If you’re an NFL team in need of a dominant monster in the middle of your defensive front, you’re in luck. As our 2025 NFL Draft DT Rankings explain, there are several potential first-round picks at the position, not to mention a deep Day 2 contingent that could surpass 10 selections before the end of Round 3. Who is the best of the best?
10) CJ West, Indiana
A stalwart transfer addition for Indiana, and a Shrine Bowl standout, CJ West has been one of the fastest risers in the 2025 NFL Draft class over the past twelve months. At a well-leveraged 6’1″, 316 pounds, West has 4.95 speed, with an elite 1.73 10-yard split and 33″ vertical.
He was often tasked with nose tackle duties with the Hoosiers, and displayed an uncanny ability to hold the line and absorb power at the point. But beyond that, West has the elite explosive element to penetrate up gaps as a 1-tech or 3-tech, and his combined lateral agility and torquing output magnify his ability in that phase.
He’ll never be a pure two-gapper at 0-tech, but as a 1-tech nose with alignment versatility, West has legitimate starting ability.
9) Jamaree Caldwell, Oregon
Jamaree Caldwell pairs an eye-catching first step with beautiful natural leverage and a knack for disengaging from blocks and making plays on runners. He plays with an almost immeasurably wide base to thwart the efforts of double teams, and his aggressive nature to cut off reach blockers makes him effective against wide-zone and downhill runs.
He didn’t test as well as some expected, but Caldwell’s unique mobility for his size shows up time and time again on tape. He consistently wins pad level battles in run defense and has the motor and play pace to remain a consistent pass-rush presence at his size. His stout frame translates to lacking flexibility at times, but overall, he has good upside as a phase-versatile nose tackle.
8) Alfred Collins, Texas
Alfred Collins has engimatic qualities as a 2025 NFL Draft prospect. He accumulated just seven career sacks in five seasons at Texas, and as expected, he struggles to attack independently on pass-rushing downs, despite his physical tools. However, he is extremely effective as a run defender — perhaps the most effective in the class.
His style will not suit every team, but Collins’ high floor in the run game, combined with his athletic upside, makes him an extremely compelling Day 2 investment. At 6’5″, 332 pounds, with long levers for arms, Collins is a pure space-eater who also has the explosiveness to reset the line and hit blockers with jarring power.
He can slab blocks, stack-and-shed with violence, and snuff out carries, and his power profile and motor imply untapped potential on later downs.
7) Darius Alexander, Toledo
Darius Alexander is a versatile and explosive defensive lineman known for his power profile and elite production in the MAC. He consistently disrupts blocks with his quick first step and heavy hands, enabling him to penetrate and stack-and-shed. Alexander’s versatility allows him to play from multiple alignments, from 1-tech to 3-tech and 4i.
His performance during the 2025 Senior Bowl further highlighted his potential, as he demonstrated dominance in 1-on-1 drills and team sessions. Alexander isn’t the most flexible in his midsection, which can limit his appeal on counters and stunts, but he’s well-leveraged, long and powerful, and a hot-motor two-phase player with elite explosive capacity. He’s an older rookie, but he can be a quality starter early in his career.
6) T.J. Sanders, South Carolina
In a pretty deep defensive tackle draft class, T.J. Sanders has managed to stand out as one of the more enticing players in the group. A powerful 3-technique defensive tackle who also brings some juice as a penetrating 1-technique, Sanders appears to have the strength and improving technique to hold his own in NFL trenches.
With solid overall quickness and an improving arsenal of moves to shed blocks, Sanders was a true impact player for South Carolina in 2024. He’s an effective run defender who brings enough pressure as a pass-rusher to entice NFL teams. There’s still some room for Sanders to grow, as his pad level is a pretty consistent issue with his game.
He’s shown development as a technician, but he still could use a little more work utilizing counter moves and taking on down blockers. Overall, he’s a high-floor run defender with good pass-rush upside to hone.
5) Tyleik Williams, Ohio State
- Selected by the Detroit Lions
- 28th overall selection
- Fifth defensive tackle taken
Tyleik Williams is a high-floor prospect who is an elite run defender. While he may not be the flashiest prospect, the Ohio State Buckeyes’ product does everything to a high standard and brings a developed and polished technique on every play.
At 6’3” and 334 pounds, Williams has the strength to get off blocks and the movement to control the line of scrimmage. His punishing core strength allows him to attack opponents’ chests, while his length and power provide good counter ability. Meanwhile, Williams has a developing pass-rush resume where he flashes dominance while also being inconsistent.
4) Derrick Harmon, Oregon
- Selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers
- 21st overall selection
- Fourth defensive tackle taken
Derrick Harmon took massive strides forward in his development in 2024 after transferring from Michigan State. The Oregon Duck defensive tackle was consistently disruptive and overpowered offensive linemen with his explosive speed, twitchy first step, and penetrative power.
At 6’5” and 313 pounds, Harmon has a deep bag of pass-rush moves, leading to 11 TFLs and five sacks in 2024, and even left some production on the field. He can still do a better job at finishing plays with a mauling mentality. However, his hand technique and ability to be technically sound against the pass and the run project him as a three-down player in the NFL.
3) Walter Nolen, Ole Miss
- Selected by the Arizona Cardinals
- 16th overall selection
- Third defensive tackle taken
Walter Nolen is an athletic 3-technique defensive tackle, which is a valuable asset in today’s NFL. Combine that with his leap in production in 2024 and his top-notch pedigree, and it’s not hard to see why many are high on him entering the NFL.
Although he’s only 21 years old, Nolen has shown improvement as a technician. He still has more development to undergo, but the arrow is trending up, and he gives coaches an elite talent to work with. At 6’3″, 296 pounds, with over 33″ arms, Nolen’s power profile is spectacular, and his hyper-elite explosive capacity enables him to function as a battering ram when exerting power in both phases.
His pad level can drift high at times, but his raw power can be difficult for blockers to hold at bay in either phase. Gifted young prospects with production at a Power Four level simply don’t often fall out of the first round.
2) Kenneth Grant, Michigan
- Selected by the Miami Dolphins
- 13th overall selection
- Second defensive tackle taken
Kenneth Grant is one of the most explosive DT prospects over 330 pounds to enter the NFL Draft. He fits into a rare player category with his high-level blend of size, burst, and power. With his size and lower body strength, he demands significant attention from opposing offensive lines on a snap-to-snap basis, particularly in the run game.
His physical profile is ideal for eating blockers, freeing up linemates and the linebackers navigating traffic behind him, and he can also ID blocks and stack-and-shed with his length. On top of his easily visible run defense utility, Grant also flashes brightly as a pass-rusher, showcasing impressive agility, fluidity, and torquing freedom for his size.
He has room to further refine his pass-rush ability, and conditioning will be a constant point of emphasis, but Grant is a unique two-phase talent at nose tackle, who could grow to be a high-end starter within his niche.
1) Mason Graham, Michigan
- Selected by the Cleveland Browns
- Fifth overall selection
- First defensive tackle taken
Mason Graham is one of the top overall prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft and has the skill set to land him a top-10 selection in April. The other Wolverines’ defensive tackle has incredible stamina and a rounded skill set to stay on the field for all three downs while consistently terrorizing offensive linemen.
While Graham measured in at 6’3” and 296 pounds at the 2025 NFL Combine, it is expected he played closer to 315 pounds in 2024. The former three-star prospect plays with elite hand usage where his heavy, violent application allows him to get off blocks or create leverage.
KEEP READING: Most NFL Draft Picks by School
Graham possesses upper-tier awareness, football IQ, and anticipation to impact every down by utilizing his refined pass-rush plan and natural strength.
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