2025: Defensive Tackle

Mason Graham – DT – Michigan – 95

I’m trying to not be judgmental based on the way he looks. He looks like Fat Jonah Hill would play him in a movie. Okay, I think I’ve gotten past it, because I really like him. No, he doesn’t have measurables that jump off the page, but he’s a two-time All-American that people just struggle to block. That’s basically what you want in a defensive tackle, a guy that’s hard to block. Graham hand fights with the best of them and keeps himself clean from the offensive lineman. He plays bigger in the run game than his 296-pound frame would lead you to believe. I can’t get the name Chris Hovan out of my head when I watch him.

Derrick Harmon – DT – Oregon – 92

Does this kid pop on tape or what. He looks like a cross between Chris Jones and Cam Heyward. Derrick has ideal defensive tackle size and has a quick first step that he uses to create angles and space. Long arms help him separate from blockers and get where he wants to go. He should be equally impactful against the run and pass. This is one of my favorite prospects in the draft, but I can’t put him above Mason Graham because Harmon over pursues and gets himself out of position too often. I think he can’t slow himself down and has conditioning issues. Plus, he had to transfer to Oregon to have his one standout season. All that to say, I love this kid and will be rooting for him big time.

Kenneth Grant – DT – Michigan – 91

Big strong kid that plays with power and can move his feet. Reminds me of a cross between Linval Joseph and Christian Barmore. My main concern is Grant’s narrow base and hips which can reduce his balance, particularly against angled blocks. I see enough bull rush on tape that Grant will have value against the pass, although I wouldn’t want him in my premium 4-man pure pass rush group. Inconsistencies in play and the aforementioned balance concern move him to the end of round 1 but he’s got high level traits.

Walter Nolen – DT – Ole Miss – 90

Former number 1 national recruit, Nolen took some time to make an impact in college, culminating his career with 1st team All-American honors in 2024 after transferring to Ole Miss. He’s physically talented and pairs that with a violent aggressiveness. His strength is his burst and his compete level. His biggest issue is losing leverage and being controlled. Offensive linemen easily get hands on him every time and he needs to exert extreme effort to beat them. I’m hoping great coaching can help him, but I’m not positive that it can. That puts him at the end of round 1 for me. Watch the Eagles draft him at 32 and make him an all-pro.

Tyleik Williams - DT – Ohio State – 89

How good are Big 10 defensive tackles. In 4 years Tyleik couldn’t get past the third team all Big-10 and there’s a chance he goes in the first round. He doesn’t have the same upside as the top 4 defensive tackles in the class, but that does not mean he can’t be a great pro. At 330 pounds he has really good feet, a strong first step, and can close on ball carriers. He’s better suited to defend the run but can still be a plus player in pass rush. He reminds me of Antonio Smith from the Texans in years past, only 40 pounds bigger.