The calendar has officially turned to April, meaning all eyes are set on Green Bay, Wis., and the 2025 NFL Draft. Over the next few weeks, we will take a look at some expert breakdowns of the top prospects entering this year's draft, position by position:
Let's continue with the edge rushers.
Names of Note
Abdul Carter - Penn State
Measurables
Height - 6'3"
Weight - 250 lbs
Arm - 33"
Hand - 10 ½"
Prospect Overview
Carter began his Penn State career being named Freshman All-American and Third-Team All-Big Ten in 2022. In 2023, he was named First-team All-Big Ten. Last season, Carter was awarded Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, First-team Associated Press All-American and First-team All-Big Ten after leading the FBS with 23.5 tackles for loss.
Rankings and Analysis
"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."
"Carter has the urgency and athletic talent to bombard the stat sheet. He's always first out and first into contact after the snap but can dart into gaps or around blocks as a penetrator…Carter rushes with a rabid, all-game intensity that's hard for opponents to match. He explodes out of the blocks and can force tackles to abandon their technique to go catch him…Carter's explosiveness, hunger and body control should have him on track to become a highly productive 3-4 rush linebacker with Pro Bowl talent."
"Carter is an outstanding pass rusher with elite initial quickness. He can get level with offensive tackles before they are set, and he dips under blocks. He runs the loop, bends inside without losing his balance and has outstanding closing burst. Carter, who moved from linebacker to edge in 2024, changes directions well and mixes in a variety of moves. He gets to depth, reads the quarterback and has his hands up in passing windows when dropping into coverage."
Jalon Walker - Georgia
Measurables
Height - 6'1"
Weight - 243 lbs
Arm - 32"
Hand - 10 ¼"
Prospect Overview
Walker won the Butkus Award (nation's top LB) in 2024 after leading Georgia with 6.5 sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss. He was also named Third-team Associated Press All-American and Second-team All-SEC.
Rankings and Analysis
"Walker is a physically and athletically gifted player who presents box presence versatility as an off-ball linebacker. His anticipation and pass-rush profile in its current form are lacking for consistent impact in the NFL. He must improve how he approaches rushing the passer or his off-ball instincts to be worth a top-50 selection due to age and potential."
"His career snap count is split between edge and linebacker, and his leadership is famous in the Georgia building. He's still working to fine-tune his instincts and efficiency as an off-ball linebacker but has the take-on and closing burst to become a productive pro at that spot… His athletic talent and suddenness to attack both edges makes him a menace for tackles. The most valuable usage for Walker is likely to come as an early down linebacker who can rush off the edge or match up across the line as a blitzer on passing downs."
"Walker is a hybrid front-seven defender who lines up at inside linebacker and edge. He gets off of the ball quickly and dips under blocks as a speed rusher off the edge. He has active hands, and he wins with inside moves. Walker has short arms for an edge (79_-inch wingspan measured at the combine), but he tends to get his hands inside and get blockers' hands off of him. He tracks quarterbacks and closes well, adding on late as a pass rusher."
Mike Green - Marshall
Measurables
Height - 6'3"
Weight - 251 lbs
Arm - 32"
Hand - 8 ½"
Prospect Overview
Green was Second-team Associated Press All-American and Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year in 2024 after leading the country with 17 sacks. He was also a finalist for the Ted Hendricks Award, given to the nation's top defensive end.
Rankings and Analysis
Pro Football Focus: No. 13 overall (No. 2 EDGE) "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."
"High-energy pass rusher with productivity and a method of play that should translate to the next level. Green displays a natural and instinctive rush, utilizing loose hips and a series of moves and counters that can open doors with force or finesse. He's very physical, with notes of violence in the way he attacks blockers in both phases. His explosiveness allows him to penetrate gaps, play around or through the protection edges and change direction quickly to finish in the backfield."
"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."
Mykel Williams - Georgia
Measurables
Height - 6'5"
Weight - 260 lbs
Arm - 34 ⅜"
Hand - 10 ¼"
Prospect Overview
Williams was named Freshman All-American and SEC All-Freshman Team in 2022 after leading the Bulldogs with 4.5 sacks. He was also named Second-team All-SEC in both 2023 and 2024.
Rankings and Analysis
Pro Football Focus: No. 38 overall (No. 8 EDGE) "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."
"An upside prospect with loads of traits, Williams simply needs more snaps and more time to fill out his frame. He is an explosive athlete who uses his exceptional length to keep tackles and tight ends at the end of his punch. He plays a little too tall at the point and needs to get stronger to shed blocks more quickly, but he plays with good physicality in the trenches and is never pushed around."
"Williams is a powerful pass rusher with the length to get into blockers and the strength to push them aside. His hands are active, and he mixes in effective inside moves. He frequently rushes between the tackles where his length, active hands and quickness challenges interior offensive linemen. Williams sets the edge defending the run and makes quick work of tight ends."
Donovan Ezeiruaku - Boston College
Measurables
Height - 6'4 ½"
Weight - 248 lbs
Arm - 34"
Hand - 9 ¼"
Prospect Overview
Ezeiruaku ranked second in the country with 16.5 sacks in 2024 and won the Ted Hendricks Award, given to the nation's top defensive end. He was named ACC Defensive Player of the Year, First-team Associated Press All-American and First-team All-ACC.
