2025 NFL Draft Top 10 Defensive Tackles: Michigan duo dominates top of elite trench class

The 2025 NFL Draft is now right around the corner. The order at the top of the draft has been decided and fans now are looking ahead to the future playmakers of their team. Our team of NFL Draft contributors at A to Z Sports is already fully engaged in 2025 NFL Draft preparations, so […]

AJ Schulte College Football Trending News Writer
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Michigan defensive lineman Mason Graham (55) celebrates a play against Ohio State during the second half at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024.
Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The 2025 NFL Draft is now right around the corner. The order at the top of the draft has been decided and fans now are looking ahead to the future playmakers of their team.

Our team of NFL Draft contributors at A to Z Sports is already fully engaged in 2025 NFL Draft preparations, so we decided to rank our Top 10 prospects at every position collectively.

Eight of our draft analysts ranked our top ten prospects, then tallied the point totals like the AP Poll in college football to create the A to Z Sports Top 10 Positional Rankings series. Here's where we landed on the incoming 2025 NFL Draft defensive tackles.

It's a deep and exciting group to project, as every analyst had different rankings of players and rarely had much consensus. However, that means this class will offer plenty of discussion throughout the offseason.


1. Mason Graham, Michigan

The unanimous number one (one of just two players to be the unanimous top player at his position by our scouts) defensive tackle, we've run out of ways to describe Mason Graham's quality of play. 

He is the complete package of an NFL three-technique and has the ability to compete for Pro Bowl recognition as a rookie. 


2. Kenneth Grant, Michigan

Next to Graham is mammoth teammate Kenneth Grant, who has been just as crucial to Michigan's success over the last few seasons. 

Grant's size, power, and athleticism make him a bonafide Day 1 starting one-technique for an NFL team and helps solve any team's run defense as a rookie. 


3. Derrick Harmon, Oregon

A fast-riser up draft boards this season, Derrick Harmon shined for the Oregon Ducks and was a key player in their undefeated season and 1-seed in the College Football Playoff. He actually tied for second place among our scouts with high placements all around.

Harmon's quickness and versatility make him an intriguing pass rush option for a team desperately looking to boost their ability to attack quarterbacks. 


4. Deone Walker, Kentucky

A divisive player on our rankings, Deone Walker was rated anywhere from second place to outside the top ten.

It's easy to see the upside of Deone Walker as a mammoth mover in a similar vein, with a similar play style to that of Jordan Davis. Yet, he hasn't improved beyond using his athleticism to win, putting together several poor outings this season. 


5. Walter Nolen, Ole Miss

Another high-profile transfer to Ole Miss this season, Walter Nolen capitalized on the opportunity and put himself in the first-round conversation. 

He is an explosive pass-rushing presence in the middle of the defensive line and put up some dominant outings against SEC competition this season.


6. Tyleik Williams, Ohio State

A fun cog in Ohio State's defense this season, Tyleik Williams is one of the best run-defending defensive tackles in this class. 

His play strength, size, intelligence, and pad level cause him to eat up gaps and quickly shut down plays inside. 


7. Omarr Norman-Lott, Tennessee

Another hot riser this season, Omarr Norman-Lott was a major factor for the Tennessee Volunteers making the College Football Playoff. 

An explosive, violent mover, Norman-Lott projects as a dynamic three-technique in the NFL who immediately adds a gifted pass rush presence inside. 


8. T.J. Sanders, South Carolina

Yet another talented three-technique in this class, T.J. Sanders was an underappreciated cog in South Carolina's resurgence this season. 

Sanders handled a lot of responsibility for the Gamecocks but routinely dominated in nearly every game he played in this season, demonstrating good quickness and play strength to knife into the backfield. 


9. Shemar Turner, Texas A&M

Shemar Turner is the third NFL-caliber defensive lineman the Texas A&M Aggies are putting out into this 2025 NFL Draft. He often gets overlooked in favor of his teammates, but Turner's film is equally as disruptive. 

He demonstrated intriguing tools and movement skills and projects to a three-technique role at the next level. 


10. Alfred Collins, Texas

An older player, Alfred Collins stuck around and developed at Texas before enjoying a breakout season in 2024, helping form Texas's elite defense that carried them to the College Football Playoff semifinals.

Collins is a talented athlete but is still putting his game together. An NFL team will gamble on the traits, however, and there's something to be said about a player sticking around multiple years to develop.