Ranking the 2022 NFL Draft's top 30 edge rushers
This is a historically promising class
I previously ranked the top 30 cornerbacks and safeties in the 2022 NFL Draft class and commented on how historically deep both positions are right now. However, this upcoming edge class can follow the 2011 version as the best in recent history. You won’t want to miss out on getting the latest insight on this elite group.
Please understand that these are fluid rankings susceptible to change week-to-week based on performances, medical data, and measurables. The number ranking isn’t as important as a prospect’s tier. Most prospects are interchangeable with other players in their tier.
All of the players that appear below are draft-eligible, but some may return to college and wait until future drafts. Height, weight, and sack data are from ESPN.
I’m only one person and can’t watch every game on Saturday. Reach out to me @Sam_Teets 33 on Twitter or leave a comment at the bottom of this post if I’ve overlooked anyone that you believe deserves a spot on the top 30.
Tier 1- Top Five Talent
1. Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE Oregon
Thibodeaux amassed 14 tackles for loss, 34 pressures, and nine sacks as a freshman before the COVID season slowed his development. Luckily the California native shook the rust off quickly this season. Despite missing several games, he has 7.5 tackles for loss, 24 pressures, and four sacks this year.
Since returning from injury two weeks ago, Thibodeaux has 14 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 20 pressures, and three sacks. That two-game stretch likely solidified him as the first overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Thibodeaux is 6' 5" and weighs 258 lbs. He could add more muscle to his frame but is already one of the sturdiest players in this class. Thibodeaux primarily wins with a combination of burst, length, and quickness, but he’s shown flashes of developing a pass rushing plan in the past. He’s quick enough to run down some skill players in the open field.
2. Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE Michigan
It’s hard to believe Hutchinson is already a senior. We’ve been hearing about the former four-star recruit from people within the Michigan program for years, and he’s finally capitalizing on the elite potential he flashed in 2019. Hutchinson has 6.5 tackles for loss, 34 pressures, and five sacks this season.
While he’s turned in multiple elite performances, the highlight of Hutchinson’s season was destroying Washington tackle Jaxson Kirkland on national television. The 6' 6", 265 lb. defensive end recorded six pressures and 2.5 sacks in that win.
Tier 2- 1st Round Selections
3. DeMarvin Leal, EDGE/IDL Texas A&M
Leal is a good athlete for a 6' 4", 290 lb. defensive lineman, but there’s some concern he’s stuck as a tweener. I won’t rule out Leal playing inside at the next level, but it’s much easier to see him playing outside. After all, the Aggies predominantly used Leal as a defensive end when he broke onto the national stage in 2020.
While Leal has 24 pressures and 5.5 sacks this season, he’s lost ground on big boards. Inconsistent performances against elite SEC competition have analysts questioning where the junior fits in defensive schemes.
4. George Karlaftis, EDGE Purdue
Karlaftis beat the crap out of Big Ten offensive lines as a freshman, amassing 17 tackles for loss, 55 pressures, and 7.5 sacks. The junior is back to dominating the conference after barely playing in 2020. Karlaftis only has 2.5 sacks this year, but he’s getting pressure on roughly 19.3% of his pass rushing snaps while supplying quality support against the run.
Standing 6' 4" and weighing 275 lbs., Karlaftis projects as a 4-3 NFL defensive end. He might not have splashy sack totals each year, but the Indiana native is truly a game-changer.
5. Kingsley Enagbare, EDGE South Carolina
While not a superstar athletically, Enagbare possesses the motor and burgeoning arsenal of moves to make an immediate impact at the next level. The 6' 4", 265 lb. senior is a controversial prospect that I could see as low as ten on these rankings, but he’s applying pressure on roughly 19.9% of his snaps as a pass rusher.
Pressures predict sacks, so we can hypothesize that Enagbare is on the verge of becoming a game-wrecker, even if his sack totals aren’t eye-popping.
6. Drake Jackson, EDGE USC
Jackson is one of the most athletically gifted edge rushers in this class. His bend and quickness outclass heavy-footed tackles, but the 6' 4", 250 lb. junior sometimes gets overwhelmed by power. Jackson seems like an ideal 3-4 outside linebacker with his size but will need to play with greater aggression if he wants to make an impact as a run stopper against NFL competition.
7. Nik Bonitto, EDGE Oklahoma
At 6' 3", 240 lbs., Bonitto is near the bottom of the spectrum for edge rushers as far as weight goes. Teams would love to see the junior weigh closer to 245 or 250 when he goes to the combine, assuming he can still play with the same speed and burst with the extra muscle.
Bonitto has been one of college football’s most productive pass rushers over the past two years, amassing 83 pressures and 13.5 sacks since the start of 2020. That amounts to applying pressure on about 24.7% of his pass rushing snaps.
