2023 NFL Draft Edge Defender Rankings
With Chicago Bears Lenses
The Bears are in the process of turning over a defensive line that was once was the identity of the team. Just 2 short seasons ago it was one of the best units in the league and now it’s one of the worst. That’s no fault of Ryan Poles and the new regime.
That version of that Bears defensive line clearly hit its expiration date and Poles knew it. That being said, two free agency cycles and a draft have passed and there hasn’t been much headway made into fixing this group.
Guys like Andrew Billings, Justin Jones and Demarcus Walker all have their places along a rotation but they aren’t difference makers. That’s why it’s crucial that the Bears start to find some answers in this draft, especially at edge rusher.
You can talk yourself into the 3 man rotation previously mentioned on the interior, you can’t run it back with Dominique Robinson and Trevis Gipson as the starters. Luckily, there are a lot options in this draft class to avoid that from happening.
I went through the pleasure of outlining and grading 20 of those options that the Bears could potentially take. Before we get into those rankings, let me briefly summarize my criteria.
My first and major one is that pass rush is king. I know a lot of people are concerned with finding which guys fit the Bears scheme the best. I am worried about stopping the pass and finding the best guys that allow me to do that. Figure out the rest later.
Lastly, athletic testing has historically been a disqualifier for this position. In other words, there is strong correlation with edge rushers with poor testing and not being successful in the NFL. So, if a prospect didn’t test well, I am probably not high on him. Let’s get into it.
20. Andre Carter, Army, Late day 3 grade
6’ 6” 256 lbs, Senior
Army’s Andre Carter came into the 2022 season with a lot of buzz after a strong 2021. He didn’t have as much success in his last year due to teams shifting more of their focus towards him.
However, the fast hands, quick first step and change of direction to win the edge still flashed enough to be intrigued. Then, the Senior Bowl happened and Carter looked noticeably out of place.
That should not come as a surprise. Carter was not receiving the same training as the other prospects, he was training to be in the Army. With that caveat in mind, he really struggled at the event. It became clear that he was further behind than most initially thought.
A strong combine/pro day was going to be crucial to show teams that Carter had athletic traits worth harvesting given the time he was going to take to develop. That’s where he fell the shortest.
Carter’s broad jump, vertical jump and 10 yard split were below the 30th percentile, which are crucial measures of explosiveness. After a rough pre draft process, it’s a lot harder to find where the juice is worth the squeeze.
Bears Role Outlook
Special teamer/developmental edge who would most likely start on the practice squad.
Pro Comparison: Charles Snowden
19. Mike Morris, Michigan, Late day 3 grade
6’ 5” 275 lbs, Senior
Mike Morris filled in admirably for the departing Aidan Hutchinson and David Ojabo. At a towering 6’ 5” frame, Morris has length he uses as a pass rusher and more so a run defender.
Unfortunately, he confirmed his athletic concerns at the combine by posting red flag warranting numbers. It’s hard to envision him ever being a true difference making pass rusher, but he can hold the edge in the run game and be apart of a rotation.
Bears Role Outlook
Two down rotational edge.
Pro Comparison: William Gholston
18. Jose Ramirez, Eastern Michigan, 5th round grade
6’ 2” 242 lbs, Senior
Jose Ramirez dominated The MAC registering 12 sacks in 2022. I don’t know if he will be as productive in the NFL, but he has some legit ability to contribute as a pass rusher.
Ramirez is a fluid edge bender with a refined move set. He has a great feel to adapt his plan based on how his opponents attempt to play him. You love how quickly he can pull a counter out of his bag.
His first step is good enough to threaten the edge but his bull rushes die out too often. Power and setting the edge are two aspects of the position he will always be lacking.
Bears Role/Outlook
A full time starting role may never be in the cards for Ramirez but he can most definitely be a credible designated pass rusher.
