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I've watched him every year he's played. A Stepnoski clone.
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I've watched him every year he's played. A Stepnoski clone.
daboyz
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Cowboys are most likely drafting a WR at #12. Tetairoa McMillian would be ideal. He's tower at 6'4. The kid's a nightmare assignment for a CB in man-to-man coverage. He also has outstanding ball skills/catch radius that will make
Prescott's over throws look like bread basket passes.
Prescott's over throws look like bread basket passes.
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McGinn on Edge Rushers
Penn State’s Abdul Carter casts a large shadow over this class of edge rushers. Not only does Carter clearly rank as the best at his position, he might wind up as the best player in the draft.
After that, it’s about as clear as mud.
One team had 14 players graded as starters. Another team projected about half that many.
Missing information clouds the picture for evaluators with anxious owners waiting to write big checks. Ten of the top 15 prospects have yet to run and/or probably won’t run the 40-yard dash, an unprecedented number. Only seven have performed the vertical jump and the bench press.
In the last four years 53 edge rushers have been selected among the top 100 picks, an average of 13.3. That looks about right for this class.
Of the 53, 22 have gone in the first round.
Ten of the 11 edge rushers that made the all-rookie team as selected by the Pro Football Writers of America in the past four years were taken in the first round. The exception was the Rams’ Byron Young, a third-round pick in 2023. Two of the rookie stalwarts — Aidan Hutchinson and Jared Verse — have been voted to the Pro Bowl.
Like most positions, it helps to draft edge rushers early. Of course, there are exceptions.
The Broncos’ Nik Bonitto, the last pick of the second round in 2022, made the Pro Bowl last season. Bonitto has 23 career sacks while another unheralded Bronco, Jonathon Cooper (seventh round, 2021), has 23 ½.
Many of the leading prospects have their fair share of warts. One personnel executive, who happened to rank Marshall’s Mike Green second behind Carter, said, “It’s kind of hit or miss. After the top two it’s strictly developmental. You’re just hoping with the rest of these guys.”
Spent the off-season rehabilitating foot and shoulder injuries. “He’s just what you want up there (top of the first round),” a fourth scout said. “He’s a Pro Bowl player. He’s got everything you’re looking for as an edge rusher. But he’s not a quality guy.” That scout was one of four personnel people to express reservations about Carter’s makeup. “He’s not a great worker,” said one. “Plays his *** off on Saturday but he’s not a great guy during the week because he’s so gifted. I give him credit. He got hurt in the Boise State (playoff) game and had no business playing against Notre Dame. Played, and played his *** off. He’s a modern, high-maintenance, big-time player. There are similarities to Micah Parsons as a player and as a kid. Micah was probably a little more malicious coming out.” Four-year recruit from Philadelphia. Lettered in basketball as a power forward. “Super athletic,” said a fifth scout. “There’s a little baggage that comes with him. Some people just shrug their shoulders and say it comes with the territory. Other people were a little more concerned with it. Penn State seemed to dial it back because they obviously wanted him to go top 5 or top 10. There’s a pretty strong consensus here that he’s the top defender out there.” His 23 sacks rank sixth on the Nittany Lions’ career list. “If you watch 2023 tape he’s a top-10 will linebacker,” said one scout. “His rarity is he plays at an elite level at two different positions, one of which is a major elite position: pass rusher. You could just as well stand the guy up and say, ‘Hey, go cover this guy,’ and he can do it better than anybody else. Dynamite pass rusher. Just natural. In some games he makes like every other play. Now, with guys with this amount of talent, there’s times you want a little more out of him.”
2. JALON WALKER, Georgia (6-1, 243, no 40, 1): Third-year junior, one-year starter. “When you add the whole player up I’d rather have this guy (than Carter),” said one scout. “Quick twitch, good speed. Big-time motor. If you don’t like him, he’s a tweener. If you like him, he’s a hybrid, and you can use him as an outside linebacker and as a rusher.” Played on and off the ball throughout his career. Often compared to Nolan Smith (6-2, 240, 4.42, 32 5/8 arm), his former teammate and the Eagles’ 30th overall selection in 2023. “He’s not as speedy (as Smith) but he plays heavier and bigger,” a second scout said. “Nolan was also a little more of a one-trick pony where they lined him up almost as a wide-9 rusher. This guy has more versatility as a pass rusher.” Played as a backup in 29 games as a freshman and sophomore before starting 11 of 14 in 2024. “He’s a defensive coordinator’s dream,” said a third scout. “He played stack backer but he’s best as a DPR (designated pass rusher). You can align this guy all across the front. He has twitch, the ability to bend and to redirect to create pressure. There’s a defensive coordinator right now watching this guy and frothing at the mouth as to what he can do with this guy and creating pressure on the quarterback.” Finished with 89 tackles (19 for loss), 12 ½ sacks and three passes defensed. “What is this guy?” said a fourth scout. “Really good athlete. Can run like the wind. He’s a great quarterback spy. He does show edge speed when he’s allowed to attack, which is not as often as you would like. Not a ton of wiggle as a pass rusher. More just straight bursts and speed upfield. I questioned his instincts and reaction quickness as a linebacker. Gets stuck on blocks too much and needs work on his hand use. Doesn’t have a great body of work in terms of his career because they’ve had so many guys there.” Semifinalist for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award. His makeup was praised by multiple personnel men. “He has top character off the field,” a fifth scout said. “He has that mentality and I like the way he plays, but he just doesn’t produce. He doesn’t feel it. He doesn’t have good instincts. It’s almost similar to the Packers’ Quay Walker guy. When he figures it out and see it, he goes and attacks. He is a tough guy. Plays hard. I think he kind of short-circuits a little bit. He has to be a 3-4 (edge) and not do all this other stuff they do with him. They played him off and he didn’t see it. He was a disappointment.” Arms were 32, hands were 10 ¼.
