2025 NFL Draft Prospects: Defensive End

6/25/24: Pearce was a big-time presence for the Volunteers in 2023, making a lot of splash plays and producing a lot of pressure on the quarterback. He totaled 27 tackles with 9.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and an interception. Pearce is listed at 6-foot-5, 242 pounds, but that could be inflated. If those numbers are exaggerated, as often is the case, Pearce could fit as an outside linebacker and edge rusher in a 3-4 defense. Pearce would need to gain weight and get stronger to be an every-down defensive end in a 4-3 scheme.

6/25/24: While playing behind some veterans, Williams flashed big-time ability as a freshman for Georgia, recording 4.5 sacks, 6.5 tackles for a loss, and 28 tackles. He had 16 tackles with 4.5 sacks and two passes batted as a sophomore while playing in a rotation. Williams has good size, speed, and athleticism. He has the potential to be a breakout player in 2024.

6/25/24: Payton was superb in 2023, making a lot of clutch plays for the Seminoles. He totaled 43 tackles, seven sacks, and nine passes batted. Playing across from Jared Verse, Payton was more disruptive than the numbers illustrate. In 2022, he totaled 31 tackles, five sacks, and three passes batted.

6/25/24: After a tremendous 2023 season for Purdue, Scourton transferred close to home with the Texas A&M Aggies. In 2023 he had 50 tackles, 10 sacks, one forced fumble, and three passes defended. Scourton showed impressive quickness and athleticism for a big-bodied defensive lineman.

6/25/24: Jackson is strong at the point of attack with good length to keep blockers from getting into his chest. In 2023, Jackson recorded 44 tackles, 6.5 sacks and a pass broken up. He has upside and could emerge as a nice prospect for the 2025 NFL Draft.

6/25/24: Umanmielen played well in 2023, recording seven sacks and 39 tackles. He transferred out of Florida after the season with a pay day coming from Ole Miss. In 2022, he totaled 39 tackles, 4.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. Umanmielen totaled 3.5 sacks over the 2021 and 2020 seasons. The 6-foot-5, 255-pounder has quality size with some speed and athleticism off the edge. He has shown improvement and growth as he has gained experience. Umanmielen still possesses upside to develop, so he could make a jump in 2024.

6/25/24: Tuimoloau totaled 38 tackles, five sacks and two passes broken in 2023. He did not provide a big edge presence for the Buckeyes and has not lived up to the media hype. Hence returned to Ohio State for the 2024 season. As a redshirt freshman in 2022, Tuimoloau turned in an intriguing season for the Buckeyes, showing an ability to produce big plays. He recorded 28 tackles, 3.5 sacks, one forced fumble, two interceptions, and two passes broken up on the year. Tuimoloau could rise for the 2024 NFL Draft if his pass rush and sack production improve in 2023.

6/25/24: In 2023, Sawyer had 48 tackles, 6.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and two passes batted. He was not a big presence and has been disappointing as a former No. 1 recruit. However, Sawyer decided to return for the 2024 season, so perhaps he makes a big jump as a senior. Sawyer flashed potential for the Buckeyes as a freshman in 2021 with 13 tackles and three sacks in a backup role. In 2022, he recorded 24 tackles, one pass defended and 4.5 sacks.

6/25/24: Burke played well in 2023, recording 41 tackles, one forced fumble, and 5.5 sacks. He ate up the Alabama offensive line in Week 2. Burke has upside to grow as he gains experience.

6/25/24: In 2023, Benny flashed NFL ability as a rotational player with 27 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, and one pass batted. He is expected to take on a bigger role in 2024.

6/25/24: In 2023, Collins collected 22 tackles, two sacks, and two passes defended. Collins is a large defensive end that should move inside to defensive tackle for the NFL, or drop weight if he is going to stay on the edge. Collins was a solid run defender over the past three seasons, but he needs to improve his pass-rush production in 2024.

