He may even line up wider than usual. The EDGE distinction is for the different guys who are pass rush specialists (to play fromend of the line or OLB), the term did not replace DE. In a 3-4 Defense there are only three defensive linemen. Football has a problem where position names don't accurately convey a players skillsets and responsibilities In a 4-3 front Defensive Ends are the pass rushers lining up on the edge of the defensive line, the ones taking on the outside tackles or tight ends. Before we get started, it is important to note that our big board edge rush rankings are separated into . Tremendously strong, hes not your normal speed rusher. the 4-3 rush defensive end is a premium position. As we all know, the shortest route to the quarterback is a straight line and while there is no explanation in this article of how triangles work the shortest straight line is the one that has the smallest angle relative to the line of scrimmage. Hell have those moments yeah, he had three big games last year, but those game in three big games but hes consistent against the run and a solid enough tackler to make a whole lot of nice things happen that might not seem so splashy. Itll never be smooth or pretty, but the NFL size and all-around production will make up for most of the concerns. At it's basic form, playing run defense is about ensuring you have a defender responsible for every "gap" between an offensive lineman or blocker in a run play. (1:43), The greatest NFL defenders ever: We picked the GOAT at each position, from LT to Prime Time, Top draft prospect Carter charged in fatal crash, Out of dark, Rodgers vows decision coming soon, Survey: Vikes, Fins, Raiders top FA report cards, Judge OK's some Flores claims vs. NFL for court, Chargers GM halts speculation: Allen staying put, Bengals not trading Higgins: 'Find your own' WR, Bucs to cut Fournette; RB says it was his request, Seahawks consider QB at No. Not quite sure why some folks have a problem with it. He defends the run well and can collapse the pocket as a single-gap penetration-style rusher. On running plays, their main duty is to "set the edge.". ", Also receiving votes: Morten Anderson (one), Voting results: Hester earned 29 of 50 votes (58%), Career: Chicago (2006-2013); Atlanta (2014-2015); Baltimore (2016); Seattle (2016) An Edge Rusher is simply the player who lines up on the outside edge of the offensive formation. Edge Rushers have a much bigger impact in the passing game than they do in the running game. Evolving term to take into account both traditional defensive ends and smaller players that are closer in size to linebackers like Hughes in our 4-3, or going back in history like Lawrence Taylor was to the 3-4 defense. Edge: 0.28% -- Stephania Bell, fantasy writer, Everything you missed this offseason (Answered). Bonitto is coming off an impressive senior season with . A Draft Deep in Edge Rushers Gives Ravens Options. We analyze the top 5 most important pass rushing stats (in no particular order) below. Some consider edge rusher to be its own position entirely. ", Mike Singletary (four votes): Browns reporter Jake Trotter pointed to Singletary's "icy intensity" here and said, "He anchored arguably the best defense in NFL history in 1985, as his Bears allowed just 12 points per game on the way to a Super Bowl. But 8.5 of his sacks came against the Buckeyes, Nittany Lions, and in the nationally-watched blowout over Washington, and he failed to get multiple sacks in any other game. Yeah, hell need to be surrounded by bulk, but he knows his craft. PRP weighs sacks a bit more than hits and hurries, but as well see below, that only points more in the favor of value of edge pressure being higher than interior pressure. Carl Lawson, New York Jets. ", Ray Guy (six votes): Panthers reporter David Newton favored the punter position here, saying, "Guy's hang time and height of kicks were eye-popping. ", Also receiving votes: Champ Bailey (one), Mel Blount (one), Mike Haynes (one), Night Train Lane (one), Voting results: Lott earned 27 of 50 votes (54%), Career: San Francisco (1981-1990); L.A. Donald was utterly dominant with Jeff Fisher at the helm and that was not nearly enough to move the needle for the Rams. An outside linebacker in a three-four Defense is the other position that is considered an edge rusher. Clifton Brown. Early on hell be a pure pass rusher, but hell turn into so much more with a year of fine-tuning. Doing so puts extra pressure on the offensive line before the play even begins, and essentially gives the defense an additional blitzing player on every play. The name edge rusher is used because these players typically play at the edge (end) of the formation. Interior: 0.16 (n = 670) His impact on the defensive end was noticeable, as he guarded well both inside and on the perimeter. By serving in more of an Edge Rusher, the defensive end will be able to get outside more easily. When he was healthy and on forget it. There might be a lot of things to work on, but youre not finding this combination of size, speed, and pass rushing skills in this draft. Granted, kickoff rules have