DRAFT TRACKER 2024

Talented edge defender with the field demeanor, athleticism and skill set to rack up statistics in key categories fairly early in his NFL career. Verse dominated at Albany and then showed an ability to do the same at Florida State. He’s twitchy and compact, with explosiveness featured at the point of attack and in his upfield burst as a pass rusher. He’s great with his hands and does a nice job of diagnosing plays quickly and staying out of the clinches of offensive linemen looking to snatch him up. Verse's ability to threaten the edge only bolsters his hellish speed-to-power bull-rushing ability to run tackles deep into the pocket. He can play up or down and should be in consideration for all defensive schemes looking to add a safe, high-impact edge.

Long and athletic with the explosive traits needed to become an impactful NFL pass rusher. Turner’s first-step quickness and elite closing burst are important building blocks, but he still needs to work on his process from Point A to Point B. He hasn’t learned to create the space and angles needed to consistently attack the edges, but that should come with better hand development and a more diversified approach. A team would be wise to widen him out and allow him a better runway to ignite his burst and overwhelm tackles with his speed. He’s added 20 pounds since coming to Alabama, but he struggles at times to stack and shed run blockers or set a firm edge. Turner’s frame and game are much less developed than Will Anderson Jr.’s coming out of Alabama last year, so it could take time for him to make his mark as a starting 3-4 outside linebacker.

Edge defender who offers the type of elite athleticism we’ve seen from players like Micah Parsons and Myles Garrett. Robinson might not be as fast as Parsons, but he’s close. He’s ultra-twitchy with the explosiveness to get on top of blockers and overwhelm them in an instant. However, he will need to level up his hand skills and attack angles to reach his potential against NFL tackles. Robinson’s electric athletic traits alone should give him a floor as a good NFL starter. If he crafts a rush approach and learns to string moves/counters together, he could reach his ceiling as a destructive force capable of forcing teams to game plan around him.

Latu possesses the kind of rare maturity to his game that you usually see from NFL veterans. He rarely stays blocked by tackles as a run defender and dominates blocking tight ends on the collegiate level. His pass-rush approach is both well conceived and instinctive, and he’s brilliant at taking possession of the rep using clever hands and slippery angles to pry open opportunities. His eyes play beyond blockers, and he feeds off of a voracious motor that keeps him pushing forward as a run defender and pass rusher. Concerns surrounding his neck injury (while at Washington) will certainly come into play when he gets to medical exams, but his durability and play at UCLA are certainly promising. Everything about Latu’s skill set and production is translatable to the NFL, and he could become a Pro Bowler as a 3-4 outside linebacker with a heavy influence on the game.

Truly unique prospect combining tremendous upside with an extremely limited sample size. A more conservative approach on Booker’s grade might be prudent, but it becomes a difficult route to take when observing his length, explosive athleticism and rush talent. Booker needs to get bigger and stronger, but that will come. The diversity of his rush approach is unheard of for a player with so little playing time. He can stride and dip at the top of the rush or beat tackles back inside with a Euro step or spin counter. He can stab and long-arm tackles into the pocket or stay separated from them at the point of attack. He chases quarterbacks and running backs with agility and burst but can be inconsistent dealing with a downhill running game. His reps against talented Texas left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. could be the springboard to push this gifted edge defender with monster traits up the draft board toward an exciting NFL career.

Edge defender with good size and length but limited playing time over his four years at Alabama. Braswell chose to stick it out at Alabama rather than transferring and was rewarded with a productive final campaign. He doesn’t play with great technique or anchor as an edge-setter and is average in taking on in-line tight ends at the point of attack. As a pass rusher, he gets off the ball with good burst and uses a variety of moves, speeds and angles to create opportunities but needs to add counters to his approach. Braswell might have a ceiling as a good 3-4 backup or average designated pass rusher with core special teams value.

