Whether it's a base 4-3 or 3-4 team looking for the right defensive end or outside linebacker, every team wants to boost its pass rush with the right prospects. The 2024 NFL Draft class obliges by offering plenty of pop in getting to the quarterback.
For a second consecutive offseason, the top pass rusher on the board is an elite playmaker from Alabama. But after Dallas Turner succeeds former Crimson Tide teammate Will Anderson Jr. as the first edge defender off the board, there will be several other high-impact players available.
Here's looking at who all joins Turner among the 10 best pass-rushing prospects.
MORE: Big board top 200 | 7-round mock draft | Mock with trades
2024 NFL Draft: Ranking the top 10 EDGE rushers
1. Dallas Turner, Alabama (6-3, 247 pounds)
Turner, like Anderson, is a disruptive force who makes a lot of plays. He is coming off a dazzling NFL Combine, showing the required quickness and athleticism needed to make impact plays on quarterbacks and ball-carriers in the NFL. He is a complete, every-down starter.
Draft projection: Early first-round pick
MORE: Alabama LB shines at NFL Combine
2. Jared Verse, Florida State (6-4, 254 pounds)
Verse produced a ton in college based on raw, explosive pass-rushing skills. He refined his technique and repertoire ahead of the draft, and he's a solid what-you-see-is-what-get sack specialist.
Draft projection: Early-to-mid first-round pick
3. Laiatu Latu, UCLA (6-5, 239 pounds)
Latu is a versatile outside-inside pass rusher in the Michael Bennett vein. He's proved to be a sleek athlete who can consistently finish with power and explosiveness. His decision to return to school has helped him improve his all-around game.
Draft projection: Early-to-mid first-round pick
4. Chop Robinson, Penn State (6-3, 254 pounds)
Robinson, as if rushing the passer was karate, is known for having a great finishing move as the nickname suggests. He can build on his speedy, explosive style to develop into a more complete defender, too.
Draft projection: Late first-round or early second-round pick
5. Darius Robinson, Missouri (6-5, 285 pounds)
Robinson has some freakish qualities for his big, strong frame, giving him a high pass-rush ceiling. He's explosive, too, but his strength stands out even more.
Draft projection: Late first-round or early second-round pick
6. Bralen Trice, Washington (6-3, 245 pounds)
Trice matches his quickness off the edge with a relentless, competitive spirit to end his pressure with production. He has a nose for big plays, including blowing up plenty in the backfield.
Draft projection: Mid-to-late second-round pick
7. Chris Braswell, Alabama (6-3, 251 pounds)
Braswell can fly, and his speed-quickness combination gives him a lot of range to make plays upfield and downfield. He just needs to be disciplined in how he defends to pass to maximize those plays in pressure and coverage.
Draft projection: Mid-to-late second-round pick
8. Jonah Elliss, Utah (6-2, 248 pounds)
Ellis is still developing as a pass rusher, but he's a reliable run-stopper off the edge and can handle tackling and coverage well with his lateral quickness. He has a great pedigree with father Luther and brothers Kaden, Christian, and Noah all playing in the NFL. He is the best of the brothers because he carries more inside-outside versatility.
Draft projection: Early-to-mid second-round pick
9. Adisa Isaac, Penn State (6-4, 247 pounds)
Isaac has stood out in the pre-draft process because his relentless quickness jumps out on tape. He has natural pass-rush skills that still can be expanded to help him become a more complete player.
Draft projection: Early-to-mid second-round pick
10. Marshawn Kneeland, Western Michigan (6-3, 267 pounds)
Kneeland doesn't have jaw-dropping pop, but he gets it done getting to the quarterback with relentless, smart, and expansive moves. He has untapped upside, plus a sold frame vs. the run.
Draft projection: Late second-round or early third-round pick