3. SHEMAR STEWART, Texas A&M (6-5, 270, 4.58, 1): Third-year junior, one-year starter. “He’s the classic example of a guy who has no idea how to play football,” one scout said. “Doesn’t know how to take on blocks, doesn’t know how to find the ball, doesn’t know how to work off things. I was shocked he was 281 (at the Senior Bowl). He plays like he’s 240. He crushed it at the combine but in the games he is just a nonfactor. Just can’t figure it out. He’s damn near defensive-tackle size and they’re playing him standing up, too. He should be a hand-down, go-at-it guy.”
Was 270 at pro day after being 267 at the combine, where he was clocked in 4.58 despite tweaking his hamstring, posted a 40-inch vertical jump and a position-best 10-11 broad jump. “He looks incredible but he’s got like five sacks in his career,” said a second scout. “It’s a little bit all over the map, but the way he tested and the way he looked and ran he’s going in the first round.” Arms were 34 1/8, hands were 9 5/8. “Height-weight-speed physical freak show,” a third scout said. “He’s almost as good as Abdul Carter. Different guy completely. Good effort player. Plays hard in pursuit and in-line. Why isn’t this guy more productive? Wow edge speed. You really see it coming out of the turn. He’s explosive down the middle of a blocker. He’s really stout at the point. Plays with physicality. He lacked instincts and awareness. Mental delays when he’s stunting inside. Mental has to be looked into. Maybe it’s what they’re asking him to do. I don’t know. Maybe we could do something different with him and it would look different. Physically, this guy’s everything you want. He could play either defensive end or 3-technique.” Finished with 65 tackles, 4 ½ sacks and four passes defensed in 37 games, including 19 starts. Five-star recruit from Miami.
4. MYKEL WILLIAMS, Georgia (6-5, 267, 4.77, 1): Suffered an ankle injury in the opener, missed time and played 12 games. At the combine, he said he was “less than 60%” for the balance of the season. “He’s been beat-up,” one scout said. “He just doesn’t have the production you would expect out of his traits. I interviewed him. He got really fired up when I started asking him about teams banging on him on production. He said, ‘I can’t wait for this. I played what the coaches told me to play. I two-gapped a lot and they put me inside a lot of times. I’m an edge rusher, and I can have 10 sacks on the edge.’ That’s his narrative.” In 2022, Georgia edge Travon Walker (6-5, 270, 4.59, 35 ½ arm) was the first overall choice by Jacksonville. “Very similar,” the scout said. “Travon’s a little looser athlete. Definitely runs a lot better. Better in space. Mykel’s a little bit more of a power player where Travon could do a lot athletically.” Longest arms at the position (34 3/8). Hands were 10 ¼. “I thought this guy was better than Travon Walker,” a second scout said. “If he had had the year he was supposed to he would have challenged for the first pick in the draft. That didn’t happen.” Two-year starter. Finished with 67 tackles (23 for loss), 14 sacks and four passes defensed. “This is a true, 5, 6-technique but can play 4i,” said a third scout. “Has speed to power. Has enough bend and redirect. He can long-arm tackles off the edge. He was obviously really good last year and this year battled injuries. You can go look at the Texas game when he’s throwing guys around. You can’t have enough players like this.” Four-star recruit from Columbus, Ga. “He’s very similar to Travon Walker,” said a fourth scout. “Big tough-*** guy who looks like he should be a monster but he’s not. Reminded me of Boogie Basham that came out of Wake Forest and bounced around (four seasons, 4 ½ sacks). A lot of these Georgia guys, they play hard and they play their role but they don’t know how to play.” Added a fifth scout: “True classic 4-3 defensive end. He’s able to just beat up on a tight end and have enough pass rush to get home. No, he wouldn’t be a standup guy. I just didn’t see quite the athleticism in space to be a standup guy. I almost think, ‘Hey, maybe you bulk this guy up and he could be a 5-technique.’ That’s the way they played him some of the time. He stood up as well.”
5. JAMES PEARCE, Tennessee (6-5, 248, 4.48, 1): Third-year junior, one-year starter. “He’s talented — really talented,” one scout said. “Built like an NFL player. He’s got twitch, can get off the ball, got production. Some scouts are worried about the guy. I was at a game and the guy was just a complete Lone Ranger. By himself on the sideline, standing 20 yards from anybody on his team. Didn’t look like he cared at all. Claims he was a captain and a leader and all that stuff, but it’s just one of those things that he might just have been anointed that versus earning it. Traits-wise, he’s for sure first round.” Ran a blazing 40 but his vertical jump (31) was the poorest of the top 20 at the position. “Really liked the get-off and burst of speed and bend,” a second scout said. “Not a lot of power in his rush but he can really run. Didn’t play a ton of snaps like you would think. Not soft. Mid-first round.” Arms were 32 ¾, hands were 10. “There’s some concerns on the character,” said a third scout. “Lot of emotional outbursts and inconsistency. He’s not quite Von Miller but he’s got that kind of ability to turn the corner and get home on the quarterback. More of a one-dimensional player at this point in his career. Not heavy enough to play the run. He’s a leaky tackler who falls off too often. He had top-5 buzz coming off 2023 (10 sacks) and then with more attention focused on him he disappeared in some games.” Finished with 71 tackles (30 for loss), 19 ½ sacks and two passes defensed in 39 games, including 12 starts. “Pearce belongs with the top three but the mental part, the personality part is what I would say pushes him down,” a fourth scout said. “You knew at the combine he would put on that show, and he did. He did not disappoint. He probably goes after Williams, Carter and Stewart. But it will probably be to a successful team that will feel like they can take him on. At Tennessee, he was literally a no-go. You ask somebody there: ‘Hey, if you had a chance to come to the league, would you bring this guy?’ They’re, like, ‘Absolutely not.’ On his own program. The whole team’s working out and he’s in his apartment. They didn’t know where he was.” Four-star recruit from Charlotte. “Almost a basketball player’s body,” a fifth scout said. “Got some first-step quicks but not really explosive. He’s not strong. They push him around. Not very physical at the point of attack. A 3-4 guy. I’ve seen a lot of profiles like this go bust. He’s scary. He had a lot of hype coming in. That will carry him a long way.” Volunteers’ first defensive lineman to make first team All-Southeastern Conference two straight years since John Henderson 25 years ago.
