When we think of the value at the top of the draft, we usually think of the quarterback, edge rusher and offensive tackle positions, and this year's draft has a couple terrific edge rushers right at the top, and also good depth throughout.
Michigan's Aidan Hutchinson and Oregon's Kayvon Thibodeaux both have a chance to be Top 5 picks, but we could see a half dozen or more edge rushers go in the first round come April's NFL Draft.
Top 5 edge rushers to watch at the Combine:
1. Aidan Hutchinson, Michigan, 6-6, 265
Hutchinson is an instinctive and powerful rusher who can set an edge in the run game just as well as he can get after the quarterback. He's got terrific size that will allow him to push inside if needed and create some position flexibility. He set the Michigan single-season sack record with 14.0 this past season, but also recorded 16.5 tackles for loss and 62 tackles (36 solo), helping lead Michigan to the College Football Playoffs.
2. Kayvon Thibodeaux, Oregon, 6-5, 258
Thibodeaux might have the highest ceiling of all the edge rusher prospects because he's still a raw talent from a technical standpoint. He's a terrific athlete and is expected to test very well at the Combine. He's a plus run defender and wins on the pass rush with pure athleticism and power vs. having a refined set of pass-rush moves. He's long, strong and plays with a superior motor. Just imagine what he can be when NFL coaches work with him to refine the pass rush part of his game more.
View photos of the defensive line prospects who were invited to the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine.
Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson plays during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Northwestern, Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Indiana quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) slips past the tackle of Idaho defensive lineman Noah Elliss (99) during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in Bloomington, Ind. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)
American Team defensive lineman Zach Carter of Florida (17) in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American Team defensive lineman Neil Farrell of LSU (92) in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American Team defensive lineman Sam Williams of Mississippi (7) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American Team defensive lineman John Ridgeway of Arkansas (98) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National Team defensive lineman Perrion Winfrey of Oklahoma (98) in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National Team defensive lineman Dominique Robinson of Miami (OH) (11) in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Louisville running back Trevion Cooley (23) is stopped by Air Force defensive tackle Jordan Jackson, center, and linebacker Alec Mock (40) during the second half of the First Responder Bowl NCAA college football game Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021, in Dallas. Air Force won 31-28. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end Tyreke Smith (11) rushes the edge defends during the 108th Rose Bowl NCAA college football game against the Utah on Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022 in Pasadena, Calif. The Buckeyes won, 48-45. (Ric Tapia via AP)
National Team defensive lineman Travis Jones of Connecticut (57) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
West defensive lineman Matthew Butler, of Tennessee, (94) in action against the East during the East West Shrine Bowl football game at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
American Team defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt of Georgia runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
San Diego State Aztecs defensive lineman Cameron Thomas (99) in a defensive stance during the NCAA college football game against the Nevada Wolf Pack, Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021 in Carson, Calif. (Ric Tapia via AP)
Cincinnati Bearcats defensive lineman Myjai Sanders (21) rushes the edge during the Cotton Bowl NCAA College Football Playoff semifinal game against Alabama, Friday, Dec. 31, 2021 in Arlington, Texas. Alabama won, 27-6. (Ric Tapia via AP)
UCLA Bruins defensive lineman Otito Ogbonnia (91) rushes the edge during the an NCAA college football game against the Oregon Ducks on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2021 in Pasadena, Calif. Oregon won, 34-31. (Ric Tapia via AP)
Minnesota defensive lineman Esezi Otomewo (9) in action during an NCAA college football game between Minnesota and Indiana in Bloomington, Ind., Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Arizona State defensive lineman D.J. Davidson (98) in the first half during an NCAA college football game against Arizona, Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Michigan linebacker David Ojabo (55) sets prior to a play at the line of scrimmage during the Big Ten championship NCAA college football game against Iowa, Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, in Indianapolis. Michigan won 42-3. (Aaron Doster via AP)
Purdue defensive end George Karlaftis (5) plays against Wisconsin during the second half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021. Wisconsin defeated Purdue 30-13. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Houston defensive lineman Logan Hall (92) in action during the second half of an NCAA college football against Temple, Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Philadelphia. Houston won 37-8. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Penn State defensive end Arnold Ebiketie lines up against Maryland during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in College Park, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Coastal Carolina linebacker Jeffrey Gunter (94) looks into the backfield past Georgia State offensive lineman Johnathan Bass (77) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Conway, S.C. (AP Photo/Artie Walker, Jr.)
