2024 NFL Draft Prospects: Defensive End

4/23/24: Turner collected 53 tackles, 11 sacks, 15.5 tackles for a loss and two forced fumbles in 2023. He is a fast and dangerous pass rusher off the edge, as illustrated with his electric combine 40 time. However, Turner has some size limitations as a run defender for the NFL.

8/19/23: With Will Anderson commanding attention on the other side in 2021, Turner had a phenomenal freshman debut for the Crimson Tide and showed serious pass rush potential – collecting 8.5 sacks. He also had 30 tackles and was rotating with other defenders. In 2022, Turner collected 37 tackles and four sacks, but he was far more disruptive than the numbers indicate. He has a good skill set with upside.

4/23/24: In 2023, Verse totaled 41 tackles, nine sacks and two passes batted. He collected 6.5 of his sacks against some weak offensive lines in Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, and Florida. Verse can beat offensive tackles with power or quickness. He has some stiffness as a pass rusher, and that has some teams sources grading him as a late first- or early second-round pick for the 2024 NFL Draft. However, this draft lacks edge-rushing talent overall, so Verse could end up as a top-20 selection.

9/2/23: Verse had a great start to open 2022, showing pass-rush ability and speed around the corner in a dominant performance versus LSU while recording three sacks and seven tackles. On the year, Verse recorded 47 tackles and nine sacks.

Team sources who have seen Verse in person say he is a good-looking kid with strength and athletic ability. They note he runs well, plays hard, and has impressive tools. However, they feel Verse is raw and not naturally instinctive. Those issues are not surprising considering the huge jump in competition that Verse made for 2022. However, he still impressed last season.

Verse started out his collegiate career at Albany before transferring to the Seminoles for 2022. At Albany, Verse was very undersized and added weight while switching from tight end to defensive end. Playing in 15 games over two seasons, Verse totaled 74 tackles, 21.5 tackles for a loss, 14.5 sacks and two forced fumbles.

4/23/24: Latu totaled 49 tackles, 13 sacks, two interceptions, two passes batted and two forced fumbles in 2023. He recorded 10.5 sacks and three forced fumbles in 2022. Latu has proven to be a dangerous quarterback hunter. He has very good instincts, motor, and hand usage. At the Senior Bowl, Latu practiced well before missing the final practice with an injury. Latu had an excellent workout at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine. However, the medical concerns around him are running rampant with teams, and that could cause him to slide even though his tape and skill set are that of a true first-rounder.

With Washington, Latu had injury issues that cost him the 2020 and 2021 seasons. A serious neck injury caused former Huskies coach Jimmy Lake to say that Latu’s career was over after consulting specialists, but he transferred to UCLA after Lake and his staff were let go. Latu then received medical clearance from UCLA before resuming his career.

4/23/24: Robinson totaled 15 tackles, four sacks, two forced fumbles and a pass batted for his 2023. He only played in seven games, missing time due to a leg injury. Sources say Robinson has good character and work ethic. He worked out well at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine.

8/19/23: Robinson plays defensive end for Penn State, but for the NFL, he may have to move to outside linebacker given his size. If Robinson is any smaller than his listed numbers, he definitely will need be too small to play end on an every-down basis. In 2022, Robinson recorded 5.5 sacks, 10 tackles for a loss, two passes batted, one forced fumble and 26 tackles. Playing for Maryland in 2021, he totaled 19 tackles and two sacks.

4/23/24: Robinson was a really solid football player for the Tigers in 2023, recording 43 tackles, 8.5 sacks and a forced fumbles. With good height, length and weight, Robinson offers the flexiblity to play defensive end or tackle at the pro level. In college, he played on the inside before moving to the edge as a senior, and end looks like his best spot in the NFL. Robinson could also be a base end who moves inside to tackle in the sub package. He had a superb week of practice at the Senior Bowl, showing some serious power to shed blocks. Robinson is big, strong, and a good power rusher who also is tough against the run. However, team sources feel Robinson lacks some speed and juice off the edge.

4/23/24: In 2023, Braswell recorded 42 tackles, eight sacks, three forced fumbles, one interception and a pass batted. He is a fast edge rusher with upside.

