2025 NFL DRAFT: Position Breakdown: EDGE RUSHERS and LINEBACKERS

 

 

2025 EDGE DEFENDERS and LINEBACKERS

 

EDGE defenders are a premier position the NFL. Every team needs guys that can put pressure on the opposing quarterback. The superstars are the highest paid defenders in the NFL. The contenders for the Super Bowl usually have at least one great pass rusher. This year’s crop is deep and talented. Abdul Carter is a top 3 lock. He could see up to EIGHT guys picked in the first round.

Inside linebackers have seen their value drop but versatile linebackers that can can be used as hybrid edge rushers and drop into coverage are more valuable. This year’s class has two players that fit that mold in Jalon Walker and Jihaad Campbell.

Abdul Carter-EDGE-Penn St
6’3”/250
NFL Comp: Von Miller/Clay Matthews   
PFF Grade: 86.2
12 sacks and 23.5 tackles for loss in 2024
Carter and Travic Hunter are considered the two best overall prospects in the 2025 NFL draft. The term read and react perfectly describes what Carter does on a football field. He was productive in college, leading the nation in tackles for loss. His versatility separates him from the pack as he can play off the ball as a linebacker and can be pure pass rusher.

Barring injures Carter should be able to become an All Pro early in his career. He compares to Miller and Matthews in terms of size, quickness and position versatility. He will be the first defensive player drafted in 2025.

Mike Green-EDGE-Marshall  
6’3”/251/28 Reps
NFL Comp: DeMarcus Ware/Khalil Mack
PFF Grade: 92.4
17 sacks and 23 tackles
Green did exactly what a player on his talent level was supposed to do. He dominated the Sun Belt and led the country in sacks. The best word to describe the way Green plays is relentless. Any questions about his level of competition were answered at the Senior Bowl where he put on a show against the best offensive tackles in the class.
Twenty years ago, Ware was a small school prospect that ascended to the number 11 pick and then had a great career that led to Canton. Mack had a similar draft process in 2014. Green could be drafted as high as the top ten and has a chance to become a very special player at the next level.

Jalon Waker-LB-Georgia
6’2”/243
NFL Comp: Demario Davis/James Farrior
PFF Grade: 73.1
6.5 sacks, 11 TFL and 60 total tackles
Walker won the Butkus Award as the best linebacker in the nation. He provides value as both a pass rusher and as an off the ball linebacker. He was the leader of the Georgia defense ans has that Alpha mentality anytime he is on the field. His best traits are his versatility and toughness. Walker has the tools to become a Pro Bowl player capable of 100 tackle and 5 sack seasons similar to Davis and Farrior.

Jihaad Campbell-LB-Alabama 
6’3”/235/4.52
NFL Comp: Zack Baun/Frankie Luvu
PFF Grade: 81.6
8 sacks, 17 TFL and 84 total tackles
Campbell vs Walker is a debate among NFL GMs. Campbell put up better stats last year and is really improving as a complete linebacker. Campell has the perfect combination of speed, size and toughness. He is relentless and can go sideline to sideline as a tackler. A defensive coordinator should use him best as an off ball linebacker that can be used as an edge player on passing downs.

Shemar Stewart-EDGE/LDE-Texas A&M   
6’5”/259/4.59/40” vertical jump
NFL Comp: Rashan Gary/Odafe Oweh
PFF Grade: 79.5
1.5 sacks and 6 TFL
Stewart has the incredible physical attributes that scouts look for in a prospect. However, his college production was sorely lacking. Like Green, Stewart made himself a lot of money with a great showing at the Senior Bowl. He is a good run defender and edge setter as he knows how to use his power and speed. Stewart also had the longest arms for any edge player with a seven foot wingspan. Gary and Oweh were both highly recruited players that didn’t put up big sack numbers in college but were still drafted in the first round. Both are solid starters, Stewart should have a similar role at the next level.

Mykel Williams-EDGE-Georgia  
6’5”/260
NFL Comp: Travon Walker/Chandler Jones
PFF Grade: 78.4
5 sacks and 9 TFL
Williams was the number 7 rated prospect coming out of high school in 2022. He made an immediate impact on Georgia’s title team leading them in sacks as a freshman. His sack totals never reached full potential due to him having to rush more inside in Georgia’s scheme. That actually helps his all around stock as he has proven to be a complete defensive end that can rush the passer, stop the run and set the edge. This is why I compare him to another Georgia player in Walker. Chandler Jones had very similar measurables and the same raw talent coming out of Syracuse in 2012.

