What Does Edge Mean In the NFL Draft?

Every year during the NFL Draft, there is always discussion about which team “reached” for a player. We take a look at what “edge” means in the NFL Draft.

What is Edge?

Edge is a term used in the NFL Draft to describe a player who is considered to be a pass rusher. This can be either an Outside Linebacker or a Defensive End. Edge players are usually taller and heavier than other Defensive positions and are responsible for putting pressure on the Quarterback.

What is the difference between an edge rusher and a defensive end?

An edge rusher is a defensive lineman who specializes in rushing the quarterback, usually from the edge of the defensive line. Edge rushers are typically taller and leaner than defensive ends, who are heavier and play a more traditional role in stopping the run.

Edge rushers typically line up outside of the offensive tackle, on the “edge” of the formation. They use their speed and agility to get around the offensive tackle and pressure the quarterback. Some edge rushers also have the ability to drop back into coverage, making them even more versatile.

The term “edge rusher” is relatively new; it became popular in NFL scouting circles in the early 2010s as teams began to place a greater emphasis on sack production.

What are the responsibilities of an edge rusher?

An edge rusher is a player who rushes the passer from the edge of the defensive line, usually from a standing position. In a 4-3 defense, the edge rusher is the defensive end. In a 3-4 defense, the edge rusher is the outside linebacker. Edge rushers typically have good speed and agility, and they use these skills to get around offensive tackles or tight ends and pressure the quarterback.

Edge rushers are often used in combination with other players on defense, such as interior linemen or blitzing linebackers, to create a pass rush. Edge rushers may also drop back into coverage on some plays.

The Importance of Edge

Edge is one of the most important positions in the NFL draft. Edge players are responsible for getting to the quarterback and making plays in the backfield. They are often the difference between a win and a loss.

How important is an edge rusher in the NFL?

In the NFL, an edge rusher is a term used to describe a defensive player who line up on the edge of the line of scrimmage. These players typically have their hand on the ground, in a three-point stance, and are responsible for getting to the quarterback as quickly as possible.

Edge rushers are some of the most important players in the NFL. They are responsible for putting pressure on the quarterback and forcing them to make quick decisions. This can lead to sack, which can often be game-changing plays.

There are many different types of edge rushers, including 4-3 defensive ends, 3-4 outside linebackers, and even some linebackers who line up on the edge in certain situations. Some edge rushers are better at getting to the quarterback, while others excel at stopping the run.

The best edge rushers in the NFL are usually able to do both. These players are rare and typically only found on the top teams in the league. Edge rushers who can get to the quarterback and stop the run are worth their weight in gold in today’s NFL.

What are some of the benefits of having an edge rusher on a team?

An edge rusher is a type of linebacker or defensive end in gridiron football who specializes in rushing the passer, i.e. tackling the quarterback. Edge rushers are usually among the team’s best defenders and are often responsible for creating havoc in the backfield and getting sacks.

Some benefits of having an edge rusher on a team are that they can put pressure on the quarterback which can lead to sacks, interceptions, and forced fumbles. Edge rushers can also take away the quarterback’s vision by shading him from seeing his intended receiver. This is important because it allows other defenders on the team to make plays.

Another benefit of having an edge rusher is that they can force the quarterback to make quick decisions and throws. This can lead to incompletions, which stall drives and lead to punts. In some cases, quarterbacks have been known to make bad decisions under pressure from an edge rusher, resulting in turnovers.

Overall, having an edge rusher on a team provides many benefits and can be a key part of a successful defense.

The Different Types of Edge Rushers

In the NFL draft, there are many different types of edge rushers. Some are big and strong, others are fast and agile. Some have a great first step, while others have a great burst. Each type of edge rusher has different strengths and weaknesses. Let’s take a look at the different types of edge rushers and see which one would be the best fit for your team.

What are the different types of edge rushers?

In the NFL, there are generally two types of edge rushers: 4-3 defensive ends and 3-4 outside linebackers. 4-3 defensive ends are usually the bigger and more athletic of the two types. They line up on either side of the defensive line, just outside the shoulder of the offensive tackle, and their primary responsibility is to rush the quarterback.

3-4 outside linebackers are usually a bit smaller and quicker than 4-3 defensive ends. They play a hybrid role, lining up either on the line of scrimmage or off it, depending on the play. On passing downs, they will often line up off the line in order to drop into coverage. Edge rushers in a 3-4 scheme are often asked to do a lot more than just rush the quarterback; they may also be asked to stop the run or drop into coverage.

Both types of edge rushers are important in today’s NFL; however, 4-3 defensive ends are generally more highly coveted because they are less likely to be asked to do things that don’t come naturally to them (such as dropping into coverage). As such, they are often able to focus solely on rushing the quarterback, which is what teams want them to do.

What are the strengths and weaknesses of each type of edge rusher?

There are four main types of edge rushers in the NFL: power, agile, length, and speed.

