Alabama Crimson Tide

2017 NFL draft rankings: Edge rushers

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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A premium has been placed on edge rushers for decades, but rarely have they been as coveted as they are now, and this draft class has a stockpile of standouts. We’ve combined defensive ends and pass-rushing outside linebackers into one group here, because the difference between 4–3 and 3–4 edge defenders is as narrow as ever.

Rank	Player	School	Measurables
1	Myles Garrett	Texas A&M	6' 5", 262 lbs.
2	Derek Barnett	Tennessee	6' 3", 265 lbs.
3	Tim Williams	Alabama	6' 4", 252 lbs..
4	Takarrist McKinley	UCLA	6' 4", 230 lbs.
5	Taco Charlton	Michigan	6' 6", 272 lbs.
6	DeMarcus Walker	Florida State	6' 4", 280 lbs.
7	Charles Harris	Missouri	6' 3", 235 lbs.
8	Carl Lawson	Auburn	6' 2", 253 lbs.
9	Ryan Anderson	Alabama	6' 2", 253 lbs.
10	Harold Landry	Boston College	6' 3", 250 lbs.

Frankly, I ran out of room—the list of edge defenders with Round 3-and-up potential could go another five to 10 guys deep: Marquis Haynes, Ejuan Price, Dawuane Smoot, Devonte Fields, Tanoh Kpassagnon ... just keeps going. Among those who are here, Garrett, Barnett and Williams all have the look of top-15 picks. (And there are some who’d argue Williams’s teammate, Anderson, is an even better pro prospect than Williams is.) McKinley is a hyper-active defender who benefited when UCLA shifted from a 3–4 to a 4–3. Harris might have the best spin move in college football. Anyone who follows me on Twitter knows I’m a huge Landry fan. He’s a stout run defender and a developing pass rusher who has stood out on a mediocre team.

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