2025 NFL Draft: Top 10 defensive tackles

Today's NFL defensive tackles are more athletic than they were even 20 years ago and are more counted on to pressure quarterbacks up the middle. Some teams like to have run-stopping big men, while others prefer the athletic tackles to pressure in the passing game. Here is the top defensive tackles heading into the 2024-2025 football season.

10- T.J. Sanders- South Carolina

Sanders is 6-foot-4 and 290 pounds and plays through to the whistle. He has an explosive first step and he is able to charge through gaps on his way to pressuring the quarterback. He needs to obtain a spin move and more options when he is pass rushing. At times, he loses leverage and lets the lineman win one-on-one battles.

9- Rylie Mills, Notre Dame

Mills is a big and powerful defensive tackle, who uses his 6-foot-5 frame to generate power. He has violent and active hands and is tough to move in the middle of the line. Mills is slower than you’d like to see off the snap and he has a bad habit of coming off the ball too high.

8- Nazir Stackhouse, Georgia

Stackhouse is that old school defensive tackle we were used to seeing in the 1990’s. He is a big body (320 pounds) and he can anchor down and become a space eater, freeing up space for his linebackers to make plays. He does not add much in terms of pass rushing, so he will be an early down player.

7- Walter Nolen, Mississippi

Nolen is a powerful defensive tackle with an elite first step off the snap. He has a habit of being able to time snaps and beat lineman through the crease. His versatility will make him a favorite with defensive coordinators. He has enough speed to play the edge and enough power to be a disruption in the middle. His footwork can use some help when chasing, he gets overtop of himself and loses balance occasionally.

6- Dontay Corleone, Cincinnati

Corleone is known as the “godfather” due to his mobster type last name. He is an excellent athlete who made Bruce Feldman’s list at no. 16. Feldman said “His power is really something special. He benches 485, squats 605 and deadlifts 700 pounds. He also was clocked at 18 mph on the GPS and ran a 4.68 pro shuttle.” He consistently makes plays behind the line of scrimmage using his combination of power and speed. He is 318 pounds in a 6-foot-2 frame, and he can get lower than the offensive lineman which helps him to win leverage and move them off the ball. He loses stamina as the game goes on and needs to prove that he can play a full game from start to finish.

5- Tyleik Williams, Ohio State

Williams is 6-foot-2 and 325 pounds and generates a lot of power at the point of contact. His strength is evident when he can anchor down against double teams. Williams struggles with his pass rush and consistently tries to beat blockers with a straight forward push. He needs to add a spin move and show more of an effort in pass rushing or he will be an early down lineman.

4- Howard Cross III, Notre Dame

He has a non-stop motor and at only six feet tall, he is hard to contain as long as he keeps his pads low. Cross has a wrestling background and it shows with one-on-one hand battles. His awareness is excellent and he has the ability to make plays all over the line, including pressuring the quarterback. He is only 285 pounds, and many may think he is undersized for the trenches. Cross needs to add some weight and strength to help his transition.

3- Kenneth Grant, Michigan

Grant is 6-foot-3 and 339 pounds, and his athleticism is the first thing you notice. He explodes off the ball and has excellent agility and makes plays up and down the line of scrimmage. He can line up as a nose tackle or as a tackle on either side. He has as much upside as any interior lineman in this class. Grant is still raw and needs to improve his stamina during games. He can give up on plays too soon and needs to work on conditioning, but his upside is there as he continues to develop.

2- Deone Walker, Kentucky

Walker is a mammoth at 6-foot-6 and his weight fluctuates around the 350 pound mark. Last season despite getting double teamed throughout games, he led the Wildcats with 12.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks and eight quarterback hurries. He has proven to be dominating against the best that the SEC has to offer. His power and quickness makes teams have to double team him to contain him. He is exceptional at stopping the run and has strong tackling skills. At 6-6 he struggles with his bend at times and can play too high, allowing offensive lineman to get leverage on him. He has the capability to be a game changer and should hear his name early in 2025.

1- Mason Graham, Michigan

Graham is the best 3-technique defensive lineman in this class. He plays each play at a high tempo and is relentless in chasing the ball. He is quick enough off the snap to beat lineman before they even get set up. Graham is the most complete defensive lineman in the class. He uses his hands and feet well in unison to shed blocks and make plays. He can be over aggressive at times and bite on counters and play fakes.