2025 NFL Combine preview: 12 edge rushers the Detroit Lions should watch

NFL Network kicks off its televised coverage of the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine on Thursday, February, 27 with the edge rushers, interior defensive linemen, and the linebackers.

So far in our series, we have previewed which quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, tight ends, offensive tackles, interior offensive linemen, and interior defensive linemen the Detroit Lions should be scouting, and in this article, we take a look at the edge rushers who should have the Lions’ attention.

Team need

The Lions return three defensive ends who held starting roles in 2024, including 2025 Defensive Player of the Year favorite, Aidan Hutchinson. Josh Paschal, and Za’Darius Smith—whose 2025 contract could put his roster spot in jeopardy. Beyond that, however, the Lions’ edge position cupboards are bare as only practice squaders Isaac Ukuw and Nate Lynn are under contract. Levi Onwuzurike, Marcus Davenport, Al-Quadin Muhammad, John Cominsky (injured in Training Camp), and Jonah Williams are all free agents.

When it comes to SAM linebacker, both the Lions and Derrick Barnes may be interested in a reunion, as the Lions struggled to fill his role after his injury. The unique demands of the SAM position exposed the shortcomings of his replacements—Trevor Nowaske (an exclusive rights free agent), Ben Niemann (unrestricted free agent), and James Houston (no longer with the team)—who ultimately proved to be square pegs in round holes.

Scheme changes?

One intriguing element of Kelvin Sheppard’s promotion to defensive coordinator is how, over time, it might influence the team’s approach to edge rusher prototypes. This could also organically happen as a philosophical adaption over time. Historically, Lions decision-makers have favored defensive ends with power and length—players who can stack blockers in run defense, crush the passing pocket, and occasionally kick inside on passing downs. Sheppard himself played alongside several of these types during his NFL career, including Mario Williams, Jason Pierre-Paul, and Ezekiel Ansah.

However, Sheppard also shared the field with elite speed and finesse rushers, like Robert Mathis and Cameron Wake. This begs the question: Could Detroit begin to see value in adding complementary lightning-quick pass rushers to diversify its front?

What skills to watch for during on-field drills

During on-field drills with edge rushers, the first thing you’re looking for is their ability to bend (ideally a 45-degree angle when turning a corner) as it is a key component to any pass rush. Beyond that trait, edge rushers also need to have balance through their rush and the ability to maintain that speed while executing pass rushing moves. Hand quickness and placement are paramount. So is eye/head location, as they should be keying on their target. The ability to convert speed to power is also vital in the Lions’ scheme, so keep an eye on how much force they generate when they make an impact with the blocking bags.

Projected first rounds picks

While several standout edge rushers will draw attention at the combine, a few notable names won’t be covered here. Penn State’s Abdul Carter, expected to dominate the combine, is excluded as he’s projected to be a Top 5 pick—well out of the Lions’ range. Similarly, Georgia’s Jalon Walker is doing on-field drills with the linebackers and will be profiled with that group.

Mike Green, Marshall (6-foot-3, 251 pounds)

Mike Green burst onto the national scene this fall, leading the country with 17 sacks and 23 tackles for loss. He’s become a familiar name among Lions fans, frequently appearing in mock drafts over the past month. However, his standout performance during Senior Bowl practices may have boosted his stock beyond Detroit’s range. Green earned Pro Football Focus’ highest defensive grade of the season at 92.4, and his 20.9% pass rush win rate ranked eighth among all defensive linemen. While slightly undersized, he was a high-level high school wrestler and distributes his weight and leverage effectively. This translated to a 90.2 run defense grade—tops among all edge defenders in 2024—which mirrored the senior-year mark of current Lion Josh Paschal in 2021.

The former Virginia transfer thrives on his speed and ability to bend, making him an ideal fit as a weak-side defensive end. Despite his size, Green compensates with relentless energy and violence. The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman’s 2024 Freak List highlighted his athleticism, noting a 4.57-second 40-yard dash, 405-pound bench press, 365-pound power clean, and a 525-pound squat. Green has a chance to solidify himself as a Top 15 pick with a good Combine.

James Pearce Jr., Tennessee (6-foot-4, 245 pounds)

James Pearce Jr. projects best as an odd-front outside linebacker in the NFL, where he can maximize his explosiveness without being consistently tasked with anchoring against the run—an area where he’s less dominant. Pearce is pure juice off the edge and utilizes his length well, resulting in 10 sacks and 15 tackles for loss in 2023, followed by 7.5 sacks and 13 tackles for loss this past season.

While his athletic upside is undeniable, Pearce remains a bit of a projection. He’ll need to add mass and develop more consistency in his game, especially considering he never surpassed 465 snaps in a single season at Tennessee due to their deep defensive front rotation.

His raw speed, however, is eye-popping. In the 2024 Citrus Bowl, Pearce clocked an astonishing 23 mph during a pick-six against Iowa—one of the fastest GPS-tracked plays in the FBS all season. According to one of his Tennessee coaches, Pearce is a legitimate 4.4 40-yard dash candidate. If he posts anything close to that at the Combine, he’ll be tough for teams to pass on.

Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M (6-foot-5, 281 pounds)

Shemar Stewart is one of the more puzzling prospects in this draft class. A former five-star recruit and Top 10 national prospect, Stewart was also a standout high school basketball player, showcasing rare athleticism for his size. Yet, despite his physical gifts, he tallied just 1.5 sacks in each of his three seasons at Texas A&M—an underwhelming stat line for someone with his pedigree.

However, the raw sack numbers don’t tell the whole story. Stewart consistently disrupted opposing quarterbacks, leading the Aggies with 39 total pressures this past season. His blend of size, knockback power, and movement skills makes him a versatile weapon along the defensive front.

Some teams may view Stewart as a future defensive tackle, but he could be an ideal fit for the Lions as a strongside defensive end who can also kick inside on passing downs—maximizing his burst and twitch to collapse the pocket from the interior. Adding to his value is his stout run defense. Stewart’s 88.2 PFF run defense grade ranked fourth among all edge defenders in 2024, showcasing his ability to set the edge and control the line of scrimmage.

Mykel Williams, Georgia (6-foot-5, 265 pounds)

Mykel Williams, much like Shemar Stewart, is a “traits over production” prospect and was also a Top 10 five-star recruit from the Class of 2022. Throughout his three seasons at Georgia, Williams consistently flashed his potential but never fully broke out statistically. He recorded between 4.5 to 5 sacks and 7 to 9 tackles for loss each season, with his peak coming as a freshman in 2022 when he posted 33 quarterback pressures—a mark he didn’t surpass in later seasons.

Part of Williams’ statistical inconsistency can be chalked up to circumstance. Georgia’s loaded defensive front limited his snap counts (never exceeding 410 in a season), and an ankle injury suffered in Week 1 against Clemson, lingered throughout the season and sidelined him for two games in 2024.

Despite the uneven production, Williams proved he could rise to the occasion under the brightest lights. In two matchups against Texas—featuring future NFL offensive tackles—he tallied six tackles and four sacks, showcasing his ability to dominate against elite competition

Physically, Williams is a freak. He boasts Tarzan-like length, overwhelming blockers with his powerful hands and speed-to-power conversion. His skill set profiles perfectly as a strongside defensive end in the Lions’ scheme, where his blend of strength and athleticism could wreak havoc on opposing offenses with further technical development.

Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College (6-foot-2, 248 pounds)

Donovan Ezeiruaku, a two-time captain, experienced a major breakout in 2024, mirroring the rise of Mike Green. Named ACC Defensive Player of the Year, Ezeiruaku elevated his game as a senior, becoming a relentless disruptor. He finished second in the nation with 16.5 sacks—trailing only Green—and ranked fourth with 21 tackles for loss. Head coach Bill O’Brien even called him “one of the best players to ever play in the program.”

Ezeiruaku’s calling card is his elite sinuous bendability—arguably the most fluid in this draft class. His ability to contort his body, slip past blocks, and maximize his arm length makes him a nightmare for offensive tackles. Projected as a future pass-rushing outside linebacker, his light frame may raise questions about scheme fit for teams like the Lions, but his upside as a disruptive edge presence is undeniable.

Projected Day 2 prospects

Nic Scourton, Texas A&M (6-foot-4, 280 pounds)

Nic Scourton arrived at Purdue as the program’s highest-ranked recruit in the Class of 2022 and quickly made a name for himself. As a true sophomore in 2023, he led the Big Ten with 10 sacks, adding 50 tackles and 15 tackles for loss. His breakout year earned him a 90.9 PFF pass rush grade, ranking eighth among all edge rushers. Following that success, Scourton became a highly sought-after transfer and landed at Texas A&M. However, despite playing alongside future NFL talent, his production dipped, and he struggled to replicate his Purdue dominance.

At just 20 years old, Scourton is known for his relentless motor, heavy hands, and refined pass-rush plan, Scourton would be an ideal fit as a strong-side defensive end for the Lions, bringing power, hustle, and a well-rounded skill set.

Jack Sawyer, Ohio State (6-foot-4, 271 pounds)

As a high school sophomore, Jack Sawyer became Ryan Day’s first commitment after taking over as Ohio State’s head coach. Sawyer opted to return for the 2024 season, persuading several teammates to stay as well, and the decision paid off with a National Championship. Sawyer’s College Football Playoff run highlighted his full skillset—over four postseason games, he tallied 13 tackles, 4.5 sacks, seven pass deflections, and delivered an iconic moment with an 83-yard strip sack, scoop, and score against Texas in the CFP semifinal. Sawyer can also get it done on the ground as illustrated by his 86.6 PFF run defense grade which ranked second among all edge defenders in 2023.

Sawyer meets a lot of criteria for what the Lions envision for their strong-side defensive end. A two-time Buckeye captain, he plays with power, a high football IQ, and a never-ending motor. While he may not shine in Indianapolis due to average athleticism and shorter arm length, that could make him available when the Lions pick at No. 28.

