2025 NFL Draft Preview – Edge Rushers
February 25, 2025
By Noonefromtampa
Improving the Commanders pass rush is an important offseason objective and the draft is deep in edge rushers. Dante Fowler, who led the team with 10.5 sacks, is a free agent and Clelin Ferrell is not expected to return
Day 1 Prospects
| Name | Height | Weight | School |
| Abdul Carter | 6-2 | 249 | Penn State |
| James Pearce Jr. | 6-4 | 242 | Tennessee |
| Mykel Williams | 6-4 | 265 | Georgia |
| Mike Green | 6-3 | 251 | Marshall |
| Nic Scourton | 6-4 | 280 | Texas A&M |
| Shemar Stewart | 6-5 | 281 | Texas A&M |
If Washington decides to go with a pass rusher in the first round, one of Green, Scourton or Stewart should still be on the board at that point. The other three players project to be top 20 picks and will likely be gone. The “unnamed sources” red flag rumor mill has already started around Pearce, with “off-field activities” being listed as the cause of the red flag.
Mike Green
Mike Green is a WEAPON on the edge.
He’s put up 23 sacks and 89 pressures in the last 2 seasons and boasts a 20.1% pass rush win rate.
He’s also been an absolutely dominant run defender, posting a 90+ grade in the last two seasons.
Top 15 player in the draft. pic.twitter.com/xiPmnkpRyW
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) February 10, 2025
Nic Scourton
Nic Scourton is well-rounded edge prospect.
He’s 6’4, 285lbs yet moves incredibly well and is known for his signature spin move. He’s also one of the better run defenders in this class.
78 pressures and 12 sacks in the last 2 seasons at Purdue and Texas A&M. Top 50 player. pic.twitter.com/FNFSnptJWC
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) February 9, 2025
Shemar Stewart
Shemar Stewart is a FREAKISH athlete 👀
At 6’5, 281lbs, Stewart possesses alien explosiveness, quickness, and raw power that allows him to wreak havoc and defend the run at an elite level.
He dominated the Senior Bowl and earned himself an early withdrawal. pic.twitter.com/6E5Yod2ATo
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) January 30, 2025
Day 2 Prospects
| Name | Height | Weight | School |
| Kyle Kennard | 6-4 | 248 | South Carolina |
| Princely Umanmielen | 6-4 | 264 | Ole Miss |
| Landon Jackson | 6-5 | 273 | Arkansas |
| J.T. Tuimoloau | 6-4 | 270 | Ohio State |
| Donovan Ezeiruaku | 6-2 | 248 | Boston College |
| Jack Sawyer | 6-4 | 267 | Ohio State |
| T.J. Sanders | 6-4 | 284 | South Carolina |
| Jordan Burch | 6-5 | 275 | Oregon |
| Bradyn Swinson | 6-4 | 250 | LSU |
| Josaiah Stewart | 6-1 | 248 | Michigan |
| Jared Ivey | 6-6 | 283 | Ole Miss |
| Antwaun Powell-Ryland | 6-2 | 253 | Virginia Tech |
Ohio State will likely have three defensive linemen taken in the first two days of the draft, interior lineman Tyleik Williams, along with ends Tuimoloau and Sawyer. The two Ohio State edge players combined for 21 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, 8 pass deflections, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery and 1 touchdown during the college football playoff games.
Landon Jackson
Landon Jackson | DE | ARK
Long frame & maximizes it to land first hands/keep his chest clean. Downhill rusher who's power is difficult to stall once rolling. Strength to stack & shed vs the run is fantastic. Eye discipline and motor allow for him to make plays vs runs everywhere pic.twitter.com/BJMoV5wgbC
— Matt Lane (@Matty_KCSN) February 17, 2025
Princely Umanmielen
Princely Umanmielen is a prototype modern edge rusher with unfair length, strength, and explosiveness.
He generated 45 pressures and 7 sacks in 2023 and will look to DOMINATE with Ole Miss in 2024 👀 pic.twitter.com/6dt0BKCwqA
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) May 14, 2024
J.T. Tuimoloau
Ohio State ED J.T. Tuimoloau was everywhere against Oregon.
His 7 pressures were a single-game career high while flashing the ability to make an impact in the run. Resume tape type of game for the senior. pic.twitter.com/ffdWweLKUJ
— Ryan Fowler (@_RyanFowler_) January 3, 2025
Jack Sawyer
Jack Sawyer | DE | OSU
High effort rusher with powerful hands. Adept at crushing the pocket off the edge & softening the corner to work through a blocker's shoulder. High IQ run defender who takes on pullers well & holds contain to force runs inside. Approaches blocks w/leverage pic.twitter.com/SHLFzTDuGG
— Matt Lane (@Matty_KCSN) February 18, 2025
T.J. Sanders
Explosive disruptor…that is South Carolina IDL T.J. Sanders.
On top of having a nice showing during Senior Bowl practices, Sanders has put up consistent production over the last two seasons. In 2024, he recorded 27 pressures, 5 sacks and 2 pass deflections.
Stout against the… pic.twitter.com/NFnEn9MDMe
— Jake Hefner (@JakeTHefner) February 9, 2025
Jared Ivey
Jared Ivey | DE | MISS
Big, versatile DL w/ outside -> inside versatility. Counters his good power rush plan with his lateral agility on inside moves & excels as a stunter. Disciplined run defender w/ a physical punch+extend at the PoA. Utilizes his hands to shed blocks quickly pic.twitter.com/Edz0lLEWso
— Matt Lane (@Matty_KCSN) February 18, 2025
Day 3 Prospects
| Name | Height | Weight | School |
| Aeneas Peebles | 6-0 | 289 | Virginia Tech |
| Ashton Gillotte | 6-3 | 270 | Louisville |
| Tyler Baron | 6-4 | 262 | Miami (FL) |
| Elijah Roberts | 6-4 | 295 | SMU |
| Barryn Sorrell | 6-4 | 253 | Texas |
| Tyler Batty | 6-5 | 269 | BYU |
| R.J. Oben | 6-3 | 255 | Notre Dame |
| Oluwafemi Oladejo | 6-3 | 261 | UCLA |
| Tonka Hemingway | 6-2 | 285 | South Carolina |
| David Walker | 6-1 | 267 | Central Arkansas |
| Chaz Chambliss | 6-2 | 242 | Georgia |
| Jah Joyner | 6-4 | 263 | Minnesota |
| Ahmed Hassanein | 6-3 | 271 | Boise State |
| Sai’Vion Jones | 6-5 | 289 | LSU |
| Davin Vann | 6-2 | 280 | NC State |
| Jasheen Davis | 6-3 | 260 | Wake Forest |
| Jared Harrison-Hunte | 6-4 | 294 | SMU |
Last draft, Washington drafted Javontae Jean-Baptiste in the 7th round. It is likely that the Commanders will draft another late round defensive lineman as a developmental project.