Building an NFL draft board is a work in progress throughout the offseason. The NFL Combine is always a significant step towards completing the process, and the final touches can be put on as players work through their Pro Days.
Here’s how my top defensive prospects look right now.
These rankings are based on my personal estimation of each player’s value, based on the assumption each prospect lands in an offensive or defensive scheme suited to his skill set.
- 2024 NFL Draft Big Board & Top 50 from Ryan McCrystal
- 2024 NFL Draft Offensive Big Board from Ryan McCrystal
- 2024 NFL Mock Draft From Ryan McCrystal
- 2024 NFL Mock Draft From Brendan Donahue
Ryan McCrystal has the seventh-best big board over the last five years according to The Huddle Report.
He had the best big board in 2019 and third-best in 2020 according to Wide Left.
2024 NFL Draft Defensive Big Board
| Rank | Player | Position | School |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Laiatu Latu | EDGE1 | UCLA |
| 2 | Dallas Turner | EDGE2 | Alabama |
| 3 | Byron Murphy II | DL1 | Texas |
| 4 | Jer'Zhan Newton | DL2 | Illinois |
| 5 | Quinyon Mitchell | CB1 | Toledo |
| 6 | Terrion Arnold | CB2 | Alabama |
| 7 | Kool-Aid McKinstry | CB3 | Alabama |
| 8 | Nate Wiggins | CB4 | Clemson |
| 9 | Chop Robinson | EDGE3 | Penn State |
| 10 | Jared Verse | EDGE4 | Florida State |
| 11 | Edgerrin Cooper | LB1 | Texas A&M |
| 12 | Calen Bullock | S1 | USC |
| 13 | Payton Wilson | LB2 | NC State |
| 14 | Cooper DeJean | CB5 | Iowa |
| 15 | Adisa Isaac | EDGE5 | Penn State |
| 16 | Kamari Lassiter | CB6 | Georgia |
| 17 | Michael Hall Jr. | DL3 | Ohio State |
| 18 | Darius Robinson | DL4 | Missouri |
| 19 | Mohamed Kamara | EDGE6 | Colorado State |
| 20 | Trevin Wallace | LB3 | Kentucky |
| 21 | Braden Fiske | DL5 | Florida State |
| 22 | T.J. Tampa | CB7 | Iowa State |
| 23 | Max Melton | CB8 | Rutgers |
| 24 | Tyler Nubin | S2 | Minnesota |
| 25 | Kris Abrams-Draine | CB9 | Missouri |
| 26 | Jaden Hicks | S3 | Washington State |
| 27 | Elijah Jones | CB10 | Boston College |
| 28 | Mike Sainristil | CB11 | Michigan |
| 29 | Javon Bullard | S4 | Georgia |
| 30 | DJ James | CB12 | Auburn |
| 31 | Junior Colson | LB4 | Michigan |
| 32 | T'Vondre Sweat | DL6 | Texas |
| 33 | Ennis Rakestraw Jr | CB13 | Missouri |
| 34 | Bralen Trice | EDGE7 | Washington |
| 35 | Kamren Kinchens | S5 | Miami |
| 36 | Gabriel Murphy | EDGE8 | UCLA |
| 37 | Leonard Taylor II | DL7 | Miami |
| 38 | Chris Braswell | EDGE9 | Alabama |
| 39 | Cole Bishop | S6 | Utah |
| 40 | Kris Jenkins | DL8 | Michigan |
| 41 | Marshawn Kneeland | EDGE10 | Western Michigan |
| 42 | Ruke Orhorhoro | DL9 | Clemson |
| 43 | Austin Booker | EDGE11 | Kansas |
| 44 | Khyree Jackson | CB14 | Oregon |
Pre Order the Best Analytical 2024 Football Preview
Don't miss out on Warren Sharp's 500+ page preview of the 2024 NFL season.
The preview is unlike anything you have ever seen, featuring stunning visualizations built with the reader in mind.
This preview shares insights into players, coaches, teams, and philosophies with one goal in mind: to prepare you for the 2024 NFL season by delivering the smartest information in the fastest, most direct way possible.
Pre order the 2024 Football Preview now!
2024 NFL Draft Big Board: Player Analysis
1. Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA
Where he’ll make an impact in the NFL
Latu wins with an elite blend of athleticism and refined pass-rush moves. He seems to have an answer for everything linemen throw at him, and he should immediately impact the game by consistently getting to the quarterback.
What are his weaknesses? What concerns do teams have?
While at Washington, team doctors would not clear him to play due to a neck injury. He missed two seasons before transferring to UCLA in order to get on the field. He also lacks elite physical traits, which might set a lower ceiling relative to other pass rushers in this class.
Good team fits: Rams, Falcons, Buccaneers, Bengals, Vikings, Bills, Broncos, Raiders
2. Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama
Where he’ll make an impact in the NFL
Turner has a special blend of length and athleticism and should be able to immediately cause problems with his speed rush off the edge.
What are his weaknesses? What concerns do teams have?
Pass rushers who win with speed in college sometimes have issues adjusting to NFL tackles who can match their first step. Turner will need to prove he has the physical strength to counter when linemen are able to get their hands on him.
Good team fits: Falcons, Bears, Vikings, Chargers, Broncos
3. Byron Murphy II, DL, Texas
Where he’ll make an impact in the NFL
Murphy is a disruptive force on the interior defensive line. As a pass rusher, he wins with a quick first step and an impressive closing burst and should immediately make his presence felt in that area of the game.
What are his weaknesses? What concerns do teams have?
He lacks ideal size and length, which shows up in the run game 一 when bigger linemen get into his pads, he can struggle to disengage.
Good team fits: Vikings, Broncos, Rams, Falcons, Dolphins
4. Jer'Zhan Newton, DL, Illinois
Where he’ll make an impact in the NFL
Newton makes his mark as an interior pass rusher and wins with a quick first step which gives him the ability to fly through gaps into the backfield.
What are his weaknesses? What concerns do teams have?
Can he be a three-down lineman? Newton lacks ideal length and strength, and it shows up in his performance against the run. If he's just a situational pass rusher, his value diminishes greatly.
Good team fits: Vikings, Rams, Dolphins, Chargers, Texans, Bills
5. Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
Where he’ll make an impact in the NFL
Mitchell is an outside corner who has the athleticism to stick with receivers down the field and a knack for locating and making plays on the ball.
What are his weaknesses? What concerns do teams have?
There aren't many unanswered questions about Mitchell's game other than the level of competition. We won't know for certain if he can match that level of production against receivers with NFL size and athleticism until we see him in action.
Good team fits: Steelers, Jaguars, Vikings, Packers, Lions, Chiefs, Dolphins
Pre Order the Best Analytical 2024 Football Preview
Don't miss out on Warren Sharp's 500+ page preview of the 2024 NFL season.
The preview is unlike anything you have ever seen, featuring stunning visualizations built with the reader in mind.
This preview shares insights into players, coaches, teams, and philosophies with one goal in mind: to prepare you for the 2024 NFL season by delivering the smartest information in the fastest, most direct way possible.