The pick is in.
The 2025 NFL Draft is Omar Khan’s third year as the general manager, and like in past years, we want to evaluate the value of each pick. Based on projections for each player by draft outlets as well as our own reports, we want to see if the pick’s value is above or below how they were ranked coming into the draft.
Round 4 (Pick 123) – Jack Sawyer EDGE Ohio State
We have a bit of a surprise in the fourth round with the selection of an edge player. With T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, and Nick Herbig already on the roster, that group has now become very deep.
Daniel Jeremiah had him ranked 70th in his Top 150, but did not have a write-up on him.
Lance Zierlein’s profile of Sawyer at NFL.com gave him a 6.32 grade (will eventually be a plus starter) with a round projection from the second to the third and had him as the eleventh-ranked edge player.
He opined, “Dense-framed, even-front defensive end whose game is built for power but not speed. He has short arms and slow power to neutralize and overcome run blocks. However, he lacks a quick-win first step or twitchy stack-and-shed move. He locates the football and racks up tackles when runners near his gaps. He’s a force-based rusher using strong hands, a relentless motor and a pocket-caving charge to run up pressure totals, but his rush lacks quickness. He could see more interior rush opportunities for shorter trips into the pocket. Sawyer is suited for box-based football, which could cap his pro ceiling, but his demeanor, toughness and activity level provide a higher floor.”
Dane Brugler had him listed 58th overall in his draft guide, The Beast. He was the number eleven edge player and had a 2nd round grade for him.
His profile states:
“Sawyer is strong at the point of attack, with the instincts and effort to consistently factor into the play. Though his hands are powerful, they aren’t overly skilled, and his body stiffness leaves him a step slow to shed or unlock counter measures once locked up. Overall, Sawyer often plays one-dimensionally as a pass rusher and lacks ideal suddenness or length for an edge player, but his activity level and the strength in his hands make him an every-down factor. Similar in ways to George Karlaftis, he has the competitive play personality that NFL coaches will welcome as part of their rotation.”
CBSSports.com had Sawyer as their 53rd player on their board and the number ten edge player. They gave him a grade of 83.20 (Starter).
“Jack Sawyer is a sturdy-built EDGE prospect with an NFL-ready frame and solid, if unspectacular, athleticism. His get-off is adequate, but he lacks elite explosiveness, flexibility, or bend around the corner. With relatively short arms for his size, Sawyer doesn’t win on measurements alone and can appear stiff when retracing to the quarterback. While his bend is limited, he occasionally flashes quality execution, though it’s not how he’ll consistently win at the next level. Sawyer makes the absolute most out of his natural ability, showcasing polished hand usage with an effective arm-over and swipe-to-rip move that works well to the inside.
“However, he lacks a dominant pass-rush trump card. Against the run, he’s a hard-working defender who battles blocks with a high motor but can be overpowered at the point of attack. His bull rush flashes potential but needs more consistent pop to be a reliable tool. Though nothing about his game stands out as exceptional, Sawyer’s effort and work ethic make him a well-rounded football player. He projects as a three-down left defensive end, and with added power and refinement, has the tools to become a dependable contributor in the NFL.”
Our profile on Sawyer by Steven Pavelka gave him a 7.6 grade (3rd Round – Potential Starter/Good Backup).
He analyzed his play by saying:
“Jack Sawyer is a very talented player and has been since high school, which is what warranted him a five-star rating. Although, he hasn’t exactly lived up to those lofty expectations associated with that rating. Even though he has gotten better every year at Ohio State, he still is considerably raw going into the NFL draft when looking at his 23-year-old age.
“He has solid power and is disciplined in the run game but hardly offers anything as a finesse rusher which limits his ceiling. He has the floor due to frame and athleticism but needs to expand his game more than that to thrive in the NFL and potentially be a full-time starter.”
Most outlets ranked Sawyer from 53 to 70 overall, So He was clearly rated as a day two pick. He is a player from a premium program with a lot of experience and particularly good production. This selection seems to be more about finding value than trying to fill a perceived need.
Based on the ratings above, this pick has very good value.