James Pearce-EDGE-Tennessee    
6’5”/245/4.47
NFL Comp: Brian Burns/Josh Sweat
PFF Grade: 87.1
10 sacks and 15 TFL in 2023.
Pearce is an elite athlete that plays with explosiveness. He ran the fastest forty time of any defensive end at the combine. He put up better numbers in 2023 than 2024.Pearce has the same elite speed, length and power as Burns and Sweat. He has the tools to be a double-digit sack guy at the next level

Donovan Ezeiruaku-EDGE-Boston College
6’2”/248
NFL Comp: Harold Landry/Samson Ekubam
PFF Grade: 90.0
16.5 sacks and 21 tackles for loss in 2024
Ezeiruaku was super productive at Boston College. He is a technician with an advanced set a pass rush moves. His lack of height and length doesn’t stop him from getting to where he needs to go. He showcased his quickness at the combine with a 6.94 3 cone drill. He is a vey smart football player. He compares to another BC edge rusher in Landry. Landry’s lack of size dropped him to the second round in 2018 yet he has proven to be as consistent a pass rusher as one can find.

Nic Scourton-EDGE-Texas A&M   
6’3”/257
NFL Comp: Cliff Avril/Anthony Spencer
PFF Grade: 80.2
5 sacks and 14 TFL
10 sacks and 15 TFL in 2023 at Purdue
Scourton put up better numbers at Purdue than he did at A&M. He uses power and toughness to get to the passer. I compare him with two great Boilermakers in Avril and Spencer. Both were undersized but had very productive NFL careers. Both making one Pro Bowl and having seasons with double digit sacks.

Landon Jackson-EDGE/5T-Arkansas  
6’6”/264/4.68/40.5” vert  
NFL Comp: Denico Autry/ Za'Darius Smith
PFF Grade: 83.0
6.5 sacks and 10 TFL
Jackson has the ideal combination of length, athletic ability and toughness to be a base end in a 4-3. Jackson has two solid years of production in the SEC. Autry and Smith are both base ends that carved out great roles for themselves in the NFL. Jackson should do the same. A lot of teams could use a secondary edge player. In the second round Jackson could be a steal.

Jack Sawyer-EDGE-Ohio St
6’4”/260
NFL Comp: Sam Hubbard/Dorance Armstrong
PFF Grade: 90.5
9 sacks and 9 TFL
Sawyer was the hero in the National semifinal game with his scoop and score that sealed a spot in the title for Ohio State. One play doesn’t define an entire career but that one play shows all of the skills that Sawyer has. Lined up in a wide alignment he uses a quick first step and leverage to get by right tackle Cameron Williams (3^rd round prospect), breaks down and smacks the ball out of Quinn Ewers hands picks up the ball and sprints 84 years. Sawyer is a safe bet as good starting 43 defensive end but he never developed into a pass rusher like the Bosa brothers at Ohio State.

Carson Schwesinger-LB-UCLA
6’2”/242/22 reps
NFL Comp: Paul Posluszny/Germaine Pratt
PFF Grade: 80.6
4 sacks, 9 TFL and 90 total tackles
Schwesinger was a tackling machine as a junior last season. He went from walk-on to an All-American. He is proof of the old phrase “luck is when preparation meets opportunity” He waited 4 years to start at UCLA and was their best player. His best trait is his pursuit in the open field. He is solid in coverage and has the versatility to play any linebacker spot.

J.T. Tuimoloau-EDGE-Ohio St
6’4”/265
NFL Comp: Boye Mafe/Chauncey Golston
PFF Grade: 86.2
12.5 sacks and 22 TFL
Tuimoloau was the number two prospect in the nation in 2021. He had a breakout year as a pass rusher his senior. He plays his game based on power and length. Like teammate Jack Sawyer, he had unfair expectations to become the next Bosa or Chase Young. He is a very good football player, just a very good football player but not on that level.  

