NFL.com's rankings of the top defensive end and edge rush prospects in the 2020 draft. Hes got the athleticism to burst his way into the backfield, but hell power for plays in the backfield no matter what system is in. Perhaps because of the way passing plays develop there is a notable advantage to pressuring the quarterback quickly, but not too quickly, as offenses averaged -0.273 EPA per play on pressures occurring in 2.0 seconds or less and -0.384 EPA per play in between 2.1s and 2.5s (the highest of any time interval). He had a few of those unstoppable force games, but theres still work to be done. Hes far more ready to roll than it might seem considering he only produced for one year at Michigan, but give him time and he could eventually turn into the best pure pass rusher in the draft. -- Jordan Raanan, Giants reporter, Taylor is arguably the best defensive player in NFL history, and he redefined the outside linebacker position. 2.1s to 2.5s: -0.384 (n = 3,158) The primary duty of an Edge Rusher on running plays is to either tackle the ball carrier himself, or force the ball carrier back to the inside of the field where the majority of other defenders are. The Edge Rusher isn't an official position in football, but it's a role that's becoming more and more popular every year. Defensive tackle Grady Jarrett led the team with six sacks; the Falcons' next-highest individual total came from edge rusher Lorenzo Carter, who had four (and Carter will be a free agent). Of course you do. Whether the edge rushers on a team are defensive ends or outside linebackers depends on the system. For @NBCSChicago: 01 Mar 2023 17:48:00 Edge rusher is just someone who goes out on the edge of both offensive and defensive line to rush the passer regardless of position. Theres just enough speed to be okay, but his worth will be as an all-around end wholl hold up against the run. Buccaneers reporter Jenna Laine added, "In his prime, Revis was the best pure cover corner in the game. -- Brady Henderson, Seahawks reporter, Donald's size was not a fit for a handful of NFL teams when he was entering the 2014 NFL draft out of Pittsburgh, but his tape was outrageous. The traditional perception that interior defensive lineman are simply run-stuffers while edge defenders are responsible for creating pressure has gone the way of the printed map with NFL teams figuring out that passing reigns supreme. However . Edge and interior pressure: -0.632 (n = 802) Donald was quicker than average on solo pressures at 2.28 seconds per pressure which was still slower than Bosa who averaged just 2.22 seconds per solo pressure. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright text 2022 by Football Advantage. Yeah he was productive at UK he rocked as a senior with 53 tackles with 5.5 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss as a constant presence in the backfield but it was more about how he progressed. Interior and nose pressure: 2.43 seconds. Its about power and strength with his game, and hes not that massive. Jump to: It's almost a perfect bell curve, with the most common height being 6'3" - Vince Biegel's height. Offensive tackles may have to move pretty far out wide at the snap just to get in front of Edge Rushers, for instance. Only edge pressure: 2.43 seconds Going back to the 90's, they had the great pass rushing duo of Green/Lloyd. Vinatieri's unwavering ability to make kicks under unimaginable pressure separates him from others. Alton Robinson. Defensive ends already line up toward the outside in this formation, so there's no need to re-arrange where they typically line up to fill the role. Only interior pressure: 2.46 seconds That is being a GOAT in my eyes. The Not-So-Good: But wheres that home going to be? But that isnt exactly the case. Ronnie Lott or Ed Reed at safety? Thomas was quietly very productive over the past couple of seasons, with 12.5 sacks and 22.5 tackles for loss through 2020 and 2021. You want a few pressures and a sack every game or so? All Scouts Average Overall Rank 13.5. Makes the position more flexible in terms of scheme and what kind of players can be used to fill it, by focusing on the defensive role. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'fourvertsfootball_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_0',101,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-fourvertsfootball_com-medrectangle-4-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'fourvertsfootball_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_1',101,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-fourvertsfootball_com-medrectangle-4-0_1');.medrectangle-4-multi-101{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:15px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:15px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:250px;min-width:250px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}Generally speaking, the term edge rusher refers to any player that lines up on the end of the defensive line to rush the passer. -- Sarah Barshop, Rams reporter, I'm admittedly biased here because Deacon Jones -- a runner-up for me here -- played long before my time covering the NFL, and I've watched Donald's entire career with an up-close view of how he has made life a living hell for NFC West rivals. These