2025 NFL DRAFT PREVIEW – EDGE
Draft Grade Index:
90+: All-Pro Projection
85-89: Pro Bowl Projection
81-84: 1st Round – Year 1 starter
77-80: 2nd/3rd Round – Year 1 contributor, year 2-3 starter
74-76: Early Day 3: Cores special teamer and rotational player
71-74: Mid Day 3: Core special teamer and backup
68-70: Late Day 3: Developmental and special teamer
1) Abdul Carter – Penn State – 6’3/250
Grade: 89
Junior entry, Philadelphia, PA. Three-time All-Big Ten, first team in 2024 in addition to first team All-American honors. The Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year was an off-ball linebacker for his first two seasons. The program did not make the same mistake twice after keeping Micah Parsons off the edge his entire career. Carter, who resembles Parsons in several ways it’s almost unbelievable, transitioned to the outside and played his best football notably late in the year in their biggest games (with injuries to both his shoulder and foot). The combination of explosion and twitch makes him almost impossible to square up for blockers. He has Barry Sanders-caliber shake with a turbo boost finish when he smells blood. The violence and football intelligence he shows elevates both his floor and ceiling to the point where he can credibly project to be one of the best defenders in the game. Carter needs to control his aggression, as he will over-pursue and/or leave his assignment to chase across the field. As he continues to settle in permanently at outside linebacker, Carter will need to improve his pad level on spin moves and continue to enhance his lower body power. The sheer power of his bull rush is merely average at this point. If that part of his game can reach the above-average level, this is the kind of defender a team can build their defense around similar to what Dallas has done with Parsons, the previous #11 from Penn State.
*Carter is the other option at #3 overall for NYG. If they stay put, it is easy to narrow this down to a two-guy discussion for me. I did deduct a point off his grade (90) because of the foot. Not enough to truly impact his status among this draft class but there is a small part of me that is concerned by it because of how his game is built. Can he turn into another Parsons? Sure, the talent is there. But Parsons went from good to great because of how much he worked at his craft after being drafted, particularly with his hand techniques and power. There are people with credibility talking about Carter being a notch below Parsons when it comes to the “worker” side of things. That is another thing that will need to be answered. If he checks out there, he is a hard guy to pass on. Putting him on this front and knowing he can rush the passer from all angles, play run defense from a typical linebacker alignment, and even cover when needed gives NYG the identity I’ve been banging the table for. A guy like this to spy the likes of Daniels, Hurts, and even Prescott is the epitome of building your roster to beat teams in your division. This is a potential and even likely top shelf weapon for the front that can put it over the top. Probably outside of a top shelf quarterback the one guy that can make the most impact for this team right away and that is why NYG could lean heavily in his favor. My pessimistic question? Does a guy like Shane Bowen truly understand how to use him?
2) Shemar Stewart – Texas A&M – 6’5/267
Grade: 83
Junior entry, two-year starter. Miami, FL. All-SEC in 2024. Stewart was a five star recruit who started off his career in a similar fashion to how he is entering the NFL; dripping wet in tools from every angle. His flashes on tape that can make anyone dream big but it came with underwhelming production and snap to snap impact. After three seasons in college Stewart remains the “what if” prospect in the entire class. If he reaches just 90% of his ceiling, he is an All-Pro. The question will never be talent or upside. He put up measureables comparable to the rare Myles Garrett territory. At 267 pounds he had a higher vertical than Odell Beckham and Julio Jones. He had a forty faster than Travis Kelce and a broad jump further than Myles Garrett. Everything about this kid screams freak at a position where freaks matter. His tape looks like a wild stallion that a ranch needs to try and tame. The problem is the number of plays where he is either disinterested or lacks feel. Stewart has shown he can win in every possible way an edge rusher should be able to win. He has every trick up his sleeve. So why wasn’t he more dominant, more often? Interviews and background checks will be vital. If Stewart applies himself, he is one of the top ten edge defenders in the league before the end of his rookie contract. The risk is high, the ceiling is higher.
