Jaguars Blog

Gus’ Tiers: 2024 EDGE draft prospects

todayApril 10, 2024

Background

Welcome to the latest edition of “Gus’ Tiers” at 1010XL/92.5 FM!

Each Wednesday, I’ll be using Tiermaker dot com to create a 100% correct ranking of a timely subject related to the Jacksonville Jaguars/NFL landscape.

For this week’s Tier, I ranked EDGE (defensive end/outside linebacker) prospects for the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft. I plan to tier wide receivers next week.

Perenial All-Pro: Laiatu Latu

I originally ranked Latu third at his position in our 2024 NFL Draft Guide, but after watching more game tape, I believe the former UCLA Bruin is in a class of his own. 

Latu’s injury history (he was medically retired at one point due to a neck injury) is a legitimate concern – as is his age (23 years old) and arm length (32 ⅝, which is 16th percentile among edge prospects). 

With that said, Latu is undeniably the most talented pass rusher in this draft class. His suddenness is special. 

Pro Bowl talent: Dallas Turner

Turner has been regarded as a first-round player for over a year. After starting his first two seasons across from Will Anderson Jr. at Alabama, Turner registered 10 sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss in his junior season. 

He then recorded a 4.46-second 40-yard dash, 1.54 10-yard split, and 40.5” broad jump – all of which ranked first among EDGEs at the 2024 NFL Combine. 

Turner is one of the best all-around prospects at any position in this year’s draft. His profile is reminiscent of Leonard Floyd, Brian Burns, and even Jacksonville’s own Josh Allen coming out of college. 

Year 1 starter: Jared Verse, Darius Robinson

Verse was my no. 1 EDGE in our draft guide but I’ve come back down to earth. The Florida State standout has the power and effort to find an immediate NFL role, but his bend and length are unconvincing. Verse also isn’t as consistent against the run as you’d like to see from a 23-year-old prospect, though his flashes of disruption can’t be ignored either. 

Robinson has been a big riser during the draft process as national analysts learn how NFL offices view the class. He had 8.5 sacks and 14 tackles for loss as a fifth-year senior after moving to the edge of Missouri’s defensive line. That versatility – and impressive height/weight/length measurables – make Robinson a strong bet to succeed in the league.

Starting potential: Chop Robinson, Chris Braswell, Marshawn Kneeland

These prospects have strong albeit incomplete profiles. Robinson is a near-ready-made pass rusher with unteachable speed off the snap, but the former Nittany Lion’s underwhelming frame has led to questions about his ability to start all three downs from day one. 

While Braswell led the SEC in pressures last season, he still has some catching up to do in terms of awareness and timing on a snap-to-snap basis after starting just one season at Alabama. Kneeland brings an NFL-ready frame and motor but will have to adjust to a new competition level after playing in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) at Western Michigan. 

Rotational player: Bralen Trice, Mohamed Kamara, Xavier Thomas

Trice finished first in the FBS in total pressures each of the past two seasons and gained a lot of fans during Washington’s run to the national championship game. He was a team captain and brings relentless energy, but Trice may not have the length or flexibility needed to win against professional pass protectors. 

Kamara has a similar profile: he had outstanding production at Colorado State thanks in part to a powerful and energetic play style, but his 32 ⅜” arm length (10th percentile) is a legitimate concern. (Trice’s arms are 32 ½” / 12th percentile.)

Thomas is an under-the-radar name who’s unlikely to be selected before Day 3 because of his old age (turns 25 in December) and – you guessed it – underwhelming frame (6’ 2”, 244 lbs). But I like his chances to find a role as a pass rush specialist in the league. Thomas possesses impressive first-step quickness and top-of-the-arc technique.

Riskyyy: Austin Booker, Jonah Ellis, Adisa Isaac

These prospects were productive in college and are popular mid-round fliers in mock drafts – but they’re all sub-250 pounds and in the 11th percentile or worse for weight. It could prove difficult for them to find consistent roles at the next level without an elite trait to hang their hat on (e.g., Chop Robinson’s explosiveness).

@ me on Twitter to tell me where I went wrong (@gus_logue )

Written by: Gus Logue


Previous post

Jaguars Blog

Mia’s Mock Draft Mondays 2.0

Mia O’Brien’s Mock Draft Mondays are powered each Monday in the month of April by Play It Again Sports.    You want trades? Let’s get weird.  After a “no trades” rule as we began this season’s Mia’s Mock Draft Monday’s series, we lean into the “Trader Trent [Baalke]” moniker in Mock Draft 2.0.  Some feedback from fans last week (which is always most appreciated on X, Facebook, Instagram and beyond) […]

todayApril 7, 2024

Post comments (1)

Comments are closed.