The 2025 NFL Draft class is starting 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, tight end and offensive tackle positions seem to be the deepest and strongest on the offensive side of the ball. On defense, the edge defender group is as deep as we’ve seen in several years, dominating the projected top 50. There are also more impact defensive backs this year than a year ago, with plenty of options on all three days of the draft, specifically on Days 2 and 3.
Here are PFF's top edge defenders in the 2025 NFL Draft, along with some initial scouting notes courtesy of lead draft analyst Trevor Sikkema.
For the full 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 hard not to see some Micah Parsons in Carter, who not only wears the same No. 11 but also pops off the screen nearly every play due to being a rare caliber athlete. If he can get even stronger, he has All-Pro potential as a player worthy of a top-five pick.
2. ED Mike Green, Marshall
PFF Big Board Rank: 10
Green has only two years of starting experience and not the best competition to measure NFL talent over the past two years. However, he absolutely dominated the way you'd want a future NFL player to with elite pass-rush and run-defense grades in addition to high-90th-percentile numbers in win rate and run stops. He has top-50 all-around ability and projects as a starting-caliber outside linebacker in a 3-4 front.
3. ED Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College
PFF Big Board Rank: 17
Ezeiruaku is a smaller outside linebacker-type edge rusher who can struggle with the power aspects of the game. However, his quick, smooth style paired with high football IQ and some very nice bend make him an ideal 3-4 pass rush type of defender to draft on Day 2.
4. ED James Pearce Jr., Tennessee
PFF Big Board Rank: 23
Pearce is the kind of athlete with the production and disruption scores you don't let out of the first round. His twitchy movements show difference-making NFL traits that can be situational at worst and All-Pro at best.
5. ED Nic Scourton, Texas A&M
PFF Big Board Rank: 29
Scourton brings an alluring combination of overall size and pass-rush moves to the edge spot, which gives him ideal versatility for 3-4 or 4-3 fronts. However, he does have some length and flexibility limitations. In his current state, he feels like a player who can disrupt and amass pressure but won't be a high-sack-count rusher.
6. ED Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M
PFF Big Board Rank: 31
Stewart is a scheme-versatile, high-potential athlete who is still working on winning his reps with technique and discipline as much as athletic ability. His lack of production throughout his college career speaks to the lack of refinement in his game, but he is built like a future NFL player and should be a Day 2 pick because of it.
7. ED Mykel Williams, Georgia
PFF Big Board Rank: 38
Williams is a long, strong, versatile edge prospect whose motor is always running hot. His pass-rush profile and consistency (win percentage) are lower than ideal for a projected top-20 pick, but his floor as an elite run defender is so high, and his build is so alluring, that he's worth taking the chance on in that range for a team running odd or even fronts.
8. ED Landon Jackson, Arkansas
PFF Big Board Rank: 39
Jackson is a fundamentally sound player with alluring length and surprising cornering ability for a player of his size. His overall pass-rush win percentage has been low throughout his career, which presents him as a high-floor, versatile defensive end who can be a solid starter for odd or even fronts.
9. ED Bradyn Swinson, LSU
PFF Big Board Rank: 47
Swinson didn't become a full-time starter until his final season, but in his current form, he shows very active hands and a good understanding of rushing the passer to yield consistently high pass-rush win rates. If he continues to get stronger defending the run, he can become a starting 3-4 edge player with impact pass-rush potential.
10. ED Princely Umanmielen, Mississippi
PFF Big Board Rank: 50
Umanmielen feels like a specialized finesse pass-rushing outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense. If you want him to be more versatile than that, you might be disappointed in the lack of consistency. 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.
11. ED JT Tuimoloau, Ohio State
PFF Big Board Rank: 56
Tuimoloau presents a good floor for an edge rusher in a 4-3 defensive front. His pass-rush win percentage has been average over the last two years, with quite a few clean-up sacks on his stat sheet, but he improved in his true pass rush win areas in 2024. He is a good Day 2 prospect to bet on because you'll get a spot starting/rotational floor out of him.
12. ED Jared Ivey, Mississippi
PFF Big Board Rank: 61
Ivey is a physically gifted player with devastating power in his hands to hold the point of attack and stack and shed consistently. He lacks the speed and lower body flexibility to be a speed threat as a 4-3 defensive end, so his best fit is likely more inside for a 3-4 front that would maximize his special strength every play.
