2024 NFL draft: Bowl season EDGE big board

2024 NFL draft: Bowl season EDGE big board from Draft Wire’s Jeff Risdon

Welcome to winter! For most 2024 NFL draft prospects, it’s now draft prep season. A few still have bowl games on the schedule, but the season to impress NFL talent evaluators on the field is largely complete.

Up next in the positional rankings are the EDGE group. Call them defensive ends or outside linebackers — often changing between the two roles in the same game — these players are primarily pass rushers. It’s a position with one of the highest bust rates but also one where scheme fit matters a ton.

Offensive tackles

Wide receivers (via Brennen Rupp)

Cornerbacks

2024 NFL draft: Preseason EDGE watch list and early rankings

2024 NFL draft: Preseason EDGE watch list and early rankings from Draft Wire’s Jeff Risdon

The EDGE moniker is a relatively recent name, but EDGE players have been around for a long time. It’s essentially a mix of outside linebackers and defensive ends who have the primary task of rushing the passer. Sometimes they’re stand-up OLB types (think Von Miller), while others are hand-in-dirt ends (think Myles Garrett).

It’s a position where collegiate production is important but athletic upside matters quite a bit, perhaps more than any other spot. The early evaluation of this EDGE class shows a couple of high-end prospects and then a group that is variable based on team/scheme preferences; the No. 3 here might not be in the top 8 for a team that doesn’t run the particular type of scheme that he best fits.

These are very fluid rankings. In general, these are early impressions about the NFL potential of players who still have a considerable amount of football to play before they’re drafted. Some underclassmen are included here strictly as mentions; it is not meant to advocate for a player to leave early.

After watching enough to get a baseline feel for the players, here is an early listing and my preliminary ranking for the EDGEs in the NFL draft class of 2024.

2024 NFL draft: Preseason OT watch list and early rankings

2024 NFL draft: Preseason CB watch list and early rankings

2024 NFL draft: Preseason QB watch list and early rankings

2024 NFL draft: Preseason RB watch list and early rankings

2024 NFL draft: Preseason WR watch list and early rankings

2023 NFL Draft: Will McDonald IV scouting report

Scouting report for Iowa State EDGE Will McDonald IV in the 2023 NFL draft

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An explosive and experienced edge defender, Iowa State’s Will McDonald will look to bring that experience over to the next level as he enters the 2023 NFL draft.

Here is everything you need to know about the Cyclones’ pass rusher:

2023 NFL Draft: BJ Ojulari scouting report

Scouting report on LSU EDGE BJ Ojulari for the 2023 NFL draft

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A versatile and speedy defender for LSU, edge rusher BJ Ojulari will look to translate his high ceiling and skillset into draft stock as he enters the 2023 NFL draft.

Here is everything you need to know about the Tigers pass rusher:

2023 NFL Draft: Isaiah Foskey scouting report

Scouting report on Notre Dame EDGE Isaiah Foskey for the 2023 NFL draft

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The all time leading sack artist for the the Notre Dame program, edge rusher Isaiah Foskey hopes those numbers will help him improve his draft stock as he enters the 2023 NFL draft.

Here is everything you need to know about the Fighting Irish’s edge defender:

2023 NFL Draft: Lukas Van Ness scouting report

Scouting report for Iowa EDGE Lukas Van Ness and what he offers in the 2023 NFL draft

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A first round prospect who didn’t even start for his respective team, Lukas Van Ness is looking to take his massive ceiling and convert into success as he enters the 2023 NFL draft.

Here is everything you need to know about the Hawkeyes defensive front man:

2023 NFL Draft: Nolan Smith scouting report

Breaking down Georgia EDGE Nolan Smith ahead of the 2023 NFL draft

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Yet another talented edge rusher from the elite Georgia defense, Nolan Smith will look to prove he is as good as the other Bulldog defenders drafted before him. Smith hopes to get selected just as highly as he enters the 2023 NFL draft.

