2025 NFL Draft: DE Rankings
1
Abdul Carter
School: Penn State
Ht/Wt: 6’3”, 250 lbs
Strengths:
Carter is an edge rusher who checks pretty much every box when it comes to athleticism. His burst is noticeable right from the first split second after the ball is snapped. Carter’s get off immediately puts him at an advantage over his opponent on most plays, and it is the OT who then has to go into recovery mode. His bend further makes him tough to stop, and he is able to get low enough as he is turning the corner to avoid being pushed out the back door. Carter does this while maintaining his speed, and you can really see him turn on the jets as he closes in on the QB. In flashes, an effective swim move has shown up on tape, as well as a good spin move. More often, he’ll beat his opponent with a dip and rip move. Carter is a former off the ball LB who transitioned to DE. You can see the fluidity that he possesses, and even after making the transition, he still was tasked with dropping into coverage from time to time. Though his coverage tasks will remain basic, he is quite effective in this role. He is a smart player, and can read the QB as he is about to let his pass go. Carter does well to get his arms up, and has broken up multiple passes. Against the run, Carter is efficiently able to track the ball carrier across the line of scrimmage, and can make plays near the sideline. His pursuit speed is also on display when he is defending the run, through his ability to successfully track down the RB from behind.
Weaknesses:
Carter looks a little bit undersized for the position. Today’s game does cater more to these kinds of players, but I think he will still need to get a good bit stronger. There are times where bigger opponents are able to stifle his attack, especially when they get to initiate contact. The struggles were less prominent as a pass rusher, but more evident in run support. If he wasn’t able to penetrate the line, he was often a non factor, and his biggest impact often came when he got to chase down the ball carrier–a situation that gave him more space, and an easier time avoiding contact. As a pass rusher, he is highly effective, and has a ton of potential. However, I think he still relies too much on his athleticism to win. Carter has shown flashes of some good counter moves, but not only can he use them more often, he can also add more to his toolbox.
Summary:
Carter has the tools to be a good pass rusher on day 1, and the upside to be an elite all around player in a small amount of time. There really isn’t anything he is lacking, athletically. His speed around the edge will be very tough to stop. But at this point, his rush attack is pretty simple. There have been flashes of inside counters, but adding to them and using them more often can take his game to another level, and make him less predictable. Carter will definitely need to get stronger. This is the biggest point of improvement, as he transitions to the NFL level. This will help him as a pass rusher, but should also bring a needed boost to his run defence. He is not a perfect prospect, but Carter projects as an elite player in the league. His few issues are correctable, and his traits are elite. He will likely be a top 5 pick in the draft.
| Grade: 87.7 | Round Grade: 1st |
2
Mike Green
School: Marshall
Ht/Wt: 6’3”, 251 lbs
Strengths:
Marshall is a feisty player with an ultra revved up motor. He is going 110% on every play, and his effort is appreciated. With his high end athleticism, plus his motor, he is able to win around the edge with a good bit of consistency. His combination of burst, bend, and speed makes for a great combination as a pass rusher. On top of that, his technique is highly refined. Marshall has several moves in the toolbox, all of which he is not afraid to unleash. Whether it is a spin, swim move, dip/rip, push/pull, a simple speed rush, or anything else, he does it at a high level. With OT’s already thinking about his speed pre-snap, busting out one of those moves is often the perfect recipe. Marshall’s timing when going with an inside counter is usually spot on. OT’s selling out to prevent him from winning around the edge are vulnerable to having their momentum used against them. When Marshall cuts back inside, it is tough for them to mirror his rush. Against the run, he has made some splashy plays thanks to his ability to create quick penetration. His speed and motor help him when pursuing a ball carrier from behind.
Weaknesses:
Marshall is on the light side, and despite having an aggressive style, can struggle with adding a power element to his game. Bigger and stronger OT’s will have to deal with his speed, but aren’t without tricks of their own. Hand strikes can throw off his rush, and there are times where they are able to anchor down and prevent him from creating any movement. Marshall will need to show some improvement in the run game. He doesn’t set the edge very well, and can get moved off his spot, opening up a lane for the runner. As well, his aggressiveness as a pass rusher sometimes makes it so that he takes himself out of the play if it is a run. In some of his games, his effectiveness decreased in the 4th quarter. Not only from a physical standpoint, but also mental, as he was more prone to biting on things, like play action.
Summary:
Marshall is a high floor/high upside player thanks to his combination of high end athletic traits and refinement as a pass rusher from a technical standpoint. There are so many ways that he can beat you. That said, there are areas he can improve. The first being that he will need to get stronger. Despite some flashy plays against the run, he is currently more of a liability than asset in this area. He will need to improve as an edge setter, and also become more aware on the field in certain situations. On day 1, Marshall should be able to boost a team’s pass rush. As he develops, the hope is that he can become a more complete player. He is a likely 1st round pick, especially after an impressive Senior Bowl week.
| Grade: 87.2 | Round Grade: 1st |
3
James Pearce
School: Tennessee
Ht/Wt: 6’5”, 245 lbs
Strengths:
Pearce is a speedy pass rusher who also possesses the quickness and twitch to win around the edge. He is a threat on every down, and OT’s must be on their toes. Ones that are not can sometimes end up taking a holding call, or allowing him to win around the edge. I wouldn’t say his toolbox is full, but Pearce does use some other moves to win as well. Once in a while, he’ll throw a spin move into the mix. As well, for someone who is as light as he is, there are surprising flashes where he converts speed into some power. He is also good at dipping inside when his opponent has a good amount of momentum going the other way. Even when going around the edge, his ability to really dip that shoulder low is quite impressive. Pearce’s agility is on display, not only as a pass rusher, but also when he got reps in coverage. His ability as a lateral mover was surprisingly very good, and can cover quite a bit of ground, allowing him to cover deeper zones. Pearce has a high motor, which obviously helped his play as a pass rusher. It also allowed him to make some plays against the run, especially when he was able to create some penetration.