Heady edge prospect combining traits, tools and motor to create playmaking opportunities. Isaac plays with good recognition and awareness of his surroundings both before and after the snap. His snap quickness combines with active hands/feet to help him work his way around blocks at a solid clip. He’s primarily an outside rusher with a decent inside move, but he needs to do a better job of developing counters and learning to work back under at the top of the rush to keep from being redirected. The anchor strength needs improvement to become a more consistent edge setter and rush finisher, but his production, length and motor could eventually earn him a starting job as a 3-4 rush linebacker.

What Murphy lacks in size and length he makes up for with skill and production. He's short-armed, which will worry teams on the pro level, but his hands are so sudden and polished that it tends to ease concerns. He works his hands and feet in perfect harmony to elude blockers like a shifty runner eluding tacklers. Murphy could struggle to survive against run blockers who square him up, but he typically finds a way to slither out of sustain attempts on the collegiate level. He failed to dominate one-on-one opportunities at East-West Shrine Bowl practices, but his ability to maneuver into the backfield as a run defender and pass rusher has merit and should give him a shot to become a solid 3-4 edge rusher.

Sixth-year senior who plays like he loves football and never wants the game to end. Jackson is a productive, effort-based pass rusher who wins with motor and force but is missing much-needed moves and counters to beat NFL tackles with skill. He plays with good bend and powerful hips to drive his way through a blocker's edge against run or pass blocks. Jackson is salty at the point of attack and will shed or spin off blocks to find his way to the football. Despite some limitations, Jackson is constantly near the football, thanks to his strength, effort and toughness, and he could become a reliable pro as a 4-3 end or 3-4 rush linebacker.

Kneeland is a former high school tight end and his open-field agility can be seen when he’s pursuing the football around the field. He deals consequential first blows to opponents that often create openings for him to generate movement as a run defender or pass rusher. Teams might drop him in as a 4-3 base end, but he’s actually a more consistent playmaker when he’s standing, surveying and using his athleticism rather than fist-fighting at the point of attack. He’s a forceful rusher with a relatively simple game plan, but he does have enough bend to diversify somewhat. There are some mismatched pieces in his game but he offers toughness and talent to mold.

Broadly built edge defender with substandard traits but lights-out production over the last couple of seasons. Kamara won't be everyone's cup of tea due to his lack of length and tendency to rely heavily upon his power. He gets into the pocket with violent hands, lower-body drive power and a relentless desire to meet the quarterback. He'll have to prove he can circumvent long-limbed technicians on the next level, which could be a challenge. He's not a classic edge-setter against the run but does a nice job of playing under blockers and sneaking into the gaps. He might drop some on draft day due to the measurables, but the kind of will to conquer he's shown typically translates in the NFL.

Hunt is a small-school edge defender possessing notable athletic traits and the potential to get bigger and stronger. He currently lacks the lower-body anchor and general play strength to go up against NFL opponents, but the team drafting him is likely to view him as a developmental prospect in need of time to build his frame and his game. Hunt's speed is obvious as a pass rusher and in run pursuit, but proving he can survive against a downhill running attack could be the difference between challenging for a rotational role or hoping to become a designated pass rusher.

Solomon doesn’t have prototypical size as an NFL edge rusher, and longer tackles can irritate his play at times, but there is plenty to like in the production and the tape. His frame is chiseled, with extremely powerful hips. It’s tough to sustain blocks against him due to his base strength and low center of gravity, which explains why he’s always around the ball at the whistle. He’s an instinctive rusher with a variety of moves and counters that he can string together to put tackles on the ropes. He’s a capable run defender but can be engulfed by size, so he might need to play as a stand-up linebacker. Solomon’s strengths tend to align with what we see from NFL edge defenders with rotational and potential-future-starter value.

Elliss comes from a family filled with football players both past and present. He lacks ideal size and athleticism on the edge but the same could be said about his brother, Kaden, when he was a prospect, and he’s now a highly productive NFL linebacker. Jonah plays with a motor that exposes blockers who aren’t finishers. He doesn’t have enough sand in his pants to anchor and hold an NFL edge in the run game but he assaults the pocket with varied approaches and a good inside spin counter. He needs more muscle but could become a rotational 3-4 rush linebacker with above-average special teams qualities.

