The Triple Take crew of Dale Lolley, Matt Williamson and Mike Prisuta take a look at the top prospects in the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft, which will be held in April. Today, they delve into the edge rusher position.
The opinions expressed here are their own and not those of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Dale's Take
Every draft is measured by the depth of a few key positions. One is certainly quarterback. Another is the edge rushers available.
That's because the ability of teams to pass the ball or their ability to make sure the quarterback doesn't have time to pass the ball are extremely important.
That said, while the 2025 NFL Draft might be lacking in terms of top-rated quarterbacks, it's not thin on talent at the edge. And they come in all shapes and sizes.
We could see as many as eight or even nine edge rushers selected in the top 40 to 50 picks of this draft. And while none are projected as the next Myles Garrett or T.J. Watt, that doesn't mean they won't be quality players in the NFL.
They're available, and they're coveted.
Dale's Rankings
1. Abdul Carter, Penn State, 6-3, 250 lbs. - Carter was a wrecking ball for Penn State last season, registering 23.5 tackles for a loss and 12 sacks. He has good bend and length to get to the quarterback, but is a good edge setter as well. Carter is in consideration for the No. 1 pick in this draft and won't get out of the top 5.
2. Mike Green, Marshall, 6-3 1/8, 251 lbs. - Some wondered about his competition, but those fears were somewhat taken care of at the Senior Bowl, where he was one of the best players on the field in the first two days of practice before leaving early, his point proven. Green led the FBS with 17 sacks in 2024, registering 22.5 tackles for a loss. He was originally at Virginia before leaving the program.
3. Mykel Williams, Georgia, 6-5 ⅛, 260 lbs. - A condor-sized edge rusher, Williams possesses long arms (34 ⅜ inches) and the bulk to be troublesome. But like many Georgia defenders, he didn't have outstanding production, largely because they have so many other guys. Still, he recorded 5 sacks and 8 ½ tackles for a loss. The upside potential is tremendous.
4. James Pearce, Tennessee, 6-5 ¼, 245 lbs. - Pearce looks silky smooth coming off the edge. And when he sees the ball or quarterback, he explodes into the backfield. Pearce ran a blazing 4.47-second 40-yard dash at the Scouting Combine. He needs to continue to add strength, but that speed is enticing.
5. Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M, 6-5, 267 lbs. - Stewart looks like he was chiseled by Michaelangelo, but in three seasons at Texas A&M, he recorded 4.5 sacks. That's not uncommon for Aggies players, who often leave you wondering where the production is at? But his size and speed (4.59-second 40 at the Combine) are going to be intriguing for NFL teams hoping to unlock his full potential.
Sleeper: Collin Oliver, Oklahoma State, 6-2, 240 lbs. - Oliver had 6 sacks and 15.5 tackles for a loss in 2023, but missed all but two games in 2024 with a foot injury. He made it back to work out at the NFL Scouting Combine and ran a 4.57-second 40-yard dash with a nearly 40-inch vertical jump. Oliver will need to continue to build his strength, but he's an explosive athlete that people are sleeping on after he missed the season. This is, after all, a guy who had 22.5 sacks in his first three college seasons. He knows how to get to the QB.
Matt's Take
As is the case with their defensive tackle counterparts in the defensive front, this edge draft class is outstanding. It has plenty of star power at the top, but maybe more impressive, the first two days of this group is just loaded with edge prospects that profile as starters at the next level.
This group features some speed balls off the edge as well as power players with size and length. There is a wide variety for the league to choose from-and plenty edge defenders should be selected early, and we might just see as many as seven or even eight players at this position in the first round.
Pass-rushers are always-always-in demand.
Matt's Rankings
1. Abdul Carter, Penn State, 6-3, 250 lbs. - Like Micah Parsons before him at Penn State, Carter started his time in Happy Valley as an off the ball linebacker. But like Parsons, Carter will mostly rush off the edge at the next level-because he is a nightmare to deal with in that capacity. He explodes off the ball and plays through injury and with great tenacity, but compared to some edge rushers that went very early in recent drafts, Carter isn't the biggest or most physical edge defender.
2. Jalon Walker, Georgia, 6-1, 243 lbs. - Walker played more inside linebacker at Georgia, but he projects best to an edge rusher, despite not having imposing size. He plays extremely well in space and everything Walker does is violent and abrupt. He changes directions really well with rare body control.
3. Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M, 6-5, 267 lbs. - Stewart is a simply rare athlete, something he put on full display at the Combine. Stewart has vines for arms at 34 1/8 inches and the body type every coach wants to develop. But "developing" is the key with Stewart. Like many Texas A&M defensive linemen, Stewart's production the college level let an awful lot to be desired, and his recognition skills and feel for the game are worrisome. Even with those concerns, Stewart is disruptive on the field.
