Which defensive ends and edge rushers will matter in the 2021 NFL Draft, and what’s the college perspective on all of the top prospects?
2021 NFL Draft Defensive End, Edge Rusher Rankings
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Considering how glamorous the pass rushers are, you’d think they’d be flowing into the NFL from the collegiate level.
Not this year.
There are a whole lot of question marks in an all boom-or-bust season for the top guys. There’s upside, athleticism and promise, but there isn’t a Chase Young, Nick Bosa, Bradley Chubb, or any other must-have talent in the bunch. It’s going to take a whole lot of guessing to find the next killers in opposing backfield.
Oh they’re there, but GMs are going to have to do their work this time around.
From the college perspective, the top defensive ends and edge rushers in the 2021 NFL Draft are …
15. Shaka Toney, Penn State
Size: 6-3, 242
The Good: A very good four-year pass rusher for a defense full of talented players who could get into the backfield, Toney made 20 career sacks and was solid against the run. Extremely athletic, he moves like a running back with a great quickness and terrific cuts to get to the ball.
The Not-So-Good: He was streaky. The overall numbers were great, but four of his five sacks game in two games last year, three of his 6.5 in 2019 came against Purdue, and four of his five in 2018 were against Indiana. It’s not like he totally disappeared in the other games, but … he sort of disappeared too often.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: He’s an interesting pass rushing option who’s great on the move – he’s a whole lot more fluid than most of the defensive ends and edge rushers in this draft – but he’s likely a specialist.
Projected Round: Fourth
14. Ronnie Perkins, Oklahoma
Size: 6-3, 253
The Good: He makes things happen. A good pass rusher in his first two seasons, he gave the defense a whole other look coming off a suspension – allegedly for marijuana; no big whoop – with 5.5 sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss in just six games last year. He’s always around the ball and always in the backfield.
The Not-So-Good: He doesn’t have the NFL tools for his game. He’s tough, but he’ll get bounced too much by the tougher blockers, and he’s not quite a speed guy who’s going to blow past anyone. He needs to be surrounded by athletes and NFL prototypes.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: It’s funny how the NFL world works. Sometimes a guy makes a whole lot of plays at a high level, and everyone seems to ignore the production by questioning how it all happened. Perkins is hardly the perfect prospect, but the guy who showed up with his hair on fire over the back half of 2020 is someone you want in an NFL camp to see what he can do.
Projected Round: Fourth
13. Patrick Johnson, 6-2, 240
Size: 6-2, 240
The Good: He doesn’t look anything like your normal NFL defensive end or pass rusher, and there’s a positive to that – he plays every down like he has something to prove. He came up with 21 sacks and 120 tackles over his last three seasons by doing everything right and fighting for every play.
The Not-So-Good: Yeah, he doesn’t look anything like your normal NFL defensive end or pass rusher. He’s built like an inside linebacker, but he’s not an inside linebacker. He’s not quite quick enough to be on the outside, and he’s not quite long enough to be an end, and …
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: He’s not going to be a standout star for a defensive front, but he’ll always bring the A effort every time out and he knows what he’s doing. He’ll go on Day 3, and 15 minutes into the first practice the coaching staff will love what it has.
Projected Round: Fourth
12. Chris Rumph, Duke
Size: 6-3, 244
The Good: An all-around producer for a defense that wasn’t always special, he was always keyed on and he almost always came through. He’s a tall linebacker who’ll get behind the line – 17.5 sacks and 33 tackles for loss in three years – and he’s got the toughness to handle himself just fine against the run. However …
The Not-So-Good: Get a block on him and it’s over. He’s great at reading plays, getting into space and chasing things down, but he’s not bulky and he’s not going to get that first step on NFL tackles like he did in college.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: LOVE him somewhere around the 75 or later. There’s too much missing to take the chance on him too high, but there’s a shot he’s one of those guys who does one thing very, very well, and that one thing makes him a double-digit sack disruptor.
Projected Round: Fourth
11. Payton Turner, Houston
Size: 6-5, 270
The Good: A true defensive end, he’s big, experienced, and he produced. A good pass rusher who holds up well against the run, stick him on the line in any alignment and he’ll be fine. He moved ridiculously smoothly for a guy his size, but …
The Not-So-Good: How concerned are you about the injury issues? He missed a little time last year with COVID issues, but he was also banged up at times. He’s not quite the fit for the modern NFL – he’d be an ideal 1998 defensive end – but …
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: There’s a whole lot to love here if he turns it loose like he did in his five games of work in 2020. He was okay in his first two years, busted out as a junior and was unstoppable during his limited time last year. He’s a different option among the top pass rushers.
