> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.emeraldcityspectrum.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Combine Confidential: Deep EDGE Class Presents Opportunity For Seahawks to Bolster Pass Rush - URL: https://www.emeraldcityspectrum.com/combine-confidential-deep-edge-class-seahawks-bolster-pass-rush/ - Published: 2025-02-27T19:10:49.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-08T05:48:39.000Z - Author: Corbin Smith - Tags: Seahawks, Donovan Ezeiruaku, David Walker, Mike Green, 2025 NFL Draft, James Pearce Jr., Mykel Williams, Shamar Stewart, Ahmed Hassanein, Sai'vion Jones \[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1080"\] ![ Boston College rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku runs upfield after the snap during a regular season game against Boston College. Credit: Donovan Ezeiruaku/Instagram ](https://storage.ghost.io/c/1d/f2/1df2f77b-83dd-4bc0-a6d2-6d1bb5df89a3/content/images/2026/10/468416795_546154668404100_6113884681414931389_n-format-original.jpg) Boston College rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku runs upfield after the snap during a regular season game against Boston College. Credit: Donovan Ezeiruaku/Instagram \[/caption\] INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - With four talented veterans in Uchenna Nwosu, Boye Mafe, Derick Hall, and Dre’Mont Jones all under contract through at least 2025, the Seattle Seahawks have a stable of edge rushers that stacks up favorably against the rest of the NFC West and still carries untapped upside. But as coach Mike Macdonald reiterated off podium on Wednesday at the NFL combine when asked if he felt good about his edge rush unit, there’s no such thing as having too many quality rushers to chase down quarterbacks, and a deep draft class at the outside linebacker/defensive end position creates a prime opportunity for the Seahawks to add another dynamic player to the group, potentially as early as the first round with the 18th overall pick. "I do (feel good about it),” Macdonald responded. “But when you stop adding guys that affect the quarterback, you never turn that down, that opportunity. I'm sure the Eagles right now, probably the best pass-rushing crew in the league, and they're thinking the same thing… Yeah, we love our guys, but there's somebody that's sitting there staring you in the face, like, why would you not add to that crew?" With edge defenders set to test at Lucas Oil Stadium on Thursday, here’s a look at 12 prospects from a loaded class who could be on the radar for the Seahawks in April’s draft who have a chance to solidify their draft standing in Indianapolis: ### First Round **Mykel Williams, Georgia** A cornerstone for the Bulldogs defense over the past three seasons, Williams has never posted gaudy numbers statistically, including producing five or fewer sacks each season and failing to hit double digit tackles for loss once. However, he has outstanding size at 6-5, 265 pounds with long arms that he uses effectively to discard blockers with power and counter moves at the point of attack, making him a real nuisance setting the edge against the run and collapsing the pocket as a bull rusher. After playing through an injury last season, a strong combine performance could push him into the top 10 conversation with teams viewing him as a high ceiling prospect with immense untapped potential. **Mike Green, Marshall** Teams will undoubtedly have character questions about Green, who was dismissed from Virginia’s program after one season due to off-field issues. But in terms of talent, few players can match his complete all-around game, as he led the country with 17 sacks, racked up 23 tackles for loss, and also produced the most run stops among edge defenders according to Pro Football Focus. A twitchy rusher with underrated strength and toughness who plays bigger than his 251-pound frame would suggest, if he’s able to alleviate concerns over past behavior during interviews and puts on a show in athletic testing, he should secure a first round selection and might even be in the mix to go before Williams in the top 10. **James Pearce Jr., Tennessee** Breaking out during his sophomore season for the Volunteers, Pearce set the tone for a much-improved defense by wreaking havoc off the edge, recording 10 sacks and 15 tackles for loss while also adding an interception returned for a touchdown and two forced fumbles. He wasn’t quite as disruptive in his junior season, seeing a dip in sack and quarterback hit production, but he still eclipsed 50 pressures and garnered Second-Team All-SEC honors to help lead Tennessee to a College Football Playoff berth. Weighing under 245 pounds, he may lack the size to excel in some schemes and his run defense leaves much to be desired at times, but his explosiveness and consistent pressure on quarterbacks still should lock him in as a first round selection for pass rush-needy teams. **Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M** A prime example of an elite size/traits prospect coveted for potential over production, Stewart never blossomed into the disruptive pass rushing force the Aggies thought he would after coming on board as a highly decorated recruit, as he produced just 1.5 sacks in each of his three seasons with the program. However, he played much better than his numbers indicate in Texas A&M’s defense, overpowering tackles with his raw power as a bull rusher and possessing the burst and quick step to give guards nightmares when reduced inside. He dominated throughout Senior Bowl week, showcasing what he can do when he’s in a scheme that accentuates his skill set, and if he tests off the charts as many expect, the defensive line Swiss army knife undoubtedly will go in round one in April. ### Second/Third Round **Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College** Exploding as a senior for the Eagles after generating just two sacks in the season prior, Ezeiruaku terrorized quarterbacks in the ACC thanks to Gumby-like bend and well-developed counters to shed blocks at the point of attack, stacking 16.