2025 NFL Draft: Top 10 defensive tackles heading into the NFL scouting combine where multiple could raise their draft stock
Many view the defensive tackle class in the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft as one of if not the deepest position in the class. If a team has a need for any role at DT this draft seems to have multiple options to consider. Our team of NFL Draft contributors at A to Z Sports has continued […]
Many view the defensive tackle class in the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft as one of if not the deepest position in the class. If a team has a need for any role at DT this draft seems to have multiple options to consider.
Our team of NFL Draft contributors at A to Z Sports has continued to scout this class and update our rankings for each position. As a result, we have compiled our top 10 at each position heading into the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine. Below, you can see how our eight contributors ranked the top 10 DTs in the class.
Top 10 DTs in the 2025 NFL Draft ahead of the Scouting Combine
1. Mason Graham, Michigan
Highest ranking: 1
Lowest ranking: 1
Despite the random prospect fatigue happening online with Mason Graham, he is still the consensus top DT in the class. The Michigan DT was ranked first by all seven of our NFL Draft contributors. He projects as a day one starter that has the potential to become a true foundational piece for an NFL defense.
2. Derrick Harmon, Oregon
Highest ranking: 2
Lowest ranking: 4
Oregon's Derrick Harmon received two second-place rankings, along with two thirds and three fourths from our NFL Draft contributors, which puts him second on this list. Harmon is a massive human, standing at 6'5" and weighing roughly 330 lbs. After spending the previous three years at Michigan State, he had his best collegiate season this past year at Oregon. He recorded career highs across the board with 45 total tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and two sacks.
3. Kenneth Grant, Michigan
Highest ranking: 2
Lowest ranking: 5
Another Michigan Wolverine comes in high on our list, with Kenneth Grant at third. Grant received two second-place rankings along with three thirds. If a team is looking for someone to man the nose tackle spot and make an opposing run game's life hard, Grant should be at the top of that list.
4. Walter Nolen, Ole Miss
Highest ranking: 2
Lowest ranking: 6
Ole Miss' Walter Nolen is a polarizing prospect but has gained a lot of buzz to start the draft process. He dominated at the 2025 Senior Bowl and earned two second-place rankings and one third from our draft team. Nolen started his college career at Texas A&M before transferring to Ole Miss last season. He recorded a career-high 48 total tackles and 6.5 sacks. Whoever lands him will be doing so, hoping to improve their pass rush out of the interior.
5. Tyleik Williams, Ohio State
Highest ranking: 3
Lowest ranking: 6
Tyleik Williams is coming off a National Championship where he was a major contributor on the team's defense. Williams has shown that he can impact the game in both the run and pass game with his unique combination of strength and speed for a DT. One of our contributors is so high on him that they ranked him third in the class; another ranked him fourth, and he earned the most fifth-place votes with four.
6. Deone Walker, Kentucky
Highest ranking: 2
Lowest ranking: 9
The opinions on Kentuckuy's Deone Walker are a little bit all over the place across the NFL Draft space. That includes our team, with his highest ranking coming in at second for one of our contributors and his lowest being ninth for another. He's a mountain of a man, standing at 6'7" and weighing around 340 lbs. And is projected to test much faster than his size would suggest. He's a hard man to move in the run game, but he has room to grow as a pass rusher. But even with him raw in that regard, he recorded 7.5 sacks in 2023 but saw some significant regression in 2024 by finishing with only 1.5 sacks.
7. Omarr Norman-Lott, Tennessee
Highest ranking: 5
Lowest ranking: NR
Tennessee's Omarr Norman-Lott finished with one draft contributor, ranking him as high as fifth in this class, though he did not make the top 10 for most of our team. At just 280 lbs, Norman-Lott is a bit smaller than what some teams desire at the position. However, his ability as a pass rusher should have multiple teams that are high on his overall potential.
8. Alfred Collins, Texas
Highest ranking: 7
Lowest ranking: NR
Texas Alfred Collins is one of the best run-stoppers in this stacked DT class. His lack of sack production may have some fans thinking he isn't a sexy selection, but his ability and strength in the run game are impressive to watch. The highest he came in on any of our draft contributors rankings was seventh by one of our rankers, and he also received two ninth-place rankings.
9. TJ Sanders, South Carolina
Highest ranking: 7
Lowest ranking: NR
South Carolina's TJ Sanders received two votes to be seventh, though he landed ninth on our list. Sanders has great size at 6'5" and 300 lbs and can play all over the interior of the line. He projects as a player who can impact the game in both the passing and running game, which should help him carve out a three-down role later in his career.
10. Darius Alexander, Toledo
Highest ranking: 6
Lowest ranking: NR
Toledo's Darius Alexander is one of the biggest draft risers in the DT class to date. He turned heads at the Senior Bowl with a great week of practice. At 6'4" and 320 lbs, he has the size to fill multiple roles at DT for a team. One of our contributors is very high on the Toledo product, as they ranked Alexander sixth in a very talented DT class.
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