Pewter Report analyzes the highest gamers within the 2025 NFL Draft with its place previews. Scott Reynolds continues the previews on the outdoors linebacker/edge rusher place, providing a complete have a look at what the Bucs have and what they want off the sting.
Bailey Adams then analyzes an in depth checklist of this 12 months’s high edge prospects whereas Reynolds gives the annual Pewter Report Bucs Greatest Bets – the probably edge rushers for Tampa Bay to pick out in Rounds 1-3, and in Rounds 4-7.
What The Bucs Have At Outdoors Linebacker
Bucs OLBs YaYa Diaby and Anthony Nelson – Photograph by: USA At the moment
Tampa Bay added cross rusher Haason Reddick in free company on a one-year, prove-it deal and the group hopes the 30-year outdated veteran can return to his double-digit sack type after a down 12 months with the New York Jets in 2024. After a prolonged holdout, Reddick solely had one sack in 10 video games final season, however had 4 straight years of double-digit sacks from 2020-23. Reddick brings two issues to Tampa Bay that the surface linebacker room was lacking – expertise and velocity off the sting. The group hopes he’ll be a terrific mentor to the opposite younger edge rushers on the roster.
The Bucs are excessive on Yaya Diaby’s progress despite the fact that his sacks declined from 7.5 throughout his rookie season to 4.5 final 12 months. Diaby improved in all areas apart from the sack column. Head coach Todd Bowles made a giant transfer this offseason in transferring Larry Foote from teaching inside linebackers to outdoors linebackers and Diaby might attain his full potential in 2025 and turn into a double-digit sacker for the primary time beneath his tutelage.
Tampa Bay parted methods with former first-round choose Joe Tryon-Shoyinka in free company to pave the best way for extra snaps for Chris Braswell, final 12 months’s second-round choose. The Bucs predict a breakout 12 months for Braswell in his second season after he was gradual to develop as a rookie. Working with Foote ought to speed up that course of. Anthony Nelson is again for his third contract with the Bucs and has the size, expertise and soccer I.Q. that Bowles appreciates. He’ll push for taking part in time as he enters his seventh season in Tampa Bay.
It’s a giant 12 months for a pair of younger edge rushers getting into their third season in purple and pewter. Jose Ramirez confirmed flashes of cross rush potential final preseason, however was nonetheless relegated to the follow squad for a second straight 12 months. Markees Watts had an up-and-down coaching camp and injured his knee throughout the 12 months, which stunted his development. Each are battling for his or her careers in Tampa Bay this offseason. Daniel Grzesiak can also be again with the Bucs for camp after spending final 12 months on the follow squad.
What The Bucs Want At Outdoors Linebacker
From a numbers standpoint the Bucs don’t essentially want one other cross rusher. If Haason Reddick returns to type as a Professional Bowl-caliber edge rusher, Yaya Diaby continues to ascend and Chris Braswell has the breakout season most count on, Tampa Bay’s four-man cross rush ought to be superb. However what if that’s not the case? What if Reddick has misplaced a step, Braswell doesn’t pan out and Diaby falls wanting double-digit sacks once more? That’s why the Bucs could be sensible to draft one other impression cross rusher as an insurance coverage coverage or security internet.
Reddick solely signed a one-year deal, and if he has too huge of a rebound 12 months in Tampa Bay the Bucs might not decide to increase the contract of an out of doors linebacker who shall be 32 throughout the 2026 season. That’s the place drafting one other younger edge rusher is sensible, too. The Bucs had seven formal interviews with edge rushers on the NFL Scouting Mix and had at the very least three outdoors linebacker prospects in for official 30 visits as nicely.
High Outdoors Linebackers In 2025 NFL Draft
*Vital Be aware: These gamers are NOT listed within the order of Pewter Report’s rating for them. Reasonably, the numbers are offered to indicate you the tough order during which we count on them to return off the board throughout the draft.
1. Penn State Edge Abdul Carter – Junior – 6-3, 250 – N/A
Carter is extensively believed to be the No. 2 total choose on this 12 months’s draft. Whereas 2024 was his solely collegiate season as a real edge rusher after he made the transition from off-ball linebacker, he spent a lot of the 2022 and 2023 seasons speeding from the surface anyway. He’s a disruptive power with lots of explosiveness and loads of cross rush strikes in his arsenal. And since he spent the sooner a part of his profession as an off-ball ‘backer, he’s snug dropping into protection.
