The college football season has concluded and the NFL playoffs continue towards the Super Bowl. All-Star games are coming up soon and we’ll start getting official measurements, reports of teams meeting with prospects, and viral social media clips of practice drills. It’s fair to say that draft season is starting to heat up, and with that, I’ve been doing final film evaluations and updating my position rankings for the 2025 NFL Draft.
Today I’m ranking defensive tackles, and this is a very strong class. There’s a handful of guys who will go in the first round and a lot of Day 2 prospects. I watched 20 guys for this article, with several great prospects falling outside my top 15. It’s a good year to need interior defender help.
If you want to see how these rankings compare to how I ranked this class over the summer, check out the link below. Additionally, my other updated rankings can be found below as well. As always, stay tuned for more 2025 draft content, as I’ll be looking to update all my position rankings over the next few weeks.
Summer Scouting: Defensive Tackles
Updated Position Rankings:
1: Mason Graham, Michigan
Having undergone a remarkable rise from a three-star recruit to a consensus All-American as a junior, Graham enters the leadup to the draft as the top interior defender on most evaluators’ boards. Originally from Anaheim, California, Graham played significant snaps as a true freshman before flashing his NFL Draft potential as a sophomore. His junior season was his best yet, with 46 tackles, 34 pressures, and four sacks. He leaves Michigan as one of the more decorated defenders in school history and a shoo-in for a top-10 pick in April.
At 6-3, 320, Graham is not lacking in size for the middle of an NFL defensive line. He excels as a run defender, with an elite 92.6 PFF run defense grade in 2024, highlighted by having a positive grade on a staggering 32.4 percent of run defense snaps. The power he commands at the point of attack is enough to shut down plays to his side of the line. He can redirect blockers off the snap, resetting the line and disrupting the flow of the blocking scheme. Strong hands let him lock on to blockers and he has the leg drive to plow through and make plays in the backfield.
It’s not just strength with Graham, either, as he has the quick feet and lateral agility to get underneath pullers or chase down ball carriers backside. That flexibility translates to his pass rush, where his 13.3 pass rush win percentage is very good for a defensive tackle. He’s a masterful handfighter, using a variety of moves to keep his chest clean and work around the guards he faces. That said, he primarily wants to go through the chest of the opposing lineman and does so effectively — his bullrushes are devastating.
Graham isn’t the longest defensive lineman, which isn’t as big an issue on the interior as it is on the edge. However, this does show up occasionally, as he can be out-leveraged in some pass rush situations. As I mentioned, Graham has his go-to bull rush move, but he’s still working on others, including counters. In run defense, he does a good job keeping linemen from controlling the point of attack, but he’s still learning to do that as a pass rusher.
It’s not often you get the chance to draft a player with Graham’s combination of floor and ceiling outcomes. There’s so little bust potential with him and there might not be a safer pick in the draft. He will be a weekly starter in the NFL, an immediately impactful run defender with some pass rush production. If Graham develops a more consistent pass rush plan, he has All-Pro upside.
2: Walter Nolen, Ole Miss
A transfer from Texas A&M, Nolen is a 6-3, 305-pound interior defender from Tennessee. A five-star recruit, he made his presence felt for the Aggies, breaking out as a sophomore with 37 tackles and four sacks, becoming one of the top transfers on the market after the season. With the Rebels, Nolen took another step, logging 48 tackles, 26 run stops, 41 pressures, and six sacks, becoming a consensus All-American in the process.
Quickness at size is the best way to describe Nolen’s game. He has an explosive first step that sets the tone of a rep, often forcing the interior line to scramble in response to his movement. With that step, he can get into the backfield in a flash, disrupting plays at the point of attack. Plus hip flexibility and foot speed for the position let him beat his matchup to the spot. Guards feel him on contact, with an initial punch that shocks even veteran lineman with his strength.
For a slightly undersized defensive tackle, there are no concerns about Nolen’s play strength. He can handle double teams consistently, holding the line and even resetting it back with his speed and ability to anchor on contact. Disruptive hands keep offensive linemen on their toes throughout the entire rep — Nolen will never be guilty of taking a play off or easing up before the whistle. He’s a relentless pursuer and will run full speed through the whistle.
While Nolen’s pass-rushing production has been great, the tape tells a slightly different story. He’s mostly a power rusher, looking to get into his bull rushes and displace the guard in front of him, or at least work around them in one move. That often works for him, even in the SEC, but he’ll need a bigger bag in the NFL. Especially at his size, he won’t simply drive through defenders consistently at the next level. He’s not a bad pass rusher by any means; he just needs to be more multiple in his attack. Additionally, he can get caught chasing big plays, getting out of position and allowing running backs or scrambling quarterbacks to find cutback lanes and open space.
