The 2025 NFL Draft is one of the most interesting in recent memory. It’s chock-full of defensive players across the board—from guys like Abdul Carter to David Walker (yes, I’m throwing in the Central Arkansas guy here)—and it’s a great year to reload on that side of the ball.
But even more specifically, the defensive line is the bread and butter of this year’s NFL Draft. There is talent everywhere – especially in the top-100 picks. In the Two-Point Conversion’s draft guide, for instance, there are nine defensive linemen with day one and two grades.
But how will we define defensive lineman – at least for this exercise?
This article will cover the top 10 players that play along the interior, inside of the offensive tackles. Abdul Carter? Nope. Mason Graham? Yes. We will have a separate piece coming out with the top-10 edge rushers in this class, which might be even deeper than the interior defensive line class. So stay tuned for that.
1. Mason Graham, Michigan
Mason Graham is, simply put, one of the most impressive players in the 2025 NFL Draft. Graham made an impact all three of his years at Michigan, wracking up 6.5 sacks over the past two years for a loaded Michigan front. His contributions helped the team to a national championship under Jim Harbaugh in 2023.
Graham is more of a finesse-type of interior lineman – which takes some by surprise – especially considering he is consistently mocked in the top-five picks. But while he’s not some overwhelming freak of nature (6-foot-3, 296 pounds), Graham is a polished pass-rusher who can take advantage of mismatches on the inside (as well as just straight-up beating most players). He’s solid in the run game despite his slight frame for the position and consistently can win with his hands and leverage.
Graham profiles as a 3-technique in even fronts, with the ability to slide to the defensive end in odd fronts as well. His versatility in that regard will be an asset to teams. Overall, Graham is the best defensive lineman in this class and should be in consideration as high as the Patriots at pick #4.
Grade: Early First-Round Pick
2. Kenneth Grant, Michigan
Kenneth Grant is a powerful force along the interior, directly complementing what Mason Graham provided for Michigan’s interior front. Hailing from Indiana, Grant provides a unique skill set that teams should find valuable in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Grant is one of the best run-defending interior linemen in this class – and has the pass-rushing upside to become one of the better values in the first round. He’s a rare case of a 330-pound interior lineman being able to affect the passing game consistently.
Grant is an exceptional athlete for his size, with rare quickness off the line of scrimmage and power that matches his frame. He isn’t someone that offensive lineman can move off of the line of scrimmage, and is pretty much a necessity to double in the run game. Grant is a nose tackle through-and-through, but isn’t someone that is going to have to sit on passing downs.
Grant can move the pocket towards the quarterback on passing downs, and creates mismatches for edge rushers (like Josaiah Stewart in Michigan’s case) on the outside. He has three-down value out of the gate, making him different than most first-round nose tackles.
Grade: First-Round Pick
3. Derrick Harmon, Oregon
Derrick Harmon was a late-bloomer at the defensive tackle position, really only coming on to the scene as a potential first-round pick in 2024 for the Oregon Ducks. Before this past season, Harmon spent three years with the Michigan State Spartans.
Harmon was Oregon’s best defensive player this past year, accounting for five sacks, 11 TFL, and 45 tackles. He is someone who can win in both the run and pass game – and will best be utilized as a 3-tech in even fronts at the NFL level. Harmon is best at the snap of the ball, winning with a quick first step and fast hands.
The main issue with Harmon, though, is the tackling. In seven of his games last season, Harmon posted a tackling grade (PFF) of less than 45.0. That’s not good and certainly could frustrate some coaches at the next level. But in terms of generating pressure, “clogging the paint” against the run, and playing smart, high-IQ football? That’s where Harmon shines.
Harmon should be in consideration towards the middle of the first round, with teams such as the Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers, and LA Chargers making a lot of sense.
Grade: Middle-Late First-Round Pick
4. Walter Nolen, Mississippi
The best way to describe Walter Nolen’s game to someone who hasn’t watched him is that he’s a ‘jack-of-all-trades, master of none’. Nolen was originally the top overall recruit in Jimbo Fisher’s infamous 2022 Texas A&M recruiting class that included Shemar Stewart and Evan Stewart – but didn’t really prove to be that level of talent until he transferred to Mississippi in 2024.
Last year, Nolen had 48 tackles, 14 TFL, and 6.5 sacks for Lane Kiffin’s Rebels. He is a physically gifted interior lineman who will be best used at the NFL level as a 3-tech in even fronts. Nolen makes his money with his run defense – he’s quick off the line of scrimmage and has the strength to knock guards back on passing downs.
Where Nolen lacks first-round pedigree is his level of consistency. He’s often not as engaged as you’d like to see, needs more of a pass-rushing plan, and relies too much on his strength. Typically when we see interior linemen produce surplus value early in the draft, it’s because they have the skill level to stick at the NFL level. Nolen is still a work in progress in that regard. But his current skill set gives him a high floor.
Grade: Early Second-Round Pick
5. TJ Sanders, South Carolina
TJ Sanders is someone who continually got better each year at South Carolina – eventually becoming one of the best interior linemen in the country in 2024. Sanders registered nearly 100 tackles, 17 TFL, and 8.5 sacks over the past two seasons. He was the main piece of a South Carolina defensive line loaded with talent – from fellow prospects Kyle Kennard and Tonka Hemingway to freshman stud Dylan Stewart.