Weaknesses:
Pearce has good length, but is severely lacking in mass. He is lean and light, which leads to times where he is pushed around on the football field. This makes his instances of converting speed to power surprising. But despite some of that success, flashes do not equal consistency. More often than not, strength and power are two things that his game lacks. He has his fair share of times where he gets stood up by his opponent. But I think it had an even bigger impact against the run. OT’s could clear him right out, on some plays, and his counters were not too effective in these instances. As a pass rusher, I wouldn’t say he is one dimensional. However, I do think he can, not only add a few moves to his toolbox, but also use them a bit more, and his speed rush a little less.
Summary:
Pearce’s high end athleticism naturally brings a high ceiling along with it. His ability to win with speed and bend around the edge make life tough for OT’s, and he has shown flashes of some other moves that will allow him to diversify his attack. The main issue is his weight. He will need to get a lot stronger, as he transitions to the next level. Otherwise, he will likely get pushed around quite a bit, and issues deafening the run will linger. Early on, he’ll be more of a pass rusher than full time starter, I’d imagine. If he can pack on some muscle, Pearce, in time, could develop into a high end all around player. His traits are certainly something that teams will be willing to bet on. With some development, the team that drafts him will reap the rewards.
| Grade: 86.0 | Round Grade: 1st |
4
Donovan Ezeiruaku
School: Boston College
Ht/Wt: 6’3”, 248 lbs
Strengths:
Ezeiruaku was a highly productive pass rusher in college. My favourite thing about him is probably how well refined he is from a technical standpoint, and how diversified his plan of attack is. He had so many moves mixed into his attack. His toolbox is full. Ezeiruaku has a great swim move, that he sets up nicely with how he can threaten around the edge. The double swim move came out of his bag of tricks once in a while, as he tried to take on double teams. It was effective too. He was able to first beat his opponent in one direction, then use it on the blocking RB in the other direction, allowing him to get into the backfield. A good chop and dip/rip move also showed up on tape, as did a spin move, from time to time. I wouldn’t necessarily say speed is his game, but he has enough to threaten around the arc. His bend really helps here, and it can be tough for OT’s when he gets low to turn the corner. Against the run, he is decently solid. Not the strongest guy in the world, but not weak, either. He plays with solid leverage and has enough strength to create some push and disrupt things. Many of the moves that help him as a pass rusher have also helped his game as a run defender. A good motor has also helped, and he has enough feistiness to still win on some plays, where it looks like he might have initially stalled out.
Weaknesses:
Ezeiruaku has good physical traits, but outside of his bend, I’m not sure any of them are able to reach that elite level. His speed is alright, but I don’t think his get-off or explosion is anything special. To an extent, I’m nitpicking, but it is worth mentioning for a highly rated prospect. As well, he has enough strength to hold his own and not get bullied. But he isn’t the biggest guy for the position. On that note, I don’t think that a bull rush will be a common method of victory for him. He has enough to set the edge and sometimes generate some push, but not to the point that he would truly threaten in an individual sense. Ezeiruaku was dropped into coverage from time to time, but I don’t think he is fluid enough to do this at the next level, whereas some of the other edge guys in this class are. Motor is usually good, but there are stretches where he can look a bit anemic.
Summary:
Outside of his bend, Ezeiruaku may be lacking the elite physical traits that teams often look for these days. But still, he is solid enough in most areas that it is hard to truly consider it a weakness. When you factor in how well refined he is technically, it is hard to imagine him not being a productive player in the NFL. There are other players in this class with elite traits, who need technical development. They have more upside, but Ezeiruaku is a much safer pick. And although he doesn’t have elite physical traits, they are good enough for his ceiling to still be pretty high. He is a little undersized, which will make matchups against bigger players a bit tough. But he has enough to be a quality starter who can help in stopping the pass and the run.
| Grade: 85.3 | Round Grade: 1st |
5
Mykel Williams
School: Georgia
Ht/Wt: 6’5”, 260 lbs
Strengths:
Williams has a good combination of length, strength, and athleticism. His strength is a big part of his game, and it makes him a real asset as a run defender. He reads the play well and does a good job of disengaging from his block at the right time to then meet the ball carrier and make the tackle. Williams was a good tackler in all of my exposures. Good wrap up technique, and the strength to stonewall and prevent extra yards. As a pass rusher, the bull rush is his go too. He is pretty good at getting some push, and is able to help collapse the pocket, both from the outside and inside. This versatility is something that coaches will appreciate. Williams has flashed a good swim move that, on some occasions, allowed him to get into the backfield after his initial plan of attack was stopped. Athletically, he is quite fluid for his size. This helps him as he tries to turn the corner, or change directions to make a tackle.
Weaknesses:
Williams has traits that can make him a good all around player at the next level. However, at this point in time, he is still raw. His pass rush plan is very simplistic, consisting almost exclusively of a bull rush/power move. You see the odd inside counter, but those cases were few and far between in my exposures. There were many times where his opponent was able to stifle his attack, and it rendered him useless the rest of the play. Williams will need to add several new moves to his toolbox and improve his hand usage. As well, he could play at a lower pad level. Overall, he is a good athlete, but speed and bend are just okay. They don’t quite get to that high end level. As well, his get off is a tad slow. A bit nitpicky, I’ll admit, but it is worth mentioning for a highly rated prospect.
Summary:
Williams’ long frame, good strength, and solid athleticism gives him a decently high floor in the NFL. On day 1, he should be an asset as a run defender, as he does well to disengage from blocks and make tackles. He’ll be able to push the pocket on some occasions, but in order to reach his full ceiling as a pass rusher, he’ll need to significantly diversify his pass rush plan, which currently consists almost exclusively of a bull rush. If he can make the right improvements and develop properly, Williams can be a higher end starter who can rush the passer and play the run. If he doesn’t quite reach that level of development, he can still be a quality rotational player, and perhaps an average-above average starter for his run defending. But this would be disappointing if he is a high pick. The good news is that he isn’t lacking in any areas that are not fixable. Teams will believe in their ability to develop him, and he has a chance to go in the 1st round.
| Grade: 82.4 | Round Grade: 2nd |
6
Shemar Stewart
School: Texas A&M
Ht/Wt: 6’5”, 267 lbs
Strengths:
Stewart is a player who comes with a nice blend of traits. He has the size and strength to not get pushed around, and also enough athleticism to make OT’s nervous defending the edge. At this point, his bull rush is probably the most consistent/effective part of his pass rush. He is decently consistent when it comes to generating push, and things can become uncomfortable for the QB as the pocket collapses. Stewart has a high motor, and this especially helps him defend the run. He uses his strength to get off blocks, and can then explode into the gap to blow a play up, or hunt the ball carrier down from behind. Athletically, he has good burst and a good get-off. This combines nicely with his strength, as he is able to convert speed into power to push back his opponent. He isn’t the bendiest player in the class, but it is good enough to help him get around the edge when he is attempting to win with speed.
