2025 NFL Draft: Scouting the Defensive Tackles

You win games in the trenches — and these guys know it.

The 2025 DT class is full of brawlers. Guys who eat double teams for lunch and toss interior linemen like gym bags. Whether it’s clogging lanes or caving pockets, these are the war daddies every defense needs.

We’re breaking down the top defensive tackles in the draft — from first-round monsters to underrated grinders who do the dirty work.

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1. Mason Graham (Michigan)

Grade: 1st Round

Mason Graham is a highly effective defensive tackle known for his strength, quickness, and leverage. His wrestling background provides him with excellent technique, allowing him to win leverage battles against blockers. Graham plays with a relentless motor, making plays across the field and showing great lateral movement. He is a stout run defender who anchors well and consistently disengages from blocks. While he isn’t an elite pass rusher, his quickness and effort make him a constant disruptor. However, his frame carries some unnecessary weight, and he struggles against double teams. His pass-rush moves could use more refinement, and his technique against blockers in traffic can be inconsistent. Graham’s intelligence has improved over his time at Michigan, and he has a keen ability to read plays. Overall, Graham’s combination of strength, quickness, and work ethic positions him as a versatile interior defender who can contribute immediately at the NFL level with further development.

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2. Derrick Harmon (Oregon)

Grade: 1st-2nd Round

Derrick Harmon is a physically gifted defensive tackle who excels at disrupting plays in both the run and passing game. His lateral quickness and upper-body strength allow him to shed blockers effectively and attack gaps. Harmon has shown a strong ability to mix up his rush moves and is always looking for new ways to beat blockers. He has impressive hands and a quick first step, making him a serious threat in pass-rushing situations. However, while Harmon led the nation in pressures, his missed tackle rate is concerning, showing that he needs to improve his finishing skills. He has a lot of raw talent but needs to refine his consistency in play recognition and tackling. Despite these areas for growth, Harmon’s athleticism and versatility make him a potential immediate contributor in any defensive front. His effort and disruptive presence make him a high-upside prospect for NFL teams looking for a player who can make plays all over the field.

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3. Walter Nolen (Ole Miss)

Grade: 1st Round

Walter Nolen is a physically imposing defensive tackle with an explosive first step and the power to disrupt offensive lines. He has a rare combination of size, quickness, and power that allows him to shoot gaps and cause immediate pressure in the backfield. Nolen’s ability to win with his initial burst makes him a formidable force in the trenches. However, his pass-rush technique is still a work in progress; he can struggle when his initial move doesn’t succeed, and his rush plan can be a bit disjointed at times. Despite this, Nolen’s physical traits make him a high-upside prospect with the potential to develop into a dominant pass rusher. His lateral quickness and agility allow him to track down ball carriers, making him a versatile asset. Nolen’s ability to cause disruptions in both the run and pass game gives him the potential to be a game-wrecker at the next level. He’s a raw but incredibly gifted defensive lineman with the tools to be a cornerstone player on an NFL defense.