Tag: 2025-nfl-draft

2025 DT Prospects Top 5

There are some dudes in this group. Guys who are the size of these men should not be able to move like these guys do. Mason Graham is the cream of the crop but you don’t have to mortgage your future to move up to get him to get a good DT. There are different types too. Need a disruptive force who can get into the backfield? No problem, Walter Nolan and Derrick Harmon got you covered. How about a space eater in the middle? Kenneth Grant, Tyliek Williams and Deone Walker are waiting for you.

Defensive Tackle

1. Mason Graham (Michigan):  Graham is 6’3 313 lbs. of sheer terror on the interior.  He’s quick and immovable at the same time.  He’s barrel-chested and it makes him hard to handle.  He’s equally adept at stopping the run and getting penetration and he’s been known to slide outside a bit and rush the passer just in case you thought he was a one-trick pony.  He’s relentless too. He’s a top five talent in the draft. 

2. Walter Nolan (Ole Miss):  Nolan is a 6’3 300 lbs. twitched up athlete with an quick first step.  He has some holes in his game but there aren’t a lot of guys who are his size who move like he does.  He gets on the offensive linemen fast and wins quickly.  He’s disruptive and he’ll be a starter early.  He’s one of the most disruptive defensive players in this draft.   

3. Kenneth Grant (Michigan):  Surprisingly Graham isn’t the “big” DT from Michigan, that would be Grant.  He’s 6’3 339 lbs. and seems as tall as he is wide.  He’s the anchor in the middle of any defense and while he’s not flashy, he’s an important piece to a defense.  Graham was an awesome player at Michigan but his job was a lot easier because he played next to Grant.  If a team needs a space eater in the middle, Grant is your guy. 

4. Derrick Harmon (Oregon):  Harmon is 6’5 310 lbs. and moves really well on the interior.  He’s on the taller side for a DT so he has to remember to keep his pad level low, otherwise, he’s an easy target.  He’s a major disruptive force when he stays low and uses his athleticism.  He can be a problem.

5. Tyliek Williams (Ohio St.):  He’s the next giant anchor in the middle of the defensive line.  At 6’3 327 lbs. he’s hard to move and allows others around him to flourish.  He’s not flashy, he’s just solid as a rock.  He made it much easier for his linemates JT Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer to be playmakers on the edge.  He will do that for his NFL linemates too. 

*Other player to note: Deone Walker (Kentucky):  Walker is the biggest of the big men.  He’s 6’6 345 lbs. and he will ruin your day.  When he’s on, he’s awesome.  He needs more consistency but someone is going to bet on a guy that size. 

2025 Edge Prospects Top 5

Abdul Carter is the guy everyone is talking about in this group and he stands above the rest. However, after him, there’s a plethora of edge rushers to love and you can have you pick because there’s all kinds of different one. Do you like quick, agile guys off the edge? Here’s James Pearce Jr., Mike Green, or you can wait for Princely Umanmielen or Donovan Ezeiruaku a little later. Do you want a big, powerful edge player? How about Shamar Stewart or Mykel Williams, no just wait for JT Tuimoloau or Jordan Burch. This group is insanely deep, everyone gets a new edge player in this draft.

Edge Rusher/Defensive Ends

1. Abdul Carter (Penn St.):  Carter is the dark horse to be the first pick in this draft.  He’s an elite pass rusher with his speed and athleticism off the edge setting him apart.  He has as high of a ceiling as any prospect this year.  He could be a cross between Micah Parsons and TJ Watt.  While his size at 6’3 252 lbs. doesn’t make him the biggest edge rusher, he has great strength.  His speed and explosive first step make him one of one this year and he could be a great pass rusher. 

2. James Pearce Jr. (Tennessee):  Pearce is long and lean at 6’5 243 lbs. and has great edge rushing ability.  He can bend the edge and get around OTs with a nice set of moves.  He isn’t going to be a stout run defender because of his size but no one is drafting him to be a base end, it’s to get to the QB.  Teams that need an elite pass rusher are going to be after this guy, he has high upside off the edge.

3. Mike Green (Marshall):  Green has been a steady climber all season as he was dominant at Marshall.  That culminated at the Senior Bowl when he went up against some really good offensive linemen and was awesome.  He seems smaller being 6’4 248 lbs. and looking lean, but he can convert speed to power and knock a big man off his feet.  He has great pass rush skill to get around the edge too and he’s going to go much higher than anyone thought he would. 

4. Mykel Williams (Georgia): If you could build a DE in a lab he would look like Mykel Williams.  He’s 6’5 265 lbs. with long arms and he’s a physical freak.  Unfortunately, he’s never been as productive as his physical profile would lead you to believe.  He’s a good overall defender but he’s never had great pass rush skill or instincts that shine through.  He could develop his skills but it’s betting on potential not production.  Someone is going to take the chance on his physical profile and probably pretty early. 

5. Shemar Stewart (Texas A&M):  Stewart was a man amongst boys early at the Senior Bowl practices.  He’s a really big man for a defensive end, he’s 6’6 290 lbs. and plays to his size.  He can slide inside and rush from a DT spot or just overwhelm guys on the edge.  His size is his calling card and he made a move up the board at the Senior Bowl. 

*Others to know (this is just a list, this class is ridiculously deep):  Nic Scourton (Texas A&M), Jack Sawyer (Ohio St.), Landon Jackson (Arkansas), Princely Umanmielen (Ole Miss), JT Tuimoloau (Ohio St.), Donovan Ezeiruaku (Boston College), Jordan Burch (Oregon), Jared Ivey (Ole Miss)  That’s 13 edge rushers who should go in the first two rounds of this draft.