6. MIKE GREEN, Marshall (6-3, 248, no 40, 1-2): His 17 sacks in 2024 led FBS. “He’s my No. 2 edge,” said one scout. “I wouldn’t want him as a D-end but he could be a difference-maker as a 3-4 linebacker. Hell of a player. He’s probably got the best pass-rush arsenal of all these guys. He’s a menace. Former high-school wrestler, and you see that the way he can use his hands and get off things. He uses leverage and angles. That (short arms) will hurt him.” Arms were 32. Smallest hands (8 ½) among the top 12 at the position. Bench-press reps of 28 led the position. His 3-cone time of 6.79 was superb. “The guy has twitch and he’s quick,” said a second scout. “He’s slippery. He can go underneath blocks. He has a long arm. He can rip. He can dip. He has all the qualities you want as an outside guy. Doesn’t have a lot of bulk and strength but because he’s so quick and has the speed he’ll catch you off-balance and go by you. He can go around and circle behind the quarterback. The effort’s there, too. But he had a couple Title IX’s in his lifetime.” Was dismissed in September 2022 after his freshman year at Virginia and played at Marshall in 2023-’24. At the combine, Green said there have been two allegations of sexual assault against him, both of which he denied. The other occurred during his high school years in Williamsburg, Va. “He’s got the character issue,” said a third scout. “Nothing ever came of it legally but there’s a lot of smoke. He’s got some problems. Just a natural pass rusher. Has lower-body tightness. Struggles against the run. He’s like a backup-third down rusher.” Finished with 131 tackles (33 for loss), 22 ½ sacks and two passes defensed. “We didn’t have him in the first round,” said a fourth scout. “There are people who do. If he goes first round it’s more later because of that (character). He might be the next just pure rusher after Carter.” Three-star recruit. Voted Marshall’s most valuable player in 2024. “Really a violent player,” a fifth scout said. “Little undisciplined, but he’s a quick-twitch athlete with really good speed and can disrupt all over the field. Not the biggest guy, but plays the run with effort and toughness.”
7. JT TUIMOLOAU, Ohio State (6-4, 264, no 40, 1): Three-year starter also played extensively as a freshman in 2021. Posted career highs in tackles (61), tackles for loss (22), sacks (12 ½) and forced fumbles (two) for the national champions in 2024. “I liked him last year (2023) but he got better,” said one scout. “He’s tough as hell. He’s rugged. Got great technique and instinct. He’s got jolt at the point of attack. Got decent enough range. More of a power rusher but he’s got a little bend and a little slip-and-dip. He’s nonstop. Always factors, always shows up. Has the type of game that will transfer well to the NFL. Unlike others you’re projecting or if this or maybe, all of that, this guy’s game, he’s ready to go. I’d keep him down (as a defensive end). First round.” Finished with 144 tackles (45 for loss), 23 ½ sacks and 10 passes defensed. Arms were 33 ¾, hands were a position-best 10 ½. “I’d go with him over (Jack) Sawyer just because he’s got a little more upside,” said a second scout. “I’d equate him to maybe (A.J.) Epenesa from Buffalo (6-5, 275, 5.06, 34 ½ arm). He’ll play, but is he a premier Pro Bowl guy? No. He’s a little bit more of a pass rusher than he is a run defender. He's a 4-3 guy. Is he going to come off the edge and put the fear in people? No, he’s not one of those guys.” Averaged 11.1 points as a four-year basketball player in Edgewood, Wash.
8. LANDON JACKSON, Arkansas (6-6, 266, 4.68, 2): Played five games at LSU in 2021 before starting 31 of 37 games for the Razorbacks from 2022-’24. “Tough guy, brings energy,” one scout said. “Not that athletic for an edge. Little bit upright and rigid. At the point of attack he’s too high. Doesn’t have that leverage, but he fights. If he can get his long arms on you he has a chance. Angle blocks get him just because of the body frame. As a rusher, he uses his hands really well but just isn’t explosive getting around the edges. Big, tough, smart. There’s a role for him. He’ll never be a star or a top talent, but the type guy that will make other people around him look better.” His vertical jump of 40 ½ led the edges. Arms were 33 ¼, hands were 10. “He’ll be a functional starter,” said a second scout. “Not a bad bender. Good strength. Uses his hands and length really well. Stiff in change of direction. Just average speed. Sometimes it looks like he’s running in place. Hands and feet don’t always work together. Just more of an effort guy as a pass rusher. Better against the run. He’s a big base left defensive end.” Finished with 116 tackles (28 for loss), 16 sacks and five passes defensed. Dominated Alabama A&M tackle Carson Vinson in the Senior Bowl game. “He’ll check off every box as a human being and the measurables,” a third scout said. “He’s sort of stiff, but with his numbers he might go first round. You’re getting a tightly-wound defensive end who plays hard and can cover some ground.” Four-star recruit from Texarkana, Texas.
9. NIC SCOURTON, Texas A&M (6-2 ½, 257, no 40, 2): Played at Purdue in 2022-’23, leading the Big Ten in sacks with 10 in ’23. “He’s combative,” one scout aid. “Can hold the point of attack. More power as a pass rusher but doesn’t have many moves. He’s got to be a 3-4 D-end. You’re hoping he develops into one. Five-technique. He might get taken in the first.” Started 12 games for the Aggies in 2024. Finished with 109 tackles (31 for loss), 17 sacks and five passes defensed. Declined to run a 40 at the combine and pro day. “More disruptive than productive,” said a second scout. “Tough and physical. Plays hard. Inconsistent breaking down on the quarterback when he gets there. On the ground a lot, misses a ******** of tackles. He can bend. Can show some power at times. More of a left end who could give you some sub rush inside. He’s a rotational guy. Fourth or fifth round.” Arms were 33, hands were 10. Won’t be 21 until August. Four-star recruit from Bryan, Texas.
