2025 CouchScouts All-22 Series: DL/EDGE Prospects
Ahead of the NFL Combine, here's a look at the DL/EDGE prospects to have on your radar for IDP leagues.
As of this writing, the Senior Bowl is over and the Super Bowl is right around the corner. It’s about time to start thinking about the rookie class of 2025. Much like the master race of space ants in The Simpsons, the draft will soon be here.
I’d like to welcome our new defensive linemen overlords.
Here are some of the defensive linemen/edge rushers you should have on your radar for IDP leagues as you start prepping for those rookie drafts. These aren’t rankings, but guys I’ve watched ahead of the NFL Combine. I’ll be publishing my pre-draft IDP rookie rankings soon enough. There are some names conspicuous by their absence; it doesn’t mean I don’t like them. These are just the guys who’ve caught my eye.
*All-22 clips from CouchScouts unless otherwise captioned.
Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M
Measurements:
Height: 6’1 3/8”
Weight: 226
Hand: 8 3/4”
Arm: 32 1/8”
Wingspan: 6’4”
Shemar Stewart has a chance to be a star if given the chance to develop. He’s a brash talker and full of confidence.
I do pause at the lack of production over 3 seasons at Texas A&M: just 4.5 sacks over 37 games. However, I loved the steady improvement of his pass rush metrics.
He has really good hand usage to get off blocks, has one of the best bull rushes, and will power through your face. Here, he utilizes his rush and just misses on a sack:
He’s not one of those edge rushers who’ll dip out of a play if it’s not going his way. On this play, he recognizes the check-down, breaks off the block, and tracks the runner down from behind:
I think game-wrecker might be an understatement and it’s plays like this that make me want more. He uses the RB as a battering ram into the QB to cause the fumble:
He might be one of the bendier edges in the draft, and I really hope he goes to the Combine. I would love to see him do the 3-cone. If he does it, I’m praying for a sub-7 second:
Lastly, this is what I’d love to see consistently from Stewart. He has plus burst and swipe and rip to get leverage while maintaining balance. Then he just accelerates and closes in to finish the sack. My only nitpick—a tighter path, but I might be too critical:
He’s got the traits, but my flabber is gasted at the low production. Stewart had similar production to Danielle Hunter during his college—they both had 4.5 sacks in 35+ games.
He is quick off the snap, and coupled with his footwork and hands, he can get to the QB. He just needs to improve his angles and plan to get to the QB, which I think contributed to his low sack conversion rate. NFL coaches will love the motor and effort and he attacks blockers with leverage and power. Stewart will need to add a counter or two to his move set.
If Stewart can use his length properly, not get swallowed by blockers, and improve his hand usage, he could improve sack production and his run defense. With the proper landing spot, he could be a full-time player in 2 to 3 seasons.
Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall
Measurements:
Height: 6’3 1/8”
Weight: 251
Hand: 8 5/8”
Arm: 32 1/8”
Wingspan: 6’5 1/4”
The Mike Green momentum has been building thanks to Senior Bowl practices, but he’s been on my radar for a while now. As a first-year starter, he led the nation in sacks (17) after recording just 5.5 total over his previous two seasons. He was a menace in opposing backfields, averaging 1.8 TFLs/game.
He blends a mix of speed and aggressiveness that overshadows his build. He won’t get bullied and stands up to linemen and TE with a variety of moves.
I think this is a good example. He’s lined up over the TE and gets a good jump then uses his speed to power to impose his will, push him back, and get him off balance. Then just throws him down:
On this play, he explodes laterally and keeps a low base to get the lineman off balance and maintain leverage, allowing him to avoid getting sealed off from the lane. He’s able to plug the gap and prevent Henderson from scoring:
Here, Green initiates contact and keeps the linemen from latching. He dips and uses his bend, maintaining balance, and staying tight. He closes in on Will Howard, but he’s just able to get the ball away:
Here, he’s finally able to get to Howard. He swipes and chops down at the tackle and uses a balanced spin move to get away from the tackle. Green uses his closing speed to chase Howard down:
He’s got a devastating swim move that not only is an asset in the pass rush but against the run, as well. Here, Green engages and uses his swim move to get off the block and get the tackle:
Green has all the makings to be a productive edge in the NFL and IDP leagues. He showed very well against Ohio State, so you get an idea of how he’ll perform against NFL talent.
