Ranking the Best Pass-Rushers in the 2015 NFL Draft

Quarterback has become the most important position in the NFL, which means that the guys who go after the quarterback are almost equally as valuable.

Whether or not they play as a defensive end or standing up as an outside linebacker, pass-rushers are vital to having a stout defense. This class has a number of exciting prospects, and while it's still extremely early in the process, let's take a look at how those top guys shape up.

This is not based off of position, because a few of these guys could play a number of positions in the pros.

Here are the five best pass-rushers at this point in the 2015 NFL draft process.

5. Eli Harold, Virginia

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Probably the least-known player on this list, Eli Harold has been one of the better defensive ends in the country for UVA over the past couple of seasons.

He racked up seven sacks as a junior in 2014, and he has been steadily improving his use of his length and quickness off the edge.

It's still unclear whether or not he'll fit as a defensive end or outside linebacker in the NFL, as his 6'4", 250-pound frame lends itself to either one.

He's mostly a pure pass-rusher right now and lacks any real strength against the run, but he could be a dangerous playmaker at the next level if he gets in the right system.

4. Bud Dupree, Kentucky

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Alvin "Bud" Dupree is an athletic freak who really burst onto the scene for Kentucky in 2014 and could make waves in the draft process over the next few months.

He had quietly been productive for the Wildcats in 2013 and 2012, but he had 7.5 sacks as a senior while showing some really impressive potential.

The 6'4", 264-pound end looks like a pure defensive end at the next level, showing explosive burst out of his stance and an impressive quickness when he gets space. A former top tight end recruit out of high school, he's got a raw athleticism that is rare for linemen. 

Dupree seems like he's just scratching the surface of his potential, and he could easily be a first-round pick next spring.

3. Shane Ray, Missouri

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Mizzou is really just churning out pass-rushers. Aldon Smith is an NFL star, Kony Ealy and Michael Sam were both outstanding in 2013 and drafted into the NFL, and Shane Ray is following in those footsteps alongside teammate Markus Golden.

Golden is a nice prospect, but Ray is certainly the marquee name here. He stands at 6'3" and weighs in at 245 pounds, and he has been terrorizing quarterbacks for all of 2014.

Ray finished the season with 14 sacks, playing mostly with his hand in the dirt as an edge-rusher. His size makes him a candidate to move to outside linebacker in the NFL, but his quick feet and hands will make him an impact player no matter what.

2. Vic Beasley, Clemson

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At 6'2", 235 pounds, Vic Beasley certainly looks more like an outside linebacker than a defensive end, but he lines up primarily with his hand in the dirt for Clemson.

He's been dominant from that position over the past two years, and he punctuated his collegiate career with an impressive 12-sack season.

Beasley will almost certainly be moved to outside linebacker in a 3-4 system in the NFL. His incredible quickness and bend around the edge should help him thrive there, and he's got as much upside as any defensive player in this class.

1. Randy Gregory, Nebraska

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A physical specimen at 6'6", 240 pounds, Randy Gregory will be in the running to be the first non-quarterback off the board.

The defensive end was a highly touted football and basketball recruit out of high school and was committed to Purdue before ending up at Arizona Western Community College.

Gregory transferred to Nebraska before the 2013 season and showed flashes of brilliance before exploding in 2014. He had seven sacks in 11 games this season, along with 8.5 tackles for loss and two blocks. 

He'll be able to produce in the NFL right away, and he has the ceiling to be one of the premier defensive ends down the line.