10. DONOVAN EZEIRUAKU, Boston College (6-2 ½, 248, no 40, 2-3): Saved his best for last with 16 ½ sacks in 12 games, an average of 1.38 that led FBS. “Exceptionally good with his hands,” said one scout. “Really bendy. He’s a riser. It’s all on the come. He’s going to get bigger, he’s going to get stronger. But you see the frame, you see the technique and hand use. All positives on the character. Just where he is in the run game and he’s not the elite athlete that Pearce is but he just makes you feel a little more comfortable. Highly productive and a great kid. Sometimes that weighs in more than you think. You see that all the time.” Worked out well at the combine; his 4.19 short shuttle led the edges. Arms were 34, hands were 9 ¼. “Highly productive – more overachieving-type production,” said a second scout. “He’s really crafty. Little dude, but you like him because he plays the game the right way. I just don’t know how he’s going to produce up here. He’s got to be coming forward. I’m not sold on him. At least he produces. It’s something to get excited about when he does things whereas some of these other guys don’t do anything but they look the part.” Finished with 215 tackles (47 for loss), 30 sacks, eight forced fumbles and four passes defensed. Three-star recruit from Williamstown, N.J.
11. JOSAIAH STEWART, Michigan (6-1, 245, no 40, 2-3): Registered 16 sacks at Coastal Carolina in 2021-’22 and 14 more at Michigan in 2023-’24. “I hate small guys but, man, he’s fast … he’s special … he’s strong,” said one scout. “His burst and his getoff are as good as it gets. He’s going to be an undersized edge. The question is whether he’s going to be an every-down guy. For certain defenses he might not fit. He’s gonna get out-bigged and overwhelmed setting an edge. He’s a potential starter initially but he must be a total fit for a team.” Arms were just 31 7/8, hands were 9 ½. “He’s actually one of the better players,” a second scout said. “He’s a better player than (Jalon) Walker is. Just a tough little guy. Strong as hell. You keep thinking as a little guy he’s going to get his *** kicked but he just strikes guys. Now he does get swallowed up. But if he’s squared up on you, wow, he’s got some explosiveness.” Finished with 150 tackles (48 for loss), 30 sacks, six forced fumbles and three passes defensed. “His lack of length showed up in the Senior Bowl,” said a third scout. “You didn’t see that in the Big Ten but in the Senior Bowl the offensive line was pretty good and they neutralized him really quickly. The shortness and lack of arm length, you saw that. They got their hands on him and he was a nonfactor. The Senior Bowl did not do him good. Third day.” Three-star recruit from the Bronx, N.Y. Played as a prep in Everett, Mass.
12. JACK SAWYER, Ohio State (6-4, 260, no 40, 2-3): Fourth-year senior, two-year starter. “Not an outside linebacker — never will be,” one scout said. “He’s a classic 4-3 guy. He’s so technically sound in what he does. All it takes is one bad set, one bad footwork and he will beat you because his level of consistency will be better than a lot of these tackles. Kind of that second-tier, three-down defensive end.” Shortest arms of the top 20 edges at 31 3/4. “Not great, not ideal, but they’re not all perfect,” a second scout said in reference to the arm length. “Outside as a rusher he didn’t show a lot during the season but in the playoffs he had a lot of pressure on the quarterback. Tough, rugged run defender. Separates from blocks. Not overly quick or fast. His rush is more power and use of hands and moves.” Finished with 144 tackles (29 for loss), 23 sacks, six forced fumbles and 11 passes defensed. Hands were 9 3/4. “He’s just a limited heart-and-hustle guy,” a third scout said. “A 4-3 left end. You’d like to have him as a backup and (special) teams guy. He’s a rugged tough guy that would run around on teams.” Five-star recruit from Pickerington, Ohio. Also played quarterback and on the basketball team.
Said one scout: “He played stack linebacker for three seasons (two at Cal) and edge for one. More of a run defender than a pass rusher relying on his power and length (33 3/8 arms). Just the lack of awareness and instincts kind of limits his production. When he gets to the NFL he’s going to have to choose between football and this faith-based group that has been banned from college campuses across the country. It is probably not ideal for him.”
Kyle Kennard, South Carolina (6-4, 259, 4.80)
Said one scout: “Had a better year than Senior Bowl. Plays with length, leverage and really hard. Not a great athlete and not real big setting the edge. That’s kind of his issue. He’s had production (143 tackles, 24 sacks). He’ll be a rotational guy versus a developmental starter.”
Ashton Gillotte, Louisville (6-2 ½, 264, 4.65)
Said one scout: “Strong and powerful at the point of attack. Struggled in space. The length (31 7/8 arms) shows at times when shedding. But he plays with a high motor. The bull rush was his fastball. He could sneak in there (top 125).”
Bradyn Swinson, Louisiana State (6-3 ½, 255, no 40)
Said one scout: “He is a rusher only. He’s definitely got real quickness and real ability to take the edge. At worst, he’s probably a third-rounder, maybe a little higher.”
Princely Umanmielen, Mississippi (6-4 ½, 241, 4.72)
Said one scout: “He left Florida for Ole Miss (in 2024). I always thought he was a bit of an underachiever. Blamed others, all that kind of stuff. I think the league knows who he is. So I think he’ll be surprised on draft weekend when he doesn’t go until the third day.”
Penn State’s Abdul Carter casts a large shadow over this class of edge rushers. Not only does Carter clearly rank as the best at his position, he might wind up as the best player in the draft.
After that, it’s about as clear as mud.
One team had 14 players graded as starters. Another team projected about half that many.
Missing information clouds the picture for evaluators with anxious owners waiting to write big checks. Ten of the top 15 prospects have yet to run and/or probably won’t run the 40-yard dash, an unprecedented number. Only seven have performed the vertical jump and the bench press.
In the last four years 53 edge rushers have been selected among the top 100 picks, an average of 13.3. That looks about right for this class.
Of the 53, 22 have gone in the first round.
Ten of the 11 edge rushers that made the all-rookie team as selected by the Pro Football Writers of America in the past four years were taken in the first round. The exception was the Rams’ Byron Young, a third-round pick in 2023. Two of the rookie stalwarts — Aidan Hutchinson and Jared Verse — have been voted to the Pro Bowl.
Like most positions, it helps to draft edge rushers early. Of course, there are exceptions.
