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Although the 2025 NFL draft lacks the star power of recent years, Marshall pass rusher Mike Green is still a name to watch for the Cleveland Browns.
While franchise-changing superstars are scarce, the depth of specialists at the edge stands out, offering a wealth of options for teams looking to bolster their front seven.
Need a small-school gem to root for this spring? Meet Marshall’s edge rusher Mike Green, a dynamic disruptor poised to rise draft boards. The reality is simple: no matter how stacked their defensive line may be, every NFL team needs pass rushers.
Disrupting the passer, forcing negative plays, and making the quarterback uncomfortable in the pocket have never been more crucial. The demand for pressure is only rising.
With teams always in need of fresh pass-rushing talent, expect Green to rise as a coveted prospect in this draft cycle.
Measurables and class of the potential Browns’ target
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 251 lbs
Class: Fourth-year Sophomore
Strengths
- Employs an advanced pass-rush arsenal including hand swipes, swim moves, and counter-spin techniques
- Displays excellent snap anticipation and a quick first step
- Wrestling background provides him with an innate understanding of leverage at the point of contact
- High motor
- Special teams experience in all four phases
Weaknesses
- Weak at setting the edge against the run
- Often gambles by lunging at ball carriers, leading to missed tackles
- Limited arm length and upper body strength may pose an issue against NFL competition.
- Lacks positional flexibility, almost exclusively played out of wide alignments
- Limited experience against top-tier offensive linemen
Other 2025 NFL draft-related notes
- No major injury history
- Has only played defensive end for two years
- Medaled as a high school wrestler in Virginia, silver as a sophomore at 185 pounds, and bronze as a junior at 220 pounds
- Led FBS in sacks (17) and tackles for loss (23) in 2024 season
Projected role: Outside Linebacker in a 3-4 front, pass rush specialist
General notes on Mike Green
Mike Green came out of high school as a three-star recruit who played linebacker and tight end. He committed to the University of Virginia and played in six games at linebacker in 2021, listed at 215 pounds. After sitting out the 2022 season for unknown reasons, he entered the transfer portal and joined Marshall for the 2023 season.
There, Green quickly made a name for himself as a pass rusher. In 2024, he exploded onto the scene, earning All-American honors and was named Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year.
Since transferring from Virginia, Green has added significant weight, though it raises questions about how much more weight can be added to his lean frame. He is still developing as a run defender, struggling with upper body strength to extend on blocks and lacking the lower body anchor to hold his ground against offensive tackles at the next level.
Overall, Green is an explosive and violent pass rusher who dominated Group of Five of the offensive tackles during his time profile blends a solid technical foundation in pass rushing and block shedding with above-average athleticism. However, concerns remain about whether his frame can withstand the NFL’s size and strength in the trenches.