Which premier pass rushers will be racking up sacks in the league come next season?
As the CFP season draws to a close, underclassmen talents are beginning to weigh their options, deciding between declaring for the 2025 draft or returning to school to refine their talents more. One position group that has an influx of players making the former choice is the edge rusher position, where several juniors have elected to take their talents to the NFL. Due to this, NFL teams who need help getting to the QB should have a variety of talented options to choose from in the top of this draft class, many of whom are sure to ink their names into NFL history.
Abdul Carter - Penn State
Background:
Carter proved himself as a difference-maker early on at Penn State, racking up 8 sacks as a true freshman after committing from La Salle High. Through two years at the LB position before switching over to DE, he played his way into a first team All Big 10 nomination, as well as being a vocal leader in the locker room. He switched positions seamlessly this past year, racking up 10+ sacks and numerous pressures as Penn State made a deep run in the College Football Playoff as well.
The Good:
- Unreal athleticism for the position, clocking a 4'4s 40 time at 250 lbs. He shows up as one of the fastest players on the field on film, allowing him to blow by OTs with ease.
-Long arms help him disrupt the run game, slowing runners down almost before they get started
-Displays an impressive array of pass-rush moves, not relying just on his athleticism to get to QBs
-Great leader on and off the field for the Nittany Lions
The Bad:
-Sometimes off in reading the run game, leading him to overshoot the gap
- On occasion can get pushed back in the run game by stronger OL
-Could be required to add weight in the NFL for some teams
Outlook:
Carter was my EDGE1 heading into this season of college football, and he has only made that take the overall consensus with his monster season. He is far and away the best pass rusher in the class, and while he could get a little stronger, he has plenty of room for growth from the first year at this position. Overall, Carter should be the first DE off the board in 2025, and has all the tools to become a dominant force for whatever team drafts him in the future.
Grade: Top 5
Team Fit: Tennessee Titans
Nic Scourton - Texas A&M
Background:
Formerly known as Nic Caraway, Scourton originally attended Purdue, coming out of Bryan High in Texas. He had a very nice 2023 season as a sophomore, racking up a great 42 pressures, along with 34 total tackles. After the season, he transferred to Texas A&M to be closer to home, and had another solid season under HC Jimbo Fisher, going for 5 sacks and 37 total tackles.
The Good:
-Prototypical size for the position, at an impressive 6'4 and 285 pounds already
- Displays a nasty spin move to beat OTs, something that very few other college rushers have in their arsenal
-Very disciplined run defender, making it difficult to try and run the football through him
-Relentless motor helps him chase down and disrupt much more plays than he would otherwise
The Bad:
-Production does not match up with the talent yet, with only 5 sacks in 2024
- Hand usage in his pass rush still needs refinement
- could play with some more anger and physicality at times
Outlook:
At just 20 years old (21 in August) Scourton is likely the most complete DE prospect in this year's class. While his technique still needs some development, he already possesses all the tools necessary to be a starting-caliber player in the NFL. Overall, I expect Scourton to go in the top half of the first round and make a solid immediate impact for his new team.
Grade: Top 10
Team Fit: New Orleans Saints
Jalon Walker - Georgia
Background:
As the 2020 Gatorade Football Player of the Year in his state of North Carolina, Walker was expected to make an impact wherever we went for college football, and he did exactly that at Georgia. Transitioning between inside LB, outside LB, and DE is no easy task, but Walker has accomplished it with no problem over his college career. In terms of production, Walker reached an apex in 2024, totaling 6.5 sacks and 61 total tackles.
The Good:
- Dynamic and versatile athlete with the potential to play several positions in the league
-Impressive as a pass rusher with the speed and bendiness to rack up pressures in different ways
- Playing LB has made him a good run defender for a DE, possessing a solid anchor
- has the skillset to drop back into coverage as well if necessary
The Bad:
- Playing many positions has limited his experience at any one, giving him underdeveloped instincts in run defense
-a bit undersized for a full time DE, at 6'2 and 245 lbs.
-slight injury concern with a torn labrum in 2023
Outlook:
The first thing you notice on Walker's film is the eye-popping athleticism that NFL scouts love in a prospect. The tools give him a solid floor in the NFL, but he might need refinement and a talented defensive coach to figure out the right spot for him. I think for some teams his best fit might be as an outside linebacker, but he has all it takes to be a dominant force at DE in the right situation
Grade: Mid 1st Round
Team Fit: Arizona Cardinals
James Pearce Jr. - Tennessee
Background:
Coming out of Charlotte, North Carolina, Pearce Jr. was about as highly touted as you can get, choosing to attend Tennessee over 20 other Div 1 offers to choose from. He backed up the hype early on, playing well enough to be viewed as the top defensive end in the class heading into this college football season. While he had another decent year in 2024, it was slightly low given his lofty standards stats-wise, leading him to tumble slightly down many draft boards into the later part of the first round.
