While the edge rushing class is extremely deep this year, it isn’t as robust at the very top is some of the more prolific years. That won’t stop people from fawning over Aidan Hutchinson, or possibly reaching for some of the other talent at the position. In 2021 there were no edge rushers taken in the top half of the first round, but once Miami nabbed Jealen Phillips off the board there were 5 additional edge rushers taken in the first round. We won’t see six of these guys come off the board in the first round, but that does not mean there isn’t talent out there to be had. Let’s take a look at our Top 8 Edge Rushers available in this year’s draft.
Aidan Hutchinson
Michigan (Senior) – 6’7, 260 lbs., 32 1/8” arms
The 2021 Consensus All-American is the current consensus #1 prospect. A 2-time team captain, and recent Big10 Defensive Player of the Year, Hutchinson has a lengthy list of accolades and in 2021 became the single season sack leader for Michigan with 14. As a senior, he amassed 62 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, and one recovery. The trophies and awards he garnered could fill two pages. After his junior year was cut short due to injury, this was exactly the season Hutchinson needed to cement himself as one of the top talents available in 2022. Michigan used him in a stand-up role this season and his quick first step yielded great returns for the defense. Do not let his 4.74 40 time fool you, his quickness and agility are impressive. He also had some of the best 3 cone and 20-yard shuttle times at the combine. Hutchinson is also dangerous with his hand use and arsenal of moves, which helps him generate quick and constant pressure. What really makes him special is his intuition and ability to feel a lineman’s weak spot and attack without hesitation. He can swim move, bull rush, duck under lineman and put someone on a highlight reel. He has skillset + high motor multiplied by character. Like a hot Latina, this edge rusher has all the right moves, and will garner a ton of attention. Unfortunately, unless you currently have a top 5 pick or the capital to go get it, you won’t even be close enough to get a glimpse of him. Hutchinson is the odds-on favorite to become just the 10th defensive player taken at number one in the last 40 years. No such thing as a sure-fire pick, but this is a guy you don’t overthink.
Kayvon Thibodeauz
Michigan (Senior) – 6’7, 260 lbs., 32 1/8” arms
People have had their eye on Kayvon Thibodeaux for years, He was the top ranked high school recruit in the nation. He tallied up 19 sacks in 31 career games, 34.5 tackles for a loss, and has had monstrous games in 3 Pac-12 championships. He is the first Oregon defensive player since DeForest Buckner to receive All-America honors. While his resume may not jump off the page like Hutchinson, he is a versatile player with strength and agility. He led his position group with 27 reps on the bench and ran a 4.58 40-yard dash. He is explosive off the line and is still expected to be a premier rusher in the NFL very quickly. Thibodeaux is used to standing up on the end of the line, but Oregon moved him all over the place. He has a quick jab with his hands and is able to capitalize after creating space. Not known for dipping around the edge, Thibodeaux is more of a speed and power guy. We have him as one of the top 10 players on our big board and he will be walking across that stage sometime before the 5thsportsbook commercial.
Jermaine Johnson
Florida State (Senior) 6’5, 254 lbs., 34” arms
Johnson is a former Bulldog who took his talents across state lines to FSU as a senior where he dominated on the field and began rising up draft boards. He became the ACC player of the year, with 11.5 sacks and 17.5 tackles for a loss. Do not be surprised at all to see this man go in the top 10. Speedy off the line with long arms that he uses to wrap up ball carriers. He impressed at the Senior Bowl and then posted great numbers at the combine. Johnson has a 1.55 10-yard split and ran a 4.58 40-yard dash. Very strong and can use his bullrush to overpower blockers. Sets the edge well, but needs to be coached up on his stride and keeping his hips loose. Johnson should quickly become a presence in an NFL defense.