*The only thing I am willing to put out there in Stewart’s defense is the coaching staff at Texas A&M did a poor job in developing this kid. His character is clean enough and his tape screams high effort. But this isn’t the first or only guy on that defense that simply needed better leadership in college. I would not knock a single team that has a top 10 grade on this kid. He had a sack and a half per season all three years for the Aggies. He consistently lacked finish and there were too many missed opportunities. The ideal role for him would be a team that already has two starters on the outside and he can be situational early on. Re-teach him, train him, let him loose in 2026.
3) Jalon Walker – Georgia – 6’1/243
Grade: 82
Junior entry. Two-year starter, Salisbury, NC. All-SEC, Butkus Award Winner, and an All-American in 2024. In a rotation-heavy defensive scheme, Walker will enter the league on the inexperienced side, finishing just under 1,000 career snaps. What makes him unique, however, are the number of roles he played for the Bulldogs defense. He lined up all over the front seven and proved to be effective in multiple ways. Walker has the tool set to be a productive pass rusher off the edge at the next level. That is where his future resides even though he could play at the second level in specific looks. Walker is far from a finished product and he plays like it. While his hand strength and burst are great entry points, Walker has not proven himself as a consistent skilled rusher. He lacks fluidity but he plays like he’s on fire. He can tend to get stalled out when he rushes the inside shoulder, but his closing speed and strength are hard-to-find weapons. Walker is a gamble but he plays a vital position and has a lot of wins against quality Sunday players. Get him into a 3-4 outside linebacker immediately upon arrival to the NFL, remain patient, and he will provide quality starter-caliber play.
*One of the more difficult evaluations I’ve had over the entire process if I am being completely honest. In August, I had Walker as my 11th overall player in the country. Nobody was talking about him as a first rounder. Now? It appears he is a lock for a top 10 slot and I’m not there on him. His private workout will shed some light on just just how explosive he is. That will be his calling card at the next level because he is going to be undersized. His frame looks maxed out at 243 pounds and his length is below average. Walker will need to win with burst and he will need to improve his rush move variety. At the end of the day he is in the same section as Abdul Carter when it comes to their path to this edge role, but he isn’t on the same level. I have Walker closer to former Bulldog Nolan Smith and Haason Reddick.
4) Mykel Williams – Georgia – 6’5/260
Grade: 82
Junior entry, two-year starter. Columbus, GA. All-SEC in 2023 and 2024 despite battling multiple lower body injuries for most of the season. Williams was a factor for the star-studded Georgia defense right away as a true freshman. He led the team with 31 pressures in 2022. In 2023, he led the team with 4.5 sacks. Early on in his career, the coaches weren’t sure what to do with him. He came as Travon Walker (eventual #1 pick in the 2022 Draft) left. They shifted his role to outside-dominant like Walker and also just like the current Jaguars budding star, Williams flashed as an every down force. Currently, he is a better run defender than he is a pass rusher. He sets the edge with strong hands and a firm, sturdy base. The ability to redirect and bend is enough to put a high ceiling label on him. The primary problem is he never played to the level his talent said he could. As good as the traits are, Williams got latched on to over and over against quality blockers. There is a bridge he will need to cross, a rather long one, in order for him to reach the peak of his ceiling. The worst-case scenario is a solid rotational defensive lineman that can play multiple spots. If he does develop and stay healthy, he has true top-shelf edge rusher potential.
*Another guy some very good evaluators claim to be a top ten lock. I never got there with him. He has been more of a back-half first rounder to be from the beginning. He got injured right away in 2024 so his projection is going to be more projection-based than most. According to him, he was at 60% all year. Travon Walker was a better player and athlete. Williams is closer to Mathias Kiwanuka, which is not an insult but simply where I peg him and his projection at the next level. He does fit with NYG’s front and their needs but I do not see a scenario where he makes his way to them unless there was some trade action. He is not worth #3 (or even top 10) and he won’t make it to #34.
