Top pass-rushers in 2021 NFL draft: Kiper and McShay debate, plus risers and sleepers

You already know about the outstanding quarterback class for the 2021 NFL draft. But what about the edge rushers, the most coveted position on the defensive side? NFL draft analysts Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay are here to catch you up on the chase to be the first pass-rusher off the board in April, with insight into what their draft boards look like as we get closer to bowl season.

Plus, Kiper and McShay pick out big risers in the draft class and highlight an under-the-radar prospect to keep an eye on throughout the rest of the season:

Jump to:
Draft risers | Under-the radar players

The race to be the top edge rusher in the 2021 NFL draft

Kiper: There is no clear-cut, elite No. 1 edge rusher in this class. There isn't a Chase Young (2020), Nick Bosa (2019) or Myles Garrett (2017), guys who were head and shoulders above the rest of their class. This is not going to be the year for teams to take a pass-rusher in the top five picks -- there is some risk. Now, there are still six months until the draft, so we'll be doing more evaluations, but right now, there's no consensus. Do you agree, Todd?

McShay: I've had an edge rusher at No. 1 or No. 2 on my board in every class since 2014. But this year, my top guy is way down at No. 12 in my rankings at the moment. That's Miami defensive end Gregory Rousseau, who isn't even playing this season, having opted out due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He has a lot of power as a pass-rusher but is an inconsistent finisher. Still, he was second in the FBS last season with 15.5 sacks -- right behind Young -- and posted 19.5 tackles for loss. That's high-level production. He can overwhelm blockers but needs to work on his body control a bit.

Kiper: Rousseau is my top-ranked defensive end, too, but he's only 15th on my Big Board. Are teams really going to gamble a top-five pick on a pass-rusher who played 15 college games? Even with that production, I didn't see an elite prospect on his 2019 film. He had some coverage sacks and didn't show high-end explosiveness off the snap. I really wanted to see him come back and play this season. Still, you can see how teams could fall in love with his potential. And this is why next year's NFL combine will be so important.

McShay: Where do you have Kwity Paye ranked, Mel? The Michigan defensive end -- No. 17 on my board -- missed last week's game against Wisconsin with an injury but has two sacks through three games after posting 6.5 in 12 games last season. He slips blocks and makes plays in the backfield, and I think he could be a really good 3-4 outside linebacker convert in the NFL.

Kiper: I like him. He's just behind Rousseau at No. 19 overall. At 6-foot-4, 272 pounds, Paye is a terrific athlete, but he has only shown flashes of brilliance. I wanted to see him get after quarterbacks on a consistent basis this season, and he just hasn't shown it. I think he will test really well at the combine, though, and I could see him being a riser there. Unlike Rousseau, there is a lot of tape on Paye, and teams will have to weigh his athletic ceiling vs. the lack of college production.

McShay: After those two, there's a bit of a drop. Wake Forest defensive end Carlos Basham Jr. is next up on my most recent board at No. 25, but he's not off to a great start this season. Yes, five sacks in seven games is great production, and he flashes some power and quickness to his game. But based on the tape I've studied, he isn't dominating down to down like I expected him to.

Texas outside linebacker Joseph Ossai, however, has really looked good this season. He's No. 32 on my list but rising fast, thanks to good closing burst and high-level instincts as a pass-rusher. Through seven games, Ossai has 13.5 tackles for loss, 4.0 sacks and three forced fumbles. Check out the tape from the Oklahoma State game to see just how good this kid can be -- he racked up six tackles for loss and three sacks.

Kiper: Basham, to me, is more of an all-around guy than a true pass-rusher. He doesn't have the quick-twitch abilities of these other guys. Ossai, on the other hand, does have some explosion in his game, but almost all of his production this season came in that Oklahoma State game. And at 6-foot-4, 245 pounds, he's a tweener -- will he play outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense, or could he put on some weight and play end in a 4-3? They have Day 2 grades from me.

How much have you seen this season from the other two Miami pass-rushers, Todd?

