Alright folks, let’s talk about how I started digging into the 2025 NFL draft, specifically focusing on those game-wrecking edge rushers. It’s a process, you know? Doesn’t happen overnight.
Getting Started – The Initial Itch
So, the current NFL season is what it is, but my mind, it always wanders to the next big thing. And the draft, man, that’s always a big thing. Edge rushers, they can change a franchise. I figured, why not start looking at who might be coming out in 2025? It’s never too early to get a jump on things, right?
First Moves – Casting a Wide Net
First thing I did, I just hopped on my computer. Opened up my browser and started with some real basic searches. Stuff like “early 2025 NFL draft edge prospects” or “top college edge rushers 2025.” You gotta start broad, see what names are already bubbling to the surface. I wasn’t looking for in-depth scouting reports yet, just who’s even on the radar.
Sifting and List-Making
A whole bunch of articles and way-too-early mocks popped up. I started clicking around, reading bits and pieces. What I was really doing was looking for names that kept appearing. You see a guy mentioned on three, four, five different sites, you think, “Okay, this fella’s probably got some buzz.”
I actually grabbed a notepad – yeah, I still use one of those – and started jotting down these recurring names. It’s old school, but it helps me keep track. My initial list had probably 15 to 20 names on it. Just a raw dump at this point.
Getting a Visual – Early Film & Highlights
Once I had that list, I wanted to at least see what these guys looked like on the field. So, I headed over to YouTube. Typed in their names plus “highlights” or “2023 season” or whatever. You’re not getting full game tape usually, but you can find highlight reels, sometimes even specific plays. I was just trying to get a first impression. Does he look quick off the ball? Can he bend around the tackle? Does he play with power?
I remember watching a few clips of guys like James Pearce Jr. from Tennessee. You could see the explosiveness right away. Then maybe someone like Nic Scourton, who was at Purdue and then transferred to Texas A&M, looked like he had some real power to his game. It’s just initial glances, nothing set in stone.
Checking the Stats & School Info
Next, I usually go to the official athletic websites for their colleges. You can find their bios, their stats from the previous season – sacks, tackles for loss, forced fumbles, that kind of stuff. It gives you some concrete numbers to go with the eye test. Sometimes they list their height and weight too, though you gotta take those with a grain of salt until the Combine.
Following the Breadcrumbs – Social Media & Analysts
I also make sure I’m keeping an eye on what some of the well-known draft analysts are saying on social media. Twitter, or X, whatever they call it now, is still a decent place for quick hits and early thoughts from guys who do this for a living. They might mention a player who wasn’t on my radar, or confirm some of my early impressions.
Forming Early, Malleable Opinions
After all that, I start to form some very, very early opinions. I might put a little star next to a name on my list, or a question mark next to another. It’s all super fluid. For example, I’d note down something like:
- James Pearce Jr. (Tennessee): Looks like a freak athlete. Speed is obvious.
- Nic Scourton (Texas A&M via Purdue): Productive, powerful. How’s the bend?
- Princely Umanmielen (Ole Miss via Florida): Good size, some flashes. Need to see more consistency.
- JT Tuimoloau (Ohio State): Been a name for a while. Can he put it all together for a dominant year?
Again, these are just rough sketches. I’m not making any grand proclamations in, like, February or March for a draft that’s over a year away.
The Long Game – What’s Next
This initial dive is really about setting the table. The real evaluation starts when the next college football season kicks off. That’s when I’ll be watching actual games, focusing on these guys against different levels of competition. How do they perform when they’re the main focus of the offensive line? Do they develop new moves? Do they stay healthy?
So, what I’ve done so far is just the groundwork. Building that initial list, getting a feel for the names to watch. It’s a marathon, not a sprint, this whole draft scouting thing. But hey, it’s fun to get started and see who the early contenders might be for that top edge rusher spot in 2025. We’ll see how it all shakes out!