The Broncos’ Nik Bonitto, the last pick of the second round in 2022, made the Pro Bowl last season. Bonitto has 23 career sacks while another unheralded Bronco, Jonathon Cooper (seventh round, 2021), has 23 ½.
Many of the leading prospects have their fair share of warts. One personnel executive, who happened to rank Marshall’s Mike Green second behind Carter, said, “It’s kind of hit or miss. After the top two it’s strictly developmental. You’re just hoping with the rest of these guys.”
EDGE RUSHERS
1. ABDUL CARTER, Penn State (6-3 ½, 250, no 40, 1): Third-year junior. “Early in the season he didn’t show much but he was dominating after that,” one scout said. “I’d take (Aidan) Hutchinson. It’s two different body types and two different type of twitches. Carter’s more twitchy. Hutchinson is stronger, more rangy. Carter can come off the edge and bend better.” Started in 2023 as an off-the-ball linebacker before moving to the edge last season. “It’s almost like they did Micah Parsons,” said a second scout. “I guess those guys don’t know how to coach there. They got the top pick in the draft playing inside linebacker last year. He’s a legitimate difference-maker. He’s rare with his motor and athletic ability. He does get beat up some. He’s on the ground too often. He’s just going to keep getting better once he gets more reps (outside).” Started 35 of 42 games, finishing with 172 tackles (41 for loss), 23 sacks, 13 passes defensed and five forced fumbles. “He’s, like, really good,” said a third scout. “He’s f-----g quick. He’s got a get-off. Fluid. Elite pass rusher. He closes quickly and has range all over the field. In the run game, he’s not the most powerful taking on blocks but, ****, the run and chase on him, he’s all over. But the pass game is where he makes his money.”Spent the off-season rehabilitating foot and shoulder injuries. “He’s just what you want up there (top of the first round),” a fourth scout said. “He’s a Pro Bowl player. He’s got everything you’re looking for as an edge rusher. But he’s not a quality guy.” That scout was one of four personnel people to express reservations about Carter’s makeup. “He’s not a great worker,” said one. “Plays his *** off on Saturday but he’s not a great guy during the week because he’s so gifted. I give him credit. He got hurt in the Boise State (playoff) game and had no business playing against Notre Dame. Played, and played his *** off. He’s a modern, high-maintenance, big-time player. There are similarities to Micah Parsons as a player and as a kid. Micah was probably a little more malicious coming out.” Four-year recruit from Philadelphia. Lettered in basketball as a power forward. “Super athletic,” said a fifth scout. “There’s a little baggage that comes with him. Some people just shrug their shoulders and say it comes with the territory. Other people were a little more concerned with it. Penn State seemed to dial it back because they obviously wanted him to go top 5 or top 10. There’s a pretty strong consensus here that he’s the top defender out there.” His 23 sacks rank sixth on the Nittany Lions’ career list. “If you watch 2023 tape he’s a top-10 will linebacker,” said one scout. “His rarity is he plays at an elite level at two different positions, one of which is a major elite position: pass rusher. You could just as well stand the guy up and say, ‘Hey, go cover this guy,’ and he can do it better than anybody else. Dynamite pass rusher. Just natural. In some games he makes like every other play. Now, with guys with this amount of talent, there’s times you want a little more out of him.”
2. JALON WALKER, Georgia (6-1, 243, no 40, 1): Third-year junior, one-year starter. “When you add the whole player up I’d rather have this guy (than Carter),” said one scout. “Quick twitch, good speed. Big-time motor. If you don’t like him, he’s a tweener. If you like him, he’s a hybrid, and you can use him as an outside linebacker and as a rusher.” Played on and off the ball throughout his career. Often compared to Nolan Smith (6-2, 240, 4.42, 32 5/8 arm), his former teammate and the Eagles’ 30th overall selection in 2023. “He’s not as speedy (as Smith) but he plays heavier and bigger,” a second scout said. “Nolan was also a little more of a one-trick pony where they lined him up almost as a wide-9 rusher. This guy has more versatility as a pass rusher.” Played as a backup in 29 games as a freshman and sophomore before starting 11 of 14 in 2024. “He’s a defensive coordinator’s dream,” said a third scout. “He played stack backer but he’s best as a DPR (designated pass rusher). You can align this guy all across the front. He has twitch, the ability to bend and to redirect to create pressure. There’s a defensive coordinator right now watching this guy and frothing at the mouth as to what he can do with this guy and creating pressure on the quarterback.” Finished with 89 tackles (19 for loss), 12 ½ sacks and three passes defensed. “What is this guy?” said a fourth scout. “Really good athlete. Can run like the wind. He’s a great quarterback spy. He does show edge speed when he’s allowed to attack, which is not as often as you would like. Not a ton of wiggle as a pass rusher. More just straight bursts and speed upfield. I questioned his instincts and reaction quickness as a linebacker. Gets stuck on blocks too much and needs work on his hand use. Doesn’t have a great body of work in terms of his career because they’ve had so many guys there.” Semifinalist for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award. His makeup was praised by multiple personnel men. “He has top character off the field,” a fifth scout said. “He has that mentality and I like the way he plays, but he just doesn’t produce. He doesn’t feel it. He doesn’t have good instincts. It’s almost similar to the Packers’ Quay Walker guy. When he figures it out and see it, he goes and attacks. He is a tough guy. Plays hard. I think he kind of short-circuits a little bit. He has to be a 3-4 (edge) and not do all this other stuff they do with him. They played him off and he didn’t see it. He was a disappointment.” Arms were 32, hands were 10 ¼.
3. SHEMAR STEWART, Texas A&M (6-5, 270, 4.58, 1): Third-year junior, one-year starter. “He’s the classic example of a guy who has no idea how to play football,” one scout said. “Doesn’t know how to take on blocks, doesn’t know how to find the ball, doesn’t know how to work off things. I was shocked he was 281 (at the Senior Bowl). He plays like he’s 240. He crushed it at the combine but in the games he is just a nonfactor. Just can’t figure it out. He’s damn near defensive-tackle size and they’re playing him standing up, too. He should be a hand-down, go-at-it guy.”
