2025 NFL Free Agency and Draft: DT

The depth of this year’s DL class is absolutely CRAZY.

Some NFL scouts reportedly believe it’s the “best” DL class in the last 5 years and that we could see as many as TWENTY go in the first two rounds.

• Abdul Carter (Penn State)
• James Pearce (Tennessee)
• Mason Graham (Michigan)
• Mykel Williams (Georgia)
• Walter Nolan (Ole Miss)
• Kenneth Grant (Michigan)
• Deone Walker (Kentucky)
• Shemar Stewart (Texas A&M)
• Tyleik Williams (Ohio State)
• Nic Scourton (Texas A&M)
• Princely Umanmielen (Ole Miss)
• Landon Jackson (Arkansas)
• Jalon Walker (Georgia)
• Jack Sawyer (Ohio State)
• JT Tuimoloau (Ohio State)
• Mike Green (Marshall)
• Jared Ivey (Ole Miss)
• TJ Sanders (South Carolina)
• Omarr Norman-Lott (Tennessee)
• Alfred Collins (Texas)
• Derrick Harmon (Oregon)

And that’s just to name a FEW

OleMiss DL JJ Pegues is one of the most fascinating prospects in the entire draft class.

He finished this season with SEVEN 7️⃣ rushing touchdowns. He also has 55 snaps in pass/run blocking, and is probably the best FB prospect in the class if he wanted to be.

And by the way, he finished top-10 in pressures among P4 IDL on a loaded Ole Miss defensive front.

Made this spin set up look easy during @ShrineBowl 1-on-1s. Had an Interception in the game too!

We need a third JJ!

You are missing Alexander from your list. Someone that is extremely versatile and consistent both against the pass and rush. Think he could very well go end of 2nd round.

J.J. Pegues is someone I really like, and I agree with you. Here are some notes I have about him that I have read and saved. Him and Jordan Phillips I like if we can't get the few I mentioned if we get a package for a pick in the 60's. Pegues, from what I have read, needs to keep working on his pass rush techniques. Also, struggles with position with double teams as of now. I think he can get there however.

In his final season at Ole Miss, Pegues showcased his development as a defensive tackle while continuing to make history on offense. His ability to contribute on both sides of the ball helped the Rebels to a successful campaign, capped off by a Peach Bowl victory over Penn State. Beyond the field, Pegues distinguished himself as a Wuerffel Trophy nominee and earned a spot on the SEC Community Service Team, demonstrating the character NFL teams covet.

Explosive first-step quickness off the snap - consistently wins the neutral zone battle and flashes dynamic penetration ability against zone concepts
Stout at the POA with natural pad level and heavy hands - consistently sets a strong edge and holds his ground against zone/duo concepts
Displays tremendous lateral COD ability for his frame, showing efficient footwork when working cross-face and executing T-E stunts effectively
Rare two-way chess piece who demonstrates plus contact balance and kinetic vision as a short-yardage back - legitimate offensive weapon at the goal line
Advanced play recognition and mental processing speed - quickly IDs trap blocks and combo schemes, maintaining gap integrity against zone flow
Exhibits natural knee bend and ankle flexion through contact, allowing him to establish leverage and reset his anchor point against drive blocks
Above-average competitive toughness shows up in pursuit - plays with consistent pad level and leverage through the whistle with plus backside effort
Displays exceptional body control and spatial awareness in tight quarters - consistently maintains balance through trash while working down the LOS

My only concern over ONL is limited snaps. Every thing else is damn good. Him and Alexander are two favorites after Nolen and Grant.

Alexander intrigues me the most. Has so much upside at the NFL level. Just a monster on the field. His level of competition has people questioning, but I see a different animal in him.

Canthony wrote:
Alexander intrigues me the most. Has so much upside at the NFL level. Just a monster on the field. His level of competition has people questioning, but I see a different animal in him.

Knucklehead wrote:
Alexander will be 25 years old by the time the season kicks off. Not saying that I wouldn't draft him but his age drops him down to the 3rd round for me.

Interesting. I wasn't aware he's that old. He was a beast at the Senior Bowl though.

MaroonBells wrote:

Interesting. I wasn't aware he's that old. He was a beast at the Senior Bowl though.

I don't think that changes much. If that makes him drop a bit, then lets get some picks and take advantage of that. He is a monster. The ones that really intrigue me are Alexander and Walker. Both have levels of play that are damaging. Straight power and strength.

