EDGE RUSHER
TOP 5 QB VIDEO
1
Bryce Young
2
CJ Stroud
3
Hendon Hooker
4
Dorian Thompson-Robinson
5
Jaren Hall
1
Laiatu Latu
EDGE | UCLA | 6'5 | 265
Latu is a unique EDGE rusher with an incredible combination of size and quickness. He has a deadly arsenal of pass-rush moves complimented by an effective and active use of his hands. Latu has the reaction speed and flexibility to be a top-tier pass-rusher at the next level. He has the strength to dominate in the run game too, but will need to develop better gap discipline and stay on his assignments more to become a consistent contributor. Latu did have a very scary neck injury earlier in his career which will be something to monitor. This is a hyper-quick and strong EDGE defender with a great skillset to dominate at the next level.
Grade: Round 1
Jaelan Phillips
2
Jared Verse
EDGE | FLORIDA ST. | 6'4 | 260
Verse is an imposing DE with an elite physical profile. He’s very strong at the point of attack, an effortless speed-power convertor in the pass game, and has the tools and ability to consistently contribute in the run game. Verse’s get-off is timely and explosive, he has great spatial awareness, and knows how to re-adjust during a play. He makes the effort as an open-field chaser and shows good effort on tape. Verse is not the most agile guy and will struggle in coverage and as a directional mover. However, his combination of straight-line momentum and power will make him a force in the NFL.
Grade: Round 1
Whitney Mercilus
3
Dallas Turner
EDGE | ALABAMA | 6'4 | 242
Turner is a quick and explosive EDGE rusher with a versatile skillset. He’s a smaller and extremely athletic defender who moves well in space and can be used as an off-ball linebacker. Turner has a great repertoire of finesse moves and shows impressive bend on tape. He’s a good processor who understands coverages and has great instincts on the field. Turner’s current frame is a bit small, he doesn’t have much pop in his hands, and he’s not going to be overpowering in the run game. However, his traits of athleticism, versatility, and IQ will make him a very good player at the next level.
Grade: Round 1
Haason Reddick
4
Chop Robinson
EDGE | PENN STATE | 6'3 | 250
Robinson is an exciting high-upside prospect who plays with an almost maniacal effort. His energy and drive on the field are evident, and he’ll stop at nothing to make a play. Robinson has an explosive and powerful get-off, a dense frame, and a knack for creating chaos. His technical ability as a pass-rusher isn’t quite there yet, and he’s got a lot of room to grow as a nuanced defender at the next level. However, seeing how dominant he already is—primarily through his physical tools and willpower—Robinson’s upside at the next level could be scary. Just the type of guy you want on your team.
Grade: Round 1
Josh Uche
5
Darius Robinson
EDGE | MISSOURI | 6'5 | 296
Robinson is a powerful EDGE rusher with a long and well-built frame. He is very physical at the point of attack, consistently utilizing his hands as a mechanism of power. Robinson has a high motor and is relentless in his pursuit. Right now, he relies too much on power and I’d like to see him develop a more refined plan of attack. Robinson lacks directional mobility in open space. He dominated at the Senior Bowl and looked great against up-close competition. His combination of power, motor, build, and versatility will make him a high-upside piece in the NFL.
Grade: Round 2
Keion White
6
Jonah Elliss
EDGE | UTAH | 6'2 | 246
Elliss is a traditional high-motor competitor who gives everything he’s got on every play. He’s a determined defender who plays with physicality and shows strength in his hand placement. Elliss understands the art of angles as a pass rusher and does a great job of finding leverage. He has experience as a linebacker, showing he can contribute in open space. My only worry with Elliss is that he doesn’t have the frame to support his play style. Nonetheless, there’s something I really like about him and he just feels like the next Steelers EDGE rusher.
Grade: Round 2
Alex Highsmith
7
Bralen Trice
EDGE | WASHINGTON | 6'4 | 274
Trice is a thickly built EDGE rusher with surprising explosiveness. He’s a productive college defender with a combination of imposing ability and explosiveness. Trice does a great job at countering during pass-rush reps and has the instincts to adjust mid-play and keep fighting. He’s got a great spin move and can win through strength. However, I have a few concerns with Trice. His ability to finish plays on the ground is concerning, constantly missing tackles and ending up on the field. His lack of fluidity and athleticism might limit his true upside, but Trice is a powerful and imposing player who can create consistent pressure.
