With the NFL draft steadily closing in, a group of us from the Footballguys staff got together to talk some defense. To help highlight some of the upcoming IDP talent in this year's rookie class, we took part in a two-round pre-draft IDP-only rookie mock draft. Big shout-out to Sigmund Bloom, Joseph Haggan, Tripp Brebner, Aaron Rudnicki, and Matt Montgomery for joining me in this fun exercise.

This IDP-only rookie mock is based on a 12-team true-position format, starting at least two players at each position, plus an additional IDP flex. The positions are all broken out individually in your starting lineup:

• Edge Rusher (EDGE)
• Defensive Tackle (DT)
• Linebacker (LB)
• Cornerback (CB)
• Safety (S)

This is the pre-draft version, and we plan to get back together for a post-draft version to see how things have changed. With landing spots and draft capital figured in, expect a shakeup. Alright, let's get to it!

Round 1

1.01 - Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas

Brebner: There might not be a Front-7 defender chosen in the top 10 of the 2024 draft. Without LB landing spots and with another year of good depth at EDGE, I'll take the near-consensus top defensive tackle and let scarcity be my guide.

1.02 - Dallas Turner, Edge, Alabama

Haggan: Dallas Turner has a flexible frame and a quick twitch ability to change direction without wasted motion. He may be the best speed rusher in this draft, and he made a big leap in his run defense in his final collegiate season. He is locked in as a first-round draft pick and should see significant playing time early. Turner can get to the quarterback in a flash and has a nice repertoire of moves that are NFL-ready.

1.03 - Payton Wilson, LB, North Carolina State

Bloom: We're unlikely to see an off-ball linebacker go in the first round this year, but that doesn't mean there are no high-upside options in rookie drafts. Wilson is ideal athletically (4.43 40 at 6-foot-4 and 233 pounds), and he profiles as an every-down player who is an asset in coverage and as a blitzer. There are questions about his durability, but Wilson should still be a second-day pick and in line to start early in his career.

1.04 - Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State

Rudnicki: In what looks like a down year for IDPs overall, I'll take a high-end edge rusher here and hope he lands in a favorable situation.

1.05 - Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State

Montgomery: Robinson could have the best traits of anyone in this defensive draft class. Although he is explosive, it wasn't necessarily accounted for in the stat sheet at PSU.

1.06 - Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA

Bellefeuil: Latu is the most NFL-ready pass rusher in this class. He is an advanced tactician with his hands while also boasting effective speed-to-power with his bull rush. Latu had a solid showing at the combine, posting a 4.64 40-yard dash and registering a 9.30 RAS. The biggest concern is with Latu's injury history. Although, he's been productive and durable over his two years at UCLA. Latu looks destined for first-round draft capital and has serious game to be productive right from the jump.

1.07 - Edgerrin Cooper, LB, Texas A&M

Brebner: This class could be short on LBs landing in spots with short paths to significant playing time. Wilson and Cooper look like the top two options going into the draft.

1.08 - Chris Braswell, EDGE, Alabama

Haggan: Braswell is my dark horse to be this draft's top edge rusher. His first step is blazing fast, and he does a great job transferring speed to power. What is most impressive is his coverage ability. Braswell shows great spatial awareness and instincts dropping back and in the screen game. This could lead to solid draft capital and the potential for early playing time.

1.09 - Junior Colson, LB, Michigan

Bloom: Colson is a hard-nosed linebacker who projects to be a player who doesn't leave the field on passing downs. Whether he's pedestrian or a hit for IDP depends on whether he can get a little more aggressive and read the play better against the run.

1.10 - Jeremiah Trotter Jr., LB, Clemson

Rudnicki: Trotter Jr. has great instincts but is undersized. He has the potential to be a long-term starter like his father.

1.11 - Darius Robinson, EDGE, Missouri

Montgomery: With the majority of the premiere edge class going ahead, I felt Robinson was the last viable one to be considered a first-rounder. Depending on his team, he should be able to make an immediate impact on the field.

