NFL Draft Notebook: 3 defensive tackle targets for New York Jets in 2025 NFL Draft

The New York Jets have been one of the NFL’s most disappointing teams this season, sitting at 3-7 with a coaching change already in place and the much-hyped Aaron Rodgers experiment failing to live up to expectations. As the team looks to rebuild, upgrading their run defense will be a top priority. In this week’s NFL Draft Notebook, we explore three defensive tackle prospects the Jets could target to strengthen their defense. We also highlight four key storylines to watch this weekend and provide the latest draft news and notes.

Defensive tackle targets for the Jets

The New York Jets face several key questions as they enter the offseason. Foremost among them is deciding the future of Aaron Rodgers, who hasn’t performed at the level he reached during his Green Bay days. In addition to clarifying their quarterback situation, the Jets need to bolster their run defense, which has been allowing an average of 134 rushing yards per game and ranks 29th in the NFL according to Pro Football Focus.

To improve this area, one position the Jets must upgrade is defensive tackle. While Quinnen Williams is a standout at the position, the team lacks depth. Their other starting defensive tackle, Javon Kinlaw, has struggled at times this year and is expected to hit free agency. The big question is who will line up alongside Williams next season. In this article, we explore three defensive tackle prospects the Jets could target at different stages of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
If the Jets opt for a defensive tackle in the first round, Michigan’s Mason Graham is a top candidate. Graham is widely considered the best defensive tackle in the draft and one of the top defensive players overall. His standout trait is his strength, which enables him to consistently clog running lanes; he currently boasts a 90.9 run defense grade, per PFF. Graham also contributes as a pass rusher, especially impressive for a 320-pound tackle, with a career-high 3.5 sacks in just 10 games this season.

Deone Walker, DT, Kentucky
Kentucky’s Deone Walker was once projected as a top-10 pick but could fall to the second round due to a dip in production. This season, his tackles for loss have dropped from 12.5 to just four, and his sacks from 7.5 to 1.5. Despite this decline, Walker’s size and power—he stands 6-foot-6 and weighs 345 pounds—make him a formidable run-stopper with the potential to excel at the NFL level.

Howard Cross III, DT, Notre Dame
If the Jets choose to address defensive tackle on the third day of the draft, Howard Cross III from Notre Dame could be a great value pick. Although smaller at 6-foot-1 and 288 pounds, Cross compensates with impressive strength and quickness off the snap. He’s also a skilled pass rusher for his position, with a career-high four sacks this season, making him an intriguing option for the Jets in later rounds.

Four things to watch this weekend

1. How does Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams look with a new offensive coordinator

The Bears decided to move on from offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, promoting former passing game coordinator Thomas Brown to the role. This change largely stems from the struggles of first overall pick Caleb Williams, who has looked out of sync in the Bears' offense and taken a league-high 38 sacks this season. While Williams could show some improvement on Sunday, he’ll likely continue to face challenges until the team surrounds him with a more capable coaching staff and eases the pressure with a stronger run game.

2. Can Georgia quarterback Carson Beck look better against Tennessee

Georgia’s Carson Beck is a quarterback whose stock has taken a hit this season, primarily due to his tendency to force passes; he’s already thrown 12 interceptions, double the six he threw last season. Additionally, Beck has been holding onto the ball longer in the pocket, a shift from last season when he ranked fifth in the FBS with an average release time of just 2.39 seconds. This Saturday, he’ll face the 8-1 Tennessee Volunteers, whose defense ranks 14th nationally in pass defense, allowing only 173.9 passing yards per game.

"Absolutely not. We've got the quarterback we've got who is completely competent, capable and understanding of our system that gives us the best chance to win."

Georgia HC Kirby Smart on benching Beck

3. Rookie running back Audric Estime’s expanded role in Denver

Last week, Audric Estime led the Broncos' backfield, carrying the ball a career-high 14 times for 53 yards. Expect him to remain the primary back in Denver’s upcoming game against Atlanta, where the Broncos aim to boost their rushing attack, currently averaging just 117 yards per game. Estime is a physical runner with impressive footwork for a 227-pound tailback, adding a strong presence to Denver's ground game.

4. Tennessee running back Dylan Sampson vs. Georgia’s run defense

According to NFL Mocks, Tennessee running back Dylan Sampson was expected to have a breakout season, and he’s certainly lived up to the hype. This year, he ranks seventh in the nation with 1,126 rushing yards, a significant jump from last season's 604 yards, and he's second in the country with 20 rushing touchdowns. However, he’ll face one of his toughest tests yet this weekend as the Vols go up against Georgia, who’s allowing only 110 rushing yards per game.

NFL Draft news and notes

Arizona record breaker: Arizona Wildcats wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan is on pace to shatter multiple school records this season, including career receiving yards and single-season receiving yards. Yet, the record that could mean the most to him is becoming the highest-drafted Arizona player in NFL history. Currently, that title belongs to linebacker Ricky Hunley, who was selected seventh overall in the 1984 NFL Draft. McMillan, with his exceptional blend of size, agility, and speed, has a strong chance of hearing his name called within the top five picks next year. Teams that could be an ideal fit for his talents include the Carolina Panthers and the New England Patriots.

What type of draft prospect is Kurtis Rourke: One of the standout stories in college football this season has been Indiana quarterback Kurtis Rourke, who has guided the Hoosiers to an undefeated record. But the question remains: does he have the talent to be selected in the 2025 NFL Draft? His greatest asset is his high football IQ, which enables him to efficiently progress through reads and locate the open receiver, even under pocket pressure. However, questions about his draft potential linger due to his limited arm strength and overall athleticism. Because of these concerns, Rourke is likely to be a late-round pick in this year’s NFL Draft.

Disaster season: To say this year has been disappointing for Florida State is an understatement—the Seminoles sit at 1-9 after a crushing 52-3 loss to Notre Dame. However, there’s reason for optimism next season. The team isn’t expected to lose any  lose any players who will be drafted in the first two rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft, and they’re likely to be active in the transfer portal. If they can bring in a quarterback like Arizona’s Noah Fifita, expect Florida State to be a strong ACC contender once again next season.

Mr. Production: A player who has truly shined this season is Bowling Green tight end Harold Fannin. This season he leads all FBS tight ends in receptions with 83 catches and in yards with 1,170 yards which is 445 more yards than any other tight end. In addition to having the type of production NFL scouts will love he also has the tools to be a third round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. These tools include having natural hands that have only see him drop one pass this season on 101 targets. He also does a great job of picking up yards after the catch showing the speed to outmanover linebackers in coverage. And while he lacks the size to be your classic in-line tight end in the NFL, he is an aggressive blocker who would be able to hold up as more of an H-back in the NFL.

Drop in production: Texas outside linebacker Trey Moore has experienced a shift in his role since transferring from UTSA last fall. With the Longhorns, he’s now asked to play more as an off-the-ball linebacker and cover receivers more frequently, a change from his previous role with the Roadrunners, where he primarily focused on rushing the passer. This adjustment has led to a significant drop in his production—he has yet to record a sack this season after setting a UTSA record with 14 sacks last year. On the upside, however, this new role has highlighted Moore’s versatility for NFL scouts, showing that he can adapt to both 4-3 and 3-4 linebacker schemes at the next level.