Player Comparison: Uchenna Nwosu
17. Thomas Incoom, Central Michigan, 5th round grade
6’ 2” 262 lbs, Senior
I was two games into games Thomas Incoom’s tape and was failing to see any of the buzz surrounding him. I pulled up his highlights to see what I was missing and let me tell you. He has some of the most insane reps you will ever see from an edge rusher.
He might be the closest real life example of someone “running under a table at full speed” when describing his best edge bending reps. When he is on his game, it looks incredible. He just isn’t on his game enough.
Incoom’s pass rush win rate, pr grade and pressure percentage were all closer to average relative to the class. In other words, he was not dominating on a snap to snap basis in The MAC, a lower level competition.
That production isn’t ideal by any means but the flashes of the rare speed rush ability would peak my interest enough to take a swing on him early day 3.
Bears Role/Outlook
For as hot and cold Incoom is on tape, it never felt like he had an effort issue. It was more so like he forgot how dynamic he was for stretches. Either way, the Bears will have to figure out why he wasn’t consistently a game wrecker. The ability is there, the production is not.
Pro Comparison: Alton Robinson
16. Yaya Diaby, Louisville, 4th round grade
6’ 3” 263 lbs, Senior
Here is where the three down developmental potential starts. Yaya Diaby was a position-less player along Louisville’s defensive line. No matter where he lined up, his explosive burst off the ball was always evident.
Diaby fires out of his stance to shoot through gaps and get in the backfield. This method isn’t as effective when offensive linemen are in his way. He is still very much a project in terms of using his hands and defeating blocks.
He has a nice push pull speed rush move but that is about it. The physical tools are there for Diaby develop into a better player than he was in college. It’s just a little concerning he wasn’t able to improve throughout four years at Louisville.
Bears Role/Outlook
Developmental edge who can contribute on pass rush downs and start in a pinch.
Pro Comparison: Darrell Taylor
15. Byron Young, Tennessee, 4th round grade
6’ 2” 250 lbs, Senior
Byron Young fits the profile of that true outside speed rusher. He has a blur of a first step that rivals anyone’s in the class. Young routinely screams off the edge on tape.
He set that athleticism in stone with some historic explosive testing all while adding 10 lbs of muscle from his listed playing weight. The athletic traits are undeniably alluring but the lack of polish can’t be ignored.
Young is solely wining with speed at the moment. He would be much higher on the list if there were more clean wins from a calculated pass rush plan. The hope is that he can develop that part of his game but it’s worth noting he is already 24.
In addition to being some ways away as a pass rusher, he really struggled to hold up against the run. Young already seems to be attacking that issue with putting on some bulk. The next step is to expand his pass rush repertoire.
Bears Role Outlook
Developmental/rotational rusher. Can contribute early by being a designated pass rusher.
Pro Comparison: Samson Ebukam
14. Keion White, Georgia Tech, 4th round grade
6’ 4” 281 lbs, Senior
Keion White is the epitome of a bull in china shop. He plays at 100 mph with goal of wrecking the man in front of him. His natural brute power paired with his anvils for hands allow him to physically outmatch his opponents.
He is just so raw beyond that. Like the other two player previously mentioned, there is nothing White showcases in terms of technique. It’s much more traits than production and those traits only allow him to one way, with power.
When trying to project more ways for him to win, that’s where it starts to get murkier. White is largely being billed as an athletic project, yet didn’t deliver off the charts testing.
They weren't terrible by any means but you were hoping to see a little more from a 24 year old that still needs a lot of refinement. White definitely has starting potential but his ceiling doesn’t look as high as it once did.
Bears Role/Outlook
Developmental edge who can work into a rotation early. Has the strength to hold up against the run but needs a lot of work with technique/play recognition. Can also kick inside on pass rush downs.
Pro Comparison: Alex Wright
13. Zach Harrison, Ohio State, 3rd round grade
6’ 6” 271 lbs, Senior
After watching Zach Harrison the first time around, I was a big fan. His first step at that XL size with a pretty good understanding of how to use hands caught my intrigue. Unfortunately, the more I watched the less I liked.