Princely Umanmielen-EDGE-Ole Miss
6’4”/244/4.72/38” vertical
NFL Comp: Arden Key/Bruce Irvin
PFF Grade: 91.1
10.5 sacks and 14 TFL
Umanmielen is who he is. A pass rushing outside linebacker with great speed, length and quickness. If used correctly he can be a very good role player like Key or Irvin. He produced at Florida and at Ole Miss. He is battled tested and can come in as a 3^rd down pass rush specialist on day one.

Jordan Burch-EDGE/5T-Oregon     
6’4”/279/4.67 
NFL Comp: John Franklin Myers/Ebenezer Ekuban
PFF Grade: 77.6
8.5 sacks and 11 TFL
Burch tested very well at the combine. He is very fast for a player of that size. His inconsistency throughout his five-year college career combined with a knee injury is what may prevent him from going in the first round. He can play inside or outside on the defensive line and can play in multiple fronts. He has the college production and size. He will be a steal if he can put it all together.

Demetrius Knight Jr.-LB-S Carolina
6’2”/235/4.58/22 reps
NFL Comp: Jordan Hicks/Shaq Leonard
PFF Grade: 82.4
2 sacks, 8 TFL and 82 total tackles
Knight has taken the road less traveled to the NFL. Knight recently turned 25 making him an older prospect. He was recruited to Georgia Tech as a dual threat quarterback in 2019. He was moved to linebacker and played at Tech four seasons before stops and Charlotte and South Carolina last season. He possesses a nice combination of speed, power, length and instincts. He should be a good starter in this league.

Josaiah Stewart-EDGE-Michigan
6’1”/249
NFL Comp: Elvis Dumervil/Robert Mathis
PFF Grade: 91.2
8.5 sacks and 13 TFL
Stewart would be a sure fire top 20 pick if he were taller. Lucklily for him, he knows how to use his height to his advantage with a great first step, leverage and toughness. He is a defensive end and should be used as one accordingly. He has a chance to become a major steal like Dumervil and Mathis were in the early 2000s.

Bradyn Swinson-EDGE-LSU
6’4”/255
NFL Comp: D.J. Wonnum/Bryce Huff
PFF Grade: 83.3
8.5 sacks and 13 TFL
Swinson was a reserve at Oregon three seasons before transferring to LSU where he was a backup and then had his breakout season last year. His best trait is his quickness getting off the ball. He fits best as a 3-4 stand up rush backer, hence the comparisons to Wonnum and Huff.

Kyle Kennard-EDGE-South Carolina  
6’4”/254/4.73
NFL Comp: Carl Granderson/ Emmanuel Ogbah
PFF Grade: 77.0
11.5 sacks and 16 TFL
Kennard played 4 seasons at Georgia Tech and then one season in the SEC at South Carolina. He was named SEC Defensive player of the year as he led the conference in sacks and tackles for loss. Kennard is strong enough to play on the line and athletic enough to be a stand-up rusher. If he can become more consistent he can become a starter at the next level.

Jared Ivey-EDGE/5T-Ole Miss   
6’6”/274
NFL Comp: William Gholston/Deatrich Wise
PFF Grade: 90.6
6.5 sacks and 10 TFL
Ivey is an intriguing prospect given his size and length. The team that drafts him will likely use his versatility to play on the edge or inside as a defensive end. Ivey may never be a high production sack guy but he can turn into a versatile role player. In the third round he would be a pretty safe choice.

Ashton Gillotte-EDGE-Louisville  
6’3”/264
NFL Comp: Matt Judon/Dawuane Smoot
PFF Grade: 86.2
4.5 sacks and 10 TFL
11 sacks and 14.5 TFL in 2023.   
Gillotte had a very productive four years at Louisville. Gillotte’s player comparison to Matt Judon may be the most perfect comparison I have had in years. Judon was number 9 on New England from 21-23 and number 9 on Louisville looks very similar. Both are relentless and versatile defensive ends that good against the pass and run. Both uses power and technique over size. Judon is a 4x Pro Bowler so that is the ceiling for Gillotte.

