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. (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. Nose: 0.07 (n = 74) Forty Time Secs 4.82. Just because the interior d-linemen of today are making a name for themselves as pass-rushers doesnt necessarily mean that the pressures they generate are more valuable or even as valuable as those generated by their counterparts on the edge. 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. Then he started with the Jiffy Pop and wearing out Stair Master machines after his rookie year. Yeah, hell need to be surrounded by bulk, but he knows his craft. Dalvin Tomlinson figures to start . Pass-rush snaps from a player shading the center occurred at a lower rate than both from the edge and other interior spots (6.43 percent) while someone that rushed the passer from an off-the-ball position (blitzing from linebacker or the slot) generated pressure frequently (16.85 percent of the time). He played at an All-America level when he was healthy at Oregon, and he was still just scratching the surface. 43), though, can turn and close as well as any edge rusher in the NFL. -- Michael Rothstein, Falcons reporter, Deion Sanders (six votes): NFL draft analyst Matt Miller picked Sanders here, calling him "the original hold-your-breath-when-he-touches-the-ball player. Edge rushers had a sack rate of 1.83 percent and a forced fumble rate of 0.28 percent compared to interior defensive lineman (0.97 percent sack rate and 0.07 percent forced fumble rate) and nose tackles (0.79 percent sack rate and 0.06 percent forced fumble rate). Enough said. A four-three Defense means there are four defensive linemen and three linebackers. They are truly fit to rush the passer, but must be viable run-stoppers, as well. Right. In 1984, he probably played better in the playoffs. Hell have to be surrounded by bulk on the inside and more speed on the other side there will be times when hes erased by the more athletic NFL tackles. He showed most of his upside and ability at the end of his true freshman year, was good enough as a sophomore is a shortened year, and he did what he could last season. Defensive end Taylor Upshaw entered his name into the NCAA transfer portal on Tuesday, a team spokesman confirmed to MLive on Tuesday. (Full Explanation). You want a pass rusher? Lewis' final game was Baltimore's win in Super Bowl XLVII to close out the 2012 season. ", Darrelle Revis (four votes): "Revis was dominating the league during a time when passing statistics were on the rise across the board," NFL analyst Field Yates said. High-Priority Edge Rusher Cuts List To Nine . There are size concerns, but if you want a guy wholl get into the backfield and disrupt opposing offenses, here you go. Defensive ends and outside linebackers are two positions considered to be edge rushers. 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?) Likewise, most (not all) 3-4 OLBs and some 4-3 OLBs fit that category as well. Whether the edge rushers on a team are defensive ends or outside linebackers depends on the system. 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. Hes got the athleticism to burst his way into the backfield, but hell power for plays in the backfield no matter what system is in. Nah. But there's more than just. . Interior and nose pressure: 2.43 seconds. -- Legwold. In 1983 he had more sacks. 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. A fantastic pass rusher with a tremendous burst to the ball, he stepped up several times when offenses focused on stopping Aidan Hutchinson. If the run is to the outside then an edge defender may be responsible for making the tackle. This could also open additional rushing lanes inside of the formation for either the Edge Rusher or for another defender to rush through. Those guys were edge players at the time simply labeled OLB's. Louis Riddick names Lawrence Taylor as the greatest defensive player of all time. He was so valuable that Hall of Fame coach Marv Levy didn't want him exposed much as a wide receiver. Jets (1993-1994) It's preparation, football intelligence, instincts and execution. And it's worth pointing out that he played in 641 games for four teams in his Major League Baseball career and led the league in triples in 1992. Interior: 8.22% (n = 35302) His workouts have been great, hes got the right mindset and attitude teams are going to want, and hes got the leadership qualities to go along with all the speed and skill. Niners reporter Nick Wagoner agreed, saying, "Sayers is one of the few exceptions to the need for longevity to determine greatness because he was so dominant in an all-too-short career. And no one ever said that about Bruce who was 6'4" 265. And his legend is based on all the passes that weren't thrown in his direction, not on gaudy interception or passes defensed totals. By serving in more of an Edge Rusher, the defensive end will be able to get outside more easily. Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak, You want the big position in the 2022 NFL Draft? Talley vs Bennett. Hes probably going to be labeled as a third round specialist, but . While it doesnt occur often, pressure that occurs from the interior and the nose position is not quite as valuable at -0.275 EPA per play for the offense. It helps explain how Donald has become the best interior pass-rusher in the history of the game. You want a guy wholl get to the quarterback? He might not be a speed rusher, but hes got true NFL size with the toughness and power to blast away against the run. Stat to know: A two-time Defensive Player of the Year, Lewis is the only player in NFL history to have 40 sacks and 30 interceptions in a career. Edge players are primarily pass rushers. Even Patriots coach Bill Belichick considers LT the best player in the history of the game, and who am I to argue with that? Lott could do it all in the secondary and missed only one game in his final four seasons. The Not-So-Good: Itll be interesting to see what kind of a defense ends up grabbing him. 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. (Full Explanation), What is a Whip Route in Football? Plus, Jeff Legwold broke down why each GOAT was chosen, and ESPN Stats & Information dove into the numbers to pick out key stats to know. But essentially they are the same player, who who is dedicated to rush the passer off the edge. But did they also change the game? When looking at defensive ends, defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo cares about three main traits height, weight, and arm length. Thats a long way of saying, look out, NFL. I feel like the answer to the question is relatively simple. At 6-foot-5, 253 pounds, Harrison was about the same . Theres a big question mark about him if youre looking to turn him into some sort of a speed rusher. Youre the NFL. Theres a solid chance that defensive ends/edge rushers take up at least three of the top five overall picks, and maybe even the first three choices off the board. That's just self-explanatory." Myles Garrett - 99 OVR. Edge: 0.28% (min. 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. The Good: Pass rush, pass rush, pass rush. EPA generated on pressures in 2017 for: The Good: The skys the limit. That defense still holds the 16-game record for fewest points allowed in a season and fewest rushing yards allowed (970). Hes going to bust his tail to become a top player, but theres a risk here considering where hes going to be drafted. Defense: DE/OLB | DT | LB | CB | S And he compiled five seasons of at least 100 tackles. K/P | KR/ST, Voting results: Taylor earned 40 of 50 votes (80%), Career: New York Giants (1981-1993) ", Also receiving votes: Bruce Smith (one), J.J. Watt (one), Voting results: Donald earned 39 of 50 votes (78%), Career: St. Louis/L.A. Michael Hoecht emerged with 4 sacks, but the Rams will remain in search of a premium prospect. He was the man. If you want a piece of the puzzle wholl help you put together one of the NFLs best run defenses, here you go. The Denver Broncos' $114.5 million man and Super Bowl 50 MVP has revolutionized the hybrid linebacker/defensive end/edge rusher position and has turned finding a player that can wreak havoc. And no cornerback racked up more interception-return yards than Sanders, who collected 1,132 in his career. 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. He was the toughest, smartest NFL player I ever encountered. His speed-to-power moves are startling. Who are the defense ends and edge rushers wholl matter in the 2022 NFL Draft, and whats the college perspective on all of the top prospects? Career stats: 188 games, 53 interceptions, Why he's the GOAT cornerback: Sanders' combination of bravado, talent and desire to win could be seen every time he played. 6/29/19: In 2018, Davidson had 46 tackles with 4.5 for a loss, 3.5 sacks and three passes broken up. Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle La'el Collins (71) and Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa (99) during the game at AT&T Stadium. He continues, "You can argue that Taylor flashed the brightest, but White was a relentless, unstoppable force for the better part of two decades." He may even line up wider than usual. (1:43). In fact, the surfeit of pass-rush production still resides on the edge; in 2017, there were two interior linemen with a pass-rush grade over 90.0 and 10 with a pass-rush grade of 80.0-plus, meanwhile six edge rushers earned a 90.0-plus pass-rush grade and 19 hit 85.0 or above. Note that 34 outside linebackers often act as an extension of the defensive line, in that they will attack the offensive tackles or blocking tight ends on the majority of their snaps under a majority of 34 schemes, though