He displays elite bend and flexibility while using his hands to swipe, chop, and rip. He’s explosive off the snap and closing on the ball carrier. He just needs to refine some of his counters and not allow blockers to push him off against the run.
I could see him as a rotational pass rusher as a rookie, but he’ll blossom into a starter. He’s got the traits and athleticism.
Jack Sawyer, EDGE, Ohio State
Sawyer is going to be one of the top edge rushers off the board and showed a steady increase in production during his time in Columbus.
Sawyer was top-10 among the edge class in pressures (50) and 4th in QB hits (13). I would have liked him to have been more disruptive around the LOS, as he recorded just 0.54 TFLs per game. He finished with 23 career sacks and saw increases in sack production over 4 seasons.
Much like the street fight between the news stations in Anchorman, Sawyer escalated things quickly during the playoffs. He generated 4+ pressures in all 4 playoff games, resulting in a 20.3% pressure rate.
Scouts will love the fact he won’t give up on a play. He did struggle to gain inside leverage, but he got double-teamed. Even with the attention, he’s still going to get his hands up to disrupt a pass:
He also has a good plan to get to the QB and uses a quick change of direction to get inside the blocker:
Here, he shows a good first step and engages with active hands, using his length. He has good closing speed, but takes a wider angle:
He has modest bend and twitchiness and has a wide base that hinders his ability to get inside. He could be faster and more violent with his hands and lower his pad level. He should be able to develop secondary moves at the next level.
Kyle Kennard, EDGE, South Carolina
One thing you’re beginning to notice is that the players who tend to stay longer are pro-ready. Kennard benefited from a 5th-year and maximized his draft potential.
Kennard saw steady increases in production. During his first three seasons, he recorded 6.5 sacks, but during his final two seasons—one at Georgia Tech, the other at South Carolina—he accumulated a whopping 17.5 sacks. I loved his TFL production, averaging 1.1 per game between 2023/24.
His frame stands out and is a tall and lanky rusher with NFL-grade length.
I don’t think TEs will be able to block him. Here, he has a good first step and reaction at the snap. He displays active hands and speed to power. He could play a bit lower. He gets under the TE here to force the INT, although there was a flag thrown:
Kennard has an explosive first step and gets off the line, getting pressure right away. He uses a wide path to test the tackle’s lateral movement and uses an effective dip and rip. I love the closing speed on the QB:
I like the way he can shift inside and use his quickness and length. He fakes going outside and uses his hands to get under to go inside. I’m still not sure how the QB completed this pass:
At the goal line, he gets low (almost too low) and shows his “want to” to get to the ball and make the tackle:
Kennard has the athleticism to be a productive NFL edge rusher. He has a good mix of power and agility and can be a disruptor. Kennard needs to improve hand placement and strike and play a little lower. I’d love to see him develop a spin move or consistent dip and rip. Against the run, has a good base and reacts well. He just engages too long and needs to be a bit more aggressive to disengage.
Kennard should be an early Day 2 pick.
James Pearce, Jr., EGDE, University of Tennessee
James Pearce appeared in 39 games over his three seasons with Tennessee and showed NFL-level production. There was a slight dip in sack production from his sophomore year to his junior year, but displayed impressive pass-rush metrics during his two-year stint as a starter.
In this clip, he shows a strong initial burst and acceleration with active hands. He’s able to adjust to the blocker and change direction. He just needs to maintain consistent pad level, and maybe a secondary move:
On this play, once again, shows a quick get off the snap, but he stutter steps a bit when closing in on the ball carrier. The play moved away and got caught behind the tackle, but I love the get-off:
Once again, Pearce shows a quick first step and reaction at the snap, showing active hands with a bend on the edge and he fights through the block/hold. He just needs to bit more forceful and finish the play:
I’m surprised he didn’t get called for offsides, but he completely sped past the tackle after the burst.
