Top-10 Defensive Prospects in The 2024 NFL Draft
With the 2024 NFL Draft set to begin on Thursday night, this class feels like one of the more unique that I’ve experienced in my 13 years covering the league.
While there are certainly playmakers to be found on the defensive side of the football, this is a truly special offensive class. There might even be eight to ten offensive players selected in the first ten picks.
Given the breadth and depth of this year’s quarterback class, and the absolute dearth of offensive line play across the NFL last season, combined with this being such a strong class in the trenches, top-tier defenders could be pushed down the board which would create insane value for teams who aren’t forced to be drafting to fill a glaring need defensively.
Still, in a sport that’s more tilted towards offense than ever before, there are several immediate starters available on the defensive side of the ball in this class.
Here’s a look at my top-10 defensive prospects, along with insight from NFL executives, scouts, and coaches on the top defenders available.
A versatile defender who can line up on the perimeter, at the nickel, or even potentially as a safety in some schemes, there’s a very real possibility Cooper DeJean hears his name called as the first defender off the board on Thursday night, despite working his way back from a torn ACL suffered last November. Pro Football Focus points out that opposing quarterbacks produced a meager 37.8 passer rating when targeting him during the 10 games he was healthy for last season, after posting an elite 88.5 overall grade from the outlet in 2022. A natural athlete and physical presence, DeJean is a plug-and-play starter.
NFC Executive: “For all of the talk about him being a safety, I think that’s nonsense. Take him and play him at cornerback. He reminds me a lot of Jason Seahorn back in the day. You might look up in a few years and he’s one of the best corners in the league.”
Arnold is an elite speedster capable of holding his own against top-tier receivers on the perimeter. At 6-feet and 189 pounds, Arnold possesses the length and twitchiness that defensive coordinators look to build their secondary around. In addition to using length to his advantage against bigger targets, Arnold isn’t afraid to crash the box and throw his weight around in run-support, either. An elite nose for the football makes Arnold a nightmare in coverage.
AFC College Scouting Director: “Instinctive player with solid speed. He has good coverage skills, but gets a little aggressive in coverage and bites on double routes and play action. Played his best ball down the stretch this year.”
Turner is the closest thing to a plug-and-play immediate playmaker as an edge presence as you’ll find in this year’s class. Turner’s explosive burst make him a nightmare for opposing tackles, as illustrated by his elite 19.6 pass-rush win rate last season in Tuscaloosa and 24 sacks across the last three seasons. Given his versatility to get after the quarterback lining up with his hand in the dirt or as a standup outside linebacker, Turner’s an ideal candidate for a joker role in virtually any defensive scheme.
NFL Defensive Line Coach: “Mark my words, he’s going to be the first edge guy off the board. Put on his tape, it doesn’t matter the game, he’s probably more athletic than Will Anderson was from last year. His athleticism is easily his best trait.”
The working definition of a ballhawk, Mitchell’s blend of speed and athleticism make him the type of cornerback defensive coordinators can feel comfortable placing on an island in man-situations. Mitchell pulled down six interceptions over the past three seasons, while breaking up 45 more passes, flashing elite ball skills. Pro Football Focus points out that Mitchell’s 17 forced incompletions was third-most in the nation during the 2023 campaign, as the outlet gives him an elite 91.6 coverage grade for his efforts last season.
McKinstry’s instincts and football acumen will push him up boards, as will his production in one of the most difficult conferences in college football. A finesse player at times, Mckinstry is more likely to force opposing quarterbacks to look in a different direction than drop the hammer and deliver a punishing blow to opposing receivers. McKinstry intercepted two passes and broke up 23 more in three seasons at Alabama.
NFL Scouting Director: “Excellent awareness ball skills and instincts. Big time gambler and wants to be a playmaker. Sometimes gives up big plays because of it. He adds value as a solid returner but does have a tendency to let the ball bounce to often and doesn’t secure the catch resulting in negative yards on punt returns.”
Liatu is as intimidating an edge presence as you’ll find in this year’s crop of pass-rushers. At 6-foot-5 and 265 pounds, the UCLA standout is a disruptive force, with off the charts advanced stats. His elite 26.5 pass-rush win-rate underscores how dominant he was in 2023 against Pac-12 tackles, while posting 81 hurries over the past two seasons and 19 sacks over that span. Posting a true pass-rush grade of 94.5 from PFF, Luto is the type of player coordiantors can build a front-seven around.
Murphy departs Austin with explosive power and the skills to anchor a defense on all three downs, in the right system. His lightning-quick first step, paired with his agility and strength, make him a nightmare for offensive lines, whether he's penetrating the gaps or hunting down the quarterback in the backfield. There’s a reason Murphy logged eight sacks and 15 tackles for loss as a centerpiece of the Longhorns’ defensive line.
Arguably the most explosive prospect in this year’s class, and potentially the defender who has the most upside at the next level, Chop Robinson’s athleticism and bend off the edge is going to offer a significant upgrade to a team’s pass-rush. Production never quite matched Robinson’s elite downhill motor, producing 17.5 sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss in two seasons in Happy Valley, he proceeded to run a blistering 4.48-second 40-yard dash, showing that his speed matches what he put on film.
AFC Personnel Director: “I think Chop is similar to Bryce Huff, and he was an undrafted free agent! The problem with Chop is so much of his draft stock is tied to a 40-time, he gets washed against the run. If someone takes Chop high in the first, they’re going to be disappointed early on and have to show some patience.”
Verse’s ability to keep offensive tackles guessing by seamlessly transitioning from lightning-quick bursts to overwhelming strength in his pass-rushing technique jumps off his tape at Florida State. What sets Verse apart as a highly sought-after prospect is his impressive combination of power and athleticism. Posting 18 sacks and 29.5 tackles for loss, Verse is a dominant force who can arrive and immediately contribute quality snaps with immense upside.
Newton’s blend of explosiveness and raw upper-body strength helped him develop a reputation both as a space-eating run-stuffer as well as a capable interior pass-rusher during his time at Illinois. Last season, Newton posted a career-high eight sacks, as Pro Football Focus points out that he finished 2023 with an elite 15.4 pass-rush win-rate while adding 28 quarterback-hurries.
NFL Scout: “I’m a very big believer in Newton. I think he has the potential to be the most dominant defender in this class, when all is said and done.”
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