Welcome to draft season! This is the 11th of 11 positional breakdowns leading up to the NFL draft (April 27-29). Here are my top 10 edge rushers:
— 1. Will Anderson Jr. (Jr., Alabama, 6-foot-3, 253 pounds)
Some scouts will say Anderson is a bit undersized for an NFL edge rusher, but there are shades of Hall of Famer Derrick Thomas and future Hall of Famer Von Miller in his pass-rush approach. He was a five-star recruit who produced as soon as he set foot in Tuscaloosa and stockpiled accolades along the way. He produced 34.5 sacks and 62 tackles for loss in three seasons with the Crimson Tide, both second only to Thomas in school history. He was a two-time unanimous All-American, won the Nagurski Trophy twice and became the first player named SEC Defensive Player of the Year in back-to-back seasons. He was also one of only seven players to be voted a two-time team captain under coach Nick Saban. Projected: Top 3
— 2. Nolan Smith (Sr., Georgia, 6-2, 238)
Smith was the top defensive end in the 2019 recruiting class and the No. 1 recruit overall nationally, ahead of the Giants' Kayvon Thibodeaux (No. 2) and the Texans' Derek Stingley Jr. (No. 3), who were both top-five picks in the 2022 NFL draft. Smith is athletic enough to make plays from sideline to sideline. A refined approach to rushing the passer is needed to unlock his unlimited potential. It remains to be seen how his season-ending pectoral tear will affect his draft stock, but he looked plenty healthy (and explosive) at the combine and is drawing many comparisons to one of the NFL's best pure pass rushers, Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Haason Reddick. Projected: Round 1
— 3. Tyree Wilson (Sr., Texas Tech, 6-5, 271)
Wilson was one of nine players in the FBS to produce at least 60 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and six sacks before suffering a season-ending broken foot against Kansas. He's a physically gifted, ascending pass rusher who is explosive off the ball and powerful enough to make an immediate impact at the next level. Projected: Top 10
— 4. Myles Murphy (Jr., Clemson, 6-4, 268)
Murphy was a five-star recruit in the 2020 recruiting class and features very similar dimensions/traits to 2022 No. 1 overall draft pick Travon Walker. He had double-digit tackles for loss in each of his three seasons for the Tigers and he's not bothered by double teams. His game plan as a pass rusher is currently in beta, but if he's able to work out the bugs, he'll be a disruptive force at the next level. Projected: Round 1
— 5. Lukas Van Ness (So., Iowa, 6-5, 272)
The hype train is in full effect for Van Ness. He reportedly received a first-round grade from the NFL Advisory Committee before declaring early for the draft despite not starting a single game for the Hawkeyes. "Hercules" clearly has the functional strength needed at the next level, features a dominant bull rush with an NFL-caliber spin move and was very impressive at the NFL combine. He's played hockey most of his life and was a three-year letterman as a defenseman in high school. Projected: Round 1
— 6. Will McDonald IV (Sr., Iowa State, 6-3, 239)
McDonald has been highly productive for the Cyclones, producing at least five sacks in four straight seasons and double-digit sacks in two of the last three despite playing out of position for most of his collegiate career. He's an explosive, instinctive pass rusher, who is riding a wave of momentum after impressive performances during Senior Bowl week and at the combine. Projected: Rounds 1-2
— 7. Derick Hall (Sr., Auburn, 6-2, 254)
Hall is a team captain and explosive athlete (he was a state finalist in the 200-meter dash in high school). He's a bit undersized, but he's tenacious and tough as nails — I'd expect nothing less from someone born extremely premature at only 23 weeks. He'll need to develop a counter-attack in the pros to deal with more sophisticated offensive linemen. Projected: Rounds 2-3
— 8. Isaiah Foskey (Jr., Notre Dame, 6-5, 264)