Weaknesses:
Stewart will be entering the NFL as a very raw prospect. He has the tools to become a great player, but his lack of production at the college level is concerning. That is not to say he was invisible–his traits made him stand out often. But technical refinement is what often takes the flashes and turns them into finished plays. Right now, his physical traits are what he relies on. Usually it is his power move, with simple speed rushes also being mixed in. He does attempt to win with some rush moves, but they have not been effective, and he will need coaching to improve in this area. His hand timing and placement both were sub-par, and failed to pose much of a threat to his opponent. As well, there were often times where his pad level would rise too high, making it easier for the OT to land a hand strike, and throw off his attack.
Summary:
Stewart’s combination of size, strength, and athleticism will make him an intriguing opinion in the draft. However, as high as his ceiling may be, he is a long way from reaching it. Physical traits are currently his only method of victory, making his game very simplistic. His hand technique needs a lot of work, and he’ll need to fill his toolbox with more than just speed and bull rushes. With these deficiencies, his lack of production isn’t too surprising, as predictable players are easier to stop. Despite them, I don’t mind his floor. He has the strength to be an asset against the run, and his combination of athleticism and power should still allow him to push the pocket. At worst, he should be a good rotational lineman. But for the traits and upside he possesses, this outcome would be disappointing. There is some risk in drafting an unrefined player, and his drafting team will be tasked with getting the most out of him. There is a risk/reward element here. Some teams may be scared away, while others might be more willing to take a shot.
| Grade: 80.2 | Round Grade: 2nd |
7
Landon Jackson
School: Arkansas
Ht/Wt: 6’6”, 264 lbs
Strengths:
Jackson has good length and is a solid enough athlete to make some noise in both phases of the game. His hands are very active, and he is able to swipe away the hands of his opponent, or use an effective club move. He’ll also bring out the arm over move every so often, and can especially use this when his opponent’s momentum is drifting to the outside–he’ll hit him with the inside counter. Jackson seems to take some heat for lack of bend, but I thought it was fine. Not elite, by any means, but he definitely has the ability to win around the arc with speed and bend. He generally is solid against the run, and is able to detach himself from blocks before throwing himself at the ball carrier. With a good tackle radius, he is reliable when required to bring somebody down.
Weaknesses:
For his size, I was disappointed in his effectiveness as a bull rusher. He tried on several occasions, but usually ended up stalling out before much progress was gained, if any. I wouldn’t say that he has overwhelming strength, but his bull rush should be better than that. As mentioned above, Jackson is a fine athlete, but not elite. He gets around the arc decently well, but there were a few instances where if he were a bit faster, he would have gotten the sack. From an athletic standpoint, his worst area is probably his burst. I’m not a huge fan of his get-off. On some plays, Jackson is buzzing around, but there are instances where he doesn’t always seem to be a full go. Being more consistent with his motor could give him an extra little boost. In some instances, he’ll get the pad level up and place his hands too wide. These two things can really impact the battle for leverage.
Summary:
Jackson is a pretty solid pass rusher. He’s got enough speed and bend to win around the edge, and some inside moves in his toolbox to make offensive linemen pay for oversets. His athleticism isn’t elite, though, which has caused him to leave some plays on the field. Overall though, I like what he brings as a pass rusher. Jackson is good against the run as well, showing the ability to get off blocks and make tackles. He isn’t an overly powerful player, and getting stronger is one thing he can do in the offseason, in addition to some technical refinement. At the next level, Jackson projects as a good starter. Maybe doesn’t have elite upside, but he should be able to give you impact and production in both phases within the first couple years of his career.
| Grade: 80.0 | Round Grade: 2nd |
8
Nic Scourton
School: Texas A&M
Ht/Wt: 6’3”, 257 lbs
Strengths:
Scourton has a strong build and plays a very heavy game. He possesses the strength to beat OT’s with his bull rush and create consistent push in the pocket. As well, he showed the ability to blow up running plays. He can push guys back and then completely stand up the ball carrier at or behind the line of scrimmage. Scourton plays with active and heavy hands, making life difficult for his opposition. He is always looking to swipe their hands away, or chop at them, or even just get a nice jab in at the chest. His pursuit speed is decent enough, especially when combined with his other traits. Scourton has also shown a few moves on tape. His spin is quite effective, and his swim move is pretty solid, as well.
Weaknesses:
Scourton isn’t a bad athlete in a general sense, but there were several times when he attempted to rush with speed around the edge, but he just didn’t have the bend to threaten when it came time to turn the corner. He is built pretty heavy, so this isn’t the biggest surprise. Scourton is a strong player, but doesn’t have great length. This can result in some lost battles where he doesn’t have the leverage advantage. Against the run, he has put a lot of good stuff on tape. He is a very capable edge setter, but sometimes, he seems to have these lapses, and allows contain to be broken. He’ll have to iron out these issues and improve his overall consistency.
