Sports
NFL Draft 2025: Top Defensive Ends & Ideal Landing Spots
Feb 27, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Penn State defensive lineman Abdul Carter (DL44) during the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images It feels like every year a new class of edge rushers enters the NFL draft with the potential to outmatch the last.
Last year’s class brought talents like Jared Verse and Chop Robinson, but the 2025 group exceeds its predecessors in top-end talent and depth.
For teams in search of starting defensive ends or outside rush help, the top five edge rushers in the 2025 NFL Draft are primed to make an impact.
Abdul Carter, Penn State
No hot takes here. Sometimes the consensus is right for a reason, and Carter brings a combination of quick-twitch explosion and powerful upper- and lower-body strength that cannot be matched by the other members of the class.
His refined pass-rush ability from the outside linebacker position has drawn comparisons to fellow Penn State product Micah Parsons.
Ideal NFL fit: A Browns pairing of Myles Garrett and Carter could elevate Cleveland’s defense to the next level. Garrett’s true power and Carter’s explosiveness could overwhelm AFC North offensive lines if the Browns play their cards right.
James Pearce Jr., Tennessee
Tennessee defensive lineman James Pearce Jr. (27) sacks UTEP quarterback JP Pickles (19) during a college football game between Tennessee and UTEP at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024. PHOTO USA TODAY SPORTS IMAGES As far as athletes go, no one in this class matches Pearce’s pure speed. Headlining a Tennessee defensive line filled with NFL talent, Pearce’s standout numbers at the combine confirmed the athleticism that was ever-present in his college tape.
His weight is a bit of a concern, coming in at the low 240s, but a scheme that relies on speed rushers will allow him to feast in the backfield.
Ideal NFL fit: This is the type of impact edge the Bengals are coveting. In theory, he would be the perfect pairing with Trey Hendrickson, but Hendrickson’s future is uncertain. Pearce has the potential to be Cincinnati’s next marquee defender.
Nic Scourton, Texas A&M
Nov 25, 2023; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Purdue Boilermakers linebacker Nic Scourton (5) reacts after bringing down Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Brendan Sorsby (15) during the second half at Ross-Ade Stadium. credits: Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports Scourton’s raw power should sell teams on him, with some of the most forceful upper- and lower-body strength of any edge rusher in the draft. Many of the top prospects this year are primarily speed rushers, but for pure strength and vicious play, look no further than Scourton.
His pocket-pushing ability also translates to quality run-stopping, where he holds his own in the gap and can even play some three-technique defensive tackle in a pinch.
Ideal NFL fit: Scourton feels like a natural fit with the Lions, a team that values bulky, well-rounded defensive linemen. Head coach Dan Campbell will be hunting for power in this year’s class to pair with Aidan Hutchinson, and Scourton could be the guy.
Jalon Walker, Georgia
Some teams view Walker as a linebacker, but his pass-rush prowess and ability to set the edge will likely determine his draft position. Defensive end or 3-4 outside linebacker seems to be his likely future.
His array of pass-rush moves and relentless pursuit of the quarterback will earn him fans among defensive coordinators across the league. However, his scheme-specific nature may force him off some teams’ boards.
Ideal NFL fit: Walker could excel with the Seahawks in a role similar to the one Uchenna Nwosu currently plays. Seattle has some young depth at the position, but Walker is a tier above and could provide immediate improvement to the hybrid linebacker corps.
Mykel Williams, Georgia
Aug 31, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman Mykel Williams (13) tackles Clemson Tigers quarterback Cade Klubnik (2) during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images Williams is the type of edge rusher you would build in a lab, with an impressive frame, weight, and muscle. He also boasts an SEC pedigree that has been battle-tested against NFL-caliber talent.
There is some injury history to consider, which has limited his ability to refine his technique as an edge rusher. However, as a developmental prospect, it doesn’t get much better than Williams.
Ideal NFL fit: The Cowboys could target Williams if they want to improve on defense. He fits Jerry Jones’ mold of prototype bodies with solid athleticism and could develop alongside Parsons into a consistent high single-digit sack player.
Sports
Report: Giants planning to release LB Bobby Okereke
Nov 9, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; New York Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke (58) leaves the field after losing to the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images The New York Giants are planning to cut inside linebacker Bobby Okereke in a cost-saving move, The Athletic reported Saturday.
