2025 NFL Draft Rankings: Inside defensive linemen

The 2025 NFL Draft class is beginning to take form, and which means we’re getting a clearer image of a number of the high prospects and the place teams with essentially the most depth.

The operating again, tight finish and offensive deal with positions appear to be the deepest and strongest on the offensive aspect of the ball. On protection, the sting defender group is as deep as we’ve seen in a number of years, dominating the projected high 50. There are additionally extra influence defensive backs this yr than a yr in the past, with loads of choices on all three days of the draft, particularly on Days 2 and three.

Listed here are PFF’s high inside defensive linemen within the 2025 NFL Draft, together with some preliminary scouting notes courtesy of lead draft analyst Trevor Sikkema.

For the complete rating of draft prospects, together with their three-year participant grades and place rankings, click on right here.

DI1. Mason Graham, Michigan

Large board rank: 3

Strengths:

• Elite first step explosiveness
• Wonderful bend and adaptability for an inside participant
• Quick and highly effective arms
• Devastating push-pull transfer
• Sturdy participant who can maintain the road

Weaknesses:

• Arms seem like on the shorter aspect

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DI2. Kenneth Grant, Michigan

Large board rank: 25

Strengths:

• Distinctive quickness for a participant of his measurement
• Fast to get to counters
• Lively arms in passing lanes for batted passes
• Only a actually good athlete for a participant of his measurement

Weaknesses:

• Might prioritize energy extra at his measurement
• Offers up leverage and performs excessive too typically

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DI3. Tyleik Williams, Ohio State

Large board rank: 32

Strengths:

• Compact, highly effective stance pre-snap
• Has the body to play each nostril and 3-tech
• Explosive first step to shoot gaps, create energy and cross face
• Hand velocity, precision and goal a lot improved in 2024

Weaknesses:

• Tends to pop up rapidly to lose leverage
• Loses floor a bit an excessive amount of when taking over combo blocks
• Doesn’t have sufficient go rush strikes/counters

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DI4. T.J. Sanders, South Carolina

Large board rank: 36

Strengths:

• Fast arms to interact and get off blocks
• Plus arm size for an inside participant
• Aggressive third-down participant
• Explosive first step laterally and linearly
• Has some twitch for a man who’s 295
• Lengthy arms for PBUs

Weaknesses:

• Offers up leverage rapidly post-snap
• Can get overzealous to shoot a niche in run protection
• Doesn’t maintain up effectively towards doubles
• Might end tackles/sacks higher

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DI5. Walter Nolen, Mississippi

Large board rank: 39

Strengths:

• Effectively constructed participant
• Extremely sturdy, particularly with momentum; uncooked energy and explosiveness are evident persistently
• Has the construct to play each defensive finish and defensive deal with
• Good effort to the whistle

Weaknesses:

• Appeared much less uncontrolled in 2024, however nonetheless must be extra purposeful in what he does
• Lacks a go-to go rush transfer

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