The edge rusher position remains one of the most valuable and hard-to-draft positions in the league, and one teams are desperately searching for. With teams scrambling to find someone who can disrupt the modern passing, prospects possessing great potential see their names called earlier and earlier.
This year’s group of edge rushers is fairly deep but lacking that real top-end rusher like previous years. Let’s take a look at the top five players of that group before we get to the pre-draft process.
1. Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA
This long-tenured Bruin has been one of the most productive edge rushers in college football during his last two seasons with the team. Even with as much pedigree as he has there is still a high ceiling for Laiatu Latu whose skillset and numbers will translate at the next level.
Latu is an explosive and relentless rusher who gives offensive linemen fits from the jump of the snap. His athleticism, pass-rushing toolbox, and experience jump him to the top of this class and for good reason.
2. Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State
One of the best athletes at his position and with a merciless pass rush, Penn State’s Chop Robinson has earned himself one of the best names for the position.
Robinson’s eccentric and explosive pass rushing skills are going to launch him up draft boards, especially if he tests as expected during the pre-draft process. While he may lack an extensive pass rushing toolbox, Robinson is going to develop into a dangerous quarterback hunter with the right coaching.
3. Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama
Perhaps the best overall athlete at his position this year, Dallas Turner brings the typical Alabama pedigree to the levels of the NFL as a refined rusher with plenty of future upside.
Turner can certainly make a case for himself to be the top rusher in the class should he continue to improve and test well during the pre-draft process. With elite athleticism, excellent hip bend, and an array of pass rushing moves that he has grown with through the years.
4. Bralen Trice, EDGE, Washington
With a frame that is built for the NFL and an explosive athletic profile to go along with it, Washington Husky Bralen Trice has all the makings of a first round talent for the 2024 NFL Draft.
Trice possesses all-around fantastic physical tools to develop into an every-down starter at the next level, and pairs it with a well rounded set of power rushes to keep tackles off balance. If he can impress at the combine, Trice may hear his name called in the top half of the first round.
5. Mohamed Kamara, EDGE, Colorado State
If you watched any amount of Colorado State football this season there was always one player popping up on defense that you might have noticed, and that player is edge rusher Mohamed Kamara.
An absolutely relentless monster in the trenches, Kamara was borderline maniacal in the way he rushed the passer, consistently finding new ways to torture tackles. Despite his size, Kamara has the functional strength and athleticism to make in the NFL, and should hear his name called sometime in the second round.