8/30/23: Braswell is known to be an athletic freak with serious speed and strength, but he has yet to put together a big season for Alabama. Braswell flashed some edge-rush ability in 2022, recording three sacks, 4.5 tackles for a loss and 21 tackles. With Will Anderson in the NFL, Braswell could take on a big role in 2023.

4/23/24: While Chop Robinson was expected to be Penn State’s leading pass rusher in 2023, it was Isaac who created the most pass-rushing production in 2023 after Robinson was injured. In 2023, Isaac totaled 7.5 sacks, 35 tackles and a forced fumble. He had four sacks in 2022 and put up a total of three sacks over 2020 and 2019. Isaac has quality size for the next level and is a good run defender. His pass rush needs to improve for the NFL, but he has the potential to grow and had a nice week at the Senior Bowl.

4/23/24: Kneeland played well against the run for Western Michigan in 2023, recording 57 tackles. He also tied his career high in sacks with 4.5 and two forced fumbles. As a sophomore in 2021, Kneeland had 4.5 sacks. Kneeland received an invitation to the Senior Bowl and had a decent week of practice.

4/23/24: Elliss was one of college football’s most dangerous pass rushers in 2023, making a big impact for the Utes. He racked up 12 sacks, 37 tackles and a forced fumble on the year, plus he produced steady pressure on the quarterback. Elliss is undersized for edge rusher in the NFL thanks to lacking height and length. However, he plays low to dip under blockers while also having some functional strength. The junior put himself on the map for the next level with how he played in 2023.

4/23/24: Trice recorded 49 tackles, seven sacks and one pass batted in 2023. He was quiet in a number of games in terms of sack production, but he produced a good amount of pressures and finished the year playing well for the Huskies. Trice is undersized for the NFL.

8/19/23: Trice put together an excellent sophomore season in 2022, recording 30 tackles and seven sacks. In 2021, he had 14 tackles and two sacks.

4/23/24: Thomas is an enigma who is fast and athletic off the edge. In 2023, he notched 25 tackles and three sacks. Thomas recorded 3.5 sacks per year in both 2021 and 2020. With his speed and athleticism, it doesn’t make sense as to why Thomas did not produce more at the college level. The 6-foot-2, 245-pounder is undersized and could be a designated pass rusher as a pro, but he has talent and upside to develop. Off-the-field concerns have hurt Thomas with NFL teams.

4/23/24: Booker played well in 2023, recording eight sacks, 56 tackles and two forced fumbles. He has some pass-rush ability off the edge, but he needs to get stronger for the NFL. Booker could compete for a roster spot as a backup, designated pass rusher.

4/23/24: Tupuola-Fetui totaled 29 tackles, one forced fumble and 3.5 sacks in 2023.

8/19/23: Tupuola-Fetui flashed pass-rush ability in the shortened 2020 season, recording seven sacks. The 2021 season was limited to only five games because of an injury from spring practice. In 2022, he returned to the field, but he was a rotational player who put up 4.5 sacks and 28 tackles. Tupuola-Fetui needs to produce more and stay on the field as a senior to rise.

4/23/24: While Laiatu Latu has received a lot of attention, there are a couple of other talented edge rushers from the Bruins in this draft class. Team sources said Murphy impressed at the East-West Shrine and had a good week of practice. In 2023, Murphy recorded 38 tackles and eight sacks. Two years earlier, Murphy notched 53 tackles and 7.5 sacks.

4/23/24: Team sources said that along with Gabriel Murphy, Grayson Murphy impressed at the East-West Shrine and turned in a good week of practice. In 2023, Murphy recorded five sacks, 32 tackles and two forced fumbles. He notched five sacks in 2022 and 8.5 sacks in 2021. The 6-foot-3, 260-pound Murphy could have produced more, but he was rotational in a loaded depth chart. Murphy is a sleeper who could be a nice mid-round value from the 2024 NFL Draft.

