Led by a generational prospect in Abdul Carter, the 2025 NFL Draft was loaded with pass rushers, with the Penn State standout being the first at his position to hear his name called out. Let’s look at each of the pass rushers selected and what they bring to their respective teams.
Abdul Carter, Penn State | New York Giants
Round 1, Pick 3
For weeks leading up to the 2025 NFL Draft, the New York Giants were essentially chalked as the favorites to land Abdul Carter. They’ve made that official, selecting one of two bona fide blue-chip talents in the class with the third overall pick.
The 2024 season was just Carter’s first year as a full-time EDGE, and he amassed 12 sacks and 24 tackles for loss, earning All-American honors in the process. At his 6’3”, 250-pound size, he has perhaps the most dynamic explosiveness of any EDGE prospect of the last five cycles – at least – and his combined burst, bend, hand strength, pursuit speed, and motor can overwhelm.
In the short term, the Giants have abundant EDGE talent with Carter, Brian Burns, and Kayvon Thibodeaux, but Thibodeaux’s long-term future is murky, emphasizing Carter’s value. Carter can be a game-wrecker off the line, and his off-ball background grants him additional versatility.
Mykel Williams, Georgia | San Francisco 49ers
Round 1, Pick 11
Williams – in a similar mold to Shemar Stewart – was a polarizing prospect throughout the 2025 NFL Draft cycle. He never achieved elite levels of production at the collegiate level, but at 6’5” and 260 pounds, with almost 35” arms, he’s a moldable ball of clay with his size, explosiveness, hip fluidity, and overwhelming power component.
There’s a heavy developmental aspect with Williams in San Francisco, and he’ll need to grow as an independent pass rusher, but it’s comforting that there are some high-floor elements of Williams’ game. He’s an elite run defender with gap instincts, edge-setting, and stack-and-shed ability, and as a pass rusher, he can be used on stunts as a battering ram. The upside is high opposite Nick Bosa if he can reach his ceiling.
Jalon Walker, Georgia | Atlanta Falcons
Round 1, Pick 15
The Falcons went down to the wire with their pick at 15th overall, but they ultimately stayed put and selected Georgia’s Jalon Walker. Walker was projected as high as the top 10 at times in the 2025 NFL Draft cycle, but his value is more preferable in the middle of the first round, where the Falcons scooped him up.
In Raheem Morris’ odd-front scheme, the Falcons no doubt view Walker as an EDGE, but his projection has been a point of contention for NFL Draft experts across the space. At 6’1”, 250 pounds, with 32” arms, he’s undersized for a full-time EDGE role, but he has the explosiveness, bend, agility, speed-to-power, and relentless motor to give tackles fits from wider alignments.
Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M | Cincinnati Bengals
Round 1, Pick 17
In terms of physical talent, no one bests Stewart – it’s as simple as that. At 6’5”, 267 pounds, with over 34” arms, he has hyper-elite explosiveness, short-area agility, twitch, and power output to go along with blistering pursuit speed and a truly unhinged motor. The problem with Stewart is that his physical upside is essentially where the pros of his profile begin and end.
In run defense, Stewart can be undisciplined and over-eager. In the pass-rush phase, he can be uncontrolled and unrefined. The Bengals haven’t proven they can deliver on these kinds of high-upside gambles at EDGE; the Myles Murphy pick from two years ago hasn’t panned out. But Stewart has the talent, and he has the motor, and every evaluation is different. If they can keep Trey Hendrickson in-house, Stewart can learn from him and unlock his potential.
James Pearce Jr., Tennessee | Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons traded back into Round 1 to select James Pearce Jr. As a pure pass rusher, Pearce was one of the most prolific producers in college football over the past two seasons. Next to Abdul Carter, Pearce’s first-step explosiveness is the most dynamic in the class. Combined with that burst, he has elite agility and twitch, and he can channel speed-to-power with his explosiveness and length.
However, there are concerns outside of the pass-rush phase and even within it. Pearce doesn’t have an elite bend component; his proportional length is closer to average than elite, and he’s lighter than preferred. His run-defense utility is minimal, and an EDGE duo of Walker and Pearce could be washed out more often than not.
Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College | Dallas Cowboys
Round 2, Pick 44
At 6’2 ½” and 248 pounds, Ezeiruaku is a lighter EDGE prospect who doesn’t have high-end speed-to-power or play strength in the run game. Those aspects complicate his projection and his usage alongside Micah Parsons and Dante Fowler.
But with his 34” arms, he does have a wide disruption radius on the rush, and his finesse, agility, bend, and proactive hands enable him to be a down-to-down disruptor on the attack.
J.T. Tuimoloau, Ohio State | Indianapolis Colts
Round 2, Pick 45
It was expected that perhaps the Colts would target their interior offensive line, an area of significant need entering Day 2. Instead, the Colts spent their first Day 2 selection on an edge defender to complement Kwity Paye and Laiatu Latu. Having high-end depth at a premier position group is valuable; Tuimoloau no doubt provides that and more.
At 6’4”, 265 pounds, with nearly 34” arms, Tuimoloau’s power profile is elite, as is his playmaking instinct off the edge. He can rush from 3-point stances or as a stand-up player, and his force output downhill can be overwhelming. He’s a good player who fits Lou Anarumo’s stylistic preferences, but the decision to pass on interior OL could come back to bite Indianapolis.
Nic Scourton, Texas A&M | Carolina Panthers
Round 2, Pick 51
At 6’3”, 261 pounds, Scourton is a dense, well-leveraged EDGE who defies logic with the finesse and lower-body flexibility he possesses at that size. Of the EDGE prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft, he’s one of the most advanced and workmanlike players with his hands.
He’ll fit well as a wide-alignment rusher in Ejiro Evero’s scheme with his power and proactivity, but he also has a sturdy run defense profile.
Oluwafemi Oladejo, UCLA | Tennessee Titans
Round 2, Pick 52
The Titans were widely expected to target either WR talent or EDGE talent on Day 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft. They ultimately chose to address the EDGE position, taking UCLA’s Oluwafemi Oladejo with the 52nd overall pick.
The Titans’ EDGE room is very sparse, and because Oladejo is just one year into his full-time EDGE career, he may be a bit too raw to be relied upon as a consistent producer in Year 1.
That said, if the Titans have the patience, Oladejo has the natural leverage, proportional length, speed-to-power profile, burst, bend, and motor to become a quality starter in time, with impact upside..
Mike Green, Marshall | Baltimore Ravens
Round 2, Pick 59
Given his off-field concerns and questions about the level of competition at Marshall, it’s not a shock that Mike Green fell a little. But getting to the end of the second round counts as a massive coup for the Ravens, who have racked up significant value with each of their first two picks this year.
Green was this class’s most productive pass rusher, producing 17 sacks and 23 TFLs for the Thundering Herd in 2024. His fluidity should allow him to play stand-up edge rusher snaps for the Ravens’ odd fronts, and he adds significant depth to a position where Odafe Oweh is in the final year of his rookie contract.
Green could become one of this year’s more memorable steals if the character concerns check out.
Ashton Gillotte, Louisville | Kansas City Chiefs
Round 3, Pick 66
The Chiefs were expected to address the EDGE position at some point, with suspect depth past George Karlaftis. Ashton Gillotte wasn’t the highest-rated EDGE on the board at this juncture, but he no doubt fits the Chiefs’ profile at the position, and his production at the collegiate level speaks for itself.
In four years at Louisville, Gillotte amassed 26.5 sacks and 41 tackles for loss. At a hyperdense 6’2”, 264 pounds, he’s a relentless two-phase attacker with eye-popping point-of-attack power, searing closing burst, and the ankle flexion to reduce his surface area while using heavy hands in the pass-rush phase.
He was sometimes forgotten in this EDGE class, but with the Chiefs, he could soon remind onlookers how good he is.
Landon Jackson, Arkansas | Buffalo Bills
Round 2, Pick 72
This was one of the easiest player-team matches to project ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft. Landon Jackson met with the Bills twice in the lead-up to the big event, and he fits the Bills’ needs at the EDGE position to a tee.