Edge defender who plays with good technique and unwavering energy. Thomas will get widened out at the point of attack or knocked out of his gap by power, but his first-step quickness gives him the ability to disrupt from the back side or when playing in the gaps. Thomas is a one-speed rusher who prefers to attack up and around the arc, but he needs to add relevant counters to go with it. He has the effort and hand usage to keep getting better as a rusher and could find an NFL home as an eventual starter or designated pass rusher in a 3-4 defense.

McGregor has good size and length for a stand-up rusher. Teams will like the frame and the toughness, but he's not a natural knee-bender at the point of attack. There is room for better hand placement as a run defender and hand skill as a pass rusher. He won't overwhelm opponents with twitch or short-area quickness, so it might be important for McGregor to keep adding play strength in order to become a more willful challenger as a backup edge in odd or even fronts.

Johnson passes the eyeball test with flying colors, and there will be teams who gravitate toward his NFL body type and play strength. With that said, his tape fails to consistently hit the mark. He's strong at the point of attack and will set firm edges but needs to become more intent on ridding himself of blockers and making more plays. As a rusher, he has strong hands and some tools to work with, but he needs to develop go-to moves and counters and attack the pocket with greater urgency. Johnson has upside but might never be more than a solid edge backup if his rush doesn't improve.

Urgent edge defender with the physical dimensions and all-day motor to stick on a roster. Tupuola-Fetui’s fidgety pre-snap movement foreshadows his desire to get off the mark and get to work. He has quality play strength and rarely sits on blocks, using spin moves and shed techniques to free himself. Despite unorthodox movement, he’s functionally athletic, although he lacks ideal short area change of direction. The sack production isn’t exciting but he’s a disciplined rusher with good hand work and stays active around the pocket. Tupuola-Fetui is an energy player who keeps charging hard through contact and could become a decent rotational 3-4 edge.

Okie-Anoma's draft grade will be a blend of the talent and the expectations relative to his collegiate background. The measurables, explosiveness and ability are worthy of NFL consideration, but character and discipline -- Okie-Anoma has spoken publicly about past struggles with maturity during his college career -- might be a concern. He's a stack-and-shed edge rusher with good initial power and plus pursuit speed when he wants to hit the gas. As a pass rusher, he's a lamb-killer who overpowers weaker tackles but doesn't have much of an answer for powerful tackles, due to a lack of counters and rush plan. Okie-Anoma's traits and talent are NFL-caliber, but he needs to improve his rush skill and prove that he's mature enough to stick.

After a five-year run at Ohio State with modest production, Jean-Baptiste’s Notre Dame tape has put him in position to become a developmental Day 3 draft pick. He has good length but lacks play strength to stack and discard tackles. He’ll need to hit the weights to improve his anchor, but he has the footwork and agility to slide off of block sustain and make tackles. He’s a step slow off the snap, dulling his ability to outrace tackles to the edge, but he flashes the hands and hips to become a more impactful rusher if teams rewire his rush plan. There is still a level of upside available for Jean-Baptiste.

Ceaser was a two-year starter and 2023 team captain who has average size but above-average power. He's built for contact balance, which shows up consistently on tape when battling against much bigger opponents on the edge. While he has played some stack linebacker in the past, he might not have enough straight-line speed or instincts to survive there as a pro. Ceaser has worked on adding elements to his pass rush, but the only item that might be a translatable winner for him is his speed-to-power long-arm. He has a chance to become a solid backup and special teams performer as a 3-4 outside 'backer.

Good athlete but lacking size, play strength and aggression to thrive as an edge defender on the next level. Harrell fails to strike and take command of blocks early on and can be widened out by stronger run-blocking tight ends. He's fairly talented at ungluing from blocks and darting laterally to get in on tackles. His pass rush will need to become his bread and butter if he is to make an NFL squad. He has a legitimate spin counter but will need to prove he can win around the corner with quickness and hand work. Harrell could be a Day 3 selection, and teams might eventually give him a shot as an off-ball linebacker.