4. Mike Green, Marshall, 6-3 1/8, 251 lbs. - Green isn't the biggest end and will be best suited operating in a 3-4 outside linebacker role often from a two-point stance. His production (17 sacks last year) just can't be ignored. Green dominated lesser competition at Marshall. No matter who he is playing against, Green's edge speed, energy and overall violence is undeniable.
5. Mykel Williams, Georgia, 6-5 1/8, 260 lbs. - Williams is a much different style of player than his Georgia teammate, Walker. Williams is body-beautiful with great length and natural power and body control. Williams dealt with an ankle injury for much of the year and his production in 2024 suffered. Still, this is somewhat of a raw prospect.
Sleeper: Oluwafemi Oladejo, UCLA, 6-3 1/4, 259 lbs. - Oladejo has a great build for this position with thick musculature and long arms on his well-proportioned frame. He was a middle linebacker his first three years at UCLA, so Oladejo is still a bit of a work in progress as an edge defender - but he sure is catching on quickly. He could use a larger repertoire of pass-rush moves, and Oladejo's run reads off the edge can be a bit slow at this point. He is very aggressive in a downhill nature in the run and pass game with powerful hands. Oladejo could make a big impact in the NFL before long.
Mike's Take
When Maxx Crosby signed a contract extension with the Raiders, it was for a reported $106.5 million over three seasons, with $91.5 million guaranteed.
When Miles Garrett signed an extension with the Browns, the return was a reported $160 million, with $122,796,125 million guaranteed.
It pays to be an edge rusher.
And for those who are among the very best of the edge-rushing bunch, NFL teams pay willingly.
The next wave is sent to ascend to the NFL via the draft and begin wreaking havoc.
Mike's Rankings
1. Abdul Carter, Penn State, 6-3, 250 lbs. - Carter was an inside linebacker at "Linebacker U" before switching to edge this season following the departure of Chop Robinson (drafted 21st overall by Miami in 2024). The tradition continues in Happy Valley. Among the statistics Carter amassed while helping lead Penn State to the College Football Playoff were 24 tackles for a loss (Garrett, Nick Bosa, Joey Bosa and Aiden Hutchinson, among others, never had that many in a season). The inside-outside progression worked for Micah Parsons, it'll work for Carter.
2. Mike Green, Marshall, 6-3 1/8, 251 lbs. - His arm length of 32 inches is less than ideal, but a similar trait hasn't bothered Hutchinson or Trey Hendrickson at the next level. Green short-armed his way to an FBS-leading 17 sacks, along with 23 tackles for a loss, in 13 games in 2024. That's the type of production that translates, even from a Virginia transfer who wound up at Marshall (ask Khalil Mack, who reached the NFL through Buffalo). We are impressed.
3. Jalon Walker, Georgia, 6-1, 243 lbs. - Like Parsons, and several of his Georgia predecessors on the way to the NFL, Walker is an established position-flexible prospect who can pressure the passer if that's what's necessary or make plays sideline to sideline if that's what's required. Line him up and turn him loose, at edge (441 career snaps in three seasons), at inside linebacker (420 snaps) or covering punts (something Walker did throughout 2024).
4. Mykel Williams, Georgia, 6-5 ⅛, 260 lbs. - Williams led UGA's national championship team with four-and-a-half-sacks as a true freshman in 2022. He registered five in a 2024 season that was hampered early on by an ankle injury that forced him to miss two games and affected him in a couple of others as he tried to play through it. Two of his sacks were registered in an overtime win against Texas in December. Williams' NFL Network NFL comparison is Travon Walker, the first overall selection by Jacksonville in 2022 out of, you guessed it, Georgia.
5. James Pearce Jr., Tennessee, 6-5 ¼, 245 lbs. - Pearce was a little but better statistically in 2023 than he was in 2024 (his sacks fell from 10 to seven-and-a-half and his tackles for a loss dropped from 14.5 to 13) but his length and explosiveness are nonetheless tantalizing traits and will make him one of the most sough after edge rushers in April. His personal highlight reel includes a 52-yard pick-six in 2023 against Iowa on which Pearce got underneath a running back in coverage in the flat, caught a ball Iowa quarterback Deacon Hill was trying to throw over him and was gone down the sideline. Pearce also had a strip-sack in the Volunteers' Citrus Bowl victory over the Hawkeyes.
Sleeper: Oluwafemi Oladejo, UCLA, 6-2 3/8, 261 lbs. - He might qualifies as a sleeper, barely, because of his relative inexperience as an edge rusher. But the word is probably out by now regarding Oladejo's potential after switching from linebacker a couple of games into UCLA's 2024 season. Oladejo's 4.5 sacks in 2024 might induce the uninformed to snooze on him. But the former Cal transfer has size, length and burst, all of which suggest an upside that intrigues.