At 6’6”, 261 pounds, with near-34” arms, Jackson is long and lean, with elite explosiveness off the snap. And for his size, he has incredible lower-body flexibility and ankle mobility, which he can use to reduce his surface area and run the arc as a pass rusher.
You’d like him to play with more power and pop at times, as he doesn’t always play up to his size. But as an even-front defensive end in Buffalo’s scheme, he’ll be in his most comfortable role and able to work effectively in both phases.
Princely Umanmielen, Mississippi | Carolina Panthers
Round 3, Pick 77
The Panthers double-dipped on edge rushers on Day 2, a good idea for last year’s 32nd-ranked pass rush by pressure rate (25.1%). Princely Umanmielen might end up as a pure designated pass rusher, but he can still bring plenty of value if he hits his ceiling.
The Ole Miss product was highly productive the last two years, recording 17.5 sacks and 26 TFLs. His speed and first-step explosiveness are his selling points, and he should fit in nicely as a stand-up linebacker in Carolina’s 3-4 scheme.
He’s not the biggest edge rusher (6’4”, 244 pounds), but should get the job done on passing downs.
Jordan Burch, Oregon | Arizona Cardinals
Round 3, Pick 78
Josh Sweat was a big addition for the Cardinals in free agency, but they entered the NFL Draft still needing a complement to Sweat on the other side. Ideally, that addition would be a power-oriented player to compress the pocket and force double teams his way. Jordan Burch fits that vision well.
At almost 6’5” and 280 pounds, Burch is a freakish size-athleticism specimen with a rare blend of compact mass, energized explosiveness, and bend capacity. On a situational basis, he can rush as far inside as 3-tech and 4i, but he also has the athleticism to be a stand-up rusher with build-up speed.
His versatility, power, and unhinged motor significantly boost Jonathan Gannon’s defense and round out what is becoming a fearsome defensive front.
Josaiah Stewart, Michigan | Los Angeles Rams
Round 3, Pick 90
Stewart profiles more as a designated pass-rush specialist at his size, but to his credit, he does play bigger than his size in the run game. His ultimate ceiling is unclear without high-end speed at his size, but he helps make a strong Rams’ rush stronger alongside Jared Verse and Byron Young.
Sai’vion Jones, LSU | Denver Broncos
Round 3, Pick 101
The Broncos can never have enough edge rushers, and players like Zach Allen have thrived in Denver with their inside-outside versatility. Sai’vion Jones could fall into a similar bucket as a bigger defensive end who has scheme versatility.
At 6’5” and 280 pounds, Jones relies much more on power rather than burst. With over 33-inch arms, Jones usually wins the leverage battle against whatever offensive lineman he’s facing. He doesn’t have the best bend, but improved as a pass rusher at LSU and will get to assimilate slowly as a rotational piece.
David Walker, Central Arkansas | Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Round 4, Pick 121
This is home-run value for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who still needed to infuse their EDGE rotation with more pass-rush ability. At 6’1”, 263 pounds, Walker is a sawed-off havoc-wreaker from wide alignments, who amassed 31 career sacks and 63 tackles for loss in three seasons at Central Arkansas.
Walker is explosive, urgent off the snap, and packs an enormous amount of speed-to-power energy inside his frame when on the attack. He’s a great fit for Todd Bowles’ scheme and instantly improves their pass-rush outlook.
Jack Sawyer, Ohio State | Pittsburgh Steelers
Round 4, Pick 123
Jack Sawyer is a well-built defender with a strong frame. He’s not going to wow you with his athleticism, and he lacks the length and bend that you typically prefer from an edge rusher, but he’s built Ford-tough. He brings plenty of experience against high-level competition, so it’s not hard to envision him thriving under Mike Tomlin.
This is a luxury pick for the Steelers, as they have a strong duo of T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith on the edge. That’s what makes this an ideal situation for Sawyer, who can learn behind two of the best in the game. Sawyer’s physicality, instincts, and high motor skills will be valuable assets for a team that wants to beat up its opponents.
