The 2025 NFL Draft promises to be an exciting opportunity for teams aiming to strengthen their edge rush and defensive line units, as this deep class offers a plethora of choices for teams looking to disrupt opposing offenses. In the latest episode of Football 301, hosts Nate Tice and Charles McDonald delved into some lesser-known prospects who they believe have the potential to shine.
Princely Umanmielen, Ole Miss
McDonald ranks Ole Miss’ Princely Umanmielen at 39th on his big board, a deviation from most experts who place him in the late Round 2 to early Round 3 range. Standing at 6 feet 4 inches and weighing 244 pounds, Umanmielen impresses with his ability to translate practice performance into game-day success. Despite not being a top-tier athlete, his football IQ and productivity set him apart.
“I believe he has a solid understanding of the game,” remarked McDonald. “While he may not be a top pass rusher, his game awareness is invaluable.” McDonald views Umanmielen as a Day 2 prospect in a league always hungry for defensive linemen.
Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College
Shifting focus to Donovan Ezeiruaku from Boston College, a 6-foot-2 1/2, 248-pound edge rusher ranked 43rd on Tice’s big board. Ezeiruaku may not have imposing physical attributes, but his long arms (measuring 34 inches) and technical skills make him a standout performer on the field.
Ezeiruaku draws comparisons to B.C. Eagle Harold Landry, a Pro Bowl player drafted in the second round in 2018. “I see some potential in his pass rush abilities,” Tice observed. “While he may not fit every team’s style, he could be a valuable asset in the early second round.”
Bradyn Swinson, LSU
Tice also highlights LSU’s Bradyn Swinson, a 6-foot-4, 255-pound edge rusher who could potentially crack Tice’s top 50 on his final big board, thanks to his agility and flexibility on the field.
“He’s a hard worker who excels against tight ends, a reliable pass rusher, and stout against the run,” noted Tice.
Other Rising Pass Rush Prospects
While neither McDonald nor Tice are overly enthusiastic about Oregon’s Jordan Burch or Texas A&M’s Nic Scourton, they acknowledge them as notable players in the second tier of pass rush prospects who have captured their attention during the draft evaluation process.
Scourton, in particular, was once considered a top-10 prospect but saw his stock decline due to a lack of production at Texas A&M. He notably refrained from using his signature spin move last season that initially garnered him attention.