6/25/24: Gillotte has improved in each of his three seasons with the Cardinals. In his debut in 2021, he had four sacks, eight tackles for a loss, and 19 tackles. As a sophomore, he bumped up to six sacks with 23 tackles. In 2023, Gillotte was a big presence for Louisville recording 11 sacks, 14.5 tackles for a loss, three forced fumbles, and 45 tackles. Gillotte lacks some length for the NFL but has a strong build.

6/25/24: Diggs has a good skill set with upside. In 2023 he totaled 36 tackles with four sacks and two passes batted for Texas A&M. He had 28 tackles with three sacks and three forced fumbles in 2022. After the 2023 season, he transferred to Syracuse.

6/25/24: Rucker was a dangerous edge rusher for North Carolina in 2023, recording 8.5 sacks and 61 tackles. In 2022, he totaled 37 tackles and 3.5 sacks. He recorded four sacks in 2021. Rucker is short and lacks length for the NFL, but he has some speed and athleticism off the edge. Rucker could be a designated pass rusher candidate in the NFL due to his length and weight limitations.

6/25/24: Strachan totaled 20 tackles, four sacks, two forced fumbles and a pass batted in 2023. Strachan flashed intriguing ability in 2020 when he had 10.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and 41 tackles in a breakout season. He was coming off a knee injury in 2019, but in 2021, his numbers dipped to 22 tackles and three sacks. In 2022, Strachan looked like he was finding his 2020 form, but a torn ACL ended his season after two games. Strachan has to stay healthy and productive in 2024.

6/25/24: Jules played at Pitt in 2023, where he recorded 24 tackles with two sacks and one forced fumble. Jules should move inside to defensive tackle, given his body type.

6/25/24: Alston played at Marshall in 2023, where he recorded 45 tackles with six sacks, two forced fumbles, two passes broken up, and one interception. Alston is undersized but could be a potential designated pass rusher candidate if he produces well as a rusher with the Hurricanes.

6/25/24: In 2023, Jones recorded 32 tackles, 2.5 sacks and two passes broken up in 2023. He was wise to return to LSU to improve before going pro. In 2022, Jones recorded 4.5 sacks, one forced fumble and 23 tackles. He has the athletic potential to be a riser.

6/25/24: A knee injury cost Bennett the 2023 season opener, and he did not end up looking like the same player he was a year ago. Bennett notched 34 tackles and zero sacks in 2023. Bennett enjoyed a breakout 2022 season that included seven sacks, 34 tackles, and two forced fumbles. Previously, Bennett played at Georgia Tech.

6/25/24: In 2023, Martin had 27 tackles and one sack. Despite the small production, Martin made it onto NFL team’s preseason watch list. In 2022, he had 34 tackles with four sacks.

6/25/24: In 2023, Joyner did not produce much as a run defender, recording only 18 tackles, but he was a real presence in the pass rush, totaling 7.5 sacks with two forced fumbles.

6/25/24: In 2023, Logan-Redding totaled 29 tackles with 2.5 sacks. He has to ramp up his pass-rush production as a senior to rise.

6/25/24: Ivey was a solid defender in 2023, recording 46 tackles with 5.5 sacks and two passes batted in his first season with the Rebels. He has increased his sack and tackle production over the past three seasons. Prior to 2023, Ivey played for Georgia Tech.

6/25/24: Sorrell was a quality contributor for the Longhorns, joining other talent up front to give Texas a steady pass rush in 2023. In 2023 Sorrell totaled 36 tackles with four sacks. He had 44 tackles with 5.5 sacks the previous season. Sorrell needs to ramp up his production to rise as a senior.

6/25/24: In 2023, Harvey recorded 23 tackles, a sack and a pass batted for Miami. Harvey entered the transfer portal after the season. Harvey showed some pass-rush potential in 2022, suggesting the upside to improve as he gains experience. Harvey recorded 5.5 sacks and 31 tackles in 2022, but his play disappointed in 2023.