2025 NFL Draft: EDGE Big Board

The 2025 NFL Draft is quickly approaching, with the event kicking off in over a week. 2025’s EDGE class is talented and loaded to the gills up and down the board. Teams that need a pass rusher will find a starter in every round. In today’s league, where the passing game is king, having a stable of players who can get after the quarterback is imperative. Who are the best EDGE prospects in the class that could go on to make an impact?

Note: All RAS numbers are courtesy of Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb)

In case you miss any of the positional big boards, they will be listed below:

Quarterback

Running Back

Wide Receiver

Offensive Line

EDGE

1. Abdul Carter / 6’3 250 / Penn State

Carter is the latest Penn State edge rusher out of that pass rusher factory, ready to take the league by storm. He’s arguably the most talented EDGE prospect out of that program. He has all the physical traits to be a star, much like his predecessors, like Chop Robinson, Micah Parsons (his direct comparison), and others. There is little doubt that he will be selected in the top five. The PSU superstar transitioned to EDGE after spending his first two seasons in an off-ball role where he excelled. EDGE is where he unlocked another level of stardom. He’s a supremely gifted athlete with explosive athleticism to overwhelm the blocker. Teams are concerned about his foot injury in the College Football Playoff. Carter is hands down the top-ranked pass rusher on the 2025 EDGE big board.

Round Projection: Top Five

Player Comp: Micah Parsons

RAS: N/A

2. Shemar Stewart / 6’5 267 / Texas A&M

Stewart is an elite athlete with minimal collegiate production, which concerns some teams. He earned an invitation to the Senior Bowl, which was an astute decision. The former Aggie was dominant and won every rep during the week. He’s a quick-twitch and bendy pass rusher with top-tier physical traits. Stewart further elevated his stock at the Combine, running a blistering 4.59 40 and jumping 40″ vertically. He has all the tools to become a standout EDGE with his tools, but needs to refine them further. His physical and stylistic comparison is Bud Dupree. There is zero doubt that he is a first-round selection and could be in the top 15.

Round Projection: First Round

Player Comp: Bud Dupree

RAS: 10.00

3. Donovan Ezeiruaku / 6’2 248 / Boston College

Ezeiruaku broke out as a senior with 16.5 sacks, which merited a Senior Bowl invitation, which he thoroughly used to his credit. The former Boston College star totaled 14.5 sacks until the 2024 season. He’s a twitchy, bendy pass rusher with an immense tool kit. The 2024 Ted Hendricks winner is laterally explosive and can make the blocker think with an underrated power game. He’s among the top pass rushers on the 2025 EDGE big board and in the class. There’s little doubt that he deserves to be a first-round selection, but he could slip to the second round. His stylistic and athletic comparison is Harold Landry.

Round Projection: First to Second

Player Comp: Harold Landry

RAS: 8.12

4. Mykel Williams / 6’5 260 / Georgia

The latest and greatest EDGE prospect from Georgia is here. He possesses all the physical tools that teams seek in pass rushers. Williams didn’t have the season everyone expected in 2024, battling a troublesome ankle issue all season. His production is minimal, but the potential is tantalizing. He’s an explosive athlete with tremendous speed (4.77 40) for a man his size. Georgia used him all over the place in various roles on its defensive front. As a result, teams will love his versatile chess piece that could be used all over the board. The former Bulldogs prospect is a first-round selection; He profiles similarly to Washington / Tampa Bay standout EDGE Joe Tryon-Shoyinka.

Round Projection: First Round

Player Comp: Joe Tryon-Shoyinka

RAS: N/A

5. Nic Scourton / 6’2 257 / Texas A&M

Scourton transferred to A&M after a productive career at Purdue, where he logged ten sacks in 2023. While he didn’t reach the heights of those successes in College Station, 2024 was kind to his fortunes. He’s lost almost thirty pounds from his A&M weight. The former Aggie/Boilermakers star pass rusher is a versatile threat who can play inside and outside. He isn’t a tremendous athlete, so that weight loss may help his athleticism. Scourton combines a high motor with a good football IQ to get where he’s going. A consistent player who’s seen it all and knows all the tricks an offense can do. Teams will love his versatility, which should make him a first-round selection. His athletic and stylistic profile is similar to that of former Michigan standout Kwity Paye.

