Read Dane Brugler’s previous summer scouting reports:Quarterbacks|Running backs|Wide receivers|Tight ends|Offensive tackles|Interior O-linemen |Edge rushers
After my initial exposure to the offensive positions in this draft class left me wanting more, the edge rushers and interior defensive linemen have reignited my excitement for the 2025 NFL Draft.
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Only one defensive tackle (Byron Murphy) was drafted in the first round last April, but we will see multiple DTs land in the top 32 next April — maybe as high as the No. 1 pick.
Notes: An asterisk represents a draft-eligible underclassman. Heights and weights are what NFL teams have on file for each player, with “v” representing verified measurements and “e” for estimates.
GO DEEPERRevisiting Dane Brugler's initial 2024 NFL Draft top 50 board1. Mason Graham, Michigan (6-3e, 320e)*
What he does best: Explosive play personality
During the last draft cycle, the most frustrating part of studying Michigan’s top-ranked defense was being distracted by No. 55 wreaking havoc, knowing he wouldn’t be draft-eligible for another year. I was excited to finally get to focus on Graham this summer, and he didn’t disappoint. With his explosive nature, Graham consistently creates playmaking opportunities. His hands are powerful and purposeful, his leveraged play allows him to stay stout at the point of attack, and his football intelligence really stands out.
Everything Graham does is explosive, which allows him to shed blocks violently.
Must improve: Finishing tackles
With a relentless play style, Graham gets up to his top gear quickly and doesn’t know how to go half-speed, which is what you love about him. But that will backfire at times and lead to occasional misses, especially in the backfield. This feels like more of a nitpick than an actual weakness, however.
2024 season/2025 NFL Draft outlook
Last April, three Wolverines’ defenders were drafted in the top 75, but Graham clearly would have been the first off the board had he been eligible. A two-way lineman at Servite (Calif.) High School, he initially thought he would play his college ball out west (his dream school was UCLA). But his journey led him to Michigan, where he has blossomed into one of the best defensive linemen in college football.
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With his low-man leverage and violence deconstructing blocks, Graham is equally dominant versus run and pass. He consistently sees four hands on him as teams try double teams to slow him down, but the rising junior doesn’t stay contained for long.
The NFL hasn’t had a defensive tackle drafted top five since Quinnen Williams in 2019, but Graham, who has an explosive skill set reminiscent of Williams’ game, could change that.
2. Tyleik Williams, Ohio State (6-2 3/8v, 322v)
What he does best: Run awareness
With his feel for blocking schemes and ability to disengage blocks, Williams is an above-average run defender. He is a stout presence at the point of attack using strong hands to stack, shed and close on the football. Though impressive physically, Williams’ awareness and reads stand out even more.
Watch his angles on this play — Williams isn’t going where the ball is, but rather where it will be.
Must improve: Pass-rush toolbox
Williams has a lot of the ingredients to be a more effective pass rusher. He had just 22 pressures last season, partly because of what he was asked to be in the Ohio State defense. But with Michael Hall Jr. now in the NFL, Williams should see more opportunities to create as a pass rusher in 2024. He has relatively short arms (below 32 inches) and needs to mix up his rush attack to be more efficient.
2024 season/2025 NFL Draft outlook
I spent more time studying Ohio State than any other program this summer, due to the volume of draft-eligible players in Columbus. That was expected. But what I didn’t expect was for Williams to be my favorite NFL prospect of the group. A former four-star recruit, his gap integrity and physicality at the point of attack allowed him to consistently make plays at the line of scrimmage last season, as he finished with 54 tackles and a team-high 10 tackles for loss.
With his reaction to movements and ability to control gaps, Williams can work half-man or through the numbers of opponents. He is terrific against the run, and with more development as a pass rusher, can secure top-25 status in the 2025 NFL Draft.