For all of things Harrison does really well, it’s hard to unsee how difficult it is for him to change directions when trying to get around OTs. He has to almost come at full stop to get his hips pointed in the direction of the QB.
Life will be very hard in the NFL if he tries to corner as much as he did in college. Luckily for Harrison, he has the length, burst and strength to win as a power rusher. You just wish you saw him lean on that more at Ohio State.
Bears Role/Outlook
Harrison has the size, length and explosiveness that Eberflus daydreams of. That being said, I would not be surprised if the Bears valued him higher than the 3rd round.
His floor as a run defender would make him a decent starting option, but I wouldn't expect as much as a pass rusher until he starts to utilize his power more.
Pro Comparison: A stiffer Montez Sweat
12. Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Kansas State, 3rd round grade
6’ 3” 253 lbs, Junior
Felix Anuidke-Uzomah was a frustrating watch for a handful of reasons. The most pertinent one was how often he played out of position. Kansas State lined up his 253 lbs body at 5 tech, and it went about as bad as you would expect.
Anuidke-Uzomah is not built to two gap and hold tackles at the LOS in the run game. Secondly, the alignment hid his strengths as a pass rusher. He is a speed rusher that needs to be lined up heavily outside the tackle to give him some space to work with.
When he was able to play at more of his natural position, however, he still didn’t deliver home run results. You obviously see the flashes of him being able to bend the edge and soften angles with his hands.
He is late off the ball way too much though. That, plus a nasty fall step slows him down to where he struggles to get to a tackle’s outside shoulder. It seems like he has some decent burst but it definitely comes into question with how often he fails to beat his opponents to their spots.
It would’ve been nice for him to have cleared that up with some good explosive testing. Yet, he opted out of his jumps and the 40, raising even more questions.
Bears Role/Outlook
Anuidke-Uzomah’s has pass rush ability but it must translate into more consistent production for teams to conceit the lack of impact he will make in the run game. He can be a starter but I don’t for see a game changer. The lack of size probably won’t be the Bears cup of tea.
Pro Comparison: Yannick Ngakoue
11. Derick Hall, Auburn, 3rd round grade
6’ 3” 254 lbs, Senior
If there was a beauty contest for how an edge defender is supposed to look, Derick Hall would take the cake. He is a shredded 254 lbs with 34.5 inch arms that he knows how to use as a pass rusher and in the run game.
His explosiveness paired with his length allows him to weaponize his speed to power long arm move. Hall loves to jolt tackles off balance and drive them back into the QB. All of that to say, he struggles to find other ways to consistently get home.
He has speed to threaten the edge but turning the corner is where the going gets rough. He primarily wins the edge by timing up the snap to avoid as much contact as possible to beat opposing tackles to the apex of the pocket.
That’s a great way to compensate for some of the stiffness, but it isn’t the most sustainable way to speed rush in the pros.
Right now it’s fair to say Hall is a good power rusher and solid run defender. Given that’s basically what he has been for entirety of his four years at Auburn, it’s hard to imagine him bringing much more to the table.
Bears Role/Outlook
Starting edge that would ideally be the 4th best starter on a good D line.
Pro Comparison: Tak McKinley
10. Isaiah McGuire, Mizzou, 3rd round grade
6’ 4” 272 lbs, Senior
Power, power, power and more power. Isaiah McGuire is yet another heavy handed power rusher that this class has to offer. However, unlike the last two prospects he has some tilt to him.
He primarily rushes through his opponents but has shown the ability to get around on them as well. McGuire is also a lot to handle to in the run game. He does an excellent job at establishing leverage and finding ball carriers before they can get past the LOS.
The main hesitancy I have with him was how quiet he was at the Senior Bowl. I felt like that was going to be the perfect opportunity to put himself on the map, and he didn’t have a single memorable rep.
