2020 NFL Draft: Ranking the top 10 edge rushers of the class

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6. Yetur Gross-Matos- Penn State

After coming off of on an eight sack season in 2018, I was excited to see more of what Yetur-Gross Matos could do and so far this season, he has not disappointed. While you may expect to see more sacks to his name, that cannot diminish his play on the field.

If you haven’t noticed by now, there are a few long-framed pass rushers at the top of the 2020 NFL Draft. While Gross-Matos can and will certainly continue to grow into his frame, his 6-5 stature is nothing to sneer at. On film, he uses his large size to constantly make plays around the line of scrimmage, his 20 TFLs in 2018 are evidence of that.

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Gross-Matos first step is something special too, as he often beat guys to the punch and keeps the momentum going after contact. While I would love to see him develop his some hand techniques, the moldable clay that’s there is very intriguing.

7. Kenny Willekes- Michigan State

As some of you may have probably noticed by now, the BIG 10 is loaded with pass rush talent at the top of the 2020 NFL Draft. While Young and Epenesa may getting most of the attention, people would do well to keep an eye on Kenny Willekes. He may not be the most dynamic of edge defenders, but make no mistake, Willekes can play football.

While he isn’t the most athletic player out there, his thick build at 6-4, and 260 pounds is still impressive. Despite his more tank-ish type frame, Willekes is surprisingly quick on his feet, as his initial get off is some of the best in the class. As a former walk-on, his “chip-on-the-shoulder” mentality fuels his non-stop motor. And Like with Gross-Matos, I would like to see Williekes employ more pass rush moves into his game rather than win with straight power and motor.

8. K’Lavon Chaisson- LSU

Admittedly, I am not quite as high on K’Lavon Chaisson as everyone else is. For me, a player with any form of an injury history is always going to make them a tad lower in my rankings. In Chaisson’s case, a season-ending knee injury is something I take very seriously. That being said, I cannot deny that he is extremely talented.

While there isn’t much game film to go on, what’s there plus the few LSU games I have watched have impressed me. Chaisson is as quick as lightning off of the edge, dipping his shoulders around opposing tackles to get to the quarterback. From what I’ve seen, he constantly flies to the football, which lining up at different spots along the line will help with that.

As I’ve watched him, the natural tools I see from him reminds me of when Danielle Hunter came out of LSU. Hunter, like Chaisson, had minimal sack production at LSU then blossomed in the NFL once his traits were coached up. If Chaisson lands with the right team, he could be pretty special.

9. Bradlee Anae- Utah

Watching Utah film last year, I noticed Bradlee Anae quite a bit as well as his stat line (7.5 sacks). Initially, I considered him a stiff pass rusher who would probably be best served in a 4-3 scheme as I personally saw little to no versatility in his game. Fortunately, the prospect from Utah has proven me wrong so far.

While he may not be the top prospect for the 2020 NFL Draft class, Anae still offers quite a bit as a player. This year, he’s displayed greater ability to flatten his hips against his opponents which is really great to see. Similarly to Willekes, Anae is a high motor player with great get-off who plays through the whistle. Additionally, he’s displayed the ability to stand up and play more a 3-4 SAM/WILL type of role, something that could definitely improve his stock.

10. Terrell Lewis- Alabama

Like Chaisson, Terrell Lewis has been hampered by injuries the past few seasons, so I haven’t had a chance to see what he can do on the field. His inexperience and medical history gave me pause coming into the season, as I questioned how he would perform in a starting role. With four sacks so far on the season, Lewis has played pretty well.

Of the limited amount of film on Lewis that I have at my disposal, my initial viewings have shown promise. I noticed he has a fairly quick and explosive first step, which is great news given his knee injury history. There are a few plays where Lewis displayed the ability to flatten his hips and really dip his shoulder underneath the tackle. Additionally, there a few reps where I’ve seen him really utilize cross chops and swims to beat his opponents.

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Lewis’s potential is very high right now, as his 6-foot-5, 250-pound frame makes him one of the most intriguing prospects in the 2020 NFL Draft.

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