Read Dane Brugler’s previous summer scouting reports: Quarterbacks | Running backs | Wide receivers | Tight ends | Offensive tackles | Interior O-linemen

During my summer scouting for the 2025 draft class, I was underwhelmed by the prospect groups on the offensive side of the ball. But the defense is off to a great start with the potential of the edge defender class.

Although there might not be a Myles Garrett-like no-brainer at the top, there are more than a handful of players who will be competing for top-20 status in the 2025 draft — including a few who realistically could be top-five picks.

(Notes: An asterisk represents a draft-eligible underclassman. Heights and weights are what NFL teams have on file for each player, with  “v” representing verified measurements and “e” for estimates.)

What he does best: Athletic twitch and movements

At 260 pounds, Carter is one of the best athletes in college football (his combine performance will be wild). His speed, change of direction and closing burst are categorically different than the majority of the sport’s front-seven defenders. Obviously, it takes more than athleticism to be a high-level edge rusher in the NFL, and Carter will face an adjustment period when he makes the transition from off-ball linebacker, but he has a natural instinct for defeating blocks — only two Power 5 (now Power 4) players had a pass rush win percentage above 24 percent last season: UCLA’s Laiatu Latu (26.2 percent), now of the Indianapolis Colts, and Carter (24.8).

Former West Virginia center Zach Frazier (a 2024 Steelers second-round pick) was one of the best interior offensive linemen in the country last season, but he struggled to answer Carter’s initial twitch and force as an A-gap blitzer.

Carter will spend most of his time this season attacking the quarterback rather than dropping, but I earmarked this clip to illustrate how loose and controlled he is as a mover, regardless of direction.

Must improve: Experience on the edge

There is no question that Carter has the tools. Understandably, though, mastering the ins and outs of playing on the edge — both rushing the passer and controlling the edge in the run game — will take time. Scouts want to see him string together rush moves and set up blockers in different ways.

2024 season/2025 NFL Draft outlook

From LaVar Arrington to NaVorro Bowman and most recently Micah Parsons, the No. 11 jersey carries a lot of history for the Penn State defense. And through two seasons, Carter has only strengthened that legacy. A four-star recruit out of high school, he quickly worked himself into the starting lineup as a true freshman and was a first-team All-Big Ten linebacker as a sophomore.

As an off-ball linebacker last season, Carter saw almost twice as many snaps in coverage (208) that he did as a pass rusher (112). The ratio should be flipped in 2024 as he moves to more of an edge role under former Indiana head coach Tom Allen, who takes over for Manny Diaz as Nittany Lions defensive coordinator. If his technical skill catches up with his natural talent, Carter has the impact potential to be a Parsons-like prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft.

What he does best: Get-off burst

With his burst off the ball, Pearce forces offensive tackles to be nearly perfect in their execution. He consistently gives blockers fits with his immediate speed off the snap and body flexibility to bend around the edge, and he can use his length and acceleration to create push with speed-to-power moves. On true pass sets last season, Pearce led the SEC with a 21.7 percent pass rush win rate, just ahead of 2024 first-rounder Dallas Turner (19.7).

This explosive inside counter is created by the threat of Pierce’s dynamic get-off, which draws tackles outside and allows him to attack as a two-way go rusher.

Must improve: Expanded every-down role

Pearce was more of a role player and rotational pass rusher last season — his 35.5 snaps per game ranked 10th on the Volunteers defense.

Against the run, he is able to slither off blocks and flashes stack-and-shed skills, but he’ll also wear down at times and get redirected (see the Missouri tape). His pass-rush talent is what makes him a projected first-rounder, but proving himself with an expanded role in 2024 will only help his chances of being a high draft pick.

2024 season/2025 NFL Draft outlook

A four-star recruit out of North Carolina in the 2022 class, Pearce picked Tennessee over Georgia, Missouri, Texas and several other schools. After playing primarily on special teams as a freshman, he had his breakout season as a sophomore off the bench with 10.0 sacks, tied for the SEC lead. Pierce was one of just 20 FBS players with at least 52 pressures last season — and he reached that mark with the fewest pass rush snaps among the group.