Nolen has a great case to be a first-rounder come April. The upcoming Senior Bowl will be a great showcase of his skills as a one-on-one pass rusher. Teams are always looking for pass-rushing three-techs who can penetrate and hold the point of attack. Nolen can do all that and more. Although he’s a little undersized for the NFL, that was never an issue in the SEC, which projects favorably for his chances in the league. I have a late-first grade on Nolen, and I think he comes into play for teams in the late teens.
3: Tyleik Williams, Ohio State
A four-star recruit from Manassas, Virginia, Williams arrived at Ohio State as a four-star recruit and quickly made his presence felt. He was a freshman All-American, racking up five sacks in 2021. As a junior, he was named second-team All-Big 10, following that up with a third-team selection as a senior. In 2024, Williams had 46 tackles, 21 pressures, and three sacks, to go with 71 positively-graded run defense snaps and 20 run stops.
At 6-3, 327 pounds, Williams made Bruce Feldman’s “Freaks List” with his combination of strength and agility at that size. He’s consistently capable of collapsing the pocket when rushing the passer, using his quick first step to establish immediate leverage and driving offensive linemen back into their quarterback’s lap. With surprisingly good hands, Williams knows how to keep his chest clean and disengage from blockers, both to pursue plays downfield and work his way into the backfield. He gets moving in a hurry at his size, which often gives him an advantage on the interior.
But Williams’ is a run defender first and foremost, and that’s why teams will be drafting him. His frame lets him effectively control two gaps, giving him an enormous amount of scheme versatility in his deployment. His powerful upper body lets him control blockers at the point of attack, refusing to be pushed back and resetting the line of scrimmage back in many cases. When faced with pulling guards and down blocks, Williams displays the agility to work off them and make tackles, with a high number of individual stops on his tape. He holds up against double teams, as well, a good sign for his ability to be a run-stuffer at the next level.
Short-area quickness just isn’t Williams’ game, despite his best efforts. Combined with his shorter arms, it likely means he’ll never be an amazing pass rusher. That said, he could be more productive, and many of his struggles come from his lack of a pass-rush bag. He has a great bull rush, but not much else to his game. If he can add a few tricks such as a rip, arm over, or pin and pull, it’ll let him work more effectively and maximize his potential as a pass rusher.
Williams is of an archetype I historically haven’t valued that much. He’s an elite, elite run defender with minimal impact on a team’s pass rush from an individual standpoint. Typically, you don’t notice these players on the field that often, but you definitely notice when they aren’t there. And that’s why I have Williams so high. He frees up the defensive coordinator’s scheme by his mere presence, amplifying a team’s run defense and allowing the rest of the line to play more freely. I’d be a little surprised if he went on Day 1, but he’s a top 50 player and a plug-and-play NFL starter.
4: Kenneth Grant, Michigan
A 6-3, 339-pound true junior from Indiana, Grant was a four-star recruit and immediate contributor on Michigan’s defensive line. He played behind Graham and current Bengals DT Kris Jenkins Jr. during his first two seasons in Ann Arbor, but that didn’t stop him from being productive. His breakout sophomore campaign saw him earn second-team All-Big 10 honors behind 29 tackles and four sacks, but he had an even better season as a junior. In his first season as a full-time starter, Grant once again made the second-team All-Big 10 and had 32 tackles, 27 pressures, three sacks and 56 positively-graded plays against the run.
Grant is one of the best run-stuffers in this class. With the versatility to line up across the line and in multiple fronts, he’s strong against double-teams and is tough to move off his spot. Unlike some strong run defenders, Grant isn’t simply stout against blocks. He actively creates havoc, getting into the backfield and running down ball-carriers. Heavy hands and a powerful upper body let him dictate reps at the point of attack, redirecting blockers and forcing his way into the play.
While Grant’s bread-and-butter is his work in the run game, he flashes considerable upside as a pass rusher. Bruce Feldman named Grant to his “Freaks List,” highlighting his athletic gifts. He displays eye-popping quickness off the snap, with the first-step burst to gain an immediate advantage on the play. In spurts, he’s incredibly disruptive, showcasing the ability to single-handedly change a game with his backfield penetration and the speed at which he can break through the line.
For all his potential, Grant is a work in progress as a pass rusher. His flashes are exciting, but he has yet to put together a consistent stretch of production. Right now, he relies primarily on his natural athleticism to win without many moves at his disposal to defeat blockers. Additionally, he sacrifices his leverage too often, playing high out of stance and allowing blockers to control his chest, particularly when he’s pass-rushing. This inhibits his ability to get into his moves and he gets shut down.
