Edge Rusher Rankings Top 5: 2024 NFL Draft

The elite pass rushers change everything. 

They might not be quarterbacks, but in terms of importance, finding a top playmaker who can live behind the line is what everyone wants. 

There might not be a sure-thing talent - the top edge rushers have been way more miss than hit lately in the various drafts - but out of the top 5 for the 2024 NFL Draft, at least two will be amazing.

2024 NFL Draft Rankings
- Quarterbacks | Running Backs
- Wide Receivers | Tight Ends
- Centers | Guards | O Tackles
- Defensive Tackles | @PeteFiutak
Edge Rushers 16 to 25 | 6 to 15 

Edge Rusher Rankings 2024 NFL Draft: Top 5

5 Darius Robinson, Missouri

6-5, 285, Projection: 2nd Round
112 tackles, 13 sacks, 21 TFL

Darius Robinson, From The College Football Perspective: He's not an edge rusher, he's a defensive end who brings something more old-school different than the rest of the prospects on this list.

He can move - he ran a sub-5 at the combine - and he's fast off the ball, but more than just about everyone else among the hybrids, he can hold up well against the run.

There will be power moves to get behind the line, and he'll make enough plays on want-to to be a true three down defender you don't have to worry about.

4 Chop Robinson, Penn State

6-3, 254, Projection: 1st Round
60 tackles, 11.5 sacks, 20 TFL

Chop Robinson, From The College Football Perspective: Good at Maryland as a freshman, he fit right in at Penn State over his last two seasons as one of the Big Ten's best outside defenders. Blazing fast, he always commanded the full attention of opposing blocking schemes.

No, he's not quite the sure-thing pass rusher everyone is looking for, and no, he's not anywhere near as good as the almost certain comp to be made of Micah Parsons - just because they're both from Penn State - but there's a high-end to what he can become as purely a pass rusher.

It's been forgotten what a killer all-around producer Parsons was - 191 tackles in two seasons with the Nittany Lions. Robinson made just 60 stops in three seasons. He had a huge reputation because of his skills, but it didn't match the overall output. There's a "prove it" factor here, but he's far safer on the boom side than bust.

3 Dallas Turner, Alabama

6-3, 247, Projection: 1st Round
120 tackles, 22.5 sacks, 32.5 TFL

Dallas Turner, From The College Football Perspective: Everything tool is in the box to be special. If you're looking for that prototype Alabama guy who has it all for a position, welcome to Turner.

A great three-year producer for the Tide, he played up to the prep hype right away and never turned it off. He's got the right size, defensive back wheels, and has that one last extra gear to close when needed.

When you're reading about offensive tackles in this draft who have problems with speed rushers, Turner is the guy who'll be the issue.

There's not enough power compared to some of the other top edge rushers, but whatever. Get him out there and let him get his mail in opposing backfields.

2 Jared Verse, Florida State

6-4, 254, Projection: 1st Round
89 tackles, 18 sacks, 29.5 TFL

Jared Verse, From The College Football Perspective: A fantastic FCS player at Albany, he turned into an elite transfer get for Florida State's defensive front. Amazing right away, his game translated to the next level without any problems.

For good and for bad - if you're an NFL player, go be an NFL player - he could've come out last year, stayed around, and was outstanding even as a marked man. Very mature, explosive off the ball, and creative at getting into the backfield, there's not a lot of work needing to be done.

He's missing the bulk, can be shoved a bit, and was a bit too much feast or famine on sacks, but he has elite pass rusher potential who can get physical when needed, or press the gas pedal to find an extra gear.

1 Laiatu Latu, UCLA

6-5, 259, Projection: 1st Round
100 tackles, 24 sacks, 35.5 TFL

Laiatu Latu, From The College Football Perspective: He was done. He was a good prospect at Washington, showed nice promise, and then suffered a neck injury and was done with football. The neck healed, he went to UCLA, and then took off as one of the nation's top pass rushers with 23.5 sacks over the last two seasons.

With great size to go along with his burst off the ball, he's more like a true defensive end than just a speed rusher. Able to hold up well against the run, he doesn't get shoved around too badly by the bigger blockers. Mostly he just slips around them, and forget about it if a tight end tries to get into him.

Okay, yeah, the neck concern. He got through the last two seasons without a problem and was plenty durable, but there's always going to be a worry of some sort.

But for now, all systems appear to be a go. Assuming all is A-OK, he's the highest ceiling pass rusher in a draft full of edge players with big potential.

Edge Rushers 16 to 25 | 6 to 15