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The 2025 NFL Draft edge rusher class strikes a balance between proven production and high-upside projection, making it one of the most intriguing position groups in this draft cycle. Penn State’s Abdul Carter leads the way as a versatile, dynamic pass rusher in the mold of Micah Parsons, showing flashes of elite traits while still refining his transition to a full-time edge role. Right behind him, Marshall’s Mike Green was the nation’s most productive sack artist, using his speed-to-power conversion and refined hand usage to dominate. His Senior Bowl performance erased any doubts about his ability to win against top-tier competition. Beyond the top two, this class features a mix of athletic freaks and developmental pass rushers with sky-high potential. Texas A&M’s Shemar Stewart stands out as the most physically imposing of the group at 6-6, 290 lbs, with movement skills reminiscent of Rashan Gary and Travon Walker. However, his production has yet to match his raw ability, making him a projection-based prospect. Similarly, Georgia’s Mykel Williams possesses the all-around physical tools to challenge for EDGE1 status down the road, but he must refine his technique and consistency to reach his full potential. With a blend of instant-impact playmakers and long-term developmental prospects, the 2025 edge rusher class offers something for every NFL team—whether they need a polished pass rusher ready to contribute on Day 1 or a high-upside athlete capable of becoming a game-wrecking force in the future. 2025 NFL Draft: Edge Rusher Rankings Elite Tier - Top 5-10 Picks (1st Round) A rare, high-impact prospect with the potential to be an instant NFL star. 1) Abdul Carter | Penn State | Ht: 6'3" | Wt: 250 lbs Player Comparison:  Micah Parsons Analysis:  Carter is a dynamic and explosive edge rusher with the versatility to play as an off-ball linebacker or a full-time pass rusher. His elite closing speed, bend, and ability to play in space make him a nightmare for opposing offenses. While still refining his hand usage, Carter’s raw athleticism and pass-rushing instincts give him All-Pro potential. Near Elite Tier - 1st Round Projection Prospects in this tier possess elite physical tools and production but may need refinement or have slight limitations preventing them from reaching the “Elite” category. 2) Mike Green | Marshall | Ht: 6'4" | Wt: 250 lbs Player Comparison:  Haason Reddick Analysis:  Green is a twitchy, high-motor pass rusher with elite burst and refined hand usage. He wins with speed-to-power and a deep arsenal of pass-rush moves, showing the ability to bend and flatten to the quarterback. His frame is still developing, but his production and Senior Bowl dominance prove he is a three-down edge rusher with star potential. 3) Shemar Stewart | Texas A&M | Ht: 6'6" | Wt: 290 lbs Player Comparison:  Travon Walker Analysis:  Stewart is a freak athlete with an NFL-ready frame and elite strength. His ability to play inside or outside makes him a scheme-versatile weapon. While he lacks polished hand usage and a refined pass-rush plan, his speed-to-power conversion and raw explosiveness give him massive upside as a potential top-15 pick. High-End Starter Potential - 2nd/3rd Round Projection Players in this tier have the tools to become high-level starters early in their NFL careers. 4) Mykel Williams | Georgia | Ht: 6'5" | Wt: 265 lbs Player Comparison:  Not Available Analysis:  Williams is an alignment-versatile edge rusher with the physical tools to develop into a premier NFL player. He has played as a stand-up rusher and along the interior, showcasing a powerful bull rush and violent hands. His best NFL fit is as a 4-3 defensive end or a 3-4 outside linebacker in an attacking front. 5) James Pearce Jr. | Tennessee | Ht: 6'5" | Wt: 245 lbs Player Comparison:  Von Miller Analysis:  Pearce is a long, explosive pass rusher with elite first-step quickness and flexibility to threaten the edge. He wins with speed and counter moves, though he needs to improve his play strength to handle NFL-caliber tackles. His versatility allows him to rush from various alignments, making him a fit for multiple schemes. 6) Donovan Ezeiruaku | Boston College | Ht: 6'2" | Wt: 247 lbs Player Comparison:  Harold Landry Analysis:  Ezeiruaku is a bendy, fluid pass rusher with advanced hand-fighting skills. He wins with finesse and counter moves but lacks elite burst and play strength against bigger offensive tackles. He’s best suited as a 3-4 outside linebacker in a blitz-heavy scheme but can develop into a three-down player with added strength. 7) Jack Sawyer | Ohio State | Ht: 6'4" | Wt: 270 lbs Player Comparison:  Not Available Analysis:  Sawyer brings a high-energy play style with a well-rounded skill set. His explosive first step and bull rush make him effective in pressuring quarterbacks. While he lacks elite bend, his motor and ability to set the edge make him an asset in multiple defensive schemes. 