2025 NFL Draft Prospects: Defensive End

11/16/24: Pearce has 23 tackles and four sacks but has produced a lot of pressures thus far in 2024.

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.

11/16/24: Williams had two tackles and was active against Clemson in the season opener, but he suffered a sprained ankle in the second half and missed the month of September. Williams came back in early October and has played well. In 2024, Williams has 10 tackles, two sacks, and a forced fumble thus far.

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.

11/16/24: In 2024, Scourton has 27 tackles with 5.5 sacks and one forced fumble.

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.

11/16/24: In 2024, Payton has 27 tackles and four sacks thus far.

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.

11/16/24: In 2024, Umanmielen has 9.5 sacks with 24 tackles and a forced fumble. Umanmielen is a love/hate prospect. Some feel he is a good looking player, but is more quick than explosive or sudden. Some teams have character concerns with Umanmielen.

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.

11/16/24: In 2024, Jackson has 35 tackles, 4.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and two passes broken up thus far. He is a tough defender at the point of attack.

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.

11/16/24: Ivey has 31 tackles with eight sacks and two forced fumbles. He has been a tough defender for the Rebels showing pass rush ability with quickness and strength.

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.

11/16/24: Collins has 28 tackles and four passes batted thus far. While Collins is not a sack producer, he does contribute to the rush by getting a push into the pocket. Collins is strong, physical, and very tough as a run defender.

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.

11/16/24: Rucker has 21 tackles, five sacks, and one pass batted. Rucker had an undisclosed leg injury, and that kept him out of the month of September. He has some pass rush ability off the edge, but lacks height and length for the NFL.

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.

11/16/24: While teammate Abdul Carter gets a lot of attention justifiably, Dennis-Sutton is also on the radar of NFL teams. Dennis-Sutton is a big body at the point of attack, and he has upside with untapped potential. In 2024, he has 16 tackles with two sacks and a forced fumble. He had 26 tackles and 3.5 sacks in 2023.

11/16/24: Benny has 25 tackles with 1.5 sacks and one pass defended.

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.

11/16/24: Tuimoloau has five sacks and 30 tackles. He is a solid college player, but is more of a backup for the NFL with the potential to possibly grow into a bigger role.

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.

11/16/24: Sawyer has 31 tackles, one forced fumble, and three sacks. Sawyer is more of a backup qualituy player for the NFL.

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.

11/16/24: Jones has started the season strong, but then fell quiet in the middle portion of the season. Thus far in 2024, Jones has 31 tackles with 4.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and two passes broken up.

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.

11/16/24: Hassanein has 32 tackles with 7.5 sacks thus far in 2024. In 2023, he had a massive presence for the Broncos, recording 53 tackles with 12.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. It would help Hassanein to have an impressive performance at an all-star game.

11/16/24: Gillotte has 34 tackles with 2.5 sacks.

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.

11/16/24: Diggs has 34 tackles with four sacks thus far.

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.

11/16/24: Overton has been a solid defender for Alabama this season with 28 tackles, two sacks, one forced fumble, and one pass broken up. Overton is a strong and thick defender at the point of attack.

11/16/24: Alston has 15 tackles with 2.5 sacks, one interception, and one pass defended.

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.

11/16/24: Bennett has 29 tackles with one sack, one interception, and one forced fumble.

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.

11/16/24: Martin has 14 tackles with 2.5 sacks.

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.

11/16/24: Joyner has 28 tackles with 4.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and one pass batted. He has some talent and length, but Joyner is inconsistent and lacks physicality in run defense. Thus, they see him as more of a designated pass rusher. He lacks some speed to power, hand usage, and rush plan. That being said, Joyner has good height, weight, speed, and upside to develop.

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.

11/16/24: Logan-Redding has 22 tackles with three passes defended. Logan-Redding plays tough but is limited. He could stick in the NFL as a backup, try-hard effort player.

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.

11/16/24: Burke has 11 tackles, one sack, and an interception.

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.

11/16/24: Sorrell has 20 tackles and 2.5 sacks.

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.

11/16/24: Harvey has 17 tackles with four sacks and two forced fumbles.

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.