Grade: Round 3
Frank Clark
8
Gabriel Murphy
EDGE | UCLA | 6'3 | 260
Murphy is a thickly built and aggressive defender with a fun temperament on the field. He’s a tough player who thrives on contact and isn’t afraid of what’s in front of him. For his size, Murphy has solid short-area burst and adds additional value in open space/coverage. He needs to develop better discipline—oftentimes getting too far up field and taking himself out of a play. Additionally, Murphy has balance issues on tape and will need to fix those at the next level. However, his combination of power, toughness, and burst will position him to make a nice impact in the NFL.
Grade: Round 3
Bryce Huff
9
Chris Braswell
EDGE | ALABAMA | 6'3 | 255
Braswell is a hyper-athletic and quick EDGE rusher. He has the finesse and agility to develop into a productive pass-rusher, the mobility to do damage in coverage, and the size to contribute in the run game. It’s clear he has the tools to become a guy at the next level. Braswell is a speed-to-power player who presents a unique combination on the field. He’s a bit raw right now and will need to develop a better repertoire of pass-rush moves. However his natural tools and motor make him a high-upside pick in this year’s draft.
Grade: Round 3
TBD
10
Adisa Isaac
EDGE | PENN STATE | 6'4 | 254
Isaac is a lengthy EDGE rusher with good college production at Penn State. He is an aggressive and fluid defender who plays with a high motor. Isaac has good bend and straight-line explosiveness. He lacks functional strength, but his frame has a ton of room to grow at the next level. Despite his forward mobility, Isaac struggles with change of direction and agility. He has powerful and long arms, and can effectively use them to create disruption. Isaac has a lot of development to do, but his range of tools will position him as a nice depth defender at the next level.
Grade: Round 3
TBD
11
Austin Booker
EDGE | KANSAS | 6'6 | 254
Booker is a high-upside prospect with a ton of likeable traits. He has a very long build, sporting an enormous wingspan. Booker has the traits and ability to create chaos in different aspects. He is an athletic and explosive prospect who can be used in many ways. Booker fares well in open space, showing the ability to make plays as an instinctive defender. Right now, he’s raw—lacking a true plan of attack. His lower body seems rigid at times and his anchor is questionable. However, the flashes are there. I’m definitely willing to take a flier and bet on his potential.
Grade: Round 3
TBD
12
Mohamed Kamara
EDGE | COLORADO ST. | 6'1 | 250
Kamara is a tough and physical defender with a great resume. A team captain at CSU, he put up 13 sacks this past season. Kamara is a relentless pass-rusher with a high motor. He is an explosive and scary threat in open space and can create chaos in the backfield. Kamara sometimes struggles to disengage with blocks or counter when his move isn’t successful. He’s overly reliant on certain strategies and will need to develop a better pass-rush repertoire at the next level. However, his combination of drive, toughness, and combination will make him a great selection on day 3.
Grade: Round 4
TBD
13
Marshawn Kneeland
EDGE | WESTERN MICH. | 6'3 | 275
Kneeland is a large EDGE rusher who excels in the run game and supports a thick frame. He’s a power rusher with impressive functional strength that shows up in linear movements. Kneeland is a versatile piece on the line due to his size and has a great motor that shows up on tape. His biggest limitation is his lack of athleticism and agility which might limit his true potential in the NFL. However, Kneeland’s frame and ability as a run-stopper should provide him an early-down role at the next level.
Grade: Round 4
Josh Paschal
14
Javon Solomon
EDGE | TROY | 6'2 | 249
Solomon is a quick and athletic EDGE rusher with a ton of room to grow. He has great burst on his first step, exploding out of his stance and showing flexibility off the edge. Solomon’s production was off the charts this season, showing he was one of the best in all of college football. He plays with a high motor, and his raw tools are evident on tape. Solomon lacks true mass, but his functional strength is surprisingly good. He takes questionable angles often and I’d like to see him clean this up at the next level. Solomon has a ton of likeable traits to become an explosive EDGE rusher in the NFL.
Grade: Round 4
TBD
15
Nelson Caesar
EDGE | HOUSTON | 6'3 | 250
Caesar is a versatile EDGE rusher with a solid athletic profile. He has a quick first step and shows he can move well in space. Caesar can hold his own in the trenches, but also move off-ball and make plays in the open field. There are a lot of likeable athletic traits, but I have my concerns. Caesar has yet to show he can diagnose plays and react accordingly, often looking confused in misdirection. He lacks a clear plan of attack and seems to just go for it at times. Caesar has some developmental upside, but he has a lot of work to do.