8) Josaiah Stewart | Michigan | Ht: 6'1" | Wt: 235 lbs Player Comparison:  Azeez Ojulari Analysis:  Stewart is an undersized but highly explosive pass rusher with elite burst and strong hands. His first-step quickness and edge-trimming ability make him dangerous, though he must improve his counter moves and run defense. He’s best suited as a designated pass rusher (DPR) or a 3-4 OLB in an aggressive scheme. Mid-Level Starter Potential - 4th/5th Round Projection These players project as solid rotational contributors with the potential to develop into quality starters. 9) Nic Scourton | Texas A&M | Ht: 6'4" | Wt: 280 lbs Player Comparison:  Not Available Analysis:  Scourton is a powerful edge defender with the size and strength to play multiple roles. His active hands and natural power allow him to set the edge and collapse pockets. He projects best in a 4-3 or as a 3-4 DE who can rotate inside on passing downs. 10) Landon Jackson | Arkansas | Ht: 6'7" | Wt: 281 lbs Player Comparison:  Carl Nassib Analysis:  Jackson is a long, physical edge rusher with great run-stopping ability. His size, motor, and strength make him an ideal base DE in a 4-3 or a 3-4 DE who can slide inside. While he lacks elite burst, his power and length give him starter upside in the right scheme.

The 2025 NFL Draft linebacker class has the potential to exceed expectations, featuring a combination of positional versatility, coverage ability, and traditional run-stopping skills. In today’s NFL, linebackers must be able to move across the second level pre-snap and contribute in coverage, and this class offers plenty of prospects who fit that mold. Leading the way is Georgia’s Jalon Walker, a hybrid defender who can align as an off-ball linebacker in a 4-3 one play and then rush the quarterback as a 3-4 outside linebacker the next. Alabama’s Jihaad Campbell follows closely behind, bringing similar versatility. He excels in coverage, has the ability to rush the passer, and plays with a relentless motor and high football IQ. The class also features high-upside players like Carson Schwesinger and Jeffrey Bassa, who fit the modern linebacker prototype with their range and athleticism. Meanwhile, Demetrius Knight Jr. provides a more traditional MIKE linebacker skill set with his ability to take on blocks and control the run game. With a strong blend of athletic coverage linebackers and physical run defenders, the 2025 linebacker class offers immediate impact players and long-term development prospects for NFL teams looking to build their defense around versatile second-level defenders. 2025 NFL Draft: Linebacker Rankings Near Elite Tier - 1st Round Projection 1) Jalon Walker | Georgia | Ht: 6'2" | Wt: 245 lbs Player Comparison:  Jamie Collins Analysis: Walker is an explosive, versatile linebacker who can play both off-ball and on the edge. His range, pass-rushing ability, and coverage instincts make him a disruptive playmaker. Though still developing as a full-time linebacker, his athleticism and football IQ give him Pro Bowl upside. High-End Starter Potential - 2nd/3rd Round Projection 2) Jihaad Campbell | Alabama | Ht: 6'3" | Wt: 230 lbs Player Comparison:  Tremaine Edmunds Analysis: Campbell is a rangy linebacker with elite speed, coverage ability, and pass-rush versatility. His quick processing and athleticism make him an ideal modern linebacker. Needs to improve block-shedding and run-fit discipline to reach his ceiling. 3) Carson Schwesinger | UCLA | Ht: 6'2" | Wt: 225 lbs Player Comparison:  Deion Jones Analysis: Schwesinger is an instinctive, high-motor linebacker with great lateral agility and open-field tackling ability. His coverage skills and range make him a strong fit as a modern WILL linebacker. Needs to improve strength and block disengagement. 4) Chris Paul Jr. | Ole Miss | Ht: 6'1" | Wt: 235 lbs Player Comparison:  Patrick Queen Analysis: Paul is an athletic, sideline-to-sideline linebacker with coverage ability and blitzing upside. His burst and tackling make him a disruptive presence, though he must improve at disengaging from blockers. Best suited as a 4-3 WILL or 3-4 ILB. 5) Jeffrey Bassa | Oregon | Ht: 6'2" | Wt: 235 lbs Player Comparison:  Bobby Okereke Analysis: A former safety, Bassa offers elite coverage ability, range, and blitzing potential. His athleticism makes him a valuable sub-package linebacker early in his career. Needs to refine play recognition and run defense to become a full-time starter. 6) Demetrius Knight Jr. | South Carolina | Ht: 6'2" | Wt: 245 lbs Player Comparison:  Reggie Ragland Analysis: Knight is a physical, downhill linebacker with strong blitzing ability and run-stopping instincts. His size and strength allow him to take on blocks, but his lateral agility limits his coverage upside. Best suited as a MIKE in an attacking defense.

