When we talk about the best position value in the NFL Draft the conversation starts with quarterbacks, then shifts quickly to players who can get to the quarterback and who can protect the quarterback.
The Detroit Lions have a rising star edge rusher in Aidan Hutchinson, who earned his first Pro Bowl nod this season after recording 11.5 sacks, 23 quarterback hits and 101 total pressures. Detroit could certainly be on the lookout this offseason, either via free agency or the NFL Draft or both, to give Hutchinson some more help on the other side of the defensive line. The Lions got just 9.5 sacks combined all season from primary edge rushers not named Hutchinson.
There isn't a can't miss stud pass rusher atop this draft, like we saw a couple years ago when Travon Walker (No. 1), Hutchinson (No. 2) and Kayvon Thibodeaux (No. 5) were selected in the top five, but this is an overall good group led by consensus top pass rusher Dallas Turner from Alabama. It's a pretty deep class with wide-ranging skillsets. Teams on the lookout for pass-rush help should be able to find it well into Day 2.
Top 5 edge rushers to watch at the Combine:
1. Dallas Turner, Alabama, 6-4, 245
Turner has a long frame with explosive athletic traits. He's drawn early comparisons to Carolina's Brian Burns after recording 10.0 sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss this past season at Alabama. He could stand to add some weight and muscle to his frame, but he's a complete pass rusher on the edge.
View photos of the defensive line prospects who were invited to the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine.
Southern California defensive end Solomon Byrd (51) during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/John McCoy)
Duke defensive tackle DeWayne Carter (90) sets up for a play during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Florida State, Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Houston defensive lineman Nelson Ceaser (9) follows Central Florida quarterback John Rhys Plumlee (10) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
American defensive lineman Jaden Crumedy of Mississippi State (98) during the second half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/ Butch Dill)
Clemson defensive tackle Tyler Davis (13) is blocked by Syracuse offensive lineman J'Onre Reed (50) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Syracuse, N.Y., Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Oregon defensive end Brandon Dorlus plays against Stanford during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023, in Stanford, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Alabama defensive lineman Justin Eboigbe (92) reacts after tackling Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) during the second half of the Rose Bowl CFP NCAA semifinal college football game Monday, Jan. 1, 2024, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Utah defensive end Jonah Elliss (83) sacks Florida quarterback Graham Mertz (15) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Florida State's Braden Fiske sacks North Alabama quarterback Noah Walters during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Colin Hackley)
Baylor defensive lineman Gabe Hall (95) works against Central Florida offensive lineman Marcellus Marshall (72) during the second half of an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Ohio State defensive tackle Michael Hall Jr. lines up during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Michigan, Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, in Ann Arbor, Mich. Michigan won 30-24. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
Michigan defensive end Jaylen Harrell rushes the quarterback during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Michigan, Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, in Ann Arbor, Mich. Michigan won 30-24. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
American defensive lineman Marcus Harris of Auburn (50) during the second half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/ Butch Dill)
Penn State defensive end Adisa Isaac (20) rushes against Indiana tight end Bradley Archer (82) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Washington State defensive end Brennan Jackson against California during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in Berkeley, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Texas A&M defensive lineman McKinnley Jackson (3) reacts after tackling Mississippi State quarterback Chris Parson during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Craft)
Stanford quarterback Justin Lamson runs against Notre Dame defensive lineman Javontae Jean-Baptiste (1) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Stanford, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
Arkansas defensive lineman Trajan Jeffcoat (7) reacts after a big play against BYU during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
American defensive lineman Jordan Jefferson of LSU (99) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/ Butch Dill)
Michigan defensive lineman Kris Jenkins (94) applies pressure against East Carolina in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Mississippi defensive lineman Cedric Johnson (2) looks towards LSU offensive lineman Will Campbell (66) during the first half of an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023, in Oxford, Miss. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Colorado State defensive lineman Mohamed Kamara runs during a play in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Washington State, Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)
Mississippi State running back Keyvone Lee (24) runs upfield against Western Michigan defensive linemen Marshawn Kneeland (99) in the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, in Starkville, Miss. Mississippi State won 41-28. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
