Teams can never have too many good pass rushers. Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell know that better than most after the position was decimated by injury this past season.
This year's NFL Draft is pretty deep with good pass rushers. Teams looking for help in that department should be able to find early contributors well into Day 2.
Top 5 edge rushers to watch at the Combine:
1. Abdul Carter, Penn State, 6-3, 250
Whether or not Carter goes No. 1 is still yet to be determined but he certainly has a chance to be the best player in this class. He's got speed, power, bend and a good toolbox of pass-rush moves. He recorded 12.0 sacks and 24 tackles for loss this past season for the Nittany Lions.
View photos of the defensive line prospects who were invited to the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine.
Northwestern Wildcats running back Caleb Komolafe (25) runs by Maryland Terrapins defensive lineman Tommy Akingbesote (7) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, in College Park. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.)
Toledo defensive tackle Darius Alexander, bottom right, sacks Pittsburgh quarterback David Lynch (16) during the first half of the GameAbove Sports Bowl NCAA college football game, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)
Syracuse quarterback Kyle McCord (6) reaches for his fumble while tackled by Miami defensive lineman Tyler Baron (9) during the first half of an NCAA football game on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024 in Syracuse, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Brigham Young Cougars defensive lineman Tyler Batty (92) during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022 in Provo, Utah. (AP Photo/Tyler Tate)
Georgia Tech defensive lineman Zeek Biggers (88) takes down Central Florida wide receiver Xavier Townsend (3) after a catch during the first half of the Gasparilla Bowl NCAA college football game Friday, Dec. 22, 2023, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Iowa defensive lineman Yahya Black (94) rushes against Wisconsin quarterback Braedyn Locke (18) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)
Georgia defensive lineman Warren Brinson (97) sets up for a play against Florida during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Texas defensive lineman Vernon Broughton (45) reacts after sacking Ohio State quarterback Will Howard during the second half of the Cotton Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal game, Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Oregon defensive end Jordan Burch (1) tackles UCLA running back T.J. Harden during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
UCLA quarterback Ethan Garbers (4) throws under pressure from Oregon defensive lineman Jamaree Caldwell (90) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Penn State defensive end Abdul Carter (11) prepares to sack Maryland quarterback MJ Morris, left, during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Texas defensive lineman Alfred Collins (95) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Rice in Austin, Texas, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Notre Dame defensive lineman Howard Cross III (56) sacks Stanford quarterback Ashton Daniels, right, during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Michael Caterina)
Syracuse defensive lineman Fadil Diggs (10) during the first half of an NCAA football game against Ohio on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024 in Syracuse, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Oklahoma defensive lineman Ethan Downs, right, sacks Navy quarterback Blake Horvath during the first half of the Armed Forces Bowl NCAA college football game, Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Boston College defensive end Donovan Ezeiruaku (6) defends against SMU during the first half of an NCAA college football game in University Park, Texas, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Florida State defensive lineman Joshua Farmer (44) sets up for a play during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Syracuse, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Louisville defensive lineman Ashton Gillotte (9) pursues Boston College wide receiver Lewis Bond (11) during the first half of an NCAA football game on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, in Chestnut Hill, Mass. (AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper)
Michigan defensive lineman Mason Graham (55) watches during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Oregon, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)
Michigan defensive lineman Kenneth Grant (78) celebrates sacking Northwestern quarterback Jack Lausch (12) in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
National team defensive lineman Mike Green of Marshall (15) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Arkansas defender Eric Gregory against Tennessee during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020 in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Ohio State defensive tackle Ty Hamilton (58)defends against Minnesota in the third quarter of an NCAA college football game Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021, in Minneapolis. Ohio State won 45-31. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Michigan running back Donovan Edwards, right, is tackled by Oregon defensive lineman Derrick Harmon in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)
Then-Miami defensive lineman Jared Harrison-Hunte (81), who played for SMU in the 2024 season, sacks Virginia Tech quarterback Connor Blumrick (4) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. Miami won 38-26. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Boise State defensive end Ahmed Hassanein (91) during the Fiesta Bowl College Football Playoff game against Boise State, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
South Carolina defensive lineman Tonka Hemingway (91) catches a pass on a fake field goal-attempt as Vanderbilt defensive back Jaylen Mahoney, left, defends in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Duke quarterback Riley Leonard is tackled by Boston College defensemen, including Cam Horsley (96), during the second half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 4, 2022, in Boston. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell)
Georgia defensive lineman Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins (93) sets up for a play against Florida during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Mississippi defensive end Jared Ivey (15) blocks during a field goal attempt against Florida in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Samford quarterback Quincy Crittendon (2) is sacked by Florida edge George Gumbs Jr., bottom and defensive lineman Cam Jackson (99) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Arkansas defensive lineman Landon Jackson (40) gets ready to run a play against Louisiana Tech during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
LSU defensive end Sai'vion Jones (35) lines up during the second half of an NCAA football game against Florida State on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2022, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
Illinois running back Chase Hayden carries the ball as Minnesota defensive lineman Jah Joyner comes from behind to make the tackle during a NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, in Champaign, Ill. Joyner led the team in quarterback pressures despite being in a backup role. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)
South Carolina defensive tackle DeAndre Jules (99) recovers a fumble and celebrates during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Old Dominion, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Artie Walker Jr.)