The 2025 NFL Draft cornerback class is top-heavy with elite talent but also features several intriguing developmental prospects. Michigan’s Will Johnson headlines the group as a true lockdown CB1, a title he’s held on our draft board since his freshman season. Johnson has the size, instincts, and elite coverage ability to be not just the first corner off the board, but potentially the No. 1 overall pick in the draft—a rare feat for the position. Behind him is Travis Hunter, a two-way phenom whose NFL Combine invite as a defensive back had me celebrating. While I graded him as a potential WR1, his highest ceiling is at cornerback, where a full-time focus on defense would have likely made him CB1 in this class. His elite ball skills, route recognition, and playmaking ability give him an All-Pro-level ceiling if he fully commits to the position. One of my favorite players in this class is Jahdae Barron, who ranks in my top 10 overall despite already being 23 years old. His versatility, football IQ, and playmaking ability made him a dominant force at Texas, culminating in a Jim Thorpe Award-winning season in 2024. I expect Barron to make an immediate impact at the NFL level. Beyond the top three, Shavon Revel and Benjamin Morrison are two high-upside names who could have been even higher on this list if not for season-ending injuries in 2024. Both possess the size, fluidity, and coverage instincts to develop into top-tier starting cornerbacks at the next level. This class presents a mix of instant-impact stars and high-upside projects, ensuring that NFL teams looking for elite coverage ability will have plenty of options on draft day. 2025 NFL Draft: Cornerback Rankings Elite Tier - Top 5-10 Picks (1st Round) A rare, high-impact prospect with the potential to be an instant NFL star. 1) Will Johnson | Michigan | Ht: 6'2" | Wt: 205 lbs Player Comparison:  Patrick Surtain II Analysis:  Johnson possesses the ideal blend of size, speed, and instincts to be a true shutdown No. 1 cornerback. His ability to erase WR1s in both man and zone schemes, combined with his elite ball skills and physicality, makes him a top-tier NFL prospect. His length allows him to disrupt at the catch point, and he’s a willing tackler in run support. A day-one starter with All-Pro upside. 2) Travis Hunter | Colorado | Ht: 6'1" | Wt: 185 lbs Player Comparison:  Champ Bailey Analysis:  Hunter is a generational athlete with elite anticipation, ball skills, and route recognition at cornerback. His fluidity and recovery speed make him a nightmare for opposing receivers, and his WR background gives him a natural advantage in contested situations. While his frame limits his physicality in press, he has the skill set to develop into a lockdown CB1 if he focuses on defense full-time. Near Elite Tier - 1st Round Projection Prospects in this tier possess elite physical tools and production but may need refinement or have slight limitations preventing them from reaching the “Elite” category. 3) Jahdae Barron | Texas | Ht: 5'11" | Wt: 192 lbs Player Comparison:  Not Available Analysis:  Barron is a high-IQ, versatile defensive back with elite instincts and positional flexibility. He thrives in both man and zone coverage, can play outside, nickel, or even safety, and is an impactful presence against the run. His Thorpe Award-winning season showcased his ability to make plays at all levels of the field, making him an NFL-ready defensive back. 4) Shavon Revel | Oregon State | Ht: 6'3" | Wt: 193 lbs Player Comparison:  Richard Sherman Analysis:  Revel is a long, physical press corner with elite movement skills for his size. He thrives in press-man schemes, using his length to disrupt routes early and his fluidity to stick with receivers downfield. A season-ending ACL tear in 2024 raises concerns, but his high football IQ and physicality make him a potential CB1 if he fully recovers. 5) Benjamin Morrison | Notre Dame | Ht: 6'0" | Wt: 185 lbs Player Comparison:  Not Available Analysis:  Morrison is a technically refined cornerback who excels in press and man coverage schemes. His fluidity, footwork, and instincts allow him to mirror receivers at all levels, while his physicality at the catch point makes him a tough matchup for bigger receivers. An injury-shortened 2024 season hurt his stock, but his CB1 upside remains intact. High-End Starter Potential - 2nd/3rd Round Projection Players in this tier have the tools to become high-level starters early in their NFL careers. 