This is so true. Fwiw, Graham is:

- 98th percentile in pass rush win rate
- 98th percentile in run stop rate
92nd percentile in average tackle depth
- 95th percentile in splash plays https://t.co/pURNTjy2lq

— Jack Brentnall (@Jack_Brentnall) February 22, 2025

Dear 8lb, 6 oz baby Jesus…

JustInTime wrote:
https://x.com/jack_brentnall/status/1893320321287045573?s=46&t=TjjB9Q4BmOwmN74RrrMjoQ

Dear 8lb, 6 oz baby Jesus…

If I'm the Vikings and had the #1 pick, Graham is who I take.

MaroonBells wrote:

If I'm the Vikings and had the #1 pick, Graham is who I take.

Keith Millard 2.0 without driving his Corvette into a drive through.

JustInTime wrote:
https://x.com/jack_brentnall/status/1893320321287045573?s=46&t=TjjB9Q4BmOwmN74RrrMjoQ

Dear 8lb, 6 oz baby Jesus…

Count me in on that. I don't get the Mason Graham hype. If I had a choice between the Michigan tackles I'd give the nod to Grant who plays with more violence and explosion. Production was a wash between the two at Michigan.

COMBINE SNUB: NC State DL Davin Vann 🐺

He made Feldman’s Freaks List for a reason…

Vann moves like THIS at 6’2, 280lbs and has clocked a 4.69 40 and a 33” vertical.

He led the nation with 6 forced fumbles to go with his 8 sacks. pic.twitter.com/Yoo7q2pDC0

— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) February 23, 2025

supafreak84 wrote:

Count me in on that. I don't get the Mason Graham hype. If I had a choice between the Michigan tackles I'd give the nod to Grant who plays with more violence and explosion. Production was a wash between the two at Michigan.

I'll bet you an all-expenses-paid trip to Burnsville that Graham is a better pro than Grant.

Mason Graham's initial burst and lateral quickness are pro-level. This allows him to have the first step on IOL and utilize his good hand usage to shed consistently. His athletic ability is going to cause havoc in the interior. https://t.co/cGO3985WeI pic.twitter.com/7U7ok2aWoo

— Colton Edwards (@coltonedwardsFB) February 23, 2025

The answer is: JJ Watt, Keith Millard, and Mason Graham.

iDL who go on rampage mode.

Correct, you control the board.

I’ll take 8lb, 6 oz baby Jesus for $1000

MaroonBells wrote:

I'll bet you an all-expenses-paid trip to Burnsville that Graham is a better pro than Grant.

Deal, get back to me in 4 years..

All Graham's production was over a 3 game stretch mid season, otherwise he didn't do much. Shut out the last 6 weeks of the season. No sacks, forced fumbles, or gamechanging type plays. For a guy who is ranked and thought of so highly, you'd certainly like to see more from a production standpoint

supafreak84 wrote:

Deal, get back to me in 4 years..

All Graham's production was over a 3 game stretch mid season, otherwise he didn't do much. Shut out the last 6 weeks of the season. No sacks, forced fumbles, or gamechanging type plays. For a guy who is ranked and thought of so highly, you'd certainly like to see more from a production standpoint

Ask Ohio State if he was productive. Lowest PFF grade over that span was 70 even. 3 times in the 80s, once near 90. Considering he was priority 1A for every offense he faced, I think there’s more than just splash plays.

Too bad he didn’t have a tfl ending with a helmet flying off a RB.

Some of the names of the defensive linemen selected in Round 1 of the 2019 draft:

• Nick Bosa
• Quinnen Williams
• Josh Hines-Allen
• Ed Oliver
• Rashan Gary
• Christian Wilkins
• Brian Burns
• Dexter Lawrence
• Jeffery Simmons
• Montez Sweat https://t.co/RWHyz7sN2i

— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) February 24, 2025

Abdul Carter is a truly ELITE talent at edge rusher.

His first full year at edge was incredible; he displayed bend, elite athleticism, and a surprisingly developed pass rush plan.

66 pressures, 13 sacks, 2 forced fumbles.

I’d take him #1 overall if I were the Tennessee Titans. pic.twitter.com/gW5y6bLmAN

— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) February 24, 2025

I’ve mentioned previously that my fiancé is a Penn State grad so I see pretty much all their games.

This guy is just learning to play the position. His ceiling rivals flight paths. He’s going to be at minimum a TJ Watt field tilter.

JustInTime wrote:

Ask Ohio State if he was productive. Lowest PFF grade over that span was 70 even. 3 times in the 80s, once near 90. Considering he was priority 1A for every offense he faced, I think there’s more than just splash plays.

Too bad he didn’t have a tfl ending with a helmet flying off a RB

Let's also ask Oregon, Michigan State, Texas, Indiana, etc. There were plenty of games he didn't produce like you'd expect a consensus top 5 player to, especially with another high NFL draft pick playing alongside him. It's all moot obviously because he's not in the conversation for the Vikings, but to me he is one of the more overhyped players in this draft and happy to see him go before we are on the clock.