2025 NFL Draft: IDL Big Board

The 2025 NFL Draft is rapidly approaching, and the festivities in Green Bay are looming over the horizon. Who are the best interior defensive linemen in the class? While the trench kings aren’t as deep as their counterparts on the perimeter, there’s still talent to be mined throughout the draft. Which big boys are the best on the 2025 IDL big board? Let’s take a look.

Note: All RAS numbers are courtesy of Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb)

In case you miss any of the positional big boards, they will be listed below:

Quarterback

Running Back

Wide Receiver

Offensive Line

EDGE

IDL

1. Mason Graham / 6’3 296 / Michigan

Graham is the best IDL on the 2025 big board and should be a top ten selection as a result. He’s a relentless player who doesn’t quit on a play and possesses the strength and anchor to win a vast majority of his reps. The former Wolverine is an impressive athlete with a lightning-quick first step that makes blockers woozy. Combine those physical traits and his football IQ, and you have a surefire top ten selection. He knows how to break down blockers and exploit their weaknesses. His size is what gives teams pause, but the overall package is excellent enough to overcome that. He increased his tackle and sack production every season despite being the focal point of every offense’s game plan. His athletic and stylistic comparisons are similar to those of former Oklahoma and Chicago Bears standout Tommie Harris.

Round Projection: Top Ten

Player Comp: Tommie Harris

RAS: N/A

2. Derrick Harmon / 6’4 313 / Oregon

Harmon transferred to Oregon after spending three seasons at Michigan State. The Ducks’ star lineman was productive in his final season in Eugene, posting 10.5 tackles for loss and five sacks. He’s a high-motor player who doesn’t quit until the whistle blows. The size and athleticism will endear him to teams in the first round that need a defensive tackle. His lateral agility is impressive for a guy his size, let alone a smaller prospect. The power game is still under construction, but he has plenty of it to push aside blockers. He projects as a versatile athlete who can play anywhere on the line. The height, weight, and length are ideal for the position, and he looms large as an on-field presence. His athletic and stylistic comparison is to Patriots and Alabama standout Christian Barmore.

Round Projection: First Round

Player Comp: Christian Barmore

RAS: N/A

3. T.J. Sanders / 6’3 297 / South Carolina

Sanders was a three-year contributor to the Gamecocks’ stellar stop unit. He’s a great athlete with underrated power in his game. The former South Carolina star earned an invitation to Mobile, and the prospect took the opportunity to steal the show. He was unblockable at times, utilizing his impressive athleticism and an increasingly diverse arsenal of pass rush moves to beat blockers. Teams will love his first-step quickness and all the physical traits he brings to the table. He possesses a great deal of versatility, able to play both defensive end and tackle in specific schemes. Sanders is slated to sneak into the first round, but his floor is the second round. His athletic comparison is Larry Ogunjobi.

Round Projection: First to Second

Player Comp: Larry Ogunjobi

RAS: 9.38

4. Darius Alexander / 6’3 305 / Toledo

Alexander’s offseason is very productive in terms of productivity efficiency. The Senior Bowl took notice and invited the Toledo star to the event. He became a monster during the week, and offensive linemen couldn’t block him on nearly every rep. PFF ranked him as the best defensive tackle with a 90.2 overall defensive score, and Alexander has more than lived up to it. Athletically, he’s an efficient and smooth runner who gets into the backfield quickly. He finished his collegiate career with 22 tackles for loss and nine sacks. Teams appreciate his physical traits and athleticism, which enable him to move up and down the line effectively. Primarily a defensive tackle by trade, there is a chance that he could play some end. Athletically, he compares to former Senior Bowl and Delaware standout Bilal Nichols.

