Who are the NFL's best edge rushers? Execs, coaches and scouts help rank 2025's top 10

With 2025 NFL training camps on the horizon, the league's true insiders made their voices heard.

ESPN surveyed league executives, coaches and scouts to help us rank the top 10 players at 11 different positions, from quarterback to cornerback and all positions in between. This was the sixth edition of these rankings, and as usual, several players moved up or fell off last year's lists.

A reminder of the rankings process: Voters gave us their 10 best players at a position, then we compiled the results and ranked candidates based on number of top-10 votes, composite average and dozens of interviews, with research and film study help from ESPN NFL analyst Matt Bowen. In total, more than 70 voters submitted a ballot on at least one position, and in many cases all positions. Additional voting and follow-up calls with those surveyed helped us break any ties.

Each section includes quotes and nuggets from the voters on every ranked player -- even the honorable mentions. The objective was to identify the best players for 2025. This was not a five-year projection or a career achievement award. Who are the best players today?

We will roll out one position per day over 11 days. The schedule: running backs (Monday), defensive tackles (Tuesday), edge rushers (Wednesday), safeties (Thursday), tight ends (Friday), interior offensive linemen (Saturday), offensive tackles (Sunday), quarterbacks (July 14), off-ball linebackers (July 15), wide receivers (July 16), cornerbacks (July 17).

The money has spoken clearly -- pass rusher is pushing wide receiver for the game's second-most important position behind quarterback.

Several teams carefully budgeted for this offseason, bracing for a spike in salaries for pass rushers due to several elite sack masters negotiating new contracts.

The result by early summer was a market exploding into the range of $40 million per year.

Myles Garrett and Maxx Crosby got their new contracts in the spring. So did Danielle Hunter on a one-year deal. All three broke the $35 million annual threshold.

T.J. Watt, Micah Parsons and Trey Hendrickson entered the summer with prospective new deals on the radar. Aidan Hutchinson, two years from free agency, is destined for big dollars eventually, too.

The top-tier defensive ends tilt the math on the field. Protections slide, offensive lines show double-teams, and the sacks still come.

This is one of the strongest position groups in the league, and the rankings bear that out. Even the honorable mentions have superstar potential.

1. Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns

Highest ranking: 1 | Lowest ranking: 4
Age: 29 | Last year's ranking: 1

Garrett's Hall of Fame profile continues to grow.

With another 14 sacks in 2024, Garrett is the first player since individual sack totals were first tracked in 1982 with four consecutive seasons of at least 14 sacks.

"There's a short list of guys you have to shift your fronts to, and Garrett is the first person you think of when it comes to how much of your game plan he occupies," an NFL coordinator said. "Every single second on the field you know what he's doing, or what he might do next."

Garrett's hold on the No. 1 ranking is firm; he earned at least 70% of the first-place votes in back-to-back years. Nobody is quicker off the ball. Garrett reached an average "get-off" of 0.70 seconds, per Next Gen Stats, tied for the quickest among edge rushers with at least 200 pass rushes. That resulted in 40 quick pressures (under 2.5 seconds), which ranked second in the NFL.

"He has significantly refined his overall game over the years," an NFC personnel evaluator said. "A good tackle used to be able to give him problems, but that's less and less the case now. He's more consistent with his pass rush."

2. T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh Steelers

Highest ranking: 1 | Lowest ranking: 3
Age: 28 | Last year's ranking: 2

Watt is a worthy rival to Garrett in the AFC North. His 108 career sacks rank third all time for a player's first eight seasons, behind Reggie White (124) and DeMarcus Ware (111). He's a near-lock for an All-Pro team every year. And he leads the NFL in forced fumbles (10) over the past two seasons, along with being second in sacks (30.5) and quarterback hits (63).

But he's stuck in the No. 2 spot for the second consecutive year while Garrett separates.

"He's still the gold standard for me," a veteran AFC defensive coach said. "He completely wrecks a game and he can do everything."

Watt's play lacked splash late in the season, with seven total tackles and zero sacks over his final four games including playoffs. His pass rush win rate dipped from the low-20s to 18.5%.

"I thought he wore down a little bit," an NFL coordinator said about Watt's late-season clip. "But their whole defense did. I think they just got tired, and the struggles on offense could have played a role."

3. Micah Parsons, Dallas Cowboys

Highest ranking: 1 | Lowest ranking: 6
Age: 25 | Last year's ranking: 3

The numbers say Parsons has a compelling case for No. 1.

His 126 pressures and 31.0% pass-rush win rate since 2023 lead the NFL. He has done this despite facing a 31.5% double-team rate in 2024, highest among edge rushers on this list. He generated a league-high 19.1% pressure rate last season and led the Cowboys with a 24.2% pressure share, the eighth-highest clip in the NFL. His pass rush win rate of 25.3% ranked second overall.

