Only nine EDGE defenders were taken on Day 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft. Teams typically hone in on projectable traits that fit their system rather than looking for starters on the final day of the draft. However, multiple EDGE players should see the field as rookies in 2025. Let’s look at some late-round EDGE sleepers.
Sawyer fits into the Steelers’ depth chart behind T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, and Nate Herbig. Those are tough guys to beat out, but Sawyer has the toughness and mentality for Pittsburgh’s defense. He totaled 15.5 sacks and 107 tackles over his two years as a starter at Ohio State and should find a spot in Pittsburgh’s rotation.
He’ll likely have his greatest success against the run, but his motor, mentality, and fit in Pittsburgh’s scheme will make him more productive than expected.
Roberts is shorter (6’3 ⅝”), but has very good length for a defensive end (33 ⅝” arm). This rare combination likely made him fall to the fifth round, but he has the skillset to perform as one of the three down linemen in Tampa’s 3-4 scheme. Roberts took off once he arrived at SMU in 2023, totaling 17.5 sacks and 72 tackles in his two seasons as the full-time starter.
He’ll need to develop more pass rush moves, but Roberts’ toughness and awareness against the run should get him on the field early in his career.
It’s odd for a guy with Baron’s size and length (6’4 ⅝”, 33 ⅛” arm) to last until the fifth round, but the Jets potentially fell into a solid rotational piece who can contribute early next season. Baron is more of a linear athlete than a dynamic mover, but his motor helps him make up for athletic limitations. He played four years at Tennessee before transferring to Miami, where he led the team in sacks last season with 5.5.
New York has a similar type of player in Michael Clemons, who has been a rotational piece since entering the league in 2022. Baron should be able to beat out Clemons for the DE3 role, and at minimum, could create a “hair on fire” duo that can spell the starters.
Josh Sweat leaving in free agency opens the door for sixth-round pick Powell-Ryland. The Eagles love to rotate through multiple pass rushers throughout games, and the Virginia Tech product’s calling card is how he gets after the passer. It’s a tall order to ask a late-round rookie to contribute to the Super Bowl-winning defense, but after Nolan Smith and Jalyx Hunt, the Eagles’ EDGE depth chart isn’t that special.
Powell-Ryland will likely only see time on third downs, as his run defense isn’t great. He posted a whopping 16 sacks in his final year in college and 25.5 over his two years at Virginia Tech. He’ll need time to adjust to the NFL game, but that kind of production will be tough to keep off the field.
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