Top 20 defensive tackles in the 2025 NFL draft

The 2025 defensive tackle class is one of the deepest in recent memory. The class has a lot of high-end talent and variety in the middle of the class. The class features a lot of run-stuffers capable of two-gapping in the NFL.

It was hard paring the list down to only twenty players. There are a lot of talented players who could be drafted. The first five off my list, but deserving of a shout-out are: Warren Brinson of Georgia, Tim Smith of Alabama, Zeek Biggers of Georgia Tech, Joshua Farmer of Florida State, and Cam Jackson of Florida.



They’re a group of powerful run defenders worthy of being drafted.The Browns could use another defensive tackle after releasing Dalvin Tomlinson and signing Maliek Collins Sr. The Browns must find a long-term solution on the interior instead of relying on a different veteran every season.

This is a great class for the Browns to invest in the position.Here are my top 20 defensive tackles in the 2025 NFL draft class.1.

Mason Graham, MichiganMason Graham is one of the top defensive tackle prospects in recent history. He’s a powerful 6-foot-3, 306-pound. He has incredible quickness and agility.

The combination makes Graham a great pass rusher and a slippery run defender. Graham packs a strong first punch and uses his hands to disengage blockers. He anchored Michigan’s defensive line since his freshman season and is one of Michigan’s best defenders in their illustrious history.

Graham is a can’t-miss prospect worthy of a top-five pick in the NFL draft.2. Kenneth Grant, MichiganKenneth Grant might be the only 6-foot-3, 340-pound man to be overshadowed.

Grant and Graham have been inseparable since their freshman season together. They’re best friends and are both three-year starters. Grant has a rare combination of strength, speed, and acceleration.

Grant could handle the dirty work so that Graham could shine in one-on-one situations. He happily capped pockets, eating the double team and playing the quarterback's eyes to knock down passes, and he recorded 11 pass deflections in the last three seasons. Grant stonewalls double teams with ease.

He can knock interior linemen into the lap of their quarterbacks in one-on-one situations. Grant is a fantastic run defender and a promising pass rusher. Grant could transform into one of the more fearsome one-techniques in the NFL when given more freedom to rush the passer.

He is a first-round talent.3. Tyleik Williams, Ohio StateTyleik Williams was impossible to block this season.

He led the Buckeyes' defense to a National Championship. Williams was the most talented front-seven player in a group of future NFL stars. The 6-foot-2, 334-pound defensive tackle was a wrecking ball.

Williams was impossible to block in the run game. He was constantly knocking linemen back into their running backs. Williams used his incredible power and acceleration to split double teams.

Williams is a powerful pass rusher, but his lack of hand-fighting skills is more apparent in the passing game. He struggles to get off blocks and finish plays. If he learns how to deconstruct blocks, he will develop into a Pro Bowl-caliber player.

Williams should go in the first round.4. Derrick Harmon, OregonDerrick Harmon began his career at Michigan State as a massive run stuffer.

Last season, he transferred to Oregon and slimmed down, unlocking a quickness element his game lacked. The now 6-foot-4, 313-pound defensive tackle is a great gap-shooting option. Harmon has a great first step and 34-inch arms to pack a massive punch at the snap.

Harmon uses his hands frantically to find wrists to get blockers off balance. He plays with great intensity, but must learn to play under control. Harmon is a poor tackler due to the chaos he creates.

Instead of reading the play, he frequently guesses his gap on run plays. Harmon is a highly talented defensive tackle who must learn to pace himself during a play. Harmon has a high floor as a high-effort player and an incredibly high ceiling due to his abilities.

He would be a fantastic option in the first round. 5. Walter Nolen, Ole MissWalter Nolen entered college football in 2022 as one of the top two recruits in the country.

Recruiting services had Travis Hunter or Nolen as their number one player. Nolen has shown flashes of greatness during his three-year career. Nolen is an incredible athlete with the acceleration and power to disrupt offenses with his first step.

He is a solid hand-fighter and contributes to run defense. Nolen lacks the consistency of the other top four defensive tackles in the class. Nolen can go quarters without impacting a game.

His motor can get hot, but it’ll also get ice-cold. Nolen is as talented and skillful as any defensive linemen prospect in the class, but does he care? It’s tough to say. Nolen should go in the first round, but if he drops to day two, we’ll know teams view him as a red flag.

6. Darius Alexander, ToledoDarius Alexander is one of the strongest defensive tackles in the class. The 6-foot-3, 304-pound sixth-year senior bullied the MAC.

