2024 NFL Draft Big Board: Generational talents lead final draft big board plus rankings by position
By John Blair
2024 NFL Draft outside linebacker rankings
ACC: Payton Wilson, North Carolina State: Wilson who was the ACC Defensive Player of the Year has elite numbers both on and off the field. On the field, he led the ACC in tackles per game and also led the conference in tackles for loss. Off the field, he has ideal measurables coming in at 6-foot-4 and 233 pounds while running the 40-yard dash in 4.43 seconds.
Big 10: Curtis Jacobs, Penn State: Jacobs is a good coverage linebacker who possesses the fluid hips and speed to match up against tight ends in the NFL. He does need to improve vs the run though especially when it comes to taking on blockers.
Big 12: None: I don’t have any Big 12 outside linebackers on my board that carry a draftable or priority free agent grade.
Pac 12: Laiatu Latu, UCLA: One of the most polished players in the NFL Draft is UCLA’s Laiatu Latu. His wide variety of pass-rushing moves helped him account for 13 sacks this season, and if he can stay healthy look for him to develop into one of the top defensive players from the 2024 NFL Draft.
SEC: Edgerrin Cooper, Texas A&M: Going into the season a question with Texas A&M linebacker Edgerrin Cooper was his ability to get after the passer, having only had half a sack going into the year. He answered those questions this year though accounting for eight sacks.
Non-Power Five: JD Bertrand, Notre Dame: Another member of my All-Underrated team is Notre Dame JD Bertrand. What sticks out about his game is his overall feel for the game leading the Irish in tackles each of the past three seasons.
Overall Rankings
1. Laiatu Latu, UCLA (first round)
2. Dallas Turner, Alabama (first round)
3. Edgerrin Cooper, Texas A&M (second round)
4. Payton Wilson, North Carolina State (third round)
5. Chris Braswell, Alabama (third round)
6. Curtis Jacobs, Penn State (fifth round)
7. Kalen DeLoach, Florida State (fifth round)
8. JD Bertrand, Notre Dame (fifth round)
9. Ty'Ron Hopper, Missouri (sixth round)
10. Omar Speights, LSU (seventh round)
11. Jett Johnson, Mississippi State (seventh round)