2024 NFL Draft: Best Team Fits for Top Defenders to Contribute as Rookies
Now that free agency has settled down and April is just around the corner, it's time for the football world to shift its attention to the NFL draft. With veterans coming and going over the past few weeks, teams have a firm idea of what their needs are and vacancies have been created for the next crop of players to come in and contribute as rookies.
Here we'll dive into the best destinations for the top 10 defenders on Bleacher Report's latest big board to hit the ground running in year one. Each player will be linked to one to three teams that have an open starting spot at their respective positions, have a strong supporting cast for each rookie and/or would be a good scheme fit.
Also included is each prospect's position and overall rank as well as a link to their full scouting report from B/R's NFL draft scouting department.
Jared Verse
1 of 10
Overall Rank: 9th
Position Rank: EDGE1
Atlanta Falcons
After signing Kirk Cousins to a lucrative contract and making moves to acquire wide receivers Darnell Mooney and Rondale Moore, the Falcons are clearly making a push for a Super Bowl run in the next year or two. However, they could use some pass-rush help as last season's sack leaders, Bud Dupree and Calais Campbell with 6.5 each, aren't on the roster.
Jared Verse would be a great replacement for Dupree and might even be an upgrade at this stage in the 31-year-old's career. With David Onyemata and a healthy Grady Jarrett getting pressure up the middle and flushing quarterbacks out of the pocket, the Florida State product could put up some impressive numbers during his first season in Atlanta.
Chicago Bears
While the Bears don't have a pressing need for an edge rusher after trading for and giving Montez Sweat a contract extension last season, they could use someone to replace Yannick Ngakoue on the other side of Sweat. Ngakoue had the third-most sacks on the team last year with four and DeMarcus Walker is their other starting edge, who is more of a run defender.
Also, Sweat could be a great mentor for Verse since they have similar playing styles as physical pass-rushers. So, the latter would enter a situation where he can get snaps on third downs and wouldn't be the offense's primary focus.
Quinyon Mitchell
2 of 10
Overall Rank: 10th
Position Rank: CB1
Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders could use some extra talent at cornerback, especially on the outside after Amik Robertson signed with the Lions. Las Vegas' top wide corner right now is Jack Jones, who showed promise after getting picked up late in the year but is still an unproven commodity at this point.
So, there would be at least one starting spot open for Quinyon Mitchell in Sin City, and the pass-rush trio of Maxx Crosby, Christian Wilkins and Malcolm Koonce will make any defensive back's life easier.
Plus, the Toledo product racked up a ton of PBUs in college by squatting in his zone and driving on routes which Patrick Graham's defense would allow him to do.
Denver Broncos
Patrick Surtain II has already established himself as a top-tier cornerback in the league, but Denver could use someone to play on the other side of him. Right now, Damarri Mathis is penciled in as their other starter and Mathis posted a 36.7 coverage grade from Pro Football Focus last season.
With the Broncos, Mitchell would have the opportunity to start right away and should have plenty of opportunities to show off his impressive ball skills seeing as opposing quarterbacks will likely opt to test him instead of Surtain.
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars lost their top corner from last season as Darious Williams went back to the Rams in free agency. Also, Tyson Campbell has struggled to stay healthy, and signing Ronald Darby shouldn't prevent the front office from adding talent to the position group in the draft. In other words, there's an opportunity for Mitchell to get playing time right away in Jacksonville.
Additionally, the Jags have a good pass-rush duo in Josh Allen and Arik Armstead to force quarterbacks into making quick and bad decisions, creating opportunities for the Toledo product to get his hands on the ball.
Terrion Arnold
3 of 10
Overall Rank: 11th
Position Rank: CB2
Las Vegas Raiders
As discussed with Quinyon Mitchell, the Raiders have a good opportunity for a rookie cornerback to contribute right away with their need at the position and supporting cast. But what's different about Terrion Arnold's situation is that the Silver and Black have already shown a significant interest in him.
Arnold met with Antonio Pierce at the NFL Combine and those two were spotted chatting during the Crimson Tide's pro day (h/t Stephen M. Smith of Touchdown Alabama). Clearly, the cornerback is under consideration for Las Vegas with the 13th overall pick and his physical demeanor would fall in line with the brand of football Pierce wants to play.
New York Giants
While it would be a surprise, there is a chance Arnold doesn't even make it out of the top 10 on draft night. The Giants could use a starting corner especially since Adoree' Jackson is a free agent and likely won't return to New York.
So, there's an open starting spot, and the pass-rush trio of Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux and Dexter Lawrence II would help any rookie defensive back have a smooth transition to the league.
