High-motor, NFL-ready edge who wins with effort and disruption
VanValkenburg is a relentless, battle-tested defensive lineman whose calling card is high effort, pass-rush production, and playmaking in the backfield; at Iowa he posted 9.0 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks in 2020, then 15 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks in 2021, earning second-team All-Big Ten recognition.[4][18] He stood out for toughness and disruptive instincts, including a knack for forcing fumbles and chasing plays down from behind, and evaluators repeatedly described him as the kind of worker teams know exactly what they are getting.[10][18] That profile makes him a strong fit for a defense valuing motor, technique, and dependable edge pressure over pure athletic flash.[12][13]
