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Ranking the 2025 NFL Draft Rookie Edge Rusher Class

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Abdul Carter | © John Jones-Imagn Images
Jason Abbey Posted On May 25, 2025
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The 2025 NFL Draft shook up the IDP fantasy landscape. Some rookies walked into perfect spots for early production, while others found themselves buried behind veterans, waiting for their shot. Most fell somewhere in between.

Talent still reigns supreme in dynasty formats, but landing spots and draft capital can tip the scales when evaluating similarly skilled players. A great situation can fast-track a player’s value, while a poor fit can slow their rise.

In this article, we’ve ranked eight rookie edge rushers based on their talent, opportunity, and long-term upside to help you navigate their dynasty fantasy outlooks.

Note – all pressure rates and win rates listed are based exclusively on the 2024 season unless expressly stated otherwise.

Tier One

Abdul Carter, New York Giants

Carter takes the top spot in the DLF dynasty rookie IDP rankings—and he’s earned it. From an athletic standpoint, he checks nearly every box you want in an edge prospect: notably, an explosive first step, elite closing speed, and the ability to convert speed to power with devastating effect.

 

His production backs up the traits. Carter’s 35.1% pass-rush win rate ranked fourth in the nation, and his 97th-percentile pressure rate of 18.3% shows how consistently he beats blockers and creates disruption. Producing 13 sacks was the cherry on top of the eye-popping underlying metrics we prioritize when evaluating prospects.

While there are bigger edge prospects in this class, the 6’3”, 250-pound Carter plays with real physicality for his size. Even so, adding more muscle should be a priority early in his pro career—and it’s something most expect him to do.

No rookie can lay claim to being the finished product, and Carter is no exception. Still relatively new to the position, with just one full season as a dedicated edge rusher, there is room to improve. His spin move is already effective, but refining his pass-rush plan and technical approach could take his game to another level—something NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein also pointed out.

The Giants may not offer the clearest path to immediate snaps. Azeez Ojulari has moved on, but Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux remain. Defensive coordinator Shane Bowen has indicated that Carter, Burns, and Thibodeaux will all play, but Thibodeaux has yet to set the league alight, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see Carter eat into his snaps as the season goes on. If Carter lives up to expectations, he could lead this group in snap share by the end of the season, if not before.

Tier Two

James Pearce Jr, Atlanta Falcons

Pearce Jr was a force off the edge for Tennessee across two seasons before declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft. Ranked as DLF’s No. 4 dynasty rookie edge, he is an explosive, twitchy athlete who flies off the snap and finishes plays with real intent. He posted a 99th percentile 21.7% pressure rate, a 29.8% win rate, and produced eight sacks. His numbers in 2023 were equally, if not more, impressive.

Though he took a clear step forward as a run defender last year, Pearce Jr’s 245-pound frame may limit him to passing-down work early on. Still, at 6’5″, he has the frame to bulk up significantly—possibly more than many of his peers—suggesting his involvement on obvious running downs could grow with physical development.

Character concerns surrounded Pearce during the pre-draft process, stemming from off-field rumors and reported maturity questions. Falcons GM Terry Fontenot addressed those concerns head-on, calling their evaluation “an exhaustive process.” By trading up to select Pearce 26th overall, Atlanta clearly believed his upside outweighed any red flags.

 

Atlanta’s edge group gets a much-needed boost with Pearce, Jalon Walker, and veteran Leonard Floyd now in the fold. Pearce will compete for snaps with Floyd, Walker, and Arnold Ebiketie. Regardless of how playing time is initially divided, Pearce’s athletic profile, disruptive ability, and top-tier college production suggest he has the tools to develop into a double-digit sack producer within his first few seasons in the NFL.

Mike Green, Baltimore Ravens

The Marshall product is a polarizing prospect. Off the field, the severity of the allegations Green faced pre-draft created concerns, which seemingly led to his fall to the end of the second round of the NFL draft. Ravens GM Eric DeCosta seemed content with the gamble, describing how “thoroughly’ they explored Green’s background before adding that they “are comfortable with Mike.”

On the field, DLF’s dynasty rookie Edge3 has a lightning-fast first step and excellent lateral quickness. Green’s power is impressive, which, combined with his non-stop motor, ensures he leaves nothing on the field. Further refinement of his counter moves would take his game to new heights, but his initial pass-rush arsenal is well-developed for a rookie.

 

Green’s 17.3% pressure rate was third best among all players in this article and ranked 95th percentile among all draft-eligible edges. His 28.9% win rate ranks sixth among 200 at the position.

Overtaking David Ojabo and Tavius Robinson on the depth chart is achievable, but with Kyle Van Noy and Odafe Oweh playing at a high level, meaningful snap counts—and fantasy relevance—may be hard to come by in Green’s rookie year. That said, Van Noy is entering the twilight of his career, and both veterans are entering contract years in 2025. Patient IDP managers who acquire Green early could reap the rewards in 2026 and beyond.

Tier Three

Jalon Walker, Atlanta Falcons

Walker was a tough read for IDP managers during the draft process. At 6’1″ and 243 pounds, he has the frame of a linebacker and the potential to grow into a solid off-ball contributor. But his most standout traits—a quick get-off and surprising power for his build—make him look more like a natural fit on the edge.

Versatility is usually promoted as an advantage in IDP formats, but in Walker’s case, the uncertainty about his best role during the pre-draft process made his projection volatile. Thankfully, a degree of clarity was provided after the Falcons took him with the 15th overall in the first round when defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich confirmed Walker would work primarily as an edge defender—at least on early downs.

