Could the New Orleans Saints pick another defensive lineman early in next year’s NFL draft? They’ve certainly set a precedent for it by investing so many early-round picks in the trenches, including a second rounder in 2023 with Isiah Foskey.
But they don’t have a long-term fix at the position right now, and Cameron Jordan isn’t getting any younger. It shouldn’t shock anyone if the Saints add another edge rusher in the 2024 class. New Orleans values different factors in their athletic skill sets at defensive ends on the left and right sides of the formation, with most of the players on the right side (Carl Granderson, Payton Turner, Foskey, and before them Marcus Davenport) all weighing in at around 265 to 270 pounds while Jordan and his backups on the left side often tip the scales at 280 pounds or more.
With that in mind, here are five prospects eligible for the 2024 NFL draft that we’ll be watching closely during the upcoming college football season:
1 | Jared Verse, Florida State
Verse was projected to be a first-round pick this spring, so it surprised many fans when he returned to school for 2023. The 6-foot-4, 260-pound redshirt junior was Florida State’s best defender last season and is looking to take another step forward in the fall.
When to watch him: Sept. 3 vs. LSU (ABC)
2 | Dallas Turner, Alabama
Turner is undersized for the Saints’ standards at just 242 pounds, but his 6-foot-4 frame suggests he could add more muscle in the pros. He generated the second-most pressures for the Crimson Tide last year (37) and should follow in Will Anderson Jr.’s footsteps as a top-10 pick if he repeats that performance.
When to watch him: Sept. 9 vs. Texas (ESPN)
3 | Chop Robinson, Penn State
Robinson weighs in at 6-foot-3 and 250 pounds, and he’s coming off an impressive season in which he led the team with 48 pressures. He’s also skilled in run defense, having missed just 6 tackles in 12 games last year.
When to watch him: Sept. 23 vs. Iowa (CBS)
4 | Zion Tupuola-Fetui, Washington
Tupuola-Fetui is on the lighter end of the Saints’ preference at this spot (being listed at 6-foot-4 and 254 pounds), but the sixth-year senior is coming off his best season with 52 pressures for the Huskies defense. He isn’t their highest-rated defensive end (that’s Bralen Trice, who we’ll talk about another time) but Tupuola-Fetui is a legit NFL prospect.
When to watch him: Sept. 2 vs. Boise State (ABC)
5 | Adisa Isaac, Penn State
Isaac is another defensive end who would need to pack on more muscle to make weight for the Saints (listed at 6-foot-4 and 254 pounds) but he played well for Penn State last season and started every game after sitting out in 2021 with an injury. His 36 pressures were second-most on the team.
When to watch him: Sept. 23 vs. Iowa (CBS)
