The final part of my pre-season 2024 NFL draft rankings, defensive backs! I combine the corners and safeties here, since there is so much crossover, plus some college corners move to safety in the NFL and even some safeties end up at corner. I have included honorable mentions, as well.

This year looks to be a good group. The corners are not real strong at the top, but the class has a lot of depth. The safety class looks miles better than the 2023 group. It’s strong at the top and has a lot of depth.

As always, check out my draft database as well as all of my previous work, including the most recent part in this series on the linebackers.

2024 NFL Draft Defensive Backs: Top Five

1. Kool-Aid McKinstry – CB – Alabama: McKinstry, had he been eligible, would have been a first round pick in 2023. He has been pretty much lock down since he stepped on campus. McKinstry is not a ball hawk, but more of a man cover specialist. He has just two interceptions in his career, but has 17 pass break ups. His play against the run needs to improve; he needs to play more physical. He is a very good tackler. The soon-to-be junior can also get a little grabby.
2. Kalen King – CB – Penn State: King is almost the opposite of McKinstry. He is a bit smaller at 5’11, versus 6’1. He is also definitely a ball hawk with three interceptions and 9 pass breakups this past season. This also causes him to give up a bit more in coverage, but he still holds it down pretty well, giving up just 45.8% of targets. King is not exactly a burner, but his speed is more than adequate. He also has his struggles against the run.
3. Kamren Kinchens – S – Miami (Fla.): Kinchens had a breakout season in 2022, after just a ho-hum one in 2021. He had six interceptions and four pass break ups. He can be undisciplined at times and give up receptions; he gave up two touchdowns this past season. Kinchens is a back-end free safety type with decent size at 5’11 202 pounds and 4.5 40-yard dash speed. His tackling also needs to be shored up.
4. Calen Bullock – S – USC: Bullock is somewhat similar in play style to Kinchens. He is a little taller, and even had similar ball production. But, he has issues with his play against the run. Bullock is under-powered and could stand to add 10-15 pounds. While not a hitter, he is a solid tackler.
5. Fentrell Cypress II – CB – FSU: Cypress didn’t become a starter until 2022. He is undersized at 6’0 184 pounds, but it doesn’t hinder him as a tackler. Cypress is a solid, but not flashy, type player who just goes out there and does his job. He still needs some technique work. If he gets there, he could be a very solid starter in the NFL.

2024 NFL Draft Defensive Backs: The Best Of The Rest

6. Cooper DeJean – CB/S – Iowa: DeJean is an interesting prospect in that he is on the bigger side for a corner. Add in the fact he has average speed and some teams might see him as a safety at the next level. He is 6’1 209 pounds, and runs in the sub-4.5 range. DeJean had a lot of ball production in 2022, with five interceptions and five pass break ups. He is also a good punt returner, averaging 16.5 yards a return. Like a lot of Iowa corners, he is better in zone.

7. Shyheim Battle – CB – NC State: Battle has been a starter since 2020. 2021 was his coming out party. He has four interceptions and 11 pass break ups the last two seasons. Even when he gives up a catch, he is very good at limiting YAC. He is a good tackler and plays physical. Battle is very quick and can even play in the slot. He can play a little high.

8. Nehemiah Pritchett – CB – Auburn: Pritchett has also been a starter since 2020. He has shown in his time that he can play, and excel, in either man or zone. He has a good size at 6’0 and 32″ arms, but is just 183 pounds and his frame is a little thin — and it shows in his hitting and tackling. Pritchett lacks ball production, with just two career interceptions, but he still stays in phase and is able to battle receivers for the ball.

9. LaMiles Brooks – S – Georgia Tech: Brooks barely played until this past season when he became a starter and played pretty much all over the secondary. Brooks really shined in coverage, where he had three interceptions and seven pass break ups. On film, he shows an ability to go up and get over thrown balls. His tackling needs to be cleared up; he missed too many tackles last season. He has shown he can lay the wood, though. He has the potential to really move up draft boards.

10. TJ Tampa – CB – Iowa State: Tampa has the idea corner size at 6’1 and almost 200 pounds, with a sub 4.45 40-yard dash time. He didn’t become a full-time starter until 2022. A strong, physical player who is just scratching the surface of his potential. He is already a good run defender and tackler. He plays better in man right now. Tampa has some eye discipline and technique issues that need to be ironed out.

