Pewter Report analyzes the top players in the 2025 NFL Draft with its position previews. Scott Reynolds continues the previews at the outside linebacker/edge rusher position, offering a comprehensive look at what the Bucs have and what they need off the edge.

Bailey Adams then analyzes a detailed list of this year’s top edge prospects while Reynolds provides the annual Pewter Report Bucs Best Bets – the most likely edge rushers for Tampa Bay to select in Rounds 1-3, and in Rounds 4-7.

What The Bucs Have At Outside Linebacker

Bucs OLBs YaYa Diaby and Anthony Nelson – Photo by: USA Today

Tampa Bay added pass rusher Haason Reddick in free agency on a one-year, prove-it deal and the team hopes the 30-year old veteran can return to his double-digit sack form after a down year with the New York Jets in 2024. After a lengthy holdout, Reddick only had one sack in 10 games last season, but had four straight years of double-digit sacks from 2020-23. Reddick brings two things to Tampa Bay that the outside linebacker room was missing – experience and speed off the edge. The team hopes he’ll be a great mentor to the other young edge rushers on the roster.

The Bucs are high on Yaya Diaby’s progress even though his sacks declined from 7.5 during his rookie season to 4.5 last year. Diaby improved in all areas except for the sack column. Head coach Todd Bowles made a big move this offseason in moving Larry Foote from coaching inside linebackers to outside linebackers and Diaby could reach his full potential in 2025 and become a double-digit sacker for the first time under his tutelage.

Tampa Bay parted ways with former first-round pick Joe Tryon-Shoyinka in free agency to pave the way for more snaps for Chris Braswell, last year’s second-round pick. The Bucs are expecting a breakout year for Braswell in his second season after he was slow to develop as a rookie. Working with Foote should accelerate that process. Anthony Nelson is back for his third contract with the Bucs and has the length, experience and football I.Q. that Bowles appreciates. He’ll push for playing time as he enters his seventh season in Tampa Bay.

It’s a big year for a pair of young edge rushers entering their third season in red and pewter. Jose Ramirez showed flashes of pass rush potential last preseason, but was still relegated to the practice squad for a second straight year. Markees Watts had an up-and-down training camp and injured his knee during the year, which stunted his growth. Both are battling for their careers in Tampa Bay this offseason. Daniel Grzesiak is also back with the Bucs for camp after spending last year on the practice squad.

What The Bucs Need At Outside Linebacker

From a numbers standpoint the Bucs don’t necessarily need another pass rusher. If Haason Reddick returns to form as a Pro Bowl-caliber edge rusher, Yaya Diaby continues to ascend and Chris Braswell has the breakout season most expect, Tampa Bay’s four-man pass rush should be fine. But what if that’s not the case? What if Reddick has lost a step, Braswell doesn’t pan out and Diaby falls short of double-digit sacks again? That’s why the Bucs would be smart to draft another impact pass rusher as an insurance policy or safety net.

Reddick only signed a one-year deal, and if he has too big of a rebound year in Tampa Bay the Bucs may not opt to extend the contract of an outside linebacker who will be 32 during the 2026 season. That’s where drafting another young edge rusher makes sense, too. The Bucs had seven formal interviews with edge rushers at the NFL Scouting Combine and had at least three outside linebacker prospects in for official 30 visits as well.

Top Outside Linebackers In 2025 NFL Draft

*Important Note: These players are NOT listed in the order of Pewter Report’s ranking for them. Rather, the numbers are provided to show you the rough order in which we expect them to come off the board during the draft.

1. Penn State Edge Abdul Carter – Junior – 6-3, 250 – N/A

Carter is widely believed to be the No. 2 overall pick in this year’s draft. While 2024 was his only collegiate season as a true edge rusher after he made the transition from off-ball linebacker, he spent much of the 2022 and 2023 seasons rushing from the outside anyway. He’s a disruptive force with a lot of explosiveness and plenty of pass rush moves in his arsenal. And because he spent the earlier part of his career as an off-ball ‘backer, he is comfortable dropping into coverage.

The production Carter posted at Penn State speaks for itself. In 2024, 34.6% of his tackles came behind the line of scrimmage, as he totaled 23.5 tackles for loss and 12 sacks to go along with two forced fumbles and four passes defensed. In the two seasons before that, he finished with a combined 16 tackles for loss and 11 sacks, with three forced fumbles, nine passes defensed and an interception. Carter finished his career with the Nittany Lions as a unanimous consensus All-American, as well as the Big Ten’s Defensive Player of the Year.