Power rushers use their brute strength to bullrush linemen and overpower them. They’re typically shorter and heavier than other types of edge rushers.

agile rushers use their quickness and agility to maneuver around blockers. They’re typically lighter and shorter than power rushers.

Length rushers use their long arms to keep blockers away from their bodies. They’re usually taller than other types of edge rushers.

Speed rushers use their speed and quickness to run around or past blockers. They’re typically the tallest and longest of the four types of edge rushers.

How to Evaluate Edge Rushers

The term “edge” is often used to describe the difference between two players. In the NFL draft, the term “edge” usually refers to a pass rusher who can line up on either the outside of the defensive line or the inside of the line.

What are some of the things that scouts look for when evaluating edge rushers?

When looking at edge rushers, scouts will often times look at a variety of different factors in order to determine how successful they may be at the next level. Some of these factors include:

-Size and Strength: Edge rushers need to have a good size and strength in order to be successful. They need to be able to hold their own against NFL offensive linemen who are often much bigger than them.
-Speed and Quickness: Edge rushers need to be fast and quick off the edge in order to get around offensive linemen and pressure the quarterback.
-Agility: Edge rushers need to have good agility in order to change directions quickly and make plays in the backfield.
-Tackling Ability: Edge rushers need to be able to tackle well in order to make stops in the run game and complete sacks in the passing game.

What are some of the things that coaches look for when evaluating edge rushers?

There are a number of things that coaches look for when evaluating edge rushers, including:
-Size and athleticism: Edge rushers need to have the size and athleticism to be able to rush the passer effectively and also defend the run. They should be able to change directions quickly and have good hand-eye coordination.
-Explosiveness: Edge rushers need to be explosive off the snap in order to beat the offensive lineman to the point of attack. They should also be able to generate power to bullrush their way through blockers.
-Technique: Edge rushers need to have good technique in order to be effective. This includes things like hand placement, footwork, and body position. Coaches will often teach their players specific techniques that they want them to use when rushing the passer.
-Strength: Edge rushers need to be strong enough to shed blockers and get to the quarterback. They should also have good upper body strength in order to defend against the run.
-Instincts: Edge rushers need to have good instincts in order to anticipate where the play is going and make plays.

Edge Rushers in the NFL Draft

Edge rushers are some of the most important players in the NFL. They are the ones who create havoc in the backfield and disrupt the timing of the offense. A good edge rusher can single-handedly change a game. In the NFL draft, edge rushers are some of the most sought-after players.

Who are some of the top edge rushers in the NFL Draft?

An edge rusher is a linebacker or defensive end who specializes in getting to the quarterback. These players usually have a combination of speed, strength, and agility that allows them to beat offensive linemen to the spot and get to the quarterback before he has a chance to throw the ball.

Some of the top edge rushers in the NFL draft are:
-Shane Ray (Missouri)
-Randy Gregory (Nebraska)
-Dante Fowler Jr. (Florida)
-Bud Dupree (Kentucky)

Who are some of the sleepers in the NFL Draft?

There are a lot of talented edge rushers in the NFL Draft this year. Here are some of the sleepers that you should keep an eye on:

Shaquem Griffin, UCF – An exceptional athlete with a great deal of upside, Griffin is someone that could surprise a lot of people on draft day.

Josh Sweat, Florida State – Sweat is an explosive edge rusher with a high ceiling. He could be a real steal if he falls to the later rounds.

Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, Oklahoma – Okoronkwo is a productive pass rusher with a nice blend of size and speed. He could be a good value pick in the middle rounds.

Who are some of the busts in the NFL Draft?

After years of being one of the most neglected positions in the NFL, the pass rusher has finally been getting the credit he deserves in recent years. More and more teams are realizing that you need a good pass rush to be successful in today’s game, and as a result, edge rushers are now some of the most highly sought-after prospects in the NFL Draft.

But with all the new attention on edge rushers, there have been some busts. Here are some of the biggest busts in recent NFL Draft history.

-Mark “Bazooka” Gastineau: A generational talent, Gastineau was drafted by the Jets with the 10th overall pick in 1979. He was an immediate success, recording 22 sacks as a rookie and becoming one of the most feared pass rushers in the league. But his career was cut short by injuries, and he was out of football by 1988.

-Aundray Bruce: The Falcons made Bruce the first overall pick in 1988, ahead of future Hall of Famers like Jerry Rice and Deion Sanders. But Bruce was a huge disappointment, never recording more than 4 sacks in a season and being out of football by 1996.

-Tony Mandarich: The Packers made Mandarich the second overall pick in 1989, ahead of future Hall of Famers like Barry Sanders and Derrick Thomas. Mandarich was billed as “The Incredible Bulk” because of his massive size (6’6”, 320 pounds), but he turned out to be a bust, gaining weight and struggling with injuries throughout his career. He was out of football by 1995.

-Darrell Russell: The Raiders made Russell the second overall pick in 1997, ahead of future Hall of Famers like Randy Moss and Orlando Pace. Russell had some success early on, but he struggled with drugs and legal troubles throughout his career and was out of football by 2003.