Pearce reminds me of Brian Burns. I love his burst off the edge, the bend, and hand usage. He gets the early advantage consistently and maintains tight angles. Like most edge rushers out of college, needs to develop a secondary move and consistent pad level. He’ll struggle rushing inside against guards. He needs to finish the sack and use the same speed throughout the rush. He’s not closing the QB consistently enough.
I hope he goes to the Combine, and he has the upside to be a year-one contributor. Just give him a wide alignment and let him go.
JT Tuimoloau, EDGE, Ohio State Buckeyes
Tuimoloau is the other Buckeye in the draft—the one with higher sack output, thanks to some of the attention drawn by Jack Sawyer. Tuimoloau’s production exploded in 2024. After producing 11 sacks in his first three seasons, he recorded 12.5 last season and was a menace around the LOS with 22 TFLs (1.4/game).
Tuimoloau has a rugged makeup and has the size and length to play as a stand-up or hand-in-the-dirt rusher in any scheme.
On this play, he shows an explosive first step and is balanced. He makes the tackle work and is active with his hands with a swipe and rip to break off the block and counter. He looks to hold up when he sees Sawyer about to blow up the QB:
I love Tuimoloau’s spin move here. He just needs to be a bit more under control and he could have had a full sack. It looked like the QB jumped over him and Sawyer finished him off. Either way, effective spin by Tuimoloau:
This play displays JT’s speed to power and leverage, engagement control, and motor. He gets offthe snap and uses his hands to fight off tackles to get pressure quickly. I would love to see a bit more bend:
Here, Tuimoloau has a quick step, catches the tackle off balance, and prevents him from locking him up. He uses a rip move and uses his inside arm to clear out the tackle. He keeps his hips low and is able to maintain speed:
Tuimoloau has a plus first step and get-off. He converts speed to power and has a nice rip move, using his inside arm effectively. He has average bend but has good closing speed. I think with the development of consistent hand usage, tackles won’t be able to neutralize him.
Tuimoloau will need to win with speed against stronger OLs. He improved his run defense in 2024, but he could take a more direct angle to the ball carrier.
He reminds me of Leonard Floyd, but much better against the run. I think he has the makeup to be a contributor within a year or two as a key starter.
Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
Abdul Carter appears to be the consensus top edge defender of the 2025 draft class. He averaged 1.4 TFLs/game and he wins with his explosiveness, producing a 37.1% win rate.
Carter loves chaos and it looks like the tackle was expecting the TE to get the block, but Carter got a step around him. He should have maintained his pursuit and control:
Carter gets home on Will Howard and gets past Donovan Jackson. He clearly wins the rep and uses an inside rip, coupled with his bend, to get under the block, preventing Jackson from locking him up. There’s no wasted motion fighting the block and he shows his closing speed to get to the QB:
Carter’s second sack was a good showing of his motor and explosive get-off. At the snap, he already has leverage. Jackson recovers, but attacks his outside shoulder and shows good flexibility, but still maintains balance. He avoids getting pushed too deep, and is able to wrap the QB:
He has a spin move in his arsenal, but I think he executed a bit too early. He probably should’ve went with the underarm rip or speed rush, forcing an overextension, then spin:
Carter is a Pro Bowl-caliber talent and has the traits to be a Day 1 starter and contributor. He has plus burst, not only in getting to the QB, but to disrupt the run. He’s got elite bend, has active hands, and uses a quick swim move that can frustrate blockers. The 2025 LB class is a bit underwhelming, so Carter might be the rookie IDP 1.01.
TJ Sanders, IDL, South Carolina
Measurements:
Height: 6’3 3/4”
Weight: 284
Hand: 10 1/4”
Arm: 33 5/8”
Wingspan: 6’8”
TJ Sanders could be one of the better pass-rush interior defenders of the class and had an eye-opening Senior Bowl practice. He was a key cog of South Carolina’s defense and has a lethal combination of craftiness and power.
Sanders had steady production across the board when it comes to tackles, sacks, and TFLs, while also improving his pass-rush metrics over the last two seasons.
He has the strength and brings a pass-rush threat to the inside, where he can play in all fronts and be a run-stopper.