UCLA defensive lineman Laiatu Latu, left, pressures Arizona State quarterback Trenton Bourguet during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Iowa defensive lineman Logan Lee (85) gets set for a play during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Michigan State, Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023, in Iowa City, Iowa. Iowa won 26-16. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
East's Zion Logue, of Georgia, pursues the play during the East West Shrine Bowl NCAA college football game in Frisco, Texas, Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Florida State defensive lineman Fabien Lovett pushes past the LSU offense during the second half of an NCAA college football game Sunday, Sept. 3, 2023, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Michigan defensive end Braiden McGregor (17) plays against Rutgers in the second half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Texas defensive lineman Byron Murphy II reacts after collecting a sack against TCU during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
North Carolina defensive lineman Myles Murphy (8) tries to tackle Virginia Tech quarterback Grant Wells (6) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022 (AP Photo/Chris Seward)
Illinois defensive lineman Jer'Zhan Newton rushes the quarterback during an NCAA college football game against Wisconsin Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Charlotte defensive lineman Eyabi Okie-Anoma plays against Georgia State during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Clemson defensive tackle Ruke Orhorhoro (33) plays against Florida State during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Illinois defensive lineman Keith Randolph Jr. plays around the line of scrimmage during an NCAA college football game against Florida Atlantic Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Penn State defensive end Chop Robinson plays during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Friday, Nov. 24, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Missouri defensive lineman Darius Robinson (6) against Arkansas during an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 24, 2023, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Vanderbilt quarterback Ken Seals (8) and Auburn defensive lineman Justin Rogers (52) dive for a loose ball in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
LSU defensive tackle Maason Smith (0) rushes off the line during an NCAA college football game against Texas A&M in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023. LSU won 42-30. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Troy linebacker Javon Solomon (6) celebrates a sack against Arkansas State during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, in Troy, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Texas defensive lineman T'Vondre Sweat (93) during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Kansas State in Austin, Texas, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Miami defensive lineman Leonard Taylor III (56) during an NCAA college football game against Temple, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)
Clemson defensive end Xavier Thomas (3) rushes during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Syracuse in Syracuse, N.Y., Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Washington defensive end Bralen Trice (8) looks towards Utah quarterback Bryson Barnes (16) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in Seattle. Washington won 35-28. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Houston defensive lineman David Ugwoegbu (12) during the first half of an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
Florida State defensive lineman Jared Verse (5) works against Syracuse offensive lineman Enrique Cruz Jr. (70) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Connecticut's Eric Watts (95) rushes in during the first half of an NCAA college football game against North Carolina State in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)
LSU defensive tackle Mekhi Wingo (18) celebrates his sack of Mississippi State quarterback Will Rogers (2) during the first half of an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Starkville, Miss. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
2. Laiatu Latu, UCLA, 6-4, 265
Latu has a great combination of size and quickness with a full toolbox of pass-rush moves. He might be the most technically sound pass rusher in the class and is a very advanced pass rusher for his age. The medicals will be important for him after dealing with a neck injury while at Washington a few years back. Latu had 13.0 sacks and 21.5 tackles for loss for the Bruins this past season.
3. Jared Verse, Florida State, 6-4, 250
Verse has a terrific blend of speed and power. There are times he uses his speed to get by tackles and other times he simply walks the tackle back into disruption. He's scheme versatile with a resume of consistent production (18.0 sacks & 29.5 tackles for loss) the last two seasons combined.
4. Darius Robinson, Missouri, 6-5, 286
Teams that value versatility will really like Robinson. He wins mostly on power and can play both inside and on the edge. He started as a defensive tackle before shifting to the edge. The Southfield, MI native dominated at the Senior Bowl a couple weeks back after notching 8.5 sacks and 14.0 tackles for loss for the Tigers this past season.
5. Chop Robinson, Penn State, 6-3, 255
Robinson might be the most physically gifted of the pass rushers in this class. His explosiveness and speed have drawn some comparisons to Micah Parsons, but he didn't have the college production Parsons did. NFL evaluators will have to study the tape to determine why. He tallied a lot of pressure but just 9.5 sacks combined the last two seasons.
Combine sleeper to watch: Marshawn Kneeland, Western Michigan, 6-3, 268
Kneeland is a terrific athlete and a former high school tight end. He uses his hands really well and has terrific strength off the edge as a hand-in-the-dirt edge or a standup rusher. He's a pretty raw talent with a ton of upside after recording 4.5 sacks and 7.5 tackles for loss this past season for the Broncos.
View photos of the linebacker prospects who were invited to the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine.
