Bucs Draft 2025 Preview + Bucs Finest Bets: Edge

Pewter Report analyzes the highest gamers within the 2025 NFL Draft with its place previews. Scott Reynolds continues the previews on the outdoors linebacker/edge rusher place, providing a complete take a look at what the Bucs have and what they want off the sting.

Bailey Adams then analyzes an in depth listing of this 12 months’s prime edge prospects whereas Reynolds supplies the annual Pewter Report Bucs Finest Bets – the probably edge rushers for Tampa Bay to pick out in Rounds 1-3, and in Rounds 4-7.

What The Bucs Have At Exterior Linebacker

Bucs OLBs YaYa Diaby and Anthony Nelson – Photograph by: USA At this time

Tampa Bay added cross rusher Haason Reddick in free company on a one-year, prove-it deal and the staff hopes the 30-year previous veteran can return to his double-digit sack kind after a down 12 months with the New York Jets in 2024. After a prolonged holdout, Reddick solely had one sack in 10 video games final season, however had 4 straight years of double-digit sacks from 2020-23. Reddick brings two issues to Tampa Bay that the skin linebacker room was lacking – expertise and velocity off the sting. The staff hopes he’ll be an ideal mentor to the opposite younger edge rushers on the roster.

The Bucs are excessive on Yaya Diaby’s progress regardless that his sacks declined from 7.5 throughout his rookie season to 4.5 final 12 months. Diaby improved in all areas apart from the sack column. Head coach Todd Bowles made a giant transfer this offseason in shifting Larry Foote from teaching inside linebackers to outdoors linebackers and Diaby might attain his full potential in 2025 and turn out to be a double-digit sacker for the primary time underneath his tutelage.

Tampa Bay parted methods with former first-round choose Joe Tryon-Shoyinka in free company to pave the way in which for extra snaps for Chris Braswell, final 12 months’s second-round choose. The Bucs predict a breakout 12 months for Braswell in his second season after he was sluggish to develop as a rookie. Working with Foote ought to speed up that course of. Anthony Nelson is again for his third contract with the Bucs and has the size, expertise and soccer I.Q. that Bowles appreciates. He’ll push for taking part in time as he enters his seventh season in Tampa Bay.

It’s a giant 12 months for a pair of younger edge rushers coming into their third season in purple and pewter. Jose Ramirez confirmed flashes of cross rush potential final preseason, however was nonetheless relegated to the follow squad for a second straight 12 months. Markees Watts had an up-and-down coaching camp and injured his knee through the 12 months, which stunted his development. Each are battling for his or her careers in Tampa Bay this offseason. Daniel Grzesiak can also be again with the Bucs for camp after spending final 12 months on the follow squad.

What The Bucs Want At Exterior Linebacker

From a numbers standpoint the Bucs don’t essentially want one other cross rusher. If Haason Reddick returns to kind as a Professional Bowl-caliber edge rusher, Yaya Diaby continues to ascend and Chris Braswell has the breakout season most anticipate, Tampa Bay’s four-man cross rush must be tremendous. However what if that’s not the case? What if Reddick has misplaced a step, Braswell doesn’t pan out and Diaby falls in need of double-digit sacks once more? That’s why the Bucs can be good to draft one other impression cross rusher as an insurance coverage coverage or security web.

Reddick solely signed a one-year deal, and if he has too massive of a rebound 12 months in Tampa Bay the Bucs might not decide to increase the contract of an outdoor linebacker who will likely be 32 through the 2026 season. That’s the place drafting one other younger edge rusher is smart, too. The Bucs had seven formal interviews with edge rushers on the NFL Scouting Mix and had at the least three outdoors linebacker prospects in for official 30 visits as properly.

High Exterior Linebackers In 2025 NFL Draft

*Vital Observe: These gamers are NOT listed within the order of Pewter Report’s rating for them. Slightly, the numbers are supplied to point out you the tough order through which we anticipate them to return off the board through the draft.

