Three Edge Rushers Are the Clear Favorites for 2024 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year

The Colts’ Laiatu Latu, Vikings’ Dallas Turner and Rams’ Jared Verse are the leading candidates along with a cornerback and linebacker.

Latu combined for 23.5 sacks the past two seasons at UCLA. / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

For the past few months, Laiatu Latu, Dallas Turner and Jared Verse were grouped in conversations about the top edge rushers in the 2024 NFL draft class. Latu was the first defensive prospect selected, but that doesn’t mean he’ll become the best edge rusher from this year’s class. 

We likely won’t know who deserves that label for several years, but any of that trio could follow in the footsteps of Houston Texans edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. by winning the Defensive Rookie of the Year award. The Alabama product recorded seven sacks and 45 total tackles last season to live up to his billing as the No. 3 overall pick in the 2023 draft.

Also, don’t count out cornerback Quinyon Mitchell, who might be the best athlete from his draft class, or a sleeper candidate playing for Los Angeles Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh.  

Here are five leading candidates to bring home DROY honors. 

Laiatu Latu, Edge, Indianapolis Colts 

If it weren’t for Latu’s injury history, he might have been drafted inside the top 10 because of his versatile skill set as a pass rusher. The Indianapolis Colts overlooked Latu’s past injuries and made him the first defender taken in the draft with the No. 15 pick. An ecstatic Chris Ballard, the Colts’ GM, was caught on camera saying his team just landed the best edge rusher in the draft. Ballard had plenty to be happy about considering Latu’s impressive production at UCLA the past two seasons, including 23.5 sacks and 34 tackles for loss. 

Latu is considered by many draft experts as the edge rusher with the most upside in the 2024 class. With his insane college numbers and vast skill set, Latu might get off to a dominant start playing on a defensive line that already includes defensive tackle DeForest Buckner.  

Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Philadelphia Eagles

Speaking of upside, Mitchell has plenty of it, evident by the show he put on during the NFL scouting combine, including a 40-yard dash time of 4.33 seconds. The 6'0," 196-pound Mitchell has the size and athleticism to develop into a dominant outside cornerback in the NFL. He will also have the luxury of playing in Vic Fangio’s defensive scheme—Fangio was instrumental in the development of Patrick Surtain II during his time with the Denver Broncos.    

Mitchell, the No. 22 pick, was a playmaking machine during his time at Toledo, recording six interceptions and 37 passes defended the past two seasons. Mitchell will have plenty of help in the Eagles’ revamped secondary, which could give him the opportunity to produce enough plays to win Defensive Rookie of the Year. But Mitchell might get competition from fellow rookie defensive back Cooper DeJean, the Eagles’ second-round pick. 

Dallas Turner, Edge, Minnesota Vikings

Turner had a dominant junior season after replacing last year's Defensive Rookie of the Year, Will Anderson, Jr. / John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Turner has received comparisons to his Alabama teammate, Anderson, for his polished skill set that should help him become an immediate contributor for the Vikings’ new-look defensive front. Turner will form an edge rushing group with free-agent additions Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel, and he could emerge as the best of the trio due to his impressive speed off the edge and strength and instincts to win one-on-one matchups.

Turner, the No. 17 pick, had a dominant junior season as Anderson’s replacement, recording 10 sacks, 14.5 tackles for loss and 53 total tackles. Now he’ll look to top Anderson’s rookie season with hopes of becoming the second Alabama edge rusher to win Defensive Rookie of the Year in as many seasons.  

Jared Verse, Edge, Los Angeles Rams

Verse, the No. 19 pick, is known as a bull rusher because of the strength he displayed during his time at Florida State. The two-time All-American used his blend of speed and power to rack up 18 sacks and 29.5 tackles for loss over the past two seasons. 

The 6'4," 254-pound Verse could soon turn into a force for the Rams, who have recently shown with edge rusher Byron Young and defensive tackle Kobie Turner that they can develop defensive linemen. Both were DROY candidates last season. Perhaps Verse gets the hardware for L.A. this year and becomes the next defensive gem for the Rams in the post-Aaron Donald era.

Junior Colson, ILB, Los Angeles Chargers

Colson might be viewed as a long shot to win Defensive Rookie of the Year as a third-round selection. But he has advantages over other rookies, one being familiarity with his coaching staff after spending the past few years with Harbaugh and defensive coordinator Jesse Minter at the University of Michigan. He also has a path to a starting position, with the Chargers parting with many defensive players from the Tom Telesco and Brandon Staley era. 

It wouldn’t be a surprise if Colson starts at middle linebacker, especially after Harbaugh raved about how well he knows the defensive scheme during rookie minicamp. Colson, who had a combined 196 total tackles the past two seasons, will also have the advantage of playing in a defense that features edge rushers Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack and safety Derwin James.