Alexander is a powerful athlete who uses his 34-inch arms to punch through linemen. Alexander lacks the technical abilities required for his experience level, but makes it up with violence. He’s an incredibly disruptive player with room to grow.

Alexander must develop his football IQ to read keys during a play properly. He’ll also need to play with a lower pad level. Alexander is a first-round talent, but at 25-years-old, he should be selected in the middle of day two.

7. CJ West, IndianaCJ West was an anchor for the Indiana Hoosiers. The former nose tackle slimmed down for the combine, coming in at 6-feet tall and 314-pounds.

West is a stout player with incredible explosiveness. He plays with natural leverage to fight through double teams and hold the point of attack at the line of scrimmage. West is a good hand-fighter, developing a more robust pass-rush plan.

West can play either the three-technique or the one-technique in the NFL. He would be a good addition in the third round of the draft.8.

Alfred Collins, TexasAlfred Collins was the mammoth nose tackle for the University of Texas. The 6-foot-5, 332-pound tackle has a 7-foot wingspan. He uses his size well to control multiple gaps across the interior.

Collins is like a black hole in the middle of the line of scrimmage. The moment runners get close to Collins, he’s taking them down. He is a great tackler with an unreal tackle radius.

Collins is a strong athlete, but not an explosive one. He struggles to shoot through gaps at the snap of the ball, he’s not a good pass rusher. Collins is an elite run defender, and he’ll immediately bolster the defensive line for the team that drafts him.

Collins' specialized role limits him to a third-round grade. 9. T.

J. Sanders, South CarolinaT.J.

Sanders is an agile and powerful tackle from South Carolina. The 6-foot-3, 300-pound tackle is a violent trench player and a weapon on stunts. Sanders plays with a hot motor, constantly trying to make a play.

He has active hands and quick feet to avoid blockers at the point of attack. Sanders is a good pursuit defender and an effective pass rusher. Sanders must gain more mass in the NFL.

He needs the extra strength to survive in the interior. Sanders is a high-ceiling prospect due to his disruptive play style, but his lack of mass and awareness gives him a lower floor. Sanders is a good lottery ticket in the third round.

10. Jamaree Caldwell, OregonJamaree Caldwell was the big man in the middle for the Oregon Ducks. Caldwell is an incredibly agile 6-foot-2, 342-pound nose tackle.

He has the size and strength to stop blockers in their tracks. He also has the wiggle to get around blockers and the speed to chase down ball carriers. Caldwell proved he was a good pass rusher during his years with the Houston Cougars.

Caldwell has a dynamic skill set and could be a weapon in the right coordinator’s hands. He reminds me a lot of recently retired defensive tackle Michael Pierce. Caldwell will turn 25 years old before the start of the regular season.

He’s another older prospect, but he deserves a third or fourth-round pick.11. J.

J. Pegues, Ole MissJ.J.

Pegues is another stout defensive tackle with incredible agility. The 6-foot-2, 323-pound defensive tackle is better known for his work on offense. Pegues scored seven rushing touchdowns for Ole Miss last season.

Pegues is a disruptive pass rusher who beats blocks with quickness and strength. He isn’t a good run defender and is dreadful against double teams at his size. Pegues has an inconsistent motor and doesn’t play his hardest on early downs.

Pegues is a good prospect for teams searching for pass rush juice in the interior. Pegues projects as a designated pass rusher in the NFL with the upside of a three-down starter. He should be selected in the third round.

12. Omarr Norman-Lott, TennesseeOmarr Norman-Lott was a mercenary for the University of Tennessee. The 6-foot-1 295-pound defensive tackle was the pass rush specialist for the Volunteers.

Norman-Lott has a rapid first step and loves to jump the snap count. He’s virtually unblockable when he times the snap correctly. Norman-Lott is a creative pass rusher who combines agile footwork with violent hands to beat blocks.

The biggest question around Norman-Lott is, why did he only play in obvious passing situations? Norman-Lott can be neutralized easily if blockers can get their hands on him. Did Tennessee not play him because he gets washed away by linemen in the run game? It’s impossible to know. However, his run defense is pitiful.

Norman-Lott doesn’t have the size or power to contribute to run defense, but does have the juice to contribute on passing downs. Norman-Lott is a good option for teams needing an interior pass rusher in the fourth round. 13.

Shemar Turner, Texas A&M'Shemar Turner is a quick and powerful three-technique. He plays with intensity and violence. Turner has a deep bag of pass-rush moves he can rely on to work free.

