2024 NFL Draft: Defensive End / Outside Linebacker Class

[WNY_FOOTBALL_DUDE]

We have officially made it. Lets talk about the last positional top prospects: Defensive End / Outside Linebackers.

FIRST ROUND
1. Dallas Turner, Alabama - 6'4, 252 pounds
2. Jared Verse, Florida State - 6'4, 260 pounds
3. Laiatu Latu, UCLA - 6'5, 265 pounds
4. Demeioun "Chop" Robinson, Penn State - 6'3, 254 pounds
5. Darius Robinson, Missouri - 6'5, 296 pounds

SECOND ROUND
6. Chris Braswell, Alabama - 6'3, 255 pounds
7. Bralen Trice, Washington - 6'4, 274 pounds

THIRD ROUND
8. Marshawn Kneeland, Western Michigan - 6'3, 275 pounds
9. Adisa Isaac, Penn State - 6'4, 249 pounds
10. Jonah Elliss, Utah - 6'2, 246 pounds
11. Austin Booker, Kansas - 6'6, 245 pounds

 

[Clayton]

Imo, Turner and Latu should go top 15. Chop Robinson is one of the bigger boom/bust players in the draft. I'm guessing he'll be third off the board although I wouldn't be shocked if he went as high as the Falcons.

Verse is more of a late 1st rounder. Darius Robinson's type usually goes rd2.

 

[WNY_FOOTBALL_DUDE]

Dallas Turner
- 21 years old. Just turned 21 last month.
- Played for Alabama between 2021 and 2023.
- Named Consensus All-American, SEC co-Defensive Player of the Year, and First Team All-SEC in 2023

 

[WNY_FOOTBALL_DUDE]

Jared Verse
- 23 years old. Will be 24 in November.
- Went to Albany between 2019 and 2021, and then Florida State between 2022 and 2023.
- Named First-team All-CAA (2021), first-team All-American and All-ACC (2022, 2023).

 

[Sharkonabicycle]

I think Latu will be a monster in the NFL and there's very little 'work' he needs, he has a VERY high floor. Not amazing against the run but who cares (those guys can be had in later rounds and it's a passing league... I know Seattle sucked against the run but that's not hard to 'solve' - Carroll and Hurtt just went full derp) - he IMO has by far the best pass move skillset and pass rushing skills of this class and that's day 1 plug and play stuff.

Seattle is pretty set at EDGE but I'd be 100% fine letting Taylor go and bringing in Latu. Injury is a concern as that almost ended his career, but he could be a routine 10+ sack guy in the NFL.

I know Turner is getting the hype as the first EDGE off the board, but if both were there at 16... I'd take Latu. He's a day 1 plug him in starter... A rotation of Mafe/Nwosu and Latu all getting 66% of snaps (and if Hall develops mix that in) and resting between plays with Mac's schemes (box safety look) would be an absolute nightmare for offenses.

 

[Clayton]

I think Latu will be a monster in the NFL and there's very little 'work' he needs, he has a VERY high floor. Not amazing against the run but who cares (those guys can be had in later rounds and it's a passing league... I know Seattle sucked against the run but that's not hard to 'solve' - Carroll and Hurtt just went full derp) - he IMO has by far the best pass move skillset and pass rushing skills of this class and that's day 1 plug and play stuff.

Seattle is pretty set at EDGE but I'd be 100% fine letting Taylor go and bringing in Latu. Injury is a concern as that almost ended his career, but he could be a routine 10+ sack guy in the NFL.

I know Turner is getting the hype as the first EDGE off the board, but if both were there at 16... I'd take Latu. He's a day 1 plug him in starter... A rotation of Mafe/Nwosu and Latu all getting 66% of snaps (and if Hall develops mix that in) and resting between plays with Mac's schemes (box safety look) would be an absolute nightmare for offenses.

Honestly, I'd be a little shocked if either one is there at 16. I think that Atlanta, Chicago and Denver could all take a pass rusher. If Minnesota trades up with Arizona then maybe they take one, too. I think Turner and Latu are very good prospects as long as teams are okay with Latu's medical history and it seems that they are.

As hyped as the offensive players are in this draft, I do think we should see Turner, Latu, Q Mitchell, and T Arnold go top 15.

 

[Sharkonabicycle]

Honestly, I'd be a little shocked if either one is there at 16. I think that Atlanta, Chicago and Denver could all take a pass rusher. If Minnesota trades up with Arizona then maybe they take one, too. I think Turner and Latu are very good prospects as long as teams are okay with Latu's medical history and it seems that they are.

As hyped as the offensive players are in this draft, I do think we should see Turner, Latu, Q Mitchell, and T Arnold go top 15.