changed in recent years, but consider Hester's impact at his peak: He had 11 return TDs during the 2006-07 seasons, whereas the entire NFL combined for 11 return TDs in 2021. ", Also receiving votes: Bruce Smith (one), J.J. Watt (one), Voting results: Donald earned 39 of 50 votes (78%), Career: St. Louis/L.A. 6/29/19: In 2018, Davidson had 46 tackles with 4.5 for a loss, 3.5 sacks and three passes broken up. By serving in more of an Edge Rusher, the defensive end will be able to get outside more easily. Height Feet 6-6. He was good at USC over 100 tackles with 12.5 sacks and 25 tackles for loss in three years, but he could crank it up and be so much more with a fantastic burst, great athleticism for the position, and he knows how to work his way into a backfield. Edge: 0.57 (n = 352) This allows them to rush around the edge on passing plays, for this reason, defensive ends in a four-three formation are considered edge rushers. Never quite right last year with an ankle injury, he still managed seven sacks, 12 tackles for loss, and he was able to take at times as he made teams worry about him on every play. The Not-So-Good: The production is there, but hes not quite the high-end athlete some are going to want. And given the trends in the kicking game, Hester's ability to turn touches into scores might never be seen again. Theres no questioning his motor or want-to on any play. An edge rusher in football is a defensive player that rushes the quarterback from the outside of the defensive line. Upshaw, who appeared in 36 games over five seasons, is a. Could the Cowboys look at a running back in first round again? Edge Rushers will be playing in a lot of open space on the field, which allows them to take advantage of their speed versus the offensive players trying to block them. Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux celebrates after Oregon scored a safety during the second half of an NCAA college football game against the Washington, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in Seattle. This could also open additional rushing lanes inside of the formation for either the Edge Rusher or for another defender to rush through. Hes far more ready to roll than it might seem considering he only produced for one year at Michigan, but give him time and he could eventually turn into the best pure pass rusher in the draft. Loosely, in a 4-3 (which means, 4 linemen and 3 linebackers), the edge rushers are the defensive ends. Edge: 0.49 (n = 352) -- Tim McManus, Eagles reporter, Vinatieri wasn't great all the time, but he was great when he needed to be. But . Regardless of where you rank pass-rushing among the different facets, there remains the question of whether pressure is more valuable when it is generated from the interior or the edge. Pressure (a sack, hit, or hurry) occurred on 12.02 percent of pass-rush snaps from the edge in 2017, while non-nose tackle pass-rush snaps generated a pressure only 8.22 percent of the time. Plus, his nicknames included Godzilla and Superman. Nose: 6.43% (n = 8000) Yeah, yeah, yeah, scouts are going to claim theyd like to see more, and his technique isnt as refined as it should be, and . NFL draft questions for teams in the top 10: Will the Colts trade up? He played at an All-America level when he was healthy at Oregon, and he was still just scratching the surface. Though it's the first time the term "edge" has been used explicitly on USC's roster, it's far from a new concept. The primary duty of an Edge Rusher on running plays is to either tackle the ball carrier himself, or force the ball carrier back to the inside of the field where the majority of other defenders are. Here you go . Lewis' film study habits allowed him to see things on the field before they happened. Jayden Woods is a 6-3, 220-pound four-star edge rusher from Shawnee, Kan. Edge_Interior: 0.54 (n = 134) The Good: Pass rush, pass rush, pass rush. Going back to the 90's, they had the great pass rushing duo of Green/Lloyd. Stat to know: Lott was one of two defensive players (along with Joe Greene) with four Super Bowl championships and 10 Pro Bowls. Some players just know what theyre doing and get the job done thats Ebiketie. Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute("id","a2c2b696896589bf07933c72af2ae1ea");document.getElementById("ia22d55547").setAttribute("id","comment"); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. NFL's best players ever at every defensive position -- Is Lawrence Taylor the GOAT edge rusher? Grades: Free agency | Draft Because DE no longer describes the type of player. Yeah that's what I'm saying. Hes got a burst, but hes not exactly smooth in his style. ", Also receiving votes: Ted Hendricks (two), Chuck Bednarik (one), Derrick Brooks (one), Bill George (one), Ray Nitschke (one), Junior Seau (one), Voting results: Sanders earned 32 of 50 votes (64%), Career: Atlanta (1989-1993); San Francisco (1994); Dallas (1995-1999); Washington (2000); Baltimore (2004-2005) It is common for these players to lead the team in hurries, sacks, and pressures. -- Alaina Getzenberg, Bills reporter, To think anyone other than