NFL's top 20 edge rushers: Aidan Hutchinson set to remind the league of his greatness as rising stars climb the ranks
With QBs being the king of the jungle in the NFL, having top-tier edge rushers is more than just a premium; it's a necessity. And the league is full of next level pass rushers that have proved to be among the best of the best at their position. Here at A to Z Sports, we […]
With QBs being the king of the jungle in the NFL, having top-tier edge rushers is more than just a premium; it's a necessity. And the league is full of next level pass rushers that have proved to be among the best of the best at their position. Here at A to Z Sports, we as a staff ranked our top edge rushers in the league and compiled our top 20 players at the position.
In order to find the official consensus 2025 A to Z Sports NFL positional rankings, 16 of our staff members ranked their Top 20 edge rushers in order.
If a player was ranked 1st, they received 20 points. Ranked 2nd? 19 points. And so on, down to 20th, where players received just one point. Why use this method? If we simply used the average ranking, we may errantly include outliers that were ranked too highly by just one or two staff members.
This method allowed us to find a more true collaborative consensus that properly represented where the majority of our staff felt players belonged in overall positional rankings from 1st to 20th in the NFL.
Top 20 Edge Rushers in the NFL
1. Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns
Highest Ranking: 1
Lowest Ranking: 1
"Myles Garrett at No. 1 is fitting, as there isn’t a defensive player in the sport who is game-planned around more. Garrett has recorded at least 14 sacks in four straight seasons and has posted double-digit sack totals in every year of his career except his rookie season, when he had nine.
Cleveland addressed Garrett’s trade request by giving him what was always inevitable—a massive payday. Now making $40 million per year and signed through the back end of his career, Garrett still has several seasons left to dominate as a pass rusher. A future first-ballot Hall of Famer, he’s one of the best edge rushers the game has ever seen." – Brandon Little
2. Micah Parsons, Dallas Cowboys
Highest Ranking: 2
Lowest Ranking: 4
The only defender worthy of battling Garrett for best defender in the NFL is Micah Parsons, who is locked in on a historic start to his career that compares only to the legendary Reggie White. Talk about versatility has been replaced with talk about sheer dominance as a pass rusher, which stems from playing faster than anyone else who happens to be on the field at that time. The best part is Parsons has learned more and more about the position after starting his career as an off-ball LB. He'll improve again in 2025, as his private coach and developer, Lance Dean, tells A to Z Sports.
"One thing I've been impressed with is to find ways, steal little pieces of advice to invest more into his offseason,' said Deane. Finding a way to up the ante, that speaks volumes into how much he's invested into his career."
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3. Maxx Crosby, Las Vegas Raiders
Highest Ranking: 2
Lowest Ranking: 4
In all honesty, Maxx Crosby could be anywhere from No. 1 to No. 4 on this list. For the most part, those four are pretty interchangeable, but it all depends on what you're looking for in your defense. If you want a pure pass rusher, Garrett or Watt may be the way to go. If you want a versatile defender who can line up anywhere and play as an on-ball linebacker, it's Parsons. If you want all of those, besides the linebacker side of things, and he plays the run better than anyone, it's Maxx Crosby. Oh, and not to mention, he plays every single snap of every single game. This season was the first time he missed a game, and it was because of some crazy foot injury that he has now figured out. I think No. 3 is fine for him; it's not anything to be upset about. But, he has a case for the best edge rusher in the league, mainly because of his availability, motor, and he does just more than rush the passer, and he does ot better than anyone. Now, imagine if he were on a good team. – Justin Churchill
4. T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh Steelers
Highest Ranking: 2
Lowest Ranking: 8
T.J. Watt is a little bit lower on our list than what he has been accustomed to throughout his career, but it's reasonable in this case. Watt started 2024 out on a tear. That Week 1 game against the Falcons was one of the best performances any edge rusher had all season. However, by the time the last month of the season rolled around, Watt had gone radio silent. He didn't record a single sack in his last four games, and he was unable to record anything in the box score against the Ravens in the playoffs. To add context, he was battered. Upper body injuries combined with playing on a bad ankle, Watt didn't look like himself, because he wasn't himself. The Steelers are paying him to get back to his old ways, however. Watt looks noticeably bigger this offseason, and if he's healthy, he's still one of the best in the business, potentially reclaiming a spot in the top three next year. – Rob Gregson
5. Nick Bosa, San Francisco 49ers
Highest Ranking: 2
Lowest Ranking: 8
When Nick Bosa is healthy and at his best, there aren’t many pass rushers in the game better than him. The former Defensive Player of the Year may no longer be a consensus top-three edge rusher like he was a couple years ago, but he remains one of the elite talents in the league. Bosa should improve on his nine sacks from last season, especially considering he missed three games and that number would have been higher. The 49ers added some exciting pieces along the defensive line in the draft that could help make Bosa’s job easier.
