BEST EDGE RUSHERS IN COVERAGE 2021 NFL Draft

2021 BEST EDGE RUSHERS IN COVERAGE

The demand for edge rushers who can efficiently merge pass-rushing prowess with coverage aptitude has risen notably in modern football. Players like Khalil Mack (Buffalo) and Anthony Barr (UCLA) have exemplified this dual-threat nature at the collegiate level, showcasing that the capability to disrupt passing plays and provide coverage adds a multifaceted defensive weapon. Their influences echo in the subsequent generations, underscoring an evolution in the defensive playmaker archetype.

Below, embark on a journey through the present landscape of college football, identifying edge rushers who not only manifest a relentless ability to pressurize quarterbacks but also surprise offensive plays with their deftness in pass coverage. Dive into metrics such as passes defended, coverage snaps per reception, and coverage grades to highlight how these adaptable defenders are augmenting their team’s defensive strategy by blending stellar pass rush with coverage prowess.

2021 Edge Rushers ranked by COVERAGE

RANK Player Pos Team TACKLING PASS RUSH RUN DEFENSE Rating
1

Azeez
Ojulari

OLB
/ED
Georgia   Mascot
Georgia Mascot
77 92 81
88.0
2

Micah
Parsons

LB
/ED
Penn State   Mascot
Penn State Mascot
99 98 100
93.0
3

Baron
Browning

LB
/ED
Ohio State   Mascot
Ohio State Mascot
72 85 77
77.0
4

Andre
Mintze

OLB
/ED
Vanderbilt   Mascot
Vanderbilt Mascot
70 82 69
62.0
5

Amandre
Williams

OLB
/ED
Montana State   Mascot
Montana State Mascot
58 70 71
59.0
6

Joseph
Ossai

OLB
/ED
Texas   Mascot
Texas Mascot
61 84 89
88.0
7

Curtis
Robinson

OLB
/ED
Stanford   Mascot
Stanford Mascot
67 71 40
62.0
8

Chris
Rumph II

OLB
/ED
Duke   Mascot
Duke Mascot
61 78 67
86.0
9

Jamar
Watson

OLB
/ED
Kentucky   Mascot
Kentucky Mascot
38 61 48
35.0
10

Willie
Baker

OLB
/ED
Louisiana Tech   Mascot
Louisiana Tech Mascot
43 52 56
53.0
11

Calvin
Bundage

OLB
/ED
Oklahoma State   Mascot
Oklahoma State Mascot
64 72 65
60.0
12

Elerson
Smith

OLB
/ED
Northern Iowa   Mascot
Northern Iowa Mascot
50 66 61
33.0
13

Jon-Michael
Terry

OLB
/ED
Tulsa   Mascot
Tulsa Mascot
54 49 48
52.0
14

Jordan
Smith

OLB
/ED
UAB   Mascot
UAB Mascot
53 76 64
59.0
15

Hamilcar
Rashed Jr.

OLB
/ED
Oregon State   Mascot
Oregon State Mascot
47 59 64
61.0
16

Charles
Snowden

OLB
/ED
Virginia   Mascot
Virginia Mascot
54 56 53
34.0
17

Riley
Cole

OLB
/ED
South Alabama   Mascot
South Alabama Mascot
56 68 57
64.0
18

Derrick
Barnes

OLB
/ED
Purdue   Mascot
Purdue Mascot
60 48 49
31.0
19

Anthony
Pandy

OLB
/ED
Arizona   Mascot
Arizona Mascot
59 59 40
60.0
20

Kwity
Paye

DE
/ED
Michigan   Mascot
Michigan Mascot
67 89 86
89.0