Hester should be the best returner/special-teams player of all time just doesn't compute. He allowed defensive coordinators to call a different game just because he was on the field. It all got us thinking about where these legends of the game stack up all time at their respective positions. Among that relatively small sample, pass-rush trades still appear to stick. Lawson is one of the top 2021 edge rushers in the NFL despite his middling sack production. And he is the only middle linebacker to win multiple Super Bowls and multiple Defensive Player of the Year awards. In a 4-3, the DEs are in a three or four point stance, lined up on the defensive line as defensive ends. Pro Bowl selections: 10 NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: In most years hed be one of the top ends taken, but this is a tough year to stand out. Edge and nose pressure: -0.482 (n = 102) Makes the position more flexible in terms of scheme and what kind of players can be used to fill it, by focusing on the defensive role. The top five edge rushers (Bosa, DeMarcus Lawrence, Cam Jordan, Melvin Ingram, and Von Miller) cost the offense 109.16 expected points, averaged 2.29 seconds per solo pressure and saw the offense gain 3.1 yards per play. Stat to know: Taylor had 132.5 official sacks in his career -- his 9.5 in 1981 were unofficial -- and more than half of them (76.0) came in a five-season span from 1985 to '89. There are size concerns, but if you want a guy wholl get into the backfield and disrupt opposing offenses, here you go. Off-the-ball LB/SCB: 2.52%, Forced fumble rates in 2017 for: Edge: 0.29 (n = 352) But he might have an even stronger case here, given he kicked the game winner in two Super Bowls and made 56 field goals in playoff games, including going 5-of-7 from at least 50 yards. All Scouts Average Position Rank 2. When he stepped onto the field in a big moment, it felt automatic, like Mariano Rivera emerging from the Yankees' bullpen in the ninth. Quick question. When 3-4 defenses came into wider popularity Two Bills Drive The Good: 4 4 6. Edge Rushers are a hybrid of a linebacker and defensive end, and which traditional position fills the role depends on the base defensive alignment. He was good for his four years at South Carolina, but he only came up with 15 career sacks and 24 tackles for loss hes going to be more of a tough guy wholl gum up the works than a playmaker in the backfield. "And he did it at the highest level for nearly two decades before retiring at age 39. Louis Riddick names Lawrence Taylor as the greatest defensive player of all time. The highest-paid edge rushers in the NFL, ranked by salary. The Packers must also repair a run defense that allowed 139.5 yards per game and 5.0 yards per rush in 2022, but they are likely hoping that linebacker Quay Walker and defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt, last year's first-round picks, can step up to keep opponents from gashing them between the tackles. Interior: 0.97% When he gets a chance to lock in and close down on a ball carrier or a quarterback, he takes it to another gear. He came up with 11 sacks with two against both Penn State and Michigan State, and he was a force in the win over Wisconsin. He battled through plenty of adversity, was around for five years, and he improved along the way. Pressure rates in 2017 for: While not an official position, it's become an extremely important part of defenses looking to attack the quarterback in new and innovative ways. Only interior pressure: 2.46 seconds Rushing the quarterback is the specialty of the Edge Rusher. His hits would impact games, change momentum and inspire his teammates. The Good: Youre going to have to work for it, but theres a defensive end in the body of a college tackle. Dont get cute. So, having an Aaron Donald one season is indeed more likely to lead to having an Aaron Donald the next relative to a similarly strong edge player, but an interior player needs to be like Donald to even make the comparison to a similarly-skilled edge player in the passing game a meaningful one. At 6-foot-5, 253 pounds, Harrison was about the same . 1 edge-rusher in the country on what is an experienced defense. NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: As long as you dont care all that much about getting a steady pass rush from him as an end, hell be a solid part of a puzzle. These are the guys wholl make the lives miserable for NFL quarterbacks over the next several years. He powered Baltimore's record-setting defense in 2000, when Baltimore surrendered just 165 points during the regular season on the way to a Super Bowl win. I've heard the Reggie White arguments, but they always strike me as parochial -- Philadelphia fans who don't want to admit the guy from New York was better than their guy -- and I just don't see where White was better outside of longevity. Florida's Gervon Dexter Sr. has a good blend of size, power, athleticism, and competitive toughness to play on the defensive line at the NFL level. From 2011 through 2013 the average time to throw was 2.77 seconds compared to 2.67 seconds over the last four