1. Penn State Edge Abdul Carter – Junior – 6-3, 250 – N/A

Carter is extensively believed to be the No. 2 general choose on this 12 months’s draft. Whereas 2024 was his solely collegiate season as a real edge rusher after he made the transition from off-ball linebacker, he spent a lot of the 2022 and 2023 seasons dashing from the skin anyway. He’s a disruptive drive with a whole lot of explosiveness and loads of cross rush strikes in his arsenal. And since he spent the sooner a part of his profession as an off-ball ‘backer, he’s comfy dropping into protection.

The manufacturing Carter posted at Penn State speaks for itself. In 2024, 34.6% of his tackles got here behind the road of scrimmage, as he totaled 23.5 tackles for loss and 12 sacks to go together with two compelled fumbles and 4 passes defensed. Within the two seasons earlier than that, he completed with a mixed 16 tackles for loss and 11 sacks, with three compelled fumbles, 9 passes defensed and an interception. Carter completed his profession with the Nittany Lions as a unanimous consensus All-American, in addition to the Large Ten’s Defensive Participant of the Yr.

2. Georgia Edge/ILB Jalon Walker – Junior – 6-1, 243 – N/A

Walker’s true place has been a scorching matter in draft circles all through a lot of the pre-draft course of. He performed a hybrid linebacker position underneath Kirby Good at Georgia, splitting snaps between inside linebacker, outdoors linebacker and edge rusher. There’s a perception that whoever drafts him ought to choose a place and keep it up, although others view him being “positionless” as a bonus. Walker himself thinks he’s finest as a chess piece who can play wherever, and he’s coming off a season through which he completed with 60 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks and two passes defensed because the Butkus Award winner and a first-team All-American.

Walker lacks the perfect measurement for an NFL edge rusher, however he has really feel for getting after the quarterback and turns the nook properly in pursuit. He modifies course with an excessive amount of smoothness and has good closing velocity, which helps him when positioned within the position of a spy on a cellular quarterback. His processing in protection is an space that wants enchancment and he would possibly get slowed down by bigger-bodied blockers on the level of assault, however Walker is among the extra intriguing gamers on this 12 months’s class and it’ll be fascinating to see the place he leads to the primary spherical.

Georgia LB Jalon Walker – Photograph by: USA At this time

3. Marshall Edge Mike Inexperienced – Redshirt Junior – 6-3, 251 – N/A

Inexperienced is an outstanding mix of athleticism and violence, and the truth that he can win a number of methods is why it’s no shock that he had the kind of manufacturing he did in his one 12 months as a starter at Marshall. After transferring from Virginia, he performed in 12 video games and began one for the Thundering Herd in 2023, ending with 9 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. Then, in 13 begins in 2024, he posted 17 sacks and 22.5 tackles for loss, with three compelled fumbles and two passes defensed. His mixture of manufacturing and play fashion make him a prime edge rusher on this 12 months’s draft class.

The pre-draft course of has raised some considerations about Inexperienced, although, as previous sexual assault allegations had been dropped at gentle. He was suspended at the beginning of his second 12 months at Virginia after an allegation (there have been no costs, the case was suspended and Inexperienced has since denied any wrongdoing), and this got here after an allegation whereas in highschool (which noticed no formal costs filed). Inexperienced has spoken in regards to the allegations through the pre-draft course of and he’s drawn optimistic suggestions about his character from former coaches, however there’s little doubt that whichever staff drafts him can have needed to do some in depth homework to really feel comfy with the choose.

4. Boston School Edge Donovan Ezeiruaku – Senior – 6-2, 248 – N/A

Ezeiruaku possesses a mix of potential, manufacturing and character that coaches and GMs dream of. The previous Boston School star has distinctive bend and explosiveness, which led to his 45.5 tackles for loss and 30 sacks over 4 years at BC. His 2022 season noticed him publish a formidable 14.5 tackles for loss and eight.5 sacks, and whereas his numbers dipped in 2023, they got here again up in his All-American, ACC Defensive Participant of the Yr-winning 2024 season. Over 12 video games, he completed with 80 tackles, 20.5 tackles for loss and 16.5 sacks. Ezeiruaku has nice ball manufacturing too, having compelled eight fumbles over the past three seasons.

Ezeiruaku isn’t the most important edge defender at 6-foot-2, 248 kilos, however that perceived lack of measurement didn’t hamper him in school. His sack manufacturing alone will make him a first-round choose, however he additionally units the sting properly and might defend towards the run. He might even attain a brand new stage with added energy to his physique, however he must be cautious to not get away from what has made him so profitable prior to now.