Michigan linebacker Michael Barrett celebrates during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Ohio State, Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, in Ann Arbor, Mich. Michigan won 30-24. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
Notre Dame linebacker JD Bertrand (27) plays against Clemson during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Florida State linebacker Tatum Bethune (15) and defensive lineman Patrick Payton (11) celebrate after Bethune made a tackle for a loss during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Duke, Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Alabama linebacker Chris Braswell (41) sets up for a play against Mississippi during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Indiana linebacker Aaron Casey (44) reacts during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Wisconsin, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Bloomington, Ind. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Ohio State linebacker Steele Chambers plays against Western Kentucky during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Michigan linebacker Junior Colson (25) plays against UNLV in the second half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Abilene Christian running back Jay'Veon Sunday (0) is tackled by Texas A&M linebacker Edgerrin Cooper (45) after a short gain during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Craft)
LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels, front left, tries to scramble past Florida State linebacker Kalen DeLoach (4) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Sunday, Sept. 3, 2023, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
East's Khalid Duke, of Kansas State, participates in the East West Shrine Bowl NCAA college football game in Frisco, Texas, Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Ohio State linebacker Tommy Eichenberg in action during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Purdue, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in West Lafayette, Ind. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Texas linebacker Jaylan Ford rushes in during the first half of an NCAA college football game between TCU and Texas, Nov. 11, 2023, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)
East's Easton Gibbs, of Wyoming, participates in the East West Shrine Bowl NCAA college football game in Frisco, Texas, Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
North Carolina linebacker Cedric Gray (33) quarterbacks the defense against North Carolina State during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)
Missouri linebacker Ty'Ron Hopper (8) plays during an NCAA college football game in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. (AP Photo/Michelle Haas Hutchins)
LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) runs against Georgia State linebacker Jontrey Hunter (1) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
Penn State linebacker Curtis Jacobs (23) in action during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Maryland, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in College Park, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Louisiana Tech Ryan Rivera (34) misses a reception as he is defended by UTEP linebacker Tyrice Knight during the second half of an NCAA college football game on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023, in El Paso, Texas. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)
Notre Dame's Marist Liufau, right, takes down Central Michigan's Myles Bailey (26) during the second half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Michael Caterina)
Navy quarterback Xavier Arline, center left, is tackled by Temple linebacker Jordan Magee (6) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022, in Annapolis, Md. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Southern California quarterback Caleb Williams, right, runs as UCLA linebacker Darius Muasau chases during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
UCLA defensive lineman Gabriel Murphy (11) pressures Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Wisconsin linebacker Maema Njongmeta sets up on defense during an NCAA college football game against Illinois Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Clemson linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. (54) plays against North Carolina during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Washington defensive end Zion Tupuola-Fetui, right, forces a fumble by Southern California quarterback Caleb Williams during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Alabama linebacker Dallas Turner (15) runs during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023. (AP Photo/Michelle Haas Hutchins)
Washington linebacker Edefuan Ulofoshio (5) tackles Arizona State wide receiver Elijhah Badger (2) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in Seattle. Washington won 15-7. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Kentucky linebacker Trevin Wallace (32) celebrates after sacking Eastern Kentucky quarterback Parker McKinney (18) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Michelle Haas Hutchins)
Mississippi State linebacker Nathaniel Watson (14) during the first half of an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Starkville, Miss. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
North Carolina State linebacker Payton Wilson (11) watches the ball against North Carolina during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)
Lions' need at the position: High
Teams can never have too many good pass rushers and the Lions need to continue to stockpile talent at the position in hopes of getting more steady production opposite Hutchinson.
James Houston is an exclusive rights free agent, which means if the Lions want him back, he'll be back. There's no reason to think they won't after he had a terrific finish to his rookie season in 2022 (8.0 sacks in seven games). A broken ankle suffered Week 2 cost him most of the 2023 season. If he can regain some of his rookie form, that will be a big plus for the room. Detroit is also hoping a healthy Josh Paschal heading into his third season can be a more consistent producer. Veteran John Cominsky is also set to return.
Infusing that room with some more talent has to be a priority for the Lions this offseason. Detroit had the second most quarterback hits (77) and sixth most hurries (236), but their 41 sacks were tied with the Los Angeles Rams for the ninth fewest in the NFL. If the Lions want to improve on the league's 27th ranked pass defense from this past season they need a better marriage between the rush and the cover. That's expected to be a focus for general manager Brad Holmes this offseason.
Key stat: Hutchinson's 21.0 sacks over his first two seasons are the most in franchise history through a player's first two seasons. Ezekiel Ansah (2013-14) and Tracy Scroggins (1992-93) held the previous mark at 15.5.