The manufacturing Carter posted at Penn State speaks for itself. In 2024, 34.6% of his tackles got here behind the road of scrimmage, as he totaled 23.5 tackles for loss and 12 sacks to go together with two pressured fumbles and 4 passes defensed. Within the two seasons earlier than that, he completed with a mixed 16 tackles for loss and 11 sacks, with three pressured fumbles, 9 passes defensed and an interception. Carter completed his profession with the Nittany Lions as a unanimous consensus All-American, in addition to the Large Ten’s Defensive Participant of the 12 months.
2. Georgia Edge/ILB Jalon Walker – Junior – 6-1, 243 – N/A
Walker’s true place has been a sizzling subject in draft circles all through a lot of the pre-draft course of. He performed a hybrid linebacker position beneath Kirby Sensible at Georgia, splitting snaps between inside linebacker, outdoors linebacker and edge rusher. There’s a perception that whoever drafts him ought to choose a place and keep it up, although others view him being “positionless” as a bonus. Walker himself thinks he’s finest as a chess piece who can play anyplace, and he’s coming off a season during which he completed with 60 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks and two passes defensed because the Butkus Award winner and a first-team All-American.
Walker lacks the best measurement for an NFL edge rusher, however he has a superb really feel for getting after the quarterback and turns the nook nicely in pursuit. He modifies course with quite a lot of smoothness and has good closing velocity, which helps him when positioned within the position of a spy on a cellular quarterback. His processing in protection is an space that wants enchancment and he may get slowed down by bigger-bodied blockers on the level of assault, however Walker is among the extra intriguing gamers on this 12 months’s class and it’ll be fascinating to see the place he results in the primary spherical.
Georgia LB Jalon Walker – Photograph by: USA At the moment
3. Marshall Edge Mike Inexperienced – Redshirt Junior – 6-3, 251 – N/A
Inexperienced is an exceptional mix of athleticism and violence, and the truth that he can win a number of methods is why it’s no shock that he had the kind of manufacturing he did in his one 12 months as a starter at Marshall. After transferring from Virginia, he performed in 12 video games and began one for the Thundering Herd in 2023, ending with 9 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. Then, in 13 begins in 2024, he posted 17 sacks and 22.5 tackles for loss, with three pressured fumbles and two passes defensed. His mixture of manufacturing and play fashion make him a high edge rusher on this 12 months’s draft class.
The pre-draft course of has raised some considerations about Inexperienced, although, as previous sexual assault allegations have been dropped at gentle. He was suspended at the beginning of his second 12 months at Virginia after an allegation (there have been no expenses, the case was suspended and Inexperienced has since denied any wrongdoing), and this got here after an allegation whereas in highschool (which noticed no formal expenses filed). Inexperienced has spoken in regards to the allegations throughout the pre-draft course of and he’s drawn optimistic suggestions about his character from former coaches, however there’s little doubt that whichever group drafts him may have needed to do some in depth homework to really feel snug with the choose.
4. Boston School Edge Donovan Ezeiruaku – Senior – 6-2, 248 – N/A
Ezeiruaku possesses a mixture of potential, manufacturing and character that coaches and GMs dream of. The previous Boston School star has distinctive bend and explosiveness, which led to his 45.5 tackles for loss and 30 sacks over 4 years at BC. His 2022 season noticed him put up a powerful 14.5 tackles for loss and eight.5 sacks, and whereas his numbers dipped in 2023, they got here again up in his All-American, ACC Defensive Participant of the 12 months-winning 2024 season. Over 12 video games, he completed with 80 tackles, 20.5 tackles for loss and 16.5 sacks. Ezeiruaku has nice ball manufacturing too, having pressured eight fumbles over the past three seasons.
Ezeiruaku isn’t the most important edge defender at 6-foot-2, 248 kilos, however that perceived lack of measurement didn’t hamper him in school. His sack manufacturing alone will make him a first-round choose, however he additionally units the sting nicely and might defend towards the run. He might even attain a brand new stage with added energy to his physique, however he needs to be cautious to not get away from what has made him so profitable previously.
