The 2024 NFL Draft is behind us, and it’s time to take a look at some of the impact IDPs out there, with a few sleepers mixed in for good measure. Let’s start with the defensive ends.
If you want to reference our defensive rookie rankings, they can be found here.
The Big 4 IDP Rookie DEs
Dallas Turner, Minnesota
Turner has a lot going for him, one major thing being opportunity. That being said, it remains to be seen what sites like MyFantasyLeague list him at, eligibility-wise. Right now, he’s listed as a defensive end, which would be ideal for his fantasy value. As it stands now, however, depth chart sites like Ourlads have him listed as an outside linebacker. We’ve been through this exercise before with edge rushers, and for the most part, we’ve seen MFL list these players correctly. Turner, at 6-foot-3 and 247 pounds, is probably best suited as an OLB, given that the Vikings added Jonathan Greenard to their defense. But he has room on his frame to add bulk, which could point him in the direction of being a true defensive end. Turner has pass rush moves, strength, and an overall nose for the football, which could make him a solid pass rusher like his former Alabama teammate Will Anderson (who’s only one inch taller and actually weighs less, for the record). We will assume Turner’s listed as a lineman and will be a solid fantasy option at that spot for many years.
Laiatu Latu, Indianapolis
Given Indianapolis’ defensive scheme, we know where Latu (6-foot-5, 259 lbs.) will stick, and that’s at defensive end. He will slide right into the left defensive end position, likely supplanting Kwity Paye, who’s put some good tape out there but perhaps not quite enough as the team had hoped in terms of being an effective pass rusher. Latu is blessed with a host of pass-rush moves, exhibiting incredible athleticism and fluid hips for a guy his size. The only real question remains: is he fully healed from a neck injury that caused him to medically retire from the game while at the University of Washington? If the answer is yes, he may actually have more upside than Turner.
Chop Robinson, Miami
Speaking of opportunity, it would appear that Robinson will have it, especially if Jaelan Phillips and/or Bradley Chubb aren’t ready to hit the ground running when the season starts. But, like Turner, Robinson is listed as an outside linebacker on Ourlads, whereas MFL lists him as a DE. The good news, though, is despite their designations on Ourlads, MFL has Chubb and Phillips listed as DE, too. So hopefully Robinson will keep his DE designation and therefore a solid fantasy outlook. Like Turner and Latu, Robinson is blessed with a quick first step and elite pass-rush moves. He’s a bit on the lean side but has the frame to add some strength. If you miss out on Latu or Turner and believe Chubb is probably either too long-in-the-tooth to serve as a regular pass rusher, Robinson is worth waiting for.
Jared Verse, LA Rams
Common theme here with positioning on host sites like MyFantasyLeague, with Verse currently designated as an end but Ourlads listing him as a linebacker. The good news is Verse has the size (6-foot-4 and well over 250 lbs.) to be classified as an end. It’s really what we end up seeing on the field. Verse, like the trio listed ahead of him here, has a quick first step and good pass-rush moves. On tape, he looks a little stiffer than Latu and Turner and doesn’t really profile as a plus athlete. But as a straight pass rusher, Verse has the chops. All in all this is a good foursome of pass rushers that could certainly profile as “number one defensive ends” in terms of a fantasy squad. This guy is a bull in a china shop, which is a good thing.
Beyond the Big 4, Sleeper Rookie DEs
Chris Braswell, Tampa Bay
There is a big tier drop from the big four to these next four. Braswell does have some appeal as, like the four above him here, he has some good pass rush moves, but yet again, there is some question about him being a ‘tweener. He’s listed as an end, but will that stick? For now, he’s worth stashing on your taxi squad as he will pair nicely with Yaya Diaby rushing from the other end. Braswell showed impressive straight-line speed (4.6 40-yard dash) and burst (9-foot-7 broad jump and 33.5" vertical jump), which translates well to the next level in terms of a situational pass rusher. He is lacking in run support, where he really struggled at Alabama. If he can work on his lateral quickness and is coached up from a run-stuffing perspective, he may see more regular snaps at true defensive end. Otherwise, he may be relegated to a situational outside linebacker role, which would really hamper his fantasy output.
Bralen Trice, Atlanta
We like Trice’s potential here, as the Falcons were almost certainly linked to taking Dallas Turner at the 1.08 slot in this past draft. So they apparently saw something in him to make them the first rusher off the board for their rush-needy defense (with the 10th pick in the third round). And yet again, there will be questions about his designation, but given his thick body and other measurables, it would stand to reason that he’s designated as a lineman. He’s not as twitchy as the big four, but he does shed blocks well, which may aid him in run support.
Marshawn Kneeland, Dallas
The Cowboys have done a pretty solid job selecting pass rushers over the past few years and may have found a gem in Kneeland from Western Michigan. He was a man among boys, bull-rushing many stagnant passers. His motor is second to none, which will afford him some coverage sacks as he adapts to the NFL game. His body is certainly NFL-ready, according to many scouting reports. Like Trice, though, he’s not super twitchy nor a superior athlete, but he makes up for that in effort and strength to get to the quarterback. You’d think Micah Parsons isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, but perhaps Kneeland will figure into the eventual rotation and perhaps could supplant the aging DeMarcus Lawrence at some point.
Jonah Elliss, Denver
One edge I could certainly see being designated as a rush linebacker is Elliss. He’s just 6-foot-2, and while he does support the run game well, his game is better suited as a situational outside backer. He will start his NFL career backing up Jonathan Cooper on the right edge of the Broncos’ line. A couple of things in Elliss’ favor are his upper body strength and quickness. The overall size and injury history will be some limiting factors, however.