2024 NFL Draft: Chop Robinson tops Jared Verse and Darius Robinson as the best defensive end

2024 NFL Draft defensive end class ranking No. 5-8

5. Brennan Jackson, Washington State

Another Pac-12 defensive end who gives great effort is Washington State’s Brennan Jackson. This high effort style of play has allowed him to be named second team All-Pac-12 the past two seasons and account for 24.5 tackles for loss over that time period. Other than his his good work ethic another thing working in his favor is his impressive first step off the line of scrimmage and overall quickness. He is also a good athlete who shows the flexibility to challenge the edge and also breakdown in space. A concern I have with him though is he does play out of control at times which causes him to be out of position, especially when it comes to defending the run. He has also battled some injuries during his career including missing the last 11 games of the 2019 season due to a leg injury. Draft Grade: Third Round

6. Adisa Isaac, Penn State

A defensive end I am a little lower than other people is Penn State’s, Adisa Isaac who carries a second-round grade according to NFL Mock Draft Database, but only carries a fourth-round grade on my board. One of the main reasons why he carries a day three grade is his ability to hold up at the point of attack. He is consistently overpowered by offensive tackles and doesn’t have the strength to set the edge against the run. He also has some trouble with his balance, which really showed up at the Senior Bowl. While I don’t like his fit as a 4-3 defensive end I could see a team who prefers the 3-4 defense take him before the fourth round. In this scheme, his agility and pass-rushing skills could be a good fit. However, he does need to prove that he can consistently hold up in coverage. Draft Grade: Fourth Round

7. Gabriel Murphy, UCLA

Murphy had his best season with the Bruins this year, after transferring from North Texas in 2022. He finished the year with 16 tackles for loss and had at least 0.5 tackles for loss in 11 of 13 games this season. He also got to the quarterback eight times which is a career high. One of the traits he showed was the athletic ability to be a good fit as a 3-4 outside linebacker. In this scheme he has the quickness to be a consistent pass rushing threat. He also is athletic enough to hold up in coverage, which is something he looked comfortable doing this year for the Bruins. This scheme will also cover up one of his weaknesses which is his ability to play the run. In this area he lacks the strength to be an every down defensive end in a 4-3 defense but he should be able to help set the edge as more of a 9-technique in a base 3-4 scheme. Draft Grade: Fourth Round

8. Jonah Elliss, Utah

The 2023 season was a breakout year for Utah’s Jonah Ellis. Going into the season he never had more than three sacks, but he accounted for 12 sacks in 2023 to go along with 16 tackles for loss. These numbers would have even been better this year also if he had not missed the end of the season with a torn labrum, which could also limit him at the NFL Combine. When healthy Elliss excelled in the Utes 3-4 defense as an outside linebacker, which is the same position he will likely play in the NFL. His top attribute as a pro prospect is his speed off the ball, but he also has surprising strength to go along with that quickness. This combination makes him a force vs. both the run and the pass and should be enough for him to hear his named called in the third or fourt round despite coming off a significant injury. Draft Grade: Fourth Round