Framing the Draft: Tierable EDGE Profiles
Let’s get after the passer! While not the sexiest draft class ever, this one can set the edge very well, with 20 legitimate Day 1 or 2 prospects. Let’s frame some of the players who can give you an EDGE!
I am going to put a bit of a twist on rankings, as this series will not just break down top-5s. Top 5s are important, of course, but it gets tedious to read about the same handful of prospects across multiple platforms. Therefore, we will go deeper, taking a couple of players to analyze from a few “tiers” of consensus rankings.
Next up in this series are the fellas who chase down signal-callers. Having a great EDGE Rusher or two can set your teams apart from the rest of the league (NFL and fantasy). This class is absolutely loaded on this front, with 20+ legitimate EDGE Rushers who could go in the top 100 picks, and 12 I would be OK with on day 1. These prospects were challenging to rank, balancing upside with production. After the top guy, you could order the next 7 in almost any order!
Utilizing the consensus big board from www.nflmockdraftdatabase.com. The top 20 names are on the left, while my top 20 are on the right. Note: These rankings are purely for my projections as NFL prospects, not necessarily for fantasy! We will utilize the consensus as a breakdown for tiers: Top-20 picks, Fringe first-rounders, and Day 2 shots. Another note: All statistics references will come from PFF’s database. PRWR is pass rush win rate. TPS is true pass sets. And PRP is their pass rush productivity metric.
Tier 1 – Top-20 picks:
We have quite an interesting group that deviates from the consensus board. Abdul Carter, Mike Green, Jalon Walker, and Mykel Williams seem to be guaranteed in the top two dozen picks, while Shermar Stewart is a fringe pick. To me, the most interesting names of those five are actually both Bulldogs, who profile quite differently.
EDGE6: Jalon Walker, Georgia
Framing the draft: One of the most polarizing players in the draft is the EDGE/LB Hybrid from Georgia. Walker is a tweener with LB size but the explosiveness and power you want from an EDGE. He projects best on the EDGE, so we will analyze him here.
Tierable profile: Walker’s size and athleticism make him an enigma. He has the size and range of a true off-ball LB, but the instincts and feel are not close to NFL-ready. On the other hand, his explosion, speed, and power are great for the EDGE, but he would be one of the smaller EDGE rushers we have seen. For Walker to reach his ceiling, he must be able to put together a full rush plan and hone in his athleticism. Walker shows prowess against the run and converting speed-to-power. When playing off-ball, he is spectacular as a spy and triggers down very well. If Walker lands with a DC who will use him all over the field and play to his strengths, he has a chance to become a double-digit sack player in the mold of a Kaden Elliss or Clay Matthews. However, if his size/usage may be too much to overcome, we may be looking at another Isaiah Simmons or Zaven Collins type. The upside is worth a top-3 IDP pick, but the risk is immense.
EDGE2: Mykel Williams, Georgia
Framing the draft: The other UGA EDGE has a similar overall profile to former Bulldog Travon Walker. Both were used more as interior players early on, which did not allow them to maximize their pass-rush profiles. Both are freaky athletes with high floors and ceilings (though for them, reaching the ceiling is not the most likely outcome). Opinions of Williams vary around the league, making his landing spot one of the more fascinating storylines.
Tierable profile: When Williams was healthy this season, he showed some dominant flashes. He also showed that he is beyond unrefined as an EDGE rusher, with a lackluster plan and bend. What makes him my EDGE 2 is the floor; he is dominant against the run. His lost reps were never bad, and he was never pushed around. The flashes in games like Texas show just what his upside can be, while his strength, violence, and power are on display every rep. His true outside-inside versatility may limit IDP upside, as he most likely shifts inside for passing downs, but he has explosiveness and size to handle guards and tackles. Walker is a swing-for-the-fences player, while Williams is a double off the wall. He compares favorably to two 2024 favorites in Darius Robinson and Marshawn Kneeland; having more athleticism than the former and more polish than the latter.
Tier 2 – Fringe 1st rounders (expected to go 20-40)
The tier expands vastly here, with another 7-8 names to choose from. The rushers in this range have some excellent skills but a few flaws. Whether they are speedy rushers with little size or collegiate stars with limited upside, they fit in the darn good ballplayer range but could see themselves as merely rotational options.
EDGE5: Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College
Framing the draft: One of the latest “risers” at EDGE is the speedster from Boston College. Ezeiruaku is still 7th on the consensus board, but there is real smoke he sneaks into the top-20. He is small for an EDGE and not the most powerful, but he is a damn good ball player. Elite metrics were followed by elite production this year, helping to launch his stock.
