It feels like every year a new class of edge ruser enters the NFL draft with the potential to surpass the last.
Last year’s class took talents such as Jared Verse and Chop Robinson, but the 2025 group exceeds its predecessors in top talent and depth.
For teams in search of start -up defensive ends or outside of intoxication, the five best edge is ruser in the 2025 NFL draft founded to influence.
Abdul Carter, Penn State
No hot takes here. Sometimes consensus is right for a reason, and Carter gives a combination of quick -trip explosion and powerful upper and lower body strength that cannot be matched by the other members of the class.
His refined passport-rush ability from the outer linebacker position has made comparisons with colleague Penn State product Mika Parsons.
Ideal NFL -Pass: A Browns savings of Myles Garrett and Carter could raise Cleveland’s defense to the next level. Garrett’s real power and Carter’s explosiveness can overwhelm AFC North offensive lines if Browns play their cards right.
James Pearce Jr., Tennessee
Tennessee Defensive Lineman James Pearce Jr. (27) Sacks Utep Quarterback JP Pickles (19) During a college football match between Tennessee and Utep at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., Saturday November 23, 2024. Photo USA Today Sports Images Images Images When it comes to athletes, no one in this class Pearce’s clean speed matches. Pearce’s prominent number at the harvest pressure confirmed a Tennessee defensive line filled with the NFL talent and confirmed the athletics that was constantly present in his college band.
His weight is a little worrying, which comes into the low 240s, but a schedule that relies on speed rusers allows him to party in Backfield.
Ideal NFL -Pass: This is the type of stroke that the Bengals are sought after. In theory he would be the perfect mating with Trey Hendrickson, but Hendrickson’s future is uncertain. Pearce has the potential to be Cincinnatis next Marquee defender.
Nic scourton, Texas A & M
November 25, 2023; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Purdue Boilermakers Linebacker Nic Scourton (5) reacts after taking down Indiana Hoosier’s Quarterback Brendan Sorsby (15) during the second half at Ross-ad Stadium. Credits: Robert Goddin-USA Today Sports Scourton’s raw power should sell teams to him, with some of the most powerful upper and lower bodies in all edge rushes in the draft. Many of the best prospects this year are mainly fast rusers, but for pure strength and evil games, look no further than Scourton.
His pocket-pushing ability also translates into quality stuffing, where he keeps his own in the gap and can even play a three-technology defensive tackle in a pinch.
Ideal NFL -Pass: Scourton feels like a natural fit with Lions, a team that values bulky, well -rounded defensive Linemen. Head coach Dan Campbell will hunt for power in this year’s class to pair with Aidan Hutchinson, and Scourton can be the guy.
Jalon Walker, Georgia
Some teams see Walker as Linebacker, but his pass-rushing skill and ability to set the edge are likely to determine his draft position. Defensively ending or 3-4 outside Linebacker seems to be his likely future.
His amount of pass-rush movements and relentless pursuit of Quarterbacken will serve him fans among defensive coordinators all over the league. But his schedule-specific character can force him from the boards of certain teams.
Ideal NFL -Pass: Walker was able to stand out with the Seahawks in a role similar to the one that Uchenna Nwosu is currently playing. Seattle has a little young depth in the position, but Walker is a level above and can provide immediate improvement in hybrid linebacker corps.
Mykel Williams, Georgia
August 31, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldog’s defensive Lineman Mykel Williams (13) handles Clemson Tigers Quarterback Cade Klubnik (2) during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Pictures Williams is the kind of edge rusher you would build in a lab, with an impressive frame, weight and muscle. He also boasts with a Sec’s trunk that has been battled against the NFL caliber talent.
There is a certain story to consider, which has limited his ability to refine his technology as an edge rusher. But as a development perspective, it is not much better than Williams.
Ideal NFL -Pass: The cowboys could target Williams if they want to improve the defense. He fits Jerry Jones’s form of prototype bodies with solid athletics and can develop together with Parsons into a consistently high single -digit bag player.