5. Georgia Edge Mykel Williams – Junior – 6-5, 267 – 4.77

Williams is one other distinctive Georgia defender in that head coach Kirby Good requested him to do all kinds of issues throughout the defensive position. He performed each three- and five-technique along with spending time as a stand-up outdoors linebacker. He’s a giant, hulking presence, however he has good bend for his measurement. Taking part in to that energy, he’s lauded for his bull rushes, swipes, and push-pull maneuvers. Nevertheless, there’s not a whole lot of finesse to Williams’ sport and his secondary strikes will want work. Not solely that, however he can play too upright at occasions, which permits blockers to get beneath him and achieve leverage.

Williams was by no means overly productive for the Bulldogs, however he was a constant drive. He made an impression as a freshman in 2022 with 28 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks in 15 video games (two begins). In 2023, he began 10 of the 13 video games he performed in and completed with 18 tackles, one other 6.5 tackles for loss and one other 4.5 sacks, with a compelled fumble and two passes defensed added to his line. He then completed his Georgia profession along with his most efficient 12 months in 2024, totaling 21 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 5 sacks and two compelled fumbles in 12 video games (5 begins).

6. Tennessee Edge James Pearce Jr. – Junior – 6-5, 245 – 4.47

Pearce is a formidable participant. He’s quick and athletic, plus he can mix that athleticism with energy to create a whole lot of havoc as a cross rusher. His 23% cross rush win price in 2024 was the second-best mark within the FBS, plus his 107 pressures over the past two seasons ranked No. 6 within the FBS and tops within the SEC. In 2023, Pearce began simply three video games however performed in 13, totaling 14.5 tackles for loss and 10 sacks, with two compelled fumbles, two passes defensed and an interception. He adopted that up with 13 tackles for loss and seven.5 sacks in 2024. He was first-team All-SEC in each seasons because the Vols’ main sacker.

The dreaded “character considerations” have hit Pearce through the pre-draft course of, which suggests his inventory has taken successful. Exterior of a 2023 arrest on site visitors costs (dashing, driving on suspended license, failure to current insurance coverage, all costs that had been later dismissed), the considerations about Pearce seemingly stem from a post-Mix report that alleged that he might have “the worst character report” on this 12 months’s draft class. Questions have emerged about his work ethic, so with all of this in thoughts, his interviews with groups will possible play a key half in the place he falls on draft weekend.

Tennessee EDGE James Pearce Jr. – Photograph by: USA At this time

7. Texas A&M Edge Shemar Stewart – Junior – 6-5, 267 – 4.59

Stewart is a polarizing prospect, and whether or not you view him as a prime edge on this 12 months’s draft class closely is dependent upon the place you stand within the ever-present traits vs. manufacturing discourse. Traits-wise, the Texas A&M product has what you’re searching for. He’s explosive off the soccer and even at 267 kilos, shows some spectacular bend. He is aware of methods to use his lengthy arms to his benefit and he can each set the sting and transfer properly laterally to sort out ball carriers. And within the Aggies’ protection, he acquired a whole lot of expertise in several alignments.

The place there’s much less to love about Stewart is along with his manufacturing, or lack thereof. He was solely a one-year starter in School Station, however 4.5 sacks over 680 profession cross rush snaps is tough to miss. He had 1.5 sacks annually of his three-year profession, with solely 11 tackles for loss (after a career-high 5.5 in 2024) to go together with them. His one compelled fumble over three years stands out in a destructive gentle as properly, and his 26.9% missed sort out price is one other blemish on his resume. If his traits can translate, he’ll blossom within the NFL. However whether or not that occurs feels prefer it’ll be a big gamble, which is able to see him fall on some groups’ boards.

8. Ohio State Edge J.T. Tuimoloau – Senior – 6-4, 264 – N/A

There’s loads to love about Tuimoloau, beginning not simply along with his size and general measurement however the truth that he’s versatile sufficient to not let it stiffen him up as he turns the nook on opposing tackles. He’s athlete with a excessive motor and good short-area quickness. Dane Brugler of The Athletic famous that Tuimoloau credit cross-training in basketball for his twitch, and his agility paired with a fast get-off helps him convert velocity to energy very properly. There’s work to be performed along with his counters, as blockers are capable of shut him down if they will deal with his preliminary transfer. Nonetheless, whereas that and his  general cross rush arsenal can enhance, Tuimoloau’s flooring is excessive.

