NFC North EDGE Rankings for 2025
After looking at the interior of the defensive line, it’s now time to look at the edge. There are some seriously talented edge defenders in the division, which made choosing my NFC North Edge rankings for the 2025 season hard work.
VikingsTerritory gives you their NFC North Edge rankings for the 2025 season.
For my previous rankings for the offensive positions, click on the following links: QB, RB, WR, TE, OL. For the rankings of the all-important edge defenders, read on. I’m evaluating the starters and the depth behind them to determine the rankings.
1 Minnesota Vikings — Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, Dallas Turner, Bo Richter
Back in 2024, there was concern over what the impending loss of Danielle Hunter would mean for the Vikings. There was no need to worry, as Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel were signed. Both had Pro Bowl seasons in their first season in purple — second-team, All-Pro honors came Van Ginkel’s way. The pair is the best starting duo on the edge in the division, and few can match them across the league.
If Dallas Turner can get more involved and increase his production in Year 2, then the Vikings will have a formidable trio. Turner didn’t wow the league in his rookie season, but the first-rounder showed enough promise to believe better is to come.
The depth chart is made up of a gang of undrafted rookies — Bo Richter and Gabriel Murphy from last year, and Tyler Batty from this year. The strength lies at the top of the depth chart, but finding serviceable players outside the draft is making for good roster building.
2. Detroit Lions — Aidan Hutchinson, Marcus Davenport, Josh Pascal, Al-Quadin Muhammad
Aidan Hutchinson was well on the way to staking his claim as the best edge rusher in the league last season. Unfortunately for Detroit, Hutchinson suffered a horrific injury in Week 6 last season — a broken tibia and fibula in his left leg. He should be back for the start of this season, which will be a huge boost for the Lions. With 28.5 sacks from 39 starts since entering the league, the former first overall pick has been a sensation in Detroit.
He will be partnered on the edge by Marcus Davenport, who has plenty of talent but, as Vikings fans know only too well, he has a habit of being on the treatment table more often than the field of play. Detroit has shown faith in Davenport by cutting their other veteran and former Vikings, Za’Darius Smith. Josh Pascal and Al-Quadin Muhammad give the Lions decent depth options.
3. Green Bay Packers — Rashan Gary, Lukas Van Ness, Kingsley Enagbare, Barryn Sorrell
There isn’t much separating the last two teams, but I give Green Bay the edge, mainly thanks to Rashan Gary. The six-year veteran is never quite at the very top end of the sack leaders, but he always gets a good amount – last season was no different, amassing eight. Also strong against the run, he leads the edge defense well in Green Bay.
The Packers spent the 13th overall pick on Likas Van Ness in 2023, but he has yet to live up to the hype with just seven sacks from 34 games. Green Bay needs more from him in 2025.
Kingsley Enagbare has been a solid addition for the Packers with 9.5 sacks and 18 starts since they drafted him in the first round. He has been on the field more than Van Ness over the last two seasons and could be the regular starter next to Gary this season. Fourth-round rookie Barryn Sorrell is next in line for a chance in Green Bay.
4. Chicago Bears — Montez Sweat, Dayo Odeyingbo, Austin Booker, Daniel Hardy
Bringing up the rear are the Chicago Bears, who do have a pair of talented edge rushers in Montez Sweat and Dayo Odeyingbo.
However, after the career-best 12.5 sack season in 2023, where he was traded from Washington to Chicago, Sweat only managed 5.5 sacks in his first full season in Chicago. The least of any of the big-name pass rushers in the division, even with Hutchinson only playing five games.
Odeyingbo was developing nicely after being drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the second round back in 2021. He had a slightly disappointing season last year with just three sacks, down from his career best of eight the season before. Chicago needs both men to be back at their best this season.
Austin Booker and Daniel Hardy round out the Bears’ depth chart, and neither has seen a huge amount of playing time in their career so far.
Vikings CB Lands with Seahawks
You must be logged in to post a comment.