South Carolina edge Kyle Kennard (5) plays against Vanderbilt during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Iowa State running back Jaylon Jackson (12) is tackled by Baylor linebacker Steve Linton during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
West Virginia's Sean Martin #91 in action against Towson during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Morgantown, W. Va. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
Notre Dame defensive lineman Rylie Mills (99) celebrates during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Stanford, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Michael Caterina)
Mississippi defensive tackle Walter Nolen (2) walks to the sideline after a play against Florida during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Missouri offensive lineman Javon Foster, right, blocks Tennessee defensive lineman Omarr Norman-Lott during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
National team defensive lineman Oluwafemi Oladejo of UCLA (99) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Clemson defensive tackle Payton Page (55) returns an interception for a touchdown in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Citadel on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Tennessee defensive lineman James Pearce Jr. (27) against Arkansas during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Virginia Tech defensive lineman Aeneas Peebles tackles Stanford quarterback Justin Lamson, right, during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Stanford, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Mississippi's JJ Pegues, right, runs past a Mississippi State defender into the end zone for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, in Oxford, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson (2) runs the ball while Maryland defensive lineman Jordan Phillips (8) defends during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in College Park, Md. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Old Dominion's Chris Adams (65) squares up to Antwaun Powell-Ryland (52)) in the second half against Virginia Tech of an NCAA college football Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in Blacksburg, Va. (AP Photo/Robert Simmons)
North Carolina defensive lineman Jahvaree Ritzie (5) and defensive lineman Tomari Fox (0) close in on Appalachian State running back Nate Noel, middle, during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Chapel Hill, N.C. (AP Photo/Reinhold Matay)
SMU defensive end Elijah Roberts (5) pressures Tulane quarterback Michael Pratt (7) during the first half of the American Athletic Conference championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Alabama linebacker Que Robinson (34) sets up against South Carolina during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Nebraska defensive lineman Ty Robinson (9) pursues Purdue quarterback Hudson Card (1) in the backfield during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in West Lafayette, Ind. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)
North Carolina defensive end Kaimon Rucker (7) rushes during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Wake Forest, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in Chapel Hill, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)
Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia (2) is run the ball past South Carolina defensive tackle T.J. Sanders (90) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Ohio State defensive end Jack Sawyer (33) rushes during the Cotton Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal game against Texas, Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)
Texas A&M's Nic Scourton (11) celebrates a defensive stop during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Auburn, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
Tennessee defensive lineman Elijah Simmons (10) celebrates after stopping a run by Oklahoma during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)
Alabama defensive lineman Tim Smith (50) sets up before a play against Georgia during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Texas edge defender Barryn Sorrell (88) rushes Georgia quarterback Carson Beck during the first half an NCAA football game, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Thomas)
Georgia defensive lineman Nazir Stackhouse (78) woorks against Ball State offensive lineman Ethan Crowe (54) in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Michigan defensive end Josaiah Stewart (5) in action during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Minnesota Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Texas A&M's Shemar Stewart (4) defends during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Auburn, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
