After the quarterbacks, today, honor to the most prominent position on the defensive side: who is the ultimate pass rusher in the Draft?
On April 25, the 2024 NFL draft will be held in Detroit. The opportunity to present the different prospects in more detail through new thematic articles, the “Prototype”. The idea is simple: identify the perfect prospect, with the main quality of each player entered in the draft.
First step: Chop Robinson
He is one of the most polarizing players in this draft. And for good reason. Chop Robinson seems a real conundrum between potential and purpose. His production in 2023 has disappointed many, with one of the most devastating first steps in this class.
His extraordinary athlete profile, with incredible explosiveness and a solid center of gravity, will make him a big curiosity during the Combinedespecially in the first quarter of the 40-yard dash.
Fluidity of movement: Dallas Turner
He is undoubtedly the most prominent pass rusher of this vintage at the moment. And this is thanks to the fact that he has a complete profile. Among Dallas Turner's countless qualities, the one that could allow him to thrive in the NFL is his impressive fluidity of movement.
An agility that allows him to overtake the linemen on the inside as well as the outside, but also to pursue or cover if the need arises. Qualities which clearly label him as a hybrid threat, and here again, a potential closely scrutinized Combined from Indianapolis.
Technique: Jared Verse
Arriving from the second university division, from Albany, Jared Verse quickly stood out in a program of the caliber of Florida State. A clever mix of physicality and speed, number 5 has distinguished himself above all by his almost impeccable technique over the last two seasons.
Strong on the lower body, he undoubtedly has the most lethal hands on the board, which allows him to often be in a preferential situation on the pass rush but also the run stop. Without a doubt, he is an ideal candidate for a top 10.
Bralen Trice, the brute force of the pass rush.
Range of moves: Laiatu Latu
With 23 and a half sacks, 34 tackles for loss and 5 forced fumbles over the last two years, Latu is arguably the best in terms of raw production at the position. A coup for a player who has suffered from injuries for a long time and who even retired from sports for a while. Technically, this still has an impact on his center of gravity, but clearly not on his course of action. Latu knows how to deceive his counterpart with multiple movements. This was seen on the outside but also and above all on the inside, where the person concerned was very often used successfully (mastery of the club to push the shoulder, of the swim to pass your arm over it, or spin to wrap around the lineman, etc.). Its role could therefore be valuable in various schemes.
Power/Bull rush : Bralen Trice
Former teammate of Latu in Washington, Bralen Trice also has a good variety of counters in his pocket. But one of the most successful is undoubtedly the bull rush. It must be said that at almost 125 kilos, the one who has just played in the university final knows how to be respected and can also be a dissuasive weapon on the inside of the line to lend a hand to the defensive tackles.
His physique being as commendable as his endurance and his will, the franchises could hesitate at the idea of recovering him in the top 50.
Responsiveness: Chris Braswell
When he arrived at Alabama, in an army of big recruits, Braswell probably expected not to start right away. But a late learning impact impacts him more than the other stars of the position. However, many are already praising the activity and the “motor” of the man who was the second blade of the Crimson Tide’s pass rush, behind Dallas Turner.
There are certainly more powerful than him and more explosive as well, but Chris Braswell is a hunter at heart. A hard worker who doesn't hesitate to fight until the whistle blows. A medium or long term project but worth trying with patient frankness.