Oluwafemi Oladejo-EDGE-UCLA
6’3”/259
NFL Comp: Malcolm Koonce/K'Lavon Chaisson
PFF Grade: 92.4
4.5 sacks and 14 TFL   Oladejo played off ball linebacker at California where he had 91 tackles. At UCLA he moved to edge defender. His ability to tackle in open space is still elite. He really helped himself at the Senior Bowl where he showcased his skills as a pass rusher. He could be a very nice chess piece given his versatility to rush the passer, drop into coverage and make tackles in space

 

 

Day 3 EDGE RUSHERS	HT	WT	PFF	40	Bench	WING
David Walker-DE-Cent ARK	6'1''	263	94.6	4.69	26	77 1/2
Barryn Sorrell-EDGE-Texas	6'3''	256	71.5	4.68	28	77 7/8
Tyler Baron-EDGE-Miami	6'5''	258	76.0	4.62	19	80 1/4
Kaimon Rucker-EDGE-UNC	6'1''	254	74.5	DNP	27	79 7/8
Antwaun Powell Ryland-EDGE-Virginia Tech	6'3''	258	78.6	4.69	DNP	76 1/8
Jah Joyner-EDGE-Minnesota	6'4''	262	76.7	4.60	22	82 1/2
Que Robinson-EDGE-Alabama	6'4"	243	86.0	DNP	DNP	80 1/8
Tyler Batty-EDGE-BYU	6'6''	271	78.5	4.78	27	81
Collin Oliver-EDGE-OK St	6'2''	240	88.6	4.56	24	76 1/8
Ahmed Hassanein-EDGE-Boise	6'3''	267	81.4	4.77	27	78 3/4
Fadil Diggs-EDGE-Syracuse	6'4''	257	74.0	4.57	26	79 1/8
R.J. Oben-EDGE-Notre Dame	6'3''	255	75.0	4.93	26	79 1/8
Ethan Downs-EDGE-Oklahoma	6'4''	269	78.5	4.69	32	77
Steve Linton-EDGE-Baylor	6'4''	242		DNP	21	81 1/4
Johnny Walker Jr.-EDGE-Mizzou	6'3''	246	80.1	4.79	21	79 3/8
Chaz Chambliss-EDGE-Georgia	6'2''	242		7.83	30	77

 

 

Day 3 LINEBACKER	HT	WT	PFF	40	Bench	WING
Chris Paul-LB-Ole Miss	6'1''	222	87.2	4.63	DNP	75 3/8
Barrett Carter-LB-Clemson	6'0''	231	68.0	4.64	22	78 5/8
Danny Stutsman-LB-Oklahoma	6'3''	233	76.6	4.52	22	77 1/2
Jeffrey Bassa-LB-Oregon	6'1''	232	73.4	4.63	21	78 3/4
Smael Mondon-LB-Georgia	6'2''	224	72.4	4.58	DNP	80 1/8
Cody Simon-LB-Ohio St	6'2''	229	87.9	4.59	21	75 3/4
Jack Kiser-LB-Notre Dame	6'2''	231	83.0	4.62	20	75 1/2
Kobe King-LB-Penn St	6'1''	236	83.6	4.63	26	78 5/8
Jamon Dumas Johnson-LB-UK	6'1''	238	62.6	4.50	16	78 1/2
Nickolas Martin-LB-OK St	5'11''	221	67.1	4.53	26	78 3/8
Jay Higgins-LB-Iowa	6'0''	224	87.0	4.83	DNP	75
Cody Lindenberg-Minnesota	6'2''	236	72.2	DNP	20	77 5/8
Teddye Buchanan-LB-CAL	6'2''	233	77.5	4.6	26	75 3/8
Francisco Mauigoa-LB-Miami	6'2''	233	NA	4.6	DNP	77 3/8
Kain Medrano-LB-UCLA	6'3''	222	71.7	4.46	DNP	77 1/4
Karene Reid-LB-Utah	6'0''	231	71.0	DNP	17	6'3 1/4"
Eugene Asante-LB-Auburn	6'0''	223	63.7	4.48	21	73 1/2
Shemar James-LB-Florida	6'1''	222	59.6	4.69	DNP	77 3/4
Tyreem Powell-LB-Rutgers	6'4''	239	NA	DNP	DNP	82 3/8
Jackson Woodard-LB-UNLV	6'2''	234	NA	DNP	21	NA
Bam Martin Scott-LB-South Carolina	6'2''	231	NA	4.63	DNP	79 3/8
Power Echols-LB-UNC	5'11''	237	NA	4.73	DNP	75 5/8
De'Rickey Wright-LB-Vandy	6'3''	214	76.2	4.62	DNP	NA