Round Projection: First to Second

Player Comp: Kwity Paye

RAS: N/A

6. Mike Green / 6’3 251 / Marshall

Green exploded onto the scene in 2024, producing 17 sacks and 23 tackles for loss after transferring from Virginia before the 2023 season. Teams will likely do an intensive deep dive into his background, as Green was dismissed from Virginia for SA allegations. He has repeatedly denied those allegations. He’s an explosive athlete who dominated the Senior Bowl to the point that the Marshall product left after two practices. While he doesn’t have the ideal measureables, he makes up for it with his athleticism and power. Green is a twitched-up, bendy pass rusher combining power and a growing arsenal. There’s a chance he’s the second EDGE off the board in April, so Green has cemented a first-round selection. Athletically and stylistically, he resembles Uchenna Nwosu, a USC standout and a lengthy NFL career.

Round Projection: First

Player Comp: Uchenna Nwosu

RAS: N/A

7. Landon Jackson / 6’6 254 / Arkansas

Jackson thrived at the Senior Bowl, flashing his immense upside and imposing presence. He’s every bit of 6’6 254, and looks like a well-built power forward. The RAS indicates his great linear athleticism; he ran a 4.68 40-yard dash and jumped 40″ vertically. An improving pass rush arsenal and power are the main parcels of his game. While he isn’t as bendy as others on the 2025 DL big board, he wins with hand work and straight bull rush. Teams will be wary of his medical history as well. There’s enough meat on the bone for teams to consider him a Day 2 lock. His physical and athletic profile resembles former Georgia Tech standout Michael Johnson.

Round Projection: Day 2

Player Comp: Michael Johnson

RAS: 9.78

8. Kyle Kennard / 6’4 254 / South Carolina

Kennard is a former Georgia Tech transfer who made good on his promise at South Carolina. He was productive for the Gamecocks, posting 11.5 sacks in 2024. He’s a toolsy EDGE prospect who has further developed along with some of his peers. Power is the name of his game, but there’s plenty of athletic juice in his frame. The South Carolina star showed out at the Senior Bowl, locking in a Day 2 selection, which was enhanced by his Combine performance. He also checks off the boxes regarding what teams look for in EDGEs physically. His athletic and stylistic comparison resembles D.J. Wonnum, another former Gamecock.

Round Projection: Day 2

Player Comp: D.J. Wonnum

RAS: 8.57

9. David Walker / 6’0 263 / Central Arkansas

Walker has had an excellent offseason to vault himself onto the radar as a Day 3 prospect, starting with the Senior Bowl. He possesses an intriguing skill set, including great athleticism and power in his game. The UCA product was very productive, posting 39 sacks in his career. Teams will fall in love with his tools and likely draft him early on Day 3. He’s almost an identical athlete to former Syracuse standout Alton Robinson. His play style is similar to that of Yannick Ngakoue.

Round Projection: Fourth to Fifth

Player Comp: Alton Robinson / Yannick Ngakoue

RAS: 8.62

10. Jack Sawyer / 6’4 260 / Ohio State

Sawyer registered 9.5 sacks for the reigning national champions and led the rejuvenated Buckeyes defense on their playoff run for the ages. He was a former five-star recruit who sat behind some big league talent in Columbus and broke out as a senior. The prospect isn’t a great athlete by any means, but has enough athleticism to get the job done. He won’t wow anyone with his first step or lateral movement, but he has the quick wits and tenacity to get after it. Impressive tool kit to offset athletic concerns. Sawyer should be a Day 2 selection, but the depth of the 2025 EDGE big board will knock him down into the Day 3 range. His athletic comparison is that of former Florida pass rusher Jeremy Mincey.

Round Projection: Day 2 to Early Day 3

Player Comp: Jeremy Mincey

RAS: N/A

11. James Pearce, Jr / 6’5 245 / Tennessee

Pearce is an uber-athletic EDGE prospect who has been hyped for several seasons. He’s undersized at 245, so it remains to be seen if he can retain his top-tier athleticism after gaining weight. The Tennessee star topped at ten sacks in 2023 and posted 7.5 last season with increased attention. He checks all the boxes regarding raw athleticism, height, weight, and length. Teams will love the physical traits, but can they love the run defense? He lit the Combine track on fire with a 4.47 40-yard dash. The second round should be his basement. JPJ compares physically and stylistically to Odafe Oweh, who starred at Penn State before being drafted by the Ravens.

