Top 5 edge rushers in the NFL Draft

Edge rusher has become one of the most important positions on the football field and for this draft, there are some absolute studs that will be ready to come in and wreak havoc in opposing backfields.

1. Dallas Turner (Alabama)

Turner just makes this top spot as it is a toss-up between him and Laiatu Latu, it just depends on preference. Turner has a higher motor and does not have the level of injury concerns. The former SEC Defensive Player of the Year has an immense speed and power combination that lets him excel off the line.

His 4.46 forty time and his 1.54 ten-yard split show off his explosion off the line similar to many of the top edge rushers in the league. Turner is similar to Bryce Huff when it comes to measurables as well as bursts with steady elusiveness and hand movement.

2. Laiatu Latu (UCLA)

When it comes to Latu, he is easily the best pure pass rusher in the draft, but that does not always get someone the top spot. What drops Latu is his injury history which is a major red flag but not enough to keep him out of the first round or in the top conversation.

While Latu is receiving comparisons to T.J. Watt, I believe he is more suited to be compared to Jaelan Phillips due to both play style and injury concerns.

Like Phillips, Latu will be fine and even a good player in the NFL in the right situation. With his injury history, Phillips could slide which may land him on a better team where the team will not have to depend on him too much.

3. Jared Verse (Florida State)

The motor that Verse has is undeniable and is a reason why he was mocked in the top ten for such a long time. Most of the negatives that come with Verse are easily fixable as long as he is developed correctly. Once he tightens up his footwork he will be much quicker which will help him against the bigger tackles.

Verse is still a fierce tackler who is physically strong as well as having strong hands at the point of attack. Seeing Verse with a defensive mind like Todd Bowles could help clean up any small issues in his game.

4. Chop Robinson (Penn State)

Like Verse, Robinson is also inexplicably falling down draft boards. Many believe Robinson is a more raw talented player with a lot of room for growth which is where the desire for him comes.

He passes the eye test and has all the physical traits necessary for a pass rusher, but his production was not always there.

While there are many comparisons between Robinson to Micah Parsons, I do not believe that he is there yet. If Robinson is given time to cultivate his arsenal, he will be able to grow up into that Parsons level of greatness.

5. Marshawn Kneeland (Western Michigan)

This is where a bit of a drop-off hits when it comes to the edge rushers, but Kneeland has been considered someone who is rising up boards and could even be a sleeper first-round pick.

He made the All-MAC Second Team, but his numbers in his final season were underwhelming, only having 4.5 sacks.

He is more of a pure power rusher which will get read quickly at the NFL level and will force him to learn more finesse moves if he wants to be able to survive as an NFL edge rusher.

What teams love about Kneeland is his bull rush and his run defense which explodes off the screen when watching film.

Joey David is a fourth-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email jtd5508@psu.edu.