5) JT Tuimoloau – Ohio State – 6’4/265
Grade: 81
Three-year starter. Edgewood, WA. Three-time first team All-Big Ten. Tuimolau showed up in Columbus as the program’s top recruit from 2000-on and went on to start 42 consecutive games. While he never reached the elite level of previous Buckeye defensive ends like Chase Young and the Bosa brothers, he did finish top eight in program history in both sacks and tackles for loss. He is a balanced threat capable of raising the floor of both a run defense in pass rush in the NFL. While he may not be the top shelf quick pressure generator, he is as good as anyone at winning in a phone booth. He is the guy that will, nearly no matter what, eventually reach the passer. He excels at hand usage and being economical with the space he has. Tuimoloau was productive in all areas and will be a draw for the basic reason of the fact he knows how to play the position. He is firm, reliable, and will enter the league with his man strength ready to fire day one.
*I have been late round one on Tuimoloau since the fall of 2023. He is not explosive enough to put a high grade on but he needs to be in that next tier of prospects because of how reliable he is. This is one of the safer prospects in the class and I would bet a lot of money he will, at some point in his career, produce in a big way. He is just too good at too many things. This is maybe the best edge setter in the class and coaches will bang the table for him. If he improves snap anticipation, watch out. Oddly a guy that does not get talked about enough.
6) Donovan Ezeiruaku – Boston College – 6’2/248
Grade: 80
Three-year starter. Williamstown, NJ. Two-time All ACC and the Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 2024 in addition to All-American honors. Winner of the Ted Hendriks Award, given to the nation’s top Defensive End after tying a program record and leading the nation with 16.5 regular season sacks. Ezeiruaku has multiple standout traits at a premium position matched with ascending, consistent production. While he did line up in multiple spots along the Boston College front, he is a factory-made wide-nine edge defender that will beat tackles to the meeting point with excellent pad level and ability to turn. His unusual length and developed hand usage will exemplify those tools even further if he can add some power and strength to his arsenal. If he does not win initially, Ezeiruaku has a hard time recovering most notably against bigger blockers. But he is not just a one-trick pony. He has the know-how and reaction speed to pounce to and through the inside shoulder of the tackle and plays with a relentless engine. He continually made plays across the formation against the run and will fight through the whistle. He is a dependable run defender with a few limitations based on a lack of lower body push and anchor. Ezeiruaku is a young and developing player that, at the very least, can be the third down weapon for the outside with potential to be a very solid starter as a 3-4 outside linebacker.
*There are multiple defenders in this top tier of the edge group who are slightly undersized. Add him to the list but he has more length and better rush moves. If anything, he can be considered more pro ready. I like him a lot as a 2025 contributor because he is so advanced with tactics and reaction. He truly is a guy that knows how to beat blockers, plain and simple. Can he develop more power to his game? That will be the question. This is a sneaky name to keep an eye on at the top of round 2 for NYG if they want to add more of what they already have. Pretty easy replacement for what they had in Azeez Ojulari.
7) Mike Green – Marshall – 6’3/251
Grade: 79
One-year starter. Williamsburg, VA. Started off at Virginia but was dismissed in 2022 prior to transferring to Marshall in 2023. Broke in in 2024, leading the country in sacks. All-American and Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year. Green was originally recruited as a wide receiver and was also an accomplished wrestler in high school. That combined with the fact he was forced into missing the 2022 season because of a sexual assault allegation (chargers were dropped), Green is still very early on the progression curve at edge. His dominant season last fall gives plenty of hope to the notion he is only scratching the surface as a premium pass rusher. His movement traits and upper body strength create wins in a variety of ways. The question will come down to how much bigger and better he can get. Green has a slender frame and struggled to provide steady run defense when it came to gap control. He can chase guys down in pursuit but when he can’t use his movement traits, he tends to disappear. Green will have to answer questions about off-field concerns but he projects to be a solid pass rush weapon that, at least, can be a top tier number three option for a 3-4 front.
*Green has first round grades with most people I have spoken with. I have heard a team already crossed him off as well. So, his draft weekend projection is all over the place. I’m not there on him as a first rounder regardless. He does some serious juice and shock in his hands, but I think he is what he is at this point. A solid player, yes. Someone I could see a round 2 pick on, yes. A guy worth trying to develop because of how new he is to the role, yes. But there are a lot of things still to be checked off and he simply isn’t a big dude.