13. ED Oluwafemi Oladejo, UCLA
PFF Big Board Rank: 75
While Oladejo offers positional versatility, an NFL team will get the best return on investment by keeping him at edge defender. Oladejo's athleticism, explosiveness and long arms are a nice foundation, and it appears his best years as a pass-rusher are still ahead of him.
14. ED Josaiah Stewart, Michigan
PFF Big Board Rank: 76
Stewart is a juiced-up pass-rusher with less-than-ideal measurables. His effort and leverage give him a chance to win any rep, but he lacks pass-rush nuance to win with more than those attributes and a good first 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 just a straight edge defender (think Uchenna Nuwosu).
15. ED Kyle Kennard, South Carolina
PFF Big Board Rank: 81
Kennard shows a good understanding of how to win as a pass-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 run. His handwork and footwork show a great baseline to build a successful pass-rush profile in the league as a Day 2 selection.
16. ED Elijah Roberts, SMU
PFF Big Board Rank: 87
Roberts is a strong, well-built defensive lineman with a lot of experience at different alignments. He likely lacks the length, twitch and bend to be a full-time edge player, but his size and versatility could play well as a 3-4 defensive end who can move along gaps.
17. ED Jack Sawyer, Ohio State
PFF Big Board Rank: 92
Sawyer is a high-floor, all-around 4-3 defensive end with a starting-caliber projection. The question is whether you believe there is more there for him as a pass-rusher. If you do, you can convince yourself that he's a top-20 player. If not, an early Day 2 range feels like his floor.
18. ED Ashton Gillotte, Louisville
PFF Big Board Rank: 97
Gillotte is a strong defensive end who wins with leverage and leg drive. His lack of length is an issue when engaging in pass-rush moves and, more importantly, when getting off blocks, but his relentlessness and consistent physical play style will get coaches in his corner for roster spots and rotations for playing time.
19. ED Jordan Burch, Oregon
PFF Big Board Rank: 99
Burch is a high-potential player with athletic and physical gifts you can't teach. After finding his sweet spot of size and body composition, he can play in both odd and even fronts but projects best as a 4-3 defensive end. If he continues to master more pass-rush moves and hand usage, he can be a starter and a contributing player.
20. ED Sai'vion Jones, LSU
PFF Big Board Rank: 104
Jones is a long, strong defensive end whose best traits — relentless effort and length — make him a natural fit for an odd-front defense. While he lacks the pass-rush polish to be a consistent disruptor, he's capable of delivering splash plays each week as a versatile rotational lineman.
21. ED Barryn Sorrell, Texas
PFF Big Board Rank: 109
Sorrell is a versatile defensive lineman capable of aligning anywhere from a 4i to a wide-7 technique. While he doesn't project as a high-end athlete at the next level, his active hands and solid play strength provide a strong foundation for a rotational role in a multi-front NFL defense.
22. ED Tyler Batty, BYU
PFF Big Board Rank: 116
Batty offers legit size and above-average explosiveness, making him a scheme-versatile defensive end capable of playing in both odd and even fronts. He's a high-floor, mid-round prospect with a real chance to carve out a starting role thanks to his motor and adaptability.
23. ED David Walker, Central Arkansas
PFF Big Board Rank: 121
Walker is a highly productive and decorated FCS player. His size limitations will make him a Day 3 pick at best, but he mitigates it as best he can and is a high-effort player who lives in backfields. Some team will likely take a flier on him late as a stand-up pass-rush specialist.
24. ED Ahmed Hassanein, Boise State
PFF Big Board Rank: 129
Hassanein's effort and physicality at the point of attack will lead to him being a favorite of NFL coaches, even though he lacks elite 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 run while he works to add to his pass-rush toolbox. He should be considered an early Day 3 prospect.
25. ED Quandarrius Robinson, Alabama
PFF Big Board Rank: 142
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 pass-rush wins in order to be seen as a consistent starter or rotational pass-rusher, likely for 3-4 schemes that let him rush from a stand-up alignment.
26. ED Kaimon Rucker, North Carolina
PFF Big Board Rank: 146
Rucker is a smart, 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 athleticism that isn't top-tier, limits his ceiling. He is a dependable player who would do well to round out a depth chart as a pass-rush specialist in a 3-4 alignment.
