On January 15, the best college players completed their registration for the 2024 NFL Draft.
This is a great opportunity to take an overview of the forces present, focusing on a top 10, defensive this time, by position.
For certain positions, the preferential role is provided in parentheses. The top 10 linked to attack can be found here.
EDGE RUSHERS
1. Dallas Turner (Alabama)
2. Laiatu Latu (UCLA)
3. Jared Verse (Florida State)
4. Chop Robinson (Penn State)
5. Bralen Trice (Washington)
6. Jonah Elliss (Utah)
7. Chris Braswell (Alabama)
8. Gabriel Murphy (UCLA)
9. Adisa Isaac (Penn State)
10. Nelson Ceaser (Houston)
Other players cited: Austin Booker (Kansas), Brennan Jackson (Washington State), Cedric Johnson (Ole Miss), Zion Tupuola-Fetui (Washington).
Dallas Turner's cannonball end to the season now makes him a big favorite to enter the top 10, or even the top 5, of the next draft. Behind, the hierarchy seems quite clear so far, even if the relative productions of Jared Verse and Chop Robinson, despite their NFL size, leave some intrigue.
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN
1. Jer’Zhawn Newton (Illinois)
2. Kris Jenkins (Michigan)
3. Leonard Taylor (Miami FL)
4. T’Vondre Sweat (Texas)
5. Ruke Orhorhoro (Clemson)
6. Byron Murphy II (Texas)
7. Brandon Dorlus (Ore.)
8. Michael Hall Jr. (Ohio State)
9. Mason Smith (LSU)
10. Braden Fiske (Florida State)
Other players cited: DeWayne Carter (Duke), Darius Robinson (Missouri), Mekhi Wingo (LSU).
This is a surprisingly deep class that could satisfy NFL franchises next year. In the first two rounds alone, there are a good ten players who have the potential to become starters in the short term. The Texas duo, Byron Murphy II and T'Vondre Sweat, particularly impressed at the end of the season, contributing, defensively and even sometimes offensively, to their team's participation in the playoffs.
Byron Murphy (90) and T'Vondre Sweat (93), two very dissuasive weapons to come on the first defensive curtain.
LINEBACKERS
1. Jeremiah Trotter Jr. (Clemson)
2. Edgerin Cooper (Texas A&M)
3. Payton Wilson (NC State)
4. Junior Colson (Michigan)
5. Cedric Gray (North Carolina)
6. Tommy Eichenberg (Ohio State)
7. Ty’Ron Hopper (Missouri)
8. Jaylan Ford (Texas)
9. Marist Liufau (Notre Dame)
10. JD Bertrand (Notre Dame)
Other players cited: Michael Barrett (Michigan), Darius Muasau (UCLA), Trevin Wallace (Kentucky).
If the defensive linemen are starting to have a serious rating, the return of many major linebackers to the university tends to offer a 2024 class that can leave you wanting more. Son of the former Philadelphia Eagles linebacker, Trotter Jr. has a slight height deficit that is not always a saving grace in the modern NFL, and Payton Wilson, absolutely everywhere this season, has collected injuries in College Football. The Combine should provide more clarity on the merits of selecting a linebacker in the first round next April.
CORNERBACKS
1. Cooper DeJean (Iowa)
2. Nate Wiggins (Clemson)
3. Quinyon Mitchell (Toledo)
4. Terrion Arnold (Alabama)
5. Kool-Aid McKinstry (Alabama)
6. Kamari Lassiter (Georgia)
7. Kalen King (Penn State)
8. TJ Tampa (Iowa State)
9. Kris Abrams-Draine (Missouri)
10. DJ James (Auburn)
Other players cited: Caelen Carson (Wake Forest), Max Melton (Rutgers), Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (Missouri).
This is arguably the most exciting defensive class this year. Because both on the outside and in the slot, this vintage has within it a lot of instinctive and efficient players over the last few months. The only real downside is undoubtedly the absence of the famous “shutdown corner” as the established formula requires. Injured at the end of the season, the very versatile Cooper DeJean nevertheless reveals himself to be an extraordinary athlete who has a card to play in the draft process to climb the boards a little more.
SAFETY
1. Kamren Kinchens (NS, Miami FL)
2. Tyler Nubin (FS, Minnesota)
3. Jevon Bullard (FS, Georgia)
4. Calen Bullock (FS, USC)
5. Cole Bishop (SS, Utah)
6. Beau Brade (NS, Maryland)
7. James Williams (NS, Miami FL)
8. Tykee Smith (NS, Georgia)
9. Jaden Hicks (SS, Washington State)
10. Jaylin Simpson (NS, Auburn)
Other players cited: Malik Mustapha (SS, Wake Forest), Kitan Oladapo (Oregon State), Sione Vaki (SS, Utah).
Kinchens, Nubin, and the others? Behind the two athletic phenomena, the hierarchy seems to be very flexible. In the new fashion for reinforced defensive backfields, many profiles expected to become free safeties could initially erase their overly permissive side on reception with effective integration into the slot.
