The 2018 NFL Draft has one premier edge rusher with the rest of the group plagued by question marks.
There’s no doubt that NC State’s Bradley Chubb will be a top-10 pick. He’s one of the top prospects in this draft and by far the best overall pass rusher. Once he is off the board things will get very interesting.
The fact is that this just isn’t a great year for pass rushers. There are some raw high-upside prospects, but an overall lack of proven commodities.
Below is my final 2018 NFL Draft Edge Rusher rankings:
1. Bradley Chubb, NC State
Big Board Rank: No. 2
Chubb is an elite player and should make a quick impact in the NFL. He’s not only a talented pass rusher but also someone who will hold up against the run. His non-stop motor is something that immediately jumps off the screen.
2. Sam Hubbard, Ohio State
Big Board Rank: No. 23
Hubbard flew under the radar while at Ohio State, but he is ready to show his worth in the NFL. He has a quick first step and has a feel for generating pressure.
3. Uchenna Nwosu, USC
Big Board Rank: No. 28
Nwosu is an extremely versatile defender capable of filling multiple roles. He is already a strong run defender, sound in pass coverage and quickly developing as a pass rusher.
4. Marcus Davenport, UTSA
Big Board Rank: No. 29
Davenport is still very raw, but there aren’t many prospects with his combination of size and athleticism. He might be a boom-or-bust prospect but someone is going to take a risk.
5. Harold Landry, Boston College
Big Board Rank: No. 40
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Landry heads into the 2018 NFL Draft on a down note, but there’s plenty of past production to feel good about his chances to succeed.
6. Hercules Mata’fa, Washington State
Big Board Rank: No. 41
7. Lorenzo Carter, Georgia
Big Board Rank: No. 42
8. Arden Key, LSU
Big Board Rank: No. 58
9. Duke Ejiofor, Wake Forest
Big Board Rank: No. 61
10. Tyquan Lewis, Ohio State
Big Board Rank: No. 72
11. Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, Oklahoma
Big Board Rank: No. 73
12. Josh Sweat, Florida State
Big Board Rank: No. 83
13. Chad Thomas, Miami
Big Board Rank: No. 92
14. Jeff Holland, Auburn
Big Board Rank: No. 93
15. Marquis Haynes, Ole Miss
Big Board Rank: No. 108
16. Marcell Frazier, Missouri
Big Board Rank: No. 112
17. Dorance Armstrong Jr., Kansas
Big Board Rank: No. 113
18. Jalyn Holmes, Ohio State
Big Board Rank: No. 117
19. Breeland Speaks, Ole Miss
Big Board Rank: No. 127
20. Kentavius Street, NC State
Big Board Rank: No. 167
21. Justin Lawler, SMU
Big Board Rank: No. 185