ALL POSITIONS: Defensive Tackles | Edge Rushers | Linebackers | Defensive Backs

Nailing your scouting leading up to the NFL draft will drastically improve your chances of continuing to assert dominance in your dynasty leagues. At Footballguys, we make it easy by grinding tape and researching upcoming rookies. Kyle Bellefeuil and I drop our top IDP rookies at each position base yearly.

IDP edge defenders can be challenging to nail down. It is tough for rookie IDP edge defenders to see sufficient playing time to make an immediate impact. Knowing which IDP edge defenders will see the most playing time can help load up on the most critical IDP position. Here are the pre-combine top 10 rookie IDP edge defenders in the 2025 NFL draft.

1. Abdul Carter, Penn State (6-foot-3, 251 pounds)

2024 Stats (16 games)

• 68 tackles (43 solos)
• 24 tackles for a loss
• 12 sacks
• 4 passes defended
• 2 forced fumbles

Carter was widely considered the top IDP edge defender in college football leading into his final year. He more than firmly cemented this designation with a stellar 2024 season. Carter's 24 tackles for a loss were the most common in college football. His burst is second to none, and he has tremendous footwork. He can stop on a dime, juke his opposition out of his shoes, and win with plenty of power.

Abdul Carter's highlights from when he played off ball LB are hilarious.

Like who decided not to put this guy on the edge until this year pic.twitter.com/s27vQOJ0am

— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) February 8, 2025

Carter has all the makings of an elite IDP edge defender, and it looks like he will have top-5 draft capital. Carter is the easy pick here.

2. James Pearce Jr., Tennessee (6-foot-5, 243 pounds)

2024 Stats (13 games)

• 38 tackles (23 solos)
• 13 tackles for a loss
• 7.5 sacks
• 1 pass defended
• 1 forced fumble
• 1 fumble recovery

There are plenty of candidates for the number two IDP edge defender in this year's draft, but I am giving it to Pearce. He has the most impressive bend in this draft class, almost folding in half off the edge. Pearce uses his hands like a seasoned vet. He counters, sticks, jabs, shows a great swim move, and has improved his run defense drastically.

James Pearce Jr.. is just a different level of athlete pic.twitter.com/HCdllWW9Ib

— Joe DeLeone (@joedeleone) January 17, 2025

Plenty of teams need edge help, and Pearce should be a top-15 draft pick. The skill and draft capital make him a near sure-fire pick and one of the top IDP edge defenders in the draft.

3. Mike Green, Marshall (6-foot-4, 251 pounds)

2024 Stats (13 games)

• 84 tackles (38 solos)
• 23 tackles for a loss
• 17 sacks
• 2 passes defended
• 3 forced fumbles
• 1 fumble recovery

Green had one of the better seasons we have seen from IDP edge defenders in recent history. He led all IDP edge defenders with 17 sacks while trailing just Abdul Carter in tackles for a loss with 23. His Senior Bowl showing only boosted his draft stock, routinely showcasing elite explosion.

Marshall edge Mike Green - who had the practice field buzzing after this rep earlier today in 1-on-1s - has opted to withdraw from the rest of the Senior Bowl week and head home to continue with his draft prep.

He led the FBS with 17.0 sacks this season. pic.twitter.com/vpdw45vosm

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) January 30, 2025

Green has a full arsenal of pass-rush moves with an elite-level swim move, looking like Michael Phelps, and a smooth-as-silk spin move. He will be a fun name to watch at the combine and one of my favorite rookie IDP edge defenders.

4. Princely Umanmielen, Ole Miss (6-foot-4, 264 pounds)

2024 Stats (12 games)

• 37 tackles (19 solos)
• 14 tackles for a loss
• 10.5 sacks
• 1 forced fumble
• 1 fumble recovery
• 1 defensive touchdown

 Umanmielen is an electric player off the edge. He has a non-stop motor matched with great length and strength. Umanmielen has long arms that he uses with a strong jab and can walk offensive tackles back out of their stance. His most impressive move is his inside spin counter, but he shows excellent footwork in almost every rep.

Ole Miss EDGE Princely Umanmielen had a slow start to the Senior Bowl, as he was essentially spamming spin moves on every pass-rush rep. Once he started incorporating more of his repertoire, he started to have much more success.

Hits a lightning-quick inside move off a jab step… pic.twitter.com/hHLHjiEs6m

— John Owning (@JohnOwning) January 31, 2025

This is where we start to see IDP edge defenders who may begin their careers as situational pass rushers instead of starters. Still, Umanmielen has all the tools to become a three-down edge defender.