A fairly young player, Grant has the kinds of tools you just can’t teach. Many coaches would love to get their hands on him, to get a chance to “mold this ball of clay.” He’ll likely be a first-round pick because of it, and he’s ready to contribute to an NFL team right now. The pass rushing isn’t there yet, but he’ll hold up in run defense. If he can develop as a pass rusher, he has the kind of upside that doesn’t escape Round 1.
5: T.J. Sanders, South Carolina
A three-star recruit who initially redshirted with the Gamecocks, Sanders has steadily improved every year of his college career. After seeing some rotational snaps as a redshirt freshman, Sanders began turning heads as a sophomore, racking up 43 tackles and five sacks. As a junior, he made the All-SEC second team, with 51 tackles, 33 pressures and four sacks on South Carolina’s monster defensive line.
At 6-4, 290, Sanders is a little light for an interior defender in the NFL, but he makes up for that with incredible length. His long arms dictate contact on every rep, establishing initial contact on his terms and letting him disrupt off the snap. He pairs that with a quick first step and bursty hips, letting him get upfield quickly and into the backfield. As a pass rusher, he uses his length to get guards off-balance, hitting them with a counter move and racing past them to create pressure. Sanders has a variety of pass-rush moves he uses throughout a game, adjusting his play as needed to beat his matchups.
As a run defender, Sanders’ length comes into play once again, as he can ward off linemen trying to get into his chest and displace him. He’s not the type to own double teams by himself, but he works hard to avoid getting caught up on contact and can shed blockers with ease at times. Sanders is best described as a disruptive run defender, more likely to create a tackle for a loss than to stonewall a blocking scheme on his own.
Being undersized does have its downsides, and in Sanders’ case, he struggles against double teams and can be moved at the point of attack. Ideally, he’d be paired with a bigger, run-stuffing defensive tackle in the NFL who can make up for this deficiency and let Sanders pin his ears back. I’d also like to see him improve his pass rush plan, as while he does have a lot of moves he can go to, he’s still learning how to counter mid-rep to what the opposing lineman is doing.
Sanders has NFL traits through and through, it’s easy to project his pass-rushing skills to translate at the next level. While he won’t single-handedly alter an opponent’s rushing attack, he’s not a liability in run defense as some others in his archetype are. I like Sanders as an early-Day 2 guy who can be a starter in the NFL and contribute immediately as an interior pass rusher.
6: Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M
A 6-6, 290-pound true junior from Miami, Stewart was a five-star prospect and immediate contributor for the Aggies, starting six games as a freshman. His breakout came as a junior in 2024, locking in his role as an every-week starter and contributing 31 tackles, 42 pressures and two sacks, with a forced fumble to boot. Having already declared for the draft, Stewart will look to improve his stock at the Senior Bowl next week.
Stewart played all over Texas A&M’s line, with more snaps as a stand-up outside rusher than on the interior. I’m evaluating him as an interior defender, however, as I believe that’s his best fit in the NFL. That could be as a traditional defensive tackle or as a defensive end in a 3-4 system, but those are his most natural fits.
Off the snap, Stewart displays plus quickness and agility to create initial contact and dictate the rep. He converts speed to power as well as anyone in this class, with a powerful bull rush that moves people and the know-how to work through that to create pressure. He has strong hands and the lower-body power profile to be a problem against the run, holding his own against drive blocks and staying disciplined in his assignments. Notably in 2024, he showcased an expanding repertoire of pass-rush moves, even chaining some together in a nice pass-rush plan.
That said, Stewart is mostly all traits right now. He’s incredibly athletic, with the strength, agility and speed to be a problem in the NFL. It remains to be seen if he can add a little weight to better hold up against double teams at the point of attack, something he might do if he fully moves to the interior with his new team. He’s still learning how to properly use his hands and needs to expand his pass rush bag to be more consistently disruptive in the NFL.
Stewart is still a young player and the arrow is pointing up for him. I liked the development he displayed this past season, showcasing a burgeoning pass-rush skillset to go with his freakish frame. I think he can comfortably play around 300 pounds, something that would help him hold up in the interior trenches of the NFL, and I like his run support profile. Stewart has a second-round grade from me but is someone who could hear their name called on Day 1 of the Draft.