Denver Broncos
Seeing as Mitchell and Arnold have the same grade and are right next to each other on B/R's big board, it should come as no surprise that there is some crossover between where the two corners can contribute right away. Between Arnold and Patrick Surtain II, Denver likely would be thrilled to have two Alabama products patrolling its secondary next season.
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Dallas Turner
4 of 10
Overall Rank: 12th
Position Rank: EDGE2
Denver Broncos
The Broncos could use some help on the edge and Dallas Turner would immediately be the most talented player they have at the position. At the very least, he could contribute on third downs as a rookie, and with Zach Allen drawing attention on the interior of the line, Turner should get plenty of one-on-one blocks to help rack up some sacks and pressures.
Atlanta Falcons
As discussed with Jared Verse, the Falcons need help on the edge and have a couple of quality interior pass-rushers in David Onyemata and Grady Jarrett who can help make life easier for a rookie.
Also, Turner's run defense could use some work and Atlanta has Zach Harrison and Arnold Ebiketie who can take care of the early-down responsibilities. That would allow the Alabama product to stay fresh for passing situations and put up numbers as a pass-rusher in year one.
Los Angeles Rams
The Rams needed an edge-rusher before Aaron Donald retired and that only intensifies now that the future Hall of Famer hung 'em up. Obviously, Donald and Turner don't play the same position but the team's defense is going to get creative to replace the former's production as a pass-rusher.
Luckily, Kobie Turner and Byron Young proved to be a couple of promising rushers last season and those two already being in Los Angeles would help take attention away from the rookie. Plus, the potential first-round pick should get opportunities to contribute on passing situations as converted defensive tackle Michael Hoecht could slide inside on third downs.
Laiatu Latu
5 of 10
Overall Rank: 14th
Position Rank: EDGE3
Los Angeles Rams
What was said about Dallas Turner's fit with the Rams can be applied to Laiatu Latu as well. However, an argument could be made that the latter is more "pro-ready" as he's one of the best pure pass-rushers in the draft class and already has a diverse arsenal. Latu just doesn't have the length and athletic ability that Turner possesses.
Additionally, the UCLA product could hit the ground running in Los Angeles because he won't have to deal with something that doesn't get discussed enough with young players, adjusting to a new city and environment.
The California native and former Bruin will be in a location that he's already familiar and comfortable with, allowing him to have a clear mind and focus on getting better on the field right away.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
While what was said above about Latu staying close to home wouldn't be true in Tampa Bay, he would have a decent support system with his former teammate at the University of Washington Joe Tryon-Shoyinka as they have a close relationship.
"My boy Joe Tryon-Shoyinka over there, I'd love to play alongside him," Latu said at the NFL Combine, per The Pewter Report's Adam Silvon. "... He was a big bro to me when I was at Washington — taking me under his wing, showing me what success looks like. To be there with him would be inspiring as well as motivational."
Additionally, the Buccaneers have a couple of good interior pass-rushers in Vita Vea and Calijah Kancey that should allow the edge-rusher to draw plenty of one-on-one opportunities as a rookie.
Kool-Aid McKinstry
6 of 10
Overall Rank: 15th
Position Rank: CB3
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
While the Bucs have one good outside starting cornerback in Jamel Dean, they could use someone to play on the other side of him. They traded Carlton Davis III to the Lions at the beginning of the offseason and currently have Zyon McCollum, who earned a 47.3 coverage grade from Pro Football Focus last season, penciled in as the other first-stringer.
Kool-Aid McKinstry could come in and immediately supplant McCollum on the top of the depth chart, creating an opportunity for the Alabama product to contribute right away. He showed a knack for breaking up passes in college, recording 22 PBUs during his last two seasons combined which would be a welcomed sight in Tampa Bay.
Also, the Buccaneers' pass rush led by Vita Vea and second-year pros Calijah Kancey and Yaya Diaby can help make life easier for any defensive back, especially a rookie's.
Arizona Cardinals
Even after bringing in Sean Murphy-Bunting, the Cardinals could use some extra talent at cornerback. It was one of the team's biggest weaknesses last year and Starling Thomas V is currently slated as a starter after giving up 80.4 completion percentage and 142.8 passer rating when targeted last season, per PFF.
So, this would be another spot where McKinstry could be a day-one starter and contribute as a rookie. Granted, Arizona's supporting cast, specifically its pass rush, isn't much to write home about, but the opportunity to make an immediate impact is there.
Byron Murphy II
7 of 10
Overall Rank: 17th
Position Rank: DL1
Miami Dolphins
Hampered by a lack of cap space, the Dolphins had to let Christian Wilkins walk in free agency which is a massive loss. The defensive tackle was coming off of a career-high nine sacks, third most on the team, and is a true every-down player who is arguably even better against the run.