8) James Pearce – Tennessee – 6’5/245
Grade: 79
Junior entry. Two-year starter, Charlotte, NC. Two-time first team All-SEC after leading the conference both sacks and tackles for loss since the start of 2023. Pearce is one of the most intriguing athletes in the draft at a position that is considered one of the most important in football. His speed is second to none (4.47 forty at the combine led all defensive linemen) and be can bend as well as anyone. His best tape is enough to put the idea out there that he can be an elite pass rusher at the next level notably in a wide-nine role where he can simply pin his ears back and try to beat blockers to a spot. There are two issues, however. Pearce lacks a power element to his game, notably in his lower half. He does not have pure bull rush wins and pro tackles will be able to play to that. He also lacks counter moves if he initially loses. The all or nothing approach to his rush arsenal may make him a one-trick pony reliant on timing the snap at the next level. His quality run defense as a chase and hit guy in addition to high on-field intelligence give him enough of a complete-package feel. He simply needs to get stronger and answer for some character red flags that center around maturity. This is a classic boom or burst prospect with the ceiling of a perennial Pro Bowl caliber edge defender.
*One of the biggest risk/reward players in the draft. The production speaks for itself. Pearce has 107 pressures over the last two years along with 27.5 tackles for loss. He ran a 4.47 forty and he measured in at over 6’5” and does not turn 22 until October. On paper, he is an ideal weapon for any pass rush role on the outside. But then there are baffling components to him that create questions and gray areas. He was labeled as “hard to coach”. He was a poor practice player. His vertical jump was among the worst among all edge defenders. He plays with near non-existent power. It simply is a head-scratcher as an evaluation. His spectrum is wide. At some point somebody is going to take this swing and gamble on the upside. He can be the best pass rusher in this class, no question. I simply value the power game too much to put him higher than this.
9) Princely Umanmielen – Mississippi – 6’4/244
Grade: 79
Fifth year senior, Manor, TX. Three-year starter. Spent four seasons at Florida prior to transferring to Mississippi in 2024. Two time All-SEC, first team in 2024. This is a highly experienced, pure edge rusher with a blend of prototype tools and hustle. Since the start of the 2023 season, Umanmielen has been one of the most productive pass rushers in the country. There is a consistency to his performance (10 sacks over his last 7 games through conference play) that has the obtainable ceiling of being a number one edge defender on an NFL team. The explosion and amount of ground he can eat up with his first three steps is a consistent weapon that is always there ready to be used. Add in his length and natural bend, Umanmielen can make it rushing the outside shoulder alone. He plays with all of the hustle and grit a coach would dream, weekly chasing down ball carriers across the formation and field with a closer’s mentality. The hole in his game stems from a lack of pure power. He struggles to produce as a bull rusher and does not have a lot of success attacking the inside shoulder of a tackle. While his current status as a strong, long, and bendy edge burner is enough to impact games weekly, that lack of development after a five-year career could create a one-dimensional approach to his future. However, that one dimension carries a lot of value in this era of quick pressure.
*I have been higher on Umanmielen than most all year. There are holes in his game but this is a guy that has produced at a high rate three straight years in the SEC under two different programs. The Florida coaching staff does not have the strongest reputation in scouting circles when it comes to developing talent and I do put some weight into what Umanmielen said about finally getting real coaching following the transfer. His sheer talent is enough to use a second round grade on. He needs some skill refinement and he isn’t as young (23) as some, but I see a mix of Harold Landry and Kayvon Thibodeaux here. Guys I know Bowen wants to work with.
10) Jack Sawyer – Ohio State – 6’4/260
Grade: 77
Two-year starter. Pickerington, OH. Three-time All-Big Ten. Sawyer is a reliable blue collar defender who gets the most out of his limited tool set. He was bred to play defensive end in the Big Ten and at Ohio State in particular. The former college basketball recruit plays the game with a level of tenacity meshed with intelligence that gives him a high floor. He can feel the game post-snap and there are visible advantages he gives himself because of initial hand strikes. His value will be found on run defense as a reliable edge setter and physical tone setter when he comes in contact with the target. Whether or not he can win against pro tackles with better length and athletic ability will be the question. Sawyer has stiffness and lacks both explosion and a variety of rush moves. Sheer hustle will only get him so far. He is a safe bet to be a reliable backup that can hold his own but if he is one of the top two pass rushers on the your line, expect trouble.