Round Projection: Day 2

Player Comp: Odafe Oweh

RAS: 9.40

12. Princely Umanmielen / 6’4 244 / Ole Miss

The Florida transfer had the talent in Gainesville but finally put it together while at Ole Miss for 2024. He’s a tremendous athlete with all the physical traits to make an impact. Umanmielen lost almost 20 pounds between the Senior Bowl and Combine. The Ole Miss product sacked the quarterback 10.5 times last season, nearly as high as the 15 he had in four seasons prior. His RAS score is indicative of his first-rate athleticism. He possesses an explosive first step that stuns blockers regularly. The prospect could add more weight to his frame to combat bigger blockers in the NFL. He has the potential to be selected on Day 2 but could slide to Day 3 as projected on the 2025 EDGE big board. His athletic and stylistic comparison is Jalyx Hunt.

Round Projection: Day 3

Player Comp: Jalyx Hunt

RAS: 8.98

13. Josaiah Stewart / 6’1 249 / Michigan

Stewart transferred to the Wolverines before the 2023 season and thrived with 15 sacks in two seasons. He’s a solid athlete with the bend and burst to be a solid EDGE2 type. The former Michigan Man is explosive out of the gates and stuns blockers with the power. He may have a case for being the class’s most technically refined EDGE rusher. However, his size dings him on some teams’ boards as he’s just 6’1, but he’s a ferocious ball of energy. Day 3 is the floor for him in a deep class, as this one is, but there is potential to go higher than the 2025 EDGE big board projection. His physical and stylistic profile resembles Ola Adenyi.

Round Projection: Middle Day 3

Player Comp: Ola Adenyi

RAS: N/A

14. Jordan Burch / 6’4 279 / Oregon

Burch transferred to Oregon from South Carolina before the 2023 season. He had his most productive season as a Duck in 2024, registering 8.5 sacks in ten games. Teams will be concerned about his medical history, given that the prospect battled numerous injuries last season. When healthy, he’s a productive and versatile prospect who can play inside and outside in different schemes. His calling card is versatility, but he has plenty of speed, running a 4.67 40 at the Combine. The former Ducks star could be a valuable swing EDGE/iDL for teams that need one. After his offseason process, Burch projects as a mid-to-late Day 3 selection. Burch’s athletic and stylistic profile resembles former Texas Tech prospect Myles Cole.

Round Projection: Middle to Late Day 3

Player Comp: Myles Cole

RAS: N/A

15. Oluwafemi Oladejo / 6’3 259 / UCLA

The UCLA pass rusher is a versatile athlete who played in a stand-up off-ball role at Cal and for the Bruins before transitioning to EDGE full time in 2024. He’s an athlete refining his techniques as the designated pass rusher. Oladejo put on a stellar Senior Bowl performance, winning almost every rep. He has a lot of athletic traits, and if teams can harness his improving IQ, he could be a good, versatile linebacker. Femi has been a popular guest among teams, visiting well over 10 teams on their “30”. He projects as a mid-to-late Day 3 selection and compares to former Michigan linebacker Jaylen Harrell.

Round Projection: Middle to Late Day 3

Player Comp: Jaylen Harrell

RAS: N/A

16. Barryn Sorrell / 6’3 256 / Texas

Sorrell was part of a Texas defensive line full of NFL prospects and one of the glue guys that held it together. The former Longhorns EDGE broke out as a senior, notching six sacks in 2024. He then proceeded to the Senior Bowl, where he excelled, turning some eyes into believers at the Combine. Athletically, he isn’t the most imposing prospect, but he gets by with bringing a power element. The prospect is one of those players who improved throughout his career with more reps, which teams love. Brute power and a tireless work ethic are the name of his game. He tested well in the offseason, thus the high RAS. His athletic and stylistic comparison is former Titans EDGE Jason Babin, who molded a decent NFL career. Sorrell should be a Day 3 selection.

Round Projection: Day 3

Player Comp: Jason Babin

RAS: 9.31