Maybe I am putting too much into a few practices but it would’ve been nice for him to head into the draft on a high note. The encouraging part about McGuire’s projection is that he has improved every year of his collegiate career. Hopefully, he can continue that trajectory in the NFL.
Bears Role/Outlook
Based on everything this staff looks for in their DEs, McGuire meets much of that criteria. He is big, long and explosive with some pretty decent tape. He might not ever be an all pro but projects well as a solid starter fairly early on.
Pro Comparison: Emmanuel Ogbah
9. Tuli Tuipulotu, USC, 3rd round grade
6’ 3” 290 lbs, Junior
I was not expecting to like Tuli Tuipulto before diving into his tape because I generally stay away from tweeners. But if there is anybody that can find their way past my stereotyping trust issues, it is the technicians like Tuipilto.
The former Trojan is such a master with his hands already. He does a great job of keeping his chest clean and creating rush angles for himself. He pairs that prowess with being fluid and slippery.
For being an oversized edge, Tuipilto is much more of a finesse rusher than a power one. That’s what worries me about his projection. I don’t believe he has the explosive physical traits to win at as high of level with this style of rushing.
He clearly made an effort to slim down at the combine weighing in at 266 lbs but didn’t test there or at his pro day (which is telling). Tuipilto won’t be for everyone but his tape is too good to fully write off the troublesome parts of his evaluation.
Bears Role/Outlook
I just said he won’t be for everyone and that statement applies to the Bears. This is clearly a regime who values traits and that is not Tuipilto. I would be shocked if ends up in Chicago when it’s all said and done.
Pro Comparison: DeMarvin Leal
8. Isaiah Foskey, Notre Dame, 3rd round grade
6’ 5” 264 lbs, Senior
Isaiah Foskey fits a similar mold as Auburn’s Derick Hall in that you love his get off, speed up the arc and power as a pass rusher. The bend however, just really isn’t there and that was reflected in some blow average change of direction times.
He does have a pretty well rounded plan of attack though. Winning the edge as a speed rusher is never going to be the name of his game but he uses his hands to reduce outside angles to keep tackles honest. Make no mistake about it, power is where he butters his bread.
Bears Role/Outlook
Starting caliber edge who will make a living pushing the pocket. Ideally ranks middle of the pack in a strong rotation.
Pro Comparison: Romeo Okwara
7. Lukas Van Ness, Iowa, Late 2nd round grade
6’ 5” 272 lbs, RS Sophomore
Lukas Van Ness arrived onto the draft scene out of no where. He had very little buzz until popping up on The Athletic’s Dane Brugler’s top 50. Then before you knew it, he was in everyone’s top 20. NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah took it a step further by mocking him inside the top 10.
Before I explain why I can’t get there, let me outline what I like about Van Ness’s game. He is big, long and powerful. The bull rush is his go to move and it can be devastating. He also plays with that same strength in the run game.
Outside of his power though, I haven’t seen him win in other ways. He seems reliant on rushing through his opponents and struggles to work half a man to get around tackles. To have not shown that ability in college and expect him to do it at a high level in the NFL is where I get hung up.
The bottomline is if a pass rusher is worth a top 10-15 pick, they better have multiple pitches, and I have only seen Van Ness’s fast ball. I love his fast ball but I need to see more pathways of success.
Bears Role/Outlook
Given the Bears recent affinity for acquiring “local kids,” Van Ness’s character and physical profile, I would be shocked if he wasn’t high on their board.
The problem is his tape and usage at Iowa would tell you he is much more of a 3-4 DE that will play on the interior some, than a 4-3 DE who will live on the edge.