The Good:
- Impressive arsenal of pass-rush moves that he uses to get by any type of OT
- stats are held back somewhat by the large number of holding penalties he draws, called and uncalled
-Impressive bend for his 6'5 frame, further highlighting his athletic ability
The Bad:
very light weight contributes to him getting bullied in the run game
only average instincts for the positions; can sometimes get fooled by draw plays
lateral agility could be better to disrupt screens
Outlook:
Like many others, before the season I bought into the hype of Pearce Jr. as a possible top 5 pick and future premier rusher in the NFL. While he pretty much lives up to that billing as a pass rusher, this season the tape has shown that he lacks the strength to back that up in the run game. While he could put on weight in the NFL, there is always the concern that it will take away some of his elite speed, raising questions about if he can be more than a one-dimensional player in the league.
Grade: High 2nd Round
Ideal Team Fit: Atlanta Falcons
Mykel Williams - Georgia
Background:
Mykel entered Georgia buried on the depth chart behind a logjam of NFL talent, but he didn't let that faze him, recording 28 tackles anyway in his freshman year. He continued to improve into his sophomore year, where he had 18 tackles and 4.5 sacks. Projected to be one of the top draftable DEs this season, he again had a solid season as a pass rusher, making the 2nd Team All-SEC and declaring for the draft later after that.
The Good:
-Incredible length and athleticism for the position, at a great 6'5 and 265 lbs.
-Very skilled when it comes to schemed stunt rushes and counters to collapse the pocket
-very versatile and has played both outside and inside for the Bulldogs
The Bad:
-Lacks the speed to beat OTs around the edge, leading to him washing out behind the pocket
-Numerous injuries including foot surgery, as well as an ankle issue this season
-Tends to play high at times, reducing his natural power
Outlook:
Out of all the DEs in the class, Mykel might be the one that best fits the ideal physical mold for the position, seemingly being built in a lab in terms of length and power. However, in college he has relied on his natural ability too much at times, needing refinement to be at his best in the NFL. Overall, Williams should find some success wherever he goes, but it might take a talented defensive mind to unlock the true upside he possesses athletically.
Grade: High 2nd Round
Ideal Team Fit: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Princely Umanmielen - Ole Miss
Background:
Umanmielen began his college football career at Florida after a stellar season as a high school season. He played solidly, racking up 7 sacks in 2023, but ended up transferring to Ole Miss to polish up one last season while playing among a talented defensive line. The statsheet alone shows his 2024 progress, as he exploded for 37 tackles and an eye-popping 10.5 sacks, marking him as a very talented draft prospect in 2025.
The Good:
-Impressive instincts allow him to close in and disrupt plays before they even develop
-Quick get off gives him an edge when maneuvering around bigger OTs
-Solid arsenal of pass-rush moves keep linemen guessing, especially considering his inside-outside versatility
The Bad:
-Needs to put on some weight to avoid being a liability in the run game
-Unable to win with as much success in close quarters as opposed to having more space to move freely
-slight character concerns, as well as being an older prospect, 23 on draft day
Outlook:
I had Princely as a day 3 prospect last year when there was buzz that he would declare, so his productive year has definitely moved him up my board. He knows how to get to the quarterback in the right situation, but he still needs work in order to not get shut out of the game on other reps. Overall, Umanmielen is still on a road to success at the next level, but he has shown enough to prove he can at least be a solid pass-rusher in the league.
Grade: Mid 2nd Round
Ideal Team Fit: Cincinnati Bengals
Mike Green- Marshall
Background:
After originally signing up for college ball at Virginia, Green transferred to Marshall, seeking a fresh start. While he originally started out a special teamer, he still made big-time plays on the regular, showcasing his athletic ability. In 2024, Green broke out in a big way, putting his small school on the map with an unbelievable 17 sacks, as well as 3 forced fumbles.
The Good:
-Possesses NFL size at an impressive 6'4 and 248 lbs.
-very smooth athlete who seems to glide through the field as he guns for the opposing QB
-Relentless motor shows up plenty on tape as he chases down plays from the back side
The Bad:
-Since he plays in the Sun Belt conference, questions still remain about his ability to produce against a higher level of competition
-Length is a concern, as longer OTs can get into his chest with ease.
