Editor’s note: Seventh of a series of NFL draft previews as it relates to the Broncos. Previously: running backs, wide receivers, tight ends and offensive line. Today: edge rusher. Broncos’ in-house offseason moves: Tendered Dondrea Tillman. Under contract: Jonathon Cooper (four years), Nik Bo nitto (one year), Andrew Farmer (one year), Dondrea Tillman (one year) Need scale (1-10): 4. Really depends on what Denver’s plan is here. The Broncos have one of the best defensive-line and sack-artist cores in the league … but Bonitto, Zach Allen, John Franklin-Myers, and even Tillman (five sacks in 2024!) will be free agents after this year. Re-signing all of them would be a heck of a pretty penny, and it’s quite possible George Paton and company looks to this year’s draft to find a couple of faces who can wait in the wings. This isn’t a position of need in the short term, per se. But if the Broncos are planning to replace any of the above names, look for them to look to the edges in April. Top five Abdul Carter, Penn State: If this league weren’t so quarterback-driven, Carter would probably be the No. 1 pick. He rampaged with 13 sacks last year for the Nittany Lions and led the FBS in tackles for loss, a bona fide run-stuffer. His size doesn’t exactly blow you out of the water — not exactly the biggest dude at 6-foot-3 and 250 pounds — but the natural talent is special. Jalon Walker, Georgia: As versatile as they come. Walker spent about 40% of his snaps last year at Georgia against the run, about 31% in pass-rush and 29% in coverage, according to Pro Football Focus. He lined up everywhere from mike linebacker to will to the outside, and is solid both as a tackler and in the pass-rush. The size, at 6-foot-1 and 243 pounds, is a concern as a full-time edge rusher, but Walker will play in a variety of packages. Mykel Williams, Georgia: Let’s just toss both the Georgia boys in here. Williams was a consistent force racking up pressures for the last three seasons at Georgia, and is a powerful 6-foot-5 and 265 pounds. The raw production, though, doesn’t exactly leap off the page, with 14 sacks total in three years. He’s an upside guy. Mike Green, Marshall: Green led the FBS with 17 sacks in 2024 at Marshall but faces a slew of character questions after confirming to reporters at the NFL combine that he’s been accused of sexual assault twice. He denies any wrongdoing. James Pearce Jr., Tennessee: A lightning rod off the edge, Pearce Jr. racked up 43 quarterback hurries last year at Tennessee and is scary quick at a 4.47 40-yard dash. Once thought of as a blue-chip stock, though, Pearce’s status has fallen somewhat across the past couple of years after a December 2023 arrest where he was charged for speeding and driving with a suspended license. Other Broncos options Josaiah Stewart, Michigan: Yeah, fine, there are size concerns here. Stewart stands 6-foot-1, and doesn’t project as a typical starting edge rusher. But the motor popped last year at Michigan, with 8.5 sacks, and Stewart’s capable of simply overwhelming overmatched enemy tackles. Related Articles Broncos draft preview: Denver’s DL is loaded for 2025, but a critical future need worth addressing early Once a JV kid at Cherry Creek High, NFL prospect Gunnar Helm wants to “leave a blueprint on football” Broncos WR Courtland Sutton: Extension talks “moving in the right direction” Broncos mock draft: Sean Payton finds three-down running back in unexpected place Broncos draft preview: Continuity reigns on Denver OL, but time for planning is now Shemar Stewart, Texas AM: If the Broncos wanted to reach higher, Stewart is a high-upside swing. He had exactly 1.5 sacks last year at AM in 521 snaps; toss that out the window. Beneath that, quietly, he racked up 33 quarterback hurries, according to Pro Football Focus — and the sheer athleticism shows signs of dominance, clocked at a 4.59 40-yard dash and a 40-inch vertical at the NFL combine. Jordan Burch, Oregon: Beyond the Bo Nix tree, Burch could be a fit for another key reason: The Broncos’ only classic power-rush guy at edge in sheer body type is Tillman. Burch could fit as an OLB in a 3-4 scheme or a DE in a 4-3, at 6-foot-4 and 279 pounds, and racked up 8.5 sacks last year at Oregon. Bradyn Swinson, LSU: In a pretty deep edge class, Swinson’s going rather underdiscussed relative to his profile. He’s got size at 6-foot-4 and 255 pounds, and he was a monster last year at LSU, showing year-over-year improvement and finishing with a whopping 60 pressures, tied for sixth in the FBS, per PFF. He’s currently ranked pretty far down on most evaluators’ big boards, and could be a massive value play in middle rounds for Denver. Jack Sawyer, Ohio State: Again, let’s contend it’s never a bad thing to select four-year guys from national-championship-winning programs. Sawyer improved every year with the Buckeyes, has great size at 6-foot-4 and 260 pounds, and was consistently praised for his leadership on Ohio State’s run to a natty. Want more Broncos news? Sign up for the Broncos Insider to get all our NFL analysis. ...read more read less