The 2024 NFL Draft is strong and deep some positions, like the offensive tackle and wide receiver positions, but it also has some positions of weakness, including edge rusher. Team sources view only three players as definite first-round edge rushers: Alabama’s Dallas Turner, UCLA’s Laiatu Latu and Florida State’s Jared Verse. Given there are a lot of teams that need pass-rushing help and it can be difficult to fill that void in free agency, sources from some franchises picking late in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft say their organizations will probably consider moving up for a pass rusher if one slides to the right range.
Sources from a couple of playoff teams said their franchises would be aggressive to potentially move up if Turner were to slide beyond the top 10. However, they view that as extremely unlikely. Some sources said they have heard that Turner’s combine workout numbers could be extraordinary. They shared they heard the lightning-dfast edge rusher has put up 40 times in the 4.4s and 4.5s in his combine preparations. Training times can be a little inflated, but even if they are close, he still will be a star of the workouts at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine.
After Turner is off the board, Latu and Verse could not have long to wait before hearing their names called. Penn State edge rusher Chop Robinson is also on the bubble between Rounds 1 and 2 of the 2024 NFL Draft. Many teams graded Robinson in the second round, but if he works out well, that could push him up. Sources said Robinson is a good kid whose character evaluation will help him in the pre-draft meetings with the coaches involved. Right now though, only Turner, Latu and Verse are viewed as definite first-rounders.
Outside of the top 10, there could be a lot of playoff teams that are looking to add edge-rush help. The Rams, Dolphins, Eagles, Texans, Buccaneers, Cardinals, Lions, Ravens and 49ers could all be in the market for an edge rusher. Thus, teams picking in the teens and 20s are potentially in a good position to move down if another team wants to move up for Latu or Verse. In my latest 2024 NFL Mock Draft, I have both Latu and Verse going to playoff teams. But multiple sources said they feel teams could aggressively move up to select an edge rusher in the 2024 NFL Draft.
