Carter, Scourton Top List of Talented Edge Defenders in 2025 NFL Draft

Abdul Carter of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates a sack against the Maryland Terrapins at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pa., on Nov. 30. Scott Taetsch/Getty Images

Now that the College Football Playoff field is set and bowl games have been scheduled, NFL scouts and general managers have started booking their travel plans around the holidays to get a closer look at the top talent headed to the 2025 draft.

Not many positions on the field get as much attention as pass rushers. And, in recent years, the edge position has increased it’s importance for teams that want to make a deep run into the NFL postseason. Players who can get to the passer have always been important, but teams are now looking for athletes who can help against the run and also drop into coverage as well.

This year’s draft class includes a couple potentially elite players and more who can make an impact quickly at the next level. Here are the top six names to watch in their bowl games and the CFP if you’re looking for an impact edge in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Abdul Carter

Penn State 6–3, 260 37 solo tackles, 10 sacks, 3 passes defended

Carter is an absolute beast on the outside and could be a top-five pick as the best edge defender in this year’s class. He has 21 career sacks, 12 passes defended and five forced fumbles in three seasons with the Nittany Lions. He isn’t as tall as some of the other players on this list but his speed and tenacity make him stand out in the group.

Nic Scourton

Texas A&M 6–4, 285 27 solo tackles, 5 sacks, 2 passes defended

Scourton made the move from Purdue in the Big Ten to Texas A&M this year after posting 10 sacks for the Boilermakers as a sophomore. His sack total fell by half this year, but he is still one of the most disruptive edge defenders in this draft class. He has a chance to be a top-10 overall pick.

James Pearce Jr.

Tennessee 6–5, 243 20 solo tackles, 7.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble

Pearce is a three-year contributor for Tennessee with 17 sacks over the past two seasons. He’s tall and a little on the lean side as a college junior, but he attacks the ball well and has incredibly fast hands. He’ll need to work on advancing his pass rush technique at the next level, but he’s a very good athlete outside.

JT Tuimoloau

Ohio State 6–5, 270 19 solo tackles, 6 sacks, 1 forced fumble

Tuimoloau is a four-year contributor for the Buckeyes with 17 career sacks and two interceptions from a defensive end position. He’s also been credited with eight passes defended in his career. He has good size and athleticism to make an impact at the next level and could be a day one pick.

Shemar Stewart

Texas A&M 6–6, 290 14 solo tackles, 1.5 sacks, 2 passes defended

Stewart is a three-year contributor at Texas A&M who was overshadowed by the addition of Scourton from the transfer portal this season. He has size to be more of a traditional hand-on-the-ground defensive end, and he uses his height well to take away passing lanes on the edge.

Mykel Williams

Georgia 6–5, 265 15 solo tackles, 5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles

Williams has consistently contributed for the Bulldogs for three years, posting 4.5 sacks in each of his first two seasons and five as a junior. He isn’t as explosive out of his first step as other guys on this list but has long arms and understands how to get off blocks. He’s also a reliable run defender on the edge.