Was 270 at pro day after being 267 at the combine, where he was clocked in 4.58 despite tweaking his hamstring, posted a 40-inch vertical jump and a position-best 10-11 broad jump. “He looks incredible but he’s got like five sacks in his career,” said a second scout. “It’s a little bit all over the map, but the way he tested and the way he looked and ran he’s going in the first round.” Arms were 34 1/8, hands were 9 5/8. “Height-weight-speed physical freak show,” a third scout said. “He’s almost as good as Abdul Carter. Different guy completely. Good effort player. Plays hard in pursuit and in-line. Why isn’t this guy more productive? Wow edge speed. You really see it coming out of the turn. He’s explosive down the middle of a blocker. He’s really stout at the point. Plays with physicality. He lacked instincts and awareness. Mental delays when he’s stunting inside. Mental has to be looked into. Maybe it’s what they’re asking him to do. I don’t know. Maybe we could do something different with him and it would look different. Physically, this guy’s everything you want. He could play either defensive end or 3-technique.” Finished with 65 tackles, 4 ½ sacks and four passes defensed in 37 games, including 19 starts. Five-star recruit from Miami.
4. MYKEL WILLIAMS, Georgia (6-5, 267, 4.77, 1): Suffered an ankle injury in the opener, missed time and played 12 games. At the combine, he said he was “less than 60%” for the balance of the season. “He’s been beat-up,” one scout said. “He just doesn’t have the production you would expect out of his traits. I interviewed him. He got really fired up when I started asking him about teams banging on him on production. He said, ‘I can’t wait for this. I played what the coaches told me to play. I two-gapped a lot and they put me inside a lot of times. I’m an edge rusher, and I can have 10 sacks on the edge.’ That’s his narrative.” In 2022, Georgia edge Travon Walker (6-5, 270, 4.59, 35 ½ arm) was the first overall choice by Jacksonville. “Very similar,” the scout said. “Travon’s a little looser athlete. Definitely runs a lot better. Better in space. Mykel’s a little bit more of a power player where Travon could do a lot athletically.” Longest arms at the position (34 3/8). Hands were 10 ¼. “I thought this guy was better than Travon Walker,” a second scout said. “If he had had the year he was supposed to he would have challenged for the first pick in the draft. That didn’t happen.” Two-year starter. Finished with 67 tackles (23 for loss), 14 sacks and four passes defensed. “This is a true, 5, 6-technique but can play 4i,” said a third scout. “Has speed to power. Has enough bend and redirect. He can long-arm tackles off the edge. He was obviously really good last year and this year battled injuries. You can go look at the Texas game when he’s throwing guys around. You can’t have enough players like this.” Four-star recruit from Columbus, Ga. “He’s very similar to Travon Walker,” said a fourth scout. “Big tough-*** guy who looks like he should be a monster but he’s not. Reminded me of Boogie Basham that came out of Wake Forest and bounced around (four seasons, 4 ½ sacks). A lot of these Georgia guys, they play hard and they play their role but they don’t know how to play.” Added a fifth scout: “True classic 4-3 defensive end. He’s able to just beat up on a tight end and have enough pass rush to get home. No, he wouldn’t be a standup guy. I just didn’t see quite the athleticism in space to be a standup guy. I almost think, ‘Hey, maybe you bulk this guy up and he could be a 5-technique.’ That’s the way they played him some of the time. He stood up as well.”
5. JAMES PEARCE, Tennessee (6-5, 248, 4.48, 1): Third-year junior, one-year starter. “He’s talented — really talented,” one scout said. “Built like an NFL player. He’s got twitch, can get off the ball, got production. Some scouts are worried about the guy. I was at a game and the guy was just a complete Lone Ranger. By himself on the sideline, standing 20 yards from anybody on his team. Didn’t look like he cared at all. Claims he was a captain and a leader and all that stuff, but it’s just one of those things that he might just have been anointed that versus earning it. Traits-wise, he’s for sure first round.” Ran a blazing 40 but his vertical jump (31) was the poorest of the top 20 at the position. “Really liked the get-off and burst of speed and bend,” a second scout said. “Not a lot of power in his rush but he can really run. Didn’t play a ton of snaps like you would think. Not soft. Mid-first round.” Arms were 32 ¾, hands were 10. “There’s some concerns on the character,” said a third scout. “Lot of emotional outbursts and inconsistency. He’s not quite Von Miller but he’s got that kind of ability to turn the corner and get home on the quarterback. More of a one-dimensional player at this point in his career. Not heavy enough to play the run. He’s a leaky tackler who falls off too often. He had top-5 buzz coming off 2023 (10 sacks) and then with more attention focused on him he disappeared in some games.” Finished with 71 tackles (30 for loss), 19 ½ sacks and two passes defensed in 39 games, including 12 starts. “Pearce belongs with the top three but the mental part, the personality part is what I would say pushes him down,” a fourth scout said. “You knew at the combine he would put on that show, and he did. He did not disappoint. He probably goes after Williams, Carter and Stewart. But it will probably be to a successful team that will feel like they can take him on. At Tennessee, he was literally a no-go. You ask somebody there: ‘Hey, if you had a chance to come to the league, would you bring this guy?’ They’re, like, ‘Absolutely not.’ On his own program. The whole team’s working out and he’s in his apartment. They didn’t know where he was.” Four-star recruit from Charlotte. “Almost a basketball player’s body,” a fifth scout said. “Got some first-step quicks but not really explosive. He’s not strong. They push him around. Not very physical at the point of attack. A 3-4 guy. I’ve seen a lot of profiles like this go bust. He’s scary. He had a lot of hype coming in. That will carry him a long way.” Volunteers’ first defensive lineman to make first team All-Southeastern Conference two straight years since John Henderson 25 years ago.