*Sawyer was a guy I used to fall for. I love the way he grinds and he has made enough plays to point for his supporters. He has six career forced fumbles and 11 pass break ups in addition to the 23 career sacks. Sawyer never missed a game over his career and he compiled production that improved every season. But projecting his talent to the next level is skilled with question marks. There is simply a lot he needs to overcome if you want him to be a top notch guy on the edge but I do like him as a rotational piece who can have a career similar to Brandon Graham or a notch below.
11) Sai’Vion Jones – LSU – 6’5/280
Grade: 77
Two-year starter. Vacherie, LA. Jones is a versatile exterior defender with experience both standing up and aligning with his hand in the grass. He was a late bloomer as a pass rusher but the one thing he always excelled at was physical run defense. Jones can destroy blocks with a combination of hand strength, upper body length, and sheer nastiness. He will instantly make a defensive front more physical upon arrival. While his bendability and speed at the turn won’t create a lot of wins, he can make up for some of that with his ability to disengage. Jones’ top role would be a rotational edge in a defense with versatile fronts. His bias will be run defense but his leap in pass rush production as a senior showed a glimpse of what he can offer beyond that.
*Jones is a nice fit for the Shane Bowen defense and I can see him slipping to day three. When NYG goes hybrid on the outside, players like Jones are ideal and they are not easy to find. I also like how effective he will be against the run right away. Good defenses need players like Jones.
12) Nic Scourton – Texas A&M – 6’3/257
Grade: 77
Junior entry, two-year starter. Bryan, TX. Spent two seasons at Purdue where he earned All-Big Ten honors in 2023. Transferred to Texas A&M in 2024, earning first team All-SEC honors in addition to being named an All-American. Scourton put on weight in 2024 and it caused movement issues that dampened his production. The transfer was supposed to elevate his status as an NFL prospect but if it did anything, it made him go backward. Between his two years of film, however, Scourton has shown enough to project as a solid starter in a four man front. He can shock blockers with his hands while playing with a low pad level and good anticipation. The stiffness and lack of a second gear will make it hard for him to win consistently as a pass rusher, but the effort will create plays. Scourton is a young player (turns 21 right before the season) who was mismanaged in 2024. If he can build from where he was in 2023 at Purdue, there is a different ceiling with him that projects to a quality starter.
*I was told to go watch Scourton’s film from 2023 rather than 2024. Texas A&M does not have a strong reputation for developing NFL talent or getting players to their ceiling. While I don’t like going back two years to project someone in this draft (unless it is injury based), I can see why some have him as a borderline first rounder. He played at 280+ pounds in 2024, but sub-260 prior to. That is a huge difference in weight and all of my games notes include negatives stemming from lethargic movement. Scourton is a bit of a mystery to me but no matter what the short stepper lacks the juice I want from a pure edge guy. His power and play style will be useful though.
13) Oluwafemi Oladejo – UCLA – 6’3/259
Grade: 77
Three-year starter. Elk Grove, CA. Spent two seasons at California prior to transferring to UCLA in 2023. Spent three years as an off-ball linebacker and then switched to an every down edge defender two weeks into 2024. Oladejo is a muscle-bound, bodybuilder-type frame with an impressive blend of strength, mass, and aggression. His transition to the defensive front came at the right time and is undoubtedly where he will play in the NFL. That is where his skill set is best suited and his progress from the start to the end of 2024 is notable. 19 of his 33 pressures came over the final five games. Oladejo needs time to develop both his Plan A and Plan B as a pass rusher. The techniques show flashes, but there is not enough consistency in that area to count on him as a regular pass rusher. His response to being initially beaten lacks effectiveness. The counter moves are not there yet. Where he does stand out and where he is NFL-ready resides in the run game. His history at multiple positions combined with his hyper-styled, physical brand will make a difference as both an edge setter and pursuit defender. Oladejo projects as a backup edge defender and key special teamer early on in his career with the upside of being a quality edge starter in multiple fronts if he can continue the rate of progression we saw within the 2024 season.