5. JT Tuimoloau, Ohio State (6-foot-5, 269 pounds)

2024 Stats (16 games)

• 61 tackles (35 solos)
• 22 tackles for a loss
• 12.5 sacks
• 3 passes defended
• 2 forced fumbles

Tuimoloau has impressive play strength. He is absolutely overwhelming at the point of attack. His hand usage is powerful where. He uses a grip-and-rip move to ragdoll his opposition. Tuimoloau has one thing going for him that other draft prospects are missing: he was dominant in Ohio State's playoff run to their eventual Championship Title.

I don't think JT Tuimoloau gets enough credit for how impactful he was (stats and tape) during OSU's National Title run.

Four playoff gms: 20 pressures, 10 TFL, 6.5 sacks, 1 FF, A+ vs. the run. pic.twitter.com/2zDCXf0X3Z

— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) January 21, 2025

Tuimoloau may not be the most polished of the IDP edge defenders in this draft, but his strength, will, motor, and determination make him a very intriguing prospect.

6. Nic Scourton, Texas A&M (6-foot-4, 285 pounds)

2024 Stats (12 games)

• 37 tackles (27 solos)
• 14 tackles for a loss
• 5 sacks
• 2 passes defended
• 1 forced fumble

Scourton gets plenty of grief for his dip in sack production when he moved to the SEC for his final collegiate season. He still spent plenty of time in opposing backfields. His 14 tackles for a loss were just one shy of his previous season of 15. He also led the Big Ten in sacks in 2023 with 10. Scourton has a full array of pass-rush moves with an incredible spin move and bull rush. He has a thick frame and transfers power from his lower body to his upper half. If Scourton performs well at the combine, he has the potential to rise as one of the top rookie IDP edge defenders.

7. Jack Sawyer, Ohio State (6-foot-5, 260 pounds)

2024 Stats (16 games)

• 59 tackles (25 solos)
• 9 tackles for a loss
• 9 sacks
• 7 passes defended
• 1 interception
• 3 forced fumbles
• 3 fumble recoveries
• 2 defensive touchdowns

Sawyer teamed up with Tuimoloau as the top edge duo in the nation. He has plenty of polish to his game, though like Tuimoloau, he plays with pure power. His leg drive is tremendous, and he routinely rocks tackles back on their heels. He has a well-timed cross-chop that gets offensive tackles off balance and easily cleans them out of the play. Sawyer has a natural knack for finding the football. He had three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries, two of which he returned for touchdowns. Sawyer also had seven passes defended, showing active hands. There is plenty to like about Sawyer, making him one of the top IDP edge defenders in this draft class.

8. Landon Jackson, Arkansas (6-foot-7, 280 pounds)

2024 Stats (12 games)

• 49 tackles (27 solos)
• 10 tackles for a loss
• 6.5 sacks
• 3 passes defended
• 1 forced fumble
• 1 fumble recovery

Jackson is another player who has the build of an NFL player. He is one of the better edge-setters in this draft class, with a relentless motor and high IQ. He has great lateral agility as well, which he showcases in stunts. Jackson is not short on pass-rush moves, with a great cross chop, jab, bull rush, or counters. Jackson is likely to rise after the draft. He will likely get better draft capital than some of the players ahead of him on this list. Jackson is one of the safest IDP edge defenders to draft in this class and has one of the higher floors.

9. Mykel Williams, Georgia (6-foot-5, 265 pounds)

2024 Stats (12 games)

• 21 tackles (15 solos)
• 9 tackles for a loss
• 5 sacks
• 2 passes defended
• 2 forced fumbles

Williams makes this list late because he will have first-round draft capital. From what I have seen on tape, he does not seem to have the dominant abilities of some of these other players. Yet, he was highly recruited and is considered a lock in the first round. What he does well is set a strong edge, and he has natural instincts in run defense, almost always being in position. Unfortunately, when drafting IDP edge defenders, good run defense will not get you high on this list.

10. Josaiah Stewart, Michigan (6-foot-1, 245 pounds)

2024 Stats (11 games)

• 33 tackles (22 solos)
• 13 tackles for a loss
• 8.5 sacks
• 2 forced fumbles

Stewart is a speed rusher. He has an explosive first step and closing speed. Stewart shows good strength at the point of attack, even as one of the smaller IDP edge defenders in this class. His pass-rush repertoire includes smooth hand fighting, including a nice swim move and cross-chop. Stewart will start his career as a situational pass-rusher, dropping him on the list. If he can display his strength at the combine, he could be a quick riser.

Other Names to Know

• Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M
• Ashton Gillotte, Louisville
• Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College
• Tyler Baron, Miami (FL)

Final Thoughts

These are pre-combine rankings for IDP edge defenders. The list will shake up after the draft and combine. My favorite left off the top 10 list is Donovan Ezeiruaku. He will likely surpass some players on this list if he performs well at the combine. The IDP edge defenders in this class are thick and NFL-ready pass-rushers for the majority. This is one of the deeper edge classes we have seen with plenty of talent. Good luck in your 2025 fantasy IDP drafts.