NFL draft: Breaking down the edge rushers class and potential fits for the Eagles

The Eagles have a pressing need for edge rusher depth after trading Hasson Reddick to the New York Jets for a conditional 2026 third-round draft pick. While Josh Sweat returns as one of the presumptive starters, along with free agent addition Bryce Huff, who signed a three-year deal, the players behind those two are unproven.

Nolan Smith, a 2023 first-round selection, played only 12% of the snaps last season. Zack Baun, a free agent, has largely played on special teams in his NFL career but was an edge rusher at Wisconsin.

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Having few proven NFL commodities should make edge rusher a focus in the draft. Since 2010, the Eagles have taken an edge rusher every year except 2011. It’s a premium position.

Here’s a look at edge rushers the Eagles should consider in the 2024 NFL draft, with a class that has plenty of high-end depth.

With next-level hand work and first-step quickness, Latu is one of the more skilled pass rushers of the last couple of draft classes. He has several moves in his tool box, from double hand swipes to cross chops, and is relentless rushing the quarterback, tallying career highs in sacks (13) and tackles for losses (21½) in 2023.

Beginning his career with the University of Washington, Latu was forced to medically retire in 2021 because of a neck injury, but he was cleared to return after transferring to UCLA in 2022. The injury is the biggest concern about him.

The 6-foot-5, 259-pound edge rusher can drop into coverage, although he is best served rushing the passer. Latu isn’t the strongest run defender, which would likely make him a situational pass rusher early in his career, but he would be an excellent complement to what the Eagles have now, if he makes it to No. 22 overall. The Eagles met with him at the combine and he has a pre-draft visit scheduled as well.

Arguably the prospect with the highest ceiling is Turner, who became more disruptive as the 2023 season wore on. The junior standout made a massive jump in production, finishing with 15½ tackles for losses and 11 sacks in his final season with the Crimson Tide. An explosive pass rusher who excels at turning the corner against offensive tackles and using his length (34⅜-inch arms) to create separation, Turner is only scratching the surface.

Projecting best as a standup edge rusher who has size (6-3, 247 at the combine) and tools, Turner displayed his athleticism at the combine. He ran a 4.46 second 40 yard dash, with a 40½-inch vertical jump, and a 10-foot, 7-inch broad jump. His run-stopping ability is underrated as well; he made11 run stops and 19 total tackles defending the run, according to Pro Football Focus.

A projected top-10 pick, Turner is unlikely to be available to the Eagles.

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If you’re looking for an old school, no-nonsense type of edge rusher who sets the edge and wins with power, Verse is your guy. The 6-4, 254 pounder is all about controlling at the point of attack against offensive linemen and using his overwhelming power to get after the quarterback. He finished with 12½ tackles for losses with nine sacks, 11 quarterback hurries, three pass breakups, and one forced fumble.

Verse gave a strong performance at the combine. While his change of direction ability (7.31 three-cone, 4.44 short shuttle) were solid, but not overly explosive, he showed his speed (4.58-second 40) and lower-body explosiveness (35-inch vertical, 10-ffeet, 7-inch broad jump).

Excelling in speed-to-power conversions, Verse would be an excellent addition for the Eagles. His pedigree, skill set, production, and size would be an ideal fit, especially to replace Brandon Graham when he eventually retires.

Measuring in at the combine at 6-foot-5, 285 pounds with 34½-inch arms, Robinson moves and plays like a player who is 20 pounds lighter, exploding off the football and then using his length to create separation from offensive linemen. His style of play as a power rusher and his versatility to play the three-technique makes him an exciting prospect.

In his final season with Missouri, Robinson registered 14 tackles for losses and 8½ sacks, with a 17% pass rush win rate, per PFF. His swim move, in particular, is impossible for offensive linemen to stop. Though he doesn’t have explosive speed (4.95-second 40 at combine), his no-nonsense approach to rushing the passer would bring a different dimension to the Eagles.

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Trice led Washington in tackles for losses (11½) and sacks (7). The senior employs a power-rush style, using his size and strong hands to work through the chests of offensive linemen. For his size, Trice also has a surprising amount of finesse and savvy.