GO DEEPER2024 fantasy football draft kit: Rankings, cheat sheet, player projections, sleepers and more3. Deone Walker, Kentucky (6-6, 350)*
What he does best: Twitchy grizzly bear
You can’t coach size, and Walker certainly passes the eye test. But more impressive are his surprising movement skills at his size. He has the foot quickness to get his momentum working downhill or slash laterally, even making himself skinny through gaps. With his body control and hands, Walker, who wears wide receiver cleats, consistently makes plays at the line of scrimmage or in the backfield and has the potential to keep getting better once he polishes his technique.
Must improve: Leverage
Despite being 350 pounds, Walker can get dumped at times because of his upright stature, which allows strong blockers to latch and disrupt his balance. He also can be moved by double teams in the run game when late to sink or reset his feet. And there were several missed tackles on his tape that were a result of him tackling too high. His size gives him an advantage, but Walker must play with improved leverage to maximize his impact.
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2024 season/2025 NFL Draft outlook
Cass Tech High School in Detroit has sent a number of talented football players to Michigan and then the NFL, like Michael Onwenu, Donovan Peoples-Jones and Jourdan Lewis. However, Walker decided to blaze his own trail by passing on Michigan (and Alabama, Georgia and LSU) for Kentucky. He made his presence known immediately as a freshman starter for the Wildcats and led all FBS defensive tackles in pressures (51) as a sophom*ore last season.
With his size and movement ability, Walker is a unique player for which offenses must game plan on each snap — and he has NFL teams excited for his next-level potential. He has also proven that he can handle a high volume of snaps while sustaining his level of play (averaged 56 defensive snaps per game in 2023). Walker had probably his worst performance last season against Georgia’s offensive line, so NFL scouts will have Sept. 14 circled on the calendar to see how Walker fares against guard Tate Ratledge and the Bulldogs in Lexington.
4. Kenneth Grant, Michigan (6-3, 340)*
What he does best: Freaky athlete
The highest-ranked defensive player on Bruce Feldman’s 2024 Freaks List, Grant has impressive foot quickness and speed for a 340-pounder. The play that put him in the national spotlight came against Penn State, when he chased down running back Kaytron Allen to prevent a potential touchdown. But that moment also seemed to be a launching point, because Grant played his best football over the final handful of games last season.
In the National Championship Game against Washington, Michigan jumped out to a 17-3 lead in the second quarter — and this play from Grant was a drive-killer:
Must improve: Expanding snap count and rush arsenal
Grant packs power in his hands to generate movement (see the clip above), but he needs to continue to add to his pass-rush techniques and leverages to more efficiently rid himself of blockers. Entering Grant’s third season in Ann Arbor, evaluators are hoping to see him continue to develop with additional snaps and responsibilities (averaged only 26.9 snaps in 2023).
2024 season/2025 NFL Draft outlook
Just a three-star recruit coming out of high school, Grant wasn’t considered a top-10 prospect in Michigan’s 2022 class. But the Wolverines’ coaching staff was excited about his combination of size and athleticism. Although his impact last season was mediocre on paper (5 tackles for loss in 15 games), Grant played a key role in Michigan’s title run.
The NFL is looking for athletic force players on the defensive line, and that might be the best way to sum up Grant. With Graham and Grant anchoring the middle, NFL teams will be focused on Michigan’s front this season, especially when it faces Texas’ veteran offensive line in Week 2.
GO DEEPERBest stadiums? Hot-headed coaches? Big Ten football players share their thoughts5. Walter Nolen, Ole Miss (6-3e, 300e)*
What he does best: Exciting raw talent
In terms of raw talent, Nolen has the traits to be No. 1 on this list. That potential isn’t yet fully realized, but it is hard to find 300-pound athletes who flash Nolen’s movements, strength and impact potential.
These two plays happened back-to-back last season when Nolen, then at Texas A&M, faced his future team. The first shows his raw power to bully the blocker and flush the pocket; the second illustrates his agile feet to work laterally and close to crush the quarterback.