7: Deone Walker, Kentucky
A native of Detroit, Walker was a four-star recruit and Day 1 starter for the Wildcats. As a freshman, he caught fans’ attention with 40 tackles and a sack, being named a freshman All-American. His 2023 season was a breakout one, with 55 tackles, 53 pressures and eight sacks, being named second-team All-SEC and placed upon many preseason All-America teams leading into his junior year. In 2024, Walker wasn’t as productive, with only 37 tackles, 23 pressures and two sacks. Still, he was second-team All-SEC again, and he presents an intriguing draft profile to evaluate.
Measuring 6-6, 345, Walker is a massive presence in the middle of Kentucky’s defensive line. He eats up space, handling double-teams with ease and often beating them directly into the backfield. The power this man possesses is remarkable, with one arm enough to shock most linemen on contact and let him dictate the rep. When he gets both hands on a blocker, it’s over, as he can play through the contact and redirect at will. This shows up in both his run defense and pass rush, where his strength is often enough to win the day on its own.
What makes Walker such an intriguing prospect though is his lateral agility and foot speed. He has such nimble footwork, able to redirect around blockers with a suddenness that takes them by surprise. This makes him an incredibly effective pass rusher, as he can work the middle of the offensive line the way an edge rusher works the tackle. A series of legitimate pass rush moves gives him an additional edge — with a variety of ways he attacks his matchups. At his best, Walker is the kind of game-changing, three-down interior defender that goes in the top 10.
Unfortunately, Walker has a lot of inconsistency to his game. This can be seen in how differently 2023 and 2024 played out, with him catching the good end of variance as a sophomore and coming back down to earth a bit as a junior. He simply doesn’t play with the same amount of effort on every play, whether this is due to fatigue or focus. His play can become sloppy and unrefined at times, not in a lazy way, more in an inexperienced kind of way. Often, he plays too high in his stance, losing leverage battles and letting the offensive lineman control the rep. Other times, he doesn’t use his pass-rush plan effectively, almost winging it instead, leading to poor results.
Walker was my top defensive tackle and the No. 2 overall player on my preseason Big Board. I fully expected him to build upon his monster sophomore season and bring consistent effort and production to every snap. That didn’t happen, and now I’m not quite sure where to rank him. Off potential alone, he’s still arguably a top-five player in this class, but his production is closer to that of a mid-round pick. For now, I’ve got him as a Day 2 guy, but I think the Senior Bowl and Combine will be extra important for Walker. If he can dominate those events, he has a chance to sneak up boards again.
8: Derrick Harmon, Oregon
Originally a three-star recruit for Michigan State, Harmon transferred to Oregon for his final collegiate season and enjoyed the best year of his young career. A Detroit native, Harmon had four career sacks before recording five as a senior, adding 45 tackles and 60 pressures to earn second-team All-Big 10 honors. His performance in 2024 put him squarely on the NFL Draft radar, as his production and tape both turned heads.
With a 6-5, 310-pound frame, Harmon is well-built to hold up on the interior in the NFL. He’s a deadly interior pass rusher, with the athleticism and burst to penetrate into the backfield quickly. Solid hand usage lets him maximize his length, and he has a few go-to moves including a long arm and a bull rush. His powerful leg drive lets him work through blockers, but Harmon also has the agility to work around them when given the opportunity. Harmon’s 17.9 pass-rush win percentage is elite on the interior.
Harmon shows flashes a run defender, too. His two best run defense grades, per PFF, came in the two games Oregon played against Ohio State and their elite offensive line and rushing attack. Harmon scored 95.0 in the first matchup and a 90.0 in the second, truly elite marks. He holds his ground well at the point of attack, able to effectively disengage from blockers to make tackles near the line of scrimmage.
For someone with his pass-rush pedigree, I was a little surprised I didn’t see a wider variety of moves on Harmon’s tape. He has two or three that he loves to use but hasn’t developed a solid counter yet. Additionally, he often struggles as a run defender, lacking the strength to hold his ground against double-teams and occasionally losing gap integrity as well. He’ll need to clean that up at the next level to be an every-down player.
A fan-favorite his senior year, Harmon has a lot of traits I like to bet on. His success as a pass rusher in the Big 10 is eye-catching, as is his athletic profile. He struggles too much in run defense right now to be higher on this list, but he’s flashed upside there in some of the biggest games of the season. Early in his career, he profiles as a pass-rush specialist 3-tech, but he can absolutely be more than that with a little seasoning.
9: Alfred Collins, Texas
A fifth-year senior and local Texas product, Collins was buried on the depth chart most of his career behind Seahawks DT Byron Murphy Jr. and Titans DT T’Vondre Sweat. Despite this, Collins was a consistent contributor his first four seasons in Austin, with six sacks during that span. Stepping into a full-time starting role in 2024, he became one of the best run-stuffers in the SEC, with 55 tackles, 21 run stops and 22 pressures, earning first-team All-SEC recognition.