2. Georgia Edge/ILB Jalon Walker – Junior – 6-1, 243 – N/A

Walker’s true position has been a hot topic in draft circles throughout much of the pre-draft process. He played a hybrid linebacker role under Kirby Smart at Georgia, splitting snaps between inside linebacker, outside linebacker and edge rusher. There’s a belief that whoever drafts him should pick a position and stick with it, though others view him being “positionless” as an advantage. Walker himself thinks he’s best as a chess piece who can play anywhere, and he’s coming off a season in which he finished with 60 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks and two passes defensed as the Butkus Award winner and a first-team All-American.

Walker lacks the ideal size for an NFL edge rusher, but he has a good feel for getting after the quarterback and turns the corner well in pursuit. He changes direction with a great deal of smoothness and has good closing speed, which helps him when placed in the role of a spy on a mobile quarterback. His processing in coverage is an area that needs improvement and he might get bogged down by bigger-bodied blockers at the point of attack, but Walker is one of the more intriguing players in this year’s class and it’ll be interesting to see where he ends up in the first round.

Georgia LB Jalon Walker – Photo by: USA Today

3. Marshall Edge Mike Green – Redshirt Junior – 6-3, 251 – N/A

Green is a phenomenal blend of athleticism and violence, and the fact that he can win multiple ways is why it’s no surprise that he had the type of production he did in his one year as a starter at Marshall. After transferring from Virginia, he played in 12 games and started one for the Thundering Herd in 2023, finishing with nine tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. Then, in 13 starts in 2024, he posted 17 sacks and 22.5 tackles for loss, with three forced fumbles and two passes defensed. His mix of production and play style make him a top edge rusher in this year’s draft class.

The pre-draft process has raised some concerns about Green, though, as past sexual assault allegations were brought to light. He was suspended at the start of his second year at Virginia after an allegation (there were no charges, the case was suspended and Green has since denied any wrongdoing), and this came after an allegation while in high school (which saw no formal charges filed). Green has spoken about the allegations during the pre-draft process and he’s drawn positive feedback about his character from former coaches, but there’s no doubt that whichever team drafts him will have had to do some extensive homework to feel comfortable with the pick.

4. Boston College Edge Donovan Ezeiruaku – Senior – 6-2, 248 – N/A

Ezeiruaku possesses a combination of ability, production and character that coaches and GMs dream of. The former Boston College star has exceptional bend and explosiveness, which led to his 45.5 tackles for loss and 30 sacks over four years at BC. His 2022 season saw him post an impressive 14.5 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks, and while his numbers dipped in 2023, they came back up in his All-American, ACC Defensive Player of the Year-winning 2024 season. Over 12 games, he finished with 80 tackles, 20.5 tackles for loss and 16.5 sacks. Ezeiruaku has great ball production too, having forced eight fumbles over the last three seasons.

Ezeiruaku isn’t the biggest edge defender at 6-foot-2, 248 pounds, but that perceived lack of size didn’t hamper him in college. His sack production alone will make him a first-round pick, but he also sets the edge well and can defend against the run. He could even reach a new level with added power to his body, but he has to be careful not to get away from what has made him so successful in the past.

5. Georgia Edge Mykel Williams – Junior – 6-5, 267 – 4.77

Williams is another unique Georgia defender in that head coach Kirby Smart asked him to do all sorts of things across the defensive line. He played both three- and five-technique in addition to spending time as a stand-up outside linebacker. He’s a big, hulking presence, but he has good bend for his size. Playing to that power, he is lauded for his bull rushes, swipes, and push-pull maneuvers. However, there’s not a lot of finesse to Williams’ game and his secondary moves will need work. Not only that, but he can play too upright at times, which allows blockers to get underneath him and gain leverage.

Williams was never overly productive for the Bulldogs, but he was a consistent force. He made an impact as a freshman in 2022 with 28 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks in 15 games (two starts). In 2023, he started 10 of the 13 games he played in and finished with 18 tackles, another 6.5 tackles for loss and another 4.5 sacks, with a forced fumble and two passes defensed added to his line. He then finished his Georgia career with his most productive year in 2024, totaling 21 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, five sacks and two forced fumbles in 12 games (five starts).

6. Tennessee Edge James Pearce Jr. – Junior – 6-5, 245 – 4.47

Pearce is an impressive player. He’s fast and athletic, plus he can blend that athleticism with power to create a lot of havoc as a pass rusher. His 23% pass rush win rate in 2024 was the second-best mark in the FBS, plus his 107 pressures over the last two seasons ranked No. 6 in the FBS and tops in the SEC. In 2023, Pearce started just three games but played in 13, totaling 14.5 tackles for loss and 10 sacks, with two forced fumbles, two passes defensed and an interception. He followed that up with 13 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks in 2024. He was first-team All-SEC in both seasons as the Vols’ leading sacker.

