2024 NFL Draft: Defense-Only NFL Mock Draft (First Round)

Brant Henson takes a look at where the top defensive prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft could land, including Dallas Turner, Cooper DeJean, and more.

The calendar has turned to April and we are officially in draft month. With the NFL Combine and pro days out of the way, the layout of the first round is starting to become a bit more clear.

Many mock drafts have a hefty haul of offensive players sweeping the board over the first few picks and given team needs and top talent available, they’re probably right.

Prospects like Caleb Williams and Marvin Harrison Jr. are getting all of the shine right now. This mock draft solely focuses on the projected Round 1 defensive prospects and gives them landing spots that make sense.

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Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama

In this mock and in many mocks, the first defensive player doesn’t come off the board until the eighth overall pick. After rebuilding their offense through free agency, the Falcons turn to the defensive side of the ball in the draft and select the top edge-rusher in the class. This team severely lacks pass rushing and the explosive Turner, who had 10 sacks last season, immediately becomes a franchise cornerstone.

Projected Landing Spot – Atlanta Falcons (Eighth Overall)

Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State

A big contributor to Florida State’s undefeated regular season, Jared Verse racked up nine sacks in each of his last two seasons. The 6-foot-4 edge-rusher ran a 4.58 40-yard dash at the Combine. While the rumblings of the Vikings moving up to select a quarterback early are strong, rumors are floating around that they may roll with Sam Darnold for the 2024 season. In that case, replacing the departed Danielle Hunter with Verse is a home run swing.

Projected Landing Spot – Minnesota Vikings (11th Overall)

Minnesota Vikings could roll with Sam Darnold at QUATERBACK if the trade is too pricey in the NFL Draft pic.twitter.com/SswBrK0M2H

— NFL Rumors (@nflrums) April 3, 2024

Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama

The Raiders’ patchwork secondary has been a pain point over the last few seasons. As of right now, the projected starters at outside corner are Patriots castoff Jack Jones and 2023 fourth-rounder Jakorian Bennett. Terrion Arnold, arguably the CB1 in this class, is an instant upgrade. Per PFF, Arnold is great in coverage but also great against the run (90.6 PFF run-defense grade). He only allowed 41 receptions last season and secured five interceptions.

Projected Landing Spot – Las Vegas Raiders (13th Overall)

Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo

Quinyon Mitchell secured himself as a Day 1 pick with an impressive Combine and Senior Bowl performance. The prospect out of Toledo could climb as high as the top corner off of the board, and the Colts have to be thrilled grabbing him at 15. A cornerback trio of Mitchell, JuJu Brents, and Kenny Moore II is not half bad.

Projected Landing Spot – Indianapolis Colts (15th Overall)

Toledo CB Quinyon Mitchell - All - 22 Film vs Illinois pic.twitter.com/7VGewu4Hdt

— FNF NFL (@fnfantasyleeg) March 30, 2024

Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama

Kool-Aid McKinstry formed a formidable duo at Alabama with Terrion Arnold. Jacksonville has a clear need at corner and would be happy to grab the 5-foot-11 prospect at pick 17. Contributing since his true freshman season in 2021, McKinstry’s three seasons of college production in the SEC should translate to the pros.

Projected Landing Spot – Jacksonville Jaguars (17th Overall)

Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State

Linked to the Rams in many mock drafts, Chop Robinson would be a great fit at pick 19. The Penn State prospect has the size-speed combo that NFL scouts crave, measuring in at 6-foot-3, 254 pounds with a 4.48 40-yard dash. His college production doesn’t match his profile, with only six career sacks over three seasons, but he also faced injuries and only played in eight games over the past two seasons. The talent is there, as is the need for an edge-rusher in Los Angeles.

Projected Landing Spot – Los Angeles Rams (19th Overall)

RAS is one of my favorite tools throughout the draft process.

Some of my favorite athletic comps of the 2024 draft class.

EDGE Chop Robinson➡️Micah Parsons
EDGE Javon Solomon➡️Ogbonnia Okoronkwo
WR Luke McCaffrey➡️Torry Holt

h/t @MathBombhttps://t.co/8ygKKPwVo2

— Blaine Grisak 💭 (@bgrisakTST) April 3, 2024

Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson

The Steelers hit it out of the park with their Joey Porter Jr. selection in 2023. Pairing a stud in Nate Wiggins with him would have the Steel Curtain operating in full force. Wiggins improved each season at Clemson, and has proven unteachable athleticism (4.28 40-yard dash). After acquiring Donte Jackson in the trade with Carolina and drafting Wiggins at pick 20, the Pittsburgh secondary is suddenly a strength rather than a weakness.

