NFL Combine
2/28/25
5 min read
NFL Combine 2025: Key Takeaways from Edge Rusher Workouts
Edge is one of the deepest position groups in the 2025 Draft class, and even with many of the prospects not testing, there were plenty of players who put on a show.
These are my biggest takeaways from Thursday’s edge workout.
Pass Rushing Standouts from 2025 NFL Combine
SHEMAR STEWART, Texas A&M 
Shemar Stewart was the star of the combine, slimming down from 281 pounds to 267 pounds and putting up the best testing performance since Myles Garrett.
As with every player that tests well, it’s important not to credit or discount a player twice, as long as the numbers match the tape. Stewart looked like the best athlete on the field in pretty much every game at Texas A&M, so it doesn’t make any sense to raise his grade after he confirmed what he’s already shown.
Stewart has a good chance of going in the top 10 in such a thin draft class, but I still have significant concerns about his hand usage and pass rushing technique.
He gets a lot of negative attention for his lack of sack production, but I’m always willing to overlook that if a player still wins as a pass rusher. Stewart’s moves are clunky and underdeveloped, and he has a severe lack of precision and accuracy with his hands. For a player with his level of size and explosiveness, he struggled to land his punch inside the blocker to centralize his force and could not win with power against quality competition.
Stewart is still worth taking in the top half of the first round because technique is coachable, but athleticism is not. However, it’s concerning that he couldn't show more technical growth in college, and I wouldn’t expect him to produce much as a pass rusher early in his career.
LANDON JACKSON, Arkansas
Landon Jackson had some impressive numbers on Thursday, with a 40.5-inch vertical jump and 129-inch broad jump. I need to go back to the tape here because I didn’t see anywhere near that level of explosiveness.
His 47th percentile 10-yard split seems a lot more in line with how he actually plays on the field. Most players don’t do agility testing nowadays, but for Jackson, in particular, his testing profile is incomplete without a 3-cone. His lack of bend shows up as the primary limitation when trying to turn the corner.
Jackson’s alignment in Arkansas’ defense could have prevented him from fully unleashing his explosiveness as a pass rusher. He played a lot of 4i (shaded inside the tackle) and didn’t always have the runway to gear up and convert speed to power.
JAMES PEARCE JR., Tennessee
James Pearce Jr. had an up-and-down showing at the combine. He started the day measuring in with shorter arms than expected and had a disappointing 31-inch vertical jump.
Pearce Jr. bounced back with a good broad jump and the fastest 40-yard dash and 10-yard split among all edge rushers. He ultimately broke even on the day from a testing perspective. I also thought he looked like one of the most fluid and athletic edge defenders in the on-field drills.
James Pearce 4 bag agility. Moving different pic.twitter.com/3vzYBenEY4
— Billy M (@BillyM_91) February 27, 2025
The most important aspect of the combine for Pearce Jr. was the interviews, as teams seemed to have some questions about his commitment and practice habits.
Pearce Jr. is an enigma with a unique blend of strengths and weaknesses. He’s tall and slender with short arms. He’s extremely explosive but lacks bend and doesn’t actually win as a high-side rusher as often as you might expect. He was a decent power rusher in the SEC, but I’m a bit skeptical about that translating to the NFL.
DONOVAN EZEIRUAKU, Boston College
Based on the tape, Donovan Ezeiruaku has the best bend and flexibility in this class, and he confirmed that on Thursday. He was one of the few edge rushers who participated in the agility drills, and he had the best 3-cone and short shuttle of the group.
My biggest concern with Ezeiruaku is his average explosiveness and how that prevents him from converting speed to power, but overall he’s a clear winner.
BRADYN SWINSON, LSU
Bradyn Swinson is another edge defender who helped himself with solid times in the 3-cone and short shuttle. He also measured in with 33 3/8-inch arms, which checks the box.
Bradyn Swinson run the hoop pic.twitter.com/cGcouLlQR9
— Billy M (@BillyM_91) February 27, 2025
PRINCELY UMANMIELEN, Mississippi
Ole Miss edge rusher Princely Umanmielen had a disappointing day. He weighed in at 265 pounds at the Senior Bowl but dropped down to 244 pounds in order to run faster, but his 10-yard split, 40-yard dash, short shuttle, and 3-cone were average.
He put up good numbers in the vertical and broad jump, but overall, he didn’t test like a great athlete. More concerning was how stiff and uncoordinated he looked in the on-field drills.
JACK SAWYER, Ohio State
We knew Jack Sawyer would have short arms heading into the week, but his recorded arm length (31 ¾-inches) was actually a half-inch shorter than his measurement. He didn’t do any of the timed drills, but his lack of bend and balance was apparent in the on-field drills, especially running the hoop.
Oluwafemi Oladejo (UCLA), Tyler Baron (Miami), and Jordan Burch (Oregon) also had solid testing performances. Oladejo specifically looked very smooth in the on-field workout portion.
Make sure to check out our new home for all of our NFL Draft content.