5. Georgia Edge Mykel Williams – Junior – 6-5, 267 – 4.77
Williams is one other distinctive Georgia defender in that head coach Kirby Sensible requested him to do all kinds of issues throughout the defensive position. He performed each three- and five-technique along with spending time as a stand-up outdoors linebacker. He’s a giant, hulking presence, however he has good bend for his measurement. Enjoying to that energy, he’s lauded for his bull rushes, swipes, and push-pull maneuvers. Nevertheless, there’s not lots of finesse to Williams’ recreation and his secondary strikes will want work. Not solely that, however he can play too upright at occasions, which permits blockers to get beneath him and acquire leverage.
Williams was by no means overly productive for the Bulldogs, however he was a constant power. He made an impression as a freshman in 2022 with 28 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks in 15 video games (two begins). In 2023, he began 10 of the 13 video games he performed in and completed with 18 tackles, one other 6.5 tackles for loss and one other 4.5 sacks, with a pressured fumble and two passes defensed added to his line. He then completed his Georgia profession along with his best 12 months in 2024, totaling 21 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 5 sacks and two pressured fumbles in 12 video games (5 begins).
6. Tennessee Edge James Pearce Jr. – Junior – 6-5, 245 – 4.47
Pearce is a powerful participant. He’s quick and athletic, plus he can mix that athleticism with energy to create lots of havoc as a cross rusher. His 23% cross rush win fee in 2024 was the second-best mark within the FBS, plus his 107 pressures over the past two seasons ranked No. 6 within the FBS and tops within the SEC. In 2023, Pearce began simply three video games however performed in 13, totaling 14.5 tackles for loss and 10 sacks, with two pressured fumbles, two passes defensed and an interception. He adopted that up with 13 tackles for loss and seven.5 sacks in 2024. He was first-team All-SEC in each seasons because the Vols’ main sacker.
The dreaded “character considerations” have hit Pearce throughout the pre-draft course of, which suggests his inventory has taken a success. Outdoors of a 2023 arrest on site visitors expenses (dashing, driving on suspended license, failure to current insurance coverage, all expenses that have been later dismissed), the considerations about Pearce seemingly stem from a post-Mix report that alleged that he might have “the worst character report” on this 12 months’s draft class. Questions have emerged about his work ethic, so with all of this in thoughts, his interviews with groups will doubtless play a key half in the place he falls on draft weekend.
Tennessee EDGE James Pearce Jr. – Photograph by: USA At the moment
7. Texas A&M Edge Shemar Stewart – Junior – 6-5, 267 – 4.59
Stewart is a polarizing prospect, and whether or not you view him as a high edge on this 12 months’s draft class closely is determined by the place you stand within the ever-present traits vs. manufacturing discourse. Traits-wise, the Texas A&M product has what you’re on the lookout for. He’s explosive off the soccer and even at 267 kilos, shows some spectacular bend. He is aware of methods to use his lengthy arms to his benefit and he can each set the sting and transfer nicely laterally to deal with ball carriers. And within the Aggies’ protection, he bought lots of expertise in several alignments.
The place there’s much less to love about Stewart is along with his manufacturing, or lack thereof. He was solely a one-year starter in School Station, however 4.5 sacks over 680 profession cross rush snaps is tough to miss. He had 1.5 sacks every year of his three-year profession, with solely 11 tackles for loss (after a career-high 5.5 in 2024) to go together with them. His one pressured fumble over three years stands out in a adverse gentle as nicely, and his 26.9% missed deal with fee is one other blemish on his resume. If his traits can translate, he’ll blossom within the NFL. However whether or not that occurs feels prefer it’ll be a raffle, which can see him fall on some groups’ boards.