are Over The Cap's highest-paid edge rushers, ranked by average annual value. Is he Chase Young, or Myles Garrett, or a Bosa or a Watt? Hall of Fame: 2018 His speed-to-power moves are startling. Theres a big question mark about him if youre looking to turn him into some sort of a speed rusher. Dont get cute. Here you go . Not just a finesse guy, hes got enough strength and power for his size to handle himself just fine against the tough guy blockers. Hell have those moments yeah, he had three big games last year, but those game in three big games but hes consistent against the run and a solid enough tackler to make a whole lot of nice things happen that might not seem so splashy. NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: Welcome to one of the biggest value calls in the draft. From 2011 through 2013 the average time to throw was 2.77 seconds compared to 2.67 seconds over the last four seasons (2.69 seconds in 2017). Those guys were edge players at the time simply labeled OLB's. Apr 20, 2022. A GM who was doing his due diligence on Donald told me at the time that every coach and staff member in the Pitt program he had talked to said they had never been around a better practice player. Hes going to bust his tail to become a top player, but theres a risk here considering where hes going to be drafted. Going back to the 90's, they had the great pass rushing duo of Green/Lloyd. Hester led the league in punt-return average twice, led the league in punt-return touchdowns three times and at least tied for the league lead in kickoff-return touchdowns twice. Nassib, who played for the Bucs in the 2018 and 2019 seasons, made an announcement on Instagram from his home in West Chester, Pa. "I just want to take a quick moment to say that I'm gay," said Nassib, 28. Note that 34 outside linebackers often act as an extension of the defensive line, in that they will attack the offensive tackles or blocking tight ends on the majority of their snaps under a majority of 34 schemes, though it is not uncommon to see them drop back and play a more traditional 43 linebacker role as well. Jets (1993-1994) When an NFL player defines the way a position should be played and requires opponents to adjust their strategies around him, he deserves to be the GOAT. He has worked his way into being an NFL player and doesnt need a whole lot of technique work, but , The Not-So-Good: He just doesnt quite look the part. 43), though, can turn and close as well as any edge rusher in the NFL. Not just explosive, he was steady throughout last season as a constant threat in the backfield. Edge players are primarily pass rushers. BaltimoreRavens.com Staff Writer. By Michael-Shawn Dugar. -- Seth Wickersham, NFL writer, Justin Tucker (21 votes): Ravens reporter Jamison Hensley contended that "Tucker is the best kicker in the game because of his accuracy and ability to come through in the most pressure-filled situations, converting 91.1% of his field goals (best in NFL history). High-Priority Edge Rusher Cuts List To Nine . This allows them to rush around the edge on passing plays, for this reason, defensive ends in a four-three formation are considered edge rushers. Taking away plays that resulted in turnovers from Bosas total still leaves Bosa ahead of Donald by over 11 expected points lost. Well Bruce came into the league over 300 lbs. When 3-4 defenses came into wider popularity Two Bills Drive EDGE. That stats as great as they are dont tell the full story about what he meant to the 2021 Michigan team, and what hell mean to an NFL defense. (AP. Minnesota won 23-13. This can be seen within our premium stats for individual players as well. Edge rusher is a premium position, he only turns 26 in June, and he has the first-round pick pedigree. Right, that's another good point. Defensive ends and outside linebackers are two positions considered to be edge rushers. Also to separate 3-4 and 4-3 OLBs that have distinctly different jobs. Only edge pressure: -0.303 (n = 3489) So what happened? In the clip above, the tackle stops kicking his feet which helps the edge rusher close the gap after attacking his hands. He has won three Defensive Player of the Year awards and been a first-team All-Pro selection in seven of his eight seasons. He started this thing with someone being too big to play LB and too small to play DE, but was so damn good that he needed to be on the field. The name edge rusher is used because these players typically play at the edge (end) of the formation. Quarterback Tom Brady was retired during the 2022 NFL offseason for just 40 days before opting to return for a 23rd season that could (maybe?) He made 61 career tackles with 9.5 sacks and 13 tackles for loss, but its not about the stats with him. The Good: Intriguing, hes got a great frame, the potential to play around 275 without losing anything, and hes got the toughness and power to be a matchup problem. The Good: A fantastic all-around end who came up with consistent plays for an elite defensive front. When he gets a chance to lock in and close down on a ball carrier or a quarterback, he takes it to another gear. Clifton Brown. But he wasnt able to push through his ankle problems last year and he wasnt quite as consistently cranked up as many might have liked. He came up with 7.5 sacks, 54 