At 6-5, 320, Collins has the size to man multiple gaps in the NFL. With a quick first step and the ability to shed blockers, he can create havoc in the backfield and make plays. His best work though is done at the point of attack, where he can reset the line of scrimmage consistently. Collins is ideally suited to taking on double teams, with strong hands and the core to lock up and anchor on contact.
Athletically, Collins has a high ceiling. He’s still raw as a pass rusher, but he flashes a lot of upside there. Short-area agility, length, and explosiveness are often the best athletic predictors of successful pass rushers, and Collins has them all. His bull rush is effective and he can consistently collapse the pocket with it, converting speed to power well in his rushes.
Now, Collins is a fifth-year player, and his pass rush development has lagged somewhat. His hands aren’t disciplined when attempting to rush upfield, as he gets caught on contact too often and stalls out. Most of his pass rush plan right now involves bullrushing and freelancing afterward to find something that works. As he learns more moves, he has the ability to implement them, if he can translate his raw talent into on-field results.
Collins is yet another Day 2 guy in this class with some serious upside long-term. Limited starting experience explains some of his lack of refinement, and I have confidence he can improve with more live reps. Right now, he’s primarily a run defender, but as I said he has some nice pass rush upside if he continues to develop. He’ll likely go somewhere in the latter part of the second round, with a chance to start right away.
10: Aeneas Peebles, Virginia Tech
Spending his first four seasons at Duke, Peebles made third-team All-ACC as a senior, putting together a 44-tackle, five-sack campaign, and decided to use his final year of eligibility at Virginia Tech. His production jumped with the move — even though some of his counting numbers did not — totaling 30 tackles, 40 pressures and three sacks. His reputation grew as one of the most disruptive defenders in the league, earning a spot on the first-team All-ACC awards, and he now heads off to the Senior Bowl on his way to the NFL Draft.
Elite short-area and first-step quickness are the hallmarks of Peebles’ game. His ability to win off the snap is impressive, and it grants him a large advantage in his pass rushes. He pairs that twitch with excellent lateral agility and hand usage. There might not be a more refined technician in this class, both in his hands and feet. Coordinated actions between the two are visible in every move Peebles pulls — he’s an expert at defeating blockers with a move and counter.
As a run defender, Peebles displays good ability to stack and shed blockers, capable of disengaging at the point of attack and making tackles. He doesn’t get caught on contact often, able to work his way through blockers consistently. He’s a reliable tackler, as well, playing with good form and rarely going for the highlight-reel play instead of the safe one.
Peebles is a bit undersized for an NFL interior lineman, checking in at just 6-1, 290. His best position might be as a 3-4 defensive end, but he can absolutely hold up as a pass rusher as a traditional 3-tech. The issue comes in with his run defense, as Peebles is moved by double teams and lacks the sand in his pants to hold or reset the line of scrimmage. It likely limits his ability to be a three-down player early in his NFL career.
Profiles like Peebles’ are popular among fans, and the pass rush production is hard to ignore. I have concerns about Peebles holding up against NFL rushing attacks, but I have no qualms about his ability to be a difference-making pass rusher. Even if he’s just a rotation player at the next level, he’ll stick on a roster, as interior pass rush is so valuable to a defense. Paired with a bigger, run-stuffing nose tackle, Peebles could do serious damage.
The next five
11: JJ Pegues, Ole Miss — New to the defensive side of the ball and raw in his technique as a result, Pegues is a really fun player. He has legitimate two-way ability with a dangerous goal line skillset on offense, and he has the quick-twitch athleticism to be a problem on defense.
12: DeMonte Capehart, Clemson — A strong 2-gap run-stuffer, Capehart is tremendously physical and bullies offensive linemen on every snap. He’s currently a limited pass rusher, but he flashes the athletic upside to grow in that area.
13: Omarr Norman-Lott, Tennessee — A transfer from Arizona State, Norman-Lott is a gifted pass rusher and effective run defender as well. I have some concerns with his injury history, but a clean bill of health could see him move up this list.
14: Shemar Turner, Texas A&M — The other Shemar on the Aggies’ defensive line, Turner is a slightly undersized run defender with some juice in his pass rush. He needs to refine his game overall, but I like his upside on Day 3.
15: Howard Cross III, Notre Dame — A bit of a tweener, Cross is probably best suited to play defensive end in a 3-4 scheme. He has the quickness and hand-fighting skills to be an effective pass rusher.
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