8. Ohio State Edge J.T. Tuimoloau – Senior – 6-4, 264 – N/A
There’s loads to love about Tuimoloau, beginning not simply along with his size and total measurement however the truth that he’s versatile sufficient to not let it stiffen him up as he turns the nook on opposing tackles. He’s a superb athlete with a excessive motor and good short-area quickness. Dane Brugler of The Athletic famous that Tuimoloau credit cross-training in basketball for his twitch, and his agility paired with a fast get-off helps him convert velocity to energy very nicely. There’s work to be carried out along with his counters, as blockers are capable of shut him down if they’ll deal with his preliminary transfer. Nonetheless, whereas that and his total cross rush arsenal can enhance, Tuimoloau’s flooring is excessive.
A 3-year starter at Ohio State, Tuimoloau progressively constructed to a terrific last 12 months of manufacturing. He went from 4.5 tackles for loss and a pair of.5 sacks as a freshman in 2021 to 10.5 tackles for loss and three.5 sacks in 2022. In 2023, he dropped right down to seven tackles for loss, however totaled 5 sacks. Then got here his finest season, which noticed him begin all 16 of the Buckeyes’ video games and end with 61 tackles, 21.5 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks and two pressured fumbles. His finest soccer got here within the group’s School Soccer Playoff run, which noticed him put up 20 pressures, 10 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks and a pressured fumble. Tuimoloau is a second-round choose.
9. Texas A&M Edge Nic Scourton – Junior – 6-2, 257 – N/A
Scourton is nicely constructed contemplating his 6-foot-2 body, which is slightly on the smaller facet for an edge. He’s bodily, and whereas his cross rush transfer set continues to be creating, he could be a drawback for opposing tackles due to the best way he makes use of his fingers. On the down facet, he may attempt to win with energy slightly too a lot, as he doesn’t have a lot finesse to his recreation. However it’s price noting that he’s extraordinarily younger. He doesn’t flip 21 years outdated till late August, which shall be simply after the preseason wraps up. So, it’s protected to say there’s loads to work with right here given his youth.
Scourton’s best season got here when he was a sophomore at Purdue in 2023 when he was referred to as Nic Caraway. Over 11 video games that season, he totaled 50 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and 10 sacks, with a pressured fumble and three passes defensed as nicely. He earned second-team ] All-Large Ten because the convention’s main sacker, after which he transferred to Texas A&M in 2024. With the Aggies, his manufacturing dipped, however he did outpace Shemar Stewart, ending with 14 tackles for loss and 5 sacks, with a pressured fumble and two passes defensed as nicely. Scourton seems to be a second-round choose on this 12 months’s draft.
10. Arkansas Edge Landon Jackson – Senior – 6-6, 264 – 4.68
Jackson is an imposing determine with a wingspan within the 92nd percentile amongst edge rushers. At 6-foot-6, 264 kilos, he has the size of an NFL cross rusher and is ready to use his lengthy strides to create some depth as he penetrates the backfield. He’s highly effective, too, and lots of that’s on show along with his hand utilization. The place opposing tackles will benefit from, although, is the truth that he’s not very fluid in his actions and doesn’t have a lot bend to his recreation. That, mixed with a still-developing arsenal of cross rush counters, lowers his preliminary ceiling on the NFL stage.
Jackson began his school profession at LSU in 2021 earlier than transferring to Arkansas and taking part in there for the final three years. He by no means had eye-popping manufacturing for the Razorbacks, although he was fairly constant. He went from three sacks in 2022 to six.5, with 13.5 tackles for loss, in 2023. He then completed up his time in school with one other 6.5-sack season in 2024, although his tackles for loss whole dropped to 9.5.
11. Ole Miss Edge Princely Umanmielen – Fifth-12 months Senior – 6-4, 244 – 4.72
Umanmielen’s profession started at Florida, the place he began for 2 seasons (2022 and 2023). Over these two campaigns, he posted 11.5 sacks and 21 tackles for loss over 25 video games. From there, he transferred to Ole Miss and had a profession 12 months in 2024. Although he solely began six of the 12 video games he appeared in, he completed his lone 12 months with the Rebels with a career-high 10.5 sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss. An ankle harm price him two video games, however he nonetheless earned first-team All-SEC and second-team All-American honors.
Umanmielen definitely has the look of an NFL cross rusher, and he exhibits a fast first step that may assist him win. He additionally has loads of expertise dropping in protection, one thing he did usually at Florida earlier than doing a little spot dropping at Ole Miss as nicely. The place Umanmielen falls quick is within the energy and physicality division. Between that and his have to develop his counter strikes, there’s nonetheless work to be carried out as he rounds right into a extra polished participant. However because it stands, he has a superb basis to work with.