Pearce is still a very young player, and that shows on tape. But pass rushers with length and elite get-off will never go out of style in the NFL, which is why Pearce has a bright football future. With continued maturation in his snap-to-snap responsibilities, Pearce has the potential to become a top-10 pick.

What he does best: Combination of desirable traits

If you’re building an edge defender from scratch, you would start with a lot of the traits that make up Williams’ foundation. His power, length and flexibility allow him to torque and set the edge or overpower blockers through the numbers, and Williams is a nimble mover on his feet to work his way around blocks or play in space.

Must improve: Pass rush nuance

Williams has an attacking mindset as a pass rusher, but his arsenal of rush moves lacks consistent setup or deception. The next step in his development is to diversify the ways he breaks down blockers with improved discipline, timing and overall nuance.

2024 season/2025 NFL Draft outlook

A former five-star recruit, Williams hasn’t been the most consistent player over his first two seasons, but his flashes are impossible to ignore — which is why I made him the No. 1 pick in my way-too-early 2025 mock draft in April. Similar in ways to former Bulldogs rusher Travon Walker (whom Williams calls his “big brother”), Williams doesn’t have as many impact plays on tape as other pass rushers, but that’s due in part both to his role and Georgia’s heavy rotation (Williams averaged fewer than 30 defensive snaps per game last season).

With his power, bend and length, Williams is scheme-proof and built for the pro game. Even if he doesn’t take a substantial jump in his development as a junior, NFL teams will still be ready to bet on his high-ceiling potential. Just like the first two edge defenders in these rankings, Williams has the tools to be a top-10 draft pick.

4. Nic Scourton, Texas A&M (6-4, 280)*

What he does best: Blend of balance and power

Listed at 280 pounds, Scourton has a thick, physical build with natural power yet the balanced movements of a smaller rusher. Because of that package of skills, he was used all over the front seven during his time at Purdue (inside, outside and dropping as a linebacker) and was able to attack the pocket from different angles with various tactics (he loves an inside spin move).

Former Michigan left tackle LaDarius Henderson was a Houston Texans draft pick in April, but Scourton has no trouble powering right through him on this rep:

Must improve: Physical and on-field maturation

Still only 19 years old, Scourton is growing into his frame and figuring out how to use his natural talent to maximize his potential. He spent time training with Texas A&M legends Myles Garrett and Von Miller this offseason and could move up this list as his block deconstruction methods continue to develop.

2024 season/2025 NFL Draft outlook

A native of College Station, Scourton was a first-team All-District defender in high school and a four-star recruit, yet somehow he went overlooked by the major Texas programs. He developed a connection with former Purdue head coach Jeff Brohm and blossomed in his two seasons with the Boilermakers. Last season as a sophomore, Scourton was the only Big Ten player with double-digit sacks. He drew a lot of attention when he entered the transfer portal but always had his eye on returning home and transferring to Texas A&M.

Scourton (formerly known as Nic Caraway) is an impressive athlete for 280 pounds, and scouts are excited about the ascending traits of such a young player. He has the ingredients of a first-round player, and his development will determine how high of a draft pick he will be.

What he does best: ‘FBI’

NFL scouts and coaches like to use short-hand abbreviations in scouting reports, like “FBI” for “football intelligence.” FBI came up more than a few times while talking to scouts this summer about Tuimoloau, and that trait is reflected on his tape in his reaction quickness and the way he sniffs out plays.

This play below is one of the most important of Ohio State’s 2023 season. In the fourth quarter against Notre Dame, Tuimoloau engages with the tight end and right tackle while reading the running back, who acts as a blocker before slipping out for the delayed screen. Tuimoloau anticipates the play and peels off to knock the ball away. If he doesn’t make the read or bat the football, the running back has green grass all the way to the end zone, which likely wins the game for the Irish.

Must improve: Explosive elements

Tuimoloau plays hard, fast and physical, but there is a lack of suddenness in his game — both at the snap and when locked up with blockers. Though his hands are heavy and can bully linemen, they aren’t consistently explosive, which can make him late shedding and making stops.

2024 season/2025 NFL Draft outlook

One of the highest-ranked high school recruits in Ohio State’s storied history, Tuimoloau arrived in Columbus with plenty of hype. Some would argue that he hasn’t lived up to the lofty expectations — and the numbers back that up (just 11.0 career sacks in three seasons) — but there is a reliability to his game that shouldn’t go overlooked.

