Ranking the 2024 NFL Rookie Linebacker and Edge Rusher Class

Junior Colson | © Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Jason Abbey Posted On May 15, 2024

As always, our outlook on the potential fantasy impact of IDPs changed significantly after the 2024 NFL Draft. Some players joined teams where they were primed for early success, others ended up buried on the depth chart, while many fell somewhere in between.

This article ranks rookie linebackers and edge rushers into tiers based on various factors, such as talent, team fit, and potential.

Linebackers

Tier One

Junior Colson, LB LAC

Colson landed in a dream scenario when the Los Angeles Chargers drafted him in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft. He reunited with Jim Harbaugh, his former head coach of the Michigan Wolverines, and his new head coach has already praised the youngster for his performance in rookie minicamp.

Jim Harbaugh praises Junior Colson: 'He's making all of the calls' https://t.co/bMlFolFVSB pic.twitter.com/OPxDR47CCV

— Chargers Wire (@TheChargersWire) May 12, 2024

Furthermore, the Chargers were bereft of talent at linebacker following the departure of Kenneth Murray and Eric Kendricks, who amassed a combined 1816 snaps in 2023. The team added the oft-injured Denzel Perryman in free agency and has 2023 third-round pick Daiyan Henley on the roster, but it would not surprise if Colson overtook both players early in the season.

Tier Two

Edgerrin Cooper, LB GBP

Cooper was my number-one linebacker in my pre-draft DLF Rookie rankings and remains my top option in dynasty formats. His potential is such that if he develops as expected, he should have what it takes to become an every-down linebacker in the NFL.

Unfortunately for Cooper, Quay Walker is in town, and Walker will almost certainly remain atop the hierarchy. The Green Bay Packers have been fond of using two linebackers in recent years, but there are concerns that new defensive coordinator, Jeff Halsey, may take a different approach.

Still, De’Vondre Campbell left to join the 49ers, and Isaiah McDuffie did not acquit himself well in coverage in 2023. Cooper – the only linebacker selected in the draft’s first two rounds – should quickly become the team’s second option behind Walker.

Payton Wilson, LB PIT

Wilson may have hoped for a softer landing spot. Patrick Queen capitalized on his drastic improvement by signing a three-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers in free agency, and defensive coordinator Teryl Austin demonstrated a tendency to rotate linebackers heavily in 2023.

However, despite the encouraging news about Cole Holcbomb’s recovery, it seems reasonable to expect him to miss some time. His absence would provide Wilson the opportunity to establish himself as the team’s best option behind Queen.

Elandon Roberts, while efficient and productive, does not present an insurmountable challenge for the rookie, and Kwon Alexander, who played more than expected given the plethora of injuries at the position, was allowed to leave in free agency.

Cedric Gray, LB TEN

Azeez Al-Shaair spent one productive year with the Tennessee Titans before joining the Houston Texans in free agency. Kenneth Murray joined the team, presumably to be the starter, but he may have to prove he’s a better option than Jack Gibbens, who flashed at times in 2023.

Cedric Gray (@cedthr33) building bonds with his teammates already pic.twitter.com/Vb5HGWsDE1

— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) May 10, 2024

Fortunately for Gray, Gibbens has one year remaining on his contract, and the Titans can save $7.5 million by cutting ties with Murray before 2025. The rookie should prevail, given time.

Tier Three

Tyrice Knight, LB SEA

As I wrote about in this article, the Seattle Seahawks needed to find linebacker help in the 2024 NFL Draft. They replaced Bobby Wagner and Jordyn Brooks with Jerome Baker and Tyrel Dodson. Still, Baker has been inconsistent throughout his career, and Dodson has to prove he can repeat his 2023 performance.

Knight has his faults, making him somewhat of a project, but opportunity is everything for linebackers. Neither Baker nor Dodson is under contract beyond 2024, which could allow the rookie to earn a fantasy-relevant role from 2025 onwards.

Trevin Wallace, LB CAR

Wallace may have to wait his turn with the Carolina Panthers. Shaq Thompson appears to be on track in his recovery from the ankle injury which prematurely ended his 2023 season, and the team signed Josey Jewell in free agency.

Still, Thompson is in the final year of his contract, and Jewell has limitations in coverage, so it’s not unreasonable to believe that Wallace could earn significant snaps next season.

Jeremiah Trotter Jr, LB PHI

Trotter will struggle to see the field in 2024. The Philadelphia Eagles signed Devin White in free agency and have presumably not given up hope that Nakobe Dean can become the player they envisioned when they selected him in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft.

