2024 NFL Draft: 3 defensive players fans must know about

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - DECEMBER 31: Kool-Aid McKinstry #1 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts after breaking up a pass during the Allstate Sugar Bowl against the Kansas State Wildcats at Caesars Superdome on December 31, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Alabama Crimson Tide won the game 45 - 20. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /

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2024 NFL Draft: Dallas Turner #15 of the Alabama Crimson Tide in action against the LSU Tigers during a game at Tiger Stadium on November 05, 2022 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

1. Dallas Turner, OLB, Alabama

Nick Saban has had two or more defensive players drafted in the first round five times since Becoming Alabama’s head coach. In high school, Turner was rated as a five-star recruit by 247-Sports, playing for powerhouse Saint Thomas Aquinas. In high school, Turner played football and basketball as he was invited to a USA basketball camp during his sophomore year.

Arriving at Alabama, Turner’s name was not recognized as much until the national championship game against Georgia. In that game, Turner had 2 sacks and 2 TFLs. After that, the expectations were set high for him, and he didn’t deliver to those expectations, but he still had a good season, recording 37 tackles, 8 TFLs, and 4 sacks.

Turner is a versatile player capable of playing edge or outside linebacker. When you watch Turner, he shows that he possesses good s[eed and flexibility to get past opposing offensive tackles. Turner does have the potential to drop back in coverage, as he dropped back in coverage 92 times last season. However, there were times when he got beat in coverage.

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