A 3-year starter at Ohio State, Tuimoloau step by step constructed to an ideal last 12 months of manufacturing. He went from 4.5 tackles for loss and a pair of.5 sacks as a freshman in 2021 to 10.5 tackles for loss and three.5 sacks in 2022. In 2023, he dropped right down to seven tackles for loss, however totaled 5 sacks. Then got here his finest season, which noticed him begin all 16 of the Buckeyes’ video games and end with 61 tackles, 21.5 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks and two compelled fumbles. His finest soccer got here within the staff’s School Soccer Playoff run, which noticed him publish 20 pressures, 10 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks and a compelled fumble. Tuimoloau is a second-round choose.

9. Texas A&M Edge Nic Scourton – Junior – 6-2, 257 – N/A

Scourton is properly constructed contemplating his 6-foot-2 body, which is slightly on the smaller facet for an edge. He’s bodily, and whereas his cross rush transfer set remains to be creating, he could be a drawback for opposing tackles due to the way in which he makes use of his palms. On the down facet, he would possibly attempt to win with energy slightly too a lot, as he doesn’t have a lot finesse to his sport. However it’s price noting that he’s extraordinarily younger. He doesn’t flip 21 years previous till late August, which will likely be simply after the preseason wraps up. So, it’s secure to say there’s loads to work with right here given his youth.

Scourton’s most efficient season got here when he was a sophomore at Purdue in 2023 when he was often known as Nic Caraway. Over 11 video games that season, he totaled 50 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and 10 sacks, with a compelled fumble and three passes defensed as properly. He earned second-team ] All-Large Ten because the convention’s main sacker, after which he transferred to Texas A&M in 2024. With the Aggies, his manufacturing dipped, however he did outpace Shemar Stewart, ending with 14 tackles for loss and 5 sacks, with a compelled fumble and two passes defensed as properly. Scourton appears to be a second-round choose on this 12 months’s draft.

10. Arkansas Edge Landon Jackson – Senior – 6-6, 264 – 4.68

Jackson is an imposing determine with a wingspan within the 92nd percentile amongst edge rushers. At 6-foot-6, 264 kilos, he has the size of an NFL cross rusher and is ready to use his lengthy strides to create some depth as he penetrates the backfield. He’s highly effective, too, and a whole lot of that’s on show along with his hand utilization. The place opposing tackles will reap the benefits of, although, is the truth that he’s not very fluid in his actions and doesn’t have a lot bend to his sport. That, mixed with a still-developing arsenal of cross rush counters, lowers his preliminary ceiling on the NFL stage.

Jackson began his school profession at LSU in 2021 earlier than transferring to Arkansas and enjoying there for the final three years. He by no means had eye-popping manufacturing for the Razorbacks, although he was fairly constant. He went from three sacks in 2022 to six.5, with 13.5 tackles for loss, in 2023. He then completed up his time in school with one other 6.5-sack season in 2024, although his tackles for loss whole dropped to 9.5.

11. Ole Miss Edge Princely Umanmielen – Fifth-Yr Senior – 6-4, 244 – 4.72

Umanmielen’s profession started at Florida, the place he began for 2 seasons (2022 and 2023). Over these two campaigns, he posted 11.5 sacks and 21 tackles for loss over 25 video games. From there, he transferred to Ole Miss and had a profession 12 months in 2024. Although he solely began six of the 12 video games he appeared in, he completed his lone 12 months with the Rebels with a career-high 10.5 sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss. An ankle damage price him two video games, however he nonetheless earned first-team All-SEC and second-team All-American honors.

Umanmielen definitely has the look of an NFL cross rusher, and he exhibits a fast first step that may assist him win. He additionally has loads of expertise dropping in protection, one thing he did usually at Florida earlier than doing a little spot dropping at Ole Miss as properly. The place Umanmielen falls brief is within the energy and physicality division. Between that and his must develop his counter strikes, there’s nonetheless work to be performed as he rounds right into a extra polished participant. However because it stands, he has basis to work with.

