For most NFL teams, at least 50% of their offensive play calls each game involve the passing game. While passing schemes have developed into precise systems, the value of NFL quarterbacks has risen to record highs. Like NFL linebackers, the expectations for edge players range from rushing opposing quarterbacks to disrupting quarterback play, setting the edge on the box, and funneling run plays into their inside linebackers. In some schemes, like 3-4 defensive fronts, edge players also need to be able to drop into pass coverage occasionally. Today, we will look at 10 players who have mastered the art of being an effective Edge player in the NFL heading into the 2025 season.
10. Brian Burns, New York Giants
During the lead-up to the 2025 NFL Draft, Penn State edge Abdul Carter, viewed as a game-changing player for NFL teams, was drafted by the Giants in the first draft round. Despite the attention directed to Carter, several pundits overlooked that the Giants already have an elite edge player in Brian Burns. Before the 2024 season, the Giants signed Burns after he spent most of his career with the Carolina Panthers, after being drafted in 2019. In Burns’s first season with the New York Giants in 2024, Burns posted 42 solo tackles, 29 assists, 8.5 quarterback sacks, and eight pass deflections. Combining Burns and Abdul Carter in 2025 will give players and the Giants defense more opportunities to make big plays and shut down their opponents’ offenses.
9. Khalil Mack, Los Angeles Chargers
Over the last 10 seasons, Los Angeles Chargers edge rusher Khalil Mack has developed a template for what an elite edge player must provide to be considered an excellent edge rusher. The Oakland Raiders drafted edge player Khalil Mack in 2014, and since then, Mack has separated himself as an outstanding pass rusher. In fact, during his career in the NFL, Mack has sacked opposing quarterbacks 102.5 times. The former University of Buffalo product has received All-Pro honors in 2015 and 2016. In 2016, Mack’s honors include joining the All-Decade team for the 2020s. Flash forward to 2024 and Mack played in 17 games and registered 42 solo tackles, 29 assists, 8.5 sacks, and eight pass deflections. In the 2025 season, Mack must prove he can still regain his previous elite edge rusher performances.
8. Trey Hendrickson, Cincinnati Bengals
Throughout the last two seasons, Hendrickson has led the league in quarterback sacks with 17.5 sacks in the previous two seasons. Hendrickson’s off-the-charts production and a record-breaking contract for Myles Garrett have led to Hendrickson demanding a contract extension that is near the top of all play for elite pass rushers. It is unclear if Hendrickson will be traded or will decide to play for the Bengals, but if Cincinnati’s front office and Hendrickson can agree, Hendrickson could have an explosive season in 2025.
7. Danielle Hunter, Houston Texans
Since being drafted in 2018, Houston Texans edge rusher Danielle Hunter has impressed many with his outstanding play in the NFL. Hunter’s NFL career started with the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC North, but in 2024, Hunter played his first season with the Houston Texans. During the 2024 season, Hunter recorded 31 solo tackles, 15 assists, 12.0 quarterback sacks, and three pass deflections. When comparing Hunter in 2024 to his final season with the Vikings, his production dropped significantly after moving to Houston. The former two-time All-Pro edge rusher should bounce back from a difficult 2024 season and return to disrupting opposing quarterbacks. During his NFL career, Hunter has 99.5 quarterback sacks.
6. Josh Hines-Allen, Jacksonville Jaguars
It is safe to say that the Jacksonville Jaguars have fallen short of expectations during the last two seasons. A bright spot for the struggling Jaguars is the consistent play of edge rusher Josh Hines-Allen. In 2024, Hines-Allen posted 26 solo tackles, 19 assists, eight quarterback sacks, and deflected two passes. While those are outstanding numbers for a solid player on a struggling team, they pale in comparison to Hines-Allen’s performance in 2023 when he had 43 solo tackles, 23 assists, 17.5 quarterback sacks, one pass deflection, and one interception. If the Jaguars can improve the lineup around Hines-Allen, he can bounce back in 2025 and put together another explosive season like he had in 2023.
5. Nick Bosa, San Francisco 49ers
49ers edge rusher Nick Bosa missed a few games in 2024 with injury issues, which limited Bosa’s opportunities to lead the 49ers defense. During the 2024 season, Bosa recorded 33 solo tackles, 19 assists, nine quarterback sacks, one deflected pass, and intercepted one pass while only playing in 14 games. The last time Bosa played a full 17-game season was in 2023, and he posted 34 solo tackles, 19 assists, 10.5 quarterback sacks, and four pass deflections. In 2022, Bosa was the AP Defensive Player of the Year. If Bosa can stay healthy in 2025, he could return to defensive player of the year status for the 49ers.
4. Micah Parsons, Dallas Cowboys
Like the Cincinnati Bengals and Trey Hendrickson, Dallas Cowboys edge rusher Micah Parsons is looking to leverage his outstanding play in recent seasons to get a long-term contract extension. The Cowboys drafted Parson in 2021, and Parson earned Defensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2021. Parsons was also an AP All-Pro player in 2021 and 2022. During the 2023 season, Parsons had 36 solo tackles, 28 assists, 14.0 quarterback sacks, and two pass deflections. The sticking point for Parson’s contract situation could result from the four games that Parson missed during the 2024 season. Despite missing games, Parsons recorded 30 solo tackles, 13 assists, 12.0 quarterback sacks, and four pass deflections.
3. Maxx Crosby, Las Vegas Raiders
Early in the off-season after the 2024 season, the Las Vegas Raiders blew up the edge rusher market by committing financially to edge rusher Maxx Crosby. Crosby was the highest-paid edge rusher in the NFL for a short time after signing his extension. Since being drafted by the Raiders in 2019, Crosby has become a big part of the Raiders’ identity. For his career, Crosby has only 52.5 quarterback sacks, but part of the lack of sacks is due to Crosby missing five games in 2024. Crosby posted double-digit sack seasons in 2022 and 2023, and the Raiders’ financial commitment to Crosby shows that they believe he will bounce back in 2025.
2. T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher T.J. Watt is in a rare position to follow the outstanding career of his brother J.J. Watt. While it can be difficult for a player like Watt to live up to the expectations around his family name, T.J. Watt has embraced the opportunity. In 2021, Watt received the AP Defensive Player of the Year award and AP All-Pro honors during four of his NFL seasons. In 2023, Watt had an exceptional season with 48 solo tackles, 20 assists, 19.0 quarterback sacks, eight pass deflections, and one interception. Watt once again posted double-digit sacks in 2024 with 11.5 quarterback sacks. During his NFL career, Watt has an impressive 108.0 quarterback sacks.
1. Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns
Many issues in the Cincinnati Bengals and Dallas Cowboys contract negotiations are related to the Cleveland Browns’ decision to make edge rusher Myles Garrett the highest-paid edge player in the NFL. That decision to pay Garrett approximately $40 million per season was in response to Garrett asking for a trade after the Raiders made Crosby the highest-paid edge player earlier in the off-season. In Garrett’s defense, he was more deserving of being the highest-paid player when compared to Crosby’s statistical metrics. Garrett has recorded 14.0 sacks over the last two seasons and is the league leader in quarterback sacks over the previous three seasons.
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