Owain Jones: Top 10 DT Prospects In The NFL Draft - Mason Graham, Walter Nolen & More

By Owain Jones

The 2025 NFL Draft defensive tackle class is widely regarded as the best in recent memory, showcasing an exceptional blend of talent that has the potential to make an immediate impact at the next level.

At the top of the class stands a true blue-chip prospect, while several other players possess the skill sets and physical tools to be selected in the first round. This class offers a variety of disruptive forces, from dominant run-stoppers to versatile pass-rushers, making it a deep and highly coveted group for NFL teams looking to bolster their defensive lines.

TOP 10 DT 2025 NFL Draft Rankings

10: Jordan Phillips, Maryland

Embed from Getty Images

Jordan Phillips is an exceptional athlete. A Bruce Feldman’s Freaks List member, he combines elite burst, superior mobility, and punchy hands that will translate in the NFL.

However, Phillips didn’t put it all together in college. Having played just over 1,000 snaps, he lacks production. Yet, his powerful  6’3”, 320-pound frame, wrestling background, and athleticism provide a high ceiling in the NFL ranks.

9: Omar Norman-Lott, Tennessee

Omar Norman-Lott is an aggressive, high-motor defensive tackle who excels at creating pressure in both the running game and as a pass-rusher. His quick burst off the line and ability to chase down ball carriers make him a dangerous weapon in the middle of the defensive front. 

However, Norman-Lott tends to rely on his natural athleticism and physicality to win. He was rotated in and out of the Volunteers’ lineup in college, meaning he will still need to evolve to compete on all three downs in the NFL.

8: Darius Alexander, Toledo

Embed from Getty Images

Darius Alexander has taken huge strides in 2024 and now looks destined to be drafted early on Day 2. The Toledo prospect is an older prospect (he will be a 24-year-old rookie), which has allowed him to refine his pass rush plan and improve his run defender. 

A stout gap filler at 6’4” and 305 pounds, Alexander is a high-floor prospect who has dynamite athleticism and a dominating swim move. His hand placement is refined, and his pad level is always low.

7: Alfred Collins, Texas

Alfred Collins is a massive defensive tackle with an impressive blend of size and athleticism. His length and ability to push through blockers with ease make him a constant disruptor in the middle of the defense. Collins excels at clogging up running lanes and has shown flashes of pass-rushing potential. 

At 6’6” and 320 pounds, he occasionally struggles with disengagement and maintaining his leverage against more sudden offensive linemen. However, If Collins can harness his physical tools and improve his technique, he could evolve into a dominant force at the next level.

6: TJ Sanders, South Carolina

Embed from Getty Images

T.J. Sanders is a dynamic defensive tackle with an explosive first step and impressive agility. His ability to move quickly in tight spaces and generate pressure makes him a threatening interior pass rusher. The 6’4”, 290-pound DT can disrupt plays with his quick penetration into the backfield, and his athleticism gives him the versatility to line up in multiple positions along the defensive line.

5: Tyleik Williams, Ohio State

Tyleik Williams is a powerful, imposing presence in the middle of Ohio State’s defensive line. Standing at 6’3” and 327 pounds, the Buckeyes DT is an elite run defender. Meanwhile, he has the strength to overwhelm blockers and the agility to penetrate into the backfield.

Williams possesses the ability to clog up rushing lanes and disrupt plays against the run and he has above-average movement skills for his size. However, While the Ohio State defender shows promise as a pass-rusher, his ability to finish plays and develop more pass-rush moves will be crucial for his success at the NFL level.

4: Derrick Harmon, Oregon

Embed from Getty Images

A pure three-down player, Derrick Harmon made a huge jump in 2024, transferring to Eugene. The Oregon DT has developed a dynamic arsenal of pass-rush moves, and his hand technique allows him to shed blocks and create pressure opportunities.

However, while Harmon consistently creates pressure, he could still convert more of those opportunities. While at 6’5” and 310 pounds, he can sometimes play too high, giving up leverage.

3: Walter Nolen, Ole Miss

Walter Nolen is a physically gifted defensive tackle with the strength and explosiveness to dominate in the trenches. His combination of size and quickness makes him a nightmare for offensive linemen, capable of shedding blocks with ease and disrupting both the run and pass games. An impressive athlete who is physical at the point of attack, The Ole Miss DT has sudden burst and sharp change of direction paired with the intangibles to be a top 20 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

However, Nolen’s game is inconsistent, and refining his technique will be key to reaching his full potential at the next level.

2: Kenneth Grant, Michigan

Embed from Getty Images

Kenneth Grant is a powerful, disruptive force in the middle of Michigan’s defensive line. He combines impressive size and strength at 6’3” and 339 pounds to overpower offensive linemen and clog up running lanes. Meanwhile, his surprising quickness allows him to penetrate the pocket as a pass-rusher.

With elite range, prototypical anchor, and freaky athleticism, Grant is a rare mover. Furthermore, his impressive size allows him to gain leverage in critical moments.

1: Mason Graham, Michigan

Mason Graham is the top defensive tackle prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft, with a complete and well-rounded game that translates seamlessly to the next level. A true blue-chip prospect, the Michigan DT combines size, strength, and agility to dominate the running and passing game.

At 6’3” and 320 pounds, Graham should be drafted in the first five picks in April’s draft. His violent hands, elite instincts, and high football IQ allow him to be a consistent disruptor on every down.

OWAIN JONES

NFL & NFL DRAFT ANALYST

OWAIN COVERS EVERYTHING NFL & NFL DRAFT. COMING WITH PLENTY OF EXPERIENCE, OWAIN IS ALSO A WRITER FOR PRO FOOTBALL NETWORK AND PREVIOUSLY WAS THE NFL DRAFT EDITOR AT NINETY-NINE YARDS WHERE HE CREATED DRAFT TALK, A NFL DRAFT PODCAST FOR NINETY-NINE YARDS. YOU CAN FOLLOW HIM ON TWITTER @OWAIN_JONES_

5/5