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and 21 tackles for loss to secure All-American honors. Though he’s on the smaller side at 247 pounds and has been prone to being overpowered in the run game, he compensates for that slighter build with long arms and active, slippery hands. A true student of the game who drew rave reviews from former NFL head coach Bill O’Brien, a dynamic combine workout may be enough to jump back into the first round conversation and at worst, he should be selected early on day two. **Landon Jackson, Arkansas** Starting his collegiate career at LSU, Jackson transferred within the SEC to join Arkansas after his freshman season and quickly became an important contributor for the Razorbacks, breaking through as a junior with 6.5 sacks and 14 tackles for loss. This past season, he equaled his prior sack numbers while setting a new career-high with 49 tackles and three swatted passes, using his 6-5, 280-pound frame with long arms to muddy up passing lanes. Due to his unusual build with a narrow lower body, he isn’t the smoothest watch on film and won’t be turning corners like a race car as Ezeiruaku can, but he can dominate with power and has already developed a solid set of counters, so a quality performance in Indy could vault him into first and early second-round discussion. **Jack Sawyer, Ohio State** A true blue collar stalwart off the edge, Sawyer may not have the fastest step off the line or an elite athletic profile, but more than compensates for that with toughness, strength, and outstanding technique. His play strength setting the edge as a run defender stacks up against any other outside linebacker in this class and though he didn’t have a ton of sacks, he frequently visited quarterbacks in the pocket as a talented power rusher and demonstrated a knack for punching out the football with three forced fumbles generated last season. It can be argued that no edge in this year’s class may have a bigger opportunity to make money this week, as exceeding expectations in athletic testing could push the polished national champion back into the first round. **Princely Umanmielen, Ole Miss** Joining the Rebels after transferring from Florida for his senior season, Umanmielen hunted down quarterbacks all year long in Oxford thanks to an explosive initial step and an underrated speed to power game to beat opposing blockers. After flashing in his final year with the Gators, he produced new career-bests with 55 pressures, 10.5 sacks, and 16 quarterback hits, ranking among the top 10 for edge rushers in the last two categories. In addition, he played with better consistency as a run defender while posting 14 tackles for loss. Lack of play strength will have to be addressed for that production to translate to the next level and he needs to add some refinement to his pass rush plan in regard to counters, but don’t be surprised to see him light up the combine with a freakish testing performance. **J.T. Tuimoloau, Ohio State** The latest Washington state recruit to shun local schools and take his talents to Columbus, Tuimoloau saw action in a reserve role as a true freshman before finding his way into the starting lineup as a sophomore, finishing his college career with 23.5 sacks and 45 tackles for loss. Winning on a game predicated by power and physicality, he regularly thumps blockers with heavy hands and dispels them using his outstanding length to create openings to shed off of bull rushes, which he used to record 6.5 sacks in the four-game College Football Playoff run. Questions about his athletic ceiling persist and like his teammate Sawyer, he can silence some of those concerns by testing better than expected, but he looks the part of a strong day two candidate upside-wise with starting potential. ### Day Three **David Walker, Central Arkansas** Lightly recruited out of high school, Walker joined the Bears and feasted on FCS competition, starting with a 12-sack season as a sophomore in 2022\. Following a strong junior season, he put himself squarely on the NFL map with 10.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, and five swatted passes as a Consensus FCS All-American, earning a spot in the Senior Bowl and holding his own against elite competition in Mobile. Short and stocky at 6-0, 267 pounds with short, sawed-off arms, concerns about his measurables remain and he will have to prove he has enough juice to consistently win as a pass rusher in the NFL, but his vicious bull rush and non-stop motor already have teams intrigued and a great combine outing could push him to the top of day three, if not into day two. **Jordan Burch, Oregon** After playing three seasons at South Carolina with modest production, Burch transferred from coast to coast to join Oregon, breaking out as a senior with personal-bests in sacks (8.5), tackles for loss (11), and swatted passes (six). One of the biggest edge defenders in this class at 6-6, 295 pounds, he has the flexibility to move up and down the line, reducing inside on obvious passing downs while having the athletic punch to do damage on the outside as a speed rusher with surprising bend for his size. He hasn’t been consistent making impact plays and missed tackles were a problem throughout his college career, so he lacks the polish of many of his peers. But few offer the size/athleticism package he does and he could be a rapid riser if he excels in Indianapolis with teams eager to exploit a high ceiling. **Ahmed Hassanein, Boise State** Coming to the states from Egypt as a rugby star with no prior football experience, it took Hassanein a couple of seasons to figure out what he was doing and he’s still a ball of clay in regard to football knowledge and technique. Still, he plays incredibly hard and generates an impressive amount of power as a rusher at 267 pounds, which allowed him to rack up 22 sacks and 33 tackles for loss in his final two seasons for the Broncos as a First-Team All-Mountain West performer. Short arms will be already be a red flag, but if he can put together a stellar workout, teams will love his mentality as a play to the whistle finisher and he can secure a mid-day three selection with a shot to develop into a quality rotational edge in the league at worst. **Sai’vion Jones, LSU** Rivaling Jackson and Burch for honors as the biggest edge in this year’s class, the 6-5, 280-pound Jones didn’t offer a ton of pass rushing production in four seasons with the Tigers, producing 11.5 sacks and three forced fumbles for his college career. But on film, he has surprisingly get-off for a player of his size and has flashed the tools to threaten tackles with above-average bend to collapse on the pocket, suggesting there’s a lot more to unpack here from a pass rushing perspective. An enticing prospect for both 4-3 and 3-4 defenses who should offer great positional flexibility, his rawness likely keeps him in the day three discussion, but lighting it up at the combine could quickly move him up draft boards for teams seeking size, toughness, and upside.