The 2024 NFL Draft is over and teams are getting comfortable with their new draft picks. The next class of players is getting prepared now for another year of college football. Each position will be analyzed in the coming days. Here is the 2025 NFL Draft prospect watchlist: Interior Defensive Linemen.
Mason Graham, Michigan Wolverines
As a four-star recruit out of the state of California, Graham signed with Michigan. He had 27 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks in his first season on campus. Graham stepped into the starting lineup in 2023 with his production helping the team win a National Championship. He posted 36 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and three sacks.
At 6-foot-3 and 313 pounds, Graham has solid size for a defensive tackle. Graham has good athleticism and has a quick jump at the snap of the ball. He has powerful hands and solid strength. His pad level can get too high sometimes and his arm length may not be elite, but Graham is an elite prospect.
Kenneth Grant, Michigan Wolverines
Grant was a four-star recruit out of Indiana who signed with Michigan in the class of 2022. He totaled eight tackles in 2022 as a true freshman. For the 2023 season, his emergence helped the team win the National Championship as he had 29 total tackles, five tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks.
He is a bigger defensive tackle prospect at 6-foot-3 and 339 pounds. Grant has good power and can win one one-on-one matchups because of that. He also moves extremely well for his size making it tough for offensive linemen to match him with athleticism or power. His pad level can get too high and he won’t make as big of an impact as a pass rusher, but he could develop in that area.
Walter Nolen, Ole Miss Rebels
As a five-star recruit out of Tennessee, Nolen signed with Texas A&M. In his freshman season, Nolen registered 29 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and one sack. He improved as a sophomore with 37 total tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss and four sacks. Following the season, he transferred to Ole Miss.
Nolen isn’t the biggest interior defensive lineman at 6-foot-4 and 290 pounds. He has good athleticism and attacks gaps well. Nolen gets a good jump at the snap. He will need to add weight to his frame and more pass rush moves to improve his stock.
Deone Walker, Kentucky Wildcats
As a four-star prospect out of Michigan, Walker signed with Kentucky in the class of 2022. He immediately made an impact, registering 40 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and one sack. In 2022, he increased his production with 55 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks.
Walker is a huge defensive lineman at 6-foot-6 and 348 pounds. He has good strength that comes with his size, but more impressively, he moves very well for a player his size. Walker attacks gaps well and is a very productive pass rusher for a player his size. His pad level can get too high and he can add more pass rush moves to his game.
Tyleik Williams, Ohio State Buckeyes
Williams was a four-star recruit out of Virginia before signing with Ohio State. As a true freshman, he had 10.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. His production dipped in 2022 with just 2.5 tackles for loss and one sack. In 2023, he had 53 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and three sacks.
He has good size for an interior lineman at 6-foot-3 and 330 pounds. Williams also moves solidly for his size, but can struggle to change directions. He has solid power as well. Adding more pass-rush moves can help him overcome his lack of length.
Other Draft Prospects to Watch
Dontay Corleone, Cincinnati Bearcats- Corleone has been disruptive over the last two seasons at Cincinnati. He is an athletic interior lineman.
Howard Cross III, Notre Dame Fighting Irish- Cross is an older prospect, but he has improved throughout his career. He has had some really big games, specifically his past season.
Shemar Turner, Texas A&M Aggies- Turner is a smaller interior defensive lineman, but moves pretty well. He had six sacks last season.
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