*You have Carter and Walker that have made the move from off-ball linebacker to edge. Oladejo did the same thing and he has much better size. When I first saw him in person, he had the kind of frame that got and kept my attention. This kid is different. There are times his rawness shows in bad ways but he evolved a lot in 2024 alone and he kept flashing at the Senior Bowl week. He won defensive MVP of the game. You guys know how much I value power and he has plenty of it at 260 pounds. He is a high-energy, physical dude that will keep the floor high. I like him a lot toward the end of round three if NYG does not have a new edge defender yet.
14) Jordan Burch – Oregon – 6’4/279
Grade: 76
Three-year starter. Columbia, SC. Spent three seasons at South Carolina prior to transferring to Oregon in 2023. All-Pac 12 in 2023. Burch was a highly recruited basketball player in high school. He was a big fish in a small pond but he was still a five-star recruit because of the rare blend of size and athleticism. Playing college football was his first exposure to quality competition and this was in the SEC. The late bloomer broke out in 2022 after two seasons of development. He mightily struggled against future first rounder Broderick Jones from Georgia and there was a debate if he should be placed inside or on the edge. Burch is thick and powerful but also has a really explosive straight line athlete. The flashes he has are borderline special, borderline first round caliber. However, the constant in his game is a lack of feel and consistency. He lacks some flexibility and he appears to think his way through things rather than react. He is often a step too late. Burch still carries the upside label around and some teams will be drawn in by his tweener status. He should be a solid rotational backup with a speciality in edge-setting run defense with enough potential to get excited about in the passing game.
*Like Jones (#11 above), Burch is the oversized edge with inside capability that could thrive in the NYG situation. He is a name to monitor if he drops into day three especially. Burch battled through a few lower body injuries in 2024 and it could have made his tape seem worse than what it was. I did feel underwhelmed a few times throughout the year. But I had a few moments where I thought I was watching Jared Verse. His power game, when lined up properly, is dangerous. He put a few quality tackles on ice skates when his pad level was low and the hand placement was correct. He should be able to contribute right away and the versatility he has will make him widely sought after. He could easily end up as a top 75 pick. The rigidness and spurts of being a non-factor are worrisome, however, as he may be a guy that is a better idea than a football player.
15) Bradyn Swinson – LSU – 6’4/255
Grade: 76
One-year starter. Douglasville, GA. All-SEC in 2024. Spent three seasons at Oregon prior to transferring to LSU in 2023. Swinson broke out in his final season, proving his combination of NFL traits could evolve into on-field production. His 60 pressures in 2024 were more than twice the number he produced in the four seasons prior. He checks a lot of boxes when it comes to the physical demands of the position with his burst, bend, and length. While there may not be a ton of variety to his game, Swinson can fit as a well-sized rotational edge defender who can provide fresh legs and high effort. His switch is always turned on and he can defend the run at a high level. When he needs to come up with a plan B ad adjust unexpectedly, he winds up on the ground often. There is a lot of all or nothing in his game. He has the feel of a guy that simply does his own thing and will forget about assignment-football. His baseline talent and tools will keep his floor high enough and if he remains on the ascent he put himself on in 2024, he can be a quality number three guy.
*The LSU front had two guys that continued to show out in 2024 every time I watched them. Jones (above) was the power guy that imposed his will. Swinson was the guy that made it look better and he has a higher ceiling. He has a few pressures that are up there with the top ten guys in this class. Part of being a quality pass rusher comes from feel and timing. He struggles with both when it comes to consistency. He did flash often enough to get excited about.
16) Antwaun Powell-Ryland – Virginia Tech – 6’3/258
Grade: 76
Three-year starter. Portsmouth, VA. Two-time All-ACC, first team in 2024 in addition to earning All-American honors. Powell-Ryland plays low to the ground with tremendous power and technique. He has a clear Plan A and Plan B every time he approaches man and understands how to set blockers up throughout a game. He is a step ahead mentally and it helps him make up for the lack of pure burst and speed to the edge. He can time his moves well over and over, showing advanced knowledge and reaction speed. Powell-Ryland lacks the length to make a difference with a specific genre of moves. There are multiple physical shortcomings that can prevent some teams from giving him a credible look but his seven forced fumbles and above average pass rush production cannot be ignored. The powerful and slippery rusher knows how to miss contact and disengage well enough to be considered a top shelf number three edge defender that can rotate in.