Summary:
Scourton has a solid enough skill set to be good as a pass rusher and run stopper. His strength is very good, and it combines well with his active and heavy hands. This not only allows him to win on bull rushes, but also gives him the ability to blow up run plays. He has some rush moves in his toolbox, but can continue to add and develop. Athletically, he doesn’t blow me away. But he is solid enough in most areas, save for twitch and bend, which I think will limit his ceiling a little bit. His lack of length will further complicate things in certain matchups. Still, he has enough to be a good all around player, but he’ll need to eliminate some mental mistakes that have led to contain being broken on several plays.
| Grade: 79.8 | Round Grade: 3rd |
9
JT Tuimoloau
School: Ohio State
Ht/Wt: 6’4”, 265 lbs
Strengths:
Tuimoloau is a strong player with good length, a combination which helps him thrive as a run defender. He sets a firm edge and rarely allows a ball carrier to find a path to escape outside when on his side of the field. Tuimoloau is strong at the point of attack, and anchors well, refusing to be moved off his spot. He uses his length to keep a gap between him and his opponent, which makes it easier for him to shake loose and disengage from the block. Once off the block, his speed is good enough to track down a ball carrier within reasonable range. His large tackle radius and his strength allow him to make tackles at the line of scrimmage. Tuimoloau’s length helps him as a pass rusher which, like against the run, makes it easier to get off blocks. His power can be tough to manage for some players, and at the very least, he’ll often have some kiind of presence in the pocket, whether collapsing it or more. Once in a while, you see a spin move being used pretty effectively.
Weaknesses:
Tuimoloau has decent speed, but lacks the bend to be a true impact player as a pass rusher. When it comes to turning the corner, he is too stiff and isn’t able to get low enough to consistently threaten. He is often able to get into the outside parts of the pocket, or sometimes even push the pocket. However, his lack of bend allows the offensive lineman to put out the small fire by just pushing him out the back door. Tuimiloau also rarely uses rush moves, outside of trying to win with his physical traits. With his lack of bend, developing more inside counters is very important. This is because when a lineman is trying to push him out of the play, the guy’s momentum can be used against him, and give Tuimiloau another chance to pursue, if the play is still in the vicinity. His slow get-off is also something that limits him as a pass rusher and, to a lesser extent, a run defender.
Summary:
Tuimoloau has pretty solid, consistent tape, but is lacking a couple of key athletic traits, which might make rushing the passer more challenging at the pro level than it was in college. He is a strong player with good length, showing the ability to set the edge and fall off blocks to make tackles. His play against the run should have him in consideration for playing time early, and he projects as someone who can be very consistent and reliable in this phase as an eventual starter. Unfortunately, his upside as a pass rusher isn’t as high. He lacks the bend and explosion to truly be a difference maker there, even if he has some solid moments. Adding more pass rush moves to his game would help him out, so coaching also plays a role here.
| Grade: 77.1 | Round Grade: 3rd |
10
Johnny Walker
School: Missouri
Ht/Wt: 6’2”, 246 lbs
Strengths:
Walker is a dynamic speed rusher off the edge who also has an array of moves at his disposal. His speed alone is a lot to deal with, and when you factor in his bend, OT’s really have their work cut out for them. The heavier footed ones will have trouble with Walker. His dip/rip move only enhances his ability as a speed rusher, while other moves, such as a swim or spin, take advantage of an oversetting opponent. He shows glimpses of being able to convert speed into power, and he can take advantage of OT’s that play at a high pad level by getting under them and driving them backwards. Walker had an outstanding game at the East-West Shrine Bowl, which might boost his stock.
Weaknesses:
Strength is lacking in his game, at the moment, despite some flashes of power showing up on tape. He is undersized and when he takes on an OT head on, he doesn’t generate much movement, with most of these attempts just getting him stonewalled. Against the run, opponents are able to drive him backwards and open up a lane for the runner.
Summary:
Walker is a dynamic pass rusher thanks to an abundance of burst, speed, and bend. He uses a variety of ways to win, and even shows glimpses of converting speed to power. But if he is to become more than a situational pass rusher, he’ll still need to get stronger to hold up better against the run, and to get stonewalled less when rushing the passer. Walker should be able to make an impact early as a pass rusher. If he can make his game a bit more complete, he has the potential to be a high end starter.
| Grade: 76.9 | Round Grade: 3rd |
11
Jordan Burch
School: Oregon
Ht/Wt: 6’4”, 279 lbs
Strengths:
Burch is an extremely strong player who is able to make an impact in both phases. As a run defender, he is able to bench press his opponent right off of him, and use his dense frame to make a tackle that will hurt. He plays with great leverage in these situations, largely due to his ability to keep his pad level controlled. His attack as a pass rusher is similar but effective. He wins with power. Burch has an effective bull rush that he’ll use to drive his opponent backwards. He shows good burst at the snap of the football, and is able to convert speed into power, maximizing the effectiveness of his bull rush. And like in the run game, he is good at disengaging at the right time.
Weaknesses:
Bend is one physical trait that Burch is lacking. For this reason, he is unlikely to be a huge threat to outright win with speed around the arc. As well, he lacks a diverse plan of attack. Though his bull rushes have been effective, it is his go-to on far too many occasions. He needs to mix in some inside counters in order to take advantage of potential weaknesses in his opponent, as well as to limit the predictability of his attack.
Summary:
For me, lack of bend is something that often drops a DE down on my board. And while it might do that a little, I think this is one of those cases where you can’t overthink it, and have to trust the tape. He almost looks more like a 3T out there than a DE, and honestly, I think he can make it at either. His power is no joke, and the way he is able to use it gives him a high floor in both phases. Burch’s lack of bend will make some matchups tough. But he can help overcome it by adding more rush moves to his toolbox, and using more inside counters on his opponents. Burch projects as a solid rotational guy early, who can eventually become a starter if can improve his hand technique when battling.
| Grade: 75.9 | Round Grade: 3rd |
12
Jack Sawyer
School: Ohio State
Ht/Wt: 6’4”, 260 lbs
Strengths:
Sawyer has a decently big frame and enough strength to offer something in both phases. He sets a good edge and can keep contain, preventing the ball carrier from kicking the play outside in his direction. Sawyer does a solid job of getting off blocks to make tackles. His high motor allows him to hustle over and clean up any odds and ends of plays that other defenders couldn’t finish off. Coverage sacks also come to him thanks to his motor, and never give up mentality. The strength he brings helps him to push the pocket and make things uncomfortable for the QB. Leaner OT’s are vulnerable when he gets in a good strike to the chest, and in some cases, were knocked to the ground. On occasion, Sawyer showed off a good chop move, which served as his main inside counter. Whether against the pass or run, he is a reliable tackler who’s technique is squeaky clean. At Ohio State, he showed up big in the games that mattered most, putting up great production in the team’s playoff run, helping them to win the College Football National Championship.