Whether it’s rushing as a stand-up edge player, rushing from the three-technique position (inside shade of the tackle), or from the 4i (directly in front of the tackle), Trice has the versatility and quickness to win. Over the last two seasons, Trice accounted for 16 sacks, 23½ tackles for losses, and a forced fumble. According to PFF, he finished the 2023 season with a 16.4% win rate in pass-rushing situations, accounting for 76 quarterback pressures.

After a strong season, Trice had a less than stellar showing at the combine, weighing in at 245 pounds, and running at 4.72 second 40-yard dash. In the field workouts, Trice didn’t move as smoothly as other edge rushers.

However, two years of consistent tape, performances in marquee games, and a relatively clean injury history makes Trice an enticing player to take on Day 2.

Possessing powerful hands and undeniable potential, Kneeland finished with 4½ sacks and 7½ tackles for losses in 10 games for the Mustangs in 2023. He has all the makings of becoming an all-around disruptive defensive end. Winning 17.3% of his pass rushes, according to Pro Football Focus, Kneeland is a speed-to-power conversion expert.

He measured in at the combine at 6-foot-3, 267 pounds with 34½ inch arms, and though he had modest speed testing (4.75-second 40), his agilities were impressive for his size (7.02-second three-cone, 4.18 short shuttle). Kneeland also had a 9-foot, 11-inch broad jump and a 35½-inch vertical, showing his lower-body explosiveness.

The Eagles had a formal meeting with Kneeland at the combine. The Western Michigan standout said his game is similar to that of Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, citing their relentlessness and size. That skill set could prove vital for the Eagles, who just saw Hasson Reddick traded to the New York Jets. His film reveals relentless pursuit to disrupt plays, and he could potentially fill Brandon Graham’s role.

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A unanimous first-team All-Big Ten selection in 2023, Robinson tallied 9½ sacks and 17½ tackles for losses in 22 games over the last two seasons.

Robinson explodes off the snap to create chaos in the backfield. According to Pro Football Focus, Robinson had a 20.9% pass rush win rate, creating 26 quarterback pressures this season. Right now, Robinson is solely a speed rusher, winning by beating tackles at the apex of the pass rush and slipping past their outside shoulder, or setting up offensive linemen outside to work back inside.

While his run defense is a work in progress, Robinson’s pass rush ability will be highly sought after. Though he has average arm length (32½-inch arms), Robinson has elite speed (4.48 second 40 at the combine) and lower-body explosiveness (34.5-inch vertical, 10-foot, 8-inch broad jump). The Eagles have a similar player in Smith already, plus the addition of Huff as well. Robinson could develop into a high-end pass rusher with his twitchiness, but his skill set would add redundancy to the unit.

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Booker has fewer than 600 career snaps but has some enticing traits worth. After spending the two previous seasons at Minnesota, playing in just six games, Booker served as a rotational pass rusher for the Jayhawks, finishing with eight sacks, 12 tackles for losses, and two forced fumbles.

At the Senior Bowl, he capped an excellent second day with a handful of sacks in the team sessions. Measuring at 6-4, 240 at the combine, Booker didn’t blow testing away, running a near sub 4.8-second 40, but his speed to turn the corner as a pass rusher, along with his length (33⅞-inch arms) would be worth an early Day 3 selection.

Solomon was the nation’s sack leader this season (16). He has a chance to put NFL teams on notice with his closing speed and relentless pursuit of the quarterback. A natural speed rusher who can threaten tackles with speed-to-power conversions, Solomon isn’t getting enough love nationally, despite winning 15% of his pass rush reps, according to PFF.

Solomon’s skill set has drawn comparisons to that of Huff, who finished with a career-high 10 sacks last season. Solomon has a nasty cross-chop but plays with such great leverage he can get under the pads of tackles and finishes violently around the corner to close the pocket on quarterbacks.

The Eagles had a formal interview with Solomon at the combine, and though he’s a bit undersize (6-1, 246) he measured in with 33⅞-inch arms. The Eagles have five Day 3 picks; Solomon would be worth a late-round selection to sit and develop.