Must improve: Overall consistency
If you want a ready-made player, Nolen isn’t your guy. He teases immense talent, but the on-field results have been inconsistent. His rush plan, counter measures and gap discipline appear undeveloped on tape. Off the field, NFL scouts want to feel convinced that Nolen is committed to maximizing his ability.
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2024 season/2025 NFL Draft outlook
Texas A&M had the No. 1 recruiting class in 2022, and Nolen was viewed as the prize of the group (No. 2 recruit in the country, behind only Travis Hunter). Though he was solid in his two seasons with the Aggies, he has yet to live up to the sky-high expectations attached to him. Nolen entered the transfer portal this offseason (ranked as the No. 3 transfer recruit) and wound up at Ole Miss.
His scouting report currently feels incomplete, but the raw talent and on-field upside made it necessary that I include Nolen on this list. Ole Miss has the talent to be a top-10 team, and Nolen’s development will play a factor. NFL scouts are taking an optimistic, yet cautious approach with him.
Preseason top 30 senior interior defensive linemen
(Note: Heights and weights for senior prospects listed below are NFL verified.)
1. Williams
2. Shemar Turner, Texas A&M (6-3, 289)
3. Nazir Stackhouse, Georgia (6-3 3/8, 324)
4. Jay Toia, UCLA (6-2 1/8, 338)
5. DeMonte Capehart, Clemson (6-4 3/8, 320)
6. Alfred Collins, Texas (6-5 5/8, 319)
7. Cam Horsley, Boston College (6-3 1/8, 316)
8. DeAndre Jules, South Carolina (6-3 7/8, 323)
9. Yahya Black, Iowa (6-5 1/2, 333)
10. Akheem Mesidor, Miami (Fla.) (6-2 1/4, 274)
11. Howard Cross III, Notre Dame (6-1, 289)
12. Warren Brinson, Georgia (6-4 1/2, 309)
13. Tim Smith, Alabama (6-3 7/8, 303)
14. Cam Jackson, Florida (6-6 1/8, 368)
15. Joe Evans, UTSA (6-1 3/4, 324)
16. Sean Martin, West Virginia (6-5 1/2, 290)
17. Tonka Hemingway, South Carolina (6-3, 288)
18. Rylie Mills, Notre Dame (6-5 1/8, 297)
19. Ty Hamilton, Ohio State (6-2 1/2, 299)
20. Vernon Broughton, Texas (6-5, 306)
21. Wy’Kevious Thomas, South Alabama (6-1, 302)
22. Gary Smith III, UCLA (6-1 3/8, 329)
23. Sebastian Valdez, Washington (6-3, 300)
24. Omarr Norman-Lott, Tennessee (6-1 5/8, 293)
25. James Thompson Jr., Wisconsin (6-4 3/4, 287)
26. Eric Gregory, Arkansas (6-3 1/8, 299)
27. Zeek Biggers, Georgia Tech (6-5 1/8, 330)
28. Ty Robinson, Nebraska (6-5 1/8, 311)
29. Andre Jefferson, Lenoir Rhyne (6-1 1/4, 286)
30. Ricky Barber, UCF (6-1 5/8, 298)
Preseason top 15 draft-eligible underclassmen
(Note: All measurements for underclassman prospects listed below are estimates.)
1. Graham
2. Walker
3. Grant
4. Nolen
5. Bear Alexander, USC (6-3, 315)
6. Darrell Jackson Jr., Florida State (6-5, 330)
7. Lee Hunter, UCF (6-4, 325)
8. Domonique Orange, Iowa State (6-4, 335)
9. Joshua Farmer, Florida State (6-3, 320)
10. T.J. Sanders, South Carolina (6-4, 290)
11. Christen Miller, Georgia (6-4, 305)
12. Jordan Phillips, Maryland (6-3, 320)
13. Dontay Corleone, Cincinnati (6-1, 320)
14. Jaheim Oatis, Alabama (6-4, 320)
15. Keanu Tanuvasa, Utah (6-4, 300)
(Illustration: Dan Goldfarb /The Athletic; top photo of Mason Graham: Zach Bolinger / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