Sanders is technically sound, winning with his hands consistently – with an NFL-ready frame and a surprising amount of power to his game. He will be best as a 3-tech in even fronts but can play defensive end in 3-4 schemes as well. Sanders is quick off the ball, and will make his money on obvious passing downs, where he should be an immediate advantage on the inside.
Sanders does have his struggles, though. He probably isn’t going to provide as much value in the run game at the NFL level – he struggles holding up against double teams and is often rendered irrelevant on early downs.
Still, the skill level and frame are worth betting on in the second round.
Grade: Day Two Pick
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6. Deone Walker, Kentucky
Deone Walker could possibly be the largest human to get drafted in this month’s NFL Draft. He was measured at 6-foot-7, 331 pounds at the combine – but his playing weight was likely more than that this past year at Kentucky.
The story with Walker (along with many larger defensive linemen) is the consistency. If he proves he can play extended snaps every game, then Walker is a talent worth betting on. If it turns out he doesn’t provide more than run-stuffing ability from the nose tackle position, then he may not be worth the slot he’s drafted at.
But there are reasons to be optimistic with Walker. He is completely capable of resetting the line of scrimmage for an offense – and will be tough to scheme around in the run game. From a passing-down standpoint, he will need to work on his pad level – but when he’s truly locked in – he does provide pass-rushing value.
Grade: Day Two Pick
7. Darius Alexander, Toledo
Darius Alexander is an older, experienced prospect who was one of the best players in the MAC this past season. He’ll be 25 in his rookie season, but has an NFL-ready frame and really came along as a prospect over the past two seasons. Alexander profiles as a 3-technique in even fronts – but has the versatility and strength to slide further inside.
Alexander made his money in the run game this past season, posting a run defense grade of over 90.0 via PFF. He had 40 tackles, 8 TFL, and 3.5 sacks. Alexander takes on blocks incredibly well and keeps his pad level right consistently. His frame and strength give him a high floor, but whichever team drafts him knows that he is unlikely to grow into much more than he already is.
Alexander makes the most sense for a team looking to add an NFL-ready piece to their interior and could go as early as the late first round. He makes the most sense for teams such as the Detroit Lions and Kansas City Chiefs – two teams who will look to add NFL-ready players to their interior defensive line.
Grade: Day Two Pick
8. Alfred Collins, Texas
Alfred Collins is a massive interior defensive lineman who is stout in the run game but hasn’t provided much more in his career thus far. A fifth-year senior at Texas this past season, Collins racked up 55 tackles, 6 TFL, and one sack. He’s produced in each of his seasons at Texas but only became a full-time starter this season after T’vondre Sweat and Byron Murphy departed Texas last season.
Collins has the frame and athleticism to line up almost anywhere on the interior defensive line but will make his money as the centermost player in an odd or even front. At 23 years old, Collins doesn’t provide the pass-rushing upside that you’d like for someone of his age – which is why he isn’t projected to go until later on day two – but his floor of providing 10-20 snaps per game of downright elite run defense makes him a bet that some general manager may be able to sell themselves on earlier, providing fit.
Collins makes sense, similar to Darius Alexander, for teams looking to raise the floor for their defensive line in the run game – particularly those who already have pieces in place for the passing game. Teams such as the Jacksonville Jaguars and Dallas Cowboys come to mind as potential fits.
Grade: Late Day Two Pick
9. Tyleik Williams, Ohio State
Tyleik Williams is another massive interior defensive lineman who makes his money in the run game. Unlike Alfred Collins and Darius Alexander, Williams is a bit more of a project – especially in the passing game. He’s inconsistent in his attack, often plays too high, and cannot convert speed-to-power.
Still, his overall traits, athleticism, and floor as a run-defending nose tackle make him worth betting on in the second or third round of the NFL Draft. Williams started each of the past two years for the Ohio State Buckeyes – helping them to win a championship this past season.
In terms of a potential fit, Williams will likely land on a team willing to see through his development – making it somewhat unlikely he will land on a more competitive team (or one with executives on a warm seat). The New York Jets and New Orleans Saints each make sense for Williams.
Grade: Late Day Two Pick
10. CJ West, Indiana
CJ West is a powerful lineman who transformed the interior for Indiana this past season. He doesn’t have the frame that you’d like for someone of his role (only 6-foot-1, 315 pounds), but he is a paint-clogging nose tackle who holds up against the run and showed some high-level pass-rushing reps, as well.
West was a two-year starter at Kent State before transferring to Indiana for his final year. His motor, quick first step, and hand usage make him appealing, but the size and tackling concerns (similar to Derrick Harmon) will give executives pause about his game. But West is reminiscent of another smaller nose tackle – Poona Ford – who just had a career season with the Los Angeles Chargers this past season.
West will fit best on a team that needs a run-stuffing nose tackle. Considering his age and frame, it won’t be shocking to see him fall into Day 3 of the NFL Draft, but I’m going to end up higher on him than most.
Grade: Late Day Two Pick