-Play strength is also modest at best, and could be better
Outlook:
The small school gem of the class, Green possesses very solid tape to go along with his eye-popping production. That said, he does have some limitations that could his rise to success at the NFL level. Overall, Green has clearly shown that he can get to the QB, but a lack of length could inhibit his chances of becoming an every-down starter at the next level.
Grade: Late 2nd Round
Team Fit: Detroit Lions
Shemar Stewart- Texas A&M
Background:
As a 5-star recruit in the class of 2022, Texas A&M was excited to land Stewart out of high school, and their belief in him paid off quickly. He started for the Aggies even as a freshman, playing good football and developing his foundational skills. In 2024, he had 31 tackles to go along with 1.5 sacks.
The Good:
-Absolute freak of an athlete at 6'6 and 290 pounds, giving him elite power and movement skills for the position.
-NFL caliber run defender already, using his long arms to get in the way and break the play down.
-still just 21 years old, giving him time to improve
The Bad:
-Pass-rush plan is almost nonexistent at times, allowing more experienced linemen to read him like a book.
-Sometimes does everything right, but lets the big play get away by missing a simple tackle at the last moment.
-Not really his fault due to massive frame, but tends to play too high often, losing his pad level.
Outlook:
To be fully honest, no one should surprised if in 3 years Shemar becomes the best player in these rankings, because the athleticism he possesses is just that good. That said, his pass-rush skills are still in the developmental phase, and he seems a long way away from correcting some of his nagging issues. Overall, I am lower on Stewart because of my doubts that he can become a solid pass rusher at the next level, but with the right coaching, he can be an absolute home run for the team that takes the time to truly develop him.
Grade: High 3rd Round
Team Fit: Baltimore Ravens
J.T Tuimoluau - Ohio State
Background:
As another former 5-star recruit, Tuimoluau always had high expectations for the Buckeyes, and he has looked like a future pro ever since. Even with partial playing time early on, he still produced when given chances, racking up 10.5 TFLs and 3.5 sacks as early as 2022. He was a big part of the Buckeyes' CFP success in 2024, racking up 10 sacks and 2 forced fumbles this season so far across from NFL-bound running mate Jack Sawyer.
The Good:
-NFL-ready build, possessing the length and power to line up against any OT and hold his own
- Great run defender, latching on until the last moment to disrupt plays coming his direction
-Nice instincts allow him to make an impact against passes as well, often tipping them for easy interceptions.
-Dominant talent in spurts (2022 Penn State game)
The Bad:
-Get-off is pretty slow at times, limiting how fast he can get to opposing QBs.
-Not very bendy around the edge, leading to him too often looking to win by going inside.
-Technique to shed blocks could also use some work to be good at the NFL level
Outlook:
As part of the wrecking crew that is Ohio State's defensive line, Tuimoluau is another prospect that has lit up the shat sheet in 2024. However, his lack of NFL athleticism and speed gives me pause about his overall future in the NFL. Tuimoluau can be a nice contributor to a NFL edge rusher room, but I'm not sure he has the physical gifts necessary to be the true alpha of the group.
Grade: Early 3rd Round
Ideal Team Fit: Green Bay Packers
Bradyn Swinson - LSU
Background:
As a 4-star recruit, Swinson has plenty of experience at the college level, having played 5 seasons in total. His first 2 were spent playing for the Oregon Ducks, where he remained for 2 years before transferring to Baton Rouge. In 2024 for the Tigers, he did an admirable job replacing an injured Harold Perkins, recording 31 tackles and 8.5 sacks on the year.
The Good:
-Get-off is impressive even by NFL standards, showing up consistently on tape as his calling card athletically
-Very high-motor player, never giving up until the whistle blows
-Speed to power is also solid, naturally occurring throughout his rushes
The Bad:
-lacks the skillset to play with his hand in the dirt, serving as more of a stand-up rusher
-Could improve his anchor in the run game, often getting blown off the line by stronger OTs
-Older prospect, this being his 5th year in college football
Outlook:
Swinson hadn't really popped on my radar heading into this year, but LSU's tape made me wonder why that was. He has plenty to like as a pass-rusher, but is painfully one-dimensional, not able to defend the run at an NFL level. Swinson should be a good pass-rushing option for any NFL team, but his limitations might leave his ceiling as just that.
Grade: Mid 3rd Round
Team Fit: Washington Commanders
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