1.12 - Jer'Zhan Newton, DT, Illinois

Bellefeuil: Newton is an athletic big man who brings physicality and alignment versatility to his game. He also brings an intriguing pass-rush upside, producing 8 sacks and 43 pressures during his final season at Illinois, per PFF. Newton (foot injury) wasn't able to participate at the combine but is still garnering some first-round buzz. With Newton's affinity for making splash plays, he's an appealing defensive tackle option in IDP true-position formats such as this mock.

Round 2

2.01 - Cedric Gray, LB, North Carolina

Brebner: Gray is probably a prospect that you hold and hope for an opportunity for him in Year 2.

2.02 - Bralen Trice, EDGE, Washington

Haggan: Trice has a thick, NFL-ready frame and great strength in his hands. He is a body mover who adds great counters and good footwork. Trice has scheme versatility, though he projects best as a base 3-4 DE. You may have to wait a little for Trice to be a consistent contributor, but he has NFL starter potential oozing in his veins.

2.03 - Austin Booker, EDGE, Kansas

Bloom: Booker was a revelation as an edge rusher in a very small sample size, which makes him a boom/bust pick. He has a very advanced approach as a pass rusher, which helps the boom case, but he also needs to improve against the run and add play strength.

2.04 - Cooper DeJean, CB/S, Iowa

Rudnicki: The draft started to thin out, so I went with one of the top-ranked DBs in the class. DeJean may play outside corner, but I see him fitting better as a slot corner or possibly at safety. He's a playmaker who should be a productive tackler as well.

2.05 - Braden Fiske, DT, Florida State

Montgomery: Fiske may be the most underrated player in the draft. With the number one athletic score at his position, we know that he will be a tough man to block in the interior.

2.06 - Jonah Elliss, EDGE, Utah

Bellefeuil: Elliss features a solid first step, effective spin move, and plays with relentless effort. It also doesn't hurt that he comes from NFL bloodlines, as his dad Luther was a 10-year NFL veteran, and his brothers Kaden and Chrisitan are currently active NFL players. Jonah Elliss is a bit on the smaller side (6-foot-2 and 248 pounds), but he has some Alex Highsmith to his game.

2.07 - Tommy Eichenberg, LB, Ohio State

Brebner: Eichenberg is a proverbial 2-down thumper in the NFL that could serve as in-season IDP depth.

2.08 - Tyler Nubin, S, Minnesota

Haggan: Nubin has scheme versatility all over him. He can play Cover 2, Single-High, in the box, or in the slot. Nubin has great coverage instincts matched with solid tackling technique with a propensity to force turnovers. He is my top safety in this class and can play wherever a coach needs him to.

2.09 - Trevin Wallace, LB, Kentucky

Bloom: When in doubt, take the athletic freak who needs to develop. Wallace ran a 4.51 at 6-foot-1 and 237 pounds with a 37.5" vert and a 10-foot-7 broad jump. He has the coverage skills to project as a three-down linebacker if he can cut down on mistakes and improve his ability to read and react.

2.10 - Marshawn Kneeland, EDGE, Western Michigan

Rudnicki: Kneeland is a rising small-school talent who has good athleticism and a high motor. He could surprise on draft day and likely has untapped potential as a pass rusher.

2.11 - Jaden Hicks, S, Washington State

Montgomery: I wanted to round out the draft with a player in the secondary. While Hicks isn't my first choice, I believe he can be a contributor as he begins to get an NFL-type body.

2.12 - Marist Liufau, LB, Notre Dame

Bellefeuil: I can't help but take a shot on a linebacker here with my last pick. Liufau features a solid build with ideal length for the position. Liufau's motor runs hot both as a run defender and as a blitzer. He is a developmental prospect who might not go until day three of the draft, but there's enough intrigue with his skill set and versatility to take a shot here.

Final Thoughts

This exercise was a lot of fun, and hopefully, you enjoyed the picks and analysis that went behind them. Tune back in for the post-draft version shortly after the NFL draft concludes. Draft capital and landing spot are huge pieces to the rookie puzzle; expect things to look differently. Thanks for following along; bring on the draft!