Who are the defensive ends and edge rushers who’ll matter in the 2020 NFL Draft, and what’s the college perspective on all of the top prospects?
2020 NFL Draft Defensive End, Edge Rusher Rankings
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It’s one of the glamour positions now, more than ever. The pass rushers are fantastic in this draft with a big group of deep, talented, and all-around great prospects are there in bunches.
From the college perspective, here are the top quarterbacks in your 2020 NFL Draft, starting with the ones who’ll be in the mix, and then diving into the five who’ll actually matter over the next ten years of the pro football world.
BetMGM: bet on who’ll be the 1st Overall Pick …
15. Trevis Gipson, Tulsa
Size: 6-3, 261
The Good: Emerging as a big-time pass rusher last season, he grew into the role on the Tulsa line, and then came up with eight sacks, 15 tackles for loss and 49 tackles. He’s got good size to go along with quickness off the ball. He has game-wrecking upside.
The Not-So-Good: Even with all of the production, it’s going to take a little bit of NFL coaching to get all the finer points down. His production was good, but with a little work he could do a whole lot more.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: There’s the potential for fantastic value here. He might need a little while and some work to be more consistent and do something with all of his tools, but there’s massive pass rushing value in the later rounds.
Projected Round: Fifth
14. Jonathan Garvin, Miami
Size: 6-4, 263
The Good: Versatile enough to work as a hybrid pass rusher, he could end up as a solid outside linebacker or a defensive end if he’s around bulk up front. He might be tall and not all that bulky, but he can hit.
The Not-So-Good: It would be nice if he could get a little bit bulkier. He’s a true tweener who’ll get pounded on against a decent NFL running game.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: When he was on as a sophomore, he was a flash into the backfield with 17 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. He can be a disruptive force, but he might need to get functionally stronger to be a three-down option.
Projected Round: Fifth
CFN in 60: 2020 1st Overall Draft Pick Odds
13. Alex Highsmith, Charlotte
Size: 6-3, 248
The Good: Ultra-productive, he followed up a big three-sack, 18.5 tackle for loss junior season with an unstoppable 15-sack senior campaign with 75 tackles. He’s not huge, but he’s fast – he ripped off a 4.7 – with the hybrid ability to be a specialist as an outside linebacker.
The Not-So-Good: He’s too small and doesn’t really have a sure-thing NFL role. He’s not a true linebacker; he’s a way-undersized defensive end. He’ll get hammered on against the run.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: One of the nation’s most productive pass rushers over the last two seasons, everyone tried to stop him, and no one could do it on a consistent basis. He might not have ideal size, but he’ll be a cheap/value pass rusher late.
Projected Round: Sixth
12. Bradlee Anae, Utah
Size: 6-3, 257
The Good: A pass rushing machine, he was unblockable at times for a fantastic Utah line that was alway pressing. Great over the last three seasons, he finished his career with 29.5 sacks with 40 tackles for loss. There will be knocks on his tools, but he’s a pure football player who’s always working.
The Not-So-Good: Does he have the NFL stuff at just 257 pounds? He’s just okay against the run, and he’s too much of a tweener to be a regular defensive end. He’s a pass rusher without the high-end NFL athleticism needed.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: Don’t get caught up in the negatives and the potential concerns, He’s a consistent producer, a leader, and there’s nothing much to worry about when he’s wound up and let go into a backfield. A coaching staff will love him.
Projected Round: Third
11. Alton Robinson, SYracuse
Size: 6-3, 264
The Good: One of the fastest and most explosive defensive ends at the combine, he was fantastic in the short drills, ripped off a sub-4.7 40, and did everything right to look the part. He can close, with 19 sacks and 32 tackles for loss in three years.
The Not-So-Good: He’s not really an outside linebacker and he’s a tad undersized for a true defensive end. More disruptive in 2018, he was a bit too inconsistent last season with his production in the backfield cut in half.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: As long as he’s being used as a pass rusher on pure passing downs, he could crank up a ton of stats as a specialty playmaker in the backfield.
Projected Round: Fourth
NEXT: 2020 NFL Draft Defensive End, Edge Rusher Rankings Top Ten
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
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
NEXT: 2020 NFL Draft Quarterback Rankings No. 5
2020 NFL Draft Defensive End, Edge Rusher Rankings Top Five
5. Curtis Weaver, Boise State
Size: 6-2, 265
The Good: Ultra-productive from the start, he kicked off his career with 11 sacks as a freshman and he kept getting better. In just three seasons he finished with 128 tackles, 34 sacks and 47.5 tackles for loss. Everyone tried to stop him, and it didn’t happen.
Ultra-quick and ultra-explosive in a football way – more on that in a moment – he packs a wallop when he gets to the ball and he keeps on coming. He’s relentless, but …
The Not-So-Good: Is he too small? The 265 pound bulk is good, but at 6-2, he’s not your normal defensive end, and making him a linebacker takes away from his true talents. He’s able to move, but he’s not an elite athlete. He was able to get the job done on the field, but workout-wise, he’s just okay.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: What about three years of dominant production do you not like? No, he might not be the prototype for any one spot, but you want guys who know how to play the game and find ways to make things happen. He’ll find a role, and it’ll include getting behind the line.