He is relentless in pursuit. Due to his speed and power, Turner is a weapon on stunts. He is a solid pass rusher, but he’ll need to add mass to defend the run better.

Turner surrenders too much space to blockers on run plays. Turner’s aggressive nature can be used against him, as he’d rather chase a ball than stay disciplined in his gap. He must increase his football intelligence in the NFL.

He has the tools to develop into a solid run defender, but he’ll likely remain a designated pass rusher throughout his career. Turner is a solid third-round option for teams looking to juice up their pass rush. 14.

Jordan Phillips, MarylandJordan Phillips was a stout nose tackle for Maryland. The 6-foot-1, 315-pound anchored the middle of the field. Phillips is a great run defender who uses his size and strength to stonewall blockers at the point of attack.

He is a promising pass rusher who uses a powerful punch to sock interior linemen. He was asked to cap the pocket, so his potential is purely projective. Phillips is a great option for teams seeking a high-upside defensive tackle in the fourth round.

15. Jay Toia, UCLAJay Toia was an explosive nose tackle for UCLA. The 6-foot-1, 339-pound defensive tackle is stout and powerful.

He’s an average athlete who can close quickly on ball carriers, although he doesn’t always bring them to the ground. Toia is a solid run defender, but his inability to hand-fight has put a solid cap on his potential. He has all the tools to develop into a great run defender, but he must improve his awareness and ability to beat blocks.

Toia is a solid role player who should be taken in the middle of day three of the draft.16. Tonka Hemingway, South CarolinaTonka Hemingway is an agile defensive tackle and a threat on passing downs.

The 6-foot-2, 284-pound defensive tackle is light and can be washed out by blockers. Hemingway is a pass rush specialist. He has a quick first step, a bag of pass rush moves, and counters.

Hemingway must get stronger in the NFL, he’s too easily moved around to see the field. Hemingway could develop into a designated pass rusher. He would make a good fifth-round pick.

17. Nazir Stackhouse, GeorgiaNazir Stackhouse was the nose tackle for the University of Georgia. He’s a mountain of a man at 6-foot-3, 330 pounds.

Stackhouse is a powerhouse in the middle of the line. He’s impossible to move without a double team, and even then it’s unlikely. Stackhouse is an adequate athlete with a high motor.

He can cover a lot of ground when he wants to. Stackhouse struggles to find ball carriers and finish tackles. He must do a better job of understanding rushing concepts.

Stackhouse can push the pocket in the passing game, but not with the consistency needed to stay on the field for third downs in the NFL. Stackhouse has the potential to develop into a solid run-stuffer. He’d be a steal near the end of day three.

18. Ty Robinson, NebraskaTy Robinson is a powerful, linear athlete from Nebraska. Robinson can knock blockers back with a quick first step and a powerful punch.

He’s 6-foot-4, 300 pounds of determination. Robinson has a powerful bull rush and can be dangerous on passing downs. He is a stiff athlete who struggles to move laterally and keep his balance.

He misses far too many tackles. Robinson will turn 24 before the NFL season starts. He has all the tools to develop into a starting caliber defensive tackle for a one-gap system that slants and uses stunts to get linemen one-on-one matchups.

Robinson is a solid option in the fifth round.19. Warren Brinson, GeorgiaWarren Brinson was a part-time starter for a talented University of Georgia defensive line.

Brinson has prototypical size for the position at 6-foot-5, 310 pounds. Brinson has fantastic bend and balance for his size. He can fit through small gaps while running on the sides of his feet.

Brinson is a good run defender who remains gap sound. Brinson is a rudimentary hand fighter who can get off blocks and chase ball carriers. He lacks the power expected for his size, but makes for a unique player.

If Brinson can add power or a quick first step to his game, he could develop into a long-term veteran. Brinson would make a good selection in the middle of day three. 20.

Aeneas Peebles, Virginia TechAeneas Peebles was the most fun defensive tackle prospect in the class. The 6-foot, 290-pound speed rusher chains together footwork and hand fighting to keep blockers looking foolish. Peebles has good quickness to pounce on quarterbacks and running backs.

Peebles is a stoutly built defender who lacks the power to succeed consistently at the next level. He’s an unorthodox pass rush specialist whose creativity would work well in a deep defensive tackle room. Peebles is worthy of a late-day three pick.

This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Top 20 defensive tackle prospects in the 2025 NFL draft.