8. Adam Anderson, EDGE Georgia
If Bonitto’s size raises questions, Anderson’s build likely removes him from first-round contention for several teams. The senior linebacker is 6' 5" but only weighs 230 lbs., making him one of the wiriest edge rushers in this class. We’ve seen plenty of stars define expectations despite controversial body types in the past, but is Anderson that elite of a physical specimen?
Anderson applies pressure roughly 21.3% of the time as a pass rusher during his whole career at Georgia.
Tier 3- Cracking the Top 40
9. Zach Harrison, EDGE Ohio St.
Harrison has elite length and burst for his position. Standing 6' 6" and weighing 268 lbs., the junior projects best as a 4-3 defensive end with his hand in the dirt. Despite possessing undeniable physical gifts, Harrison’s draft stock has declined as the season continues. He hasn’t had a standout game since Ohio State’s opener against Minnesota.
10. Myjai Sanders, EDGE Cincinnati
Sanders entered 2021 with first-round aspirations, but he hasn’t built on a breakout 2020 campaign. This is arguably the senior’s worst year since becoming a full-time starter. He has 27 pressures but hasn’t recorded a sack yet. Sanders has the physical tools to go in the first-round, but it’s hard to put him over equally talented players with more production.
Tier 4- Rounding out the Top 100
11. Arnold Ebiketie, EDGE Penn St.
Ebiketie made a name for himself as a world-wrecker at Temple, tallying 22 pressures with the Owls on 142 pass rushing snaps last season. Moving up the food chain to Penn St. hasn’t slowed the senior’s rise up draft boards. Ebiketie has 29 pressures and 5.5 sacks so far and is continuing to improve against the run.
My only concern is that Ebiketie’s size (6' 3", 256 lbs.) and skill set make him a tweener.
12. Zion Tupuola-Fetui, EDGE Washington
Tupuola-Fetui tore his Achilles in mid-April, which many people assumed doomed his 2021 campaign. That’s not the case. The. 6' 4", 260 lb. linebacker is already back on the field. He saw limited action against Arizona and UCLA, but that’s promising for his 2022 draft stock. Tupuola-Fetui is a prime candidate to return to school next year, but there’s still a chance he declares.
Tupuola-Fetui was a beast unleashed last year, amassing three forced fumbles, 20 pressures, and seven sacks in 95 pass rushing snaps. He’s only played about 420 defensive snaps during his collegiate career.
13. Boye Mafe, EDGE Minnesota
Mafe is a springy 6' 4", 265 lb. defensive end for the Gophers, but I could see him playing outside linebacker at the next level. He has a career-high five sacks this season to go along with 27 pressures. Opinions remain mixed on Mafe as a prospect. Some analysts believe the senior could earn first-round interest, while others place him towards the back of the top 100.
14. Zachary Carter, EDGE Florida
At 6' 4", 285 lbs., Carter is one of the largest players to crack these rankings. According to ESPN, the defensive end has 15.5 sacks over the past three years, including six this season. Carter’s size makes him a unique player in this class that’s perfect for teams needing a 3-4 defensive end. However, I wouldn’t rule out experimenting with him in a 4-3 scheme.
15. Jermaine Johnson II, EDGE Florida St.
Johnson transferred from Georgia to Florida St. this past season and instantly saw more playing time. The 6' 5", 262 lb. defensive end already has 25 pressures and 6.5 sacks this year, and he put on a good showing early in the season against Notre Dame. Johnson has ideal length and speed for his position, and we can still expect more development from him in the pros.
Tier 5- Polarizing Prospects
This is where things start getting dicey. This entire tier could fall to Day 3, and they’re all “boom or bust” prospects. Each has spurts of elite production or desirable physical traits, but teams could easily pass over them for the top options in my sixth tier.
16. Tyreke Smith, EDGE Ohio St.
Smith is outproducing Zach Harrison in some categories. The senior only has one sack in his four appearances, but he’s already applied 16 pressures on 103 pass rushing snaps. The 6' 3", 260 lb. Ohio native is often overshadowed by his running mate, but we could see Smith receive more hype as the pre-draft process kicks into another gear
17. Brenton Cox Jr., EDGE Florida
Cox was amazing in his first season with the Gators after transferring from Georgia. The 6' 4", 253 lb. linebacker amassed 48 pressures and four sacks in 2020. Cox only has one sack this year and is behind on his pressure rate. Considering his lackluster skills in coverage, Cox projects purely as a pass rusher in the NFL.
18. Jordan Strachan, EDGE South Carolina
Strachan transferred from Georgia St. to South Carolina after amassing three forced fumbles and 10.5 sacks in the Sun Belt Conference last year. Things haven’t gone as well in the SEC. Strachan only has one sack, but he’s playing limited snaps. Technically the agile, 6' 5", 250 lb. defensive end is getting pressure on 10.4% of his rushes.