Projected Landing Spot – Pittsburgh Steelers (20th Overall)

Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA

After medically retiring from football after his time at Washington, Laiatu Latu returned to the game in 2022 and was instantly a phenom. Over the past two seasons, the 6-foot-5, 259-pounder racked up 23.5 sacks, forced five fumbles, and snagged two interceptions. The UCLA product has the size and the production -- if not for medical concerns, he’d be in the conversation to be the first defensive prospect off of the board. With Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips both overcoming late torn ACLs, the Miami pass rush is decimated. Latu would be inserted immediately with high expectations.

Projected Landing Spot – Miami Dolphins (21st Overall)

Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa

The downfall of the Eagles’ season was the inconsistent play from James Bradberry and Darius Slay, two veteran corners who had been longtime studs. Shoring up the position with Cooper DeJean, the most versatile defensive back in the draft, is a match made in heaven. DeJean racked up seven interceptions over the course of his career, returning three for touchdowns. He also returned a punt for a touchdown, and would have had another if not for a fair catch mishap against Minnesota. He would be the perfect defensive Swiss Army knife for new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio -- and was recently cleared to return to football activities after breaking his fibula.

Projected Landing Spot – Philadelphia Eagles (22nd Overall)

Iowa DB Cooper DeJean - one of the top defensive prospects in the upcoming draft - sent a letter to all NFL clubs last week informing them that, after suffering a broken fibula in November, he now has been cleared to return to all football activities.

DeJean will hold an… pic.twitter.com/8r4NAH8DAO

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 2, 2024

Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas

Graded by many as the best defensive tackle in the 2024 class, Byron Murphy II falls to a dream landing spot in Dallas in this mock. From nearby DeSoto, Murphy gets to stay home. The 6-foot-1, 297-pounder racked up five sacks in 2023 and excelled against the run. With Neville Gallimore and Johnathan Hankins departed and Mazi Smith still developing, interior defensive line is a need in Dallas. The hometown kid would step in right away and make an impact.

Projected Landing Spot – Dallas Cowboys (24th Overall)

The #Cowboys are hosting several local, talented draft prospects today, getting visits from #Texas RB Jonathan Brooks, TE Ja’Tavion Sanders, and DT Byron Murphy, source said.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 3, 2024

Tyler Nubin, S, Minnesota

After signing Xavier McKinney in free agency, Green Bay isn’t done at the position. Adding the ball-hawking Tyler Nubin out of Minnesota would elevate this defense that much more. With 13 career interceptions in college, the 6-foot-1, 199-pound safety has the experience and talent to step in and start immediately. He is the first safety off the board here and very likely will be come draft night.

Projected Landing Spot – Green Bay Packers (25th Overall)

Ennis Rakestraw Jr., CB, Missouri

Tampa has to add at cornerback. Zyon McCollum took a Year 2 leap and Jamel Dean is rock solid, but the depth is lacking behind these two. Ennis Rakestraw Jr. broke out at Missouri this past season as a zone-coverage specialist. His versatility to play both inside and outside will be a great fit in Tampa, as he can join the team initially as the fourth corner but can shift around easily where needed.

Projected Landing Spot – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (26th Overall)

Jer'Zhan Newton, DT, Illinois

Just about every position on defense is a need in Arizona, so taking the best player available is never the wrong strategy. Jer’Zhan Newton was an absolute wrecking ball at Illinois and oftentimes looked like a one-man defense. He finished his career with 18 sacks. At 6-foot-2, 304 pounds, the Gerald McCoy comparisons are unmatched. Defensive line is a huge hole, and Newton has the talent to be a franchise cornerstone.

Projected Landing Spot – Arizona Cardinals (27th Overall)

Darius Robinson, EDGE, Missouri

Darius Robinson’s breakout was a large part of Missouri’s defensive success this past season. Robinson racked up 8.5 sacks at 6-foot-5, 285 pounds, and was a team captain. Detroit is searching for a second fiddle opposite Aidan Hutchinson and while it did sign Marcus Davenport, that is not going to stop it from taking a flier on a talent like Robinson.

Projected Landing Spot – Detroit Lions (29th Overall)

Kris Abrams-Draine, CB, Missouri

Kris Abrams-Draine is the third defensive player off the board in Round 1 for Missouri, landing in San Francisco at pick 31. He had three interceptions in 2023 while solidifying the outsides with Ennis Rakestraw Jr. Behind Charvarius Ward, San Francisco severely lacks cornerback talent and is fortunate to pluck a prospect like Abrams-Draine at the end of the first round. His small frame (5-foot-11, 179 pounds) is a concern at the NFL level, but his speed (4.44) should allow him to keep up with receivers in the pros.

Projected Landing Spot – San Francisco 49ers (31st Overall)

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