There is no doubting the importance of the EDGE position for the NFL, and that can often lead to plenty of first-round selections and nearly always a number of selections across the first three rounds.
That looks set to be the case again in the 2025 NFL Draft, with six potential Day 1 selections at the position. Let’s examine the possible landing spots for EDGE prospects across all three days.
Where Could we see Pass Rushers Drafted in the 2025 NFL Draft?
Note: All selections below are from our most recent 7-round NFL Mock Draft. The draft order for the mock was derived from my record and playoff predictions for the 2024 NFL regular season.
1.07) Arizona Cardinals: Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
The Cardinals’ defensive line has improved with the additions of Darius Robinson, Justin Jones, and Bilal Nichols. Now imagine if they had a pass-rush threat like Abdul Carter.
Carter was built to beat tackles to the apex with his speed and bend, and already in a brief sample, he’s shown the necessary multitasking ability to pry past extensions on the attack.
1.13) Dallas Cowboys: Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M
Let’s assume the Cowboys eventually get a deal done with Dak Prescott — because they should. CeeDee Lamb is on the list, too. That may leave Demarcus Lawrence unsigned.
If EDGE becomes a need again in 2025, Nic Scourton makes sense as Lawrence’s successor. Like Lawrence, he’s powerfully built but can win with force and finesse.
1.19) Atlanta Falcons: Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia
Even after the Matt Judon trade, there’s still a sense that one more thing is missing on the Falcons’ defensive front. That one thing is certified game-breaker Mykel Williams.
Williams can be one of the finishing pieces with his hyper-elite power profile and stunt capability. In time, with more hand usage refinement, he can become a terror one-on-one.
1.21) Chicago Bears: James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee
Austin Booker’s 2.5-sack preseason debut generated some excitement, but odds are Chicago will still need another early-round investment at EDGE in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Opposite Montez Sweat, James Pearce Jr. would be a menacing addition. His speed-to-power, with his burst, can be devastating, and there’s untapped potential with his bend.
1.26) San Francisco 49ers: Patrick Payton, EDGE, Florida State
The 49ers have one of the better defensive line coaches in the game in Kris Kocurek. But as good as their developmental staff is, they could use an elite talent like Patrick Payton.
While Nick Bosa pummels tackles on the other side, Payton could incite terror with his one-step explosiveness, ankle flexion, swarming length, and sense for the football.
1.28) Detroit Lions: Princely Umanmielen, EDGE, Ole Miss
The Lions improved in the 2024 offseason, but the team’s lack of focus on the EDGE position opposite Aidan Hutchinson could come back to haunt them.
A player like Princely Umanmielen could take Detroit’s D-line from good to elite. Umanmielen’s volcanic burst and gravity-defying bend is a perfect complement.
2.41) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Dani Dennis-Sutton, EDGE, Penn State
At 6’5″, 270 pounds, Dani Dennis-Sutton bears some similarity to Jason Pierre-Paul as a functional athlete on the field. In spite of his size, he’s explosive and fluid. He has the tools to buoy a complete rush arsenal, and his motor runs hot in pursuit.
2.47) Buffalo Bills (from HOU via MIN): Jalon Walker, EDGE, Georgia
He’s not prime Von Miller reincarnate, but there is something to be said about Jalon Walker’s ability to rush from space and wider alignments.
At 6’2″, 250 pounds, he’s a speed-to-power machine with his burst, and he quietly has bend.
2.59) Cincinnati Bengals: Landon Jackson, EDGE, Arkansas
With uncertainty at EDGE long-term, taking a swing on a player like Landon Jackson isn’t a bad idea for Cincinnati.
At around 6’6″, 275 pounds, Jackson has the size and power potential of a hybrid, but he has the bend and hands of a pass-rush dynamo.
3.68) New Orleans Saints: JT Tuimoloau, EDGE, Ohio State
The quintessential Saints edge rusher, JT Tuimoloau has an exceptional power profile at 6’4″, 270 pounds, and he has a nose for the football in pursuit.
3.69) Carolina Panthers: Ashton Gillotte, EDGE, Louisville
In the long term, the Panthers could develop Ashton Gillotte into an impact player with his speed and bend at 270 pounds. In the short term, he’s a power plant across the front.
3.74) Los Angeles Chargers: Jordan Burch, DL, Oregon
Listed as big as 6’6″, 290 pounds, Jordan Burch has logic-defying utility as a stand-up rusher. Ultimately, he can help Jesse Minter with his dynamic usage versatility.
3.75) New England Patriots: Fadil Diggs, EDGE, Syracuse
Especially after Matt Judon’s trade, EDGE is an area of need for New England. At 6’5″, 260 pounds, Fadil Diggs has the burst, bend, and motor to resupply their talent core.
3.89) Philadelphia Eagles (via MIA): Trey Moore, EDGE, Texas
A double-digit TFL producer for two years running, Trey Moore has the speed and burst at 6’3″, 245 pounds to supplement the Eagles’ rush arsenal.
Rounds 4-7
4.108) New England Patriots
Kaimon Rucker, EDGE, North Carolina
4.117) Jacksonville Jaguars
Tyler Baron, EDGE, Miami (FL)
4.129) Houston Texans
Gabe Jacas, EDGE, Illinois
5.143) New York Jets
David Walker, EDGE, Central Arkansas
6.162) Denver Broncos
Jah Joyner, EDGE, Minnesota
6.167) Tennessee Titans
Bradyn Swinson, EDGE, LSU
6.169) Washington Commanders
Ethan Burke, EDGE, Texas
6.192) Green Bay Packers
Shemar Turner, EDGE, Texas A&M
7.194) Pittsburgh Steelers
Jasheen Davis, EDGE, Wake Forest
7.196) Las Vegas Raiders
Jack Sawyer, EDGE, Ohio State
7.199) New England Patriots
Elijah Roberts, DL, SMU
7.207) Kansas City Chiefs
Daylan Dotson, EDGE, UCF
7.209) Indianapolis Colts
Kyle Kennard, EDGE, South Carolina
7.210) Cleveland Browns
Joseph Adedire, EDGE, Texas Tech
7.217) Baltimore Ravens
Gilber Edmond, EDGE, South Carolina