Barryn Sorrell, Texas | Green Bay Packers
Round 4, Pick 124
It was inevitable that the Packers would address their EDGE rotation at some point, and Barryn Sorrell makes a lot of sense in the middle rounds. At 6’3”, 256 pounds, he fits most of Green Bay’s size parameters, yet has very efficient and compact mass, which supplements his play strength.
Sorrell has good explosion and bend for his size, and can reduce his surface area while splicing past the apex, but he also has some speed-to-power. He’s a solid rotational add right away, but there’s an argument to be made that there were more well-rounded players on the board at this pick.
Kyle Kennard, South Carolina | Los Angeles Chargers
Round 4, Pick 125
The SEC Defensive Player of the Year arrives at a Chargers defense that doesn’t have much long-term stability on the edge. Joey Bosa was released this offseason, while 34-year-old Khalil Mack returned on a one-year deal. As such, Kyle Kennard is a nice investment in the future.
Kennard led the SEC with 11.5 sacks as a fifth-year senior, a huge breakout after he had 13 sacks his first four seasons combined. At 6’4” and 254 pounds, Kennard possesses prototypical size to play 3-4 OLB, and his 34-inch arms allow him to swat passes and get into the chest of offensive tackles. He might be a designated pass rusher early on, but that holds plenty of value for a rookie.
Que Robinson, Alabama | Denver Broncos
Round 4, Pick 134
Que Robinson never emerged as a starter in four seasons at Alabama. However, he did record four sacks in a part-time role in 2024 after having just 1.5 in his first three seasons combined. Robinson certainly looks the part with his 6’4”, 243-pound frame, and his 33.5-inch arms help him keep offensive tackles out of his frame.
However, as you might expect, he’s very raw technique-wise for someone who hasn’t played much. Robinson also didn’t demonstrate the best instincts in run defense, being late to anticipate blocks and run flows.
The Broncos are certainly deep enough at the edge (particularly after taking Sai’vion Jones in Round 3) to give Robinson time to work behind the scenes as a developmental prospect.
Bradyn Swinson, LSU | New England Patriots
Round 5, Pick 146
It’s unclear why Bradyn Swinson fell this far, but the New England Patriots are a team that could scoop him up. At 6’3″, 255 pounds, with over 33″ arms, Swinson has a great amalgamation of tools: Burst, bend, speed-to-power, and strength as an edge-setter.
Elijah Roberts, SMU | Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Round 5, Pick 157
Elijah Roberts is known for his impressive ability to attack the quarterback and was a needed addition for the Buccaneers. He led all players in the country in QB pressures over 2023 and 2024 (131 total), 23.5 tackles for loss, 17.5 sacks, and four forced fumbles.
Tyler Baron, Miami (FL) | Baltimore Ravens
Round 5, Pick 176
Tyler Baron is a perfect backup for the Ravens defense with his 6’5″, 258-pound frame, explosiveness, power, alignment versatility, and budding finesse profile. He led Miami (FL) in tackles for loss (11.0) and sacks (5.5). He was fourth in total tackles (38) with 18 solo stops, six quarterback hurries, and one forced fumble.
Ahmed Hassanein, Boise State | Detroit Lions
Round 6, Pick 196
Edge was a major position of need for the Lions heading into Day 3 of the draft, and they selected Boise State’s Ahmad Hassanein in the sixth round. Standing at 6-foot-2, 267 pounds, Hassanein led Boise State to the college football playoffs with 48 total tackles, including 15.5 for loss, and 9.5 sacks in 2024.
Antwaun Powell-Ryland, Virginia Tech | Philadelphia Eagles
Round 6, Pick 209
Antwaun Powell-Ryland is an explosive edge rusher with a quick first step and a relentless motor. He thrives at creating pressure off the edge, using speed, leverage, and hand violence to beat tackles. His agility and ability to bend make him a constant threat in passing situations, and he shows good pursuit speed when chasing down plays from the backside.
Fadil Diggs, Syracuse | New Orleans Saints
Round 7, Pick 254
At 6’4″, 257 pounds, Fadil Diggs has all the tools: Size, burst, bend, and agility. He’s relatively underdeveloped with his power and run defense, but his upside is immense.