The former Buckeye has recorded 62.5 sacks through his first 82 career games and has made four straight Pro Bowls. However, he hasn’t earned an All-Pro nod since 2022 and will need to return to that level if he hopes to climb any higher on this list. – Brandon Little
6. Aidan Hutchinson, Detroit Lions
Highest Ranking: 4
Lowest Ranking: 10
There is no doubt in anyone’s mind that for the first six weeks of the 2024 season, there was no defensive player better than Aidan Hutchinson. He was well on his way to winning Defensive Player of the Year before breaking his leg in Week 6.
He’s back and fully cleared now, and the question is, can he get right back to being that guy he was at the start of last season? If he can, he could be much higher in the rankings next year. – Mike Payton
7. Trey Hendrickson, Cincinnati Bengals
Highest Ranking: 5
Lowest Ranking: 10
I think there's a case for Hendrickson being the most interesting defensive end in the NFL, or at least the Joe Burrow equivalent to his position. He's consistently underrated due to not always winning the flashiest or having the elite get-off and speed, but man, does he win. Constantly. He shared the third-highest pass rush win rate out of all starting DEs, only behind Myles Garrett and Micah Parsons. The guy he tied with was none other than Nick Bosa. That alone validates the league-leading 17.5 sacks he had, especially when you consider how dreadful Cincinnati's pass rush was around him. Run defense does matter for his position, and it is his weak spot, but he's not vying for a new contract to set an edge. Seventh is just about the lowest anyone can reasonably rank the 30-year old after such an incredible year surrounded by a porous defense. – John Sheeran
8. Danielle Hunter, Houston Texans
Highest Ranking: 5
Lowest Ranking: 10
When Danielle Hunter hit the market, it was a huge coup for the Houston Texans. At 29 years old, Hunter had already been an elite edge rusher for nine seasons with the Minnesota Vikings. He signed a two-year deal worth up to $49 million and earned a one-year extension worth $35.6 million.
While Hunter has been great without someone elite on the opposite side of the ball, he's just as good with someone on the right side. In 2024, Hunter logged 12.0 sacks, one year after getting 16.5, and logged his fifth Pro Bowl in the process. The good part of Hunter's game is that when the athleticism wanes, his game is such that it can last the test of time, as he doesn't rely on a quick get-off to get to the quarterback. His game is so nuanced when it comes to his pass rush plan; it will help him win well into his 30s. – Tyler Forness
9. Jared Verse, Los Angeles Rams
Highest Ranking: 6
Lowest Ranking: 15
Jared Verse has quickly risen to the upper echelon of edge rushers early in his pro career. While his pass rush stats from 2024 won’t blow your mind, his impact was quite clear. Offense often game planned around slowing Verse down, and former Pro Bowl OT Terron Armstead even gave Verse one of the biggest compliments you can imagine. The Rams defender did total 76 pressures last season (4th in the NFL). I expect Verse’s statistics to uptick again this season, regardless of how offenses prep for him. He’s that good, and he has the potential to join the top six of this list by season’s end. – Adam Holt
10. Will Anderson Jr., Houston Texans
Highest Ranking: 6
Lowest Ranking: 11
Will Anderson Jr. is quickly emerging as one of the league’s most feared young pass rushers. Only a year after finishing with seven sacks as a rookie, the Alabama product tied for No. 10 in the NFL with 11 despite missing three regular season games. Not only that, but he added another 3.5 sacks in two postseason matchups, giving him 4.5 total in four postseason appearances. Anderson’s combination of power, explosiveness, and relentless nature makes the former Defensive Rookie of the Year one of the most promising young players in the NFL. Already breaking into this top 10 in only his second season proves what the 23-year-old is capable of. – Clint Lamb
11. Jonathan Greennard, Minnesota Vikings
Highest Ranking: 8
Lowest Ranking: 19
Jonathan Greenard at 11th on the list feels about right. He broke out in a big way during the 2023 season and thrived opposite Will Anderson Jr.. It earned him a four-year $76 million contract with the Vikings, who prioritized him over Danielle Hunter, and it worked out well for both teams.
