The 2025 NFL Draft class is beginning to take form, and which means we’re getting a clearer image of a few of the prime prospects and the place teams with essentially the most depth.
The operating again, tight finish and offensive deal with positions appear to be the deepest and strongest on the offensive facet of the ball. On protection, the sting defender group is as deep as we’ve seen in a number of years, dominating the projected prime 50. There are additionally extra influence defensive backs this 12 months than a 12 months in the past, with loads of choices on all three days of the draft, particularly on Days 2 and three.
Listed here are PFF’s prime edge defenders within the 2025 NFL Draft, together with some preliminary scouting notes courtesy of lead draft analyst Trevor Sikkema.
For the total rating of draft prospects, together with their three-year participant grades and place rankings, click on right here.
EDGE1. Abdul Carter, Penn State
Massive board rank: 6
Strengths:
• Uncommon athlete for the place
• Pure explosiveness and bend are each elite
• Willingness to play bodily regardless of lighter weight
• Cross rushes like a basketball guard; cross-over type (basketball background)
Weaknesses:
• Has a small false step (might cowl much more floor off the snap)
• Must get extra exact with fingers to remain clear throughout rushes; improved in 2024 with quick arm-over transfer
EDGE2. Nic Scourton, Texas A&M
Massive board rank: 10
Strengths:
• Carries 280 kilos very nicely for an edge who could be OLB or DE
• Expertise taking part in each the appropriate and left facet of the road
• Many cross rush strikes already really feel second nature
• Savviness to “get skinny” between blockers
• Nice eyes for the place the ball goes
• Pure intuition to swipe his fingers and keep clear
• Snug shallow zone dropping from OLB spot
Weaknesses:
• Loses edge comprise by crashing down too usually (might be what he is taught)
• Is not as violent in his run protection constantly as he might be
EDGE3. Mykel Williams, Georgia
Massive board rank: 24
Strengths:
• Nice construct for an edge participant; weight and size are pro-caliber
• Has a violent and quick arm-over/swing transfer when attacking inside
• Good understanding of some great benefits of his arm size
• His first step is explosive and might cowl a ton of floor
• Nice motor that performs to the whistle
• Sturdy, dependable run defender
Weaknesses:
• Persistently one of many final linemen out of his stance
• Has a false step in his cross rush reps that might be cleaned up
• Arms are energetic however might be extra exact in cross rush
• Eyes for the ball might enhance
EDGE 4. Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M
Massive board rank: 26
Strengths:
• Imposing dimension, even for NFL requirements
• High-tier explosiveness at his dimension
• Velocity to energy could be dominant
• Violent fingers to disengage
• Spectacular potential to nook for his dimension
Weaknesses:
• Has a constant false step that must be cleaned up
• He lets tackles get their fingers on him first
• Cross rush plans want refinement and extra finesse
• Too reliant on the “see the ball, get the ball” mentality. He must anticipate
• Should play with higher steadiness
EDGE5. James Pearce Jr., Tennessee
Massive board rank: 34
Strengths:
• Very twitchy participant with an explosive first step
• Fast off the ball with snap response
• Very quick fingers with excessive potential for effectiveness
• First rate speed-to-power punch, given his low weight
• Spot drop protection is not his robust go well with, however he has the motion abilities for it
• Good anticipation for snap rely/applicable pre-snap shifts
Weaknesses:
• Gentle weight makes it simpler to lock him up/end him to the bottom
• Not a lot flexibility to play him anyplace inside 5-tech
• Lacks pass-rush nuance and method