Projected Round: Third
NEXT: 2021 NFL Draft Defensive End, Edge Rusher Rankings Top Ten
2021 NFL Draft Defensive End, Edge Rusher Rankings Top Ten
10. Patrick Jones, Pitt
Size: 6-4, 261
The Good: One of the only three-year producers among the top defensive end/edge rushers in the draft, he improved in each of his last three seasons with 21 sacks and 31 tackles for loss over his last three seasons. He’s got the size and quickness off the ball, and he’s a productive force who should be a team leader if he grabs a starting spot. However …
The Not-So-Good: The attack mode has to be there all the time. It’s not right to say he’s too passive or missing the motor, but some guys just read and react and some just go. Jones sometimes gets erased too easily and is missing that extra thing to get into the backfield.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: You want this guy after the top 50, and you really want him if he slides to Day 3. He doesn’t have the WOW factor of some of the top guys, but add him to a part of the outside linebacker/edge rotation and don’t worry about one of your 11 spots.
Projected Round: Fourth
9. Joseph Ossai, Texas
Size: 6-4, 256
The Good: Arguably the most versatile and best all-around linebacker/end/edge prospect, he made 90 tackles as a sophomore at linebacker, and he cranked up 5.5 sacks with 15.5 tackles for loss when moved to the edge as a junior. Fast enough, he might not be an elite athlete but he makes up for it by never turning it off. He’s bringing the heat for all four quarters.
The Not-So-Good: He’s sort of a tweener. He’ll produce no matter where he plays, but he’s still going to need time time grow into a true NFL edge rusher, he gets blocked a bit too easily, and he’s probably not going to be tried out at linebacker considering where he’ll be drafted.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: High character, a bear of a worker, and versatile, he’s the type of prospect every scout falls deeply in love with. However, he doesn’t quite have that one superstar thing tools-wise compared to some of the other top guys on the list – potentially more overall very good than dominant-great. However, he’s an NFL football player who’ll be a longtime starter in some role.
Projected Round: First
8. Rashad Weaver, Pitt
Size: 6-4, 259
The Good: Pass rush pass rush pass rush. He rushed the passer as a freshman and came up with three sacks, he rushed the passer as a sophomore and came u with 6.5 with 14 tackles for loss, and then he suffered a knee injury that cost him all of 2019. Just when it seemed like there was a question mark about how that would affect him, he rushed the passer as a senior and made 7.5 sacks with 14 tackles for loss in just nine games.
The Not-So-Good: SLOW. He was quick through the short drills – which matter more than a 40 time – but the 4.85 40 was way, way, way too slow for a player of his size. He’s not going to be for every team and might be a one-trick guy at the next level, but …
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: If your one trick is being able to get to the quarterback, the NFL will find a place for you. He might not have the elite athleticism some might like, but some guys just know how to find ways to get into the backfield. Either you have that ability or you don’t.
Projected Round: Third
7. Joe Tryon, Washington
Size: 6-5, 259
The Good: He emerged as a top Pac-12 pass rusher as a sophomore with eight sacks, 12.5 tackles for loss, and 41 tackles. He’s a good all-around hybrid with the length and size to be used as a true end, but the quickness to grow into more of a speed rusher.
The Not-So-Good: One year. He saw time as a freshman and was solid, but he only emerged as a top pass rusher as a sophomore. He opted out on the 2020 season and it probably cost him a round because of seasoning. The NFL world will be looking for more time and more seasoning, and now it’s going to happen as a rookie.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: In a bad draft for pass rushers, he’s going to be a great value get outside of the top 50. He’s got the basics – although it would’ve been nice to be faster than 4.64 – and he’s got the upside to be fantastic. Others with the same question marks will be taken far earlier.
Projected Round: Third
6. Azeez Ojulari, Georgia
Size: 6-2, 249
The Good: Far more of an outside linebacker than a true defensive end, he’s the hybrid pass rusher everyone is looking for. There’s no better worker, leader, and fighter among the defensive ends in this draft – you don’t do what he did as an underclassman at Georgia without being something special. He’s got the burst to be the pure speed rusher everyone wants, but …
The Not-So-Good: There were too many disappearances. He dominated Auburn and wrecked Cincinnati, but he had minimal impact against Florida and Alabama. He’s absolutely maxed out on his frame without any room to get bigger, and he’s able to get blocked way too easily. And then there’s the time – the 4.63 at the pro day for a guy his size isn’t good enough.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: Unlike the top five guys on this list who are more ends than edge rushers, here’s your best outside linebacker/edge guy in the draft. Also unlike the top five guys, Ojulari produced for two seasons. While he’s not the perfect prospect, he’ll have to be accounted for on the outside on every play, he’ll always bring the effort. and he’ll put up sack numbers.