Weaknesses:
Sawyer has good size and strength, but is lacking in athleticism. His get off is slow, which hurts him right off the bat. He also doesn’t have enough speed to truly scare OT’s, nor does he have the bend or twitchiness to turn the corner. On many plays, he easily gets pushed out the back door. He isn’t able to really dip the shoulder low and bend around the corner. Instead, he ends up coming in more upright, and with less speed, which isn’t a big threat to opposing players. These deficiencies also make him more of an edge setter than play wrecker when playing the run. He can still get off blocks and make plays near him. However, he won’t track down plays horizontally and blow them up. If running across the field, most plays in this respect are clean up duty, after another defender has slowed down the ball carrier, but perhaps was unable to finish the tackle. Sawyer has used a couple of inside counters, but I wouldn’t say they made regular appearances. His attack was pretty basic for much of the time.
Summary:
Sawyer meets size requirements and has enough strength to give him a decent enough floor as an NFL player. He can push the pocket and set the edge as a run defender, while also showing the ability to get off blocks and tackle well. Athleticism is where his game lacks, and this puts a big cap on his ceiling. Speed isn’t great, and there is next to no bend, which really restricts him as a pass rusher. Developing his rush moves and hand technique could help him a decent bit as a pass rusher, and it is likely be what he needs to do to have a chance of being a starter. His floor is that of a dependable, yet unspectacular rotational guy, and his ceiling seems to be that of a lower end, but reliable starter.
| Grade: 74.4 | Round Grade: 4th |
13
Sai’Vion Jones
School: LSU
Ht/Wt: 6’5”, 280 lbs
Strengths:
Jones has good length with decent athleticism and solid technique. He has active hands and a few different rush moves that he’ll take out of the toolbox to use. The rip move seems to be his favourite, and he has enough bend in his game to be successful with it. A spin move has also shown up on occasion. Against the run, Jones is good at falling off blocks. He has decent enough strength, and his length helps him play with leverage in these situations. Jones doesn’t let his opponent stay latched on, putting himself in position to make a tackle. His motor is good, and he will continue fighting, even when his initial plan of attack stalls out. Sometimes, he got there just through determination. It also puts him in position to get clean up sacks, with the QB holding onto the ball longer than usual.
Weaknesses:
Jones is a good enough athlete to get by, but he isn’t at all elite. His bend is probably about average, while his speed might only be slightly better. He still has his wins, but he has his losses too, and matchups could partially dictate his success. Similarly, Jones has decent strength, but it isn’t in the upper tier. I’d like to see more of a power element in his game at the next level. Jones is good at getting off blocks and positioning himself well as a run defender. However, he misses too many tackles.
Summary:
I don’t see high end upside with Jones, but his skill set is pretty well rounded. He plays with good technique as a pass rusher. His athleticism, meanwhile, won’t strike fear into opponents, but is still good enough for him to have some success rounding the bend. Jones is someone who can be a good rotational guy, and has the chance to develop into a decent starter if he can get stronger and clean up the missed tackles.
| Grade: 73.4 | Round Grade: 4th |
14
Oluwafemi Oladejo
School: UCLA
Ht/Wt: 6’3”, 259 lbs
Strengths:
Oladejo is a former off the ball LB who converted to edge. He probably upped his RAS (relative athletic score) a little bit with the chance. He plays the game fast, and is a threat to win around the edge, possessing good burst, speed and bend. Off the snap, he explodes off the line and can really have OT’s in a pickle before long. Oladejo brought surprising power to the field, showing that he can fend off blocks to still make plays against the run. Even his bull rush is pretty solid, all things considered. He has pretty good length, which combines nicely with his scrappy style, making him tough to block.
Weaknesses:
With only 1 year starting experience at DE after switching from LB, his instincts need a lot of work. This can usually be expected in these cases, but it was a lot worse than I imagined. They are especially bad when he is defending the run. There were times where he got a good jump off the line and was on a direct path to tackle the ball carrier. But I suppose he didn’t see the ball carrier, as he let up and glanced in another direction, before watching the guy go right by where he was originally going. As a pass rusher, Oladejo usually goes in without a plan and limited unpredictability. He has to implement a lot more rush moves into the attack. Oladejo is a good athlete, but looks a slight bit mechanical when moving around the bend.
Summary:
Oladejo is a former LB turned DE after a position switch. He only has 1 year starting experience at the position and his instincts are still a major work in progress. He has some confusion hesitations as a player, despite the play moving right in front of him. As well, he will need to start implementing rush moves into his game. Oladejo is a raw player, no doubt, but his athletic traits and ability to wind around the bend are outstanding. As well, he brings decent strength and power to the table. If nothing else, he should offer value as a situational pass rusher. If he can develop in the above areas, Oladejo has the chance to become a starter.
| Grade: 70.9 | Round Grade: 4th |
15
Princely Umanmielen
School: Ole Miss
Ht/Wt: 6’4”, 244 lbs
Strengths:
Umanmielen is a tall, but bendy edge rusher, who also has enough speed to win around the arc. He can be tough for OT’s to compete with, especially when he eats up space so quickly. Not only does his bend allow him to round the corner, but Umanmielen also has a good dip/rip move which aids in this process. As well, he has a nice spin move that he isn’t afraid to unleash from time to time. His motor is very good, and he will get some coverage sacks. As well, he has enough speed to hunt down the QB in the pocket, and to chase down RB’s on outside runs to the opposite side.
Weaknesses:
One trick pony isn’t the right way to describe him, but sometimes it feels like that’s what he is. He does have a dip move and a good spin move, but they are not always unleashed. It is common that he just tries to rush with speed around the edge. This kind of predictability will not translate to the NFL, especially given that his overall athleticism is good but not elite. As well, Umanmielen does not have a good get-off, and can sometimes be late off the snap. Strength and power are two things that are not really present in his game. His bull rush is ineffective, and he gets overpowered on inside runs.
