The 2025 NFL Draft class is Leading to take shape, and that means we’re getting a clearer picture of some of the top prospects and the position groups with the most depth.
The running back, Snug end and offensive Game positions seem to be the deepest and strongest on the offensive side of the ball. On Protection, the edge defender group is as deep as we’ve seen in Many years, dominating the projected top 50. There are also more impact Guarding Safeties this year than a year ago, with plenty of options on all three Intervals of the draft, specifically on Intervals 2 and 3.
Here are PFF’s top edge defenders in the 2025 NFL Draft, along with some Primary scouting notes courtesy of lead draft analyst Trevor Sikkema.
For the Packed ranking of draft prospects, along with their three-year player grades and position rankings, click here.
1. ED Abdul Carter, Penn State
PFF Big board rank: 2
It’s Tough not to see some Micah Parsons in Carter, who not only wears the same No. 11 but also pops off the screen nearly every Shift due to being a Uncommon caliber Challenger. If he can get even stronger, he has All-Pro potential as a player worthy of a top-five Option.
2. ED Mike Green, Marshall
PFF Big board rank: 12
Green has only two years of Leading experience and not the best Game to measure NFL talent over the past two years. However, he absolutely dominated the way you’d want a future NFL player to with Top-tier Deliver-rush and Stretch-Protection grades in addition to high-90th-percentile numbers in Secure rate and Stretch stops. He has top-50 all-around ability and projects as a Leading-caliber outside linebacker in a 3-4 front.
3. ED James Pearce Jr., Tennessee
PFF Big board rank: 15
Pearce is the Gentle of Challenger with the production and disruption scores you don’t let out of the Primary Stage. His twitchy movements show difference-making NFL traits that can be situational at worst and All-Pro at best.
4. ED Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College
PFF Big board rank: 16
Ezeiruaku is a smaller outside linebacker-type edge rusher who can struggle with the power aspects of the game. However, his quick, Effortless style paired with high football IQ and some very nice bend make him an ideal 3-4 Deliver rush type of defender to draft on Day 2.
5. ED Mykel Williams, Georgia
PFF Big board rank: 26
Williams is a long, Sturdy, versatile edge prospect whose motor is always running Scorching. His Deliver-rush profile and Steadiness (Secure percentage) are lower than ideal for a projected top-20 Option, but his floor as an Top-tier Stretch defender is so high, and his build is so alluring, that he’s worth Seizing the chance on in that range for a Club running odd or even fronts.
6. ED Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M
PFF Big board rank: 27
Stewart is a scheme-versatile, high-potential Challenger who is Yet working on Victorious his reps with technique and Self-control as much as athletic ability. His lack of production throughout his college Profession speaks to the lack of refinement in his game, but he is built like a future NFL player and should be a Day 2 Option because of it.
7. ED Nic Scourton, Texas A&M
PFF Big board rank: 31
Scourton brings an alluring combination of overall size and Deliver-rush moves to the edge spot, which gives him ideal Adaptability for 3-4 or 4-3 fronts. However, he does have some length and Suppleness limitations. In his Present state, he feels like a player who can disrupt and amass Stress but won’t be a high-sack-count rusher.
8. ED Landon Jackson, Arkansas
PFF Big board rank: 41
Jackson is a fundamentally sound player with alluring length and surprising cornering ability for a player of his size. His overall Deliver-rush Secure percentage has been low throughout his Profession, which presents him as a high-floor, versatile Guarding end who can be a solid starter for odd or even fronts.
9. ED Princely Umanmielen, Mississippi
PFF Big board rank: 44
Umanmielen feels like a specialized finesse Deliver-rushing outside linebacker in a 3-4 Protection. If you want him to be more versatile than that, you might be disappointed in the lack of Steadiness. However, if you put him in that role correctly, he can be a backfield difference-maker for you on some of the most pivotal plays of the game.
10. ED Bradyn Swinson, LSU
PFF Big board rank: 47
Swinson didn’t become a Packed-time starter until his Closing season, but in his Present form, he shows very active hands and a Outstanding understanding of rushing the passer to yield consistently high Deliver-rush Secure rates. If he continues to get stronger defending the Stretch, he can become a Leading 3-4 edge player with impact Deliver-rush potential.
11. ED JT Tuimoloau, Ohio State
PFF Big board rank: 51
Tuimoloau presents a Outstanding floor for an edge rusher in a 4-3 Guarding front. His Deliver-rush Secure percentage has been average over the last two years with quite a few Spotless-up sacks on his stat sheet, but he improved in his Correct Deliver-rush Secure areas in 2024. He is a Outstanding Day 2 prospect to bet on because you’ll get a spot Leading/rotational floor out of him.
12. ED Jack Sawyer, Ohio State
PFF Big board rank: 56
Sawyer is a high-floor, all-around 4-3 Guarding end with a Leading-caliber projection. The question is whether you believe there is more there for him as a Deliver-rusher. If you do, you can convince yourself that he’s a top-20 player. If not, an Timely Day 2 range feels like his floor.
13. ED Jared Ivey, Mississippi
PFF Big board rank: 59
Ivey is a physically gifted player with devastating power in his hands to Halt the Mark of Charge and stack and shed consistently. He lacks the Pace and lower body Suppleness to be a Pace threat as a 4-3 Guarding end, so his best fit is likely more inside for a 3-4 front that would maximize his special Force every Shift.