Here, he just uses his power and extension, using both hands to control the center. He maintains his base and pushes him back into the QB, who looks like he threw the ball a bit earlier than he wanted. He doesn’t get displaced:
Sanders takes advantage of a double-team to avoid blocks, and keeps his eyes on the ball carrier. He prevented the lineman from sealing him off from the gap and he’s able to make the tackle:
On the sack, Sanders uses his outside arm to knock the blocker’s hands away while getting inside. He rips through the accelerates to the QB:
I think if he’s used as a 3-tech, Sanders will excel at the next level and will be a disruptor. He has strong hands and maintains his control while showing gap discipline. He played mostly on the right side between the LT/LG and I think that’s how he’ll be used in the NFL. I think he brings a good mix of tackle and sack production for IDP leagues.
Walter Nolen, IDL, Ole Miss
Measurements:
Height: 6’3 1/4”
Weight: 293
Hand: 9 1/4”
Arm: 33 5/8”
Wingspan: 6’7 1/2”
Walter Nolen showed promise as a freshman and steadily improved and increased his production over his sophomore and junior seasons. He’s a stout run-stopper and can get to the QB, improving upon his pass rush metrics during his senior year.
On this play, he’s explosive off the snap and maintains a good pad level. He uses a combination of power and a swim move to disengage and continue his attack. He maintains his rush lane, doesn’t fall for the fake, and works through contact to get the tackle on the QB:
Nolen is going to be a problem to keep up with because he doesn’t stop. Some players will give up or dial back, but Nolen keeps coming. If opposing guards or centers give up or ease up, he’ll be able to generate pressure:
On this play, Nolen displays his elite get-off. His first step allowed him to gain the advantage before the blockers even realized what was going on. He attacked the outside and used his left arm to separate and get the TFL:
Here, Nolen gets into the guard but prevents him from setting a base. He gets control, which allows him to disengage and shed the block. There’s no wasted motion once the RB hits the lane and Nolen explodes off the block, allowing him to get the tackle:
Nolen has a quick get-off when getting to the QB. He shows a quick change of direction and recovery when pushed on the block. He explodes off the step and closes in on the QB:
Nolen displays a plus first step with an explosion off the ball, beating guards consistently. He uses his hands and maintains leverage and pad level throughout the rep. He’s a versatile IDL who can line up in multiple schemes and fronts.
I think he can be a force in the NFL and his playmaking skills should allow him, depending on the landing spot, to be an immediate starter as a rookie.
Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College
Measurements:
Height: 6’2 1/4”
Weight: 248
Hand: 9 1/4”
Arm: 34 1/2”
Wingspan: 6’10 3/8”
Donovan Ezeiruaku has my attention, as he was second in the nation in sacks (16.5) and was one of four edge rushers to amass over 90 sack yards. He also averaged 1.7 TFLs/game.
After a dip in sack production in 2023, Ezeiruaku saw a near three-down role and took advantage of his snaps, allowing him to rise on the draft boards. He has good length and aggressiveness to offset any size questions.
He just misses the sack here, but Ezeiruaku has a good first step and forces the tackle to turn to react from his swim move, but the tackle isn’t able to get a hold. He has good bend but loses control a bit. The QB gets the ball out just before the sack:
Here, he’s able to get the sack. Ezeiruaku gets a good burst, and he sells an outside rush which looks like it forced the tackle to commit. He has a quick hand strike and uses a tight spin move, which allows him to use the open lane. He maintains balance and is able to get the sack:
Ezeiruaku shows his ability to use secondary moves. He has a clear plan to get to the QB. He swipes away at the tackle’s arms and spins off of him, using a slight push, to create separation and get him off balance. He has a clear path to the QB:
On this play, he has good positioning and reacts to the run play. He accelerates, takes a good pursuit angle, and avoids getting wide. He closes in and doesn’t really let up and uses his hands to knock the ball out while making the tackle:
I really like Ezeiruaku’s traits and smarts. He uses his hands well and has a consistent, explosive first step. He uses his secondary moves when he’s stood up and takes smart angles to get to the ball when rushing or stopping the run. He’s got great speed and if improves his finishing ability, he could be a plus starter.
He might be one of my flag plants of the rookie class.
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