2024 NFL Draft All-Defensive Team: 11 draft prospects every NFL defensive coordinator will love
By Jason Abbey
Alethic freaks setting the edge
Dallas Turner, EDGE - Alabama: The term “Athletic freak” is overused when describing prospects during the pre-draft process. Still, in Turner’s case, it is a fitting description. His first step and body control are arguably the best among all edge rushers in this draft class, and his 18.8 percent pressure rate and ten sacks in 2023 will lead teams to fall in love with him.
Listed at 6’4” and 242 lbs, he could benefit from adding bulk to his frame, and hopefully, he can do so without losing too much of the speed and explosiveness that makes him the exceptional talent he is.
Laiatu Latu, EDGE - UCLA: We were spoilt for choice at this spot. Jared Verse, Chop Robinson, and Darius Robinson would all make excellent choices, but Latu got the nod. The unanimous All-American boasts a refined array of pass-rush moves and a relentless motor - talents he used to devastating effect in producing 127 pressures and 27 sacks in the last two seasons for the Bruins.
Critics have questioned Latu's athleticism, and his medical history will be heavily scrutinized during the pre-draft process due to the neck injury he suffered in 2021. However, a strong performance at the NFL Combine would go a long way to silencing his doubters.