Projected Round: Second
NEXT: 2020 NFL Draft Defensive End, Edge Rusher Rankings No. 4
4. Yetur Gross-Matos, Penn State
Size: 6-5, 266
The Good: Lean, fast, and athletic, he’s fine as is, but he could blow up into something even more. He’s a perfect combination of proven production and upside, with the body type to add at least ten more pounds of good weight without losing much.
Ultra-productive over the last two seasons, he grew into a terror behind the line with 17 sacks and 34.5 tackles for loss over the last two seasons. There’s just enough power to go along with his speed and quickness.
The Not-So-Good: He does need a little bit of work. He doesn’t have the total arsenal of moves and tricks quite yet, and he’ll need to develop them in a hurry to unlock all he can become. He’s okay against the run, but that’s not what you’re buying. If he’s erased by the bulkier blockers, he’s going to disappear at times.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: He’ll go right after the first wave of high-end pass rushers, but value-wise there’s a whole lot to love late in the first round to the early second. Right out of the box he can produce and be a good pass rusher, but give him a year or two and he might just turn into one of the most complete defenders to come out of the draft.
Projected Round: First
NEXT: 2020 NFL Draft Defensive End, Edge Rusher Rankings No. 3
3. K’Lavon Chaisson, LSU
Size: 6-3. 254
The Good: If you’re looking for the speed, athleticism, and upside as an edge rusher who can be a devastating force to keep offensive coordinators up at night, here you go.
All problems from the knee injury he suffered two years ago were gone as a solid playmaker for the national championship D of last year, coming up with 6.5 sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss with 60 tackles. A technician, he’s the type who’ll work his craft.
The Not-So-Good: How worried are you about his past injuries? The knee injury doesn’t seem to be a problem now, but he fought through other problems last year. Not all that big, he’ll get hammered on as an outside linebacker and he can get powered on a bit too much.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: He’s not quite the surest of things considering where he’ll be drafted. He’s almost a lock to go in the top 20 with his athleticism and pass rushing upside, but the injuries of the past two seasons are enough to be a wee bit concerned. However, his leadership and attitude are off the charts – he’s everything a coaching staff wants to be a face of the defense.
Projected Round: First
NEXT: 2020 NFL Draft Defensive End, Edge Rusher Rankings No. 2
2. AJ Epenesa, Iowa
Size: 6-5, 275
The Good: The guy always produced. He came up with a good freshman year as a key part of the rotation, and then everything kicked in with 86 tackles, 22 sacks and 30.5 tackles for loss over the last two seasons.
With his size, he’s got the ability to fit in any sort of a style and format. Tough against the run, he’s one of the nastier defensive ends in the draft when it comes to holding his own, but he’ll always keep working to get behind the line, too.
The Not-So-Good: He’s not really a true NFL pass rusher. He’ll get sacks and plays in the backfield on want-to and power, but if you’re looking for flash and blast off the ball, that’s not Epenesa. Even though he’s strong, he’s not quite a normal NFL 3-4 end and not as fast as you’d like for a 4-3.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: While he might not be your typical pass rusher in a draft loaded with speed guys who can get behind the line, he’s a do-it-all defensive end with ten-year starting potential as an ultra-reliable cog for a line. There’s almost zero bust potential – plug-and-play, and don’t worry about one of your spots on the defensive front.
Projected Round: First
NEXT: 2020 NFL Draft Defensive End, Edge Rusher Rankings No. 1
1. Chase Young, Ohio State
Size: 6-5. 264
The Good: Myles Garrett might be the recent prototype of prototype defensive ends, but Young isn’t all that far off, it at all.
He’s got the athleticism and pass rushing ability to take over games by himself, and the drive and desire to be something special. He moves like a smaller outside linebacker, but he also brings the power when needed to close when he has to.
Yeah, he might have been erased at times late in the year, but it took multiple blockers to do it. He still finished with 16.5 sacks, 21 tackles for loss, and 46 tackles – and that’s despite missing a few games.
The Not-So-Good: Teams were able to figure it out. Michigan was able to neutralize him, and then Wisconsin adjusted from the first meeting – when Young turned into a Heisman candidate with his dominant four-sack performance – and kept him out of the backfield, and Clemson kept him relatively quiet. For all he does right, it is possible to power on him.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: Really, NFL? You’re getting cute with a slew of quarterbacks who all have just enough issues to be a wee bit worried? You’re being pitched a beach ball across the heart of the plate here, and all you have to do is hit it.
This is what you want in an NFL pass rusher. There’s nothing missing to his game, he’s an instant Pro Bowl talent with the skill and makeup to transform a team. When Ohio State coaches are saying he might be better than the Bosas, look out.
Projected Round: Top Three Overall
