Joel Klatt shared his top 10 defensive players available in the NFL Draft, which runs April 24-26, on his YouTube Channel and in an article on Fox Sports.
Living on the Edge
On The Joel Klatt Show, Klatt gave the number one position to Penn State Edge Rusher Abdul Carter, a player who did not participate in Combine activities in Feb. 2025 due to injury. That aside, Carter led the nation with 23 1/2 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, and two forced fumbles.
Carter was named an All-American and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year while handling the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the CFP, “recording seven quarterback pressures, a sack, and three run stops on basically one arm.” Klatt also marveled at Carter’s position switch from linebacker to defensive end.
Dual Threat Travis Hunter at No. 2
Travis Hunter, the Cornerback, lands in the number two spot on defense after Klatt had already given him the No. 1 spot at receiver. Klatt said that as a corner, “he’s an elite corner. He’s got great ball skills and everything that you would want to see from a player at that position.”
Third Time Lucky for Mason Graham
Mason Graham is the third player on Klatt’s list. According to Klatt, “He is an incredible player” who should be a top-three pick overall. In addition, Graham and Klatt’s No. 10 pick, Kenneth Grant, basically “won the Ohio State game for Michigan this past season. They were that dominant in the interior. Graham destroyed the Buckeyes, says Klatt.” Grant lacks Graham’s polish but has the skills and work ethic to become a great player.
Michigan CB Holds the No. 4 Spot.
Another Wolverine slides in at four with Will Johnson at cornerback, but Klatt says, “There is a bit of an asterisk with this ranking as he needs to get his turf toe healed.” Despite the quad injury, Jalon Walker is number five on Klatt’s list as the Georgia Bulldogs Linebacker.
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Klatt shared some statistics on Walker, demonstrating that he is a versatile player. He racked up 36 solo tackles, 60 defensive tackles, and 6 1/2 sacks.
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