge position. A former linebacker, Carter sniffs out misdirection, screens and stretch runs with ease. He’s still refining his pass-rush moves, but he wins with athletic traits and a nonstop motor. The sky is the limit for Carter, who projects as a future Pro Bowl edge rusher if developed properly.
Follow Patriots Wire on Twitter and Facebook.
This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: 2025 NFL draft: Ranking and evaluating the top-10 edge rushers
Continue reading...
While White has flashed, he needs to show more refinement to be an every-down disruptor. This draft class has some intriguing options on the edge, and today, we’re diving into the top-10 edge defenders available in the 2025 NFL draft.
These rankings focus on players whose primary role will be pressuring quarterbacks from outside alignments — either as stand-up edge defenders or defensive ends in even fronts.
Let’s get into it.
10. Nic Scourton, Texas A&M
A solidly built pass rusher with natural play strength and a high motor, Scourton brings a lot of the intangibles coaches love. He has good initial quickness, knows how to shoot gaps and has experience on special teams. His violent hands and physical presence make him a handful in one-on-one matchups.
However, Scourton lacks hip flexibility, which limits his ability to bend and flatten around the edge. He struggles against double teams and needs to add a secondary pass-rush plan after his first move is neutralized. He projects as a rotational pass rusher early in his career.
9. Landon Jackson, Arkansas
At 6-foot-6 and 264 pounds, Jackson is a long, physical edge defender who sets a firm edge in the run game. He’s a natural power player who uses his strength and leverage to walk tackles into the quarterback. He’s disciplined in his run fits, versatile enough to align from the 3-tech out to a wide-9 and he brings a nonstop motor.
However, Jackson lacks the elite bend to consistently win around the corner and can look stiff in space. There are shades of Patriots veteran Deatrich Wise Jr. in his game — a rugged, dependable edge with high-floor potential, who also went to Arkansas.
8. Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College
One of the more technically refined pass rushers in the class, Ezeiruaku explodes off the ball with a quick first step and excellent hand usage. He’s relentless in his effort, rarely out of position and constantly applies pressure even when he doesn’t get home. He needs to improve against the run and lacks elite athletic traits, but his motor, savvy and bend give him a path to playing time early on passing downs. He projects as a developmental edge with rotational upside and the potential to grow into a full-time contributor.
7. Princely Umanmielen, Ole Miss
Umanmielen is a well-rounded edge defender with a diverse pass-rush skillset. He has good burst, powerful hands and a polished spin move that helps him win inside. He can convert speed to power and collapse the pocket, while also flashing awareness in zone drops and run fits. However, he struggles to disengage when blockers lock on and can get washed out against double teams. If he refines his counter moves and plays with more violence, he could become a long-term starter at defensive end.
6. Mike Green, Marshall
Green is an explosive edge rusher with an elite 3-cone and short-area agility that shows up on tape. He plays with great pad level, fluid hips and violent hands. His wrestling background is evident in how he sheds blocks and works in tight spaces. Though he's a bit undersized and needs to bulk up to better anchor against the run, Green brings a twitchy, energetic presence to any defensive front. He’s a strong candidate to thrive as a third-down specialist early in his career.
5. James Pierce Jr., Tennessee
One of the most naturally gifted edge rushers in the class, Pierce has elite burst, flexibility and pass-rush instincts. He times the snap well and has the twitch and ankle mobility to dip under tackles and finish. He’s disruptive in the backfield and has the athletic profile to be a true game-wrecker. That said, Pierce must develop more strength to hold up against the run and improve consistency with leverage. There are also rumblings of potential off-field red flags, which could impact his draft stock. Still, the ceiling is sky-high.
4. Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M
Stewart has a prototype frame at 6-foot-5 and 267 pounds, and he plays with serious pop. He’s an athletic freak who can convert speed to power and bully tackles with a devastating bull rush. He flashes good hand usage and closes quickly when the opportunity arises. Stewart’s biggest knock is a lack of production — just 4.5 career sacks — despite quality traits and playing time. He’s raw as a technician, but with the right coaching, he has the traits to become a three-down NFL starter.
3. Jalon Walker, Georgia
A hybrid edge/off-ball linebacker, Walker is a rare two-phase defender. He has the athleticism to rush off the edge and the awareness to drop into zone. His change-of-direction skills and burst are top-tier. He plays with great pad level, is disciplined in contain and brings legitimate coverage ability. He’s still raw and lacks starting experience, but his upside as a multi-role defender is incredibly enticing. In the right system, he could become a Micah Parsons-like chess piece.
2. Mykel Williams, Georgia
Williams is a powerful edge defender who uses leverage, length and effort to overwhelm offensive linemen. He plays with a relentless motor and has the frame to add weight and stay versatile across fronts. Though he’s not the most explosive off the line, he uses power to create pressure and has the instincts to read plays as they develop. Williams is a high-floor, high-ceiling prospect who should find a starting role early in his NFL career.
1. Abdul Carter, Penn State
The crown jewel of this edge class, Carter is a dominant, twitchy pass rusher with rare athleticism. He’s explosive off the ball, bends naturally and brings off-ball linebacker instincts to the edge position. A former linebacker, Carter sniffs out misdirection, screens and stretch runs with ease. He’s still refining his pass-rush moves, but he wins with athletic traits and a nonstop motor. The sky is the limit for Carter, who projects as a future Pro Bowl edge rusher if developed properly.
Follow Patriots Wire on Twitter and Facebook.
This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: 2025 NFL draft: Ranking and evaluating the top-10 edge rushers
Continue reading...