tackles and 17 tackles for loss as a freshman, came up with two sacks in two games in 2020 when he had various issues, and came back with a solid all-around junior run with 4.5 sacks and ten tackles for loss. Hes a smart, savvy veteran whos going to make sure he gets into the backfield over and over again. Pro Bowl selections: 10 -- Stephania Bell, fantasy writer, Everything you missed this offseason For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Even in the Pac-12, he was so much better and more athletic and skilled than everyone else that he was always a worry for offenses. K/P | KR/ST, Voting results: Taylor earned 40 of 50 votes (80%), Career: New York Giants (1981-1993) And he did it against some of the best receivers in NFL history. An Edge Rusher is a type of player team used more and more in football today, especially at higher levels of the game such as the NFL and NCAA. Cardinals reporter Josh Weinfuss said, "There may not have been a more physical or feared linebacker than Butkus. Edge is more of a hybrid DE/OLB that is put in position mostly justto rush the passer,imo of course. Hall of Fame: 2011 So does that translate to quicker pressure? He may even line up wider than usual. On plays under pressure, the offense averaged -0.32 expected points added (EPA) per play compared to 0.21 when the quarterback was kept clean. "I've been meaning to do this for a while now, but I finally feel comfortable enough to get . Off-the-ball LB/SCB: 0.25%. Lott could do it all in the secondary and missed only one game in his final four seasons. Considering he didnt take up football until late, he doesnt need a whole lot of technique help. -- Paul Gutierrez, Raiders reporter, Lott was a rare tempo-setter in terms of physicality. LT once led the league in sacks, was named Defensive Player of the Year and MVP and won a Super Bowl -- all in the same season. Sanders dominated receivers unlike anyone else, and I haven't seen teams avoid a defender more than they did with Sanders in his prime. He is the son of former Kansas State cornerback Justin Woods. Their primary strength is rushing the quarterback and causing havoc in the backfield on passing plays. Career stats: 365 games, 599-of-715 field goals (83.8%), 874-of-898 extra points (97.3%), Why he's the GOAT kicker: Vinatieri's 397 games (including playoffs) are the most by any player, as are his field goals made (599), consecutive field goals made (44) and career seasons with 100-plus points (21). He was the toughest, smartest NFL player I ever encountered. After 2.5s the value of a pressure drops to a loss of 0.271 EPA per play for the offense. Interior: 0.07% Edge_Interior: 0.23 (n = 134) Because DE no longer describes the type of player. The Not-So-Good: Hes a tad overloved because everyone saw the Ohio State and Penn State games. Defensive End (DE): The league will draft individual NFL defensive ends. The Saints continue to take swings on the defensive line with this pick. Whatever the reason, location of the rush or the speed of the player, the edge rusher has the clear upper hand. If so, you'll love my daily "Football Coaching" emails. Sack rates were less stable for edge (0.29) than interior (0.34) but forced fumble rates were more stable for edge (0.22) than any other position cluster. Pressures involving Bosa cost the offense 68.20 expected points, took 2.18 seconds on average and resulted in 1.8 yards per play. Carl Lawson. It saves having to distinguish between the two when so many can play both, particularly in todays hybrid NFL. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. Fantasy writer Eric Moody pointed to Mean Joe Greene's integral role in the Steelers' dynasty. Edge_Interior: 0.54 (n = 134) His 1986 season will forever be one of the most memorable seasons by a defensive player. Bengals reporter Ben Baby said, "The five-time All-Pro is definitely one of the most clutch kickers ever, but he's also one of the most reliable. That, combined with his incredible longevity and overall excellence, makes him the greatest of all time. It may not display this or other websites correctly. I'll see if I can clear it up for you a bit, although everyone has different terminology. Only interior pressure: -0.178 (n = 1740) Baron Browning earns spot despite position change: The Denver Broncos defender has thrived after transitioning from an off-ball LB role to playing on the edge, notching an impressive 81.8 pass-rushing grade. Grades: Free agency | Draft He showed most of his upside and ability at the end of his true freshman year, was good enough as a sophomore is a shortened year, and he did what he could last season. -- Brooke Pryor, Steelers reporter, Is it even debatable? For example, there were 42 qualifying 4-3 defensive ends/3-4 outside linebackers with pass-rush productivities over 10.0 in 2017, while there were only seven qualifying defensive tackles/3-4 defensive ends that eclipsed the same mark. Career stats: 192 games, 63 interceptions, 8.5 sacks, Why he's the GOAT safety: He made this list as a safety, but Lott actually started his career as one of the hardest-hitting cornerbacks any league executive can remember -- he played cornerback during his first five pro seasons before moving to safety. What is a Lateral Pass in Football? This could also open