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Which edge rushers could break out at the NFL Combine?

Which edge rushers could break out at the NFL Combine?

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By: Darian Kelly

With the NFL Combine just days away, Dave Ross and Mark Dominik break down the top edge rushes primed to impress NFL teams on The GM Shuffle.

Penn State’s Abdul Carter has announced that he will NOT work out at the Combine due to the shoulder injury he suffered against Boise State, but Dominik pointed out that Carter lives up to the billing of past Penn State defensive players who have worn number 11, such as Micah Parsons and Lavar Arrington. Dominik says Carter’s ability to show up EVERYWHERE on the field makes him the No. 1 overall prospect in the draft.

Carter can do it ALL — just as much as he is an edge rusher, he can also be a prototype linebacker and pick off passes, given how good he is dropping into coverage, Dominik explained. The skill that stands out most to Domink is Carter’s ability to identify and react to plays with a BURST! He expressed that Carter’s explosiveness makes him a blur when you turn on his film. When you pair that with his flexibility, bend, and abundance of pass-rush moves in his bag, it makes him one of those prospects where you will scratch your head if he doesn’t live up to expectations.

Georgia defensive lineman Mykel Williams is another edge rusher who could go early in April’s NFL Draft.

Dominik conceded that Williams is a big body with tremendous length at 6-foot-4, 260 pounds. He also noted that part of the equation with the Georgia product will depend on what system you put Williams in — he can be a defensive end in a 4-3 scheme or a 3-4 edge rusher. A criticism of Williams is that he exhibits some stiffness as a rusher, and Dominik stressed that an aspect of his game that he will have to continue to work on is his pad level, which is staying low. Nonetheless, Dominik believes he can still go in the first round due to his strength, length and burst to close when identifying and stopping plays. Williams will also be an anchor defending the run. Dominik identified that Williams does a great job of controlling offensive linemen instead of letting them control him in the trenches.

Elsewhere, Dominik says he believes Tennessee’s James Pearce Jr. is a late first-round pick.

Although Pearce Jr. is a strong specimen, Dominik sees the tightness in his lower back as a hindrance, potentially requiring him to take an extra step when maneuvering around an offensive lineman to sack the quarterback. Regardless, Dominik explained that he is ALL MUSCLE all over. His strengths lie in pushing the pocket and having active hands. If you want someone who is going to push the offensive tackle into the quarterback, then Pearce Jr. is your guy. Dominik believes Pearce Jr. is a 10-sack edge rusher due to his EFFORT and relentless pursuit. However, if Dominik had to rank the top edge rushers heading into the NFL combine, he would put Carter first, followed by Georgia’s Jalon Walker, Williams and Pearce Jr. Each prospects possess different strengths it will just be a matter of what type of edge rusher your team is looking for.

Listen to the full episode below for the complete discussion and more from The GM Shuffle!

Show Breakdown

NFL Scouting Combine Preview, Matthew Stafford Next Team & 2025 NFL Draft Predictions

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Darian Kelly

I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skill and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.