That said, I feel like Van Ness would be best on a team that moves their DL around and is multiple with their fronts. That is not the Bears. So, I hope this doesn’t turn into a square peg round hole situation…
Pro Comparison: Zach Allen
6. BJ Ojulari, LSU, Late 2nd round grade
6’ 2” 248 lbs, Junior
The speed rushers have entered the chat… BJ Ojulari is your prototypical bendy rusher who gets under and around tackles. He has the best ghost move in the class and overall a very natural feel at attacking tackles’ outside shoulders.
That being said, I was shocked to find out that he ran 7.44 3 cone (20th percentile) at his pro day. You would never say that based off his tape. If anything, that’s the area of testing I thought he would crush.
The rumor is that he was dealing with a hamstring injury but he broad jumped the same distance as he did at the combine and vertical jumped an inch higher. Also, if he was dealing with and injury, why would he participate?
It might seem like I am blowing one test out of proportion, however, the 3 cone is a crucial disqualifier for edge rushers. There is not a great track record for guys who time over that 7.2 mark.
That is especially true for Ojulari whose go to move is changing directions on (bending) the edge. I still like a lot of what Ojulari showed on film, but I would be lying if I said I wasn’t concerned.
Bears Role/Outlook
Quality starting edge who should hit the ground running as a pass rusher. Might need to put on a little more bulk to be relied upon on early downs. I would also have to get to the bottom of that 3 cone time in order to feel comfortable drafting him in the top 50.
Ojulari isn’t what you think of a traditional 4-3 DE. However, I would not preclude myself from drafting him because his pass rush prowess trumps body type.
Pro Comparison: Drake Jackson
5. Will McDonald, Iowa State, 2nd round grade
6’ 3” 239 lbs, RS Senior
It took me a few games to warm up to Will McDonald because of how many snaps Iowa State insisted on playing him out of position. Like Anudike-Uzomah, McDonald lined up head up over the tackle way more than he should have.
It was difficult for him to consistently show his wide alignment speed rushing skillset because of this, but whenever he did, it was fireworks. McDonald has the coveted combination of burst and bend that give tackles fits in pass protection.
In addition to the physical traits, he is already established with his hands to enhance his speed and has some inside counters as well. He doesn't offer much in terms of power but as long as he can continue to work on deploying those inside counters, he can keep tackles guessing.
The undersized frame at 239 lbs is definitely not ideal in terms how he holds up against the run. Yet, he is not as bad as you would think and his 35 inch arms (90th percentile) have a lot to do with that. As long as he can avoid being a problem in run defense, teams can feel okay with him being an every down starter.
Bears Role/Outlook
Starting edge with high level pass rush upside. Might have to play him by ear given how he fares in the run game. This regime seems to like bigger bodies at DE but you won’t find many better pass rushers in this class than McDonald and that’s what it’s all about.
Pro Comparison: Ogbonnia Okoronko
4. Myles Murphy, Clemson, 2nd round grade
6’ 4” 268 lbs, Junior
In totally opposite fashion of a Van Ness, Myles Murphy’s pre draft opinion has reverted in the other direction. Not too long ago he was a top 10 lock and now he is barely making it in the first round of mock drafts.
The truth lies somewhere in the middle for me. There is no denying the concern about how far away he is from being a skilled pass rusher. He came into Clemson as a freshman as solely a traits player and remains mostly a traits player.
The reality is you aren’t going to find many prospects that possess the collection of game changing traits that he does. He is a jumbo sized edge rusher that flashes the ability to win with speed and power. His movement skills at that size are rare.
That’s why I am still buying in for better or worse. He is still absolutely a project but if the right D line coach can unlock him, watch out.
Bears Role/Outlook
I would be lying if I said I felt great about Murphy playing a lot right away. But given where the Bears would have to draft him, he would be forced into action.
His athletic tools can allow him to contribute somewhat early on but don’t expect immediate down to down impact. This is a long game pick.
Murphy’s profile seems like it would allure the Bears, but given the lack of production, it would surprise me if he was in the mix at 9. I believe he would be more of a target if they traded back.