*I am higher on this kid than most. He is a formidable weapon with excellent pad level and an array of refined techniques. Watch enough pass rush tape and you can easily find guys that simply know what they are doing compared to others. Powell-Ryland fits into that tier and I have a thing for the guys that can bend with power. If he was just a little more explosive with better length, he is in the round 1/2 area. Excellent number three rusher that can be annoying for tired pass blockers to go down and deal with.
17) Tyler Baron – Miami – 6’5/258
Grade: 75
Three-year starter. All-ACC in 2024. Spent four years at Tennessee before transferring to Miami in 2024. Baron never quite lived up the potential many thought he had at two different programs. The triangle numbers (height-weight-speed) stand out and the shows glimpses of savvy, technique-based play that can win over and over. There was a lack of consistency in his game, however, particularly against the run. Baron loses ground too easily against power blockers and will get latched onto. When he can keep half of his frame free, he escapes and closes. Baron has starter traits for multiple fronts but there was more expected for such an experienced and talented player.
*Baron is a good example of a guy that may not understand the game well enough. He doesn’t have a strong sense or feel. The flashes seem like luck or “right place, right time” when it comes to his rush move selection and play call. I have been watching him like a hawk for two seasons now and I still see enough to want to work with him. He has things that can develop; a higher ceiling than most in this tier. There was a period I thought he would be a top 45 guy. I still believe his upside is there but the interviews will be crucial.
18) Landon Jackson – Arkansas – 6’6/264
Grade: 75
Three-year starter. Texarkana, TX. Started off at LSU for one season prior to transferring to Arkansas in 2022. Two-time All-SEC, first team in 2023. Jackson is the guy you want walking off the bus first. He is is thick, long, and strong with well-distributed muscle mass. Once the ball is snapped, he brings high levels of violence and effort that can keep his floor high. The power in his hands will send a jolt to the blocker and when he plays low enough, he can stack and shed consistently. Jackson is a force against both the run and pass capable of setting a hard edge and winning off the edge. He does not play well when head up over the tackle or to an inside shade. Jackson is dependent on the momentum he can gain from aligning wide so he can build momentum. The linear mover struggles to adjust his weight in small areas with suddnness and the lack of natural bend can get him ridden out of plays. He also has torn the same ACL twice and it will create questions about his long term security.
*Jackson was docked a point because of the ACL tears. Even though it has been multiple years since the last one, I can tell there are movement issues in his game that could be a result of that. Injuries aside, Jackson plays with a wide spectrum. He does have dominant stretches of play and he will pursue the action like his life depends on it. Attach effort to that frame and I’ll take that on my roster any day. He is best suited for a number three role and I prefer him on the outside only.
19) Josaiah Stewart – Michigan – 6’1/249
Grade: 74
Three-year starter. Bronx, NY. Began at Coastal Carolina where he was All-Sun Belt in twice, first team in 2021. Transferred to Michigan in 2023 where he earned All-Big Ten honors twice. Stewart is an angry, physical enforcer that wants to play the role of bully. He produced at two levels of FBS, finishing with 30 career sacks (his career high of 12.5 came as a true freshman). He began his career off the radar because he did not start playing football until 11th grade. He is earlier on the progression curve that most but the question will be how high that curve actually goes. The lack of size and average explosion will make his margin razor thin at the next level. He understands angles, however, and he doesn’t waste any energy or time getting to his points. His low-to-ground build and tenacity will be a chore for blockers to deal with late in games. Stewart is a solid accessory piece for an established group of edge defenders that will bring the fire.
*Stewart is liked by a couple guys I speak with in the league. He plays sudden, smart, and physical. While he may struggle to hold the point of attack against the run, he is an easy guy to bet on for pass rush potential. He just needs a bit more variety to his attack. I like guys low to the ground like this but I do get worried about him beating NFL tackles. He can get swallowed.
