Cole’s Corner: 2022 Edge Rusher Prospect Rankings

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18. Deangelo Malone – Western Kentucky

Malone is a disruptive edge with high levels of production in college. He is very athletic with nice speed and explosiveness. He best translates to the NFL as a 3-4 outside linebacker. He has nice length but can certainly improve with hand strength. Malone easily is overpowered and taken out a play if the tackle gets into his body.

Player Comparison: K’Lavon Chaisson

Projection: 3^rd – 4^th Round

Best Fits: Los Angeles Rams, Denver, Baltimore (Wild Card – Houston)

17. Kingsley Enagbare – South Carolina

Enagbare is a quick edge rusher with plenty of speed around the edge. Despite being a strong pass rusher, he struggles as a run defender. Due to this, he will likely start out as just a rotational third down player. Enagbare could either be a hybrid 4-3 end or a 3-4 outside linebacker.

Player Comparison: Trevis Gipson

Projection: 3^rd – 4^th Round

Best Fits: Philadelphia, Dallas, New York Giants (Wild Card – Los Angeles Rams) 

16. Drake Jackson – USC   

Jackson is a lean, vertical runner with a long frame. He has some great bend getting around the edge and there is evident potential. He struggles to disengage and shed blocks. He can also use some refinement as a run defender. If Jackson can add more tools on top of his explosiveness, then he can take his game to another level. He will fit best as a 3-4 outside linebacker.

Player Comparison: Brian Burns

Projection: 3^rd – 4^th Round

Best Fits: Atlanta, Jacksonville, Los Angeles Rams (Wild Card – Las Vegas)

15. Sam Williams – Ole Miss

Williams had some large growth in his play this past season. He is a good athlete with some explosiveness and plenty of upside. He is strong enough but could continue to add muscle. Williams needs to continue to develop his counter moves. He can be a 4-3 defensive end or a 3-4 outside linebacker.

Player Comparison: Clelin Ferrell

Projection: 3^rd – 4^th Round

Best Fits: Philadelphia, Seattle, Denver (Wild Card – Miami)

14. Tyreke Smith – Ohio State

Smith is a long edge rusher with an extremely high-pressure rate. He is one of the best true pass rushers of the group and has tons of potential. Like many defensive ends before him at Ohio State, Smith is well-equipped with lots of moves that couple with his high motor. The biggest issue for Smith is the history of injuries and that hurting his productivity. Smith can play at outside linebacker in a 3-4 but he will be best suited for defensive end in a 4-3.

Player Comparison: Aldon Smith

Projection: 3^rd – 4^th Round

Best Fits: Cleveland, Indianapolis, Minnesota (Wild Card – San Francisco)

13. Nik Bonitto – Oklahoma

Bonitto is an undersized edge rusher with linebacker instincts. He is a top tier open field tackler and possesses great athleticism. The size is the big question for Bonitto. If he can be placed in the right scheme, then he can stand a chance to fully utilize his ability. Bonitto could be a 3-4 outside linebacker, but I would prefer he be a 4-3 outside linebacker that plays close to the line of scrimmage.

Player Comparison: Haasan Reddick

Projection: 2^nd – 3^rd Round

Best Fits: Arizona, Los Angeles Rams, Baltimore (Wild Card – Dallas)

12. Josh Paschal – Kentucky

Paschal is a strong, stout, run stopper who can play multiple positions on the line. He needs to work on his pass rush moves, but I think his versatility will be appreciated. If he plays at defensive end in a 4-3 then he is good at his current weight. I like the thought of him adding another 10-15 pounds and moving to defensive tackle.

Player Comparison: Ed Oliver

Projection: 2^nd – 3^rd Round

Best Fits: Buffalo, Los Angeles Chargers, Seattle (Wild Card – New England)

11. Arnold Ebiketie – Penn State

Ebiketie’s draft stock skyrocketed in the last four months. He wins with pure speed and fantastic bend on the edge. As a pass rusher, he is a nightmare for slower offensive tackles. Ebiketie is not much of a run stopper and he lacks consistency in his play. If he can bring it week in and week out, then he will dominate as a 3-4 outside linebacker.

