The top of the 2024 NFL Draft is expected to be offensive-centric with multiple quarterbacks, wide receivers and offensive tackles coming off the board. If the first defensive player is taken No. 9 overall or later, then it will be the latest such occurrence in over two decades.
Despite the lack of defensive talent at the top, there are still several quality talents expected to litter the first round of April’s draft. Here are the top 5 prospects at each defensive position right now, in my opinion:
Defensive line
Byron Murphy II, TexasJer’Zhan Newton, IllinoisKris Jenkins, MichiganMaason Smith, LSUMichael Hall Jr., Ohio State
The interior defensive line has a solid group, but they lack a Quinnen Williams-type. Murphy has upside as a pass rusher and is not a liability in run defense. Newton is a high-motor talent who uses his quickness to get on the hips of blockers. Jenkins is the son of a former NFL standout. He is a rising prospect.
Smith will be polarizing because he was highly regarded by the consensus coming into the season but he has not fully regained form after suffering a torn ACL early in the 2022 season. Most players do not return to peak performance until their second full season post-torn ACL, so one team could get a steal in the LSU Tigers. Hall rounds out the top five.
Nose tackle types T’Vondre Sweat (Texas) and McKinnley Jackson (Texas A&M) would be in that next tier. Clemson had a few talented interior defenders, such as Tyler Davis and Ruke Orhorhoro.
For more draft coverage, you can hear in-depth analysis twice a week on “With the First Pick” — our year-round NFL Draft podcast with NFL Draft analyst Ryan Wilson and former Vikings general manager Rick Spielman. You can find “With the First Pick” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, etc. Listen to the latest episode below!
Edge rusher
Dallas Turner, AlabamaDarius Robinson,…
Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2024-nfl-combine-ranking-the-top-five-draft-prospects-at-every-defensive-position/
Author : Josh Edwards
Publish date : 2024-02-27 00:26:09
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