6) Azareye’h Thomas | Florida State | Ht: 6'2" | Wt: 198 lbs Player Comparison:  Benjamin St-Juste Analysis:  Thomas has the length, fluidity, and physicality to develop into a starting outside cornerback. His ball skills and press ability make him a strong fit for Cover 3 or man-heavy schemes, but he needs to refine his technique and improve his deep speed. A high-floor disruptor at the catch point, but with some athletic limitations. 7) Trey Amos | Alabama | Ht: 6'1" | Wt: 190 lbs Player Comparison:  James Bradberry Analysis:  Amos is a long, physical press-man corner with good zone instincts. His ability to contest passes and close throwing windows makes him a strong Cover 3 or press-bail corner. Needs to improve his eye discipline and reaction time, but he has starter upside as a No. 2 CB in the right scheme. 8) Maxwell Hairston | Kentucky | Ht: 6'1" | Wt: 186 lbs Player Comparison:  Jack Jones Analysis:  Hairston is a ball-hawking cornerback with elite route anticipation and short-area quickness. His instincts and ball production make him an ideal zone corner in Cover 2 or Cover 3 schemes, but his lean frame and struggles in press could limit his versatility. 9) Darien Porter | Iowa State | Ht: 6'2" | Wt: 197 lbs Player Comparison:  Tariq Woolen Analysis:  Porter is a high-upside height/length/speed prospect with elite closing speed and ball skills. His physical traits make him an ideal Cover 3 corner, but he’s still raw at the position and needs technical refinement before he can be a full-time starter. Mid-Level Starter Potential - 4th/5th Round Projection These players project as solid rotational contributors with the potential to develop into quality starters. 10) Denzel Burke | Ohio State | Ht: 6'1" | Wt: 190 lbs Player Comparison:  Not Available Analysis:  Burke is a tall, physical corner who excels in zone coverage but struggles with press and off-man techniques. His straight-line speed helps him in vertical routes, but his lack of flexibility and technique caps his upside. Best suited for zone-heavy schemes that allow him to play with instincts.

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Williams is a former five-star recruit who has steadily increased his playing time since his freshman year. He has showcased his ability to disrupt both the pass and run games. When aligned on the edge, he sets the edge effectively, using his long arms and strong hands to control offensive linemen. His quickness and power allow him to shoot gaps and penetrate the backfield when playing inside. However, he needs to improve his pad level to better hold the point of attack against interior offensive linemen and refine his pass rush plan to be more effective against NFL competition. < Back Mykel Williams Georgia HT: 6050 WT: 265 YR: JR POS: ED OVR RK 22 POS RK CEILING POTENTIAL 4 High-End Starter Potential OVR RK PLAYSTYLE & SCHEME FIT Mykel Williams is an alignment-versatile edge rusher who has all the physical tools to develop into a premier player in the NFL. His ability to play various positions along the defensive front makes him a valuable asset in multiple schemes. Williams has been utilized as a stand-up edge rusher, head-up over the center in a 0-tech, and in other roles within Georgia’s complex defensive scheme. His best fit in the NFL would be as a 4-3 defensive end or a 3-4 outside linebacker, where his athleticism and versatility can be maximized. CEILING GRADE ANALYSIS High-End Starter Potential (65-69) A player expected to become a top-tier starter within their first few years. They possess strong physical tools and good technical skills but may have some limitations in their game. With development, they can reach near-elite levels and provide consistent impact at their position. Primary scout: Brandon Lundberg KEY STRENGTHS Positional Versatility Elite Physical Tools Run Defense KEY WEAKNESSES Pad Level Pass Rush Plan Hand Usage PLAYER COMPARISONS Travon Walker Montez Sweat Danielle Hunter