McShay: You're referring to the two transfers, Jaelan Phillips (UCLA) and Quincy Roche (Temple). I actually just dug into the Hurricanes' tape this week -- it has been a busy year -- and wow, Phillips is a handful. The way he turns the corner and closes on the QB is impressive. And Roche is intriguing as a 3-4 outside linebacker at the next level. He has some quickness off the edge, posted 13 sacks at Temple last season and already has 11 tackles for loss in eight games this year.

Kiper: Phillips, who had 2.5 sacks on Saturday, has looked dominant the past few weeks. He could be a riser, and I expect both to be off the board by Day 2 of the draft. I also want to mention the two Pitt edge defenders, Patrick Jones II and Rashad Weaver. I really like Jones, who already has eight sacks this season. He has some bend and power and is relentless in pursuit. He could ascend into the first-round discussion. Weaver, who is back after tearing his ACL in August 2019, has 5.5 sacks in 2020. They're just good players.

McShay: Yeah, Jones can win with his hands, and I really like his inside move when rushing the passer. At 6-foot-4, 265 pounds, he is big, strong and highly productive as a 4-3 defensive end. But I also want to call out Duke outside linebacker Chris Rumph II. He's still adding strength and has put on a few pounds this year to help his 235-pound frame, but he has some quick feet. Rumph, currently No. 41 in my rankings, has 7.5 sacks in eight games and will be someone to watch over the next few months.

Prospects on the rise

These are the 2021 NFL draft prospects moving up boards.

Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech

I added Darrisaw to my Big Board at No. 18 last week, but I want to highlight him again. He was fantastic in the Hokies' one-point loss to Miami on Saturday, completely shutting down pass-rusher Quincy Roche. Darrisaw again showed why he's so intriguing to NFL teams: He gets to the second level on run blocks with ease; he has great lateral quickness to adjust in pass protection; and he has a mean streak. He is consistent in his effort on every play. At 6-foot-5, 314 pounds, Darrisaw is likely to stick at left tackle in the NFL, but he could also play on the right side if needed. He's my third-ranked offensive tackle right now, but he could rise into the top 10 overall before April. -- Kiper

Daelin Hayes, DL, Notre Dame

I've had the opportunity to see Hayes play live twice this season, and I've really started to like his game. He is super versatile along the defensive line, playing the 5-technique and 4-3 defensive end. And at 6-foot-3 and 260 pounds, he has some serious power as a pass-rusher and makes an impact as a run-stopper. In eight games, he has 6.0 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks and two forced fumbles. I'd put him in mid-round consideration at this point. -- McShay

Under-the-radar prospects you should know

Keep an eye on these potential Day 2 or Day 3 picks.

Hunter Long, TE, Boston College

Long isn't an elite athlete, but he sure can separate from coverage. The 6-foot-5, 255-pound tight end leads his Boston College team in catches (47) and has talled 560 receiving yards and four touchdowns in nine games. Against Notre Dame this weekend, he sprung open a few times, but quarterback Phil Jurkovec just didn't see him. No matter, he still finished with four catches. I have him as a potential Day 3 pick right now. -- McShay

Feleipe Franks, QB, Arkansas

A big-time high school recruit in the 2016 class, Franks landed at Florida and had an up-and-down career there, starting 24 games while completing just 59% of his passes with 38 touchdowns and 17 picks. He showed flashes of being a potential NFL starter, but he never quite put it all together. He broke his ankle in September 2019 and lost his job to Kyle Trask, who has been tremendous -- and just beat him head-to-head Saturday. Still, Franks is off to a hot start for the Razorbacks, completing 68.3% of his throws with 16 TDs and three interceptions in seven starts. He has some zip on his throws and can extend plays with his legs. What is intriguing from an NFL standpoint is his size -- at 6-foot-6, 230 pounds -- and he's going to get a shot to make an NFL team. Franks is likely a Day 3 pick at this point, but he has an intriguing skill set and frame. -- Kiper