Travon Walker
Georgia (Junior) 6’5, 272lbs., 35 1/2” arms
When you hear T. Walker, think reverse T-Rex. Long arms, and like an anime octopus he knows how to use them. Walker is a former 5-star recruit and was Georgia’s Swiss Army knife. He is quickly shooting up draft boards and it is not hard to see why. Walker boasted the third highest 40 time at his position with a 4.51. The leverage that he is able to create is astounding. He manhandles blockers at the point of attack. While he may not be a pure pass rusher, Walker has the tools to get there. Great at stopping the run and very intuitive against RPO. He is a very selfless and disciplined player, who has extremely high football IQ, and can play on the interior or the edge. He is quite adept at beating cut blocks, and honestly is becoming one of my favorite draft prospects. While his pass rush may not be as elite as a couple of the others, he makes up for it in the run game and he has intangibles that can’t be taught. I have seen him ranked as high as a Top 10 pick to falling completely out of the first round. I see him as a mid to late first round pick that will instantly improve a team’s defensive line.
Geroge Karlaftis
Purdue (Junior) 6’4, 266 lbs., 32 5/8” arms
The USA Today Player of the Year made a name for himself as a Boilermaker, which is impressive when you think about the fact that 8 years ago he was living in Athens, Greece and had never played football in his life. He was a soccer player through and through until tragedy moved his family to the U.S. Karlaftis made the most of his opportunities and is now a sought after defender this year. High character, high motor, with incredible intuition on the edge, he identifies and attacks. Karlaftis is a power rusher, but has great athleticism. His 38” vertical at the combine was 2nd best among Defensive Ends. Although he does not have the longest arms he has a nice back of moves to go along with his lower body drive off the line. Can play all along the line and is a vicious competitor. Many evaluators have Karlaftis as the 3rd best edge player in the draft and he could be a sleeper pick for best value depending on where he is selected.
David Ojabo
Michigan (Sophmore) 6’4, 250 lbs., 33 1/2″ arms
As we get into the later selections, you will see just how deep this Edge class is. Ojabo is another former soccer player who grew up abroad. Ojabo matches his acceleration and quickness with flexibility and bend to get to the quarterback. He is a raw talent with huge upside. His ceiling is as high as anyone in this draft, but he will need continued coaching as he is still figuring out how to best use his natural talents. Having said all that, to not have grown up playing the sport and still manage 11 sacks last year while splitting time is beyond impressive. Ojabo may not be as great a run stopper as the higher rated players at the moment, but like a BBQ packet from Wendy’s the rip and dip is amazing. He ran a 4.55 40 at the combine and under the right tutelage could be a dynamic player in the NFL. Unfortunately, Ojabo tore his Achillies at his pro day and will now fall completely out of the first round. His timetable is a 6 month recovery or more, which means he may still suit up in 2022, but will miss the entire offseason. Someone will take a shot on him as many had him at the top of their LB board just a month ago.
Arnold Ebiketie
Penn State (Senior) 6’2, 250 lbs. 34 1/8” arms
Ebiketie is an undersized edge rusher who could go somewhere in the second round. He had 18 tackles for a loss last year including 9.5 sacks. The term “high motor” gets thrown around a lot, but his never stops. What he lacks in run defense he makes up for in the pass rush. Great with his hands and has a 38” vertical, but needs to learn how to get off blocks in the run game. Ebiketie will immediately contribute as a pass rusher, while he rounds out the rest of his game, but the skill set and effort is there.
Boye Mafe
Minnesota (Senior) 6’4, 261 lbs., 32 5/8”
Another player who has impressed at Senior Week and the Combine is Boye Mafe who has continued to hone his skills over his senior year with the Gophers. He is still learning how to utilize has hands, but is able to contribute in the run game effectively. This is another raw prospect that will need to be coached up, but his pure athleticism and speed has turned heads. He ran a 4.53 40-yard dash at the combine (4th among edge), and had an incredible 38” vert and 10’5 broad jump. We never like to put too much into combine performances, but when you add it to his explosiveness and ability to tackle he makes for an interesting prospect. I feel he is still too raw to go in the first round, but teams have had a chance to meet with him and watch tape, so when he does go whoever drafts him will be very comfortable with what he brings to the table and the work he will need to do, to become and NFL starter.
Some other names to watch are:
- Cameron Thomas, San Diego State
- Drake Jackson, USC
- Kingsley Enagbare, South Carolina
- Nik Bonitto, Oklahoma
- Myjai Sanders, Cincinnati
- Dominique Robinson, Miami
- Josh Paschal, Kentucky
- Amaré Barno, Virginia Tech