The Dallas Cowboys aren’t out of the market for a new defensive end in this year’s draft. To help get accustomed with this year’s edge class we continue to dive in our top positional series and this time look at the top edge defenders, giving a quick description of their best and worst attribute.
Abdul Carter (Penn States)
Best – First step
Carter’s
Worst- Counters
While his athleticism and explosive get-off are elite, he tends to rely heavily on his speed and natural burst rather than refined moves or counter techniques to beat offensive linemen. This can make him predictable against more experienced blockers who can handle his initial speed rush. Once he’s engaged, he can struggle to finish unless he wins immediately off the line.
Shemar Stewart (Texas A&M)
Best – Athleticism
Stewart measures in at 6-foot-5 and 267 pounds, for the position that’s right on the money. You see his insane athletic abilities on tape but his standout numbers at the NFL Combine really exposed his potential. He recorded a 4.59s 40-yard dash, a 40-inch vertical jump, and a 10-foot-11 broad jump—placing him in the top percentiles for edge rushers historically. His perfect Relative Athletic Score (RAS) came in 10.00, a perfect score.
Worst – Production
Stewart’s biggest weakness is his lack of production at the college level, which raises concerns about how quickly he can contribute in the NFL. His numbers at Texas A&M were extremely underwhelming, with just 4.5 sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss over 37 games. This gap between athletic potential and on-field output suggests he’s still developing as a pass rusher, needing refinement in technique and consistency. Until he translates his traits into steady production, questions about his impact at the next level will remain.
Mike Green (Marshall)
Best – Bend
Green’s impressive bend around the edge makes him a nightmare for opposing offensive tackles. He consistently shows the ability to dip low, maintain balance, and turn tight corners without losing speed, allowing him to flatten to the quarterback with ease. This natural flexibility, combined with his quick first step and relentless motor, makes him one of the most dangerous pure edge rushers in the 2025 NFL Draft class. His bend gives him a rare trait that can’t be easily taught and translates directly to pass-rush success at the next level. He led the FBS with 17 sacks and 22.5 tackles for loss utilizing his cornering and speed-to-power ability.
Worst – Upper Body Strength
Green’s has a significant weakness which creates inconsistency against the run. This issue is primarily due to the fact he carries a lighter frame and a lack of ideal upper-body strength. At 6’3” and 251 pounds, he often struggles to set the edge against larger offensive tackles, making him vulnerable to being overpowered in run defense. Green can be pushed off his spot by stronger linemen and has a tendency to lose containment when aggressively pursuing run plays.
James Pearce Jr (Tennessee)
Best – Speed
Pearce has real elite speed, which sets him apart as one of the most explosive edge rushers in this year’s draft class. He fires off the line with a lightning-quick first step, instantly putting offensive tackles on their heels. His top-end burst allows him to beat blockers around the edge before they can properly engage, creating constant pressure on the quarterback. Pearce’s speed not only fuels his pass-rush success but also gives him rare range in pursuit, making him a disruptive force in both the backfield and in space.
Worst – Strength
Pearce truly lacks functional strength and mass, which affects his effectiveness against the run. At 6’5” and 245 pounds, Pearce possesses a lean frame that can be overpowered by stronger offensive tackles. This limitation hinders his ability to set the edge and maintain leverage at the point of attack, making him susceptible to being displaced in run defense. Additionally, his reliance on speed over power means he can struggle to disengage from blocks when his initial burst doesn’t yield results.
Jalon Walker (Georgia)
Best – Explosiveness
Walker’s elite trait is his explosive first step and burst off the edge. He consistently fires off the line with exceptional quickness, immediately putting offensive tackles in trouble. This rapid acceleration allows him to penetrate the backfield swiftly, creating consistent pressure on quarterbacks. Walker’s ability to combine this burst with refined pass-rush moves and closing speed makes him a formidable threat in passing situations. His dynamic get-off and relentless pursuit are key factors that contribute to his success as a pass rusher.