Foskey's versatile skill set, size and power might have made him a Day 1 selection had he entered the draft last season. He's an effective, playmaking pass rusher who also blocked four punts in his collegiate career with the Irish. He was also the first player in Notre Dame history with multiple seasons of double-digit sacks. Variety is the spice of life and also needed for Foskey to freshen up his pass-rush arsenal in the pros against adversaries who are just as strong and talented as he is. Projected: Rounds 1-2
— 9. Zach Harrison (Sr., Ohio State, 6-5, 274)
Harrison was a five-star recruit with a lot of hype who didn't quite meet expectations in Columbus, but there's still a lot to like. He's in the 99th percentile for both arm length and wingspan (NFL teams covet length at the position). A minor hamstring injury kept him from doing any on-field drills at the combine, but it's universally accepted he would've likely impressed. There's still a chance we haven't seen the best version of Harrison, which could be enough to land him in the second round. Projected: Rounds 2-3
— 10. Keion White (Sr., Georgia Tech, 6-4, 285)
A former tight end at Old Dominion, White's still developing his defensive chops, but his combination of size and speed doesn't come along every year. He led the Yellow Jackets with 7.5 sacks and 14 tackles for loss in 2022. Projected: Rounds 1-2
— BONUS: BJ Ojulari (Jr., LSU, 6-2, 248)
Ojulari's brother, Azeez, was drafted by the Giants in the second round in 2021. Like his older sibling, he's a technically sound, speedy pass rusher who will need to adjust to the power-oriented aspects of the NFL game. Projected: Round 2
— BONUS: Felix Anudike-Uzomah (Jr., Kansas State, 6-3, 255)
Anudike-Uzomah carries a substantial toolbox as a pass rusher, but he'll need to develop as an edge setter in the pros to truly become an asset against the run. It's clear he's going to be a problem for quarterbacks though, having led the Wildcats in sacks, tackles for loss and forced fumbles each of the last two seasons. Projected: Round 2
— BONUS: Tuli Tuipulotu (Jr., USC, 6-3, 266)
Tuipulotu was a revelation last season for the Trojans with 13.5 sacks and 22 tackles for loss, after producing only 7.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss his first two seasons in Los Angeles. His size makes him a bit of a tweener, but he's strong, athletic enough and features a NFL-caliber spin move. Projected: Rounds 2-3
— BONUS: Isaiah McGuire (Sr., Missouri, 6-4, 268)
McGuire led Mizzou in sacks each of the last two seasons and was voted captain as a senior. He needs polish, but he's stout at the point of attack against the run and uses his violent hands to rip through the line to access the pocket. Projected: Rounds 3-4
— BONUS: Byron Young (Sr., Tennessee, 6-2, 250)
Young is an All-SEC first-team selection who has only helped his cause during the draft process with standout performances in Mobile at the Senior Bowl and in Indy at the combine, where he ran a blistering 4.40 40-yard dash (electrifying for someone weighing in around 250 pounds). He's already 25 years old and there are limitations against the run, but his upside rushing the passer could help him get drafted on Day 2. Projected: Rounds 3-4
— BONUS: Yaya Diaby (Sr., Louisville, 6-3, 263)
Diaby added 50 pounds over his two seasons at the JUCO level, but maintained his elite closing speed that enables him to make plays down the line and consistently pester the quarterback. He was third-team All-ACC with nine sacks and 14 tackles for loss in 2022 for the Cardinals. He'll need to expand his pass-rush palette in the pros and develop better instincts against screen passes and misdirection in the run game. Projected: Rounds 3-4
— BONUS: Nick Hampton (Sr., Appalachian State, 6-2, 236)
Hampton was a highly-productive team captain for the Mountaineers with 27 tackles for loss and 18 sacks the last two seasons. He features an explosive first step and is athletic enough to drop off the line into coverage, but he doesn't have a Plan B if he can't beat the tackle to the corner. Projected: Rounds 3-4
— BONUS: DJ Johnson (Sr., Oregon, 6-4, 260)
