2023 NFL Draft Primer: Edge Rusher Rankings (4-3 DE & 3-4 OLB)
The 2023 NFL Draft edge rusher class is strong at both defensive end and outside linebacker. Before we get started, it is important to note that our big board edge rush rankings are separated into two categories: 4-3 defensive ends and 3-4 outside linebackers. We have listed prospects as to how we project them best at the professional level.
Much ado has been made about OLB Will Anderson of Alabama, who is in contention to be the number one overall pick. Yet, some NFL scouts have shared concerns about his lack of size/bulk, however, there are few flaws in his game. While he has been out of sight since October, Georgia OLB Nolan Smith has not been forgotten. Despite a lackluster college resume, there is no doubt that Smith possesses the athletic traits that make scouts salivate, along with all the tools in the shed.
Teams in need of edge rushers who can stick their hand in the dirt could also strike early in the draft. Clemson DE Myles Murphy has played up and down the Tigers defensive line but is built to play on the edge. Texas Tech DE Tyree Wilson demonstrates phenomenal length, bend and hand combat in his pass repertoire, which projects him to be a top ten selection. Other first round candidates include redshirt sophomore DE Lukas Van Ness of Iowa and Keion White of Georgia Tech who gave NFL scouts in attendance at the Reese’s Senior Bowl something to talk about. One player who was downgraded due to his Senior Bowl performance is DE Andre Carter of Army, as he was clearly outmatched by the premier level of talent in Mobile. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh DE Habakkuk Baldonado is full of upside, having played just five years of organized American football after moving to the United States from Rome, Italy in 2017.
Lookout for Caleb Murphy of Ferris State who carries momentum from a strong East-West Shrine Bowl performance into the NFL Scouting Combine. With another strong showing, Murphy should be a lock to become the highest drafted player in school history (Zach Sieler No.238 overall in 2018-Ravens). A stellar showing by Garrett Nelson of Nebraska at the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl may have also played him into the backend of the draft equation; a ‘hair on fire’ type player, Nelson shows natural ball instincts, flies to the football and flashed excellent speed. One player snubbed by the combine is BJ Thompson of Stephen F. Austin--one of the most athletic freaks in this year’s draft, he will now have to wait until his pro day workout for a chance to impress NFL evaluators further.
Below is the pre-combine big board for the 2023 NFL Draft Edge Rush Class, broken down by 4-3 defensive ends and 3-4 outside linebackers, plus a look at our top-rated edge rusher prospects for 2024! Next up in the 2023 NFL Draft Primer series will be off-ball linebackers. Keep it locked to NFL Draft Bible for exclusive coverage of the NFL Scouting Combine and be sure to take advantage of our early-bird special for the Official 2023 NFL Draft Bible; reserve your copy before the combine and save 25%.
2023 NFL DRAFT PRIMER SERIES: QB | RB | WR | TE | OL | DL | EDGE | LB | CB | S
PLAYER KEY: Rank, Player, School, Year, Height, Weight, Forty, Hand, Arm, Wingspan, All-Star Game, Combine Status, Projection | Scouting Report
