2021 NFL Draft – Defensive End Rankings

Complete NFL Draft Rankings – DE:

You are currently viewing the best defensive ends in the 2021 NFL Draft. Our top DE prospects are selected after thousands of hours carefully scouting the most talented edge rushers in college football. Even though only about 20 will get selected in the draft, dozens more are signed as free agents, and many more receive a training camp invite. Find who is a first round talent, and who is likely nothing more than a training camp body. Find draft stars, DE sleepers, who will be a bust, and who is being undervalued.

BNB Football is the best place for in-depth analysis of 2021 NFL draft defensive end prospects at all levels of college football. To view other positions, follow the links below.

(Last Updated: April 28, 2021)

2021:  | QB | WR | RB | FB | TE | OT | G | C | DT | DE | OLB | ILB | S | CB | K | P | LS | OVERALL |

To me, Rousseau is the clear cut top edge rusher in the class. He’s definitely a raw talent, having sat out 2020 after playing just one season. But that one season made him one of the most productive freshman defenders in college football history. His 15.5 sacks trailed only Chase Young at the FBS level. At 6’7" 255 pounds, Rousseau has next-level versatility for an edge rusher, having lined up on the edge, at linebacker, and even inside at the 3 technique. His athleticism is outstanding, and he gives consistent effort in the run game. He’s also very raw, having played safety and wide receiver for most of his high school career. There are potential injury concerns and limited experience which keep him outside the top 10, but his frame, athleticism, and power give him All Pro potential.

2019 Stats

13 games: 54 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, 15.5 sacks

Did not play in 2020.

Jaelen Phillips was a 5 star recruit out of high school who had a lackluster 3 years at UCLA. After transferring to Miami, he exploded as a junior with 15.5 tackles for loss and 8 sacks. Phillips passes the eye test, with a 6’5" 265 pound frame and a fast first step. He showed advanced technique with his hand placement and is able to bend around the edge effortlessly. He sets the edge well against the run, and cares about more than just getting his sacks. He’s also very smart getting his hands up and swatting down passes. The question for Phillips is experience and injuries, as he only had 1 good season and missed all of 2019 plus most of 2018.

2020 Stats

10 games: 45 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, 8.0 sacks

Kwity Paye has elite athleticism and great power at 6’4" 270 pounds, and is capable of lining up just about anywhere. His athletic profile and the ease at which he transitions speed to power looks a lot like another top Michigan prospect, Rashan Gary. Paye is an expert as a bull rusher and very strong against the run, and already has a grown man’s body. Despite his advanced athleticism and power, he hasn’t been super productive in his career. Even in his limited 2020 season, when he looked a lot better, most of his production was against a Minnesota offensive line which only had 1 starter in their normal spot. The potential and eye test is obvious, but the play on the field isn’t quite there yet.

2020 Stats

4 games: 16 tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks

Jayson Oweh is one of the best athletes you’ll ever find. Everyone knew this entering his pro day, but he shattered the already-high expectations people had for him, running a sub-4.4 at over 250 pounds. While pro day numbers are always faster than combine numbers, it’s safe to say that Oweh is a generational athlete. The difficult part is that he’s insanely raw and hasn’t produced much in his career. What good is 4.4 speed if you can’t get to the QB? The frame and speed are a coach’s dream, but he didn’t record a single sack in 2020. This is a high risk, high reward player.

2020 Stats

7 games: 38 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 0.0 sacks

Joe Tryon is an athletic edge rusher who played as a true linebacker at Washington. At 6’5" 260 pounds, he’s big enough to be a 4-3 defensive end, but will fit best as a 3-4 outside linebacker. Tryon is a natural athlete who can read the offense well and has a super fast first step. He isn’t quite as good of a tackler as you’d expect from a 250+ pound edge rusher, but continues to refine his tackling form and disrupts a lot of plays. As such a raw talent, it was disappointing to not see him play in 2020 after a solid 2019 sophomore season. With his size and athletic profile, he could became a dangerous hybrid pass rusher in the right hands.

2019 Stats

13 games: 41 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 8.0 sacks

Did not play in 2020.

Complete 2021 DE draft rankings

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2021: | QB | WR | RB | FB | TE | OT | G | C | DT | DE | OLB | ILB | S | CB | K | P | LS | OVERALL |

I usually fall in love with the athletic prowess of defensive ends, and view it as one of the stronger position groups. Many NFL teams tend to feel the same way. This year, I can’t say I feel that love. This class is extremely weak for edge rushers, with no sure fire prospect and no top 10 talent. A few players have the potential to turn into Pro Bowl players including Rousseau, Paye, Phillips, Tryon, and Oweh, but there isn’t a single prospect without at least one significant red flag. Compare this to standard years where two defensive ends get top 10 looks, and you have a bad class. The depth isn’t horrible, but it certainly isn’t anything special. There’s plenty of athleticism in the group, but a lot of raw players who will need to get into the right system to jumpstart their development.