Cole’s Corner: 2021 Edge Rusher Prospect Rankings

The edge rushers in this draft class will be the most hit or miss group. Many players have upside, but I can’t guarantee production from any of them…

That being said, in the NFL you can never have too many pass rushers.

Here are my top Edge Rusher prospects:

1. Kwity Paye – Michigan

Paye is the best of this group and a traditional 4-3 defensive end. He can play with his hand in the dirt or standing up. Paye just rumbles downhill towards the QB because he is a larger end at 277. Despite the sturdy, thicker frame, he is still agile. My only question is if he has enough juice to regularly apply pressure.

Pick Range: 1^st Round

2. Joseph Ossai – Texas   

Ossai has long legs and long arms and just looks like an outside linebacker. He will schematically best fit as a 3-4 OLB. Ossai is a playmaker but still needs some work on his pass rush tools. No one can question his motor. The motor alone will result in some success.

Pick Range: Late 1^st – Early 3^rd Round

3. Gregory Rousseau – Miami FL

Rousseau is a tall defensive end at 6’5”. He is best at working inside to apply pressure. He will succeed most in a 4-3 base defensive. On late passing downs, it might be best to line him up inside. There is still plenty of work to do with his technical abilities.

Pick Range: Late 1^st – Early 3^rd Round

4. Azeez Ojulari – Georgia

Ojulari is an interesting prospect. He is a bit of a hybrid 4-3 end and a 3-4 OLB. He flashes best when standing up as a pass rusher. Ojulari always seems to show some great effort and has a high motor. The team that picks him up will need to really find an ideal role. That might take some time to figure out.

Pick Range: Late 1^st – Early 3^rd Round

5. Jaelen Phillips – Miami FL

Phillips at 6’5” seems to take a few steps and already lands himself in the backfield. He is disruptive and should fit well with most any team. Ideally, he lands with someone placing him at 4-3 DE. He has had some injury issues in the past and he needs to become more consistent.

Pick Range: Late 1^st – Early 3^rd Round

6. Jayson Oweh – Penn State

Oweh is best known for his rare speed. At 6’5” and 252 pounds, he ran a 4.36 in the forty-yard dash. That is unreal athleticism. Oweh’s athletic gifts will draw attention because he screams potential. He needs time to mature and develop, which makes him a bit of a project. The bend and athleticism will make a team out there immediately give him time at 3-4 OLB.

Pick Range: 2^nd – 3^rd Round

7. Patrick Jones II – Pittsburgh

Jones is a natural 4-3 DE that plays great with his hand in the dirt. He has a lean frame, yet has some fantastic balance coming around the edge. Jones plays like a man on a mission and that leads me to believe that he may get starting time during his rookie season. He will just need more strength added to his frame.

Pick Range: 2^nd – 4^th Round

8. Hamilcar Rashed Jr. – Oregon State

Rashed is a sack machine. That does not mean he is a refined pass rusher, but rather his athleticism leads him to the QB. He has a relentless motor and is quick on his feet. Rashed is built and plays like a hybrid edge. Whether in a 4-3 or 3-4, I like him standing up best.

Pick Range: 2^nd – 4^th Round

9. Quincy Roche – Miami FL

Roche might have one of the faster first steps in this group. At 243 pounds, most teams will think 3-4 OLB. I actually prefer him as a standup 4-3 DE. He is a solid run defender and not afraid to get physical. He reminds me a bit of Olivier Vernon. If I had to guess, Roche will actually be the breakout star of this group. His size and limited scheme fit is the only thing hurting him.

Pick Range: 2^nd – 4^th Round

10. Carlos Basham Jr. – Wake Forest

Basham is a bigger edge with plenty of versatility. I think his playing style would fit with most any scheme. He could play 3-4 OLB but I would lean most towards 4-3 DE or even testing 3-4 DE. Basham’s tape shows he is powerful working inside and can wreak havoc. His Senior Bowl performance also helped his stock. Basham just needs to enhance his pass rush moves.

Pick Range: 2^nd – 4^th Round

11. Joe Tryon – Washington

Tryon has some starter potential because he is explosive and extremely mobile. He moves well and track ball carriers well. Tryon will be best at 3-4 OLB. NFL teams might look to put more weight on him.

Pick Range: 2^nd – 4^th Round

12. Cameron Sample – Tulane

Sample was devalued coming out of high school and could be in this draft as well. Sample shouldn’t be overlooked though because he has the potential to be a rotational sparkplug immediately. He is nasty when bull rushing and can stop the run. After some more learning, might worry some O-lines.