Greenard immediately made an impact in Brian Flores' defense with his incredible length and quickness off the ball. He proved them right when they chose to move on from Hunter for him, as he's a better fit for their defense with his crazy get off at the snap. His 12.0 sacks and ability to make an impact in the run game with his penetration ability from multiple alignments. – Tyler Forness
12. Brian Burns, New York Giants
Highest Ranking: 9
Lowest Ranking: Unranked
It seems that too many people have forgotten how talented Brian Burns is since he was traded from the Carolina Panthers to the New York Giants. He is still one of the top pass rushers in the NFL, and his situation increased dramatically this offseason with the Giants drafting Abdul Carter. Teams won't be able to throw double teams at Burns consistently, and he is going to make teams pay for it. Burns and Carter could be one of the best duos in the NFL off the edge this season, and I think it will wake a lot of people up who seem to be so low on Burns. – Destin Adams
13. Josh Hines-Allen, Jacksonville Jaguars
Highest Ranking: 11
Lowest Ranking: Unranked
It was just one year ago that Joshua Hines-Allen was entering the 2024 season off a career-high 17 sacks. The saying "if it ain't broke, don't fix it," unfortunately, wasn't applied to Jacksonville's star pass rusher — he reportedly bulked up to 285 pounds for the 2024 season. The extra mass did change Hines-Allen's game a bit, but Jaguars fans should be excited to know that he's dropped the weight for 2025.
This is a diverse talent capable of winning in all phases as a pass rusher. With all that extra weight in 2024, he still managed to finish 10th in the NFL with pressures (63), a true testament to his explosive athletic profile. He's in the prime of his career and set to play for an aggressive defensive coordinator in Anthony Campanile, so expect double-digit sacks to be back on the menu in 2025 and, potentially, a higher ranking on this list next summer. – Kyle Crabbs
14. Chop Robinson, Miami Dolphins
Highest Ranking: 11
Lowest Ranking: Unranked
The Dolphins' pick of Chop Robinson in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft was one built upon potential more than production, but it was a question of how soon it would show up. The answer was quick. With Bradley Chubb unable to return from his December 2023 ACL tear and Jaelan Phillips suffering yet another serious season-ending injury (ACL tear) on September 30, the stage cleared for Robinson to make an impact, and boy did he ever.
The sack total was good for a first-year player (6), but the pass rush rate was excellent. Robinson had 56 total pressures in 344 pass rushing snaps last year (16.3%), per Pro Football Focus, which led to a team-high pass rushing grade of 78.7. The Dolphins appear to have one of the better young pass rushers to build around for years to come. – Craig Smith
15. Rashan Gary, Green Bay Packers
Highest Ranking: 11
Lowest Ranking: Unranked
Rashan Gary has never been a big sack player, but he is a powerful edge rusher with the ability to consistently generate pressure. With the scheme change in Green Bay, though, he did have a down year in 2024 with 47 pressures, while prioritizing the protection of rushing lanes. Down the stretch, he started to be more productive once again, a positive sign about what could come for the Packers this upcoming season. And Jeff Hafley's defense badly needs it to create pressure without sending extra rushers. – Wendell Ferreira
16. Khalil Mack, Los Angeles Chargers
Highest Ranking: 12
Lowest Ranking: Unranked
Khalil Mack is timeless. His snaps were down considerably in 2024, offering perhaps the first signs of a player who is entering into the final chapters of his career. But nearly 700 snaps and 52 pressures are still plenty to be excited about for Mack, who will play this season at 34 years old.
