The Cleveland Browns were defined by the presence of Myles Garrett for years. The Defensive Player of the Year was the cornerstone around which the entire defense was built. Now that he's gone, the unit will need to find a new identity at edge rusher.
Jared Verse, who came to Cleveland in the Garrett trade with the Los Angeles Rams, will man one of the two starting edge rusher positions moving forward. The other spot is currently held by Alex Wright, but the Browns could look to improve the unit in the 2027 NFL Draft.
These five edge rushers are worth keeping tabs on as the college football season gets underway.
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5 Edge Rushers Browns should already have their eyes on for 2027 NFL Draft
In their 4-3 defensive scheme, the Browns lean toward powerful edge rushers who can both rush the passer and defend the run. At 6-foot-6 and 276 pounds, Quincy Rhodes Jr. fits the mold. He has ideal arm length and more burst off the line of scrimmage than most defenders his size.
The Arkansas star put it all together last season, recording eight sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss. With another strong season, he'll become a first-round lock.
Oregon edge defender Teitum Tuioti enjoyed a breakout season in 2025. He logged 68 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, and 9.5 sacks. Across three seasons, he has a missed tackle rate of just 7.8%. Tuioti relies on his power and strength to push the pocket. He's limited in his ability to bend around the edge, but that didn't slow him down last season.
Opposite Verse, Tuioti would give the Browns a pocket-pushing duo fit for terrorizing opposing quarterbacks.
Damon Wilson II would represent a different style of edge defender for the Browns. At 250 pounds, he relies more on explosiveness than strength to beat offensive tackles. He was effective last season for Missouri, posting nine sacks with a pass-rush win rate of 13.5%.
After transferring to Miami, he could see his stock rise throughout the upcoming season.
In many draft classes, Texas star Colin Simmons would be the clear-cut top edge prospect. This class just happens to have one of the best prospects at the position in years.
Simmons has elite acceleration off the line of scrimmage, often pressuring the quarterback before the offensive tackle can even get his hands on him. Despite being listed at just 240 pounds, he can set a strong edge in run defense. Simmons recorded 12 sacks last season, leading the SEC.
Dylan Stewart can do it all. The South Carolina defender has the bend scouts look for, but his technique as a pass rusher matches his athleticism. He's strong against the run, too, producing 18 run stops last season.
Stewart has a chance to become one of the top edge defenders in the NFL. If he can continue his development, he'll be a top target for the Browns next offseason.
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