Ole Miss EDGE Princely Umanmielen Photograph by: USA At the moment
12. Ohio State Edge Jack Sawyer – Senior – 6-4, 260 – N/A
Sawyer completed his school profession with the kind of season he would’ve dreamed of whereas rising up as a child in Ohio. He grew to become a captain for the Buckeyes and outdoors of a late-season blemish towards rival Michigan, led his protection on an impressive run to a championship. He had a nine-sack season with three pressured fumbles, seven passes defensed and an interception, plus he had a game-sealing 83-yard scoop-and-score towards Texas to ship Ohio State to the nationwide title recreation. For his profession, he totaled 23 sacks, 28.5 tackles for loss and 6 pressured fumbles over 54 video games (32 begins).
Sawyer has the body of an NFL edge rusher, and he’s carried out nicely to construct out that body. Not solely that, however he makes use of his measurement and energy to his benefit, taking part in a bodily fashion and a excessive motor. He’s not a lot of a finesse participant, as he doesn’t have nice bend or elite velocity. He’s one-dimensional in that means, however his energy, instincts and want-to ought to carry him a good distance on the subsequent stage as a Day 2 choose.
The Greatest Of The Relaxation
13. UCLA Edge Oluwafemi Oladejo – Senior – 6-3, 261 – N/A
Oladejo is an thrilling prospect. Nonetheless very new to the surface linebacker place after transitioning from off-ball ‘backer 4 video games into final season, he has the makings of creating into an absolute stud. He seems the half and seemingly at all times has, as he even performed Mike linebacker at 255 kilos. He’s clearly nicely versed in defending the run, and he does so with lots of vary. His cross speeding talent set continues to be creating, however he converts velocity to energy nicely and might be disruptive. His effort and power are evident, and whereas he had simply six profession sacks between Cal and UCLA, Oladejo is a undertaking who might yield a big-time return on Day 2.
UCLA edge rusher Oluwafemi Oladejo – Photograph by: USA At the moment
14. Michigan Edge Josaiah Stewart – Senior – 6-1, 249 – 4.85
Stewart is explosive, with glorious speed-to-power potential and good dip as he turns the nook. His motor is excessive and within the run recreation, he’s extra bodily than you’d count on given his measurement. He has a lighter body and at 6-foot-1, he doesn’t have lots of room so as to add weight. He might be overmatched by way of energy at occasions, which hinders his potential to be disruptive on a down-in, down-out foundation. That stated, he produced loads between Coastal Carolina and Michigan. Over two years at Coastal, he totaled 16 sacks and 25.5 tackles for loss in 25 video games (17 begins), then posted 14 sacks and 21.5 tackles for loss over 26 video games (11 begins) at Michigan.
15. LSU Edge Bradyn Swinson – Fifth-12 months Senior – 6-3 1/2, 255 – N/A
Swinson had simply 43 whole pressures in his first 4 years of faculty (three at Oregon, one at LSU), however he broke out in 2024 for the Tigers with 59 pressures, 8.5 sacks and 13 tackles for loss. He’s flexible and has good go off the road, and he retains that motor up in pursuit. However Swinson nonetheless has work to do, with just one season of beginning expertise after totaling simply two begins over his first 4 years of faculty. His play energy isn’t as much as par, which can restrict him within the NFL. But when he can construct out his cross rush arsenal, there’s potential for him to turn into a chosen rusher.
16. Oregon Edge Jordan Burch – Fifth-12 months Senior – 6-4, 279 – 4.67
Burch’s profession started with three seasons at South Carolina, the place he totaled 4.5 sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss from 2020-2022. He then transferred to Oregon, the place he began 22 of the 24 video games he performed 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 just too inconsistent along with his rush plan, and his harm historical past is a bit lengthier than you’d like. However he’s densely constructed (virtually like a defensive deal with) and whereas his energy is his largest plus, he has good short-area quickness and athleticism for his measurement.