The dreaded “character concerns” have hit Pearce during the pre-draft process, which means his stock has taken a hit. Outside of a 2023 arrest on traffic charges (speeding, driving on suspended license, failure to present insurance, all charges that were later dismissed), the concerns about Pearce seemingly stem from a post-Combine report that alleged that he may have “the worst character report” in this year’s draft class. Questions have emerged about his work ethic, so with all of this in mind, his interviews with teams will likely play a key part in where he falls on draft weekend.

Tennessee EDGE James Pearce Jr. – Photo by: USA Today

7. Texas A&M Edge Shemar Stewart – Junior – 6-5, 267 – 4.59

Stewart is a polarizing prospect, and whether you view him as a top edge in this year’s draft class heavily depends on where you stand in the ever-present traits vs. production discourse. Traits-wise, the Texas A&M product has what you’re looking for. He’s explosive off the football and even at 267 pounds, displays some impressive bend. He knows how to use his long arms to his advantage and he can both set the edge and move well laterally to tackle ball carriers. And in the Aggies’ defense, he got a lot of experience in different alignments.

Where there’s less to like about Stewart is with his production, or lack thereof. He was only a one-year starter in College Station, but 4.5 sacks over 680 career pass rush snaps is hard to overlook. He had 1.5 sacks each year of his three-year career, with only 11 tackles for loss (after a career-high 5.5 in 2024) to go along with them. His one forced fumble over three years stands out in a negative light as well, and his 26.9% missed tackle rate is another blemish on his resume. If his traits can translate, he’ll blossom in the NFL. But whether that happens feels like it’ll be a gamble, which will see him fall on some teams’ boards.

8. Ohio State Edge J.T. Tuimoloau – Senior – 6-4, 264 – N/A

There’s plenty to like about Tuimoloau, starting not just with his length and overall size but the fact that he is flexible enough to not let it stiffen him up as he turns the corner on opposing tackles. He’s a good athlete with a high motor and good short-area quickness. Dane Brugler of The Athletic noted that Tuimoloau credits cross-training in basketball for his twitch, and his agility paired with a quick get-off helps him convert speed to power very well. There’s work to be done with his counters, as blockers are able to shut him down if they can handle his initial move. Still, while that and his  overall pass rush arsenal can improve, Tuimoloau’s floor is high.

A three-year starter at Ohio State, Tuimoloau gradually built to a great final year of production. He went from 4.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks as a freshman in 2021 to 10.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks in 2022. In 2023, he dropped down to seven tackles for loss, but totaled five sacks. Then came his best season, which saw him start all 16 of the Buckeyes’ games and finish with 61 tackles, 21.5 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. His best football came in the team’s College Football Playoff run, which saw him post 20 pressures, 10 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks and a forced fumble. Tuimoloau is a second-round pick.

9. Texas A&M Edge Nic Scourton – Junior – 6-2, 257 – N/A

Scourton is well built considering his 6-foot-2 frame, which is a little on the smaller side for an edge. He’s physical, and while his pass rush move set is still developing, he can be a problem for opposing tackles because of the way he uses his hands. On the down side, he might try to win with power a little too much, as he doesn’t have much finesse to his game. But it’s worth noting that he’s extremely young. He doesn’t turn 21 years old until late August, which will be just after the preseason wraps up. So, it’s safe to say there’s plenty to work with here given his youth.

Scourton’s most productive season came when he was a sophomore at Purdue in 2023 when he was known as Nic Caraway. Over 11 games that season, he totaled 50 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and 10 sacks, with a forced fumble and three passes defensed as well. He earned second-team ] All-Big Ten as the conference’s leading sacker, and then he transferred to Texas A&M in 2024. With the Aggies, his production dipped, but he did outpace Shemar Stewart, finishing with 14 tackles for loss and five sacks, with a forced fumble and two passes defensed as well. Scourton looks to be a second-round pick in this year’s draft.

10. Arkansas Edge Landon Jackson – Senior – 6-6, 264 – 4.68

Jackson is an imposing figure with a wingspan in the 92nd percentile among edge rushers. At 6-foot-6, 264 pounds, he has the length of an NFL pass rusher and is able to use his long strides to create some depth as he penetrates the backfield. He’s powerful, too, and a lot of that is on display with his hand usage. Where opposing tackles will take advantage of, though, is the fact that he’s not very fluid in his movements and doesn’t have much bend to his game. That, combined with a still-developing arsenal of pass rush counters, lowers his initial ceiling at the NFL level.

