NFL Draft: Eckel, with the help of an NFL personnel exec, breaks down the top 5 edge rushers — including Yetur Gross-Matos from Penn State

“Edge” has become a new term to describe a player in the draft.

It stems from a combination of 3-4 defensive teams using outside linebackers as stand-up rushers and 4-3 defensive teams using those same players as ends, but in a pass-rush sort of way where they line up on the ‘edge.’

According to a long time executive in personnel this year’s group of edge rushers is not as deep and talented as years past, with one clearly at the top; another a bona fide first-round pick and then some questions.

Here’s the list of the top five edge rushers from our executive in personnel who has helped with the entire series.

Chase Young, Ohio State

Class: Jr.

Height/Weight: 6-5, 265

40 Time: 4.69

Stats: 2019: 16.5 sacks, 21 TFL

Quote: “He’s the real deal. Is he as good as (Nick) Bosa (of h 49ers who was Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2019)? I wouldn't go that far. But he’s really good.”

K’Lavon Chaisson, LSU

Class: Soph.

Height/Weight: 6-4, 260

40 Time: 4.69

Stats: 6.5 sacks, 13.5 TFL

Quote: “He’s good. He’s going to have to get stronger and he will. But he’ll come in and be a pass rusher right away.”

Zack Baun, Wisconsin

Class: Sr.

Height/Weight: 6-3, 240

40 Time: 4.65

Stats: 12.5 sacks, 19.5 TFL

Quote: “Good player, real versatile, you can use him a lot of ways. He’ll be a good pro.”

Yetur Gross-Matos, Penn State

Class: Jr.

Height/Weight: 6-5, 265

40 Time: 4.69

Stats: 9.5 sacks, 15 TFL

Quote: “Teams are always looking for pass rushers so he’ll go earlier than he should. I think he’s ok, nothing special.”

Terrell Lewis, Alabama

Class: Jr.

Height/Weight: 6-5, 262

40 Time 4.71

Stats: 6 sacks, 11 TFL

Quote: “He’s had some injuries (elbow in 2017; ACL in 2018) in his career. There’s some good upside, but to me he’s a little bit of a project.”

OVERRATED: Curtis Weaver, Boise State

UNDERRATED: Bradlee Anae, Utah

SMALL SCHOOL STAR: Cam Gill, Wagner