Donovan Ezeiruaku – Florida State
Measurables: 6-foot-2, 248 pounds
Snapshot: The recipient of the Ted Hendricks Award in 2024 as the top defensive end in the nation, Ezeiruaku racked up 16.5 sacks and 20 tackles-for-loss in 12 games last season.
Big Board Rankings:
Pro Football Focus (Post-Combine): No. 15 overall (No. 3 EDGE)
Daniel Jeremiah (NFL.com) Top 50 (April 2): No. 25 overall (No. 5 EDGE)
Dane Brugler (The Athletic) Top 100: No. 22 overall (No. 6 EDGE)
Expert Analysis:
NFL.com: “Ezeiruaku is a compact edge rusher with outstanding length, burst and production…He’s an outstanding finisher (16.5 sacks in 2024)…Overall, Ezeiruaku has an ideal body type to rush the passer, and he has all the tricks in his bag to win against good players.”
PFF: “His quick, smooth style paired with high football IQ and some very nice bend make him an ideal 3-4 pass rush type of defender to draft on Day 2.”
The Athletic: “Rushing the passer is his calling card, and he has the arc acceleration, body flexibility and long, active arms to break down the balance of blockers. He has NFL starter level talent, and his tape says he is more than a DPR (designated pass rusher).”
For more on Ezeiruaku, check out his draft profile at NFL.com.
James Pearce Jr. – Tennessee
Measurables: 6-foot-5, 245 pounds
Snapshot: A First-Team All-SEC selection in 2024, Pearce led the Volunteers in tackles-for-loss (13) and sacks (7.5) last season. His 23% “pass-rush win rate,” as calculated by Pro Football Focus, ranked second among all FBS edge rushers with at least 250 pass-rush snaps.
Big Board Rankings:
Pro Football Focus (Post-Combine): No. 23 overall (No. 4 EDGE)
Daniel Jeremiah (NFL.com) Top 50 (April 2): No. 26 overall (No. 6 EDGE)
Dane Brugler (The Athletic) Top 100: No. 36 overall (No. 7 EDGE)
Expert Analysis:
NFL.com: “Pearce is a long, lean edge rusher. The Volunteers moved him around in their scheme and he created havoc from a variety of entry points. His first three steps are very explosive when he’s rushing off the edge. For such a lean-framed player, he can generate a lot of pocket push with his bull rush…Overall, Pearce has double-digit sack potential and should make an immediate impact in the league.”
PFF: “Pearce is the kind of athlete with the production and disruption scores you don’t let out of the first round. His twitchy movements show difference-making NFL traits that can be situational at worst and All-Pro at best.”
The Athletic: “His blend of explosiveness and power creates consistent disruption as a pass rusher. He shows promise in the run game, too. If he works to maximize his talent, he will be a productive pro.”
For more on Pearce, check out his draft profile at NFL.com.
Shemar Stewart – Texas A&M
Measurables: 6-foot-5, 267 pounds
Snapshot: Stewart racked up 39 pressures for the Aggies last season, and while he never recorded more than 1.5 sacks in a season during his time in college, his athletic traits indicate a bright future in the NFL.
Big Board Rankings:
Pro Football Focus (Post-Combine): No. 27 overall (No. 6 EDGE)
Daniel Jeremiah (NFL.com) Top 50 (April 2): No. 27 overall (No. 7 EDGE)
Dane Brugler (The Athletic) Top 100: No. 9 overall (No. 3 EDGE)
Expert Analysis:
NFL.com: “Stewart is a long, dynamic and athletic edge rusher…He has a very explosive first step and uses his long-arm move to run offensive tackles back to the passer. He bends well at the top of his rush for such a big edge defender. He has an outstanding closing burst once he clears the tackle.”
PFF: “Stewart is a scheme-versatile, high-potential athlete who is still working on winning his reps with technique and discipline as much as athletic ability.”
The Athletic: “He has a rare combination of talent and motor to be a game-wrecker against both the pass and the run. His best football is ahead of him.”
For more on Stewart, check out his draft profile at NFL.com.
Nic Scourton – Texas A&M
Measurables: 6-foot-3, 257 pounds
Snapshot: Scourton led the Aggies in tackles-for-loss (14) and sacks (5) last season, earning All-SEC honors in the process.
Big Board Rankings:
Pro Football Focus (Post-Combine): No. 33 overall (No. 7 EDGE)
Daniel Jeremiah (NFL.com) Top 50 (April 2): No. 49 overall (No. 9 EDGE)
Dane Brugler (The Athletic) Top 100: No. 59 overall (No. 12 EDGE)
Expert Analysis:
NFL.com: “Scourton is a thick/square edge rusher. He was a highly productive pass rusher at Purdue (10 sacks in 2023) before joining Texas A&M for the 2024 season. He has torque and power as a rusher. He also possesses a nifty inside spin and an effective chop/rip move to win one-on-one matchups.”
PFF: “Scourton brings an alluring combination of overall size and pass-rush moves to the edge spot, which gives him ideal versatility for 3-4 or 4-3 fronts.”
The Athletic: “Overall, Scourton is a banshee of the edge, with the quickness and power to work half-a-man and wear down blockers…His aggressive worker-bee play style should translate to starting snaps in the NFL.”
For more on Scourton, check out his draft profile at NFL.com.