Projected Round: Second
NEXT: 2021 NFL Draft Defensive End, Edge Rusher Rankings No. 5
2021 NFL Draft Defensive End, Edge Rusher Rankings Top Five
5. Gregory Rousseau, Miami
Size: 6-7, 266
The Good: Very long and with the frame to add even more weight, he’s a huge end who’s tough to get around and has just enough burst to be seen as a bit of a speed rusher, too.
He only did it for one year at Miami, but it was a monster 2019 campaign with 54 tackles with 15.5 sacks as he grew into a game-wrecker. He’s still improving and still has room to grow – in a good way – with the upside to be an even stronger run defender to go along with his pass rushing skills.
There’s a bit of a risk here, but the raw tools and overall look to his game should be enough to at worst make him a good part of a rotation. However …
The Not-So-Good: The lack of overall experience hurts. He needs to improve his repertoire of moves, he’s going to have to get used to dealing with athletic NFL tackles on a consistent basis, and he might have to make himself into a bigger player to find the right role – and that raises the issue.
At 275ish to 280 can he still be a pass rusher with that great finishing ability? He might be way more of a project than it appears, and …
.@Greg_R5 put in serious work today 💪 pic.twitter.com/SyRt3XRB5p
— Canes Football (@CanesFootball) March 29, 2021
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: Here’s one guy who’s getting hurt in the NFL Draft process for opting out last year. No one seems to be dogging the decision, but absence makes the scouting heart go skittish.
Last year at around this time he would’ve been seen as a rising star with a world of upside coming off the great redshirt freshman year, but a year later the momentum isn’t there and now everyone is highlighting the potential problems all because of a lack of experience.
Whatever.
In a draft without a whole lot of great options for the position, draft him, develop him, and he’ll be a good football player somewhere on a line for the next decade.
Projected Round: Second
NEXT: 2021 NFL Draft Defensive End, Edge Rusher Rankings No. 4
4. Carlos Basham, Wake Forest
Size: 6-3, 275
The Good: In a world full of hybrids and edge rushers, here’s your best true defensive end in the draft.
Boogie might be big enough than tough enough to hold his own against the run – he made 173 career tackles in his four years – but he’s consistently quick enough off the ball and always works to get behind the line with 19.5 sacks and 35.5 tackles for loss. Still improving, he added another element to his game over the last two seasons with seven forced fumbles.
Able to work in any system, he could keep the weight, stay at 275ish, and still be tough enough to hold up in a 3-4, or if he needs to add another burst, he’s got weight to drop to add even more flash to his style.
Carlos ‘Boogie’ Basham didn’t play inside a ton at Wake but there are some 3rd down/sub reps in his career to look at
I’m glad he got more 3-tech experience down at @seniorbowl – I honestly feel he can win up-and-down the DL
Size. Strength. Sudden. Relentless. pic.twitter.com/0JcNGMr8X8
— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) March 6, 2021
The Not-So-Good: Yeah … the weight.
He’d probably be a sure-thing late first rounder if he was about 260 or even a bit lighter – if that really would make him a half-click quicker. As is, he’s not lumbering, but he’s not a flash who’ll get behind the line by blowing past any NFL offensive tackle.
There’s a bit too much tweener to him – he’s not going to be a tackle and he’d be far better on the outside in a 3-4.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: He’s an interesting prospect who could instantly step in and be a key part of any defensive line rotation. He’s not going to be a superstar of superstars who has to be gameplanned for at the next level, but he’ll always bring the effort, he’ll make his share of plays behind the line, and can be a factor against the run.
Projected Round: Second
NEXT: 2021 NFL Draft Defensive End, Edge Rusher Rankings No. 3
3. Kwity Paye, Michigan
Size: 6-3, 261
The Good: Extremely fast and athletic with good size and a great base, he’s great off the blocks with a strong first step and the closing ability to lock down on a quarterback when he gets a chance.
He grew into the job, coming up with 6.5 sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss in a strong junior year, and he did what he could in the lost 2020 with two sacks and 16 tackles in four games.
As much as he became a factor on the field over his four seasons, he grew just as much as one of the team’s leaders – he’ll always bring the energy and fight.
Kwity Paye's mother fled Liberia to give her family a better life.@UMichFootball DE @OfficialKwity wants to return the favor by fulfilling his @NFLDraft dreams. 💙
📺: 2021 #NFLDraft — April 29 – May 1 on NFLN/ESPN/ABC pic.twitter.com/B0luG9bU7y
— NFL (@NFL) April 8, 2021
The Not-So-Good: The knocks are all about the production. He was just okay-to-very-good at Michigan.