Jackson started his college career at LSU in 2021 before transferring to Arkansas and playing there for the last three years. He never had eye-popping production for the Razorbacks, though he was pretty consistent. He went from three sacks in 2022 to 6.5, with 13.5 tackles for loss, in 2023. He then finished up his time in college with another 6.5-sack season in 2024, though his tackles for loss total dropped to 9.5.

11. Ole Miss Edge Princely Umanmielen – Fifth-Year Senior – 6-4, 244 – 4.72

Umanmielen’s career began at Florida, where he started for two seasons (2022 and 2023). Over those two campaigns, he posted 11.5 sacks and 21 tackles for loss over 25 games. From there, he transferred to Ole Miss and had a career year in 2024. Though he only started six of the 12 games he appeared in, he finished his lone year with the Rebels with a career-high 10.5 sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss. An ankle injury cost him two games, but he still earned first-team All-SEC and second-team All-American honors.

Umanmielen certainly has the look of an NFL pass rusher, and he shows a quick first step that can help him win. He also has plenty of experience dropping in coverage, something he did often at Florida before doing some spot dropping at Ole Miss as well. Where Umanmielen falls short is in the power and physicality department. Between that and his need to develop his counter moves, there’s still work to be done as he rounds into a more polished player. But as it stands, he has a good foundation to work with.

Ole Miss EDGE Princely Umanmielen Photo by: USA Today

12. Ohio State Edge Jack Sawyer – Senior – 6-4, 260 – N/A

Sawyer finished his college career with the type of season he would’ve dreamed of while growing up as a kid in Ohio. He became a captain for the Buckeyes and outside of a late-season blemish against rival Michigan, led his defense on an outstanding run to a championship. He had a nine-sack season with three forced fumbles, seven passes defensed and an interception, plus he had a game-sealing 83-yard scoop-and-score against Texas to send Ohio State to the national title game. For his career, he totaled 23 sacks, 28.5 tackles for loss and six forced fumbles over 54 games (32 starts).

Sawyer has the frame of an NFL edge rusher, and he’s done well to build out that frame. Not only that, but he uses his size and strength to his advantage, playing a physical style and a high motor. He’s not much of a finesse player, as he doesn’t have great bend or elite speed. He’s one-dimensional in that way, but his power, instincts and want-to should carry him a long way at the next level as a Day 2 pick.

The Best Of The Rest

13. UCLA Edge Oluwafemi Oladejo – Senior – 6-3, 261 – N/A

Oladejo is an exciting prospect. Still very new to the outside linebacker position after transitioning from off-ball ‘backer four games into last season, he has the makings of developing into an absolute stud. He looks the part and seemingly always has, as he even played Mike linebacker at 255 pounds. He is obviously well versed in defending the run, and he does so with a lot of range. His pass rushing skill set is still developing, but he converts speed to power well and can be disruptive. His effort and energy are evident, and while he had just six career sacks between Cal and UCLA, Oladejo is a project who could yield a big-time return on Day 2.

UCLA edge rusher Oluwafemi Oladejo – Photo by: USA Today

14. Michigan Edge Josaiah Stewart – Senior – 6-1, 249 – 4.85

Stewart is explosive, with excellent speed-to-power ability and good dip as he turns the corner. His motor is high and in the run game, he’s more physical than you’d expect given his size. He has a lighter frame and at 6-foot-1, he doesn’t have a lot of room to add weight. He can be overmatched in terms of strength at times, which hinders his ability to be disruptive on a down-in, down-out basis. That said, he produced a lot between Coastal Carolina and Michigan. Over two years at Coastal, he totaled 16 sacks and 25.5 tackles for loss in 25 games (17 starts), then posted 14 sacks and 21.5 tackles for loss over 26 games (11 starts) at Michigan.

15. LSU Edge Bradyn Swinson – Fifth-Year Senior – 6-3 1/2, 255 – N/A

Swinson had just 43 total pressures in his first four years of college (three at Oregon, one at LSU), but he broke out in 2024 for the Tigers with 59 pressures, 8.5 sacks and 13 tackles for loss. He’s bendy and has good burst off the line, and he keeps that motor up in pursuit. But Swinson still has work to do, with only one season of starting experience after totaling just two starts over his first four years of college. His play strength isn’t up to par, which will limit him in the NFL. But if he can build out his pass rush arsenal, there’s potential for him to develop into a designated rusher.