Pro Comparison: Rashan Gary
3. Tyree Wilson, Texas Tech, Late 1st/early 2nd round grade
6’ 6” 275 lbs, RS Senior
Tyree Wilson has a unique blend of size, length and athleticism that I don’t think I have ever seen before. He is truly a pterodactyl with close to 36 inch arms and deploys them like a bull dozer.
If he gets full extension into a tackle’s chest, they reach for their stars and go where Wilson wants to. It cannot be undersold how his arms are basically his own restraining orders he can place on his opponents.
While length and power are primarily how Wilson wins, he has flashed the ability to corner as well. That is exciting because he doesn’t even know any outside pass rush moves to aid that skill. His untapped potential is his blessing and a curse.
Why is a 5th year senior still so much of a work in progress with his hands? That’s the question he must answer. His athletic ability can take him a long way, but he won’t physically dominate the NFL like he did The Big XII. He must refine his skills more.
Bears Role/Outlook
If the Bears are true to their “type,” I would imagine Wilson is their top edge. He is literally how Eberflus would create a Madden player. I just don’t think he lasts to 9.
If the Bears really want him, they must trade up to get him. I personally think he is too far away from a sure thing to feel comfortable doing that. In addition to the Bears not being in a position to trade up. Time will tell though.
Player Comparison: Jadeveon Clowney
2. Nolan Smith, Georgia, Late 1st/early 2nd round grade
6’ 3” 238 lbs, Senior
Plot twist. The more I watch of Nolan Smith, the more I am willing to close my eyes and take him at 9. The way he teleports off the line of scrimmage is jaw dropping and he has such a natural feel from escaping offensive linemen.
When he doesn’t elude blocks, Smith takes them on with force. You would never know he is sub 240 lbs because he legitimately stacks them and discards 300 lbs men like trash in the run game. That’s why the smaller stature doesn’t scare me.
Smith obviously profiles more as a speed rusher with his burst and flexibly but don’t sleep on his power. He has all of the physical gifts to be a diverse pass rusher, the production just wasn’t consistent in college.
However, unlike some of the other toolsy pass rushers in this class, there is some legitimate reasons that contribute to his lack of production. Playing at Georgia is great pedigree but it also meant Smith was sharing snaps with a handful of 5 star recruits.
Georgia’s scheme is also not the most conducive for rushers to pin their ears back and win 1v1s. It’s more about stunts and scheming up free rushers.
Whenever Smith was afforded opportunities to pass rush in a traditional matter, he made the most of them. His size and production profile don’t illustrate a top 10 pick, yet his athleticism and contextualized tape do! I am all in.
Bears Role/Outlook
Smith goes against the grain in terms of the body type this regime looks for, but watch his tape and tell me size is an issue. If you are going to be outlier in size, you better be an outlier athlete. Smith is one of the most athletic edge prospects we have ever seen.
That said, Smith has all pro potential as a pass rusher, he just needs to put together more often. He is not as far away as some are making him out to be. I expect him to have a fair amount of impact early on and would have no issues taking him at 9.
Pro Comparison: Cameron Wake
1. Will Anderson Jr., Alabama, 1st round grade
6’ 4” 253 lbs, Junior
Speed, power, length and production. Will Anderson Jr. has it all and that is why he is the sure fire edge1 of the 2023 class. His ability to win through, around and inside of offensive tackles at such a high level parallels to what the best pass rushers do in the NFL.
The beauty of about Anderson’s projections is that there is still room to get better. Because his functional traits were so dominant, he didn’t have to change up his approach very much.
If he can start to blend in some more hand work and moves into his repertoire, then the ceiling is the roof as Michael Jordan would say.
Bears Role/Outlook
The Bears needed a haul of picks to reboot their rebuild, but unfortunately, they took themselves out of the Will Anderson sweepstakes in the process. A blue chipper like him is very unlikely to all out of the top 5.
Player Comparison: Kayvon Thibodeaux