However, much like many of his linebacker peers in this article, Trotter’s medium-term outlook isn’t unkind, as White was signed to a one-year prove-it deal after disappointing toward the end of his tenure with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the jury is still out on Dean.

Edge Rushers

Tier One

Jared Verse, EDGE LAR

Verse has leapfrogged Laiatu Latu in the DLF Dynasty Rookie IDP Rankings, and his landing spot may have been a factor. The Los Angeles Rams needed multiple contributors on defense, but drafting an edge rusher was a priority.

Byron Young had a productive rookie campaign, and Michael Hoecht had his moments, but neither player generated an impressive pressure rate, considering they played almost 1000 snaps apiece.

Verse has more potential than Young and Hoecht and should immediately enter into a rotation in Chris Shula’s defense. It would not be a surprise if he were challenging Young for the lead in snap share by the end of the season.

Dallas Turner, EDGE MIN

The Vikings signed Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel to mitigate the loss of Danielle Hunter in free agency. Despite having two capable edge rushers on the roster, the Vikings recognized the need to fortify the position with a young stud, selecting Turner with the 19^th overall pick.

"You can make an argument for the top three in any order. I went with Turner due to the age difference – he’s a full two years younger than either Verse or Latu – then Verse due to the immediate opportunity for snap volume." — @IDPKing https://t.co/TwWd9ENF0k pic.twitter.com/y4ldufpMNo

— DLF (@DLFootball) April 30, 2024

A rotation between Greenard, Van Ginkel, and Turner makes sense as they bring the rookie along slowly. Even if that happens, the expectation is that Turner would feature heavily. The ineffective D.J. Wonnum and Patrick Jones III combined for almost 1,500 snaps behind Danielle Hunter in Flores’ scheme last season.

Laiatu Latu, EDGE IND

The Indianapolis Colts have a crowded edge rusher room comprising many early-round picks. However, despite being productive in 2023, Kwity Paye, Tyquan Lewis, and Dayo Odeyingbo have yet to prove they can be relied upon as consistent performers. 29-year-old Samson Ebukam is the most accomplished player they have in the position.

Latu has more potential than any of his competition on the roster. He probably won’t earn as many snaps in his rookie year as Verse will with the Rams or Turner will with the Vikings, but the Colts made him the first edge rusher taken in the draft for a reason – they intend to give him every opportunity to showcase his ability.

Tier Two

Chris Braswell, EDGE TBB

If this article were based purely on talent, Braswell may belong in tier three, but his landing spot vaults him into tier two. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers allowed Shaquil Barrett to walk in free agency, leaving them with Yaya Diaby, who had an impressive, albeit unsustainably efficient 2023 campaign, the disappointing Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, and veteran Randy Gregory.

Todd Bowles employed a five-man rotation at edge rusher in 2023. Where Braswell fits in that order remains to be seen, but if he can realize his potential, he should usurp Tryon-Shoyinka and Gregory in quick order.

Bralen Trice, EDGE ATL

The Atlanta Falcons were in dire need of help at edge rusher. Arnold Ebiketie showed signs of progression in his second campaign, but Bud Dupree is gone, Lorenzo Carter is ineffective, Zach Harrison got off to a slow start, and the team cannot rely on Calais Campbell to play 700+ snaps again, even if he does return to the team.

Trice provides new head coach Raheem Morris with a young talent who can develop alongside Ebiketie. He may have to bide his team behind a bunch of mediocre players at first, but he should become more involved as the season unfolds.

#Washington Edge Bralen Trice (6033v, 270v) might not wow with his length (32 1/2 arms) or testing numbers, but he consistently disrupts the backfield with heavy hands and a plan of attack.

Trust the tape w/ this guy. pic.twitter.com/bch0Z58wTd

— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) January 5, 2024

Tier Three

Chop Robinson, EDGE MIA

Robinson was recognized as one of the best pure pass rushers in the 2024 NFL Draft, but his landing spot could have been better. The injury to Jaelan Phillips may mean the rookie is relied upon to contribute early alongside Bradley Chubb. Still, the Miami Dolphins exercised Jaelan Phillips’ fifth-year option in April, casting doubts over Robinson’s chances to remain involved down the stretch.

Furthermore, the team selected the underrated Mohamed Kamara in the fifth round of the draft. Robinson has the talent to keep Kamara at bay, but the concern is that all four players will eat into each other’s snaps for the next few seasons.