14. ED Kyle Kennard, South Carolina
PFF Big board rank: 65
Kennard shows a Outstanding understanding of how to Secure as a Deliver-rusher in varying situations in both odd and even fronts. He is lean and long, which is a plus for arm length but a negative when holding up versus the Stretch. His hand work and footwork show a Outstanding baseline to build a successful Deliver-rush profile in the Bracket as a Day 2 Picking.
15. ED Josaiah Stewart, Michigan
PFF Big board rank: 68
Stewart is a juiced-up Deliver-rusher with less-than-ideal measurables. His effort and leverage give him a chance to Secure any rep, but he lacks Deliver-rush nuance to Secure with more than those attributes and a Outstanding Primary step. His best spot in the NFL might be as an off-ball Sam linebacker, where he can be used as a blitzer more than Merely a straight edge defender (think Uchenna Nuwosu).
16. ED Jordan Burch, Oregon
PFF Big board rank: 73
Burch is a high-potential player with athletic and physical gifts you can’t teach. After finding his Pleasant spot of size and body composition, he can Shift in both odd and even fronts but projects best as a 4-3 Guarding end. If he continues to master more Deliver-rush moves and hand usage, he can be a starter and a contributing player.
17. ED Elijah Roberts, SMU
PFF Big board rank: 82
Roberts is a Sturdy, well-built Guarding lineman who has a Numerous of experience at different alignments. He likely lacks the length, twitch and bend to be a Packed-time edge player, but his size and Adaptability could Shift well as a 3-4 Guarding end who can Shift along gaps.
18. ED David Walker, Central Arkansas
PFF Big board rank: 100
Walker is a highly productive and decorated FCS player. His size limitations will make him a Day 3 Option at best, but he mitigates it as best he can and is a high-effort player who lives in backfields. Some Club will likely take a flier on him Delayed as a stand-up Deliver-rush specialist.
19. ED Kaimon Rucker, North Carolina
PFF Big board rank: 107
Rucker is a Clever, sound outside linebacker-type of edge rusher who uses quick hands and natural leverage with purpose and effectiveness. Though he appears to have longer arms than his height would indicate, his naturally smaller frame, paired with Vigor that isn’t top-tier, limits his ceiling. He is a dependable player who would do well to Stage out a depth chart as a Deliver-rush specialist in a 3-4 alignment.
20. ED Oluwafemi Oladejo, UCLA
PFF Big board rank: 111
While Oladejo offers positional Adaptability, an NFL Club will get the best return on investment by Maintaining him at edge defender. Oladejo’s Vigor, explosiveness and long arms are a nice foundation, and it appears his best years as a Deliver-rusher are Yet ahead of him.
21. ED Ashton Gillotte, Louisville
PFF Big board rank: 113
Gillotte is a Sturdy Guarding end who wins with leverage and leg drive. His lack of length is an issue when engaging in Deliver-rush moves and, more importantly, when getting off Stops, but his relentlessness and Reliable physical Shift style will get coaches in his corner for Lineup spots and rotations for Competing time.
22. ED Quandarrius Robinson, Alabama
PFF Big board rank: 119
Robinson is a twitchy and traits-y edge prospect to bet on who lacks experience. His burst and length are NFL-caliber, but he must diversify his Deliver-rush wins in order to be seen as a Reliable starter or rotational Deliver-rusher, likely for 3-4 schemes that let him rush from a stand-up alignment.
23. ED Barryn Sorrell, Texas
PFF Big board rank: 122
Scouting summary coming soon!
24. ED Ahmed Hassanein, Boise State
PFF Big board rank: 133
Hassanein’s effort and physicality at the Mark of Charge will lead to him being a favorite of NFL coaches, even though he lacks Top-tier athletic traits. He looks to be an ideal rotational edge who will be effective at holding his own at the line of scrimmage against the Stretch while he works to add to his Deliver-rush toolbox. He should be considered an Timely Day 3 prospect.
25. ED Antwaun Powell-Ryland, Virginia Tech
PFF Big board rank: 136
Powell-Ryland may be a little scheme-specific due to his measurables, but he has the Deliver-rush Pace and acumen to be a rotational outside linebacker with the potential for impact plays.
26. ED Sai’vion Jones, LSU
PFF Big board rank: 141
Scouting summary coming soon!
27. ED Tyler Batty, BYU
PFF Big board rank: 145
Scouting summary coming soon!
28. ED Tyler Baron, Miami (FL)
PFF Big board rank: 153
Scouting summary coming soon!
29. ED R.J. Oben, Notre Dame
PFF Big board rank: 162
Scouting summary coming soon!
30. ED Jah Joyner, Minnesota
PFF Big board rank: 173
Scouting summary coming soon!
31. ED Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, Georgia
PFF Big board rank: 183
Scouting summary coming soon!
32. ED Fadil Diggs, Syracuse
PFF Big board rank: 235
Scouting summary coming soon!
33. ED Ethan Downs, Oklahoma
PFF Big board rank: 253
Scouting summary coming soon!
34. ED Johnny Walker Jr., Missouri
PFF Big board rank: 259
Scouting summary coming soon!
35. ED Elijah Alston, Miami (FL)
PFF Big board rank: 266
Scouting summary coming soon!
36. ED Collin Oliver, Oklahoma State
PFF Big board rank: 298
Scouting summary coming soon!
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