Tierable profile: Ezeiruaku’s calling card is his burst. His speed is difficult to match, and his tenacity adds another level. His lack of size shows up, as he can get caught and pushed around, which causes concern for him having a full-time role. He has great length and leverage, which he uses well to counter his weight/strength, especially in the pass game. High-IQ, length, speed, and tenacity are reminiscent of Chop Robinson from 2024 (though he doesn’t have Chop’s first step). Ezeiruaku had streaky production, which may also reign true in the league, but he does have a real double-digit sack upside. I love speed rushers, so we’ll be higher on Ezeiruaku than many, but he is a solid top-10 IDP pick this season. He will grade better in a high-sack scoring league but is solid enough against the run for all formats.
EDGE4: Nic Scourton, Texas A&M (Purdue)
Framing the draft: Coming into this season, there was debate whether Scourton would go in the top 10. Now, the question is whether he is a top-10 EDGE in the class. His film was underwhelming in his only year in College Station, but is that the truth? Texas A&M had him playing far heavier than he did at Purdue and in a defend-the-run-first scheme. The Purdue film is legitimately top-10 worthy, which is where I feel the truth lies.
Tierable profile: After a 2023 with Abdul Carter-level metrics, Scourton fell off hard. Scourton shows heavy hands and extreme violence on tape, translating to the pass and run games. Despite being just 20, his bag of pass rush moves and plan is upper-echelon. When playing at his ideal weight, he has an impressive blend of power, speed, and agility, making him a versatile rusher from various alignments. 2024 did show his biggest flaws: length and athleticism. Linemen can get a hold of him and anchor him out of a play. He plays much like a shorter Montez Sweat, an all-around awesome player with the potential to become a real EDGE1. Despite the struggles this season, his metrics were solid, with PRWR just behind Ezeiruaku and ahead of Walker. If he can be the player he was at Purdue, he could easily be a massive steal.
Tier 3 – Day 2 shots:
While this class lacks true blue-chip talent, it is loaded with solid players and depth. EDGE has a lot of higher-end talent and depth, making it a fascinating group. Nearly a dozen players don’t have the athletic ability or film to sneak into round 1, but give a team a solid starting option with upside on day 2. Once rookie drafts come around, you should load up on EDGE players!
EDGE9: JT Tuimolaou, Ohio State
Framing the draft: I have used the phrase “damn good ball player” too many times; but JTT is just a damn. good. ballplayer. He had round 1 hype after 2023 and during 2024 but has (correctly) fallen more toward the mid-2nd round. He is a team leader and jack-of-all-trades type that coaches and teammates will adore. JTT may not have high-end talent or metrics, but he makes plays and should be a long-time starter in the league.
Tierable profile: Tuimolaou is a solid all-around EDGE who can rush the passer and stop the run. He has a great floor and should be a good player for many years. JTT did test well, but his prowess comes from power. He is a violent rusher with heavy hands, pushing the pocket and holding down the edge. Much like George Karlaftis, he projects to be a solid secondary rusher and force against the run. For IDP leagues, he will be best for tackle-heavy formats, while he drops in ranks in sack-heavy ones. His pass rush metrics have been acceptable, which we should not expect to see rise in the NFL. Many were concerned with his athletic ability, but the combine may have dispelled many of those concerns. He was explosive off the line, which was backed up by jump and shuttle metrics.
EDGE18: Oluwafemi Oladejo, UCLA (Cal)
Framing the draft: Another late riser, Oladejo has gone from a relative unknown to a day 2 prospect (similar to another Bruin who we will discuss in a few weeks). He is new to the EDGE position after spending the first years of his collegiate career as an off-ball LB. The developmental tag is real, but he does show a great deal of promise.
Tierable profile: In his first year as a full-time EDGE Rusher, Oladejo had solid but unspectacular rush metrics. His best games were against the best teams on the schedule (Penn State, Minnesota, USC, Iowa), which will make teams giddy if an unrefined prospect can rise to the occasion. Oladejo is a twitched-up athlete who needs development, much like Yaya Diaby was. He is incredibly explosive and plays the run well, still having the LB mindset. He can set the edge as a 3-4 EDGE, and if his athleticism can be directed toward the passer, he could be a real player. Oladejo has the mindset to be a versatile defender with enough athletic ability to bet on. He won’t be a top 15 IDP pick, but the upside is an EDGE2 with tackle upside.