19. Mitchell Agude, EDGE UCLA
At 6' 4", 245 lbs., Agude is on the lighter end of the spectrum for outside linebackers. The California native only has one sack this year and 3.5 in his career, but he’s applying pressure on roughly an eighth of his snaps as a rusher. Agude’s effectiveness could lead to him leaping up boards as we get closer to the spring, or he could fade into the late rounds.
Tier 6- Late Day 2/Early Day 3
20. Derick Hall, EDGE Auburn
Hall is one of the highest risers among edge rushers over the past two seasons. He flashed potential in 2020 before confirming it with another strong showing during his junior year. Hall has 31 tackles, 26 pressures, and four sacks this year. It’ll be interesting to see how he performs against Alabama at the season’s end.
21. Ali Gaye, EDGE LSU
Gaye is done for the season as he recovers from an injury, leaving us with just four games of tape from 2021. The senior was a Second Team All-SEC selection last year, and he was on pace to set several personal bests before getting hurt. Gaye finishes his LSU career with 51 tackles, 58 pressures, and 4.5 sacks.
22. Nolan Smith, EDGE Georgia
According to 247Sports’ composite board, Smith was the nation’s top recruit in 2019, outranking Kayvon Thibodeaux (second) and Derek Stingley (third). The 6' 3", 235 lb. linebacker is a key part of Georgia’s dominant defense, but his size and lack of production raise concerns. Smith is an exceptional tackler, but he has under 700 snaps in his collegiate career.
23. Travon Walker, EDGE Georgia
Walker is an ideal 3-4 defensive end capable of holding down offensive linemen with his 6' 5", 275 lb. frame. The junior is having a career year, setting or tying personal bests with 19 tackles and 2.5 sacks. NFL teams shouldn’t count on Walker for consistent sack production. However, he’s capable of moving the pocket by driving back offensive linemen.
24. Isaiah Foskey, EDGE Notre Dame
Foskey and fellow Notre Dame sack artist Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa should hear their names called in the mid to late rounds. Of the two, Foskey is more productive. This season, the redshirt sophomore has 32 tackles, 21 pressures, 7.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles. Standing 6' 5" and weighing 260 lbs., Foskey has a versatile build.
25. Xavier Thomas, EDGE Clemson
Thomas was a top-five recruit in the Class of 2018, only trailing Justin Fields and Trevor Lawrence on 247Sports’ composite board. Thomas hasn’t lived up to his potential, but the 6' 2", 265 lb. senior still has plenty of enticing traits. Some defensive coach will look at Thomas and bet on being able to restore the South Carolina native’s previous glory.
Tier 7- Day 3 Prospects
26. Sam Williams, EDGE Ole Miss
Williams is an extremely consistent player. His numbers year-to-year show some growth, but the 6' 4", 265 lb. senior was an impact player from the moment he began playing for Ole Miss. Williams has three forced fumbles, 31 pressures, and 7.5 sacks in just under 400 defensive snaps this year.
27. Arron Mosby, EDGE Fresno St.
Mosby is an intriguing, undersized 244 lb. fifth-year defensive end for the Bulldogs. This is his first season as a true pass rusher, and he never recorded a sack before Fresno State’s 2021 season opener. However, Mosby already has four sacks, three forced fumbles, and is applying pressure on roughly 12% of pass rushing snaps.
28. Jeffrey Gunter, EDGE Coastal Carolina
The Chanticleers put sack artist Tarron Jackson into the NFL last year, and Gunter should follow his predecessor as a late-round selection. Gunter had 41 pressures in 2020, and he’s already stacked up 28 more along with four sacks this season.
29. Jacub Panasiuk, EDGE Michigan St.
Panasiuk is a fifth-year monster for Michigan St. The 6' 4", 255 lb. defensive end already has a career-high 5.5 sacks and 45 pressures. Considering his age, Panasiuk is likely maxed out from a physical standpoint.
30. Amare Barno, EDGE Virginia Tech
Barno led the ACC with 16 tackles for loss in 2020. The 6' 6", 245 lb. junior hasn’t matched that pace this year, but he’s already amassed more pressures than his previous career-high. A team could easily fall in love and take Barno as early as the fifth round.
Honorable Mentions
Christopher Allen, EDGE Alabama
Andre Carter II, EDGE Army
Big Kat Bryant, EDGE UCF
Richard Jibunor, EDGE Troy
Jacorey Johns, EDGE Wake Forest
DeAngelo Malone, EDGE Western Kentucky
Tristan Nichols, EDGE Nevada
Joey Noble, New Mexico
Taylor Riggins, EDGE Buffalo
Cody Roscoe, EDGE Syracuse
Javon Solomon, EDGE Troy
Mika Tafua, EDGE Utah
Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa, EDGE Notre Dame
Demetrius Taylor, EDGE Appalachian St.
Cameron Thomas, EDGE San Diego St.
Isaiah Thomas, EDGE Oklahoma
Tre Williams, EDGE Arkansas