Written By: Parker Hall
Whether you are a die-hard football fan or a casual one, everybody and their mother knows that the best way to stop an offense in their tracks are to get after the Quarterback. NFL defenses are always looking to bolster their front 7 with game changing pass rushers to help take the load off of the secondary, and as a result of this Edge Rushers come baring a premium price. This fact has been backed up over and over in the last few years. For example, the Seattle Seahawks went out and got Jadeveon Clowney as they knew he was unhappy in Houston and they needed answers to help stop some great offenses in the NFC West. In the 2019 offseason the San Francisco 49ers went out and got Edge Rusher Dee Ford and drafted Nick Bosa, who got 6.5 and 9.0 sacks respectively, which in turn helped rejuvenate the defense in The Bay. In 2020 the consensus agreement among media members and football personnel was that Ohio States Chase Young was the best player in the draft. He ended up getting selected with the number 2 overall pick in the draft, only going to prove the importance placed on edge rushers in NFL defenses. All of these examples go to show that if you want to have a dominate defense or have an easier time winning games, you need to prioritize the Edge on defense. Whether your team runs a 3-4 or a 4-3, the 2021 NFL draft has some intriguing prospects that could be a potential game changer for your franchise. Let us take a look at the top 5!
- Gregory Rousseau – Miami
Rousseau is coming into the 2020 season with Chase Young and Nick Bosa levels of hype around him. I believe he is deserving of it. From his stats alone in his redshirt freshman year in 2020 he was second in the nation in sacks with 15.5. That amount only trailed Chase Young. He added to his sack numbers with 19.5 TFL’s and 54 total tackles. Rousseau was named First team all ACC and was awarded ACC Defensive Rookie of the year in 2019. At 6’7” and 253lbs, Rousseau’s film does not lie. He has a complete pass rushing arsenal and he has one of the better rip moves I’ve seen in a while. He also possesses enough athleticism that allows him to cover in the flats and keep contain on outside runs. Overall, I see Rousseau as a 4-3 defensive end, with capabilities to rush from the inside on obvious passing downs, however, he is an athletic freak that would be fine as a 3-4 OLB.
- Xavier Thomas – Clemson
The national champion runner up Clemson Tigers have changed back to a 4-3 scheme in 2020, which should mean that Edge defender Xavier Thomas will return to his 2018 ways. In 27 games at Clemson, the 6’2”, 265lbs, Thomas has 74 total tackles, 6 sacks, and 18.5 TFLs. His 2019 season was hampered due to concussion issues, but if he can manage to stay healthy and play well vs double teams, he should have a great season leading the Tigers defense. When watching his film, the first thing that you notice is his get off speed and his ability to bend the edge and get into the backfield. Even if he ends up becoming a bust, he is a solid tackler and has enough athleticism to be a quality special teams’ player for many years at the NFL level. A team like the Cleveland Browns would benefit from drafting Thomas as his speed and quickness could help them defend the edge on a guy like Lamar Jackson.
- Carlos Basham Jr. – Wake Forest
Another ACC edge defender makes our Top 5 list. Carlos Basham Jr. has had a consistent 3-year career so far at Wake Forest. He has started at least 11 games every year going into his senior season, and his career stats include 145 total tackles, 14.5 sacks, and 31 TFLs. At 6’5 275lbs, Basham Jr. is a prototypical 4-3 defensive end that should be selected in the late first round/early second round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Nicknamed “Boogie”, Basham Jr’s film shows a physical power rusher who uses a solid bullrush and a great cross-face swim move that helps him get to opposing quarterbacks. He provides value as an interior rusher on obvious passing downs, but I would like to see him improve his draft stock by doing a better job of wrapping up on tackles in his senior season.
- Quincy Roche – Miami
Gregory Rousseau will have a new running mate in Miami in 2020, creating what looks to be the best pass rushing duo we have seen in college football since Nick Bosa and Chase Young in 2018. Standing at 6’4” and 235lbs the Temple transfer Quincy Roche is coming into the 2020 season with 137 total tackles, 26 sacks, and 39.5 tfl’s. It will be interesting to see how Roche’s game transitions into a power 5 conference, but one thing is for sure, he will get enough one on one opportunities to prove himself as teams will be looking to double team Rousseau. Roche is more of a speed rusher that has a great amount of bend that allows him to get around the outside shoulder of the Offensive Tackle with ease. He also has a handful of different pass rush moves in his repertoire, but his swim move stands out compared to the rest. As an NFL prospect I would like to see him bulk up about 10 pounds. He could be utilized in a 4-3 or a 3-4 scheme with ease.
5(Tied). Patrick Johnson – Tulane
Patrick Johnson is an interesting prospect from the group of 5 school Tulane. At 6’3, 250lbs, Johnson possesses the size needed to be an edge defender in the NFL. In 32 career games, Johnson’s career stats are a bit lower than you would normally see from a top prospect coming out of a smaller school. He has 96 total tackles, 14 sacks, and 23.5 TFL’s. Johnson does a great job of setting the edge and playing contain, which forces the offense back inside where he has help. When it comes to rushing the passer, his main move is a bullrush, and he shows great leverage and strength when using it. The Green Wave’s defense also asks him to play zone coverage a lot, which he handles with ease. I see his best fit as a Strong Side 3-4 OLB in the NFL.
5(Tied). Hamilcar Rashed Jr. – Oregon State
To round out the Top 5 I have my Edge sleeper pick, Hamilcar Rashed Jr. The first true 3-4 OLB on our list, Rashed Jr. quietly had an amazing 2019 season, and he has returned to OSU for his senior season to hopefully continue to rise NFL draft boards. In 28 career games at OSU, Rashed Jr. has amassed 121 total tackles, 16.5 sacks, and 35.0 TFL’s. His 14 sacks in 2019 had him tied for 3rd in the nation, while his 22.5 TFL’s led all of the FBS. His film shows that he is a quick and tenacious speed rusher, who displays a great amount of bend and some thump behind his pads. His best pass rush move is his swim move; however, I believe his awareness, vision, and ability to predict how a play is going to develop are his biggest asset. At 6’4”, 238lbs, I see him as a 3-4 OLB in the NFL, who can potentially be a first round steal. He made multiple First-Team All-American Lists in 2019.