ABBREVIATIONS: SRB = Senior Bowl, EWS = East-West Shrine Bowl, NFLPA = NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, HULA = Hula Bowl, TROP = Tropical Bowl, CGS = College Gridiron Showcase, NIC = NFL Combine Invite, UDFA = Undrafted Free Agent, NIC (National Invitational Camp) = NFL Scouting Combine
2023 NFL DRAFT BIBLE 4-3 DE BIG BOARD (2/21/23)
RANK | NAME | SCHOOL | YR | HT | WT | FORTY | HAND | ARM | WING | AS | COMBINE | PROJECTION | PROFILE
1. *Myles Murphy, Clemson, Jr, 6042, 272, 4.72e, NIC, Rd1 | REPORT
2. *Tyree Wilson, Texas Tech, rSr, 6054, 270, 4.70e, NIC, Rd1 | REPORT
3. *Lukas Van Ness, Iowa, rSo, 6044, 265, 4.79e, NIC, Rd1 | REPORT
4. Keion White, Georgia Tech, rJr, 6046, 280, 4.70e, 1058, 3358, 7968, SRB, NIC, Rd2 | REPORT
5. *Isaiah Foskey, Notre Dame, rJr, 6047, 262, 4.65e, 1000, 3368, 8158, SRB, NIC, Rd2 | REPORT
6. Will McDonald IV, Iowa, State, rSr, 6034, 241, 4.68e, 0900, 3500, 8238, SRB, NIC, Rd2 | REPORT
7. Zach Harrison, Ohio State, Sr, 6056, 265, 4.62e, NIC, Rd3 | REPORT
8. *KJ Henry, Clemson, rSr, 6041, 247, 4.60e, 1028, 3268, 7938, SRB, NIC, Rd3 | REPORT
9. DJ Johnson, Oregon, Sr, 6041, 260, 4.60e, 0900, 3300, 7958, SRB, NIC, Rd4 | REPORT
10. *Ali Gaye, LSU, rSr, 6055, 263, 4.69e, 0938, 3358, 8118, SRB, NIC, Rd4 | REPORT
11. *Andre Carter, Army, Sr, 6062, 252, 4.65e, 0958, 3400, 8218, SRB, NIC, Rd4 REPORT
12. Tavius Robinson, Mississippi, Sr, 6060, 257, 4.65e, 0968, 3400, 8058, SRB, NIC, Rd4 | REPORT
13. *Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Kansas State, Jr, 6030, 255, 4.68e, NIC, Rd5 | REPORT
14. Yaya Diaby, Louisville, Sr, 6032, 264, 4.85e, 1038, 3400, 8128, SRB, NIC, Rd5 | REPORT
15. *Ochaun Mathis, Nebraska, rSr, 6044, 247, 4.60e, 1058, 3478, 8468, EWS, NIC, Rd6 | REPORT
16. Dylan Horton, TCU, Sr, 6036, 265, 4.75e, 0948, 3268, 7878, SRB, NIC, Rd6 | REPORT
17. *Habakkuk Baldonado, Pittsburgh, rSr, 6036, 257, 4.74e, 1028, 3318, 8048, NIC, Rd6 | REPORT
18. Viliami Fehoko, San Jose State, Jr, 6035, 267, 4.83e, 0878, 3300, 7838, EWS, NIC, Rd7 | REPORT
19. Ikenna Enechukwu, Rice, Sr, 6040, 266, 4.82e, 0948, 3358, 8218, EWS, NIC, Rd7 | REPORT
20. Titus Leo, Wagner, Sr, 6033, 243, 4.74e, 0968, 3368, 8228, EWS, Rd7 | REPORT
21. *Durell Nchami, Maryland, rSr, 6040, 258, 4.75e, 3428, 8028, NFLPA, PFA | REPORT
22. John Waggoner, Iowa, rSr, 6047, 263, 4.80e, 0868, 3148, 7668, NFLPA, PFA | REPORT
23. Deslin Alexandre, Pittsburgh, rSr, 6033, 267, 4.85e, 0958, 3378, 8000, NFLPA/CGS, PFA | REPORT
24. George Tarlas, Boise State, rSr, 6030, 255, 4.75e, PFA | REPORT
25. Brevin Allen, Campbell, Sr, 6035, 262, 4.65e, 4.80e, 1028, 3448, 8268, EWS/HULA, PFA | REPORT
26. Gerald Jones, Louisiana-Lafayette, rSr, 6046, 250, 4.78e, 1000, 3348, 8168, EWS, PFA
27. Marcus Bragg, Auburn, Sr, 6035, 244, 4.83e, 0938, 3400, 7900, CGS, PFA
28. Victor Jones, Wyoming, Sr, 6040, 243, 4.85e, 0938, 3400, 8228, CGS, PFA
2023 NFL DRAFT BIBLE 3-4 OLB BIG BOARD (2/21/23)
1. *Will Anderson Jr., Alabama, Jr, 6032, 244, 4.50e, NIC, Rd1 | REPORT
2. *Nolan Smith, Georgia, Sr, 6020, 235, 4.55e, NIC, Rd1 | REPORT
3. *Derick Hall, Auburn, Sr, 6026, 252, 4.66e, 0978, 3438, 8300, SRB, NIC, Rd2 | REPORT
4. *Nick Herbig, Wisconsin, Jr, 6016, 228, 4.58e, NIC, Rd2 | REPORT
5. *BJ Ojulari, LSU, Jr, 6022, 245, 4.56e, NIC, Rd2 | REPORT
6. Zion Tupuola-Fetui, Washington, rSr, 6022, 260, 4.70e, Rd3 | REPORT
7. *Byron Young, Tennessee, Sr, 6022, 248, 4.70e, 0958, 3218, 7818, SRB, NIC, Rd4 | REPORT
8. *Brenton Cox Jr., Florida, rSr, 6031, 254, 4.73e, 0928, 3328, 8258, NIC, Rd5 | REPORT