Oregon EDGE Jordan Burch Photograph by: USA At the moment
17. South Carolina Edge Kyle Kennard – Fifth-12 months Senior – 6-4, 254 – 4.73
After totaling 12.5 sacks and 21.5 tackles for loss over 4 seasons, 42 video games and 20 begins at Georgia Tech, Kennard transferred to South Carolina for his last season. In 12 begins, he posted profession highs throughout the board with 11.5 sacks, 15.5 tackles for loss and three pressured fumbles. He was a embellished fifth-year senior for the Gamecocks, incomes consensus All-American, Nagurski Trophy, SEC Defensive Participant of the 12 months and first-team All-SEC honors. Kennard has good go off the snap and makes use of his arms nicely whereas displaying stable speed-to-power potential. The drawbacks are that he doesn’t have loads to indicate for his run protection on tape, plus he has little or no expertise dropping into protection.
18. Louisville Edge Ashton Gillotte – Senior – 6-3, 264 – 4.65
Gillotte has a mixture of velocity and physicality, with lots of good hand work to his recreation as nicely. The issue is that his motor may run slightly too excessive at occasions, which may trigger him to overrun performs. His body might not be supreme for the place, however he has sufficient traits to be a superb piece in a rotation someplace. The unlucky actuality for Gillotte is that his inventory may’ve been increased after his junior season in 2023, which noticed him end with 11 sacks, 14.5 tackles for loss and three pressured fumbles. His numbers dipped as a senior, as he completed with solely 4.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss, with zero pressured fumbles.
Bucs Greatest Bets By Scott Reynolds
Rounds 1-3 Boston School OLB Donovan Ezeiruaku
The Bucs had a proper interview with Ezeiruaku and got here away extremely impressed in Indianapolis. His excellent character matches his excellent recreation movie, which noticed him put up 23 tackles for loss and 16.5 sacks final 12 months as an All-American at Boston School. Ezeiruaku isn’t simply an efficient cross rusher, both. Regardless of not being the most effective edge defender at 6-foot-2, 243 kilos, the New Jersey native recorded 80 tackles final 12 months and proved to be a high quality run stuffer as nicely. Ezeiruaku had a few standout practices on the Senior Bowl, which additionally caught the group’s consideration and solidified his first-round draft standing.
Ezeiruaku has loads of polish as a cross rusher and a toolbox that’s almost full. He can win with a wide selection of strikes, and even when he’s not capable of break freed from offensive tackles, Ezeiruaku can nonetheless get to the quarterback along with his lengthy, 34-inch, pterodactyl-like arms. Ezeiruaku could be a incredible first-round choose for Tampa Bay on account of the truth that he’s constructed like Haason Reddick and might study from the two-time Professional Bowler throughout his rookie marketing campaign. Whereas he’s not the quickest edge rusher on this draft class, Ezeiruaku is among the quickest and most agile and performs with large bend and nice leverage.
Rounds 4-7 Central Arkansas OLB David Walker
With an emphasis on bettering the group’s cross rush, the Bucs will doubtless draft one other edge within the first three rounds. Tampa Bay likes a number of first-round prospects, together with Boston School’s Donovan Ezeiruaku and Georgia’s Mykel Williams, in addition to some potential Day 2 targets like UCLA’s Femi Oladejo, Texas A&M’s Nic Scourton and Ole Miss’ Princely Umanmielen. But when the Bucs fail to land any of these edge rushers the group might flip Walker within the fourth spherical. The 6-foot-1, 263-pounder dominated FCS competitors with 82.5 tackles for loss, 39 sacks and 6 pressured fumbles over the previous 4 years.
Walker, who was a group captain final 12 months, was additionally a three-time consensus All-American, and gained the 2024 Buck Buchanan Award as the highest FCS defensive participant in addition to the convention defensive participant of the 12 months for 3 straight seasons. He even went to the Senior Bowl and proved that he belonged with the highest school expertise. Walker isn’t the quickest edge rusher (4.69), however may be very sudden in his actions and has nice cross speeding instincts. A whopping 33.8% of Walker’s tackles got here within the backfield in school. He performs with superb speed-to-power and that’s a giant purpose why the Bucs formally interviewed him on the NFL Scouting Mix.
