The 2025 NFL Draft is right around the corner, and with the marquee weekend of the offseason less than two months away, the hype and excitement surrounding this year’s event is already heating up.
Over the next several weeks, we’re going to take a look at some position groups in this year’s class while examining a handful of names to know. Here’s what we’ve covered so far:
Previous: OT
Six Names to Know
Depending on where you look, the various experts from around the web have identified a handful of players who are widely considered the top defensive tackle prospects in this year’s class.
Here’s a look at six players to know.
Mason Graham – Michigan
Measurables: 6-foot-3, 296 pounds with 32-inch arms
Snapshot: One of the best players in college football over the last few years, Graham recorded 34 pressures for the Wolverines last season. He’s expected to be taken within the first 10 selections of the first round.
Big Board Rankings:
Pro Football Focus (Post-Combine): No. 4 overall (No. 1 DT)
Daniel Jeremiah (NFL.com) Top 50 (March 6): No. 4 overall (No. 1 DT)
Expert Analysis:
NFL.com: “Graham is a powerful defensive tackle with outstanding leverage and instincts. He’s one of the most consistent players in the draft class. Against the run, he has an impressive short-area burst to attack blockers. He excels in block destruction. He stacks, finds the ball, chucks blockers to the side and collects tackles. He has lateral range to make plays down the line, too. He is always in a leverage position and never gets uprooted. In the pass game, he has a violent club/rip move and a powerful bull rush. His effort is outstanding. Overall, it’s easy to identify Graham as a former wrestler. He always has a full gas tank, and he set the tone for the entire Michigan defense.”
PFF: “He is fast, violent and relentless, and he can stop the run with great strength. He brings a high floor at all times and a high ceiling in flashes as a 3-technique defensive tackle for a 4-3 front.”
For more on Graham, check out his draft profile at NFL.com.
Kenneth Grant – Michigan
Measurables: 6-foot-4, 331 pounds with 33 ½-inch arms
Snapshot: A prototypical nose tackle due to his size, Grant was a dominant run-defender at Michigan. He also tallied 27 pressures as a pass-rusher in 2024.
Big Board Rankings:
Pro Football Focus (Post-Combine): No. 17 overall (No. 2 DT)
Daniel Jeremiah (NFL.com) Top 50 (March 6): No. 28 overall (No. 3 DT)
Expert Analysis:
NFL.com: “Grant is a massive defensive tackle with intriguing quickness and power…He’s a very dominant run defender. He easily holds the point of attack, despite playing with a high pad level. I love his effort and awareness to chase down screens. If you want to see what Grant is capable of, watch Michigan’s game against USC from the 2024 season. His upside was on full display that day…Overall, there is some assembly required, but his physical tools are very loud and worth the investment.”
PFF: “Grant brings a rare combination of quickness and size to the nose tackle position. He has the strength to dominate single blocks and hold up against doubles. When he’s in attack mode, he is an imposing player.”
For more on Grant, check out his draft profile at NFL.com.
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