Producing an 89th percentile 15.1% pressure rate underlines how Walker could have the potential to become an impact edge in the pros.

 

Walker’s raw talent and first-round pedigree make him an appealing prospect worthy of his ranking as DLF’s No.5 dynasty rookie overall. Still, the risks that come with his unconventional role and the suddenly crowded Falcons’ pass-rush room are worrisome. The smart move for fantasy managers is to check how your scoring system values players with low sack totals and modest tackle numbers before investing in Walker on draft day.

Donovan Ezeiruaku, Dallas Cowboys

Ezeiruaku was an above-average run defender throughout college. Despite measuring just 6’2 1” and 248 pounds, his 34-inch arms, relentless motor, natural leverage, and solid tackling technique helped him consistently earn strong PFF run-defense grades. Still, he needed to take a significant step forward as a pass rusher to be considered a legitimate future IDP contributor in the NFL.

In 2024, Ezeiruaku didn’t just take that step—he made a giant leap. He racked up 60 pressures, 14 sacks, an impressive 14% pressure rate (86th percentile), and a 25.8% pass-rush win rate—each marking a new career high.

 

There are still valid concerns that Ezeiruaku’s lack of length might limit his ceiling at the next level. College players who struggle to beat blockers often struggle against NFL-calibre offensive linemen, who are typically bigger, quicker, and more technically refined.

The Cowboys have been searching for a consistent edge presence opposite Micah Parsons since DeMarcus Lawrence’s decline a few years ago. DLF’s dynasty rookie Edge7 has the draft capital to earn early reps on most NFL rosters, but the same was said about Marshawn Kneeland and Sam Williams in recent seasons.

With Kneeland, Williams, and veteran Dante Fowler Jr. still in the mix for reps behind Parsons, Ezeiruaku may have to wait for his opportunity. When, or if, his chance comes, he’ll need to outperform the rest of his competition. There’s long-term appeal here, but the rookie remains a wait-and-see dynasty investment.

Shemar Stewart, Cincinnati Bengals

It’s easy—and sometimes misleading—to throw around terms like “one of one,” “built different,” or “built in a lab” when describing a prospect’s athletic traits. But with the 6’5” and 267-pound Stewart—and safety Nick Emmanwori—those labels genuinely apply.

A screenshot of a graph AI-generated content may be incorrect.

Data courtesy of MockDraftable.

Despite his physical prowess, Stewart’s college production and underlying metrics show he still has a long way to go before becoming a consistent force in the NFL. Over three years at Texas, he recorded just four-and-a-half sacks on 680 pass-rushing snaps—a startlingly low output. His 12.4% pressure rate is the third lowest among players featured here, sitting in the 75th percentile.

Like many players with raw potential, Stewart drew the interest of NFL teams willing to bet on his upside. The Bengals did just that, selecting him 17th overall. That kind of draft capital suggests Cincinnati is prepared to be patient as he works through the rougher parts of his game — particularly his lack of a polished pass-rush plan and inconsistent hand placement.

Ultimately, Stewart’s combination of athleticism, explosiveness, and ability to convert speed to power gives him arguably the highest ceiling in this tier. But with limited college production, his floor is also lower than most. DLF’s dynasty rookie Edge6 is a classic high-risk, high-reward project.

Mykel Williams, San Francisco 49ers

At 6’5”, 260 pounds, and with 34 3/8” arms, Williams looks every bit like the prototype of an NFL edge rusher. He possesses good strength and plays with a physical demeanor- traits that have made him an asset in run defense throughout his college career.

There is plenty of work for Williams to do if he is to reach his potential as a pass rusher. He flashes effective bull rush and swim moves, but they don’t show up consistently, and there’s little else to speak of in his arsenal. These shortcomings go some way to explaining his modest 10.6% pressure rate, which ranks in the 60th percentile.

Despite the red flags, the 49ers were impressed enough to select Williams as the second edge rusher and 11th overall pick—and they were clearly thrilled with their decision.

 

A common misconception in IDP circles is that Williams lacks experience, but he played 1,190 snaps and rushed the passer 773 times in three years with Georgia. With that said, he’s still only 20 years old, and the argument that he has more room to grow than his peers is fair.

Although it will take time for Williams to develop, he’s in a perfect spot with the 49ers. There is nobody else of note behind Nick Bosa, so it’s reasonable to imagine the rookie could earn more snaps than several others in this tier.

Tier Four

Nic Scourton, Carolina Panthers

Scourton’s 66th percentile 11.4% pressure rate for Texas won’t impress anyone, but it should be noted that he achieved a much healthier 16% pressure rate for Purdue in 2023 before he transferred. That point, combined with his ability as a run defender, warrants his inclusion in tier four.

At 6’3”, he doesn’t have ideal length, and his 33” arms are worryingly short. But he compensates for below-average measurables with a well-developed pass-rush repertoire, which, combined with above-average hand-fighting skills, helps Scourton create disruption.

A screenshot of a diagram AI-generated content may be incorrect.

Data courtesy of MockDraftable.

His path to snaps became a little clearer when the Panthers released Jadeveon Clowney. Even so, Scourton and fellow rookie Princely Umanmielen, who would have been the next player included if this article stretched to a fifth tier, will probably finish third and fourth in snaps behind DJ Wonnum and Patrick Jones II in 2025. The good news? Neither of the veterans is likely to be a long-term roadblock.

Jason Abbey
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