2025 NFL Draft Defensive Tackle Rankings
There is significant depth at the defensive tackle position.
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2025 NFL DRAFT BIBLE – DEFENSIVE TACKLES
The defensive tackle class has been largely praised for the immense talent, which is loaded with great depth this year. With a greater emphasis placed on NFL teams who wish to rush the quarterback from the interior of the defensive line, nearly every organization is constantly looking to add such a piece.
Those teams are in luck for 2025, as there are projected starters who can be had well into Day 2 and possibly even into early Day 3 of the draft.
While we don’t expect to see 13 players selected from Michigan again, the Wolverines have several players who are expected to hear their name called atop the draft. That includes two defensive tackles who appear to be first round bound. For much of the season, Mason Graham was considered one of the top draft-eligible prospects. A left heel bruise suffered midway through the season has somewhat dampened his prospects but Graham is still expected to land inside the top ten overall picks due to his high motor and ability to blow up the backfield.
Don’t read too much into the stat sheet for Graham, his impact isn’t always felt in the box score but he is constantly creating disruption, despite his ‘smaller’ stature, which has drawn light criticism. However, his counterpart, Kenneth Grant, has no such issue. The mammoth 330-pound defensive tackle devours double teams and is an athletic marvel. His athleticism and agility is a rare combination to enter the league and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him cap off the backend of round one with another Michigan product.
In terms of speed, quickness and explosiveness, Walter Nolen (photo: Ole Miss Athletics) of Ole Miss is a modern-day marauder. His burst off the ball-snap and ability to hop through gaps, is highlighted by his extreme twitch, making him one of the tougher defenders to block. Some immaturity issues have popped up during the process, so it remains to be seen how much of an impact that will play on his draft outcome once Roger Goodell takes the podium in Green Bay.
There’s plenty of beef in this year's defensive tackle class and Oregon jolly green giant Derrick Harmon is proof. An aggressive, versatile defender with extraordinary power, Harmon was used in an array of ways during his time in Eugene, showcasing his ability to slot in at any position along the defensive line. His best spot in the pros will be manning the middle, where he can maximize his size and strength.
One notable inclusion is Shemar Stewart of Texas A&M. Many within the scouting community project Stewart as a defensive end in the NFL, a position he played for the Aggies. However, despite one of the all-time great combine performances and a display of ultimate athleticism, his style of play, nor does his production equate on the field. Stewart had very minimal success getting after the quarterback with just our and a half career sacks. In addition, he has a limited pass-rush arsenal and would be better suited inside at the next level. Obviously he’ll need to bulk up for the role but Stewart will be much better equipped to take advantage of his speed on the inside.
Several players caught our attention in Mobile, including potential starters such as Joshua Farmer of Florida State, Cam Jackson of Florida and Sai’vion Jones of LSU, all of whom should be selected on Day 2 of the draft.
2025 DEFENSIVE TACKLE BIG BOARD
RANK | PLAYER | SCHOOL | HEIGHT | WEIGHT | HAND | ARM | WING | 40 (10-YD), MPH | VERT | BROAD | SHUTTLE | 3-CONE | PROJ
Mason Graham, Michigan, 6034, 306, 0918, 3200, 7848, n/a, 24, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, Rd1* (photo: Michigan Athletics)
Walter Nolen, Mississippi, 6036, 296, 0948, 3248, 7858, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, Rd1*