it is not uncommon to see them drop back and play a more traditional 43 linebacker role as well. He started this thing with someone being too big to play LB and too small to play DE, but was so damn good that he needed to be on the field. While they still have a responsibility to set the edge on running plays, they make their bread and butter on passing plays. Why the Packers' transition to Jordan Love, whenever it happens, will require patience, A new home for Michael Thomas? Yes - it's an admission that a given prospect's position will be different depending on what scheme they're drafted into (mostly 3-4 vs 4-3), but their *role* in the defense will mostly be the same. Fantasy writer Mike Clay points simply to "198.0 sacks (second most all time), a pair of Defensive Player of the Year awards, 13 All-Pro appearances and a Super Bowl ring. The name edge rusher is used because these players typically play at the edge (end) of the formation. 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_Interior: 0.54 (n = 134) (Answered). With that said . Player Summary Wilson is one of the top edge prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft, possessing the physical attributes necessary to make an immediate impact. The Good: Theres a chance it all kicks in now that hes in the pros. New Orleans Superdome officials were forced to raise the video board well above its 90-foot height after one of his punts struck it. Hes a tough guy run stopper who can get into the backfield on sheer power and want-to. The Good: Youre going to have to work for it, but theres a defensive end in the body of a college tackle. Hes a terrific athlete, but he doesnt move like an NFL end, and he had to beef up to get to his current weight. PFF's exclusive metrics provide matchup previews, position rankings, grades, and snap counts. However . Carl Lawson. -- Dan Graziano, NFL reporter, How could I not vote for LT? Not all pressures are created equal, however. The name edge rusher is used because these players typically play at the edge (end) of the formation. Sticking with the 90s defenses, Cornelius Bennett was an "edge" at OLB, but Darryl Talley was not. But theres more than just the top guys, with big run stoppers, pass rushing specialists, and everything in between. Let's take a closer look at what an Edge Rusher is, what he does, and what players typically line up as one. When the agents figured out they were losing money because their clients were being called "tweeners". The only other players with multiple 20-sack seasons are J.J. Watt and Mark Gastineau, and each had two. Understanding Garbage Time Stats In Football, What Are Offsetting Penalties Football Terminology, What Is A Will Linebacker Football Terminology, What Is A Girdle In Football? ", Jack Lambert (three votes): "He was as feared a player as the NFL has ever seen, with his ability to impact the game in different ways (28 interceptions, 23.5 sacks and nearly 1,500 tackles)," Cowboys reporter Todd Archer said. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Similar to the techniques, there's a. An Edge Rusher is a type of player team used more and more in football today, especially at higher levels of the game such as the NFL and NCAA. There has to be talent around him on a line, but . Two edge rushers, Trey Hendrickson and Brian Burns, were revealed in Episode 3 (Nos. Only off-the-ball LB/SCB pressure: 2.15 seconds Its about power and strength with his game, and hes not that massive. He's listed on the roster as LB, but in terms of how their defenses use them, Miller has a lot more in common with Hughes than he does with Matt Milano. Taking away plays that resulted in turnovers from Bosas total still leaves Bosa ahead of Donald by over 11 expected points lost. Its the Edge Rusher - basically anyone who lines up outside the OT and is asked to set the edge or rush theQB. -Designed by Thrive Themes| Powered by WordPress. The Good: The skys the limit. Von Miller is another good example - he actually starts at OLB in a 4-3, but plays DE on passing downs. He grew into a job at Houston, and he knows how to beat up his man and make things happen in the backfield. The Kansas native from Mill Valley High School has offers. That is being a GOAT in my eyes. ", Gale Sayers (five votes): Saints reporter Mike Triplett pointed out Sayers' record 30.6 yards per kickoff return and said the Kansas Comet was "1-of-1 in NFL history." Another argument that has gained some traction is that the reliance on quick throws in the current iteration of the NFL makes dominance on the interior and players like Donald (though he is really without compare) even more valuable. Davidson has gained a lot of weight and could be more of a fit as a three-technique defensive tackle in a 4-3 defense for the NFL. -- Legwold. On Donalds solo pressures (70, including nullified plays), the opposing offense gained 4.9 yards per play and lost a total of 16.96 expected points. What is a Lateral Pass in Football? 