4/23/24: Solomon was a dangerous pass rusher for Troy in 2023, ripping off 16 sacks, 55 tackles and three forced fumbles. He had 4.5 sacks and 44 tackles in 2022 after a breakout 2021 season, during which he recorded 50 tackles, 11 sacks and two forced fumbles. Solomon is very undersized for the NFL, but he could be a designated pass rusher who contributes in the sub package.

4/23/24: Johnson had a respectable 2023 season for the Rebels, recording 40 tackles and 5.5 sacks. He notched four sacks in 2022 and 6.5 sacks in 2021. Johnson is a little undersized, but he has some quickness and athleticism off the edge.

4/23/24: Ceaser is undersized for the NFL, but he showed rush ability off the edge in 2023, putting heat on the quarterback with 9.5 sacks alongside 43 tackles. He recorded four sacks in 2022 after recording 3.5 in 2021. As a pro, Ceaser might fit as a designated pass rusher in the sub package. For the base defense, Ceaser would probably have to move to linebacker.

4/23/24: Jackson was a dangerous edge defender for the Cougars in 2023, totaling 8.5 sacks, 57 tackles and three passes batted. In 2022, he notched 41 tackles and six sacks. He recorded 46 tackles and five sacks in 2021. Jackson has quality size and could be a nice sleeper prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft.

4/23/24: Kamara was among the best pass rushers in college football in 2023, notching 13 sacks alongside 56 tackles and two forced fumbles. During the previous two seasons, he recorded 8.5 and 7.5 sacks, respectively. Kamara definitely has a nose for the quarterback, but at 6-foot-1, 250 pounds, he is very undersized for the NFL. Kamara could be a designated pass rusher for the sub package as a pro.

4/23/24: Harrell was a solid edge defender for the Wolverines in 2023, recording 31 tackles, 6.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. In 2022, he notched 30 tackles and 3.5 sacks as a rotational defender. Harrell could start out his pro career as a backup before potentially working his way into being a starter.

4/23/24: In 2023, McGregor recorded 26 tackles, 4.5 sacks and three passes batted. He totaled 17 tackles and 2.5 sacks in 2022. McGregor could become a solid backup in the NFL.

4/23/24: Duke is an undersized edge rusher who team sources are projecting to be a designated pass rusher in the NFL. In 2023, Duke totaled 19 tackles, six sacks and a forced fumble. In 2022, he put up 44 tackles, three sacks and a pass broken up.

4/23/24: Person needs to add weight for the NFL, or he will have to move to linebacker. He was a highly impactful pass rusher for the Mocs. Person recorded 56 tackles, 9.5 sacks and three forced fumbles in 2023. Across 2022, he notched 52 tackles, 8.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. Person could develop and add weight to serve as a designated pass rusher.

4/23/24: Watts showed pass-rush ability in 2022 when he totaled seven sacks to go with 47 tackles and two forced fumbles. In 2023, he recorded 34 stops and two sacks. Watts has backup potential and could be a player who develops as he gains experience.

4/23/24: Byrd was a contributing pass rusher for the Trojans over the past few seasons. He notched six sacks and 48 tackles in his senior year. Byrd showed some pass-rush potential in previous seasons, recording four sacks in 2022 and 6.5 sacks in 2020. Byrd faces size limitations for the NFL.

4/23/24: In 2023, Jean-Baptiste recorded 49 tackles, five sacks and a pass defended. During the previous season, he had four sacks. Jean-Baptiste looks like a backup defensive end with some upside to develop.

4/23/24: Cole was a solid defender for the Red Raiders in 2023, recording 32 tackles, 3.5 sacks and a pass batted. He notched 1.5 sacks over the previous three seasons. Cole did not stand out at the Senior Bowl.

4/23/24: Jeffcoat was not much of a run defender in college, but he flashed some speed off the edge. In 2023, he notched four sacks. Back in 2021, he put up 3.5 sacks in 2021. That came on the heels of six sacks in 2020. Jeffcoat could compete to be a designated pass rusher to start out his career. He helped himself with a fast 40 at the combine.

4/23/24: Okie-Anoma was a solid defender for Charlotte in 2023, notching 5.5 sacks and 56 tackles. He could be a late-round backup competitor for the 2024 NFL Draft.