The 10 Best EDGE Rushers in the 2024 NFL Draft
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Published 2024-03-13
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Information:
GRADING SCALE (OVR)
8.0 Perfect Prospect
7.5 Day 1 Perennial All-Pro
7.3 Day 1 High End Starter And Likely All-Pro
7.0 Day 1 Quality Starter And Potential All-Pro
6.9 Day 1 Starter With All Pro Upside
6.8 Day 1 Starter With High End Starter Upside
6.6 Day 1 Starter - Unlikely High End Starter
6.5 Boom Or Bust
6.3-6.4 Likely Starter Within First Two Seasons
6.1-6.2 Day 1 Backup With Starter Upside
6.0 Day 1 Backup / Special Teamer - Developmental Traits Based Prospect
5.8-5.9 Day 1 Backup / Special Teamer - Limited Physical Upside
5.5-5.6 Day 1 Roster Bubble or Practice Squader
5.4 Priority Free Agent
5.0 Chance To Be In An NFL Camp
Under 5.0 Needs Time In A Developmental League
EDGE Traits
Agility: Lateral explosiveness to change lanes and footspeed to assist in block sheds
Getoff: Physical and technical ability to come off the ball and get on top of blockers in a hurry
Bend: Ability To flatten and turn around the arc without losing momentum.
Power Rush: Physical and technical ability to win with power including but not limited to Bull, Push & Pull, and Rip Rush Moves
Finesse Rush: Physical and technical ability to win with finesse including but not limited to Speed to Bend, Swim, Spin, and Swipe Moves
Block Shedding: Ability to combine strong hands with quick feet to come off of blocks in a timely manner
Anchor: Player's ability to hold his ground vertically against the run; players with the ability to hold their ground against double teams will receive higher grades
Run Diagnostics: The total combination of the player's ability to see the run, know where the runner is attempting to go, and to react when run stop opportunities present themselves all while maintaining the correct gap discipline as to not allow cut backs or bounce runs
Tackling: Self Explanatory
Coverage: Relative ability to drop into coverage from an Edge alignment; "N/A" may be assigned for players who weren't asked to do it
or shouldn't be at the next level.
Edge Scheme Fits
4-2: A 3-Down Edge built for a "4-3" Scheme to play with his hand in the dirt. Has a bit more size than a classic stand up Edge to defend the run but is likely not as quick or fluid to drop into coverage. May also be notably reliant on the 3-Point stance in order to generate getoff.
2-4: A 3-Down Edge built for a "3-4" Scheme to play standing up from a 2-point stance. Is typically quicker and more fluid than a 4-3 Edge to drop into coverage and can be more of a lighter, slippery run defender from the stand up position. May also not be as comfortable rushing with their hand in the dirt.
*Designated Pass Rusher (DPR): Edge player who is an effective situational rusher but lack's the ability to consistently defend the run and likely shouldn't see the field on run downs.
*4-3 Run Defender: Edge player built specifically to defend the run from a 5-technique who lacks the tools to consistently rush the passer.
*Early Down 3-4: Edge linebacker who defends the run will and has the versatility to drop into coverage well who lacks the tools to consistently rush the passer.
*4-3 Tweener: Tweener type of Defensive End who excels in run defense from 5-tech but isn't big enough to hold up consistently as an Interior player on every down. Likely also lacks speed or bend around the edge for passing downs leaving him best utilized inside the tackles on rushing downs. Is likely best fit as an Interior player for Base 3-4 Teams.
*3-4 Tweener: Tweener type of Linebackers who can set the Edge against the run and thrive when dropping into coverage from on-ball Linebacker alignment. The difference between this and an "Early Down 3-4" is this player would be a true "Sam" in a 4-3 System and is likely tagged as too small to play the Edge.
*Not included in a player's categorization as "Any" scheme fit.
All Comments (21)
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In post production I ended up boosting Braswell to 7b behind Trice. 6.30 Grade Round 2-3.
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Just starting an hour drive perfect timing!!
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That Latu film just made me even more impressed with Caleb's ability to feel and avoid pressure.
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Jonah Ellis is Part Samoan. He has an incredible motor and understanding of the game. At 20 years old he has room to get stronger and more refined. He is gonna make an enormous jump as he matures! Go Utes!!!
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Latu might be the biggest "don't overthink it" guy in this years draft. He might not have astounding measurables, but he does his job better than anyone else at his position.
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You’re breakdown of Latu makes me even happier that the colts drafted him. Colts haven’t had an elite rusher for some time and this guy could very well be that elite guy that we’ve needed off the edge
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Really appreciate the coloring on the arm lengths.
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I love how the Latu film also highlights how crazy Caleb Williams is at escaping lol
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Latu uses Maxx Crosby as a big influence and I can totally see that being a comp
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ALL ABOARD THE JONAH ELLIS HYPE TRAIN
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So happy you have latu #1 ever since I watched him I was wondering why this guy wasn’t consensus top 2 and borderline the best edge in the class
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Great work per usual Marcus. I really appreciate, and feel that it is rarer to see, perspectives such as yours on Darius Robinson - I think it would be easier for others to go into the film with a sense of bias and let it cloud their grading, but for you it is the opposite - what you saw on tape was the opposite of what your thoughts going into it were and you didn't let your previous thoughts get in the way. I imagine it would be easy to want to validate your original thoughts but you take the harder road and it leads to a truer grade imo. Keep up the great work man, enjoy Mexico
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More guys to look out for in mid rounds: Javon Solomon from Troy, Mohamed Kamara from Colorado State, and the Murphy Bros. Gabriel and Grayson. All of them have some good potential in the 3-4 rounds.
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As a UCLA fan I can absolutely get behind having Laiatu Latu as the #1 edge rusher in the draft this year. He was literally everywhere on the field when the bruins were on defense, and he was in the backfield more often than he wasn’t. Whoever drafts him is going to get a GREAT player.
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I love your Edge Rankings. Just waited for the right moment to watch it!
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Great content! Just assumed Verse would have been #2 for you. Wasn't aware of the holes in his game that you were seeing. You also made a believer outta me for Latu as #1 and Jonah Elliss as a potential steal.
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Finally some Jonah Ellis respect. It’s crazy to see how low he is on many people’s draft boards. While watching his tape I was like how do people not have this guy going in the first two rounds.
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This is amazing work. I'm definitely subscribing and looking forward breakdowns at other positions. Thank you! I'm so ready for the draft. #KeepPounding
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commenting just to boost the video because this man deserves it
