2025 NFL Draft Rankings: Interior defensive linemen

The 2025 NFL Draft class is starting to take shape, and that means we’re getting a clearer picture of some of the top prospects and the position groups with the most depth.

The running back, tight end and offensive tackle positions seem to be the deepest and strongest on the offensive side of the ball. On defense, the edge defender group is as deep as we’ve seen in several years, dominating the projected top 50. There are also more impact defensive backs this year than a year ago, with plenty of options on all three days of the draft, specifically on Days 2 and 3.

Here are PFF's top interior defensive linemen in the 2025 NFL Draft, along with some initial scouting notes courtesy of lead draft analyst Trevor Sikkema.

For the full ranking of draft prospects, along with their three-year player grades and position rankings, click here.

1. DI Mason Graham, Michigan

PFF big board rank: 4

Graham has shorter-than-ideal arms for an NFL interior defensive lineman, but outside of that, there is a lot to love. 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.

2. DI Kenneth Grant, Michigan

PFF big board rank: 16

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 — I just wish we saw that aggressive mindset more consistently.

3. DI Walter Nolen, Mississippi

PFF big board rank: 22

Nolen isn't the most polished interior defender, but he might be among the most physically gifted. If he continues to grow in his pre-snap plan and hand usage, he can be an impactful, versatile defensive tackle with a high floor due to his strength in run defense.

4. DI Derrick Harmon, Oregon

PFF big board rank: 31

Harmon has just one year of notable production, but that season showcased a player with a high football IQ, consistent competitiveness and NFL-level quickness. He can be an effective 3-technique defensive lineman for an even front.

5. DI Darius Alexander, Toledo

PFF big board rank: 35

Alexander was lightly recruited and was a late bloomer in college football (will be 25 in his rookie season), but his measurables and strength are NFL-caliber. He is a contributing NFL defensive lineman at worst due to his strength profile, with starting caliber impact potential in odd and even fronts.

6. DI T.J. Sanders, South Carolina

PFF big board rank: 38

Sanders is a true 3-technique who wins with linear and lateral quickness to shoot gaps and disrupt. He must improve his hand precision and play strength to be a full-time starter. At worst, he is a contributing rotational 3-technique.

7. DI Tyleik Williams, Ohio State

PFF big board rank: 40

Williams is a compact and powerful interior defensive lineman who excels at holding the line of scrimmage. His lack of pass-rush production makes nose tackle his best projection, likely as a Day 2 selection.

8. DI Shemar Turner, Texas A&M

PFF big board rank: 59

Turner played at just about every spot on Texas A&M‘s defensive line, thanks to his active, violent hands and unwavering effort. He has some length and overall size limitations but feels like a guy an NFL coaching staff will push for on Day 2 of the draft.

9. DI Omarr Norman-Lott, Tennessee

PFF big board rank: 66

Norman-Lott possesses more NFL potential than his snap counts and stats say; look at his grades and win rates for a clearer picture. He is an athletically gifted, undersized 3-technique who with better hand usage and pass-rush plans can be a contributing starter.

10. DI CJ West, Indiana

PFF big board rank: 73

West is on the shorter side (length) but has good size (mass) and burst as a nose tackle who can have strong reps in run defense and some surprisingly impactful reps as a pass-rusher. If he can keep his pad level down, he can be a contributing rotational player in the NFL, preferably in a 4-3 front.

11. DI Alfred Collins, Texas

PFF big board rank: 75

Collins is a long, strong interior defensive lineman with the versatility to play anywhere from 0-technique to 5-technique. His pass-rush profile and inability to disengage quickly limit his ceiling, but his versatility and strength give him a high floor. He projects as a rotational player with starting potential.

12. DI Vernon Broughton, Texas

PFF big board rank: 84

Broughton needs to refine his hand placement and technique to become a more effective one-on-one winner at the next level. However, even in his current form, his length and strength provide valuable versatility as a two-gapping defensive lineman, with his best fit likely coming as a 3-4 defensive end.

13. DI Joshua Farmer, Florida State

PFF big board rank: 85

Farmer is still a budding defensive lineman, even as an upperclassman. With some improved anticipation and technique, he can be a starting-caliber pass-rusher — although he must have a higher floor as a run defender to get on the field consistently.

14. DI Jordan Phillips, Maryland

PFF big board rank: 86

Phillips is a compact, powerful defensive lineman with less-than-ideal length but enough strength to make up for it. While he's unlikely to be a regular pass-rush contributor, he can serve as a rock-solid interior presence with enough power to contribute to any defensive front.

15. DI Deone Walker, Kentucky

PFF big board rank: 105

Walker's measurables will jump out immediately, but his play on the field doesn't match the dominance suggested on paper. He is a versatile defensive lineman due to his height and length, but he needs more precision in his pass rushes and must hold his ground more consistently to be more than a rotational player.

16. DI Aeneas Peebles, Virginia Tech

PFF big board rank: 117

Peebles' measurables won't do him any favors on draft night, but his tape shows a quick, instinctive 3-technique defensive tackle whose finesse game can be impactful in a rotational role.

17. DI Jamaree Caldwell, Oregon

PFF big board rank: 121

Caldwell brings intriguing quickness on top of ideal size for an NFL nose tackle. He likely won't be a big backfield presence, but he can be a good rotational nose tackle for an odd-front defense.

18. DI JJ Pegues, Mississippi

PFF big board rank: 130

Pegues is a versatile player for a number of reasons and could be a fan-favorite for his relentless play on defense and ability to play some goal-line packages offensively.

19. DI Rylie Mills, Notre Dame

PFF big board rank: 144

Mills is a long and lean interior defender who projects best as a 3-4 defensive end due to his length. He'll need to get stronger in the NFL to be a full-time starter on early downs, but he can be a rotational player right off the bat due to his splash potential as a pass-rusher.

20. DI Simeon Barrow Jr., Miami (FL)

PFF big board rank: 161

Scouting summary coming soon!

21. DI Tonka Hemingway, South Carolina

PFF big board rank: 189

Scouting summary coming soon!

22. DI Ty Robinson, Nebraska

PFF big board rank: 192

Scouting summary coming soon!

22. DI Tim Smith, Alabama

PFF big board rank: 199

Smith is a well-built defensive lineman for the NFL but likely lacks the explosiveness to be more than a depth player with experience in many roles on the line.

23. DI Junior Tafuna, Utah

PFF big board rank: 206

Tafuna is a linebacker-to-defensive tackle convert who brings unique quickness and first-step agility to the defensive tackle position. Overall, he likely lacks the build and strength to be a full-time starter but should hold up as a Day 3 depth player.

24. DI Zeek Biggers, Georgia Tech

PFF big board rank: 208

Biggers brings intriguing size and length to the nose tackle spot in a 3-4 defense, but his high pad level and lack of pass-rush moves limit his overall effectiveness as both a run defender and pass rusher.