2024 NFL Draft Prospects: 3-4 Defensive End



The top 2024 3-4 Defensive End prospects available for the 2024 NFL Draft. * – denotes 2025 prospect. ** – denotes 2026 prospect.

This page was last updated March 16, 2024. Follow Walter @walterfootball for updates.

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2023 NFL Draft Position Rankings:
QB | RB | FB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | NT | 3-4 OLB | 3-4 DE | OLB | ILB | CB | S | K | P

2024 NFL Draft Position Rankings:
QB | RB | FB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | NT | 3-4 OLB | 3-4 DE | OLB | ILB | CB | S | K | P

2025 NFL Draft Position Rankings:
QB | RB | FB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | NT | 3-4 OLB | 3-4 DE | OLB | ILB | CB | S | K | P

1. Michigan image Kris Jenkins, 3-4DE, Michigan
Height: 6-2. Weight: 299.
40 Time: 4.91.
Projected Round (2024): 1-2.

3/16/24: Jenkins totaled 37 tackles, 2.5 sacks and an interception in 2023. While he never had big sack numbers, he can create consistent pressure on the quarterback. In the ground game, Jenkins is tough, strong and reliable. Pro team sources said they think he could be a late first-round or early second-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

8/19/23: After spending a couple of seasons as a backup, Jenkins earned a starting spot in 2022 and had a strong debut with 54 tackles, 3.5 tackles for a loss, two sacks and two hurries. It would help Jenkins to ramp up his pass-rush production in 2023. Jenkins is the son of former Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Kris Jenkins.



2. Missouri image Darius Robinson, 3-4DE, Missouri
Height: 6-5. Weight: 286.
40 Time: 4.95.
Projected Round (2024): 1-2.

3/16/24: Robinson was a really solid football player for the Tigers in 2023, recording 43 tackles, 8.5 sacks and a forced fumbles. With good height, length and weight, Robinson offers the flexiblity to play defensive end or tackle at the pro level. He could be a base end who moves inside to tackle in the sub package. Robinson had a superb week of practice at the Senior Bowl, showing some serious power to shed blocks. He is big, strong, and a good power rusher who also is tough against the run. However, team sources feel Robinson lacks some speed and juice off the edge.



3. Clemson image Ruke Orhorhoro*, 3-4DE, Clemson
Height: 6-4. Weight: 295.
40 Time: 4.89.
Projected Round (2024): 2-3.

3/16/24: In 2023, Orhorhoro recorded 25 tackles, five sacks and a pass defended. He was a solid defender for Clemson. Orhorhoro showed impressive speed and worked out well at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine.

8/19/23: Orhorhoro recorded 23 tackles, five passes batted and four sacks in 2022. He was a solid rotational defender for the Tigers. Orhorhoro took advantage of the opportunity of Bryan Bresee going out with injury in 2021 to have a solid season. Orhorhoro totaled 36 tackles and 2.5 sacks that year. While Orhorhoro might be a rotational backup, NFL teams like his potential and have him with a favorable projection entering his junior season.



4. LSU image Maason Smith**, 3-4DE, LSU
Height: 6-5. Weight: 306.
40 Time: 5.01.
Projected Round (2024): 2-3.

3/16/24: Smith was suspended in Week 1 and collected 27 tackles, 2.5 sacks and two passes defended for his 2023. He did not look like the dynamic interior defender he was before and might need some more post-injury recovery prior to returning back to his earlier form. Smith flashed his old self, but was inconsistent. He should have returned for his junior year to put together a bigger season, as it would have given him a better shot at being a first-rounder in 2025.

8/19/23: Smith was a dynamic freshman for the Tigers in 2021, and the former five-star recruit made an instant impact for them, recording four sacks and 19 tackles. There was a ton of hype coming from LSU that he was poised to have a monster 2022 season, but he suffered a torn ACL in the season opener against Florida State and missed the year. The 6-foot-5, 298-pounder has excellent size and length with the upside to build on his fantastic debut. Smith could break out and dominate in 2023.



5. Alabama image Justin Eboigbe, 3-4DE, Alabama
Height: 6-4. Weight: 297.
40 Time: 5.18.
Projected Round (2024): 2-3.

3/16/24: Eboigbe totaled 63 tackles, pass batted and seven sacks in 2023. Team sources said Eboigbe has power, but is limited athletically. He is a strong, tough, plays hard, and his power can be seen in the ground game, but he lacks explosion and feel as a rusher. Eboigbe shows decent speed and isn’t a bad athlete. Sources said they feel he could be a backup defensive end who also takes snaps as a three-technique. Eboigbe helped himself with a good week of practice at the Senior Bowl.

8/19/23: Eboigbe was a rotational backup in 2022, just like he was over the previous three seasons. Eboigbe is a projected starter who needs a season of big production to rise for the 2024 NFL Draft.



6. LSU image Maason Smith**, 3-4DE, LSU
Height: 6-5. Weight: 306.
40 Time: 5.01.
Projected Round (2024): 2-3.

3/16/24: Smith was suspended in Week 1 and collected 27 tackles, 2.5 sacks and two passes defended for his 2023. He did not look like the dynamic interior defender he was before and might need some more post-injury recovery prior to returning back to his earlier form. Smith flashed his old self, but was inconsistent. He should have returned for his junior year to put together a bigger season, as it would have given him a better shot at being a first-rounder in 2025.