Ole Miss EDGE Princely Umanmielen Photograph by: USA At this time

12. Ohio State Edge Jack Sawyer – Senior – 6-4, 260 – N/A

Sawyer completed his school profession with the kind of season he would’ve dreamed of whereas rising up as a child in Ohio. He turned a captain for the Buckeyes and out of doors of a late-season blemish towards rival Michigan, led his protection on an impressive run to a championship. He had a nine-sack season with three compelled fumbles, seven passes defensed and an interception, plus he had a game-sealing 83-yard scoop-and-score towards Texas to ship Ohio State to the nationwide title sport. For his profession, he totaled 23 sacks, 28.5 tackles for loss and 6 compelled fumbles over 54 video games (32 begins).

Sawyer has the body of an NFL edge rusher, and he’s performed properly to construct out that body. Not solely that, however he makes use of his measurement and energy to his benefit, enjoying a bodily fashion and a excessive motor. He’s not a lot of a finesse participant, as he doesn’t have nice bend or elite velocity. He’s one-dimensional in that means, however his energy, instincts and want-to ought to carry him a great distance on the subsequent stage as a Day 2 choose.

The Finest Of The Relaxation

13. UCLA Edge Oluwafemi Oladejo – Senior – 6-3, 261 – N/A

Oladejo is an thrilling prospect. Nonetheless very new to the skin linebacker place after transitioning from off-ball ‘backer 4 video games into final season, he has the makings of creating into an absolute stud. He appears the half and seemingly at all times has, as he even performed Mike linebacker at 255 kilos. He’s clearly properly versed in defending the run, and he does so with a whole lot of vary. His cross dashing ability set remains to be creating, however he converts velocity to energy properly and may be disruptive. His effort and vitality are evident, and whereas he had simply six profession sacks between Cal and UCLA, Oladejo is a undertaking who might yield a big-time return on Day 2.

UCLA edge rusher Oluwafemi Oladejo – Photograph by: USA At this time

14. Michigan Edge Josaiah Stewart – Senior – 6-1, 249 – 4.85

Stewart is explosive, with glorious speed-to-power potential and good dip as he turns the nook. His motor is excessive and within the run sport, he’s extra bodily than you’d anticipate given his measurement. He has a lighter body and at 6-foot-1, he doesn’t have a whole lot of room so as to add weight. He may be overmatched when it comes to energy at occasions, which hinders his potential to be disruptive on a down-in, down-out foundation. That stated, he produced quite a bit between Coastal Carolina and Michigan. Over two years at Coastal, he totaled 16 sacks and 25.5 tackles for loss in 25 video games (17 begins), then posted 14 sacks and 21.5 tackles for loss over 26 video games (11 begins) at Michigan.

15. LSU Edge Bradyn Swinson – Fifth-Yr Senior – 6-3 1/2, 255 – N/A

Swinson had simply 43 whole pressures in his first 4 years of school (three at Oregon, one at LSU), however he broke out in 2024 for the Tigers with 59 pressures, 8.5 sacks and 13 tackles for loss. He’s flexible and has good go off the road, and he retains that motor up in pursuit. However Swinson nonetheless has work to do, with just one season of beginning expertise after totaling simply two begins over his first 4 years of school. His play energy isn’t as much as par, which is able to restrict him within the NFL. But when he can construct out his cross rush arsenal, there’s potential for him to become a chosen rusher.

16. Oregon Edge Jordan Burch – Fifth-Yr Senior – 6-4, 279 – 4.67

Burch’s profession started with three seasons at South Carolina, the place he totaled 4.5 sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss from 2020-2022. He then transferred to Oregon, the place he began 22 of the 24 video games he performed in between 2023 and 2024. Over that span, he posted 11.5 sacks and 18.5 tackles for loss. Burch doesn’t have the quickest get-off and is just too inconsistent along with his rush plan, and his damage historical past is a bit lengthier than you’d like. However he’s densely constructed (nearly like a defensive sort out) and whereas his energy is his largest plus, he has good short-area quickness and athleticism for his measurement.

