What does the EDGE position mean in football? Underlining importance of hybrid role

Fans familiar with American football at a rudimentary level will understand terms like score, fumble, and sack. However, some terms can be confusing, and Edge is among them.

What is an Edge in the NFL?

Edge is an unofficial position in football, stemming from "edge rusher." Simply put, edge rushers are defenders who line up on the outside edge of the line and apply pressure from the end of the defensive shape. These players are typically defensive ends or outside linebackers and are responsible for the majority of a team's QB sacks.

During running plays, they make every effort to keep the ball carrier inside and not allow them to break out to the open space near the sidelines. An edge rusher's main responsibility with runners is to tackle them or keep them inside so another defender can break through and take them down.

An Edge has additional duties to the team during passing plays. They sometimes attempt to go one-on-one with tight ends or offensive tackles, or drop back and potentially intercept the ball.

That said, edge rushers are often judged by their stats, and sacks, forced fumbles, fumble recoveries, quarterback pressures and quarterback hurries are used to determine the best in the position.

Edge rushers tend to have both size and length and need to be strong and fast to win their matchup and rampage through to the quarterback.

The top edge rushers in the NFL include T.J. Watt, Myles Garrett, Danielle Hunter, Maxx Crosby and Khalil Mack, among others.

Watt, for example, recorded some impressive stats in the 2023 NFL season with the Pittsburgh Steelers, finishing with 8 solo tackles, 20 assisted tackles, 19 sacks, 3 fumble recoveries and an interception. As such, he gets paid handsomely, earning $28 million in average annual value.

The best-paid edge rusher in the league (by AAV) is Nick Bosa, who earns $34 million AAV with the San Francisco 49ers.