2020 NFL Draft Defensive End, Edge Rusher Rankings Top Ten
10. Khalid Kareem, Notre Dame
Size: 6-4, 268
The Good: The size is right. In a draft full of hybrids who don’t quite fit an exact role, Kareem has the bulk to be a true defensive end who can fit into just about any scheme. Tough, he’ll provide the power, but he’s a solid playmaker in the backfield, too.
The Not-So-Good: The athleticism isn’t there to be an elite pass rusher. He’s not going to do a lot to get off the ball in a hurry – he’s not going to be a speed rusher – with his sack total not likely to be a thing at the next level.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: The world is so focused on pass rushers that it sometimes forgets that it’s okay to merely be a good, tough, smart defensive end who can get the job done.
Projected Round: Fourth
9. Julian Okwara, Notre Dame
Size: 6-4, 252
The Good: He might be just getting started. A high-end pass rushing prospect, he might not have been consistent, but he’s got the quickness off the ball and the speed to get to the quarterback when the chance is there. The overall athleticism is there to grow into a role.
The Not-So-Good: The production wasn’t there. He’s got the tools and the upside to become a dangerous pass rusher, but he’s not going to do much against the run, and he still needs a whole lot of refinement. A leg injury closed down his senior year, but he still only finished with 15.5 career sacks and 79 tackles.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: There’s going to be a whole lot of love out there for his upside and potential, but there’s a whole lot to his game that might make someone worry about taking him in the second round. With his athleticism and drive, though, go ahead and take the shot after the top 50.
Projected Round: Second
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8. Jabari Zuniga, Florida
Size: 6-3, 264
The Good: Ziiiiiiiip. After a disappointing season with ankle injury issues keeping him from cranking out the run he was supposed to have, he went to Indy and ripped off a 4.64 40, put up 29 reps on the bench, and showed off the elite athleticism needed for a guy his size.
The Not-So-Good: Is he just a pass rusher? He made 116 tackles in his four years, and he held up okay against the run, but he isn’t a traditional defensive end and he’s not really a linebacker. If he’s not crushing it in the backfield, he might not have a role.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: There’s a decent chance that this ranking is ridiculously low. He’s a good ball player who will do the work, and he has the burst. If it all comes together, he has double-digit sack potential just outside of the second round.
Projected Round: Third
7. Terrell Lewis, Alabama
Size: 6-5, 262
The Good: A big linebacker who can be used as a defensive end in 4-3 alignments, he’s got the versatility everyone is looking for. When he’s healthy, he’s a killer with the NFL tools and the want-to to become a superstar. Even in a limited role he came up with six sacks and 11 tackles for loss last year, but …
The Not-So-Good: Just how much of a chance do you want to take on his health? He’s a top 20-overall talent, but he was never able to get his Bama career going thanks to a slew of injuries including a torn ACL.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: There’s a big boom-or-bust aspect to him, but not because he could be a bad player – he just might not be 100% healthy and right. If the injury issues really are in the past, look out. There’s the talent to become something special – he’s worth the risk after the first round.
Projected Round: Second
6. Jonathan Greenard, Florida
Size: 6-3, 263
The Good: When he was healthy and right, he was a force in his one year at Florida. He’s a leader with the versatility to be used in a variety of ways, with the ability to load up as a dangerous pass rusher or even move to an inside linebacker role if needed. He does all of the little things right.
The Not-So-Good: Banged up late in his career, he wasn’t quite able to turn it fully loose thanks to an arm injury. There’s a shot he might be an NFL jack-of-all-trades-master-of-none type. Is he a pure pass rusher at the next level? Is he an outside linebacker? It would be nice to have a defined role, but …
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: Good at Louisville when healthy, he missed all of 2018 before transferring to Florida for his final year. Even though he only played in 11 games, he came up with ten sacks and was a playmaking force. There’s a shot that he’s just getting started – there’s huge upside.
Projected Round: Third