Pick Range: 3^rd – 5^th Round

13. Dayo Odeyingbo – Vanderbilt

Odeyingbo is a 4-3 DE with excellent length at 6’6”. He can close quickly on a ball carrier and demonstrates ideal athleticism. His skills will need to be refined.

Pick Range: 3^rd – 5^th Round

14. Victor Dimukeje – Duke

Dimukeje could be an every down DE in the NFL down the road. He is pretty strong, sturdy and stout. He will not be the loud playmaker, but he will quietly produce. This is a solid rotational piece for a team looking to compete in the playoffs.

Pick Range: 3^rd – 5^th Round

15. Ronnie Perkins – Oklahoma

Perkins is an undersized DE but he doesn’t get pushed around. He has powerful hands and comes hard around the corner. He has a long way to go as a run defender though. Perkins might be the biggest boom or bust of the group.

Pick Range: 3^rd – 5^th Round

16. Jonathon Cooper – Ohio State

Cooper is an Ohio State edge rusher which draws plenty of attention. He does not have the size and ability of Chase Young or the Bosa brothers, but he is very versatile. Cooper ran a 4.69 – 40, which is the third fastest of any defensive lineman.  In addition to his speed, he has adequate strength to play DE in a 4-3. Cooper could also play 3-4 OLB or if a team became really adventurous, develop him at middle linebacker. Cooper’s draw back could be some past injury history.

Pick Range: 3^rd – 5^th Round

17. Janarius Robinson – Florida State

Robinson looks slower and almost stocky on tape; despite being listed at 6’5”. He never put-up great numbers at FSU and I question if he will ever put-up numbers. Robinson has some power which plays to his advantage, but he needs to get a bit quicker on his first step. If he rounds his game into form, he might see some solid playing time.

Pick Range: 3^rd – 5^th Round

18. Jordan Smith – UAB     

Smith’s length could be a mismatch in the league. He is a fast hybrid/3-4 OLB with plenty of raw talent. He will require lots of coaching, but the future is bright.

Pick Range: 3^rd – 5^th Round

19. Payton Turner – Houston

Turner is best suited to be a 4-3 DE. He is built for power and his hand combat skills are NFL ready. He is a good pass rusher and run defender. I don’t expect immediate contribution because he needs adjustments to his stance. He also needs to make quicker recognitions of blocking schemes.

Pick Range: 3^rd – 5^th Round

20. Shaka Toney – Penn State

Toney might become one of the best designated pass rushers of this group. He is extremely quick, jumps the snap well and is relentless in pursuit. He will never be an every down player. At best he could add some depth at 3-4 OLB.

Pick Range: 4^th – 7^th Round

21. Patrick Johnson – Tulane

Johnson was extremely productive in college and played in many different spots. At the next level, he projects to be a 3-4 OLB due to his tackling ability and willingness to drop in coverage. Johnson possesses average intangibles when it comes to his frame.

Pick Range: 4^th – 7^th Round

22. Adetokunbo Ogundeji – Notre Dame

Ogundeji is your prototypical mid to late round defensive end. He has plenty of good traits, yet does not excel at any one thing. I would like to see him add weight and have his hand in the dirt in a 3-4.

Pick Range: 4^th – 7^th Round

23. Tarron Jackson – Coastal Carolina

Jackson is simply a developmental pass rusher. He was productive during his time with Coastal but with better competition, can he still be productive? Jackson plays with excellent leverage and offers strength. He needs to become more dynamic in order to see the field.

Pick Range: 4^th – 7^th Round

24. Rashad Weaver – Pittsburgh

Weaver could become a rotational defensive end in the future. He has solid length and plays strong against the run. He is not explosive as an edge rusher but that could be due to his prior knee injury.

Pick Range: 5^th – 7^th Round

25. Daelin Hayes – Notre Dame

Hayes should move to SAM linebacker at the next level. He could be a hybrid edge rusher but that would limit his ability for success.

Pick Range: 5^th – 7^th Round

26. Malcolm Koonce – Buffalo

Koonce is a long-armed edge rusher with some nice bend. He could fit at 4-3 DE or 3-4 OLB and even be a late round steal. He just needs to develop some counter moves.

Pick Range: 5^th – 7^th Round

27. Elerson Smith – Northern Iowa

Smith is a long, thin edge rusher. He doesn’t have the strength to play on the line so OLB in a 3-4 scheme will work best. Smith will need to keep hitting the weight room in order to make NFL rosters.

Pick Range: 5^th – 7^th Round