In the current NFL landscape, edge disruption is essential for a strong defensive performance. This was evident with the Philadelphia Eagles and their impact on Kansas City’s offensive tackles. The Eagles faced significant losses this offseason with Josh Sweat’s free agency departure and Brandon Graham’s retirement. Currently, Nolan Smith, who had an impressive season but is recovering from surgery, stands as their top edge rusher. They also have Bryce Huff, who didn’t impress in his first year in Philly, and Jalyx Hunt, who possesses high potential and showed promise late last season. The team has signed BJ Ojulari and Josh Uche to one-year contracts, both of whom may be impactful, but aside from Smith, it’s a bit uncertain. The Eagles might consider the draft for solutions, and fortunately for them, this year’s class of edge defenders is exceptionally deep. All twenty five prospects I evaluated could be first-round selections, with the top seven likely to go in the first round. The Eagles will certainly need to look into this draft class for edge talent.
1) Abdul Carter, Penn State
Abdul Carter has garnered a lot of attention, and rightly so; he is an outstanding player. Early in the season, I even entertained the thought of him as a potential Eagle. Ultimately, he proved to be one of the top players in the nation while the Eagles went on to win the Super Bowl—a win-win for both. Carter is an exceptional athlete with refined defensive skills. Though he lacks experience at defensive end, his awareness, technique, and temperament make him well-suited for the position. There are some medical questions surrounding him, but purely from a talent standpoint, he should be among the first three names called in the upcoming draft.
2) Jalon Walker, Georgia
One of my favorite prospects, Jalon Walker, is an intriguing player. At Georgia, he excelled as a hybrid Linebacker/Edge Defender, using his speed and intensity effectively no matter where he was positioned. NFL teams are likely to utilize him in a similar capacity. While he is decent, but not exceptional, in off-ball situations, he thrives as a line-of-scrimmage defender, where he can fully utilize his aggression. His lighter weight and height are balanced by his quickness, strength, and long arms, making him an exciting prospect for a creative defensive coordinator.
3) Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College
Donovan Ezeiruaku, although on the smaller side as an edge defender, achieved considerable success during his time at Boston College. Last season, he recorded an impressive 16.5 sacks and 20.5 tackles for loss while accumulating multiple awards. Standing at 6’3” and under 250 pounds, his build is unique for the position, but his long and muscular arms aid his effectiveness. Ezeiruaku employs speed, technique, and flexibility to disrupt blockers. However, he needs to develop a second wind to adapt to the NFL, as larger linemen may challenge him more easily.
4) Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M
The discussion around Shemar Stewart has been divisive. During his time at Texas A&M, his production wasn’t high, but he made a significant impact at the Senior Bowl and had an outstanding combine. Measuring in at 6’5” and nearly 270 pounds, Stewart is a remarkable athlete for the position, leading defensive coordinators to see his potential. His role at Texas A&M often required him to focus on run defense rather than pass rushing, which limited his production in that area.
5) Mykel Williams, Georgia
Similar to Stewart, Mykel Williams is a player whose best football is still ahead of him. With an NFL-ready body at 6’5” and over 260 pounds, he has the potential for further physical growth and improved skills. At Georgia, his high motor and physical nature were standout traits, compelling opposing offensive tackles to work hard for each play. However, in the NFL, he needs to expand his repertoire of moves when it comes to pass rushing. Nevertheless, his potential could lead to stardom in the right circumstances.
The Rest
6) Mike Green, Marshall
7) James Pearce Jr., Tennessee
8) Nic Scourton, Texas A&M
9) Landon Jackson, Arkansas
10) Bradyn Swinson, LSU
11) JT Tuimoloau, Ohio State
12) Kyle Kennard, South Carolina
13) Josaiah Stewart, Michigan
14) Princely Umanmielen, Ole Miss
15) Jack Sawyer, Ohio State
16) Jared Ivey, Ole Miss
17) Jordan Burch, Oregon
18) Ashton Gillotte, Louisville
19) Quandarrius Robinson, Alabama
20) Ahmed Hassanein, Boise State
21) Antwaun Powell-Ryland, Virginia Tech
22) Elijah Roberts, SMU
23) Olu Oladejo, UCLA
24) David Walker, Central Arkansas
25) Barryn Sorrell, Texas