Summary:
Umanmielen offers some ability as a pass rusher, as he has enough speed and bend to win around the edge pretty consistently. That said, even though he has a couple of moves, his toolbox still needs to be diversified, and he can’t rely so heavily on his speed. He’s got enough traits to make it as a situational pass rusher. He may be able to start if he can get stronger and improve against the run. Otherwise, he projects as a sub package guy.
| Grade: 70.4 | Round Grade: 4th |
16
Kyle Kennard
School: South Carolina
Ht/Wt: 6’4”, 254 lbs
Strengths:
Kennard is a good athlete. He has decent speed but his twitch is what is really noticeable. He was used on stunts and twists, which he was able to operate with some success. His athleticism allows him to sometimes win around the arc, and at others, penetrate the gap on the other side. Kennard gets off the line quickly, which is good, in order to give himself an early edge. Against the run, he is able to chase guys down, either in the backfield, or relatively close to home base. For the most part, he is a pretty sure tackler.
Weaknesses:
Kennard doesn’t bring much of a power element to the game, and will instead get stonewalled by most OT’s. Road graders in the run game would also be able to take him out of the play. When rushing with power, his pad level gets high, and it doesn’t seem like he is making much of an effort to play with leverage. At times, he’ll see himself paved out of way. Kennard will also have to improve his hand technique. Both placement and timing are important to help win more leverage battles going forward.
Summary:
Kennard is a good pass rusher when he opts to win with athleticism. He can win around the edge, but stunts and twists that lead him to the middle were also effective for him. These traits will lead to splashy pass rushing highlights, and some good ones as a run defender too. However, his lack of power and functional strength lead there to be definable low points to go with all the good that he doesn’t. With his current skill set, Kennard could be a situational pass rusher, but will still have to improve in those other areas to become a starter. He has the chance to get there, but he’ll have to fix the issues in order to do that. If not, he can still be productive, but not in a full time role.
| Grade: 70.0 | Round Grade: 4th |
17
Josaiah Stewart
School: Michigan
Ht/Wt: 6’1”, 249 lbs
Strengths:
Stewart is an athletic pass rusher with a super high motor. He is a spark plug out there on defence, and is always revved up to get after it. His get-off is great, and he makes it so that the OT lined up against him always has to be prepared right from the jump, or it could be a quick loss. He obviously does wll rushing with speed around the bend, but I was really surprised to see instances where he converted speed into power, and effectively bull rushed his opponent later on in the rep. As a run defender, he does really well against outside runs to the opposite direction, where he is able to use his speed to chase them down from behind. Stewart also got some snaps in shallow zone coverage.
Weaknesses:
Size is a glaring issue here. You won’t see too many edge guys with these measurables. There are instances where he plays with power as a pass rusher. However, this won’t happen against bigger OT’s, whose mass on its own would be enough to engulf him and stifle his rush. As well, he doesn’t offer much as an inside run defender. Stewart often wins with speed around the edge. His bend is good, but for such a small guy, I was expecting elite, but I just don’t see it as being at that level. He looks a tad bit mechanical when rounding the corner. It would be a nitpick by normal standards, but with his small frame, you’d like there to be zero issues with his athletic profile. His lack of length is also an issue that is a branch off of the issue with his frame. He struggles disengaging from blocks because he doesn’t have leverage. As a pass rusher, his plan is basic, and he doesn’t really utilize many rush moves. And even if he added them, I’d expect inconsistencies, as his short arms will hurt his ability to successfully use them at times. Additionally, his short arms can allow the OT to successfully keep him at an arm’s length, and widen the rush arc.
Summary:
Stewart is very small, but is overall a great athlete, save for some small things. He wins with speed around the edge, and is surprisingly solid at converting speed to power as a rusher. Stewart won’t give you much as an inside run defender, but can chase down outside runs from behind. His pass rush highlights and productivity are appealing. But his small size will leave him getting engulfed at times. It is most likely that he ends up as a sub package guy, serving as a situational rusher. However, his ability to at least play the outside run well may leave the door open ajar for him to develop into a starter at some point.
| Grade: 68.9 | Round Grade: 5th |
18
Bradyn Swinson
School: LSU
Ht/Wt: 6’4”, 255 lbs
Strengths:
Swinson is a solid player with a good motor, good hand technique, and decent strength, which allow him to create some disruption in the backfield. His bull rush yields some good results, which might not always turn into statistical production, but he collapses the pocket quite a bit. Swinson plays with active hands and can effectively swipe away those of his opponent during battle. He has good length and is able to get off of blocks when defending the run, and looks like a good tackler.
Weaknesses:
As an athlete, Swinson is middling at best. His get off doesn’t really do anything for me. His opponent has time to get into his set and isn’t overwhelmed into abandoning his technique. Swinson additionally lacks the bend to turn the corner with any kind of consistency. You might see it the odd time, but it won’t be a reliable part of his rush attack. Swinson could stand to play with more urgency against the run. As well, he’ll need to do a better job of keeping the pad level down, or he’ll lose leverage on some of his snaps.
Summary:
Swinson is a solid player with enough strength to make a difference. However, he is lacking that true jolt in his punch. He is also lacking when it comes to athleticism, and won’t threaten OT’s around the edge. He’ll make his money by utilizing different rush moves that are in his toolbox as a pass rusher. Against the run, he is good at getting off blocks, but will have to play at a lower pad level. The ceiling doesn’t seem to be very high, but Swinson could be a solid rotational guy/backup that can give you solid, yet unspectacular play in each phase.
| Grade: 68.5 | Round Grade: 5th |
19
Antwaun Powell-Ryland
School: Virginia Tech
Ht/Wt: 6’3”, 258 lbs
Strengths:
Powell-Ryland has dynamic pass rushing qualities that feature good athletic traits, but are highlighted by his refined technique and abundance of rush moves. He has decent speed to sometimes threaten around the edge, but his bend stands out more, and puts some stress on the guy trying to protect the passer. Powell-Ryland takes his pass rush to the next level by implementing different rush moves, including a rip or a spin. These things, along with his high motor, help put up good statistical production over the past couple of seasons.