Player Comparison: Johnathon Cooper

Projection: 2^nd – 3^rd Round

Best Fits: Denver, Green Bay, New England (Wild Card – New York Jets)

10. Logan Hall – Houston 

Hall is a taller, stockier defensive end with defensive tackle tendencies. At his height, he could still add more weight to his frame and move well. He has a top-quality motor and shoots gaps against the run and the pass. If he would play at DE in a 4-3 base, then that would take him too far away from the middle. Hall needs to either be a 3-4 DE/DT or a 4-3 DT.

Player Comparison: Cam Heyward

Projection: 2^nd – 3^rd Round

Best Fits: Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Los Angeles Chargers (Wild Card – Dallas)

9. Cameron Thomas – San Diego State

Thomas is a relentless threat and wreaks havoc in the backfield. He is a force as a run stopper and a pass rusher, plus excels going 1v1. He never stops giving effort regardless of the score or situation. If Thomas gains even more strength, then he might find himself towards the top of pass rusher stats each year. He is a true 4-3 defensive end.

Player Comparison: Maxx Crosby

Projection: 2^nd – 3^rd Round

Best Fits: Las Vegas, Indianapolis, Dallas (Wild Card – Cleveland) 

8. Boye Mafe – Minnesota

Mafe is another player who elevated his stock since the season ended. He has this incredible combination of smooth play with nasty physicality and big play flashes. Mafe has great acceleration and can do it all, from getting in the backfield, to chasing down ball carriers, to batting down passes. He simply needs to release from blocks better and turn his flashes into a more regular, every play type of performance. Mafe will succeed as a hybrid 4-3 end or a 3-4 OLB.

Player Comparison: Melvin Ingram

Projection: 2^nd – 3^rd Round

Best Fits: Buffalo, Kansas City, Green Bay (Wild Card – San Francisco) 

7. Myjai Sanders – Cincinnati

Sanders has been underrated by many and needs more respect because he has the fastest first step in this whole class. In addition to the other worldly get off, he has pure speed in open space and long arms. The long arms not only come in handy for tackling, but he also bats down a lot of passes. Sanders rushes straight up and can struggle with leverage. Right now he would need to be a 3-4 outside linebacker unless he adds more weight prior to this next season. If that is the case, then he could be a 4-3 hybrid defensive end.

Player Comparison: Jayson Oweh

Projection: 2^nd – 3^rd Round

Best Fits: Cleveland, Indianapolis, Denver (Wild Card – Houston)

6. David Ojabo – Michigan   

Ojabo is a flashy and fast edge rusher whose stock has dropped due to the torn achilles suffered during his pro day. He is a raw prospect with a very high ceiling. He has some excellent spin moves and dip around the edge. He appeared to be a day one lock, but now he could slip to day two. He is without a doubt a 3-4 OLB.

Player Comparison: Robert Quinn

Projection: 1^st – 2^nd Round

Best Fits: Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Green Bay (Wild Card – Los Angeles Rams) 

5. Jermaine Johnson – Florida State

Johnson is a long defensive end that carried a struggling Seminoles team last season. He is quick off the ball and also displays some nice power. He has some good pass rush moves and also can stop the run. There aren’t many weaknesses in his game. He can play 4-3 DE or 3-4 OLB and still make an impact.

Player Comparison: Sam Hubbard

Projection: 1^st Round

Best Fits: Baltimore, Dallas, San Francisco (Wild Card – Las Vegas) 

4. George Karlaftis – Purdue

Karlaftis is a power rusher that packs a massive punch. He is a phenomenal run stopper with a relentless motor. When moving downhill, it is like a truck hitting the ball carrier head on. Despite being 6’4”, Karlaftis does not have long arm and can sometimes struggle with separating from blockers. He fits best as a 4-3 defensive end but has elite potential. He is not as long or as fast as his player comparison, but perhaps nearly as dominant.

Player Comparison: Michael Strahan

Projection: 1^st Round

Best Fits: New York Giants, Detroit, Atlanta (Wild Card – Philadelphia)

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