Derrick Harmon, Oregon, 6046, 322, 1038, 3438, 8400, 4.95 (1.74), n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, Rd2*
Kenneth Grant, Michigan, 6035, 331, 1018, 3348, 8258, 5.11 (1.72), 27, 31”, 8-9, 4.76, 7.69, Rd2*
Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M, 6050, 267, 0958, 3418, 8468, 4.59 (1.58), 21.89, n/a, 40”, 10-11, n/a, n/a, Rd2*
Joshua Farmer, Florida State, 6032, 305, 1028, 3500, 8338, 5.11 (1.77), 19.56, 26, 29”, 9-4, n/a, n/a, Rd2*
Cam Jackson, Florida, 6062, 328, 0948, 3418, 8178, 5.17 (1.81), 19.14, n/a, 24.5”, 7-9, n/a, n/a, Rd3
Sai’vion Jones, LSU, 6054, 283, 1000, 3400, 8238, 4.74, 19, 33”, 9-11, n/a, n/a, Rd3
JJ Pegues, Mississippi, 6024, 309, 0938, 3248, 7928, 5.15 (1.82), 19.36, n/a, 27.5”, n/a, n/a, n/a, Rd3
Darius Alexander, Toledo, 6037, 305, 1000, 3400, 8278, 4.95 (1.72), 20.12, 28, 31.5”, 9-3, 4.79, 7.60, Rd3
Alfred Collins, Texas, 6055, 332, 1000, 3458, 8500, n/a, n/a, 26”, 8-0, n/a, n/a, Rd4
Tyleik Williams, Ohio State, 6027, 329, 1028, 3200, 7858, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, Rd4
Ty Robinson, Nebraska, 6051, 288, 1000, 3228, 7900, 4.83 (1.71), 20.64, 28, 33.5”, 9-11, 4.50, 7.58, Rd4
TJ Sanders, South Carolina, 6037, 297, 1028, 3318, 8078, 4.95, n/a, 31.5”, 9-4, 4.67, 7.70, Rd4*
Deone Walker, Kentucky, 6074, 328, 1058, 3428, 8478, 5.35 (1.90), 22, 25”, 8-8, n/a, n/a, Rd4*
Ty Hamilton, Ohio State, 6027, 299, 1018, 3228, 7858, 4.95 (1.70), 35, 32”, 9-3, 4.68, 7.78, Rd4
Vernon Broughton, Texas, 6050, 311, 0928, 3500, 8378, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, Rd5
Shemar Turner, Texas A&M, 6031, 290, 1028, 3358, 8118, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, Rd5
Sean Martin, West Virginia, 6054, 293, 1058, 3500, 8448, 4.88 (1.70), 20.80, 28, 29”, 9-4, 4.59, 7.38, Rd5
Omarr Norman-Lott, Tennessee, 6017, 303, 1068, 3368, 8048, 5.15 (1.79), n/a, 31.5”, 9-5, n/a, n/a, Rd5
Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, Georgia, 6046, 282, 1000, 3348, 8268, 4.86 (1.69), 20.59, 23, 36”, 10-04, 4.34, 7.28, Rd5*
Jamaree Caldwell, Oregon, 6021, 331, 0958, 3200, 7838, 5.16 (1.86), n/a, 27”, n/a, n/a, n/a, Rd6
Warren Brinson, Georgia, 6056, 316, 1048, 3348, 8078, 5.09 (1.76), 19.46, 27, 31”, 9-7, 4.64, n/a, Rd6
Jordan Phillips, Maryland, 6015, 312, 0968, 3148, 7918, n/a, 29, 31”, n/a, 4.65, 8.19, Rd6*
Aeneas Peebles, Virginia Tech, 6004, 282, 0958, 3138, 7800, 4.94 (1.74), 20.47, 28, 32.5”, 9-1, 4.70, n/a, Rd6
CJ West, Indiana, 6012, 316, 1000, 3178, 7918, 4.95 (1.73), 20.25, 28, 33”, n/a, n/a, n/a, Rd6
Rylie Mills, Notre Dame, 6053, 291, 1018, 3268, 7968, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, Rd7
Nazir Stackhouse, Georgia, 6035, 325, 1048, 3258, 7928, 5.15 (1.80), 19.50, 27, 27.5”, 8-9, 4.85, 7.65, Rd7
Ethan Downs, Oklahoma, 6041, 270, 1058, 3158, 7748, 4.69 (1.62), 21.26, 32, 34”, 9-11, 4.59, 7.58, Rd7
Yahya Black, Iowa, 6056, 336, 1028, 3500, 8378, 5.39 (1.88), 18.34, n/a, 25.5”, 8-5, 4.72, 7.63, Rd7
Zeek Biggers, Georgia Tech, 6054, 322, 1048, 3568, 8518, 5.14 (1.74), 19.15, 22, 34.5”, 9-5, 4.75, 7.91, HPFA
Junior Tafuna, Utah, 6034, 308, 1048, 3248, 7868, 5.03 (1.80), 19.98, 24, 29”, 8-3, 4.62, 7.51, HPFA
Kyonte Hamilton, Rutgers, 6033, 305, 0938, 3218, 7938, 5.02 (1.70), 29, 29”, 9-2, 4.58, 7.58, HPFA
Jay Toia, UCLA, 6024, 341, 1000, 3248, 7728, n/a, n/a, 24.5”, n/a, 4.82, 7.96, HPFA
Howard Cross III, Notre Dame, 6013, 283, 1048, 3248, 7858, n/a, 24, 31.5”, 8-11, 4.63, 7.41, HPFA
Payton Page, Clemson, 6034, 300, 1000, 3138, 7938, 5.13 (1.75), 27, 33”, 9-8, n/a, n/a, PFA
Eric Gregory, Arkansas, 6032, 316, 0968, 3328, 8128, 5.14 (1.76), 19.23, 28, 27.5”, 09-00, 4.64, 7.72, PFA
Tim Smith, Alabama, 6043, 306, 1048, 3300, 8178, 5.14 (1.82), 23”, 08-02, 4.69, 7.75, PFA
Tonka Hemingway, South Carolina, 6027, 282, 0900, 3338, 8068, 5.05 (1.65), n/a, 32”, 9-4, 4.48, 7.36, PFA
Xavier Carlton, California, 6056, 273, 1048, 3468, 8518, 5.08, 14, 27.5”, 9-5, 4.69, 7.64, HPFA
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You are killing it. Great intel