2024 NFL Draft: First Defensive Player Selected Odds, Picks, Predictions
The 2024 NFL Draft kicks off on Thursday, April 25th. Last season, we saw the first defender come off the board with the 3rd overall pick. With all the QBs this year, the odds are that will not be the case this year, but when will the fittest defensive player go in the 2024 NFL Draft?
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2024 NFL Draft: First Defensive Player Selected Odds
| Dallas Turner | -170 |
| Laiatu Latu | +500 |
| Quinyon Mitchell | +650 |
| Jared Verse | +650 |
2024 NFL Draft: Favorites to be the First Defensive Player Selected
Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama, -170
Dallas Turner was the 2023 SEC Defensive Player of the Year, and it is unsurprising that he is the favorite to be the first defensive player selected in the 2024 NFL Draft. Turner picked up 14.5 sacks and two forced fumbles for the Tide last season.
The way the 2024 NFL Draft is expected to shake out, it makes the most sense that Turner will be selected 8th overall by the Atlanta Falcons. Picks 1-3 are expected to be quarterbacks, while picks 5-7 are expected to be skill players or linemen. It is possible a team trades up over Atlanta to select Turner earlier, but he is chalk to be selected first for good reason.
Laiatu Latu, UCLA, +500
Latu was the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year, and his 13 sacks and 21.5 tackles for loss cannot be ignored. At 23 years old, he is an older prospect, so teams may be slightly turned off by this. However, his production makes him an intriguing look in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Latu posted a 4.64 40-yard dash and a 1.62 10-yard split at the 2024 NFL Draft Combine. According to NFL Next Gen Stats, He finished with a 90 production score, which was the first among EDGE players in college football this season.
Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo +650
Cornerback is becoming a more highly coveted position every season, and Mitchell’s name being listed up here speaks volumes about that. However, considering he played for Toledo, it’s hard to see NFL teams selecting him over Turner or Latu, even if defensive back is a bigger need for the team. Mitchell was impressive during the Combine, posting a 4.33 40-yard dash and a 38-inch vertical jump.
2024 NFL Draft: Best Bets to Make
Dallas Turner -170
Not only did Turner dominate in the best conference in the Country, but he’s also young, athletic, and productive. Given Atlanta’s need for an EDGE, he fits the mold perfectly for a “no-brainer” pick. He is worth laying the juice for, and we expect him to be the first defensive player selected in the 2024 NFL Draft.