16. Oregon Edge Jordan Burch – Fifth-Year Senior – 6-4, 279 – 4.67

Burch’s career began with three seasons at South Carolina, where he totaled 4.5 sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss from 2020-2022. He then transferred to Oregon, where he started 22 of the 24 games he played in between 2023 and 2024. Over that span, he posted 11.5 sacks and 18.5 tackles for loss. Burch doesn’t have the quickest get-off and is too inconsistent with his rush plan, and his injury history is a bit lengthier than you’d like. But he’s densely built (almost like a defensive tackle) and while his power is his biggest plus, he has good short-area quickness and athleticism for his size.

Oregon EDGE Jordan Burch Photo by: USA Today

17. South Carolina Edge Kyle Kennard – Fifth-Year Senior – 6-4, 254 – 4.73

After totaling 12.5 sacks and 21.5 tackles for loss over four seasons, 42 games and 20 starts at Georgia Tech, Kennard transferred to South Carolina for his final season. In 12 starts, he posted career highs across the board with 11.5 sacks, 15.5 tackles for loss and three forced fumbles. He was a decorated fifth-year senior for the Gamecocks, earning consensus All-American, Nagurski Trophy, SEC Defensive Player of the Year and first-team All-SEC honors. Kennard has good burst off the snap and uses his arms well while displaying solid speed-to-power ability. The drawbacks are that he doesn’t have a lot to show for his run defense on tape, plus he has very little experience dropping into coverage.

18. Louisville Edge Ashton Gillotte – Senior – 6-3, 264 – 4.65

Gillotte has a mix of speed and physicality, with a lot of good hand work to his game as well. The problem is that his motor might run a little too high at times, which can cause him to overrun plays. His frame may not be ideal for the position, but he has enough traits to be a good piece in a rotation somewhere. The unfortunate reality for Gillotte is that his stock might’ve been higher after his junior season in 2023, which saw him finish with 11 sacks, 14.5 tackles for loss and three forced fumbles. His numbers dipped as a senior, as he finished with only 4.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss, with zero forced fumbles.

Bucs Best Bets By Scott Reynolds

Rounds 1-3 Boston College OLB Donovan Ezeiruaku

The Bucs had a formal interview with Ezeiruaku and came away incredibly impressed in Indianapolis. His outstanding character matches his outstanding game film, which saw him post 23 tackles for loss and 16.5 sacks last year as an All-American at Boston College. Ezeiruaku isn’t just an effective pass rusher, either. Despite not being the best edge defender at 6-foot-2, 243 pounds, the New Jersey native recorded 80 tackles last year and proved to be a quality run stuffer as well. Ezeiruaku had a couple of standout practices at the Senior Bowl, which also caught the team’s attention and solidified his first-round draft status.

Ezeiruaku has plenty of polish as a pass rusher and a toolbox that is nearly complete. He can win with a wide array of moves, and even when he’s not able to break free of offensive tackles, Ezeiruaku can still get to the quarterback with his long, 34-inch, pterodactyl-like arms. Ezeiruaku would be a fantastic first-round pick for Tampa Bay due to the fact that he’s built like Haason Reddick and can learn from the two-time Pro Bowler during his rookie campaign. While he’s not the fastest edge rusher in this draft class, Ezeiruaku is one of the quickest and most agile and plays with tremendous bend and great leverage.

Rounds 4-7 Central Arkansas OLB David Walker

With an emphasis on improving the team’s pass rush, the Bucs will likely draft another edge in the first three rounds. Tampa Bay likes a few first-round prospects, including Boston College’s Donovan Ezeiruaku and Georgia’s Mykel Williams, as well as some potential Day 2 targets like UCLA’s Femi Oladejo, Texas A&M’s Nic Scourton and Ole Miss’ Princely Umanmielen. But if the Bucs fail to land any of those edge rushers the team could turn Walker in the fourth round. The 6-foot-1, 263-pounder dominated FCS competition with 82.5 tackles for loss, 39 sacks and six forced fumbles over the past four years.

Walker, who was a team captain last year, was also a three-time consensus All-American, and won the 2024 Buck Buchanan Award as the top FCS defensive player as well as the conference defensive player of the year for three straight seasons. He even went to the Senior Bowl and proved that he belonged with the top college talent. Walker isn’t the fastest edge rusher (4.69), but is very sudden in his movements and has great pass rushing instincts. A whopping 33.8% of Walker’s tackles came in the backfield in college. He plays with very good speed-to-power and that’s a big reason why the Bucs formally interviewed him at the NFL Scouting Combine.