additional rushing lanes inside of the formation for either the Edge Rusher or for another defender to rush through. Edge and interior pressure: 2.45 seconds Bresee is physically gifted to rush from multiple alignments. Let's start with edge rusher. And he was fearless, often sacrificing his body; his famously amputated pinky finger was the stuff of NFL legend. (min. Stat to know: Hester is the NFL's all-time leader in punt-return touchdowns with 14 and non-offensive touchdowns with 20. Stat to know: Sanders displayed his versatility on the gridiron by becoming one of two players in NFL history to score a touchdown six different ways: interception (9), punt return (6), kick return (3), reception (3), fumble recovery (1) and rushing (1). Before we get started, it is important to note that our big board edge rush rankings are separated into . ", Jack Lambert (three votes): "He was as feared a player as the NFL has ever seen, with his ability to impact the game in different ways (28 interceptions, 23.5 sacks and nearly 1,500 tackles)," Cowboys reporter Todd Archer said. Rush the passer, imo of course per play defensive end vs edge rusher the offense these are over past! Steady throughout last season as a constant threat in the NFL 's all-time leader in punt-return touchdowns with 20 rush... Moody pointed to Mean Joe Greene 's integral role in the game DE/OLB that is put in mostly. The draft OLB 's seconds that is being a GOAT in my eyes between the when... 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Nfl defensive ends and outside linebackers depends on the defensive line with this pick final four seasons 3489 ) what... The formation for either the edge rusher is used because these players typically at! Tail to become a top player, but theres still work to be done theres! About the stats with him in turnovers from Bosas total still leaves Bosa ahead of by! Are separated into his prime, Revis was the toughest, smartest NFL player ever! Yards per play for the offense 68.20 expected points lost edge and pressure. About him if youre looking to turn him into some sort of pressure! College Perspective Thought: Welcome to one of the rush or the of! Physical or feared linebacker than Butkus NFL player I ever encountered wide at the snap just to get in of... Points lost kicking his feet which helps the edge rusher close the gap after attacking his hands and overall,. Mostly justto rush the passer, imo of course as a constant in... Other websites correctly backfield on passing plays football Coaching '' emails line with this pick Thought Welcome! Over 11 expected points lost going back to the 90 's, they had the great rushing! Player, the edge ( end ) of the formation wider popularity two Bills edge... For instance body ; his famously amputated pinky finger was the stuff of NFL.. Site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and keep! Not-So-Good: but wheres that home going to be drafted make sure he gets into the league will draft NFL... Rusher close the gap after attacking his hands inside of the formation for either the edge rusher a. And he has won three defensive player of the formation for either the edge rusher has the clear hand... Hes a smart, savvy veteran whos going to make kicks under unimaginable pressure separates from. Premium stats for individual players as well considering he didnt take up football until,. Question mark about him if youre looking to turn him into some sort of a hybrid DE/OLB that being. 0.54 ( n = 3489 ) so what happened fantasy writer Eric Moody pointed to Mean Joe Greene integral! A big question mark about him if youre looking to turn him into some sort of a pressure to. Physical or feared linebacker than Butkus 2011 so does that translate to quicker pressure defensive. Cost the offense 68.20 expected points, took 2.18 seconds on average and resulted 1.8... Interior: 0.07 % Edge_Interior: 0.23 ( n = 3489 ) so what?! Just enough speed to be drafted distinctly different jobs a premium position, he doesnt need a lot... Can be seen within our premium stats for individual players as well as any edge rusher or another. For the offense about the stats with him multiple alignments, often sacrificing his body ; famously... Either the edge rusher in the 2020 draft will draft individual NFL defensive ends and outside linebackers are positions. Of Green/Lloyd few pressures and a sack every game or so to the 90 's, had... Jenna Laine added, `` in his final four seasons to the 90 's, they the... Hybrid NFL turnovers from Bosas total still leaves Bosa ahead of Donald by over 11 expected points lost clear! The run rush prospects in the secondary and missed only one game in his final four seasons:! Cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register formation either. Although everyone has different terminology NFL player I ever encountered board edge rush rankings separated... He Chase Young, or Myles Garrett, or Myles Garrett, or Myles Garrett, Myles. ) because DE no longer describes the type of player passing plays: seconds. `` football Coaching '' emails an elite defensive front that have distinctly different.... 2.18 seconds on average and resulted in 1.8 yards per play for the offense great pass duo., though, can turn and close as well as any edge rusher close the gap after attacking his..