When you mix his power with his instincts, even at this stage of his career, you're getting a major headache and a major handful on the edge. Just as impressive is that Mack's run defense hasn't waned at all. He's been an elite run defender since the moment he stepped on an NFL football field — and he still is. – Kyle Crabbs
17. Montez Sweat, Chicago Bears
Highest Ranking: 11
Lowest Ranking: Unranked
Montez Sweat clearly had a down year in 2024 compared to what we saw during his first half-season with the Chicago Bears in 2023. A big reason why is due to the various injuries, including lingering shin/ankle issues, he had to deal with. Even still, Sweat lead the team with 5.5 sacks, not to mention having to go through all the coaching changes.
Heading into the 2025 season, Sweat should have a lot of pressure taken off of him thanks to all the new additions, such as Dayo Odeyingbo and Grady Jarrett, on top of having a new aggressive scheme led by new coordinator Dennis Allen. I'm happy to see everyone took all these setbacks into account that Sweat faced last season when voting because he's going to be due for a bounce back performance in a big way this upcoming season and return to proper status as a top edge rusher in this league. – Kole Noble
18. Nik Bonitto, Denver Broncos
Highest Ranking: 13
Lowest Ranking: Unranked
One of the NFL’s ascending young pass-rushers, the 25-year-old Bonitto is coming off an impressive and transformative campaign during the 2024 NFL season. After starting just five games in his two seasons prior, Bonitto appeared in 17 regular-season games with 15 starts for the Denver Broncos. He finished third in the NFL in sacks with 13.5, generating pressure against opposing quarterbacks at a devastating rate. He also recorded two defensive touchdowns, one fumble recovery returned for a 50-yard score, and another an interception for a 71-yard score. He earned Pro Bowl and Second-Team All-Pro honors as a result of his performance, and appears to be blooming into one of the league’s elite 3-4 outside linebackers. Should he be able to stack another season like that in 2025, watch out. – Charles Goldman
19. George Karlaftis, Kansas City Chiefs
Highest Ranking: 12
Lowest Ranking: Unranked
Karlaftis is one of the ascending young pass-rushers in the NFL, and he recently landed a long-term contract extension to reflect it. He often gets pigeonholed as the cleanup man for Chiefs star DT Chris Jones, but it’s a pretty reductive look at what he brings to the defense in Kansas City. He is the embodiment of Steve Spagnuolo’s 'earn the right to rush the passer' mantra, boasting a penchant for disruption in both the running game and the passing game. He has recorded 24.5 sacks, 24 tackles for loss, 15 passes batted, a forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries during the regular season in his three-year NFL career. During that span, he’s also come in second behind Jones in terms of total pressures. He’s the type to elevate his game in the postseason, often coming up with key plays in key moments in each of the Chiefs’ past three Super Bowl runs. Most recently, he had a dominant three-sack performance against the Houston Texans in the divisional round. – Charles Goldman
20. Josh Sweat, Arizona Cardinals
Highest Ranking: 12
Lowest Ranking: Unranked
The Cardinals gave Sweat a big four-year, $76.4 million contract this offseason in large part thanks to an incredible performance in Super Bowl LIX. Sweat recorded 2.5 sacks, three quarterback hits, and six total tackles as he dominated the Chiefs' offensive line in the big game. The 2024 regular season was actually a bit of a step down from some of the previous years of his career, but he was still solid with eight sacks and 41 total tackles. Still just 27 years old and now reunited with Jonathan Gannon, Sweat could get back to the form he had when Gannon was his defensive coordinator in Philadelphia. – Nick Roesch
Other players receiving votes
- Travon Walker, Jacksonville Jaguars (6)
- Abdul Carter, New York Giants (5)
- Alex Highsmith, Pittsburgh Steelers (4)
- Andrew Van Grinkel, Minnesota Vikings (4)
- Greg Rousseau, Buffalo Bills (4)
- Joey Bosa, Buffalo Bills (2)
- Chase Young, New Orleans Saints (2)
- Laiatu Latu, Indianapolis Colts (1)
- Will McDonald IV, New York Jets (1)
- Odafe Oweh, Baltimore Ravens (1)
- James Pearce, Atlatna Falcons (1)
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