He was a good college player and he had his moments when he came up with big sacks and strong plays, but he disappeared a bit too often and he wasn’t a dominant force.
He great against Minnesota to start last year, and then that was about it. He was fantastic in the middle of the 2019 season, but didn’t do enough to get into the backfield over the finishing kick.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: All the tools are there to be terrific, and again, the leadership and character will stand out as he’ll work to make himself into a better player. But he’s still a work in progress to be a star for a defensive line, and considering he’ll probably go in the first round, the big production isn’t guaranteed.
And that’s the thing about this year’s draft of defensive ends and edge rushers. If you’re going to to on tools, go all the way, like with the No. 1 guy on the list …
Projected Round: First
NEXT: 2021 NFL Draft Defensive End, Edge Rusher Rankings No. 2
2. Jayson Oweh, Penn State
Size: 6-5, 257
The Good: Yeah, the NFL likes 6-5, 250+ pound pass rushers who tear off a freaking 4.36 40.
It was the pro day and not a the NFL combine, but so what? Throw another second on to that and the guy can still move.
No, he’s not Chase Young or Myles Garrett, but when it comes to having the tools to be special, they’re all there. He’s got the quickness and power to go along with that burst, and he’s been able to keep it all while adding more weight to his frame. He might be maxed out, but he carries the weight perfectly and he’s still really, really fast.
The best part about it all is that he’s really just getting started. He was okay at Penn State, but once it all comes together and the technique matches the tools, uh oh.
However, speaking of uh oh …
As expected, @JaysonOweh put on a show at @PennStateFball Pro Day.
He was so impressive that he had @HowardGriffith saying, "He's mashed this thing."
Watch some of the highlights below. pic.twitter.com/2033g71cZu
— Penn State On BTN (@PennStateOnBTN) March 25, 2021
The Not-So-Good: Seven sacks, 13.5 tackles for loss, 63 tackles. That’s not one decent year. that’s a 19-game run over three seasons at Penn State.
He was a part of the fun on a Penn State defensive front loaded with pass rushers, but he was never the guy. Even with Micah Parsons out last year, he wasn’t able to take over and generate a sack and was generally underwhelming for a D that could’ve used that explosiveness.
He’s still all tools and all upside without having done it yet. That’s always a dangerous mix. NFL history is loaded with guys where were heroes in shorts and zeroes on the pro field.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: In a draft that’s woefully lacking in superstar pass rushing prospects, here’s your ultimate shot for the stars. He’s not going to go early because the tape doesn’t match the tools, but some defensive coordinator is going to pound his fist on the table for him.
Guys like this are rare, but it might take a long, long time to unlock the superstar athletic greatness.
Projected Round: Second
NEXT: 2021 NFL Draft Defensive End, Edge Rusher Rankings No. 1
1. Jaelan Phillips, Miami
Size: 6-6, 260
The Good: A huge recruit for UCLA, he wasn’t able to get his career going thanks to a slew of injuries and was on the verge of having to stop playing altogether. He rebooted his career with a transfer to Miami after a year off, and then he showed off what he could do when healthy and rejuvenated.
Big, active, and fiery, he blew up with eight sacks, 15.5 tackles for loss, and 45 tackles in just ten games of work, shaking the rust off and getting better and better as the season went on.
He’s got the size and the all-around athleticism and burst to be used as a true end or as an edge rushing specialist.
If you don't know @CanesFootball EDGE Jaelan Phillips…
You'll definitely know him once you see his Pro Day highlights. 😤 @JJPhillips15 pic.twitter.com/i6pDpRFZTN
— NFL (@NFL) April 5, 2021
The Not-So-Good: Those injuries. He was able to get past the problems at UCLA to rock at Miami, but there have to be some concerns about long-term durability after missing time with concussion issues.
He’s strong, but he’s not really an inside defender and might not be the exact right fit for every team. While he was good in his limited time as a freshman with UCLA, he only has one year of production.
The injuries and issues at UCLA are just enough to worry about longevity – that’s what the NFL medical staffs have to figure out, but …
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: If a team can be assured that all is okay and there aren’t any unreasonable concerns going forward, he’s a near-lock to be a first round pick with the best all-around pure defensive end ability in the draft.
However, like the other guys on this list, there’s still a whole lot of prove-it side to his game. To beat this into the ground, the one difference is the medical evaluation. In terms of fire, passion for the game, and ability to be a Pro Bowl game-changer, though, it’s all there.
Projected Round: First