6. MIKE GREEN, Marshall (6-3, 248, no 40, 1-2): His 17 sacks in 2024 led FBS. “He’s my No. 2 edge,” said one scout. “I wouldn’t want him as a D-end but he could be a difference-maker as a 3-4 linebacker. Hell of a player. He’s probably got the best pass-rush arsenal of all these guys. He’s a menace. Former high-school wrestler, and you see that the way he can use his hands and get off things. He uses leverage and angles. That (short arms) will hurt him.” Arms were 32. Smallest hands (8 ½) among the top 12 at the position. Bench-press reps of 28 led the position. His 3-cone time of 6.79 was superb. “The guy has twitch and he’s quick,” said a second scout. “He’s slippery. He can go underneath blocks. He has a long arm. He can rip. He can dip. He has all the qualities you want as an outside guy. Doesn’t have a lot of bulk and strength but because he’s so quick and has the speed he’ll catch you off-balance and go by you. He can go around and circle behind the quarterback. The effort’s there, too. But he had a couple Title IX’s in his lifetime.” Was dismissed in September 2022 after his freshman year at Virginia and played at Marshall in 2023-’24. At the combine, Green said there have been two allegations of sexual assault against him, both of which he denied. The other occurred during his high school years in Williamsburg, Va. “He’s got the character issue,” said a third scout. “Nothing ever came of it legally but there’s a lot of smoke. He’s got some problems. Just a natural pass rusher. Has lower-body tightness. Struggles against the run. He’s like a backup-third down rusher.” Finished with 131 tackles (33 for loss), 22 ½ sacks and two passes defensed. “We didn’t have him in the first round,” said a fourth scout. “There are people who do. If he goes first round it’s more later because of that (character). He might be the next just pure rusher after Carter.” Three-star recruit. Voted Marshall’s most valuable player in 2024. “Really a violent player,” a fifth scout said. “Little undisciplined, but he’s a quick-twitch athlete with really good speed and can disrupt all over the field. Not the biggest guy, but plays the run with effort and toughness.”
7. JT TUIMOLOAU, Ohio State (6-4, 264, no 40, 1): Three-year starter also played extensively as a freshman in 2021. Posted career highs in tackles (61), tackles for loss (22), sacks (12 ½) and forced fumbles (two) for the national champions in 2024. “I liked him last year (2023) but he got better,” said one scout. “He’s tough as hell. He’s rugged. Got great technique and instinct. He’s got jolt at the point of attack. Got decent enough range. More of a power rusher but he’s got a little bend and a little slip-and-dip. He’s nonstop. Always factors, always shows up. Has the type of game that will transfer well to the NFL. Unlike others you’re projecting or if this or maybe, all of that, this guy’s game, he’s ready to go. I’d keep him down (as a defensive end). First round.” Finished with 144 tackles (45 for loss), 23 ½ sacks and 10 passes defensed. Arms were 33 ¾, hands were a position-best 10 ½. “I’d go with him over (Jack) Sawyer just because he’s got a little more upside,” said a second scout. “I’d equate him to maybe (A.J.) Epenesa from Buffalo (6-5, 275, 5.06, 34 ½ arm). He’ll play, but is he a premier Pro Bowl guy? No. He’s a little bit more of a pass rusher than he is a run defender. He's a 4-3 guy. Is he going to come off the edge and put the fear in people? No, he’s not one of those guys.” Averaged 11.1 points as a four-year basketball player in Edgewood, Wash.
8. LANDON JACKSON, Arkansas (6-6, 266, 4.68, 2): Played five games at LSU in 2021 before starting 31 of 37 games for the Razorbacks from 2022-’24. “Tough guy, brings energy,” one scout said. “Not that athletic for an edge. Little bit upright and rigid. At the point of attack he’s too high. Doesn’t have that leverage, but he fights. If he can get his long arms on you he has a chance. Angle blocks get him just because of the body frame. As a rusher, he uses his hands really well but just isn’t explosive getting around the edges. Big, tough, smart. There’s a role for him. He’ll never be a star or a top talent, but the type guy that will make other people around him look better.” His vertical jump of 40 ½ led the edges. Arms were 33 ¼, hands were 10. “He’ll be a functional starter,” said a second scout. “Not a bad bender. Good strength. Uses his hands and length really well. Stiff in change of direction. Just average speed. Sometimes it looks like he’s running in place. Hands and feet don’t always work together. Just more of an effort guy as a pass rusher. Better against the run. He’s a big base left defensive end.” Finished with 116 tackles (28 for loss), 16 sacks and five passes defensed. Dominated Alabama A&M tackle Carson Vinson in the Senior Bowl game. “He’ll check off every box as a human being and the measurables,” a third scout said. “He’s sort of stiff, but with his numbers he might go first round. You’re getting a tightly-wound defensive end who plays hard and can cover some ground.” Four-star recruit from Texarkana, Texas.
9. NIC SCOURTON, Texas A&M (6-2 ½, 257, no 40, 2): Played at Purdue in 2022-’23, leading the Big Ten in sacks with 10 in ’23. “He’s combative,” one scout aid. “Can hold the point of attack. More power as a pass rusher but doesn’t have many moves. He’s got to be a 3-4 D-end. You’re hoping he develops into one. Five-technique. He might get taken in the first.” Started 12 games for the Aggies in 2024. Finished with 109 tackles (31 for loss), 17 sacks and five passes defensed. Declined to run a 40 at the combine and pro day. “More disruptive than productive,” said a second scout. “Tough and physical. Plays hard. Inconsistent breaking down on the quarterback when he gets there. On the ground a lot, misses a ******** of tackles. He can bend. Can show some power at times. More of a left end who could give you some sub rush inside. He’s a rotational guy. Fourth or fifth round.” Arms were 33, hands were 10. Won’t be 21 until August. Four-star recruit from Bryan, Texas.