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. Theres no such thing as no-bust prospect, but as long as he stays healthy, hes about as safe as they come. His aggression, relentless nature and ability to take over games made him special. He affects the quarterback at a rate that traditional stats won't catch. first full season in 2019 at defensive end, but former Oregon Head Coach Mario Cristobal made the decision to shift Johnson to a two . NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: Someone will figure it out. To be clear, the Eagles should not be the team to pay a guy with just 4.5 sacks in his last . The name doesn't define a specific position, and multiple players with different skill sets can be called upon to be an Edge Rusher for a defense. This is often defensive ends in a 4-3 defense or outside linebackers in a 3-4 defense. There were moments when it was all there and he looked like a killer, but . 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. Donald is a tremendous player who is certainly deserving of the acclaim he has received as thetop player in the PFF 50 rankings. He had a few of those unstoppable force games, but theres still work to be done. 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 College Perspective Thought: Seriously, just how worried are you about getting to the quarterback? And in 20 playoff games, Lott had nine interceptions and scored two touchdowns. Nassib, who played for the Bucs in the 2018 and 2019 seasons, made an announcement on Instagram from his home in West Chester, Pa. "I just want to take a quick moment to say that I'm gay," said Nassib, 28. (min. On these running plays, the offensive line will lay a block on the edge defender making it difficult to make the tackle. He led the league in interceptions in 1986 (10) and had at least four interceptions in a season nine times. Only nose pressure: 2.50 seconds Basically it is easier to give those players who primarily rush the passer off the edge ascheme-neutral label "edge rusher". The goal was to narrow the field to just one GOAT at quarterback, wide receiver, edge rusher, cornerback and even kicker. When it comes to rushing plays edge rushers do not play as large a role as they do in the passing game.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'fourvertsfootball_com-banner-1','ezslot_8',119,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-fourvertsfootball_com-banner-1-0'); Edge rushers primarily set the edge on rushing plays. 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. However, one elder statesman is still showing his worth as well. 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. Not be the team to pay a guy wholl get to the quarterback provide... The skys the limit who can get into the NCAA transfer portal on Tuesday you! Best interior pass-rusher in the secondary and missed only one game in his career typically play the! 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' final game was Baltimore 's win defensive end vs edge rusher Super Bowl XLVII to out... Worth as well final four seasons a season nine times when looking at defensive and! About getting to the outside then an edge defender making it difficult to make the tackle cares... Rusher or for another defender to rush the passer off the edge rush. To see what kind of a defense ends up grabbing him machines after his rookie year Answered ) pass with. Relatively simple this is often defensive ends in a 3-4 defense there are defensive., Trey Hendrickson and Brian Burns, were revealed in Episode 3 ( Nos an edge rusher is because.: 0.07 ( n = 134 ) ( Answered ) GOAT at quarterback wide... 0.07 ( n = 74 ) Forty time Secs 4.82 2017 for: the skys the.! Work for it, but the system focused on stopping Aidan Hutchinson passing downs close as as! Bosas total still leaves Bosa ahead of Donald by over 11 expected points lost be.... 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Wide receiver, edge rusher, cornerback and even kicker `` tweeners '' serving in of. A top player, who collected 1,132 in his career Packers ' to! Worth as well he compiled five seasons of at least four interceptions in 1986 10. Jiffy Pop and wearing out Stair Master machines after his rookie year DT | |.: pass rush, pass rush, pass rush, pass rush, pass specialists... Lott had nine interceptions and scored two touchdowns to become a top,. Cares about three main traits height, weight, and each had two limit! In football, they make their bread and butter on passing downs scored touchdowns... Big position in the secondary and missed only one game in his career High School has offers hell. The field to just one GOAT at quarterback, wide receiver, edge rusher, the offensive line lay.