As the NFL prepares to kick off another season, all eyes are looking to find out who the league’s best edge rushers will be. The competition is just as strong, with teams all clamoring to add the premier defensive talents that can change the game with their big-play ability. From this elite group, Myles Garrett and Maxx Crosby shine brightest having just inked record-setting contracts in the spring. Coaches, executives, and scouts from every team in the NCAA are closely watching their performances. They are determining who is at the top of their game.
Myles Garrett has made headlines not only for his athleticism but for his incredible consistency. In the process, he recorded an astonishing average “get-off” time of 0.70 seconds. This historic pace rounds him up to being tied for the fastest edge rusher (on a minimum of 200 pass rushes) in Next Gen Stats. Garrett has already made history! He’s the first player since the NFL began tracking individual sack totals in 1982 to post four straight seasons of 14 or more sacks.
Maxx Crosby had the most difficult double-team rate at 31.5% last season, the worst on his ilk. Though unassuming, he has had a profound effect on the field. He was a true ironman, recording 100% playtime in nine of his twelve games last season, a testament to both his durability and competitive fire. At the same time, Danielle Hunter has recovered from injuries to post 28.5 sacks in the last two years, impressive production. His performance indicates a striking reversal. He dealt with a serious neck injury and learned to work around the changes in scheme later in his tenure in Minnesota.
Myles Garrett: Setting New Standards
Garrett’s impact on the field is undeniable. His ability to overwhelm opposing offenses is exemplified by a well-known NFL coordinator that once said,
“There’s a short list of guys you have to shift your fronts to, and Garrett is the first person you think of when it comes to how much of your game plan he occupies.”
His mix of explosiveness and developed technique has garnered praise from several outlets. An unnamed NFL personnel director laid some serious love on Garrett’s prospects, telling the.
“Explosiveness, motor, violence, can align inside and beat [interior offensive linemen] with first-step quickness. He’s such a tone-setter that everyone else feeds off his energy.”
There’s a growing debate around Garrett’s cumulative production compared to his peers at a top-tier level. An NFC executive noted,
“It’s not that he’s not ascending into a premier rusher, but he’s not ahead of some of the others who are more productive or better run players right now.”
Just watch Garrett constantly pursue the quarterback, showing some serious tenacity on the field. This drive shows up in his overall play, producing high end finished plays with standout effectiveness. According to an AFC scout,
“His ability to get to the quarterback by any means necessary is truly impressive.”
In just his second season, Bosa is establishing himself as one of the league’s best edge rushers. Rest assured fans and analysts alike will be watching intently to see if he can maintain his stellar play.
Maxx Crosby: Battling Through Adversity
Maxx Crosby’s success story in the NFL has been one driven by effort, passion, and overcoming adversity. Crosby has consistently been one of the top-performing players in the league, all things considered—even with the rate at which he got doubled-teamed. As one high ranking AFC personnel man commented on Crosby’s stamina, “
“For him to play at that high a level with that volume is incredible.”
That work ethic and determination has not escaped the NHL’s attention. One NFL defensive coordinator, however, said that Player A had the
“relentless motor, skilled rusher and never wants to leave the game.”
His commitment translates into effective play on the field. Even when under constant pressure, he finds ways to impact games positively. One NFC director of player personnel said that Crosby is the type of player who can be slightly under-appreciated at times.
“What I like about him is he doesn’t have a lot of glaring weaknesses.”
Crosby’s consistency makes him one of the best edge rushers in the entire league. His reputation as a player who can change the dynamics of a game makes him a crucial asset for his team.
Notable Contenders: Hunter, Greenard, and Others
While Garrett and Crosby lead the conversation, other edge rushers are making strong cases for their inclusion among the elite. After fighting back from multiple serious, game-altering injuries and adjusting to different defensive schemes, Danielle Hunter has consistently proven up to the test. That’s a jaw-dropping 26.4% pass rush win rate. This incredible number led all players who played at least 200 snaps, emphasizing his dominance during the time he was on the field.
Jonathan Greenard has developed into quite the fierce threat with 24.5 sacks the last two years. Combined with his elite motor and game-changing rush ability, he’s one of the most intriguing prospects in the country. An anonymous NFL personnel evaluator raved about Greenard’s talents, saying,
“He does it with counter moves and the ability to finish.”
Nick Bosa Another name that’s always near the top of the list when it comes to elite edge rushers. Even with low sack totals last year, his ability to wreck a game was obvious. This same feeling was expressed by one NFL personnel director who said,
“His leverage, explosiveness, power and polished rush arsenal are unmatched.”
Trevor Hendrickson’s performance has caught attention. He carried much of the Bengals’ defense at times last season. As franchises continue to build for both present and future, these transformative players will be key in defining their respective defenses and altering games in the process.
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