10. DONOVAN EZEIRUAKU, Boston College (6-2 ½, 248, no 40, 2-3): Saved his best for last with 16 ½ sacks in 12 games, an average of 1.38 that led FBS. “Exceptionally good with his hands,” said one scout. “Really bendy. He’s a riser. It’s all on the come. He’s going to get bigger, he’s going to get stronger. But you see the frame, you see the technique and hand use. All positives on the character. Just where he is in the run game and he’s not the elite athlete that Pearce is but he just makes you feel a little more comfortable. Highly productive and a great kid. Sometimes that weighs in more than you think. You see that all the time.” Worked out well at the combine; his 4.19 short shuttle led the edges. Arms were 34, hands were 9 ¼. “Highly productive – more overachieving-type production,” said a second scout. “He’s really crafty. Little dude, but you like him because he plays the game the right way. I just don’t know how he’s going to produce up here. He’s got to be coming forward. I’m not sold on him. At least he produces. It’s something to get excited about when he does things whereas some of these other guys don’t do anything but they look the part.” Finished with 215 tackles (47 for loss), 30 sacks, eight forced fumbles and four passes defensed. Three-star recruit from Williamstown, N.J.
11. JOSAIAH STEWART, Michigan (6-1, 245, no 40, 2-3): Registered 16 sacks at Coastal Carolina in 2021-’22 and 14 more at Michigan in 2023-’24. “I hate small guys but, man, he’s fast … he’s special … he’s strong,” said one scout. “His burst and his getoff are as good as it gets. He’s going to be an undersized edge. The question is whether he’s going to be an every-down guy. For certain defenses he might not fit. He’s gonna get out-bigged and overwhelmed setting an edge. He’s a potential starter initially but he must be a total fit for a team.” Arms were just 31 7/8, hands were 9 ½. “He’s actually one of the better players,” a second scout said. “He’s a better player than (Jalon) Walker is. Just a tough little guy. Strong as hell. You keep thinking as a little guy he’s going to get his *** kicked but he just strikes guys. Now he does get swallowed up. But if he’s squared up on you, wow, he’s got some explosiveness.” Finished with 150 tackles (48 for loss), 30 sacks, six forced fumbles and three passes defensed. “His lack of length showed up in the Senior Bowl,” said a third scout. “You didn’t see that in the Big Ten but in the Senior Bowl the offensive line was pretty good and they neutralized him really quickly. The shortness and lack of arm length, you saw that. They got their hands on him and he was a nonfactor. The Senior Bowl did not do him good. Third day.” Three-star recruit from the Bronx, N.Y. Played as a prep in Everett, Mass.
12. JACK SAWYER, Ohio State (6-4, 260, no 40, 2-3): Fourth-year senior, two-year starter. “Not an outside linebacker — never will be,” one scout said. “He’s a classic 4-3 guy. He’s so technically sound in what he does. All it takes is one bad set, one bad footwork and he will beat you because his level of consistency will be better than a lot of these tackles. Kind of that second-tier, three-down defensive end.” Shortest arms of the top 20 edges at 31 3/4. “Not great, not ideal, but they’re not all perfect,” a second scout said in reference to the arm length. “Outside as a rusher he didn’t show a lot during the season but in the playoffs he had a lot of pressure on the quarterback. Tough, rugged run defender. Separates from blocks. Not overly quick or fast. His rush is more power and use of hands and moves.” Finished with 144 tackles (29 for loss), 23 sacks, six forced fumbles and 11 passes defensed. Hands were 9 3/4. “He’s just a limited heart-and-hustle guy,” a third scout said. “A 4-3 left end. You’d like to have him as a backup and (special) teams guy. He’s a rugged tough guy that would run around on teams.” Five-star recruit from Pickerington, Ohio. Also played quarterback and on the basketball team.
THE NEXT FIVE
Femi Oladejo, UCLA (6-3, 261, no 40)Said one scout: “He played stack linebacker for three seasons (two at Cal) and edge for one. More of a run defender than a pass rusher relying on his power and length (33 3/8 arms). Just the lack of awareness and instincts kind of limits his production. When he gets to the NFL he’s going to have to choose between football and this faith-based group that has been banned from college campuses across the country. It is probably not ideal for him.”
Kyle Kennard, South Carolina (6-4, 259, 4.80)
Said one scout: “Had a better year than Senior Bowl. Plays with length, leverage and really hard. Not a great athlete and not real big setting the edge. That’s kind of his issue. He’s had production (143 tackles, 24 sacks). He’ll be a rotational guy versus a developmental starter.”
Ashton Gillotte, Louisville (6-2 ½, 264, 4.65)
Said one scout: “Strong and powerful at the point of attack. Struggled in space. The length (31 7/8 arms) shows at times when shedding. But he plays with a high motor. The bull rush was his fastball. He could sneak in there (top 125).”
Bradyn Swinson, Louisiana State (6-3 ½, 255, no 40)
Said one scout: “He is a rusher only. He’s definitely got real quickness and real ability to take the edge. At worst, he’s probably a third-rounder, maybe a little higher.”
Princely Umanmielen, Mississippi (6-4 ½, 241, 4.72)
Said one scout: “He left Florida for Ole Miss (in 2024). I always thought he was a bit of an underachiever. Blamed others, all that kind of stuff. I think the league knows who he is. So I think he’ll be surprised on draft weekend when he doesn’t go until the third day.”
- Messages
- 61,037
- Reaction score
- 11,062
If we take this guy at 12 (or even after moving down a few spots) we'll all be holding our breath.
Absolutely blew up combine, but managed only 4 1/2 sacks in three seasons (yes, 1.5 every yr). Played in 13 games in 2023 and managed TWELVE total tackles. (yes, TOTAL, for the SEASON). Was better in 2024 but still nothing to write home about.
One of the other parts about him that bothers me is he played next to a couple other guys who are probably going 2nd/3rd rd at latest, and he still didnt produce much.
Absolutely blew up combine, but managed only 4 1/2 sacks in three seasons (yes, 1.5 every yr). Played in 13 games in 2023 and managed TWELVE total tackles. (yes, TOTAL, for the SEASON). Was better in 2024 but still nothing to write home about.
One of the other parts about him that bothers me is he played next to a couple other guys who are probably going 2nd/3rd rd at latest, and he still didnt produce much.
- Messages
- 10,433
- Reaction score
- 6,670
drafting a guy high because he has traits but does not have production is risky but it is not stupid
if you have people in the building that know how to develop him, then go for it
- Messages
- 61,037
- Reaction score
- 11,062
He's pretty much a lotto ticket