Weaknesses:
Powell-Ryland is undersized when it comes to both length and mass. There isn’t much of a power element to his game, which perhaps would have blended nicely with the rest of his rush moves. As well, his lack of length will have its moments that hurt his pass rush. The bigger issue comes when he is playing the run. He gets paved out of the way more often than not, and was never really able to make an impact in this phase in my exposures. Bigger linemen can engulf his frame and prevent him from getting off the block.
Summary:
Powell-Ryland projects as a situational pass rusher at the next level. His length will cause some issues, but his twitchiness and abundance of rush moves should still yield some production. His lean frame and inability to match up well against power likely prevents him from being a 3 down guy. But even as a role specific player, he is someone that should be able to turn in a handful of splashy plays. But the limitations will push him down draft boards.
| Grade: 66.7 | Round Grade: 5th |
20
Barryn Sorrell
School: Texas
Ht/Wt: 6’3”, 256 lbs
Strengths:
Sorrell has a pretty lean looking frame, yet plays with a decent bit of strength and power. He can handle the physicality at the point of attack before disengaging when necessary. There were a handful of short yardage stops that happened because of him. He does well to get low into his stance before, in a sense, diving towards the gap. His tackle radius is decently big, so he was able to hold on. Sorrell is a good hands fighter, and will use this to his advantage as a pass rusher, swiping away those of his opponent. He’s got a worker bee mentality and is able to chase down plays from behind, as well as rack up some coverage sacks.
Weaknesses:
Sorrell doesn’t have a good get-off, which puts him behind the eightball early in reps. He lacks explosiveness, and his bend is average at best. This means that he has to win in other ways, and won’t often be seen speeding around the bend. While he plays with decent strength and power at times, he isn’t overly imposing when matched up against bigger OT’s. His frame is lean enough that he can still be anchored against. Part of it too is a tendency to raise the pad level a bit when he is rushing the passer. This will have to be corrected. Sorrell is a good hands fighter, but lacks an abundance of rush moves. His plan is often too basic and predictable.
Summary:
Sorrell is lacking elite traits. He plays with decent power, but is lacking the athleticism to be a difference maker without having elite strength. I liked what he was able to do against the run. He won with intelligence and good technique on many of those reps, and bringing that with him to the next level will hold some value. Sorrell has moderate upside as a pass rusher but will need to develop more rush moves in order to reach that ceiling. He projects as a rotational guy at the next level, but as he develops, he should be able to earn an increased number of snaps and play a reliable game.
| Grade: 66.0 | Round Grade: 5th |
21
Ashton Gillotte
School: Louisville
Ht/Wt: 6’3”, 264 lbs
Strengths:
Gillotte is a well built defensive lineman that plays the game with an honest effort and a good amount of strength and power. His get-off is pretty good, and he is able to get some early speed because of it. He then harnesses this speed and successfully is able to convert it into power. Even with less of a jump off the snap, his bull rush is effective, and he has enough pursuit speed to track down the QB. Gillotte is disciplined in run defence, making sure to stay square to the ball carrier when he can, and uses good technique to wrap him up. There are instances in both phases where he’ll use a swim move to help him out, and he has had some decent success with this method. He has also shown the ability to rush from the inside at 3T.
Weaknesses:
Gillotte has decent enough straight line speed, but very little twitch or bend. He isn’t someone that will win around the arc, and this is one less area that OT’s will have to worry about protecting. As well, his plan of attack is extremely basic. Outside of the odd swim move, his attack mostly consists of bull rushes, or sometimes speed to power moves. Against the run, his lack of length makes it a bit tougher to disengage from blocks, so there are some inconsistencies in this area.
Summary:
For the most part, I think Gillotte is a “what you see is what you get” kind of player. Hones, hard working defensive lineman with versatility. His main form of attack is the bull rush, and that is unlikely to change. Developing some counter moves will help, but his inability to threaten with speed ultimately will still limit his upside. At the next level, he should be able to push the pocket and maybe get decent production too. But he isn’t a dynamic threat. His motor and alignment versatility will also appeal to teams looking for a rotational guy. Solid player that should carve out a role, but he doesn’t have a high ceiling.
| Grade: 65.0 | Round Grade: 5th |
22
David Walker
School: Central Arkansas
Ht/WT: 6’1”, 263 lbs
Strengths:
Walker is a jackrabbit out there. Always buzzing, always looking to get his nose into things. He can be an irritating player for offensive linemen to deal with because he is physically imposing–strong jab and good strength for a bull rush–but also very athletic to expose your edges when you aren’t paying attention. When he gets into the backfield, Walker’s pursuit speed is great, and he can definitely chase down some of the faster ones. Whenever he gets a chance, Walker is looking to deliver a big shot. His ability to penetrate gaps allows him to make some plays against the run. He also can chase down ball carriers from behind.
Weaknesses:
Walker is extremely undersized, and will have a wakeup call when he goes against some of the biggest NFL linemen. Although he plays with good strength and toughness, there are some matchups where the reality is that he has no chance to match it. Sure, he can still rush around the edge, but OT’s with longer arms are able to take care of that too. Coming from a small school, Walker will be facing a steep jump in competition.
Summary:
Walker has a skill set that brings athleticism, power, and tenacity, which translates to disruptiveness against both the run and pass. He should be able to bring some of that to the NFL level, but the jump up in competition will be steep. As well, he is very undersized, and larger OT’s will limit his effectiveness. These kinds of issues will follow him around, and it is something that you’ll have to accept with Walker. His statistical production might not fully translate to the NFL level, but his physical traits and demeanor should allow him to be a solid rotational piece, which is what he projects to be. The issues are likely to be too much to overcome to ever start, but he can be good in the right role, where his snaps are picked selectively.
| Grade: 62.5 | Round Grade: 6th |
23
Tyler Baron
School: Miami
Ht/Wt: 6’5”, 258 lbs
Strengths:
Baron has a decent build and good length. His length advantage really shows when he is defending the run. He wins by swiping away the hands of his opponent, freeing himself up to make a play. As well, he has the length to utilize an effective arm over move to disengage before making the tackle. He is a solid enough athlete for the position. Won’t blow you away, but he has some ability to win with quickness from time to time.
