2025 NFL Draft: Top Five Defensive Tackles

The NFL is won in the trenches. Outside of having a good QB, a team must have a good offensive and defensive line.

A good defensive line will help a team stop the run and pressure the QB.

Two Michigan defensive linemen are listed in the top five.

The 2025 NFL Draft is approaching, and several good defensive tackle options are available, with one potentially going top five or top 10.

Top Five Defensive Tackles In The 2025 NFL Draft

The Philadelphia Eagles have seen a ton of success by using draft capital on the defensive line.

They built in the trenches and have seen tremendous success because of this philosophy.

Below are the top five defensive tackles in the 2025 NFL Draft.

1. Mason Graham, Michigan

Mason Graham is the best defensive tackle in the 2025 NFL Draft. He is a relentless pursuer with heavy hands and great lower-body strength. Graham doesn’t have the size or length that Jalen Carter has, but his combination of strength and athleticism gives him a very high ceiling in the NFL. He is quick off the ball to put pressure on offensive linemen immediately.

Graham is a possible top-five draft pick candidate and seems like a lock to go top 10 in the 2025 NFL Draft.

2. Walter Nolen, Ole Miss

Walter Nolen is a destructive force with excellent agility and quickness. He can win with finesse or power as a scheme-diverse player with violent hands. Nolen is a great athlete and can win outside.

Here are some positives on Nolen:

• Packs a powerful punch at the initial point of
• Has quick hands and ideal finesse as a -rusher, utilizing moves like rips, stabs, swims, and cross-chops to shed blocks
• Rushes with a high motor that sees him maximize his athletic talents
• Has ​​a powerful anchor, as his lower-body strength allows him to plug up gaps in the run game

3. Kenneth Grant, Michigan

Grant is a monstrous interior defender with the athleticism and aggressive mentality to dominate opponents at the line of scrimmage. Although he is built like a jumbo run-stuffer, he has crafty -rushing skills.

For a team that needs to beef up its defensive line, Grant makes for an immediate impact player who can step in week 1.

The Pittsburgh Steelers at pick 21 make a lot of sense to select Kenneth Grant, if he is still available.

4. Derrick Harmon, Oregon

Derrick Harmon flashes havoc-wreaking skills as an interior defensive lineman who can make a huge impact against the run and .

Here are some positives on Harmon:

• Creates rush momentum to roll downhill once he hits the edge
• Exceptional blend of size, length, and strength, which makes him difficult to move
• Punch is quick, powerful, and efficient to stall the block
• Versatility to play up and down the line in odd or even fronts
• Capable as a block collector to keep his linebacker clean
• Uses arm-over or rip move to penetrate the gap

5. Darius Alexander, Toledo

Darius Alexander is the only one on the list who is not projected to go in the first round. This does not mean he cannot be just as good. Alexander is a rare find as a hefty defender with nimble feet and heavy hands. He can whip blockers with a combination of shake and bake and violence. He has the potential to be a double-digit sack guy from the interior.