And, oh yeah, Parsons is the second player in NFL history to produce 12 or more sacks in each of his first four pro seasons (White is the other).

He has done all this as a hybrid off-ball linebacker who transitioned to a pure pass-rushing role. His speed and bend are obvious, but he does more than that.

"He does it with counter moves and the ability to finish," an NFC personnel evaluator said. "He rarely misses when he's within arm's reach of the quarterback. His run defense needs work, though."

Added an NFL personnel director: "Explosiveness, motor, violence, can align inside and beat [interior offensive linemen] with first-step quickness. He's such a tone-setter that everyone else feeds off his energy."

4. Maxx Crosby, Las Vegas Raiders

Highest ranking: 1 | Lowest ranking: 6
Age: 27 | Last year's ranking: 5

Crosby is making waves in the pass-rush pantheon, vaulting one spot in each of the past three years. Outdistancing Nick Bosa and stealing votes from Watt and Parsons is tough. Nearly half of Crosby's votes landed in the top three.

Crosby's relentless energy shows up every Sunday. His 324 pressures since 2019 are more than any other player -- by 40 pressures.

"Relentless motor, skilled rusher and never wants to leave the game," an NFL coordinator said. "Keeps getting better and better."

An ankle injury didn't stop Crosby from recording 100% play time in nine of his 12 games played last season. He averaged 60.4 snaps per game, most among edge defenders.

Crosby's lack of support up front only enhances his profile. While Crosby has 59.5 sacks since 2019, no other Raiders player has registered more than 10 during that span.

"For him to play at that high a level with that volume is incredible," a high-ranking AFC personnel man said.

5. Nick Bosa, San Francisco 49ers

Highest ranking: 3 | Lowest ranking: unranked
Age: 27 | Last year's ranking: 4

Bosa is an eye-test pass rusher. While his 19.5 sacks over the past two seasons represent mild production for a top-five pass rusher, Bosa's disruption is obvious.

"His leverage, explosiveness, power and polished rush arsenal are unmatched," an NFL personnel director said. "He has the same rush moves as [brother] Joey Bosa but with better play strength to win in a variety of ways."

And Bosa posted a 22.2% pass rush win rate, up nearly four points from the previous year. His 0.70 "get-off" in 2024 was the quickest in his career and tied Garrett for the best of the season.

Since 2021, Bosa has generated 121 quick pressures (under 2.5 seconds), the fifth most in the NFL during that span.

Four NFL players have at least 60 sacks and 10 fumbles since 2019 -- Watt, Garrett, Bosa and Hendrickson.

6. Trey Hendrickson, Cincinnati Bengals

Highest ranking: 3 | Lowest ranking: unranked
Age: 30 | Last year's ranking: 9

To say Hendrickson carried the Bengals' defense at times last season is not hyperbole.

His 17.5 sacks -- his second consecutive season posting that number -- comprised 49% of the team's sack production. He accounted for 32.2% of the team's total pressures, making him the only defender to have recorded a pressure share above 30%.

With four consecutive Pro Bowls and a first-team All-Pro berth, Hendrickson is undoubtedly one of the NFL's best free agency signings of the past decade. No wonder he sat out offseason workouts in search of a new contract.

"His ability to get to the quarterback by any means necessary is truly impressive," an AFC scout said. "He can beat you with technique and relentless motor."

Some voters believe Hendrickson does not possess the same high-end traits as those in the top tier. But he's so wildly productive that they can't hate on him.

"He's probably taken for granted a little bit," an NFL personnel evaluator said. "Elite player all the way."

7. Aidan Hutchinson, Detroit Lions

Highest ranking: 3 | Lowest ranking: unranked
Age: 24 | Last year's ranking: 6

Often, a serious injury can move an elite player out of a top 10. Not the case with Hutchinson, who sustained his momentum despite missing 12 games because of a broken leg.

The five games he did play were phenomenal, with Hutchinson leading the NFL in sacks, pressures and win rate. His 7.5 sacks through the first five games of a season were the most for a Lions defender since William Gay in 1982.

"He was on his way to the top three [with Garrett and Watt]," an NFC executive said.

Hutchinson's 35.0% pass rush win rate was tops by a wide margin. The next closest, Danielle Hunter, finished nearly nine points below him, though Hunter produced his number over a full season. And Hutchinson was on pace for 48 incompletions created.

Added an AFC executive: "I thought he would have been a finalist for [Defensive Player of the Year] last season if he hadn't gotten hurt. Rare motor, exceptional length, great combination of athleticism and power."