Weaknesses:
Baron is decently slow off the snap, and he gives an extra split second for the OT to make sure he stays square to the rusher. Similarly, he doesn’t play with much power, and won’t be physically imposing. Baron’s rush attack is basic, at times. He doesn’t have much in the toolbox, and often just tries to win with quickness. You do see flashes of a good swim move, but it would be good to see it more often, as he will need finesse, given that he is middling in physical traits.
Summary:
Baron projects as a rotational backup at the next level. He doesn’t bring too much in terms of traits, like athleticism and strength. However, he has shown enough finesse and length to have some wins to his name. The ceiling might not be super high, but Baron can elevate beyond just the odd flash. He can be solid with the right coaching, but they will have to get it out of him.
| Grade: 57.9 | Round Grade: 7th |
24
Jah Joyner
School: Minnesota
Ht/Wt: 6’4”, 262 lbs
Strengths:
For the position, Joyner has decent length and overall size. He is able to generate some forward movement on occasion, partly due to his willingness to keep on competing as the play drags on. He can get there for some late pressure. His best plays come when he is utilizing his rush moves. Joyner has a swim move that has worked for him at times. Some flashes of power show up on tape that suggest there might be more to tap into at the next level. His good performance at the Senior Bowl should help his stock.
Weaknesses:
Despite his good 40 time at the combine, Joyner does not seem to be a high end athlete on tape. In fact, he actually looks quite sluggish. His get-off is slow, and his pursuit speed doesn’t do much to instill confidence, either. Joyner shows flashes of playing with power, but you have to wait a while between some of them. There are also lots of times where he gets overpowered, especially when playing the run. In both phases, his hand placement can be a bit wild, which hurts him in the leverage battle.
Summary:
Joyner has some solid rush moves that have been able to work for him. As well, he has shown flashes of power. However, he is very inconsistent when it comes to generating power. Additionally, his athletic traits look subpar on tape, and he has to often work harder for his production. If he can make improvements to his technique, Joyner could become a solid rotational piece, but his tape would suggest he has a lot to overcome. His good Senior Bowl performance is worth noting, and maybe does give some hope that there is more to his game than what meets the eye on his college tape. But even that is a big projection.
| Grade: 56.1 | Round Grade: 7th |
25
Jared Ivey
School: Ole Miss
Ht/Wt: 6’6”, 274
Strengths:
Ivey has a big frame that can help him several ways. He has a long reach, which can help him in leverage battles. For a big guy, he is able to get pretty skinny when attempting to penetrate gaps. It didn’t always work, but it helps his chances going forward if he can keep doing that, but with more consistency. He has shown flashes of a heavy punch, which can be troubling for his opponent. His length should also allow him to effectively use more inside moves, if he can develop that part of his game. Ivey has shown to be capable of using a swim move to disengage as a run defender. Additionally, the push/pull move has worked for him as a pass rusher.
Weaknesses:
Ivey doesn’t offer much when it comes to physical traits. He has got a bigger frame, but isn’t that strong. He’ll get moved off his spot on some plays, and really has to strain a lot on some plays just to hang in there. Ivey also does not stand out athletically. His get off is slow, so it is hard for him to convert speed to power–as it turns out, the speed part of that is actually important, and you can’t do it if you are not generating speed early in the rep. As well, there isn’t much twitch to his game, so he isn’t likely to be a big threat to round the bend.
Summary:
Ivey is lacking when it comes to athleticism and power, so his upside is naturally low. His length helps him win some leverage battles, and he has shown glimpses of some savviness by making himself skinny and slipping through gaps. Because of the physical limitations, he only offers late round value. But he had decent production in college. If he can improve his technique, perhaps some of it can be replicated in a rotational/backup role.
| Grade: 55.9 | Round Grade: 7th |
26
Elijah Roberts
School: SMU
Ht/Wt: 6’4”, 285 lbs
Strengths:
Roberts has good size and length for the position. His strength can lead to tackles for a loss, as well as sacks and forced fumbles. Overall production was pretty solid in college. Also a good run defender with an effective arm over move and overall active hands. As a pass rusher, his bull rush is solid.
Weaknesses:
Roberts lacks twitch as an athlete. Decent in a straight line sense, but was still not enough to keep him around. He also lacks the bend to turn the corner as he is rushing from the edge. OT’s are often able to mirror his rush attack.
Summary:
Roberts has good strength and a large enough frame to have some success as a power rusher from the boundary. However, OT’s will be able to mirror his rush, while still possessing enough power to do their job. Roberts may be best on the inside as a pass rusher, where the athletic requirements are less dire, and his strong frame can be better used.
| Grade: 55.0 | Round Grade: 7th |
DE Rankings:
- Abdul Carter (87.7, Rd 1)
- Mike Green (87.2, Rd 1)
- James Pearce (86.0, Rd 1)
- Donovan Ezeiruaku (85.3, Rd 1)
- Mykel Williams (82.4, Rd 2)
- Shemar Stewart (80.2, Rd 2)
- Landon Jackson (80.0, Rd 2)
- Nic Scourton (79.8, Rd 3)
- JT Tuimoloau (77.1, Rd 3)
- Johnny Walker (76.9, Rd 3)
- Jordan Burch (75.9, Rd 3)
- Jack Sawyer (74.4, Rd 4)
- Sai’Vion Jones (73.4, Rd 4)
- Oluwafemi Oladejo (70.9, Rd 4)
- Princely Umanmielen (70.4, Rd 4)
- Kyle Kennard (70.0, Rd 4)
- Josaiah Stewart (68.9, Rd 5)
- Bradyn Swinson (68.5, Rd 5)
- Antwaun Powell-Ryland (66.7, Rd 5)
- Barryn Sorrell (66.0, Rd 5)
- Ashton Gillotte (65.0, Rd 5)
- David Walker (62.5, Rd 6)
- Tyler Baron (57.9, Rd 7)
- Jah Joyner (56.1, Rd 7)
- Jared Ivey (55.9, Rd 7)
- Elijah Roberts (55.0, Rd 7)
Notables Not Graded:
- Chaz Chambliss
- Fadil Diggs
- Que Robinson
- Ethan Downs
- Steve Linton
- Tyler Batty
- RJ Oben
