Owain Jones: Top 10 EGDE Prospects In The NFL Draft - Abdul Carter, Mike Green & More

By Owain Jones

The 2025 NFL Draft boasts a deep and dynamic class of edge rushers, headlined by a strong group of athletes capable of making an immediate impact.

Whether it’s bringing heat off the edge or anchoring the line in the run game, this group should be a key focal point of every team’s NFL Draft plans as they look to improve their defensive fronts. Let’s dive into the top prospects of this impressive class.

TOP 10 EDGE 2025 NFL Draft Rankings

10: Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College

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At 6’2” and 247 pounds, Donovan Ezeiruaku was one of the most productive edge rushers in college football in 2024, finishing with 16.5 sacks and 21 tackles for a loss. With a killer swim move, the Boston College pass rusher has the physical tools to make an impact on the NFL level.

9: Nic Scourton, Texas A&M

Nic Scourton’s evaluation for the 2025 NFL Draft is complicated by his performance in 2024, where he carried too much excess weight, negatively impacting his explosiveness. While the 6’4”, 285-pound edge rusher’s 2023 tape at Purdue is among the most polished and refined in the class, showcasing his quickness and pass-rush skills, his 2024 season at Texas A&M revealed a noticeable drop in his burst and overall agility.

However, if Scourton can lose weight, he has an exceptional pass-rush skill set and natural ability to create leverage, which could make him a steal in the 2025 NFL Draft.

8: Jack Sawyer, Ohio State

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Jack Sawyer is a true football player, embodying the grit and determination that NFL teams covet. A defensive end for Ohio State, Sawyer combines a high football IQ, relentless motor, and aggressive physicality—traits that make him a standout competitor at the NFL level.

The Buckeyes’ defensive end blends speed and agility, making him a threat in pass-rushing situations. At the same time, his developed frame, strength, and technical prowess enable him to set the edge against the run effectively.

However, Sawyer’s athleticism and bend are areas of concern. His lack of explosive burst and pop is evident on tape, particularly off the line. As a result, he may project as an EDGE2 in the NFL, but with his strong work ethic and well-rounded skill set, he could still carve out a valuable role on a defensive line.

7: Princely Umanmielen, Ole Miss

Princely Umanmielen is a disruptive, powerful edge rusher with great length and athleticism. His ability to generate power and leverage against blockers allows him to set the edge and create havoc in the passing game. 

With 10.5 sacks in 2024, Umanmielen uses his flexibility, volcanic first step, and refined pass rush arsenal to create pressure. However, at 6’4” and 260 pounds, he weighed in at the Senior Bowl heavier than expected, and he may need to play 10 pounds lighter to maintain his eruptive burst and speed-to-power ability. 

6: Mykel Williams, Georgia

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Mykel Williams is an explosive, highly athletic edge rusher who stands out with his quickness and relentless motor. A constant disruptor off the edge, Williams can collapse the pocket and generate pressure on the quarterback with his speed and strength. He just hasn’t done this often enough.

While he’s shown solid flashes of being an adequate pass rusher, Williams will need to improve his consistency and expand his pass-rushing arsenal to reach his full potential at the next level. Where the Georgia defensive end thrives is in the run game where his physical traits and agility allow him to secure the edge.

5: Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M

Shemar Stewart is a physically imposing defensive lineman with a rare combination of size, strength, and athleticism. At 6’5” and 281 pounds, The Aggies’ edge rusher has prototypical size and has elite movement skills. He has the mobility, active footwork, and bend of a player 40 pounds lighter and offers serious upside at the next level.

However, Stewart is yet to put it all together. A team selecting Stewart is doing so on pure ceiling projection, as he only has 4.5 career sacks.

4: Mike Green, Marshall

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Mike Green is a dynamic edge rusher with exceptional burst and the ability to bend around the edge easily. His speed and flexibility allow him to quickly close the distance between himself and the quarterback, making him a dangerous pass-rushing threat. 

With FBS leading 17 sacks on 51 pressures in 2024, Green finishes plays at an absurd rate. One of the most flexible pass rushers to have entered the draft in recent seasons, the Marshall edge rusher has violent hand swipes and a developed arsenal of pass rush moves. Meanwhile, he is also stout against the run.

3: James Pearce Jr., Tennessee

James Pearce Jr. is an explosive edge rusher who has the ability to change the game with his quickness and relentless pressure. His combination of speed and power makes him a threat on passing downs, where his elite first-step quickness and twitchy movement allow him to beat offensive tackles 1-on-1. 

With 17.5 sacks in the last two seasons, the Tennessee edge defender is one of the most technically refined pass rushers in the 2025 NFL Draft and has the ceiling of a double-digit sack artist in the NFL.

2: Jalon Walker, Georgia

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Jalon Walker is a dynamic, athletic, and powerful defender with a versatile skill set. Considered a tweener, Walker split his time between off-ball linebacker and edge rusher in 2024, leading to some debate among analysts about his optimal role at the next level.

However, Walker’s most impactful reps come as a pass rusher. His exceptional football IQ, athleticism, length, and ability to read plays allow him to take precise angles and anticipate offensive movements. While his pass-rush technique still requires refinement, Walker’s potential is undeniable. If he lands with a creative play-caller who can fully utilize his diverse skill set, Walker has the upside to develop into a disruptive force at the next level.

1: Abdul Carter, Penn State

Abdul Carter is the premier edge rusher in the 2025 NFL Draft. He has elite athleticism, a high motor, and the ability to disrupt games on every down. His combination of speed, strength, and technique allows him to win off the edge and put pressure on quarterbacks consistently.

Labelled by some analysts as the top overall player in the 2025 NFL Draft, Carter is an elite athlete, having only converted to playing the edge full-time in 2024. At 6’3” and 252 pounds, the Penn State edge rusher is a violent rusher with the physical tools, physicality, and aggressive mentality to take over games.

OWAIN JONES

NFL & NFL DRAFT ANALYST

OWAIN COVERS EVERYTHING NFL & NFL DRAFT. COMING WITH PLENTY OF EXPERIENCE, OWAIN IS ALSO A WRITER FOR PRO FOOTBALL NETWORK AND PREVIOUSLY WAS THE NFL DRAFT EDITOR AT NINETY-NINE YARDS WHERE HE CREATED DRAFT TALK, A NFL DRAFT PODCAST FOR NINETY-NINE YARDS. YOU CAN FOLLOW HIM ON TWITTER @OWAIN_JONES_

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