2024 NFL Draft edge rusher rankings: 4 potential stars lead our top 10

Rob Rang

NFL Draft Analyst

In today’s era of pass-happy offenses, edge rushers rank second behind only quarterbacks in terms of their value to NFL teams. Every club is on the lookout for young, inexpensive talent.

This year’s class lacks an obvious headliner guaranteed to earn a top-10 selection but don’t let that fool you. There is plenty of talent available.

The concern is that many of the top prospects come with as many question marks as exclamation points.

We expect project four edge rushers to be selected in the first round. The pecking order, however, remains to be seen, with a choose-your-favorite-flavor element certain to make this group as hotly debated as any position in the 2024 NFL draft.

2024 NFL Draft prospect rankings | Top 10 QB prospects | Top 10 RB prospects | Top 10 WR prospects | Top 10 TE prospects | Top 10 OT prospects | Top 10 IOL prospects | Joel Klatt’s mock draft

1. Laiatu Latu, UCLA — 6-foot-5, 259 pounds, Redshirt Senior

Overview: Prospects don’t come much more celebrated than UCLA’s Latu, who led the PAC-12 in sacks (13), tackles for loss (21.5) and forced fumbles (two) in 2023. For his success, Latu was honored with the Ted Hendricks Award as the nation’s top defensive end, the Vince Lombardi Award as the nation’s top defensive lineman, the PAC-12 Defensive Player of the Year and the Polynesian Defensive Player of the Year. His success and resiliency are all the more remarkable given that he initially signed with the University of Washington, where two years ago team doctors told him they thought his football career was over due to a neck injury.

Strengths

Naturally large man with excellent height and weight for the position, including broad shoulders and good arm length.Quick enough off the snap to challenge offensive tackles immediately. He also greases the corner with acceleration and core flexibility.Already boasts an NFL veteran’s assortment of quality pass rush moves.Has strong,…


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Publish date : 2024-03-21 12:53:12

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