Penn State linebacker Jesse Luketa pass rushes against Rutgers during the first half of an NCAA college football game in State College,Pa.,Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Texas A&M defensive lineman DeMarvin Leal (8) reacts the ball after a play against Auburn during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Georgia defensive lineman Travon Walker (44) works against Florida offensive lineman Richard Gouraige (76), right, during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Texas A&M defensive lineman Micheal Clemons (2) returns a fumble by Auburn quarterback Bo Nix for a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in College Station, Texas. Texas A&M won 20-3. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Auburn quarterback Bo Nix (10) fumbles the ball as Texas A&M defensive lineman Jayden Peevy (92) defends during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in College Station, Texas. Texas A&M recovered the fumble for a touchdown. Texas A&M won 20-3. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
South Carolina quarterback Zeb Noland (8) is sacked by Texas A&M defensive lineman Tyree Johnson (3) for a loss of six yards during the first half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Craft)
Ohio State defensive lineman Haskell Garrett plays against Penn State during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Stanford defensive end Thomas Booker stands on the field during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Washington State, Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)
Oklahoma linebacker Nik Bonitto runs during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Kansas Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, in Lawrence, Kan. Oklahoma won 35-23. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) defends against UCLA during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Georgia defensive lineman Jordan Davis (99) lines up for a play against Kentucky during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021 in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Michigan's Chris Hinton plays in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Notre Dame offensive lineman Josh Lugg (75) defends against Virginia Tech defensive lineman Amare Barno (11) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Blacksburg, Va., Saturday October 9, 2021. (AP Photo/Matt Gentry)
South Carolina defensive end Kingsley Enagbare (1) plays during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Tennessee Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, in Knoxville, Tenn. Tennessee won 45-20. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
UAB linebacker Alex Wright (16) during an NCAA football game against Tulane on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)
Western Kentucky University defensive end Deangelo Malone reacts to a play during an NCAA football game against Indiana University on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in Bowling Green, KY. IU beat WKU 33-31. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Iowa State defensive end Eyioma Uwazurike (58) gets set for a play during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Kansas, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Florida running back Dameon Pierce (27) tries to get around Alabama defensive lineman LaBryan Ray (18) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Oklahoma defensive lineman Isaiah Thomas (95) gestures during an NCAA college football game against Nebraska, Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Kentucky defensive end Joshua Paschal (4) runs 77 yards after intercepting a Mississippi State pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020, in Lexington, Ky. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
Alabama defensive lineman Phidarian Mathis (48) works against Florida offensive lineman Jean Delance (56) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Notre Dame defensive lineman Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa (95) during an NCAA football game against Florida State on Sunday, Sept. 5, 2021 in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)
Central Florida defensive lineman Kalia Davis (22) sets up for a play during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Boise State on Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Miami defensive lineman Jonathan Ford (96) works against Florida offensive lineman Jean Delance (56) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Kentucky defensive lineman Marquan McCall (50) celebrates a play during the second half of the NCAA college football game against Louisville, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, in Lexington, Ky. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
3. Jermaine Johnson II, Florida State, 6-5, 262
There wasn't a player at the Senior Bowl who helped himself more than Johnson. He was dominant in one-on-one pass-rush drills, showing off speed, power and a plethora of pass-rush moves, including a pretty wicked spin move. He notched 11.5 sacks, 17.5 tackles for loss and 70 tackles (33 solo) for the Seminoles this past season. He's definitely an ascending prospect on the edge.
4. David Ojabo, Michigan, 6-5, 250
Ojabo was the other half of Michigan's devastating edge rush duo opposite Hutchinson. What stands out about Ojabo is his repertoire of rush moves for such an inexperienced player (14 career games at Michigan). He's got quick feet and uses his hands well. He recorded 11.0 sacks and 12.0 tackles for loss this past season. How much did he benefit from having Hutchinson on the other side? That's the question teams will have to figure out over the next couple months.
5. George Karlaftis, Iowa, 6-4, 275
When people talk about a player having a relentless motor, just throw on the film of Karlaftis for a prime example of what they're talking about. He doesn't have eye-popping sack totals (4.5 last season), but he's a complete player on the edge.
Combine sleeper to watch: DeAngelo Malone, Western Kentucky, 6-4, 240
Malone decided to come back to school another year to show off better tape to NFL personnel, and that was a good decision. He plays much stronger and possesses much more strength than his frame would indicate. He was a bull-rush master at the Senior Bowl, despite weighing in at 240. He plays in the backfield, recording 48.5 tackles for loss over his last three seasons.
Lions need at the position: High
Charles Harris, who led the Lions with 7.5 sacks, is a free agent. The team also has to make a decision about Trey Flowers' long-term future with the team this offseason, and veteran Romeo Okwara is coming off a serious Achilles injury. The Lions' 30 sacks this past season were the third fewest in the NFL.
The Lions have the making of a pretty decent secondary, especially if they add to the safety position this offseason, they just need a better marriage between the rush and cover, particularly from the rush side. Julian Okwara and Austin Bryant have some upside as young edge rushers, but teams can never have too many good, young pass rushers.
The Lions have the No. 2 pick and don't have a need for an offensive tackle. That could put pass rusher and potentially a safety, high on their wish list. Both Hutchinson or Thibodeaux could be there at No. 2. One way for this defense to take a big leap forward would be to add an elite rusher.
Key stat: Opponents converted on third down 45.1 percent of the time against the Lions' defense in 2021, which was the fourth highest percentage in the league. Detroit's defense ranked 30th in conversion percentage allowed on third downs of 10-plus yards. The 17 first downs allowed in those situations were tied for the second most in the NFL.