Johnson's development in Eugene was stunted by several position switches. He began as a defensive end, before moving to tight end as a sophomore. He was essentially a two-way player in 2021, at tight end and outside linebacker, before becoming a full-time defensive starter in 2022 (he led the Ducks in sacks with six). Focusing on one position in the pros will help him fine-tune his plethora of physical gifts. Projected: Rounds 3-5
— BONUS: Dylan Horton (Sr., TCU, 6-4, 257)
Horton was a three-star recruit at safety, but spent two seasons with New Mexico at outside linebacker before transferring to Fort Worth, where he was utilized as an edge rusher. He was the only Big 12 player with double-digit sacks in 2022, including four against Michigan in the College Football Playoffs. Projected: Round 4
— BONUS: Thomas Incoom (Sr., Central Michigan, 6-2, 262)
Incoom was a two-star recruit at tight end, who became a pass rusher at Valdosta State before transferring to Mount Pleasant. He was one of only four FBS players with at least 11 sacks and 18 tackles for loss in 2022, his only season as a full-time starter at the Division I level. Projected: Rounds 4-5
— BONUS: Andre Carter (Sr., Army, 6-6, 256)
Carter is a relentless, athletic pass rusher with prototypical size who was highly productive as a junior (15.5 sacks), and found himself being triple-teamed for most of his senior year at West Point. The NFL will add some thickness and strength to his frame, which could take his game to another level. He was Army's first All-American in over three decades. Projected: Rounds 4-7
— BONUS: Tyrus Wheat (Sr., Mississippi State, 6-2, 263)
Wheat has added 60 pounds to his frame since high school and has experience at safety, linebacker and defensive end while being productive in the SEC — he led the Bulldogs in sacks three straight seasons. He's a physical edge setter who is quick, but he isn't an explosive athlete. Projected: Rounds 4-7
— BONUS: Viliami Fehoko (Sr., San Jose State, 6-3, 276)
Fehoko was a three-star recruit at tight end before becoming a four-year starter at defensive end for the Spartans. He's a technician with a non-stop motor who has produced at least 12.5 tackles for loss in three straight seasons. The Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year in 2022 finished his career second in school history in tackles for loss (47) and fifth in sacks (23). He does seem to draw the attention of the referees — five offsides and four roughing the passer penalties over the last two seasons. Projected: Rounds 5-6
— BONUS: Robert Beal Jr. (Sr., Georgia, 6-3, 247)
Beal was a four-star recruit who couldn't quite crack the Bulldogs' loaded depth chart, but the elite athletic profile remains intact — he ran an impressive 4.44 40-yard dash at the combine. Projected: Rounds 5-6
— BONUS: Jose Ramirez (Sr., Eastern Michigan, 6-1, 242)
Ramirez is undersized and it shows against the run, but he attacks the pocket like a man on fire. His 6.95-second three-cone and 4.30 short shuttle were tops among all edge rushers at the combine. He was a second-team All-American with 12 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss in 2022, and was voted captain as a senior. Projected: Rounds 5-6
— BONUS: Caleb Murphy (Sr., Ferris State, 6-3, 254)
Murphy lettered in five total sports in high school: baseball, basketball, football, track and wrestling. Despite being a no-star recruit, he led the Bulldogs to back-to-back Division II national titles the last two seasons while rewriting the NCAA record book. His 25.5 sacks broke Terrell Suggs' all-divisions single-season sack record and he was the first non-FBS player to win the Ted Hendricks Award (top defensive end). Murphy isn't an explosive athlete and he'll need to bulk up a bit, but you can't ignore the production. Projected: Rounds 5-7
— BONUS: Truman Jones (Sr., Harvard, 6-3, 250)
Jones was a team captain who led the Ivy League in tackles for loss (13) and added six sacks for good measure in 2022. He finished his collegiate career with two block field goals and two blocked extra points. Projected: PFA