Richter is an undersized edge defender with short arms, but his athletic profile gives him a chance to compete for a roster spot. He has muscles on muscles and a strong base that allows him to play through edges and maintain balance at contact. He also has plus pursuit speed and racked up impact stats on the other side of the line. His rush is more effort-based than skilled, and that production might not translate as a pro. However, his pro day testing was terrific, and he plays with a nice GPS toward the ball. Richter might need to prove he can play off-ball linebacker, but his traits and special-teams potential should help his chances.

Unlike his twin brother Gabriel, Grayson was not invited to the NFL Scouting Combine, but he features the same athleticism on tape. He has good size and strength but short arms create issues with taking on and controlling blockers at the point of attack. He’s flexible and instinctive with his rush movements and uses loose limbs and smart footwork to slink around opponents. The only thing preventing him from posting the same production as his twin is a lukewarm motor. Murphy has a decent chance of becoming a Day 3 pick and rotational 3-4 rush linebacker.

Kromah posted impressive impact production in 2023 after playing a bigger role than he had in the previous four seasons between Rutgers and James Madison. He’s muscular with very long arms and might have the frame for additional weight to bump inside. Kromah features jarring pop in his hands but might lack enough fluidity and athleticism to capitalize on it as a pro. He’s an effort rusher who is unlikely to create enough consistent pressure to warrant rush-down snaps, but he does have a shot at making the back end of a roster as a base end or future 3-technique.

Long-limbed edge defender who will need to learn to play standing up as a 3-4 outside linebacker. Duke will need to add mass and play strength in order to hold up as an NFL edge-setter. He's unable to neutralize and discard blocks on a regular enough basis, but that could come in time. Duke plays with an often unorthodox amount of recovery agility to keep his feet and stay in the play, and he possesses a plus closing burst to the football. It's easy to like the upfield burst and occasional elusiveness as a rusher, but Duke won't be able to build on that unless he develops more moves and counters at the top of the rush.

Can play the edge as a 4-3 end or a 3-4 outside linebacker. Jeffcoat has the size and length to set NFL edges, but lacks the shed quickness and instincts to rack up solo tackles. He plays with a solid motor from the first snap to the last and effort won’t be a problem with him. He’s fairly explosive off the snap but he’s rarely able to bend and elude the tackle’s punch. He tries to win the rush with power too frequently as a rusher. Jeffcoat needs to focus on polishing his hand usage and counters that flash from time to time. He possesses decent traits but has a limited ceiling.

Lacking anchor and length, Green is a shorter edge defender whose outlier production in 2023 requires additional tape work. He can create penetration against the run and has adequate rush talent but also benefited from a scheme that allowed for more opportunities through twists. He has some pop in his hands but will have issues anchoring and setting edges. He missed the abbreviated COVID season (2020-2021) due to injury and suffered a season-ending knee injury in early November 2023. Green's 2023 season was intriguing, but he might have to earn a spot as an undrafted free agent.

Small-school prospect with intriguing size and dominant production over the last two seasons. Blazek needs to add strength in preparation for his jump in competition, and he has the frame for it. He’s untested against powerhouse tackles with size and was allowed to play into gaps instead of stacking and controlling the point. He’s not overly twitchy off the snap, but he rushes with efficient movements, decent hand usage and tracking quickness once he’s in the pocket. Blazek has some of the physical elements needed to compete in camp but the jump in competition will be substantial.

Long, lean edge rusher who played bigger than his listed weight when matched up against most of the competition in college. Anderson needs to bulk up and get stronger to deal with run defense on the pro level, but he rarely gives in when he’s beaten early in the rep. He has good closing burst and range as a tackler and flashes quality hand play that has more room for development. He will need to learn to create better angles of entry if he’s going to compete as an NFL rusher. Anderson could be a late draft-and-stash candidate or an undrafted signee as a developmental prospect on the practice squad.

Upshaw is a physical edge defender who can play with a hand down or standing up. He never met a physical challenge he didn’t like and is equipped to do battle at the point of attack despite his average size. His field vision falls below average, and he’s often outflanked by running plays. He’s not the most explosive edge rusher, but he uses violent hands to open opportunities for himself into the pocket. Upshaw’s athletic testing likely hurts his draft chances, but he’s strong enough and tough enough to compete in an NFL camp.