8. Will Anderson Jr., Houston Texans

Highest ranking: 6 | Lowest ranking: unranked
Age: 25 | Last year's ranking: honorable mention

Anderson is a classic pass rusher with the prototypical combination of size (6-foot-4, 243 pounds), skill, speed and power.

"He's got a complete skill set," an AFC executive said. "And he's only getting better. Only two years in the league. Will keep improving."

The Texans are satisfied with the draft-day trade two years ago that moved the team up nine spots to No. 3, pairing No. 2 pick C.J. Stroud with Anderson as cornerstones on each side of the ball.

In Year 2, Anderson finished top 10 in sacks (11, tied for 10th) and pass rush win rate (21.3%, seventh, minimum 200 rushing attempts). His ability to finish also improved, as he converted 19.0% of his total pressures (58) into sacks (11). As a rookie, his sack conversion rate was 10.9%.

"What I like about him is he doesn't have a lot of glaring weaknesses," an NFL personnel evaluator said. "He can rush, set a hard edge and play the run."

9. Danielle Hunter, Houston Texans

Highest ranking: 6 | Lowest ranking: unranked
Age: 30 | Last year's ranking: 8

Many will argue Hunter as Houston's better pass rusher over Anderson, who has advantages in upside and age. But Hunter was downright dominant in his ninth NFL season, ranking first in pass rush win rate (26.4%) among players with a minimum of 200 snaps. He also ranked first in pass-rush wins (77) and incompletions credited (36). In the latter category, no other player is within seven incompletions created.

Hunter overcame neck issues and scheme transitions late in his Minnesota tenure to produce 28.5 sacks over the last two seasons with the Vikings and Texans.

"That's why they call him 'Cyborg,'" an AFC executive said. "He's always been an incredible athlete, and he's learned to expand his pass-rush ability and can win in a variety of ways."

As a Texan, Hunter found ways to beat offensive tackles with a bull rush -- or an NBA-style euro step into a spin.

Hunter's four pass-rush interceptions created were tied for first.

"He can get a few more double-digit-sack seasons," the executive said. "He has the body type that will age well."

10. Jared Verse, Los Angeles Rams

Highest ranking: 6 | Lowest ranking: unranked
Age: 24 | Last year's ranking: not eligible (rookie)

Verse, coming off Defensive Rookie of the Year honors, defeated Brian Burns and Nik Bonitto in a tiebreaker for the 10th spot.

Verse is a tough evaluation because of his lack of production. His 4.5 sacks and 17.5% pass rush win rate are modest. He didn't appear on many ballots as a result. But this description of Verse from now-retired offensive tackle Terron Armstead is somewhat common around the league.

"I never got to see that man again"@T_Armstead72 said @JaredVerse1 made it easy for him to retire 😂 (via @SiriusXMNFL) pic.twitter.com/rJvN8vgUtw

When posing tiebreakers to league execs, the responses were swift: VERSE!

Just like you can't teach height in basketball, you can't teach Verse's power.

"He's a man," an NFC personnel executive said. "Very unique strength."

Verse was credited with 24 incompletions and three interceptions created, both quality numbers. And his 23.3% double-team rate was fourth on this list behind greats Parsons, Garrett and Crosby.

Competition at the deep NFL position is the only thing working to Verse's disadvantage.

"It's not that he's not ascending into a premier rusher, but he's not ahead of some of the others who are more productive or better run players right now," said an NFC executive who doesn't think Verse should be in the top 10.

Honorable mention

Brian Burns, New York Giants: "He's still got premier ability, someone you have to account for on every snap. If this was a skill-set conversation only, he'd be top five. He's got everything you want from that standpoint. But he just hasn't had the consistent production." -- NFL personnel evaluator

Nik Bonitto, Denver Broncos: "Young, athletic, upside, speed rusher, can impact game -- small and average against the run, but very productive overall." -- AFC executive

"He can really cover, too, which helps his profile." -- NFC executive

Jonathan Greenard, Minnesota Vikings: "Elite motor with a really good rush. One of the most productive guys the last two years." (Greenard has recorded 24.5 sacks over the past two seasons.) -- NFC executive

George Karlaftis, Kansas City Chiefs: "Quick off the ball, has very good hand usage and mixes moves very well. He's always destructive in the run game." -- NFC executive

Also receiving votes: Josh Hines-Allen (Jacksonville Jaguars), Khalil Mack (Los Angeles Chargers), Rashan Gary (Green Bay Packers), Travon Walker (Jacksonville Jaguars), Montez Sweat (Chicago Bears), Greg Rousseau (Buffalo Bills), Chop Robinson (Miami Dolphins)