The 2025 NFL Draft is littered with high-end EDGE defenders to know, outstanding class with extreme upside

The 2025 NFL Draft is littered with a deep and talented EDGE class. The top of the class is excited, as is the depth of the group. That makes for a lot of names to get through, and background to know.

In a recent episode of The First Team NFL Draft and College Football Podcast, we unveiled our top 10 EDGE defenders in the class. That includes some potential pro bowlers, key role players, and situation rushers. This class has a chance to be a special group.

1. James Pearce Jr. ( Tennessee ) - 6050e, 241e

It didn’t take long for people to figure out Pearce was special, even in limited snaps early in the season. Listed at 6-5 and 241 pounds, the biggest question on him will be his weight. In a lot of ways, his profile is extremely similar to former Florida State star Brian Burns, who has developed into one of the better pass rushers in the NFL.

Despite being a lighter build defensive end, there are some nice flashes or power from Pearce. As he gets bigger, that should become a bigger part of his game. Pearce’s biggest selling point is his ability to win outside track. From a length, explosiveness, and flexibility perspective, Pearce has the goods. His movement skills are rare, as is his upside.

2. Nic Scourton (Texas A&M) - 6040e, 285e

Hidden on an underwhelming Purdue team, Scourton is ready to get more national exposure for Texas A&M in the SEC this season. At 6-4 and 285 pounds, this is an impressive athlete for the position. Scourton is a power-based rusher but also brings an extremely underrated first step and flexibility to work with. This allows him to throw in some counter moves, as well as a killer inside spin.

As a sophomore, Scourton recorded 50 total tackles, 15 tackles for loss, and 10 sacks. There’s a chance that protection could even take a step forward with better players around him. Regardless, Scourton’s frame, power, and ability to soften angles screams first round pick.

3. Princely Umanmielen (Ole Miss) - 6036v, 258v

There are some major work ethic questions about Umanmielen but his 2023 film was a lot better from a consistency perspective. He has first round athletic trails, boasting a notable first step and flexibility to win around the track. Umanmielen also has plus length, showing the talent to win outside of his frame, as well as having a notable long arm.

It’s going to come down to his drive. You saw all the traits while at Florida and now Umanmielen gets a fresh start with Ole Miss. If he’s locked in, the top 50 could very well be in his future. From a pure athleticism perspective, he is one of the more talented rushers in the 2025 class.

4. Patrick Payton (Florida State) - 6050e, 250e

There are going to be some helmet comparisons to current Philadelphia Eagles pass rusher Josh Sweat, but that one actually makes sense. From a body type perspective, they are extremely similar. Payton is how you draw it up physically, possessing a nice frame, great length, and explosiveness to win the outside shoulder in a big way.

The production was also pretty good last season. In 14 games, Payton recorded 44 total tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, and seven sacks. That production is solely on natural athleticism. Payton is not a heavily nuanced player right now and needs to get stronger. If that takes a step forward, the first round should very well be in Payton’s future. The 2024 season is going to be big.

5. Mykel Williams ( Georgia ) - 6050e, 265e

Williams might be one of the more heavily debated defensive lineman in the 2025 NFL Draft. The path to being not only a first round pick, but potentially top 10 overall player, is very clear. With an outstanding frame with plenty of length, Williams brings all the building blocks you would want to the table. His explosiveness and power profile and things to marvel over.

The biggest issue is that Williams just hasn’t taken a step forward from a technical and production perspective. In two seasons, he has recorded just 13 tackles for loss and nine sacks. Part of that is due to Georgia’s scheme, asking Williams to play in a lot of reduced alignments. He is expected to play from wider alignments in 2024, which should allow Williams to take a massive step.

6. JT Tuimoloau ( Ohio State ) - 6041v, 268v

Tuimoloau is a player who has been talked about for some time now. He is a high floor player who may not be as dynamic as some other rushers in this class, but also brings an easy projection as a quality starter. As a run defender, Tuimoloau is super consistent. He also has a good pass rush plan, but lacks upper echelon athleticism.

7. Landon Jackson (Arkansas) - 6053v, 271v

If you want a game to sell you on Jackson, pop on Arkansas against Alabama last season. He is long, powerful, and relentless. Jackson isn’t an overly flexible athlete but as a base end that can reduce down in varying fronts, there is some nice upside. He should be a valuable commodity on the next level.

8. Kaimon Rucker (UNC) - 6012v, 257v

Rucker should at worst be a nice situational rusher on the next level. He’s a compact rusher in a similar style to current Eagles free agent signee Bryce Huff. The lack of length could limit his ability to play outside of his frame, but the nuance and slipperiness can overcompensate in a specific role.

9. Trey Moore ( Texas ) - 6030e, 245e

The former UTSA star was a hot commodity in the transfer portal this offseason. Quick and explosive, Moore is best served as a standup rusher on the next level. He is one of the more nuanced pass rushers in the class, having plenty of tools in the toolbox to work with. There is upside for Moore as a valuable pass rush specialist long term.

10. RJ Oben ( Notre Dame ) - 6031v, 260v

After flashing at Duke in a rotational role the last couple of years, Oben now hopes to end his career on a strong note with the Irish. Oben has a good first step and is a pretty loose athlete, possessing some nuance with his pass rush plan. Impact in the run game is the biggest question mark, something he wasn’t asked to do much at Duke.

Just missed the cut

This is a loaded 2025 edge class, with plenty of names to know. Here are other talented pass rushers to know, who could rise with big years. If your team needs some help up front, this is the year to need it.

David Walker (Central Arkansas) - 6010v, 262v

A former D2 standout, Walker has been one of the most productive players in the country the last two years for Central Arkansas. During that stretch, Walker recorded 123 total tackles, 40 tackles for loss, 20.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles. While he isn’t the most toolsy pass rusher, Walker has a great understanding for how to soften angles. There are a lot of parallels to Brandon Graham from a play style and body type perspective.

Jack Sawyer ( Ohio State ) - 6042v, 265v

The “other Ohio State edge”, Sawyer was another big recruit who had a lot of expectations. He’s pretty stiff and lacks dynamic athleticism, but is one of the better run defenders in the class. He should, at worst, find a role on early downs on the next level.

Mason Reiger (Louisville) - 6040e, 250e

While Ashton Gillotte is the more well known defensive lineman for Louisville, there are games where Reiger is utterly dominant. Longer and more explosive than Gillotte, Reiger has good baseline traits to work with on the edge. He’s a loose athlete with upside, but needs to be way more consistent in 2024.

Ethan Downs (Oklahoma) - 6040e, 265e

There’s a reality that Downs develops into a Sam Hubbard-type defensive end on the NFL level. There’s nothing flashy about him, but Downs plays hard and is a plus player against the run. There may be some limitations as a pass rusher but the floor is high.

Jah Joyner (Minnesota) - 6042v, 256v

Length, length, and more length, Joyner has the ability to play way outside of his frame. He’s raw from a technical perspective but has been working with renowned pass rush coach Brandon Jordan this offseason. The tools are there, with plenty of upside to tap into.