Top 5 Defensive Tackles in the 2025 NFL Draft: Big Ten and SEC stars dominate early big boards and rankings
The 2025 NFL Draft is less than six months away now. Several NFL teams are already clearly "out of it" this season, so fans know what that means. It's time to look ahead to the future. For teams that already have their franchise quarterback, getting the defensive front right often comes next in priority.Our team […]
The 2025 NFL Draft is less than six months away now. Several NFL teams are already clearly "out of it" this season, so fans know what that means. It's time to look ahead to the future. For teams that already have their franchise quarterback, getting the defensive front right often comes next in priority.
Our team of NFL Draft contributors at A to Z Sports is already fully engaged in 2025 NFL Draft preparations, so we decided to collectively rank our Top 5 prospects at every position. Eight of our draft analysts ranked our top fives, then tallied the point totals like the AP Poll in college football to create the A to Z Sports Top 5 Positional Rankings series.
Here's where we landed on the incoming 2025 NFL Draft defensive line class. If your favorite NFL team needs a defensive tackle, you better hope they select one of these top options.
1. Mason Graham, DL Michigan
There might not be a more obvious slam dunk prospect in the entire NFL Draft class than Mason Graham. He was ranked as the number one defensive tackle prospect by all eight A to Z Sports NFL Draft analysts in this positional series. Why?
He brings pass rush pressure on over 10% of his opportunities with an incredibly high true pass set win rate according to Pro Football Focus. Graham's first step and hands are absolutely fierce. He's frankly one of the most intimidating players to game plan against in the past few draft classes as you can see demonstrated in the post below.
It's almost a lock that Mason Graham will be a top ten selection, going before every single other defensive tackle in this class. He'll be a day one game-changer for any NFL team as a primary B-gap defender with some decent pre-snap alignment flexibility.
2. Deone Walker, DL Kentucky
As opposing offenses have begun to key in one stopping him and forcing other Kentucky defenders to make plays Deone Walker's absurd stats have calmed a bit. Last season he posted over 50 pass rush pressures and 40+ tackles at 6'6", 345 pounds. He shouldn't be able to move as fast or fluid as he does at that size.
Walker was the hands-down consensus DT2 in this class among the A to Z Sports draft analyst crew, ranking no lower than third on anyone's list. Walker wins from any and every alignment, even proving able to bring pressure from outside the offensive tackle when called upon. Deone Walker is a wildly gifted prospect almost assuredly going inside round one of the 2025 NFL Draft.
3. Walter Nolen, DL Ole Miss
Walter Nolen has been a huge part of Ole Miss putting together one of the best (if not the best) pass rush attacks in the nation this season. He's tallied three games now with 5+ pass rush pressures this season already, taking over games by himself at times. But even when he's not the one getting credit up front his explosive havoc creation along the defensive line often leads to the success of his teammates around him.
His game against South Carolina a few short weeks ago puts every one of his key skills on display as you can see in Devin Jackson's post below.
Walter Nolen ranked no lower than fifth among our draft analyst team at A to Z Sports. Many early mock drafts and big boards have him firmly ranked inside the Top 40 prospects overall with a real shot at first round 2025 NFL Draft capital.
Lane Kiffin shared the one major difference against Oklahoma that set Ole Miss apart from their losses
Lane Kiffin shared the one major difference against Oklahoma that set Ole Miss apart from their losses
4. Kenneth Grant, DL Michigan
No one should stand 6'3", 340 pounds and be able to move like Kenneth Grant does, but he somehow chases down power conference running backs from time to time as you can see on this post from last season below. Grant is a monster against the run who also happens to post pressure rates about 40% higher than FBS defensive tackle average.
Grant finished right near Walter Nolen in our early A to Z Sports 2025 NFL Draft rankings across the board. If he tests well next spring for his size he could push to be the second defensive tackle to come of the real draft board.
Final predictions for Big Ten showdown between No. 1 Oregon and defending national champion Michigan
Oregon vs. Michigan should become new Big Ten rivalry after this
5. Tyleik Williams, DL Ohio State
Tyleik Williams was the first defensive tackle prospect with quite a bit of disagreement across our team in this initial top five rankings effort. He ranked as high as third, but as low as seventh. Why the disagreement?
It likely stems from his lack of proven rate stats that translate in pass rush situations. Williams typically does excellent work collapsing the pocket with his strength, and clogs his gaps well against the run, but he doesn't flash with many big plays. That's okay, because he succeeds at an elite level in the role he's asked to play.
Williams plays most of his snaps matched up against offensive guards for Ohio State, but he might be better suited playing dirty work 5-tech for an odd-front heavy defense in the NFL. Williams has the strength to bully most offensive tackles in most any situation allowing for blitzing linebackers and edge rushers around him to close on big plays. Selfless player who executes consistently.
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