Honorable Mentions (In no order):

DJ James – CB – Auburn, Cam Hart – CB – Notre Dame, Jahdae Barron – CB/S – Texas, Duce Chestnut – CB – LSU, Rod Moore – S – Michigan, James WIlliams – S- Miami (Fla.), Patrick McMorris, – S – Cal, Davonte Brown – CB – Miami (Fla.), Kamari Lassiter – CB – Georgia, Yam Banks – S – South Alabama, Dez Malone – S – San Diego State, Kris Abrams-Draine – CB – Missouri, Jabbar Muhammad – CB – Washington

Now to the second part of my pre-season 2024 NFL draft rankings, the edge rushers! This looks to be another strong class. There may not be a Will Anderson in this group, but nonetheless it looks to be deep, and has a number of first-round talents.

As always, check out my draft database as well as all of my previous work, including the most recent part in this series on the defensive line.

2024 NFL Draft Edge Rushers: Top Five

1. Jared Verse – Florida State: By now most people know who Jared Verse is. He transferred to Florida State from Albany last year and started the season on fire before an ankle injury slowed him down. Despite that, he showed a lot of promise and was expected to declare, but decided to go back for one final season. Verse, who has just average size at 6’4 250, has incredible strength and is a good speed-to-power rusher, but is not just a one trick pony.
2. Chris Braswell – Alabama: Braswell has not gotten as much hype as his teammate Dallas Turner, but I feel he’s been more consistent as a pass rusher and shows a more developed move set and plan. He’s amassed 30 pressures and four sacks on just over 300 snaps. His play against the run does need to get better. He did add about 10 pounds of muscle over the offseason, so that should help. His upside is high.
3. JT Tuimoloau – Ohio State: Tuimoloau is your traditional power rushing 4-3 defensive end, and has the size as well, at 6’4 270. He can play as a stand-up rusher, but his best fit is with his hand in the dirt. The current Buckeye is not a dynamic athlete, but is good enough. He had 32 pressures and seven sacks in 10 starts. He should eclipse those numbers in 2023.
4. Dallas Turner – Alabama: Turner is a freak athlete at 6’4 240 and should run in the 4.5 40-yard dash range. He is explosive and quick, but despite playing double the snaps, only had one more sack and seven more pressures than Braswell. On film, he is very underdeveloped as a pass rusher. Turner either tries to bull rush or speed rush and bend the edge. If he develops, though, he could be the best pass rusher in the class.
5. Chop Robinson – Penn State: Robinson came to Penn State in 2022 after one year at Maryland. He wasn’t a starter in 2022, yet put up 48 pressures and five sacks. He is quick and explosive off the line. Robinson packs a punch despite his average size (6’3 253). Him and Adisa Isaac should form a formidable duo in 2023, Robinson’s first as a starter.

2024 NFL Draft Edge Rushers: The Best Of The Rest

6. Laiatu Latu – UCLA: Latu is another power rusher, which seems prevalent in this draft class. He is big (6’5 261), explosive, and, fast (4.65 40-yard dash). Latu originally retired in 2020 due to a neck injury sustained while playing at Washington, but was cleared this past season and really took scouts by surprise with 65 pressures and 12 sacks. He consistently got pressure on the quarterbacks. Although he is not particularly agile, he can drop a little. His medicals will be important.

7.Bralen Trice – Washington: Trice is another power rusher that stands at 6’3 270. He had a bit of a breakout season in 2022 with 70 pressures and nine sacks. He obviously needs to work on his finishing, and doesn’t seem to be the type that should be dropping in coverage. Trice has some solid power moves and uses his hands well, but lacks explosiveness to be an elite pass rusher.

8.Donovan Ezeirauku – Boston College: Ezeirauku really started to come on about halfway into the season. He is a different rusher from a lot of the other guys in this class, being just 6’2 236. 2022 was his first as a starter, and he put up 35 pressures and eight sacks in under 600 snaps, which is pretty good. He also played well against the run. Ezeirauku is explosive off the snap and has good closing speed to the quarterback.

9.Josaiah Stewart – Michigan: Stewart was an underrated transfer portal recruit because he played at Coastal Carolina. He is also a bit undersized at 6’2 237, but did have 15 sacks as a freshman — in only a handful of starts. Stewart did not replicate his production in 2022, collecting just three sacks, but he did have 40 pressures, after 41 as a freshman. He is fast and explosive off the snap. With ankle flexion, he can really bend the edge.

10.Jack Sawyer – Ohio State: Sawyer was a big five star recruit, but due to the depth that was ahead of him he’s played only just over 500 snaps in his first two seasons combined. He has shown flashes as a pass rusher, though, especially this past season where he had 22 pressures and three sacks. There were six games where Sawyer saw single-digit snap counts. He has ideal size at 6’4 265 and athleticism running around a 4.65 40-yard dash. He can be an explosive hitter and physical run defender. 2023 will be his first chance to be a starter and could really move him up boards.