I would agree... my point was if Turner or Latu fall to 16, Seattle should pull the trigger. I'd prefer Latu because he's the definition of plug/play.

If they don't fall, that likely means OL or Bowers did... which I'd be very happy with

 

[WNY_FOOTBALL_DUDE]

Latu Profile

You can view the thread on Latu on the link.

 

[Lake Shore Drive]

Got to catch a number of UCLA games this past season as well as game tape. And make no mistake about it, Latu is the real deal. It's his injury history being the primary reason he's not the highest ranked DE/Edge player in the draft. And since it's been two years removed from those issues, he's proven to be dependable and arguably the best at his position since then as well.

 

[Xeliou66]

I think my Falcons will go with either Turner or Verse, probably whichever we want as I think both will still be on the board when we pick. I would be satisfied with either, I think we’ll get Turner. Latu is a tough edge rusher as well but I think he’ll go later than Turner/Verse because of his past injuries.

 

[Lake Shore Drive]

I think my Falcons will go with either Turner or Verse, probably whichever we want as I think both will still be on the board when we pick. I would be satisfied with either, I think we’ll get Turner. Latu is a tough edge rusher as well but I think he’ll go later than Turner/Verse because of his past injuries.

As a Bears fan whose team drafts right after your boyz, I like either player, but just about every mock I've seen has the Falcons taking Turner, unless they go with another position. Turner's the highest rated defensive player in the draft and the Vegas bookies have him as the prohibitive favorite to be the 1st player on that side of the ball selected.

 

[Xeliou66]

As a Bears fan whose team drafts right after your boyz, I like either player, but just about every mock I've seen has the Falcons taking Turner, unless they go with another position. Turner's the highest rated defensive player in the draft and the Vegas bookies have him as the prohibitive favorite to be the 1st player on that side of the ball selected.

I think we‘ll select Turner as well, that’s what most mock drafts have us doing, and I think he‘ll be a solid player for us.

 

[WNY_FOOTBALL_DUDE]

Chop Robinson
- 21 years old. Born on January 2nd.
- Maryland (2021), Penn State (2022-2023)
- First-Team All-Big-10 (2023)

 

[WNY_FOOTBALL_DUDE]

Darius Robinson
- 22 years old. 23 in September.
- Missouri between 2019 to 2023
- First-Team All-SEC in 2023

 

[shopson67]

I think we‘ll select Turner as well, that’s what most mock drafts have us doing, and I think he‘ll be a solid player for us.

I don't know. If one of the top 3 WR is there, that would be quite the temptation to really set up Cousins.

 

[belcherboy]

I don't know. If one of the top 3 WR is there, that would be quite the temptation to really set up Cousins.

With Mooney, Pitts, and another high end WR, on top of that highly rated Offensive Line, Cousins could have a Matt Ryan 2016 type season in the ATL.

 

[shopson67]

With Mooney, Pitts, and another high end WR, on top of that highly rated Offensive Line, Cousins could have a Matt Ryan 2016 type season in the ATL.

They are expected to be running a McVay style offense with former Rams QB coach Zac Robinson at OC...

 

[Xeliou66]

I don't know. If one of the top 3 WR is there, that would be quite the temptation to really set up Cousins.

It’s unlikely the Falcons draft yet another receiver, they already have London and Pitts as top targets with Mooney and Moore and a couple of others providing depth - the Falcons are much more set on offense than on defense. Their pass rush improved some last year but still needs help - hopefully Ebiketie’s production will continue to increase and whoever they draft this year (likely Turner) will make an instant impact. We’ve gone with offensive guys the last 3 years with our first pick. I’m certain we‘ll go defense now.

 

[Clayton]

It’s unlikely the Falcons draft yet another receiver, they already have London and Pitts as top targets with Mooney and Moore and a couple of others providing depth - the Falcons are much more set on offense than on defense. Their pass rush improved some last year but still needs help - hopefully Ebiketie’s production will continue to increase and whoever they draft this year (likely Turner) will make an instant impact. We’ve gone with offensive guys the last 3 years with our first pick. I’m certain we‘ll go defense now.

I will say that I saw a video where the people from 'the Ringer' thinks its kinda crazy that Turner is mocked at 8 when he thinks that the top 2-3 CBs are better than any pass rusher in the class. I'm not sure if thats a common take or not but food for thought

 

[shopson67]

I will say that I saw a video where the people from 'the Ringer' thinks its kinda crazy that Turner is mocked at 8 when he thinks that the top 2-3 CBs are better than any pass rusher in the class. I'm not sure if thats a common take or not but food for thought

That could be, but I think the depth at CB is better than at Edge. JMO