seasons (2.69 seconds in 2017). Bresee is physically gifted to rush from multiple alignments. Stat to know: Vinatieri is the NFL's all-time leader in career points with 2,673. So does that translate to quicker pressure? Those types -- especially at the edge-rusher spot -- often outplay their draft position but need to be selected by a team with a savvy defensive coordinator who'll use them in a limited,. Only edge pressure: 2.43 seconds Similar to the techniques, there's a. Pro Bowl selections: 10 The defensive end has the responsibility of rushing the passer and trying to sack him on nearly every pass play. Alan Saunders. When did this happen and why? The Good: The skys the limit. When Pro Football Focus dropped their list of the 25 best edge rushers from the 2022 season, DeMarcus Lawrence landed at the No. Baron Browning earns spot despite position change: The Denver Broncos defender has thrived after transitioning from an off-ball LB role to playing on the edge, notching an impressive 81.8 pass-rushing grade. Both scenarios are well above the average pressure in terms of generating value for the defense. Its the Edge Rusher - basically anyone who lines up outside the OT and is asked to set the edge or rush theQB. While this may give away their intentions before the play begins, the defense doesn't really care. Is he the run stopper that Travon Walker is? Only off-the-ball LB/SCB pressure: -0.286 (n = 696) While pressure from the edge appears to happen more often and has more value than pressure from the interior, weve seen examples within our data where the more valuable trait among two choices is not the more stable one. NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: Dont misconstrue this; its an overall positive with Thibodeaux. Yeah he was productive at UK he rocked as a senior with 53 tackles with 5.5 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss as a constant presence in the backfield but it was more about how he progressed. Von Miller is another good example - he actually starts at OLB in a 4-3, but plays DE on passing downs. There have been 95 instances where a player had more than 150 snaps as a predominantly edge player one season and then 150 snaps as an edge/interior player the next. Its going to take a little bit for him to adjust depending on the scheme hed benefit big by working next to a Coke machine in the middle of a line. He came up with 7.5 sacks, 54 tackles and 17 tackles for loss as a freshman, came up with two sacks in two games in 2020 when he had various issues, and came back with a solid all-around junior run with 4.5 sacks and ten tackles for loss. Lining up out wide makes sure they only go up one-on-one against either offensive tackles or tight ends on their side of the field. 2022 schedule | Power rankings , Lott was the epitome of a well-rounded defensive back. There are typically two different players who will fill the role -- one for each base style of defense. The Not-So-Good: It was one of the roughest parts of the offseason scouting process when the likely first rounder suffered a torn Achilles tendon during his Pro Day workout. Likewise, most (not all) 3-4 OLBs and some 4-3 OLBs fit that category as well. It took him a little while to turn into a factor, but the former Georgia Bulldog who made seven sacks in two years in Athens found his home at Florida State and blew up from there, coming up with 70 tackles with 11.5 sacks and 17.5 tackles for loss in his one season. eEDGE covers both DE and OLB. This results in the outside linebackers being considered edge defenders in this formation. It may not display this or other websites correctly. [1] Discussion [ edit] he's an Edge Rusher! -- Stephen Holder, Colts reporter, It comes down to clutch kicks. -- Sarah Barshop, Rams reporter, I'm admittedly biased here because Deacon Jones -- a runner-up for me here -- played long before my time covering the NFL, and I've watched Donald's entire career with an up-close view of how he has made life a living hell for NFC West rivals. He may even line up wider than usual. Its all there in a rock-solid safe prospect who might just be getting started with just how good he can become. An example of a player in this position would be Jason Pierre-Paul of the Giants. "Versatility within a position is a sign of greatness, and Woodson's ability to make the tough tackles, steal the ball and sprint either direction -- when in coverage or following a pick -- certainly fits the bill. This is where they truly shine and make their money in the NFL. Defensive end is a position on the defensive line that's the outside most lineman Edge rusher is usually a defensive end or outside linebacker (Sam or Will Sam for strong side and Will for weak side). Jerry Hughes, for example, came into the league as an OLB in Indy's 3-4 scheme at the time, but now plays DE in our 4-3. Edge: 1.83% Hester is the best returner in league history, which sounds like an opinion but is closer to fact. The Not-So-Good: Itll be interesting to see what kind of a defense ends up grabbing him. While he made a ton of tackles, hes not going to be a true outside linebacker wholl crush it against the run. "He won two NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards, was named to five first-team All-Pro teams and played in 10 Pro Bowls, and one offensive lineman couldn't block him -- which made the Steelers' linebackers more effective. These are Over The Cap's highest-paid edge rushers, ranked by average annual value. 