With the 2024 NFL Draft offense done, it’s time for the first part on defense for my pre-season rankings: the defensive line. This group seems to have fallen back to the median of defensive line classes that we have had recently. The 2023 class was pretty solid, but the 2024 class early on looks like another average class. There are some juniors who, if they have big seasons, could improve the class though.

 As always, check out my draft database as well as all of my previous work, including the most recent part in this series on the interior offensive line.

2024 NFL Draft Defensive Line: Top Five

1. Ruke Orhorhoro – Clemson: Orhorhoro being at #1 is a bit of a projection. Despite being behind Tyler Davis and Bryan Bresee, he has seen a lot of snaps over the last two seasons due to injuries to both. Still, he has only had a little over 1,000 snaps in his career. Orhorhoro has 42 pressures and eight sacks in that time. That’s even with him being played out of position a lot of times at 0-tech or 1-tech. If he plays mostly 3-tech, 4-tech, or 4i, where he can use his athleticism, he will take off.
2. Jer’Zhan Newton – Illinois: After being mostly just an okay defensive lineman, Newton really exploded in 2022 with 59 pressures and four sacks. At 6’1 300 with sub 5.0 40-yard dash speed, he fits the mold of the modern 3-tech penetrator. The only reason I don’t have him as #1 is that he’s not going to play much outside that, but he’s really good at it.
3. Keith Randolph Jr. – Illinois: Randolph is a well put together man at 6’3 300 pounds and expected to run in the 5.05 40-yard dash range. He is a very good run defender who can play up and down the line. Randolph also showed some development as a pass rusher in 2022 with 32 pressures and four sacks. He may never be a top-tier pass rusher, but he can at least be a threat that teams have to be weary of.
4. Tyleik Williams – Ohio State: Williams is listed 6’2 290, but played over 300 pounds the last two seasons and is very stout in the run game. He has also not played a lot due to depth along the OSU defensive line, with zero starts in his career. This makes his 31 pressures and eight sacks in his career all the more impressive. He should start in 2023, which will be a big season for him.
5. Leonard Taylor – Miami(Fla.): Taylor was a five-star recruit coming out of high school, but was not ready as a freshman since he only played about 200 snaps. He became a starter in 2022, and seemed to start putting it together. His pass rush production was a little up-and-down, with 25 pressures and four sacks.

2024 NFL Draft Defensive Line: The Best Of The Rest

6.DeWayne Carter – Duke: Surprisingly, Carter has not gotten much talk heading into the season. He is a squatty 6’3 308, built low to the ground, but with very quick feet for his size. Carter even has a solid spin move in his arsenal. He flashed a bit in 2021 as a pass rusher with 37 pressures and four sacks, but was getting knocked around in the run game. The current Blue Devil really improved on his play against the run in 2022, playing more stout, and improved as a pass rusher with 52 pressures and eight sacks. He does need to tackle better and his arms are a little short.

7. McKinnley Jackson – Texas A&M: Another highly rated recruit who hasn’t reach his immense potential yet. Jackson was a back up his first two years. Another squat defender at 6’2 320, but has long arms for his size. He has shown strength and leverage in the run game to shove offensive linemen into the backfield. Not an elite athlete. Despite his pedestrian pass rush numbers, he looks like he has upside on film.

8. Brandon Dorlus – Oregon: Dorlus is more of a trim 6’3 280 compared to some of the much larger guys in this group. Oregon plays him as an edge rusher, but he will end up playing on the defensive line. He has been a solid all-around player the last two seasons. Dorlus is also a solid pass rusher, but he has some struggles as a finisher. This shows with his 88 pressures the last two seasons, but just five sacks.

9. Darrell Jackson Jr. – Florida State: Jackson is now on his third school in as many years. He started out at Maryland, then Miami, now Florida State. Jackson has the ideal frame at 6’6 300. His career started a little slow, but came around a bit in 2022. He played well against the run and showed his versatility lining up all up and down the line. He has yet to show much as a pass rusher, with just three sacks and 16 pressures in 2022. At worst, you’re are getting a versatile run defender.

10. Jermayne Lole – Louisville: Coming out of high school, Lole was actually an edge rusher, but grew into a defensive linemen and now tips the scales around 320. He still retains some of that athleticism running a 4.95 40-yard dash. Lole finally started showing what he could be in 2020 at Arizona State with 18 pressures and four sacks in a truncated season due to COVID. He missed 2021 with a triceps injury, along with most of 2022. It will be big for his stock if he came come back as the top run defender and occasional pass rush threat he was before the injuries.