Carter might have an untidy positional fit, as he projects somewhere between defensive end and defensive tackle. He gained 12 pounds between the Hula Bowl weigh-in and his pro day, which might signify an attempt to grow his way further inside. He has a powerful strike, with the ability to toss blockers off-balance when he’s flat-footed, but his stiff-legged posture might prevent him from finding enough anchor against downhill drive blockers. He won’t be a productive rusher, but he’s capable of putting pressure on blockers. Carter’s power might buy him time on a practice squad early on.

Allen is a steady stand-up end with good play strength and a steady motor. He lacks ideal size and juice off the edge but looks to outwork his opponents. He’s not an instinctive run defender and falls prey to bad tackling angles at times, but he’s on the right side of the rep at a decent rate. He’s an effort rusher who won’t be able to beat tackles up the arc and doesn’t yet have the moves and counters needed to unlock the pocket against pro protection.

Jackson is an edge defender who plays with some firmness into contact but is lacking in quickness and athleticism. He doesn’t have much arm length, so he can absorb blocks with balance but struggles to get off of them quickly. He doesn’t have the short-area movement as a run defender or pass rusher to make many plays in the backfield, but he can dart off the snap and get into gaps at times. He’s had a history of injuries and his athletic testing was unimpressive, so he faces an uphill battle to earn a spot in the league.

Ugwoegbu played primarily on the edge at Houston, but he’s a better fit as an inside linebacker. He diagnoses quickly and plays with good recognition but needs to balance the cerebral with the physical in how he takes on blockers. He lacks the athleticism and speed to chase and cover, which could overshadow the physical traits.

Stand-up rush linebacker prospect and team captain who comes from NFL bloodline. Stone ran decently and displayed good-lower body explosion at his pro day, but on tape, his movement can be too gradual and not sudden enough. He plays hard and gives good effort against much bigger blockers, but he is overwhelmed by size and brute force as a run defender. Stone lacks burst and bend to threaten at the top of the rush and doesn’t have enough go-to moves and counters to beat NFL tackles.

An edge defender with a fairly productive run at both Wyoming and USC, Byrd fails to stand out physically or athletically on tape. He plays with solid aggression and play strength but finds himself entangled with blockers more than he should. He can be creative when attacking tackles at the top of the rush, but he struggled to get much done when tasked with taking on some of the more talented opponents on the schedule. Byrd possesses certain play features that are worthy of consideration, but he might not have enough above-average qualities to make much of a mark in the league.

Sixth-year senior with stops at Notre Dame, Texas and LSU. Oghoufo possesses a tapered frame with long arms and a leaner lower body. While he lacks anchor in his base, he avoids being centered and driven off the ball thanks to well-timed punches and an ability to play around blockers. However, he doesn’t have the burst to restrict outside runs or threaten the edge as a rusher. While he’s a try-hard player, he’s not skilled enough as a rusher and might lack the dynamic athleticism needed to create advantages against NFL opposition.

Linear edge defender lacking ideal size and functional bend to translate his college production into the pros. Jibunor is tough but limited, as he struggles with change of direction in pursuit and bending the edge as a rusher. He has an unusually long wingspan, which can create early advantages when he throws his hands on time, but he’ll need to add more weight to his frame to hold up at the point of attack. Jibunor lacks the creativity and burst needed to pry open sack opportunities on the next level and might need to prove himself as an undrafted free agent.

Big base end who might need to keep adding weight to become an interior tackle. McCarthy uses length to his advantage and was able to at East Stroudsburg, but he will line up across from much stiffer competition on the next level. He gets off the ball with decent quickness, but his leg stiffness is apparent when trying to bend the edge or change direction in run pursuit. McCarthy’s size, length and production are impressive, but he might not have the athleticism to make the jump to the pros.

Morgan is a densely built edge defender capable of playing standing up or with a hand down pre-snap. He has good power and plays with leverage, but a lack of length will be a problem for him as a pro. Morgan will get what you give him as a rusher but is unlikely to create enough for himself with speed or rush acumen.