Replacing Wilkins won't be easy but Byron Murphy II will be Miami's best option in the draft. Like his predecessor, the former Longhorn can contribute to both phases of the game and can be an immediate starter in South Beach.
Also, between a strong secondary with Jalen Ramsey and Kendall Fuller at cornerback and a couple of good edge rushers in Bradley Chubb and Jaelen Phillips -- assuming the latter two are healthy -- Murphy should have no problems being a productive pass-rusher in year one.
Minnesota Vikings
While the Vikings are widely expected to trade up in the first round to pursue a quarterback, there's no denying that they could use an interior pass rusher as well. Harrison Phillips led the position group with three sacks last season and run defense is his calling card as that figure was a career high.
Murphy could be exactly what Minnesota's defense needs, someone who can provide pressure up the middle to support new edge rushers Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel. Plus, Brain Flores is known for dialing up exotic blitzes that confuse offensive lines which could help the Texas product rack up some easy sacks as a rookie.
Chop Robinson
8 of 10
Overall Rank: 20th
Position Rank: EDGE4
Dallas Cowboys
To be honest, Chop Robinson is probably a year or two away from being a full-time starter or every-down player. He could afford to add some size and strength to become a better run defender, however, Robinson's elite athleticism will help him make an impact as a pass-rusher in year one.
With the Cowboys, he could fill the role that Dorance Armstrong leaves behind as a third-down rusher. Armstrong managed to rack up 21 sacks over the last three seasons combined, including seven in 2023.
The Penn State product would be a great third rusher on the edge behind fellow former Nittany Lion Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence, as those two would garner most of the offensive line's attention and help the rookie draw plenty of one-on-one opportunities.
Baltimore Ravens
Eric DeCosta has a history of drafting pass-rushers who are high-level athletes even if that means they are projects coming out of college. So, Robinson is undoubtedly on the Ravens' radar, especially since Jadeveon Clowney and Kyle Van Noy are no longer on the roster.
Last season, Clowney's 9.5 sacks were the second-most on the team and Van Noy's nine were third. That's a lot of production to replace but also creates an opportunity for a rookie to step in and have immediate success.
With Justin Madubuike creating pressure on the inside and Odafe Oweh on the other end, the Penn State product could easily hit the ground running and be a productive pass-rusher in Baltimore this fall.
Jer'Zhan Newton
9 of 10
Overall Rank: 21st
Position Rank: DL2
Los Angeles Rams
While the Rams have Kobie Turner as their immediate replacement for Aaron Donald, filling the future Hall of Famer's shoes with just one player is going to be nearly impossible. Right now, the team's other starting defensive tackle heading into next season is Desjuan Johnson, last year's Mr. Irrelevant who didn't get much playing time as a rookie.
Meanwhile, Jer'Zhan Newton should be available when Los Angeles is on the clock and would be a good running mate for Turner to help replace Donald. Newton has active hands and a good motor to be a productive pass-rusher at the next level. Also, he's stout at the point of attack and can get off blocks to rack up tackles against the run.
So, between the Rams having a void at the position and Turner taking some of the pressure off of him, the Illinois productive could become an immediate star in Hollywood.
Miami Dolphins
In a similar situation, and as discussed with Byron Murphy II, the Dolphins will likely be looking for Christian Wilkins' replacement during the draft. The same logic with Murphy can be applied to Newton's fit in Miami. There's an immediate opportunity to start and the defense's support cast should help free up the young defensive tackle to be productive in year one.
Kamren Kinchens
10 of 10
Overall Rank: 27th
Position Rank: S1
Green Bay Packers
While the Packers signed Xavier McKinney in free agency, they also lost Darnell Savage and Jonathan Owens while Rudy Ford remains unsigned. So, the team could still use some help at safety especially since those three took a significant amount of snaps last season.
While Kamren Kinchens' poor 40-yard-dash time at the NFL Combine might scare some teams away, he posted a much better number at Miami's pro day clocking in with an unofficial 4.57, according to Inside the U's David Lake.
Also, the former Hurricane's range wasn't a problem in college as he racked up 11 interceptions and 15 passes defended during his three-year career. In Green Bay, Kinchens could be the ball hawk the team is looking for and would have a solid veteran mentor in McKinney.
Buffalo Bills
The Bills were up against the cap to begin free agency which resulted in former All-Pro safeties Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer leaving the team. While the front office managed to re-sign Taylor Rapp and bring in Mike Edwards this offseason, those two combined for just nine starts during the regular season a year ago.
Neither Rapp nor Edwards should have a guaranteed starting spot heading into the fall and Buffalo's brass should still consider drafting Kinchens. The Miami product could easily become a first-stringer by the end of training camp and should be able to take advantage of the errant throws the team's strong pass rush will create.
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