Oregon EDGE Jordan Burch Photograph by: USA At this time

17. South Carolina Edge Kyle Kennard – Fifth-Yr Senior – 6-4, 254 – 4.73

After totaling 12.5 sacks and 21.5 tackles for loss over 4 seasons, 42 video games and 20 begins at Georgia Tech, Kennard transferred to South Carolina for his last season. In 12 begins, he posted profession highs throughout the board with 11.5 sacks, 15.5 tackles for loss and three compelled fumbles. He was a embellished fifth-year senior for the Gamecocks, incomes consensus All-American, Nagurski Trophy, SEC Defensive Participant of the Yr and first-team All-SEC honors. Kennard has good go off the snap and makes use of his arms properly whereas displaying strong speed-to-power potential. The drawbacks are that he doesn’t have quite a bit to point out for his run protection on tape, plus he has little or no expertise dropping into protection.

18. Louisville Edge Ashton Gillotte – Senior – 6-3, 264 – 4.65

Gillotte has a mixture of velocity and physicality, with a whole lot of good hand work to his sport as properly. The issue is that his motor would possibly run slightly too excessive at occasions, which might trigger him to overrun performs. His body is probably not very best for the place, however he has sufficient traits to be piece in a rotation someplace. The unlucky actuality for Gillotte is that his inventory would possibly’ve been greater after his junior season in 2023, which noticed him end with 11 sacks, 14.5 tackles for loss and three compelled fumbles. His numbers dipped as a senior, as he completed with solely 4.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss, with zero compelled fumbles.

Bucs Finest Bets By Scott Reynolds

Rounds 1-3 Boston School OLB Donovan Ezeiruaku

The Bucs had a proper interview with Ezeiruaku and got here away extremely impressed in Indianapolis. His excellent character matches his excellent sport movie, which noticed him publish 23 tackles for loss and 16.5 sacks final 12 months as an All-American at Boston School. Ezeiruaku isn’t simply an efficient cross rusher, both. Regardless of not being the most effective edge defender at 6-foot-2, 243 kilos, the New Jersey native recorded 80 tackles final 12 months and proved to be a top quality run stuffer as properly. Ezeiruaku had a few standout practices on the Senior Bowl, which additionally caught the staff’s consideration and solidified his first-round draft standing.

Ezeiruaku has loads of polish as a cross rusher and a toolbox that’s practically full. He can win with a big selection of strikes, and even when he’s not capable of break freed from offensive tackles, Ezeiruaku can nonetheless get to the quarterback along with his lengthy, 34-inch, pterodactyl-like arms. Ezeiruaku can be a improbable first-round choose for Tampa Bay because of the truth that he’s constructed like Haason Reddick and might be taught from the two-time Professional Bowler throughout his rookie marketing campaign. Whereas he’s not the quickest edge rusher on this draft class, Ezeiruaku is among the quickest and most agile and performs with large bend and nice leverage.

Rounds 4-7 Central Arkansas OLB David Walker

With an emphasis on bettering the staff’s cross rush, the Bucs will possible draft one other edge within the first three rounds. Tampa Bay likes a number of first-round prospects, together with Boston School’s Donovan Ezeiruaku and Georgia’s Mykel Williams, in addition to some potential Day 2 targets like UCLA’s Femi Oladejo, Texas A&M’s Nic Scourton and Ole Miss’ Princely Umanmielen. But when the Bucs fail to land any of these edge rushers the staff might flip Walker within the fourth spherical. The 6-foot-1, 263-pounder dominated FCS competitors with 82.5 tackles for loss, 39 sacks and 6 compelled fumbles over the previous 4 years.

Walker, who was a staff captain final 12 months, was additionally a three-time consensus All-American, and received the 2024 Buck Buchanan Award as the highest FCS defensive participant in addition to the convention defensive participant of the 12 months for 3 straight seasons. He even went to the Senior Bowl and proved that he belonged with the highest school expertise. Walker isn’t the quickest edge rusher (4.69), however may be very sudden in his actions and has nice cross dashing instincts. A whopping 33.8% of Walker’s tackles got here within the backfield in school. He performs with superb speed-to-power and that’s a giant purpose why the Bucs formally interviewed him on the NFL Scouting Mix.