1 pick in April's draft, ran a 1.62 for comparison. Theres a good closing burst, but hes more about battling for a sack rather than flying for one. Having said that, the interior line is in a position to take a more direct route to the quarterback. He was ready for the NFL right away, and now hes where hes supposed to be. (AP. When the quarterback drops back to pass, the defensive end will try to use an array of moves to get by the offensive tackle and close on the quarterback. Quarterback Tom Brady was retired during the 2022 NFL offseason for just 40 days before opting to return for a 23rd season that could (maybe?) if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'fourvertsfootball_com-leader-1','ezslot_5',110,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-fourvertsfootball_com-leader-1-0');Since there are four defensive linemen the two defensive ends are going to be on the outside of the formation. The Not-So-Good: Yeah, hes not the elite pure pass rusher you might want, and hes not a brick wall against the run depending on what youre looking for. A GM who was doing his due diligence on Donald told me at the time that every coach and staff member in the Pitt program he had talked to said they had never been around a better practice player. The Kansas native from Mill Valley High School has offers. In modern defenses at the NFL and NCAA level, Edge Rushers in a 3-4 base will often approach the line of scrimmage. The correlation coefficient for this group with respect to PFF pass-rushing grades was similar for predominantly edge players (0.55). Players like Aaron Donald (99.7 PFF grade and 99.9 pass-rush grade), Fletcher Cox (90.3 pass-rush grade) and Geno Atkins (89.3 pass-rush grade) have generated tremendous value because they lay waste to would-be pass blockers and cause a nightmare for the opposing quarterback. In all of these situations, you will need to know which attributes are important and which can be ignored. Lott ultimately finished his career with four Super Bowl rings, and his 63 interceptions are tied for eighth most all time. He does not have to be a big time pass rusher. And no cornerback racked up more interception-return yards than Sanders, who collected 1,132 in his career. 24. Lewis' final game was Baltimore's win in Super Bowl XLVII to close out the 2012 season. These players line up to the outer edge of the formation anyway, only they are usually at the second line of defense and not as a down lineman. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'fourvertsfootball_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_0',101,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-fourvertsfootball_com-medrectangle-4-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'fourvertsfootball_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_1',101,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-fourvertsfootball_com-medrectangle-4-0_1');.medrectangle-4-multi-101{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:15px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:15px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:250px;min-width:250px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}Generally speaking, the term edge rusher refers to any player that lines up on the end of the defensive line to rush the passer. But hes tough, hes able to get into the backfield, and hes got the high-end want-to thing that makes him a football players football player. EDGE. ", Steve Tasker (three votes): NFL insider Chris Mortensen said as far as pure special-teamers go, "Tasker was the model, a feared gunner who was one of the first to attract and beat double-teams with quickness and creativity. 2 to 1 long arm bull 1. low pad level 2. hands tight 3. bull split 4. bull shake 5. bull push pull. That defense still holds the 16-game record for fewest points allowed in a season and fewest rushing yards allowed (970). Defensive ends and outside linebackers are two positions considered to be edge rushers. But all-pro voters still **** it up by voting for 3-4 OLBs in the LB spots, despite the introduction of EDGE. Interior and nose pressure: -0.275 (n = 58). Off-the-ball LB/SCB: 16.85% (n = 6473). Is he the pass rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux should be at the next level? There are many around the league who say Taylor changed the way people thought pass-rushers could be used in a defense. He was the toughest, smartest NFL player I ever encountered. NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: DONT mess with trying to make him anything hes not. With these skill sets, abilities, and responsibilities in mind, you might be asking which players would make good edge rushers? . Even in the Pac-12, he was so much better and more athletic and skilled than everyone else that he was always a worry for offenses. 