9. Eku Leota, Auburn, Sr, 6030, 255, 4.70e, 0978, 3378, 8100, SRB, NIC, Rd5 | REPORT
10. *Lonnie Phelps, Kansas, Jr, 6021, 251, 4.72e, 0918, 3218, 7578, SRB, NIC, Rd5 | REPORT
11. Caleb Murphy, Ferris State, Sr, 6030, 254, 4.80e, 1000, 3258, 7968, EWS, NIC, Rd6 | REPORT
12. Robert Beal Jr. Georgia, rSr, 6033, 241, 4.68e, 1028, 3418, 8348, NIC, Rd6 | REPORT
13. BJ Thompson, Stephen F. Austin, Sr, 6053, 238, 4.70e, 1000, 3438, 8248, EWS, Rd6 | REPORT
14. *Garrett Nelson, Nebraska, rSr, 6027, 249, 4.70e, 0968, 3258, 7738, NFLPA, Rd6 | REPORT
15. Thomas Incoom, Central Michigan, Sr, 6022, 265, 4.75e, 0918, 3300, 7918, SRB, NIC, Rd6 | REPORT
16. Yasir Abdullah, Louisville, rSr, 6010, 234, 4.65e, 0858, 3258, 7978, EWS, NIC, Rd7 | REPORT
17. Jose Ramirez, Eastern Michigan, Sr, 6017, 249, 4.77e, 0900, 3328, 7948, EWS, NIC, Rd7 | REPORT
18. Amari Burney, Florida, Sr, 6013, 233, 4.69e, 0958, 3168, 7758, EWS, Rd7 | REPORT
19. Andre Jones, Louisiana, rSr, 6046, 250, 4.70, NIC, Rd7 | REPORT
20. Patrick O'Connell, Montana, rSr, 6010, 221, 4.70e, 0918, 3168, 7728, HULA, PFA | REPORT
21. Brock Martin, Oklahoma State, rSr, 6021, 243, 4.67e, 0900, 3178, 7900, HULA, PFA | REPORT
22. David Perales, Fresno State, rSr, 6022, 248, 4.70e, 928, 3268, 7748, NFLPA, PFA | REPORT
23. Truman Jones, Harvard, rSr, 6026, 251, 4.75e, 1000, 3358, 8158, EWS, PFA | REPORT
24. Malik Hamm, Lafayette, Sr, 6026, 255, 4.77e, 0948, 3178, 7778, NFLPA, PFA | REPORT
25. *Nick Tarburton, Penn State, rSr, 6026, 268, 4.65e, PFA | REPORT
26. Merlin Robertson, Arizona State, rSr, 6023, 223, 4.72e, 0938, 3158, 7678, HULA, PFA | REPORT
27. TK McLendon Jr, Eastern Kentucky, Sr, 6041, 274, 4.80e, 0948, 3368, 8168, HULA, PFA | REPORT
28. Jordan Ferguson, Middle Tennessee, Sr, 6007, 266, 4.90e, 1028, 3338, 8128, HULA, PFA | REPORT
29. Jamal Hines, Toledo, Sr, 6020, 240, 4.65e, 0928, 3328, 7928, CGS, PFA
30. Andrew Farmer, Lane, Sr, 6033, 250, 4.72e, 1000, 3238, 7938, HULA, UDFA
31. Santrell Latham, Southern Mississippi, Sr, 6016, 203, 0938, 3300, 7848, HULA, UDFA
32. Marvin Pierre, Kent State, Sr, 6005, 222, 4.65e, 0948, 3328, 7848, CGS, UDFA
33. Maalik Hall, SE OKlahoma, Sr, 5117, 237, 4.70e, 0958, 3200, 7548, CGS, UDFA
34. Malcolm Lee, Kansas, Sr, 6041, 256, 4.88e, 1028, 3248, 7748, CGS, UDFA
35. TyJuan Garbutt, Virginia Tech, Sr, 6011, 246, 4.84e, 0978, 3228, 7768, CGS, UDFA
36. Eric Black, Stony Brook, Sr, 6030, 236, 4.85e, 0938, 3348, 7948, CGS, UDFA
37. Reid Nickerson, Yale, Sr, 6036, 247, 4.80e, 0878, 3148, 7628, CGS, UDFA
38. Lake Korte-Moore, British Columbia, 6040, 258, 4.80e, 0878, 3100, 7548, CGS, UDFA
39. *Ronnie Thomas, Mississippi Valley State, Sr, 5103, 244, 4.85e, CGS, UDFA
40. *Anthony Lang, Albany, rSr, 6016, 244, 4.79e, UDFA
41. *Marcus Cushine, UMass, rSr, 6040, 244, 4.85e, UDFA
42. *Donovan King, New Mexico State, Sr, 6022, 255, 4.75e, UDFA
43. *Celestin Haba, Texas A&M Commerce, rSr, 6010, 255, 4.90e, UDFA
44. *Isaiah Curry, Valdosta State, rSr, 6030, 246, 4.80e, UDFA
45. *Jason Mercier, Jackson State, rSr, 6016, 260, 4.80e, UDFA
2024 NFL DRAFT BIBLE EDGE BIG BOARD (2/21/23)
1. Dallas Turner, Alabama, Jr, 6026, 245, 4.45e
2. Jared Verse, Florida State, rJr, 6034, 250, 4.65e
3. JT Tuimoloau, Ohio State, So, 6040, 270, 4.70e
4. Jack Sawyer, Ohio State, So, 6040, 267, 4.72e
5. Chop Robinson, Penn State, Jr, 6030, 240, 4.66e
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