JT Tuimoloau, Ohio State (6-foot-4, 269 pounds)

JT Tuimoloau was part of the Buckeye core, alongside Sawyer, that pushed their chips in for a National Championship. A five-star recruit from the heralded 2021 class, Tuimoloau steadily progressed each year, ultimately living up to the hype. The former prep basketball star capped his senior season with 61 tackles, 12.5 sacks, and 22 tackles for loss—third-most in the nation. Tuimoloau also went on an absolute heater in the 2024 college football playoffs, recording 23 tackles, 6.5 sacks, and tackles for loss in the four games. He’s also prolific in run defense, as evidenced by his 87.3 PFF run grade which ranked fifth-best among edge rushers last season.

A 41-game starter at Ohio State, Tuimoloau offers scheme versatility at the next level. While his game lacks elite twitch and finesse, he compensates with size, strength, and unrelenting toughness. The Lions could have their pick between the Buckeye edge rushers when they’re on the clock.

Landon Jackson, Arkansas (6-foot-6, 273 pounds)

After transferring from LSU in 2021 following a knee injury, Landon Jackson transformed his frame, adding over 40 pounds to his already imposing build—drawing physical comparisons to Aidan Hutchinson. Over the past two seasons, the big energizer bunny tallied 93 tackles, 13 sacks (6.5 in each season), 28 tackles for loss, and 4 pass deflections. His claim to fame came in 2023 against Alabama, where he posted 11 tackles and 3.5 sacks. Against the run, Jackson excelled, earning an 88.7 PFF grade—tied for the second-best among edge defenders.

While the two-time Arkansas team captain isn’t the most fluid athlete on the edge, he compensates with urgent hands and quick feet. His linear athleticism and strength could help him shine at the combine. He’s clocked 20.4 mph, broad-jumped 10-foot-2, and hit a 34-inch vertical. In the weight room, he’s power-cleaned 350 pounds, benched 375, and squatted 505. Jackson could leave the Scouting Combine as a more recognizable name and a legitimate first-round option for the Lions.

Jordan Burch, Oregon (6-foot-6, 285 pounds)

Coming out of high school, Jordan Burch was South Carolina’s second-highest-rated recruit ever—trailing only Jadeveon Clowney and just ahead of Marcus Lattimore. After three seasons with the Gamecocks, he transferred to Oregon for the 2023 season. Early on last season, Burch made his mark with a dominant 2.5-sack performance against Michigan State but suffered an injury in practice shortly after, sidelining him for a month. Upon his return, Oregon teammate Jamaree Caldwell praised Burch’s resilience and highlighted his knack for providing the defense a spark.

Burch is another strong Lions draft candidate thanks to his adept speed-to-power ability and his heavyweight fighter hands. He brings versatility across the defensive front—capable of lining up anywhere from a 3-technique to a wide 9, in both stand-up and 3- or 4-point stances, while thriving in both 1-gap and 2-gap assignments. Oregon’s game-by-game captaincy approach saw Burch earn the honor in the season opener, underlining his leadership qualities.

Though he withdrew from the Senior Bowl—likely to prioritize injury recovery—Burch now has a prime chance to command attention at the Scouting Combine and rise up draft boards. Oregon head coach Dan Lanning noted Burch added 13 pounds of muscle before the 2024 season, boosted his vertical jump to 35 inches, and clocked 20.75 MPH on the GPS. Previously, he also recorded eye-popping strength numbers, both squatting and sumo deadlifting 685 pounds.

Princely Umanmielen, Ole Miss (6-foot-4, 254 pounds)

Princely Umanmielen spent four years at Florida—two as a starter—before transferring to Ole Miss for the 2024 season, where he made an immediate impact. In his lone year with the Rebels, he tallied 37 tackles, 10.5 sacks, and 14 tackles for loss. The feisty pass rusher caught fire down the stretch, racking up seven sacks over a four-game span from late October to late November. He capped the season off as Pro Football Focus’ fifth-highest-graded edge rusher with a 91.5 pass rush grade.

Umanmielen blends size, bend, and burst to create consistent pressure on passing downs. While there’s still some projection in his game—particularly in dialing up his physicality—his traits make him an intriguing base defensive end for the Lions’ scheme.

Josaiah Stewart, Michigan (6-foot-1, 248 pounds)

As a true freshman at Coastal Carolina in 2021, Josaiah Stewart made an immediate impact, racking up 43 tackles, 12.5 sacks, and 16 tackles for loss. After a slight dip in production in 2022, he transferred to Michigan, where he reestablished himself as a force off the edge. In 2024, Stewart recorded 33 tackles, 8.5 sacks, 13 tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles, earning a 92.3 pass rush grade from Pro Football Focus—third-highest among all edge rushers.

Stewart, is undersized, similar to that of James Houston IV, but is a dynamo off the edge, with over 122 career coverage snaps, and could be a good fit for the Lions SAM linebacker role. Lions brass will love Stewart’s rapid acceleration, aggressive playstyle, and pursuit skills. They’ll also appreciate his ability to pack a punch when getting underneath offensive tackles with his bull rush. Additionally, his elevation from alternate captain to full-time captain midseason will check another box.