Mason Graham and Deone Walker lead 2025 NFL Draft defensive tackle watch list
By John Blair
NFL Mocks continues its look at the top defensive players in the 2025 NFL Draft. Today we release our defensive tackle watch list which is led by Michigan's Mason Graham who likely would have been the top interior defender taken if he had entered the 2024 NFL Draft. It also features the massive Deone Walker who likely would have been a first-round pick.
2025 NFL Draft: One defensive tackle to watch in each conference
ACC: Aeneas Peebles, Virginia Tech
While Peebles is a smaller player coming in at only 283 pounds he does a good job of getting after the quarterback. Last season his 90.1 pass-rushing grade was second among all FBS interior defensive linemen according to Pro Football Focus.
Big 10: Mason Graham, Michigan
The Wolverines had a top 50 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft when Kris Jenkins went to the Cincinnati Bengals with the 49th overall pick. Look for them to have another defensive tackle go that high next season, and it wouldn’t be a shock if Mason Graham ended up being a top-15 selection.
Big 12:.Dontay Corleone, Cincinnati
Anytime your nickname is the Godfather you are a player worth watching. Last season, Corleone accounted for 6.5 tackles and three sacks on the year. He was also named third-team All-American in 2022.
SEC: Deone Walker, Kentucky
One of the biggest players in next year’s draft will be Kentucky defensive tackle Deone Walker
who comes in at 6-foot-6 and 348 pounds. He is not just a run stuffer either having led college football last season with 51 pressures.
Non-Power Four: Howard Cross III, Notre Dame
A player you can count going all out on every play is Notre Dame defensive tackle Howard Cross III. Last season, he was Pro Football Focuses third highest graded defensive tackle after recording 66 tackles and two sacks.
2025 NFL Draft Defensive Tackle Watch List
Mason Graham, Michigan
Deone Walker, Kentucky
Howard Cross III, Notre Dame
Tyleik Williams, Ohio State
Kenneth Grant, Michigan
Dontay Corleone, Cincinnati
Tonka Hemingway, South Carolina
Aeneas Peebles, Virginia Tech
Rylie Mills, Notre Dame
Walter Nolan, Ole Miss
Patrick Jenkins, Tulane
D'Ante Johnson, East Carolina
Yahya Black, Iowa
Aaron Graves, Iowa
Nash Hutmacher, Nebraska
Ty Hamilton, Ohio State
Jordan Guerad, Louisville
Sterling Webb, Missouri
Quindario Lee, Houston
Rayyan Buell, Ohio
Sione Lolohea, Florida State
Bear Alexander, USC
Junior Tafuna, Utah
Nate Martey, Arkansas State
Justin Rhodes, Georgia Southern
James Carpenter, Indiana
Wy'Kevious Thomas, South Alabama
Tavian Coleman, Texas State
Joshua Farmer, Florida State
Thor Griffith, Louisville
Akheem Mesidor, Miami
Kevon Darton, Arizona
Pheldarius Payne, Virginia Tech
Kevin Pointer, Wake Forest
Jamaree Caldwell, Houston
Matthew Golden, Texas
Mike Lockhart, SMU
Soane Toia, San Jose State
Jordan Bertagnole, Wyoming
Tim Smith Alabama
Nazir Stackhouse, Georgia
Warren Brinson, Georgia
JJ Pegues, Ole Miss
T.J. Sanders, South Carolina
Omari Thomas, Tennessee
Shemar Turner, Texas A&M
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