20) Barryn Sorrell – Texas – 6’3/256
Grade: 74
Three-year starter. New Orleans, LA. Two-time All-Big 12. Sorrell is a highly experienced edge defender that can work in different schemes. He is equally effective standing up and with his hand in the dirt. His game is built in twitchy aggression with a variety of rush moves paired with good bend. He is an efficient player who will find a way to make an impact. The change of direction and speed within tight spaces works well in an era filled with quick passing games and RPO offenses. When it comes to pure traditional drop backs, Sorrell has a hard time disengaging from long and strong pass blockers. He will lose his sense of control and awareness at times as well. Sorrell is a try-hard that gives energy to the front, but he lacks the play to play impact and potential to start or see majority snaps.
*Sorrell was a bit of an afterthought when I was heading to the Senior Bowl. But this is a good example of how strong this edge group is. Sorrell is the 20th stacked player at a grade of 74. Last year, he would have been 14th/15th. After watching him live, I boosted him up a notch. He is full of energy and he does a lot of little things well. Someone is going to fall into round five from this top 20. If it is Sorrell, he is a guy worth making a slight trade up for. He can play in the league right now and provide steady depth.
21) Que Robinson – Alabama – 6’4/243: 74
22) Kyle Kennard – South Carolina: 6’5/254: 74
23) Jay Joyner – Minnesota – 6’4/262: 74
24) David Walker – Central Arkansas – 6’1/263: 73
25) Ashton Gillotte – Louisvile: 6’3/254: 73
26) Elijah Roberts – SMU – 6’4/285: 72
27) Garmon Randolph – Baylor – 6’6/265: 72
28) Kaimon Rucker – North Carolina – 6’1/255: 72
29) Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins – Georgia – 6’5/276: 71
30) Jonny Walker – Missouri – 6’3/249: 70
31) Nate Matlack – Pittsburgh – 6’5/254: 70
32) Tyler Batty – BYU – 6’6/271: 70
33) Ahmed Hassanein – Boise State – 6’2/267: 70
34) Fadil Diggs – Syracuse – 6’4/257: 69
35) Elijah Ponder – Cal Poly – 6’3/251: 69
36) Connor O’Toole – Utah – 6’3/248: 68
37) Steve Linton – Baylor – 6’4/248: 69
38) Jared Ivey – Mississippi – 6’6/274: 68
39) Paris Shand – LSU – 6’4/268: 68
40) Ethan Downs – Oklahoma – 6’4/269: 68
41) Shitta Sillah – Purdue – 6’5/249: 68
NYG APPROACH
When in doubt, go with the pass rusher. Abdul Carter is the guy I want at #3 even if Travis Hunter (who will be graded slightly higher) was there as well. One of them won’t be, so it is a moot point regardless. If NYG “needs to” settle on Hunter, that is quite the consolation prize but it still leaves a gaping hole along the front that needs to be addressed. As you will see in the coming days with my DL preview – the front is jam packed with talent. Yes, the deepest groups I’ve ever had at both spots. But do not mistake depth for an abundance of true difference makers. If NYG leaves round one without a difference maker for the defensive front, it needs to be a top priority day two and I all-but-promise the value will match up. We can debate DT or ED (I think both should be approached) but what is most important is they add a difference maker, period. That is the simple part. When it comes to the outside, there is a scenario where they ignore it until day three. I would understand it and as long as the difference maker inside was added, it would remain just fine. But the loss of Ojulari and unsure future of Thibodeaux in addition to this deep group of edge defenders leads me to the idea there can be a shot taken early day three. That guy can fill the Ojulari shoes (and some) while offering hope for the future. If you want a similar vibe to Carter, Oladejo from UCLA would be a fun guy that primarily lines up outside but can offer off-ball / spy contributions in certain looks. If you want more of a power-based edge setter, Jones (LSU), Jackson (Arkansas) and Burch (Oregon) are ideal fits. If you find yourself going into the final picks without an EDGE addition, the name I want to take a swing on is Powell-Ryland (Virginia Tech) or Stewart (Michigan). The prospects are plenty but they should not try to get too cute and miss out on someone that can truly impact the part of the team, the one part of the team, that can create a real identity.