Rankings and Analysis
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."*
"Ezeiruaku uses every bit of his length paired with aggression to mitigate size differences at the point of attack. He gets engulfed at times but typically separates from or slips blocks cleanly. He's quick off the snap, using bend and agility to win at the top of the rush or make stops in the backfield. His hands exploit small advantages to turn them into big ones and he has a variety of ways to challenge protection, though he's still learning to craft his plans. "
"Ezeiruaku is a slippery and rangy edge defender who ranked second in the FBS in sacks (16.5) in 2024. He is undersized for an edge, but his long arms make it tougher for blockers to lock onto him. He tracks the ball, gets off blocks and wraps up when he tackles. Ezeiruaku bends and closes well, jolting blockers with a strong punch and working off initial contact."
James Pearce Jr. - Tennessee
Measurables
Height - 6'5"
Weight - 245 lbs
Arm - 32 ¾"
Hand - 10"
Prospect Overview
Pearce Jr. was named First-team All-SEC in both 2023 and 2024 after leading the Volunteers with 14.5 and 13 tackles for loss in each respective season.
Rankings and Analysis
"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."
"Pearce is a tight-hipped, linear pass rusher with explosive take-offs and good speed-to-power but a lack of bend to flatten at the top. His high pressure rate is partially derived from an instinctive feel for positioning, allowing him to work around protection for quick wins into the pocket. "
"Pearce was the only edge to run a sub-4.5 40, and he had the quickest 10-yard split (1.56 seconds) for the edges at the combine. Those results reflect what he shows on tape. He's an explosive speed rusher with great get-off and closing burst. He can redirect and beat blockers to the inside when they take away the edge."
Shemar Stewart - Texas A&M
Measurables
Height - 6'5"
Weight - 267 lbs
Arm - 34 ⅛"
Hand - 9 ⅝"
Prospect Overview
Stewart was named Third-team All-SEC in 2024 in his first season as a full-time starter with the Aggies.
Rankings and Analysis
Pro Football Focus: No. 33 overall (No. 7 EDGE) "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."
"Stewart is carved from granite, possessing a rare blend of traits, explosiveness and untapped upside. He's long and sudden off the snap but hasn't learned to weaponize his hands to control the point of attack and bypass protection with go-to moves. His bull-rush compresses the pocket off the edge, and he's too athletic for guards when reduced inside. He can be very disruptive in both phases"
"Stewart recorded just 11 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks in three seasons at Texas A&M, but his tape is better than his production. He is a physical and explosive player who gets off the ball well, shoots his hands and uses his long arms to press blockers off his frame. He chases with great effort and flashes excellent closing speed. He overpowers pass blockers and is flexible enough to bend at the top of his rush."
Watch the 2025 NFL Draft April 24-26 on ABC, ESPN and NFL Network.
Take a look at Daniel Jeremiah's latest top 50 NFL Draft Prospects. Watch the 2025 NFL Draft April 24-26 on ABC, ESPN and NFL Network.
No. 1: DE Abdul Carter, Penn State
No. 2: WR/CB Travis Hunter, Colorado
No. 3: RB Ashton Jeanty, Boise State
No. 4: DT Mason Graham, Michigan
No. 5: EDGE Jalon Walker, Georgia
No. 6: TE Tyler Warren, Penn State
No. 7: TE Colston Loveland, Michigan
No. 8: QB Cam Ward, Miami
No. 9: LB Jihaad Campbell, Alabama
No. 10: OT Will Campbell, LSU
No. 11: CB Jahdae Barron, Texas
No. 12: OT Armand Membou, Missouri
No. 13: RB Omarion Hampton, North Carolina
No. 14: CB Will Johnson, Michigan
No. 15: S Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina
No. 16: WR Matthew Golden, Texas
No. 17: WR Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State
No. 18: WR Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona
No. 19: QB Shedeur Sanders, Colorado
No. 20: IOL Tyler Booker, Alabama
No. 21: EDGE Mike Green, Marshall
No. 23: EDGE Mykel Williams, Georgia
No. 23: DT Derrick Harmon, Oregon
No. 24: IOL Grey Zabel, North Dakota State
No. 25: EDGE Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College
No. 26: EDGE James Pearce Jr., Tennessee
No. 27: EDGE Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M
No. 28: DT Walter Nolen, Mississippi
No. 29: S Malaki Starks, Georgia
No. 30: DT Kenneth Grant, Michigan
No. 31: OT Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas
No. 32: TE Mason Taylor, LSU
No. 33: WR Luther Burden III, Missouri
No. 34: RB TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State
No. 35: CB Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky
No. 36: QB Jaxson Dart, Mississippi
No. 37: OT Josh Simmons, Ohio State
No. 38: RB Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State
No. 39: OT Josh Conerly Jr., Oregon
No. 40: CB Benjamin Morrison, Notre Dame
No. 41: IOL Donovan Jackson, Ohio State
No. 42: CB Trey Amos, Mississippi
No. 43: TE Elijah Arroyo, Miami
No. 44: LB Carson Schwesinger, UCLA
No. 45: RB Kaleb Johnson, Iowa
No. 46: EDGE Landon Jackson, Arkansas
No. 47: DT Darius Alexander, Toledo
No. 48: OT Marcus Mbow, Purdue
No. 49: EDGE Nic Scourton, Texas A&M
No. 50: CB Azareye'h Thomas, Florida State