Releasing the seven-year NFL veteran, who turns 30 in July, will save the Giants $9 million against the 2026 salary cap.
Okereke has led New York in tackles in two of his three seasons with the team, including 143 stops in 2025 and 149 in 2023.
Okereke added one sack, two interceptions and one fumble recovery in 17 games (all starts) for the Giants in 2025.
He has recorded 805 tackles, 7.5 sacks, seven interceptions and 11 forced fumbles in 110 career games (95 starts) with the Colts (2019-22) and Giants. Indianapolis drafted him in the third round in 2019.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Tyler Reddick starts bid for 3rd straight NASCAR Cup win with pole run
Feb 22, 2026; Hampton, Georgia, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Tyler Reddick rounds the track at EchoPark Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Mady Mertens-Imagn Images AUSTIN, Texas — One of the few things that wasn’t startling about Saturday’s NASCAR Cup Series qualifying session at Circuit of the Americas was Tyler Reddick’s run for the pole position.
Negotiating the 2.4-mile road course in 97.760 seconds (88.380 mph) in the second qualifying group, Reddick claimed his third Busch Light Pole Award in six attempts at the track. He will lead the field to green in Sunday’s DuraMAX Grand Prix Powered by Reladyne (3:30 p.m. ET on FOX, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).
Of course, there’s more at stake for Reddick than simply a victory at COTA. In winning at EchoPark Speedway near Atlanta last Sunday, the driver of the No. 45 Toyota became the sixth Cup competitor to start a season with two consecutive wins. No driver has ever won three straight to open a season.
The 23XI Racing driver acknowledged that the pole position, the 12th of his career, is a positive first step toward that goal.
“It helps the chances, certainly,” said Reddick, whose series-best average finish of 4.6 at COTA includes a victory in 2023. “I think starting up front is huge.”
Michael McDowell led the first qualifying group of 19 drivers with a lap at 88.031 mph but fell to sixth soon after the second group took to the track. Ultimately, Ross Chastain posted the second-fastest lap at 88.256 mph (97.897 seconds) and will start on the front row beside Reddick.
The shocker was not that Chastain, the 2022 COTA winner, fashioned an excellent lap. What was surprising was that his two Trackhouse Racing teammates, Shane van Gisbergen and Connor Zilisch — both vaunted road course racers — failed to crack the top 10 in qualifying.
Van Gisbergen was 13th fastest on his third lap. Zilisch could do no better than 25th. Van Gisbergen is seeking his sixth straight road course victory in the Cup Series, a mark that would tie NASCAR Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon for most consecutive road course wins.
Chase Briscoe (88.242 mph) will start third, followed by Ryan Blaney (88.179 mph) and Chase Elliott (88.161 mph). Elliott leads active drivers with seven road course victories.
Behind McDowell in sixth, AJ Allmendinger qualified seventh, followed by defending race winner Christopher Bell, Ty Gibbs and William Byron.
“We’ll see how it gets going,” Reddick said. “Certainly, Ross, Shane, Ryan Blaney-there’s a number of good drivers who were really strong in practice today. We’ll try to understand what that all looks like and make our best decisions on the car and everything.”
–Field Level Media
Sports
Warriors F Gui Santos signs multi-year extension
Feb 25, 2026; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Gui Santos (15) passes the ball as Memphis Grizzlies guard Javon Small (10) defends during the third quarter at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images Golden State Warriors forward Gui Santos signed a multi-year contract extension on Saturday.
Specific terms were not disclosed by the Warriors. However, ESPN reported it was a three-year, $15 million contract extension with a player option in 2028-29. Santos was in line to become a restricted free agent prior to this extension.
Santos, 23, is posting career-best averages in points (6.6), rebounds (3.2) and assists (1.7) in 48 games (13 starts) this season.
He is contributing 4.9 points, 3.0 boards and 1.4 assists in 127 career games (15 starts) since being selected by the Warriors in the second round of the 2022 NBA Draft.
–Field Level Media
Report: Giants planning to release LB Bobby Okereke
Tyler Reddick starts bid for 3rd straight NASCAR Cup win with pole run