Worst – Experience
Walker has limited experience as a full-time starter, which has led to areas needing development. Despite his impressive athleticism he only started only 11 games at Georgia, and that’s mostly due to him still refining his instincts as a defender. This inexperience can lead to occasional hesitation in diagnosing run plays and flowing to the ball.
Donovan Ezeiruaku (Boston College)
Best – Arsenal
Ezeiruaku’s elite trait is his exceptional pass-rushing skills, highlighted by his impressive diverse array of pass-rush techniques. Ezeiruaku combines his quick first step with a repertoire of moves including speed rushes, power rushes, and counters, to consistently disrupt opposing quarterbacks. His ability to generate pressure from various alignments and his relentless pursuit make him a standout edge rusher in this year’s draft.
Worst – Size
Ezeiruaku’s has a significant weakness which is size. Standing 6’2” and weighing approximately 248 pounds, he is considered undersized for an edge defender which affects his ability to consistently engage in power-based aspects of defending. This size deficiency can lead to challenges when facing larger, more powerful offensive linemen, particularly when they establish early contact, potentially driving him off his intended path.
Mykel Williams (Georgia)
Best – Strength
Williams has elite strength that makes him a formidable presence on the defensive line. At 6’5” and 265 pounds, his impressive length and physicality allow him to excel in both run defense and pass rushing. Williams’ relentless motor and rare strength for the position contribute to his effectiveness in collapsing the pocket and disrupting opposing offenses.
Worst – Pass-Rush Technique
While Williams possesses impressive physical attributes, he often relies on his raw strength rather than a refined pass-rush plan throughout the game. This approach can lead to indecisiveness with his hands and a lack of a consistent go-to move, making it challenging to consistently pressure quarterbacks.
Princely Umanmielen (Ole Miss)
Best – First Step
Umanmielen’s elite trait is his explosive first step and edge speed. He possesses elite quickness to beat offensive tackles off the snap, allowing him to pressure quarterbacks effectively. His agility and fluid movement enable him to bend around the edge and execute a variety of pass-rush moves, including rip and swipe techniques. In the 2024 season at Ole Miss, Umanmielen recorded a career-high 10.5 sacks, showcasing his ability to disrupt opposing offenses.
Worst – Hands
His most significant weakness is his inconsistent hand usage, which can hinder his effectiveness against experienced offensive linemen. While he possesses a notable get-off and shows speed off the edge, he often relies heavily on that initial burst and a shoulder-check technique, exposing him to blockers and reducing his ability to disengage effectively. This reliance on his burst makes it challenging for him to establish his pass rush when he’s neutralized and has never acquired proper hand skills to break free.
Nic Scourton (Texas A&M)
Best – Power Rush
With his combination of size, strength, and leverage, he excels at driving offensive linemen backward, collapsing the pocket with authority. His bull rush is one of the most effective aspects of his game, allowing him to overpower blockers and consistently pressure the quarterback. He also has a lethal spin, swim and two-hand swipe that helps his assert his dominance further. This physical dominance makes him a disruptive force, especially in passing situations, and helps him maintain control at the line of scrimmage.
Worst – Pad Level
Scourton plays with inconsistent pad level. He tends to play too upright, leading to a loss of power and control against blockers. The problems in Scourton’s gamemagnify as the game develops and his stamina levels drop. This opens the question of his utilization in the NFL so he doesn’t tire when he’s needed most.
J.T. Tuimoloau (Ohio State)
Best – Power
Tuimoloau is not the bendiest edge rusher, but what makes him stand out is how powerfully violent and technically sound he is at the point of attack. He uses his unmatchable strength and strong hands exceptionally well to shed blocks, disrupt timing, and overpower offensive linemen consistently. When he’s on, he can completely take over a game, just like he did vs. Penn State in 2022.
Worst – Explosiveness
He doesn’t have that sudden burst or elite twitch that top-tier edge rushers use to win instantly off the snap. He struggles to consistently get off the snap quickly and flatten his rush path, meaning he’s not the type to dip and rip under tackles with flexibility. He’s more of a power-control type defender than a dynamic edge bender. You’ll find he’s more often than not the last guy to engage the opposition off each snap.