27. ED Antwaun Powell-Ryland, Virginia Tech
PFF Big Board Rank: 157
Powell-Ryland may be a little scheme-specific due to his measurables, but he has the pass-rush speed and acumen to be a rotational outside linebacker with the potential for impact plays.
28. ED Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, Georgia
PFF Big Board Rank: 159
Ingram-Dawkins didn't produce much over his four-year college career, but the physical tools are evident. His blend of size, explosiveness, and strength — paired with above-average length — gives him the traits of a rotational 3-4 defensive end who can shoot gaps and disrupt plays.
29. ED Tyler Baron, Miami (FL)
PFF Big Board Rank: 172
Baron offers a well-rounded skill set, but he's missing the power element that could elevate his game. His speed-to-power attempts often fizzle out, even against tight ends, and a sharp rise in missed tackles in 2024 highlights concerns about his finishing ability. There's a clear lack of pop and physicality at the point of contact that may cap his ceiling.
30. ED R.J. Oben, Notre Dame
PFF Big Board Rank: 196
Oben won't blow you away with athleticism as a pass rusher, but he's a solid, disciplined run defender with long arms and flashes of quick, efficient hand usage that allow him to win cleanly at times. As a six-year player, he'll be one of the older prospects in this year's class.
31. ED Collin Oliver, Oklahoma State
PFF Big Board Rank: 200
Oliver is an undersized but very athletic linebacker who moved to an outside linebacker role in 2024. However, he missed all but two games due to a foot injury. Oliver is a developmental situational pass rusher at this point.
32. ED Jah Joyner, Minnesota
PFF Big Board Rank: 204
With his height and length, Joyner profiles well as a potential 3-4 defensive end in odd-front alignments. To thrive in that role, he'll need to add weight and improve his core strength to hold up at the point of attack. Despite an impressive 40-time at the combine, his game lacks the speed and flexibility to consistently win as a one-on-one pass rusher.
33. ED Fadil Diggs, Syracuse
PFF Big Board Rank: 271
Transferring from Texas A&M to Syracuse proved beneficial for Diggs, who recorded a career-best 83.2 pass-rush grade in 2024. He brings good burst and NFL-caliber size to the position, though he'll need to develop further as a technician to rise above a backup role at the next level.
34. ED Ethan Downs, Oklahoma
PFF Big Board Rank: 289
Downs is a very strong player who's stout against the run, earning an 83.0 run-defense grade since 2022. He has poor length, which makes it difficult for him to disengage from blocks, and he lacks the explosiveness to consistently win outside.
35. ED Johnny Walker Jr., Missouri
PFF Big Board Rank: 293
Walker has below-average size and athleticism, but he's coming off a career-best 80.1 PFF grade and has plenty of moves in his pass-rushing toolbox. He projects as a designated pass-rusher early and could be a contributor on special teams.
36. ED Elijah Alston, Miami (FL)
PFF Big Board Rank: 300
After an impressive season at Marshall in 2023, Alston transferred to Miami, where his season was cut short due to injury but not before showing some flashes as an all-around 3-4 outside linebacker. He notched a 73.0-plus grade defending the run, in coverage, and as a pass-rusher, showing a solid baseline to produce against better competition.
37. ED Brian Ugwu, Miami (OH)
PFF Big Board Rank: 341
Ugwu tallied 66 pressures in 2024, tying him for first in the draft class with Abdul Carter. He wasn't just a one-year production machine, as he also racked up 64 pressures in 2023 and posted an 80.0 PFF pass-rush grade for two straight seasons.
38. ED Nate Matlack, Pittsburgh
PFF Big Board Rank: 344
Matlack has the height and length to play on the edge, but he needs to fill out his frame considerably. He lacks quick-twitch explosiveness off the snap and struggles to maintain his balance when working off blockers. Seventeen of his 37 pressures last season were either unblocked or clean-ups, and he will need to improve his play strength if he is to get snaps at the next level.
39. ED Elijah Ponder, Cal Poly
PFF Big Board Rank: 348
Ponder was an elite tester this offseason but has yet to put it together on the field. He shows good bend and agility when rushing the passer but needs to improve his hand usage and add to his arsenal to improve upon his 10% pass-rush win rate from 2024. His measured explosiveness (11-foot broad, 41-inch vertical) warrants a Day 3 look despite his lack of college production.
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