UCLA quarterback Ethan Garbers fumbles as he is hit by LSU defensive end Bradyn Swinson (4) in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024. LSU recovered the fumble. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Utah defensive tackle Junior Tafuna (58) reacts after a forced fumble recovery during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Oregon Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Washington quarterback Demond Williams Jr. runs the ball against UCLA defensive lineman Jay Toia (93) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Seattle. Washington won 31-19. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Ohio State defensive end JT Tuimoloau celebrates after tackling Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love during first half of the College Football Playoff national championship game Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Texas A&M defensive lineman Shemar Turner (5) sacks Bowling Green quarterback Connor Bazelak (7) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Craft)
Mississippi defensive end Princely Umanmielen (1) sets up for a play against Florida during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
National team defensive lineman David Walker of Central Arkansas (33) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Kentucky defensive tackle Deone Walker (0) in action during an NCAA college football game against Florida, Saturday, Oct. 19 2024, in Gainesville, Fla. Florida defeated Kentucky 48-20. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)
Michigan running back Kalel Mullings (20) fends off Indiana defensive lineman CJ West (8) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Bloomington, Ind., Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Georgia defensive lineman Mykel Williams (13) sets up for a play against Florida during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Ohio State defensive tackle Tyleik Williams lines up during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Michigan, Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, in Ann Arbor, Mich. Michigan won 30-24. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
2. Mykel Williams, Georgia, 6-5, 265
Williams has the kind of size and athletic traits teams love to deploy on the edge. He played through injury this past season and only has 14.0 career sacks. However, he has all the physical traits teams look on the edge for and he'll impress a lot of teams with his movement skills at the Combine.
3. James Pearce Jr., Tennessee, 6-5, 243
Pearce generated one of the best pass-rush win rates over the last two college football seasons with over 50 pressures in each of the last two years. Tennessee moved him up and down their defensive front, so there's some position versatility there, and he's got one of the quickest first steps of any rusher in the class. He had 17.5 sacks and 28 tackles for loss over the last two seasons.
4. Mike Green, Marshall, 6-3, 251
The Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Year racked up 17.0 sacks and 23 tackles for loss in 2024. He's an explosive pass rusher who showed teams at the Senior Bowl he could handle the step up in competition. Some draft analysts thought he was the best player on the field in Mobile. He's got all the tools to be an immediate impact pass rusher in the NFL.
5. Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College, 6-2, 247
Go watch some of his highlights and the way he beats blockers with an array of different pass rush moves - it's really impressive. He's a little bit undersized at 6-2 but could find a starter role and be a really good player as a 3-4 outside linebacker or rush SAM linebacker in a 4-3. He notched 16.5 sacks and 21 tackles for loss this past season.
Combine sleeper to watch: Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M, 6-5, 281
Teams will love the size, traits and position versatility with Stewart being able to play on the edge or shift inside in certain rush packages. The thing that stands out to me is the fact that Stewart had just 4.5 sacks in three seasons at A&M. Why so little production with such terrific physical traits?
Lions' need at the position: High
Detroit gets Aidan Hutchinson back in 2025 after he was lost for the season Week 6 in Dallas due to a broken leg. He was leading the NFL in sacks and pass-rush win rate at the time and was having an MVP-caliber season. That's a huge addition to Kelvin Sheppard's defense.
The team also returns veteran Za’Darius Smith, who they got at the trade deadline. He was good down the stretch, and he and Hutchinson should make a formidable one-two punch on the edge.
Marcus Davenport was supposed to be a key figure crashing the pocket from the edge for the Lions this past season but was lost for the year due to injury Week 3. He's an unrestricted free agent.
Josh Paschal returns for the final season of his rookie contract. He's strong on the edge and good in the run game but has just 5.0 sacks in 36 career games.
We'll see if the team brings in veteran help along the edge in free agency, but they can certainly stand to add a young pass rusher in the draft in the first two days. Hutchinson had 7.5 sacks in four and a half games and that ended up leading the team for the season.
In this league it's always wise to have a good plan and plenty of depth on the edge at one of the most premier positions in football.
Key stat: The Lions had the fourth highest pass-rush win percentage in the NFL last season at 51.6 percent behind only Philadelphia (56.6), Cleveland (53.6) and Pittsburgh (51.9) as their 345 total pressures were second behind only Denver (392).