8/19/23: Smith was a dynamic freshman for the Tigers in 2021, and the former five-star recruit made an instant impact for them, recording four sacks and 19 tackles. There was a ton of hype coming from LSU that he was poised to have a monster 2022 season, but he suffered a torn ACL in the season opener against Florida State and missed the year. The 6-foot-5, 298-pounder has excellent size and length with the upside to build on his fantastic debut. Smith could break out and dominate in 2023.



7. Oregon image Brandon Dorlus, 3-4DE, Oregon
Height: 6-3. Weight: 283.
40 Time: 4.85.
Projected Round (2024): 2-4.

3/16/24: Dorlus collected 25 tackles, five sacks and seven passes batted in 2023. He showed some interior pass-rush ability compared to previous years. Team sources say Dorlus is capable of being better, but he doesn’t play hard 100 percent of the time. His lack of effort and bad motor have them giving him second-day grades for the 2024 NFL Draft. Dorlus also was extremely light at the Senior Bowl for an interior NFL defensive lineman. He gained weight for the combine, where he ran a fast 40-yard dash.

8/19/23: Dorlus was a solid defender for the Ducks in 2022, recording 39 tackles, 2.5 sacks and two passes defended. He totaled 25 tackles, 2.5 sacks in 2021. For the NFL, Dorlus could stand to add some more strength.



8. Florida State image Fabien Lovett, 3-4DE, Florida State
Height: 6-4. Weight: 314.
Projected 40 Time: 5.10.
Projected Round (2024): 3-5.

3/16/24: In 2023, Lovett had 22 tackles and three passes batted. He also dealt with injuries.

8/19/23: Lovett flashed in 2021 with 28 tackles and two sacks. In 2022, he was held back by injury and only played in six games, recording 10 tackles with a sack and forced fumble. Lovett looked heavier in 2022, and that seemed to have cost him some explosion off the ball. Lovett needs to put together a productive senior year to rise for the 2024 NFL Draft.



9. Miami image Leonard Taylor III*, 3-4DE, Miami
Height: 6-3. Weight: 305.
40 Time: 5.12.
Projected Round (2024): 4-6.

3/16/24: Taylor recorded 20 tackles and a sack while playing in eight games in 2023. He should have gone back to Miami for next season, but he entered the 2024 NFL Draft. Taylor has a good skill set and is a gifted athlete, but in college, he was a massive underachiever and never produced up to his talent. At the combine, sources said some teams are close to removing Taylor from their board because of football character.

8/19/23: Taylor flashed some potential as a freshman in 2021, racking up 24 tackles, 8.5 tackles for a loss, three sacks and a pass broken up. In 2022, he recorded 10 tackles and 1.5 sacks. Taylor has upside and talent, but his desire is the question. Some sources say he could go as high as the first round or as low as the fifth round depending on how hard he plays and works.



10. Baylor image Gabe Hall, 3-4DE, Baylor
Height: 6-6. Weight: 287.
40 Time: 5.03.
Projected Round (2024): 4-6.

3/16/24: Hall recorded 18 tackles and two sacks in 2023. He had better production in 2022 when he totaled 36 tackles and 4.5 sacks. That came on the heels of 18 tackles and six sacks in 2021.



11. Connecticut image Eric Watts, 3-4DE, Connecticut
Height: 6-5. Weight: 277.
40 Time: 4.67.
Projected Round (2024): 5-7.

3/16/24: Watts showed pass-rush ability in 2022 when he totaled seven sacks to go with 47 tackles and two forced fumbles. In 2023, he recorded 34 stops and two sacks. Watts has backup potential and could be a player who develops as he gains experience.



12. North Carolina image Myles Murphy, 3-4DE, North Carolina
Height: 6-5. Weight: 310.
40 Time: 5.20.
Projected Round (2024): 6-FA.

3/16/24: Murphy recorded 24 tackles and one sack in 2023. He had similar production in 2022. He totaled 38 tackles and four sacks in 2021, which was his best season of football for the Tar Heels.



13. Texas Tech image Myles Cole, 3-4DE, Texas Tech
Height: 6-5. Weight: 272.
40 Time: 4.67.
Projected Round (2024): 6-FA.

3/16/24: Cole was a solid defender for the Red Raiders in 2023, recording 32 tackles, 3.5 sacks and a pass batted. He notched 1.5 sacks over the previous three seasons. Cole did not stand out at the Senior Bowl.



2023 NFL Draft Position Rankings:
QB | RB | FB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | NT | 3-4 OLB | 3-4 DE | OLB | ILB | CB | S | K | P

2024 NFL Draft Position Rankings:
QB | RB | FB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | NT | 3-4 OLB | 3-4 DE | OLB | ILB | CB | S | K | P

2025 NFL Draft Position Rankings:
QB | RB | FB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | NT | 3-4 OLB | 3-4 DE | OLB | ILB | CB | S | K | P