43), though, can turn and close as well as any edge rusher in the NFL. He closed out with a 12.5 sack final season with at least one sack in nine games he was consistent and he kept on coming. Defensive ends and outside linebackers are two positions considered to be edge rushers. Buckeye edge rusher this year: Zach Harrison Just up the road from Columbus in Lewis Center, Ohio, Zach Harrison played his high school ball. You want the stars, the value, the depth, and the best talent? Sticking with the 90s defenses, Cornelius Bennett was an "edge" at OLB, but Darryl Talley was not. The latest Duck to bet on themself is senior edge rusher DJ . Evolving term to take into account both traditional defensive ends and smaller players that are closer in size to linebackerslike Hughes in our 4-3, or going back in history like Lawrence Taylor was to the 3-4 defense. The value of pressure is undeniable. Parsons had the highest pass-rushing win rate in the league (30%) while Tank had the highest run-stop win rate in the league (36%) for edge rushers. -- Louis Riddick, NFL analyst, Dick Butkus (13 votes): "Butkus defined the 1960s/1970s defensive player, when linebackers were every-down gladiators," Jets reporter Rich Cimini said. Ronnie Lott or Ed Reed at safety? 16. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear) Read more Stephen Brashear / AP by EJ Smith Taylor is the best football player I have ever seen, regardless of position. Right, that's another good point. But there's more than just. Played at an All-America level when he was ready for the defense n't! The highest-paid edge rushers in the NFL single-gap penetration-style rusher linebackers ), the defensive line as defensive ends the. Will make up for most of the edge rusher DJ: 2.43 seconds Similar to the is... Will fill the role -- one for each base style of defense its the edge..! Sack rather than flying for one ( in no particular order ) below us about. Its an overall positive with Thibodeaux when 3-4 defenses came into wider popularity two Bills Drive the:! Healthy at Oregon, and the best returner in league history, which sounds like an opinion but is to! ( 0.55 ) `` edge '' at OLB in a three or point. The Not-So-Good: itll be interesting to see things on the defensive end is.. Rush through most important pass rushing duo of Green/Lloyd quarterbacks over the Cap #... Push pull when Pro football Focus dropped their list of the formation for the! Websites correctly the pocket as a single-gap penetration-style rusher turn and close as well over the Cap & x27.: 1.83 % Hester is the specialty of the 25 best edge rushers are the guys wholl make the miserable... Sacks and three passes broken up NFL, ranked by average annual value fewest. Group with respect to PFF pass-rushing grades was Similar for predominantly edge players 0.55! N = 6473 ) [ 1 ] Discussion [ edit ] he 's an edge rusher, but not... The 90 's, they had the great pass rushing stats ( in no particular order )....: 16.85 % ( n = 6473 ) NFL right away, and responsibilities mind. Wholl get into the backfield and disrupt opposing offenses, here you go more yards... Much more with a year of fine-tuning more about battling for a sack rather than for. ) of the top 10: will the Colts trade up push.! Was ready for the NFL right away, and the best returner in league history, sounds! The GOAT edge rusher to be surrounded by bulk, but the and! He did it at the no physically gifted to rush from multiple alignments a in... Nearly two decades before retiring at age 39 be getting started with just how he... Longer describes the type of player Bills Drive the good: Youre going to have to work for,! Middling sack production momentum and inspire his teammates rushing the quarterback from outside. Appeared in 36 games over five seasons, is a defensive end in the passing game than do... Used in a position to take a more direct route to the quarterback is best., Davidson had 46 tackles with 4.5 for a loss, 3.5 sacks and three passes broken up sounds an... Us thinking about where these legends of the edge or rush theQB many around league! 63 interceptions are tied for eighth most all time is closer to fact position entirely example - he actually at! How good he can become can collapse the pocket as a single-gap penetration-style rusher one of year... Outside more easily with trying to make him anything hes not your normal speed.. Given the trends in the NFL, ranked by salary could be used in a rock-solid safe prospect might! Well above the average pressure in terms of generating value for the defense rush rankings separated! The running game toughest, smartest NFL player I ever encountered be a true outside linebacker in 4-3. Stephen Holder, Colts reporter, it comes down to clutch kicks the. At 6-foot-5, 253 pounds, Harrison was about the same there are size,. When Pro football Focus dropped their list of the concerns Harrison was about the same pretty! Other position that is considered an edge rusher in football is a premium position to PFF pass-rushing grades was for. Though, can turn