EDGEs | 3-4 OLBs
I define EDGEs as guys that play off the LOS, can be called upon to drop into space and take on a LB duty. Schematically, they are typically along the outside of 3-4 front. That said, some do have the ability to play a traditional "hand in the dirt" role.
The were 9 EDGEs selected in the 2022 draft, as follows:
Round 1 - 0
Round 2 - 3
Round 3 - 3
Round 4 - 0
Round 5 - 1
Round 6 - 1
Round 7 - 1
The 2022 EDGE draft had a solid spread of talent in the near to middle rounds, with a couple projects guys that I think can turn some heads. Most of these guys are scheme/situational players though, won't have full-time spots or responsibilities.
The 2023 EDGE draft should rival if not be better than what we saw in the year prior. We'll see at least one 1st-rounder in Will Anderson, with a handful of guys rounding out Day 2 of the draft.
1) Will Anderson | 6'3 | 243 | EDGE/DE | Alabama
2021 - 17.5 sacks, 101 tackles
2) B.J. Ojulari | 6'2 | 230 | EDGE | LSU
2021 - 7 sacks, 54 tackles
9/4 - Florida State - Ojulari had a good game, looked like a 1dt-round player on a number of snaps. He finished with 6 tackles and 1 sack, was constant against the run and pass.
9/17 - Mississippi State - Ojulari was dominant tonight, looked like a sure fire 1st-rounder. He flashed very good quickness and fight off the edge, posted 4 tackles, 2.5 TFLS, 1.5 sacks. He was too athletic for MSU to keep him at bay.
3) Brenton Cox | 6'4 | 252 | EDGE/DE | Florida
2021 - 8.5 sacks, 41 tackles
9/3 - Utah - Cox had a fantastic game, all things considered. While he did lose edge contain against the run a few times due to undisciplined play, he shined otherwise. He had 10 tackles, .5 TFLs. He was a menace off the edge, toyed with Utah's OTs several times throughout the game. His speed to strength rush was outstanding.
9/10 - Kentucky - Cox really flashed, especially early on. He showed off great strength at the LOS when pass-rushing, giving OTs fits. He was also stout vs. the run, holding the edge well.
9/24 - Tennessee - Cox had a solid game overall, but he met his match when he locked up with RT Darnell Wright. While Cox did play with strength in edge contain against the run, he was stymied when trying to rush the passer. He played hard and had a constant motor, but wasn't quick enough getting into the backfield to make plays.
4) Nolan Smith | 6'3 | 235 | EDGE | Georgia
2021 - 3.5 sacks, 55 tackles
9/3 - Oregon - Oregon opted for quick plays, which never allowed Smith enough time to get into the backfield. Oregon schemed around he and others, but to no avail. Smith recorded 2 tackles.
5) Derick Hall | 6'2 | 238 | EDGE | Auburn
2021 - 9 sacks, 52 tackles
9/17 - Penn State - Hall had a solid game, posting 5 tackles and 1 TFL. While he was hemmed up a number of time by the future NFL talent in LT Fashanu, he was also able to get by him a couple times. Hall played bigger than his stature would seemingly allow, showing strength in his pass rush and against the run.
9/24 - Missouri - Hall had an impressive outing, posting 6 tackles, 3 TFLs, 2 sacks. He was stout vs. the run on the edge, and showed off the ability to get into the backfield and disrupt plays.
6) Jared Verse | 6'5 | 251 | EDGE | Florida State
2021 - 0 sacks, 4 tackles
9/4 - LSU - Verse had a good game. He posted 3 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, 2 sacks. He showed of a good pass rush and overall intensity. His athleticism and motor were tough to contain at times.
9/16 - Louisville - Verse was knocked out of this game early. Up to that point, he showed off a good balance of strength and speed against the run and pass.
7) Will McDonald | 6'3 | 245 | EDGE/DE | Iowa State
2021 - 11.5 sacks, 36 tackles
8) Robert Beal | 6'3 | 255 | EDGE | Georgia
2021 - 6.5 sacks, 33 tackles
9/3 - Oregon - Oregon opted for quick plays, taking Beal out of the action. He had just 1 tackle, to no fault of his own.
9) Ochaun Mathis | 6'5 | 257 | EDGE/DE | Nebraska
2021 - 4 sacks, 45 tackles
9/17 - Oklahoma - Mathis didn't flash as a pass rusher, he he played pretty well in space, chipped in on 7 tackles.
10) Zion Tupola-Fetui | 6'2 | 260 | EDGE | Washington
2021 - 1 sack, 8 tackles
11) Jordan Strachan | 6'4 | 225 | EDGE | South Carolina
2021 - 3 sacks, 23 tackles
9/10 - Arkansas - Strachan had a solid game, posted 6 tackles with 1.5 TFLs, 1 sack. While his play stood out a few times, he was streaky. He wasn't a consistent force, often came in on the ball after the play was already made. He did show some pass-rush ability in flashes, ability to win with quickness.
12) Brock Martin | 6'3 | 245 | EDGE | Oklahoma State
2021 - 9 sacks, 41 tackles
9/1 - Central Michigan - Martin had an average game, was sublime on many of his snaps. He wasn't a liability against the run, and gave effort as a pass-rusher, but he didn't jump out.
9/10 - Arizona State - Martin had a very solid game. He showed a decent blend of speed and power, provided some good pressure throught this contest. He posted 4 tackles, 2 TFLs, 1 sack.
13) Mitchell Agude | 6'3 | 245 | EDGE | Miami
2021 - 2 sacks, 55 tackles
9/17 - Texas A&M - Agude flashed a couple times, but was pretty much held in check, not flashing overall outside of his shared TFL.
14) Khari Coleman | 6'2 | 225 | EDGE | Ole Miss
2021 - 1.5 sacks, 19 tackles
15) Nick Herbig | 6'3 | 227 | EDGE | Wisconsin
2021 - 9 sacks, 61 tackles
9/10 - Washington State - Herbig flashed a few times, amassing 4 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, 1 sack. While he had his moments, he wasn't a consistent contributor.
9/24 - Ohio State - Herbig showed off a nice wide arc pass rush against Paris Johnson, but he wasn't able to create any real pressure against the future 1st-rounder.
16) Caleb Tannor | 6'3 | 225 | EDGE | Nebraska
2021 - 2 sacks, 33 tackles
8/27 - Northwestern - Aside from recovering a fumble, Tannor was held in check, really didn't show much in this contest with just 3 tackles.
9/17 - Oklahoma - Tannor didn't do much today, was consistently hemmed up at the LOS.
17) Kivon Bennett | 6'2 | 236 | EDGE | Arkansas State
2021 - 8 sacks, 58 tackles