Welcome to draft season! This is the 11th of 11 positional breakdowns leading up to the NFL Draft (Thursday-Saturday). Here are my top 10 edge rushers:
1. Aidan Hutchinson (Sr., Michigan, 6-foot-6, 260 pounds)
Hutchinson’s season was shades of Chase Young’s 2019 dominant campaign, culminating in him finishing second in the Heisman voting — only the fourth defensive player to finish first or second. He’s a high-floor prospect who wins with technique, strength and athleticism. Hutchinson strings together pass rush moves the way a proficient boxer puts together punch combinations. Projected: Top 3
2. Kayvon Thibodeaux (Jr., Oregon, 6-4, 254)
Thibodeaux is a top-tier athlete who wins with speed. His ceiling is massively high, but it might take a few years for his technique and toolbox to catch up to his talent. Those who question his ambition or arrogance off the football field were probably saying the same things about Micah Parsons last year. Projected: Top 10
3. Travon Walker (Sr., Georgia, 6-5, 272)
Walker offers premium versatility — the Bulldogs dropped him into coverage 26 times last season — athletic ability and immense power. He is an elite run defender, but is only scratching the surface of his potential as a pass rusher. Projected: Top 10
4. George Karlaftis (Jr., Purdue, 6-3, 266)
Karlaftis has been one of the most consistent pass rushers in the nation during his three seasons in West Lafayette, Ind. His inside-outside versatility, and overwhelming power — it’s like he has two defibrillators for hands — has flown under the radar during this draft process. Projected: Round 1
5. Jermaine Johnson (Sr., Florida St., 6-4, 254)
Johnson was a one-year starter for the Seminoles after he was a key member of the Georgia front seven the previous two seasons — he finished third on the team in sacks his junior year. He is capable of being a three-down player and potentially an elite run defender on top of his pass rush acumen. Projected: Round 1
6. Logan Hall (Sr., Houston, 6-6, 283)
Hall features the ideal frame of an edge defender to go along with impressive athleticism and explosive power — he had two career blocked field goals — but he lined up often on the interior for the Cougars. His bull-rush and swim move are nightmares for opposing offensive linemen. Projected: Rounds 1-2
7. David Ojabo (So., Michigan, 6-4, 250)
After redshirting, Ojabo only played 26 snaps for the Wolverines before his sophomore year. He was a revelation last season with 11 sacks and five forced fumbles. He was a lock to be a first-rounder before rupturing his Achilles at his pro day. Projected: Rounds 2-3
8. Josh Paschal (Sr., Kentucky, 6-2, 268)
Paschal is a strong, powerful edge defender who is an asset against the run, but can slide inside on passing downs to help disrupt the pocket. He’s also a cancer survivor and three-time captain for the Wildcats. Projected: Round 3
9. DeAngelo Malone (Sr., Western Kentucky, 6-3, 243)
Malone is quick and explosive off the snap. The two-time Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year produced nine sacks and four forced fumbles in 2021. He was named game MVP of the American team at the Senior Bowl. Projected: Round 3
10. Arnold Ebiketie (Sr., Penn St., 6-2, 250)
Ebiketie excels at converting speed to power when rushing the passer. He’s more technician than elite athlete though. His all-around production in 2021 was impressive — 62 tackles (18 for loss), 9 1/2 sacks, two forced fumbles and two blocked field goals. Projected: Rounds 1-2
BONUS. Nik Bonitto (Jr., Oklahoma, 6-3, 248)
Bonitto is slightly undersized for an edge defender, but he’s a dynamic pass rusher and relentless in his pursuit of running backs. He’s capable in coverage as well. Projected: Rounds 2-3
BONUS. Boye Mafe (Sr., Minnesota, 6-3, 261)
Mafe’s immense pass-rush repertoire was on display in Mobile, Ala. during Senior Bowl week. He’s tenacious off the line. He’s an inconsistent edge-setter who needs more seasoning as a run defender. Projected: Rounds 1-2
BONUS. Drake Jackson (Jr., USC, 6-3, 273)
Jackson can play in space or rush the passer off the edge. He has another level that could be unlocked with NFL weight training and coaching. Projected: Rounds 2-3
BONUS. Cameron Thomas (Jr., San Diego St., 6-4, 267)
Thomas was the most dominant pass rusher in college football this side of Ann Arbor in 2021. He racked up an FBS-leading 77 pressures this season, according to Pro Football Focus. He was sidelined for the Senior Bowl and NFL combine because of a left hamstring injury. Projected: Rounds 2-3
BONUS. Myjai Sanders (Sr., Cincinnati, 6-5, 247)
Sanders features great speed and explosiveness off the edge to enter the league as a designated pass rusher. He disrupts passing lanes (11 passes defended the last two seasons). He’ll need to add some muscle and finetune his focus to become an impact run defender. Projected: Rounds 3-4
BONUS. Sam Williams (Sr., Ole Miss, 6-3, 261)
Williams is a powerful, athletic edge rusher who wins more consistently on the interior. He had a highly productive senior season in the SEC, with 12 1/2 sacks and four forced fumbles, but off-field concerns remain. Projected: Rounds 2-3
BONUS. Kingsley Enagbare (Sr., South Carolina, 6-3, 258)
Enagbare is an explosive pass rusher with powerful hands, but hasn’t offered much against the run. Projected: Rounds 2-3
BONUS. Dominique Robinson (Sr., Miami (Ohio), 6-4, 253)
Robinson made the journey from dual-threat quarterback to wide receiver to edge defender. There’s a still a lot of work to do for the Canton, Ohio native, but his athletic traits, intelligence and attitude belong in the NFL. Projected: Rounds 3-5