Here is everything you need to know about the ultra-athletic Bulldogs’ defender

2023 NFL Draft: Derick Hall scouting report

Scouting report on Auburn EDGE Derick Hall, one of the class’ better pass rushers

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An experienced senior who had a solid last two years as an edge rusher, Auburn’s Derick Hall looks to keep his momentum moving forward as he enters the 2023 NFL draft.

Here is everything you need to know about the Tigers defender:

2020 NFL draft: Jonathan Greenard scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about Florida edge defender prospect Jonathan Greenard

Jonathan Greenard | EDGE | Florida

Elevator Pitch

Greenard provides a solid pass rush off the edge. His first step and ability to bend around lineman give him opportunities to get to the quarterback. This disruptive edge defender should get several looks in the second and third waves of pass rushers taken in the NFL Draft.

Vitals

Height | 6-3

Weight | 263

Class | Redshirt Senior

College Stats

College Bio

Strengths

While he doesn’t possess elite get-off at the line of scrimmage, Greenard is able to get off quickly with good snap anticipation. He is a long athlete who uses that length to his advantage. When he fails to get to the quarterback, Greenard shows the timing to get those long arms up and bats away more than his fair share of passes.

He can bend around the edges and dip under tackles as needed. He possess a good toolbox of pass rush moves for someone at the college level. Will read the screen very well. When engaged with lineman, uses his hands well to keep the lineman off his body to continue his pass rush. Very good at setting the edge and as a run defender.

Weaknesses

His wrist injury from 2018 is a bit of a red flag. Was heavily padded for the 2019 season. Teams will need to dive in deep to make sure there are no long-term concerns with the injury. That could be a reason why he wasn’t as refined as one would have hoped to see in 2019. Hand usage was good but. not great.

Needs to develop more as an outside rusher. A lot of sacks came from beating the tackle inside or when playing lesser competition. Lacks the get off to beat tackles out of their stance like the elite ones possess. He has some explosiveness that he used to his advantage that won’t work in the NFL.

Projection: Day 2

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2020 NFL draft: Marlon Davidson scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about Auburn defensive line prospect Marlon Davidson

Marlon Davidson | DL | Auburn

Elevator Pitch

A versatile defender with athleticism, size and power, Davidson is a bit of a tweener but possesses the tools to be a solid contributor, regardless of where he plays at the next level.

Vitals

Height | 6-3

Weight | 303

College Bio Page

Career Stats

Strengths

Defensive coordinators will have plenty of different ways to utilize Davidson at the next level.

While he’s packed on close to 30 pounds in his transition to the interior defensive line, Davidson can still play off the edge in a stand-up or hand-in-the-dirt role. He does a good job of setting the edge as a run defender and can also work off of blocks to make plays in space. He plays with a high motor when engaged with blockers and keeps his legs churning to try and penetrate the backfield. When slotted inside, Davidson’s athleticism for the position makes him tough for guards and centers to stop. He accelerates well off the snap and moves well laterally for someone his size. His agility allows him to be utilized on stunts, as well as pull off finesse moves like spins and swims as a pass-rusher.

The big appeal with Davidson is that he’s more powerful than most edge rushers and quicker than most interior defensive linemen. Whether you project him as a 3-tech, a 5-tech or even a pure edge rusher, he brings some sort of mismatch to the table, and that versatility should help him get on the field early on in his career. He also has some value on special teams, having blocked three kicks in 2018.

Weaknesses

As is the case with most tweener prospects, there’s some question as to where Davidson fits best at the next level. He started off his career as a 240-pound edge rusher, but has since had to put on a lot of weight to kick inside, and there are some inconsistencies in his game that show that inexperience. He’s still getting used to playing in the trenches, as his play strength hasn’t quite developed completely yet. His ability to eat up gaps against the run and hold on through blocks using his anchor strength could be improved.

Davidson’s pad level can be improved a bit, which is one of the factors affecting his lack of significant lower-body strength on tape. His overall feel and instincts as a run defender could be worked on, but that should come with spending more time and taking more reps as an interior defensive lineman.

Projection: Day 2

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