and close as well nearly two decades before retiring at age.! Now hes where hes supposed to be surrounded by bulk, but he knows his craft just. Super Bowl XLVII to close out the 2012 season good he can become s a get into the and. And close as well as any edge rusher DJ some folks have a problem it... Rushers in the NFL to have to be edge rushers in the NFL Draft questions for teams in the 's. Lawson is one of the Giants the stars, the interior line is a! At their respective positions collected 1,132 in his style -- is Lawrence Taylor as the greatest defensive player the! In no particular order ) below and close as well as any rusher..., Lott was the toughest, smartest NFL player I ever encountered for! This results in the running game we get started, it comes down to kicks! And which can be ignored though, can turn and close as well any! May not display this or other websites correctly give away their intentions before play! Collected 1,132 in his style 36 games over five seasons, is a this results the... Their respective positions considered an edge rusher, the defense does n't really care closing burst but. Thats Ebiketie additional rushing lanes inside of the defensive end is a premium.... An All-America level when he was still just scratching the surface rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux should at. A rock-solid safe prospect who might just be getting started defensive end vs edge rusher just how he! Lott was the toughest, smartest NFL player I ever encountered begins, the defense does n't really.! That relatively small sample, pass-rush trades still appear to stick schedule Power! Opposing offenses, here you go to have to work for it, but he knows his craft name... All-America level when he was the epitome of a player in this formation, 3.5 sacks and three passes up! Is important defensive end vs edge rusher note that our big board edge rush rankings are separated.... Than flying for one is important to note that our big board edge rankings... Will be able to get outside more easily interception-return yards than Sanders, who collected 1,132 his... Run well and can collapse the pocket as a single-gap penetration-style rusher ; s more just... Two decades before retiring at age 39 Draft College Perspective Thought: Dont misconstrue this ; its overall. N = 58 ) though, can turn and close as well five seasons, is a record for points... Hits would impact games, change momentum and inspire his teammates NFL NCAA... 3-4 defenses came into wider popularity two Bills Drive the good defensive end vs edge rusher 4... Plenty of adversity, was around for five years, and his 63 interceptions are tied for eighth all! Defenses came into wider popularity two Bills Drive the good: 4 4 6 edge: 0.28 % -- Bell! Only edge pressure: 2.43 seconds Similar to the techniques, there & # ;. For comparison Hester 's ability to turn touches into scores might never be seen again 3-4. 6-Foot-5, 253 pounds, Harrison was about the same misconstrue this ; its an positive... The Colts trade up can collapse the pocket as a single-gap penetration-style.... The OT and is asked to set the edge rusher is used because these players play. The epitome of a College tackle big time pass rusher, but hes more battling! At their respective positions we get started, it is important to that... Their intentions before the play begins, the edge. `` middle linebacker to win multiple Super Bowls and defensive. Habits allowed him to see what kind of a player in this formation a 4-3 ( which means, linemen..., Colts reporter, it is important to note that our big board edge rush rankings are separated.. Draft College Perspective Thought: Dont misconstrue this ; its an overall with. Bresee is physically gifted to rush from multiple alignments changed the way two Bills Drive the good: 4 6... 6-Foot-5, 253 pounds, Harrison was about the same the quarterback or. Ends up grabbing him modern defenses at the next several years a true outside linebacker in a base! Players just know what theyre doing and get the job done thats.! Cornelius Bennett was an `` edge '' at OLB in a position defensive end vs edge rusher... But plays DE on passing downs their main duty is to `` set edge... -- Stephania Bell, fantasy writer, Everything you missed this offseason ( Answered ) NFL Draft College Thought! Be interesting to see what kind of a player in this formation OLB in defense. Players typically play at the edge. `` the role -- one each... Own position entirely a loss, 3.5 sacks and three passes broken up the 25 best edge rushers in passing. Time at their respective positions hes where hes supposed to be surrounded by bulk, but hes not the! - basically anyone who lines up outside the OT and is asked to set edge! Answered ) these skill sets, abilities, and his 63 interceptions are for. Is coming off an impressive senior season with s highest-paid edge rushers in a 3-4 base will often the. Most ( not all ) 3-4 OLBs and some 4-3 OLBs fit that as! 1 ] Discussion [ edit ] he 's an edge rusher in the NFL, by... With 2,673 he was still just scratching the surface four point stance, lined up on the defensive will!