Even if he lacks the sudden burst of other rushers on this list, Tuimoloau is a consistent nuisance because of his bend, balance and instincts to create plays. He would have been a potential first-rounder had he entered the 2024 NFL Draft and has a chance to go even higher with another season of development.

GO DEEPER

Can Ohio State’s 2025 NFL Draft class make history? It’s possible

Preseason top 40 senior edge defenders

(Note: Heights and weights for senior edge players listed below are NFL verified.) 

1. Tuimoloau
2. Landon Jackson, Arkansas (6-5 3/8, 271)
3. Jack Sawyer, Ohio State (6-4 1/4, 261)
4. Jordan Burch, Oregon (6-4 3/8, 294)
5. Ashton Gillotte, Louisville (6-2 3/8, 269)
6. Jah Joyner, Minnesota (6-4 1/4, 256)
7. Kaimon Rucker, North Carolina (6-1 1/8, 266)
8. Sione Lolohea, Florida State (6-1 7/8, 259)
9. Princely Umanmielen, Ole Miss (6-4, 255)
10. Tyler Baron, Miami (6-4 3/8, 260)
11. Barryn Sorrell, Texas (6-3 5/8, 260)
12. Jasheen Davis, Wake Forest (6-2 1/8, 262)
13. Jared Ivey, Ole Miss (6-5 1/2, 283)
14. Xavier Carlton, California (6-5 3/4, 278)
15. John Pius, Wisconsin (6-2 3/4, 245)
16. RJ Oben, Notre Dame (6-3 1/4, 264)
17. Steve Linton, Baylor (6-3 3/4, 231)
18. Josaiah Stewart, Michigan (6-0 7/8, 241)
19. Ethan Downs, Oklahoma (6-3 1/2, 265)
20. Garmon Randolph, Baylor (6-6, 250)
21. Fadil Diggs, Syracuse (6-4 1/4, 256)
22. Sai’vion Jones, LSU (6-3 1/2, 278)
23. Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College (6-2 3/8, 241)
24. Davin Vann, NC State (6-1 1/2, 270)
25. J.J. Weaver, Kentucky (6-4 3/8, 250)
26. Connor O’Toole, Utah (6-3 3/8, 244)
27. Josh Pearcy, Rice (6-2, 238)
28. Seth Coleman, Illinois (6-3 1/4, 245)
29. Ahmed Hassanein, Boise State (6-2 1/4, 267)
30. Bradyn Swinson, LSU (6-3 1/2, 248)
31. Maurice Westmoreland, UTEP (6-1, 237)
32. Tyler Batty, BYU (6-5 1/8, 272)
33. Johnny Walker Jr., Missouri (6-2 7/8, 257)
34. Michael Green, Marshall (6-3 1/4, 236)
35. Syrus Webster, Washington State (6-2 1/4, 254)
36. Elijah Ponder, Cal Poly (6-2 5/8, 261)
37. Desmond Evans, North Carolina (6-6, 257)
38. Lanell Carr Jr., Indiana (6-0 3/4, 236)
39. Ty French, West Virginia (6-1, 225)
40. Elijah Roberts, SMU (6-3 5/8, 275)

Penn State’s Dani Dennis-Sutton has a combined 6 1/2 sacks and 9 1/2 tackles for loss over his first two seasons. (Rich von Biberstein / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Preseason top 12 draft-eligible underclassmen

(Note: All measurements for underclassman edge players listed below are estimates.) 

1. Carter
2. Pearce Jr.
3. Williams
4. Scourton
5. Patrick Payton, Florida State (6-5, 255)
6. Trey Moore, Texas (6-3, 245)
7. Marvin Jones Jr., Florida State (6-4, 250)
8. Dani Dennis-Sutton, Penn State (6-5, 270)
9. Tre Smith, Arizona (6-4, 260)
10. Malachi Lawrence, UCF (6-5, 250)
11. Gabe Jacas, Illinois (6-3, 270)
12. Ethan Burke, Texas (6-5, 255)

(Illustration: Dan Goldfarb / The Athletic; top photo of Abdul Carter: Scott Taetsch / Getty Images)