Round Projection: Day 2

Player Comp: Bilal Nichols

RAS: 9.16

5. Kenneth Grant / 6’3 331 / Michigan

Grant is part of the Wolverines’ duo of impressive defensive tackle prospects for the past several seasons. He’s a versatile chess piece that could also play nose tackle. The physical traits have teams salivating with his size and athleticism. The prospect’s production was consistently steady over the past couple of seasons, resulting in 11.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. He has the lateral agility and powerful hands to stun blockers who aren’t ready for his size. Grant was slated to play in the East-West Shrine Game but did not. He’s a projected first-round selection on many big boards, including this 2025 IDL big board. His physical and stylistic comparisons resemble those of Paul Soillai.

Round Projection: First

Player Comp: Paul Soilai

RAS: 7.16

6. Joshua Farmer / 6’3 305 / Florida State

Farmer has had an outstanding offseason process after a solid 2024 campaign that saw him earn a Senior Bowl invitation. He stood out at the Senior Bowl, outshining other talented defensive linemen. The former FSU standout has all the physical traits teams look for in interior linemen. Farmer surprises blockers with his length and short-area quickness. Florida State regularly puts out talented defensive linemen, and Farmer has developed quite the pass rush arsenal under Coach Odell Haggins. He also has the size and versatility to move around the defensive front. His Senior Bowl was outstanding, and Farmer was one of the few DLs to battle Grey Zabel to a standstill. Physically and stylistically, he compares to Pittsburgh’s Keeanu Benton. There’s a chance that Farmer will be selected in the first round, but Day 2 is more likely.

Round Projection: First Round to Middle Day 2

Player Comp: Keeanu Benton

RAS: 7.89

7. Alfred Collins / 6’5 332 / Texas

Collins finally saw big-time starting-level snaps in 2024 after serving as the apprentice to T’Vondre Sweat. He’s a large man who moves well for his size. The Texas star interior lineman is a powerful player who can use his size to block opponents effectively. Football IQ is growing at a rapid pace as he gets more reps. He finished his Longhorns career with 142 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, and 7.5 sacks. Athleticism runs in his family; his mother played basketball for the University of Texas, and his cousin, Trent Brown, is an NFL offensive tackle. Collins is every bit of 6’5 332 and has all the physical traits that teams crave in their interior defensive linemen. His athletic and stylistic comparison is that of former Georgia lineman Kwame Geathers. Unfortunately, he earned a Senior Bowl invitation but had to withdraw due to an injury.

Round Projection: Day 2

Player Comp: Kwame Geathers

RAS: N/A

8. Walter Nolen / 6’3 300 / Ole Miss

Nolen is a former five-star recruit who ranked as the top overall defensive line recruit in 2022. He signed with A&M and played there for two seasons before transferring to Ole Miss before the 2024 season. The highly touted recruit increased his production every season, ending with 6.5 sacks and 11 tackles for loss as a junior. His speed and athleticism are the key factors in his ever-growing game. A tremendous effort and high motor type of player who doesn’t miss a play. The athleticism of a guy, his size, stands out about him. Nolen is a laterally efficient interior player who can play nearly every position on the line. He earned a Senior Bowl invitation, where he was his usual reliable self. Nolen projects as a Day 2 selection on this 2025 IDL big board and compares to former Ole Miss interior lineman Peria Jerry.

Round Projection: Day 2

Player Comp: Peria Jerry

RAS: N/A

9. Shemar Turner / 6’3 290 / Texas A&M

Turner is a versatile defensive lineman who played all over the defensive front for the Aggies but bulked up to play inside in 2024. The former five-star recruit is a solid athlete but is undersized for the position. He possesses a quick first step, motor, and the strength to go toe-to-toe all day. His passion has led to impulsive decisions, including a punch aimed at the blocker’s unmentionables in 2023. If a team reins in the misguided passion, he can be a star tackle in a rotation. Teams will thoroughly review his medical history, given that he played in 2024 despite having a foot fracture.

The injury forced him to miss the team’s bowl game and subsequently the Senior Bowl. If the medical checks out, there is a good chance that he goes higher than the initial projection on the 2025 IDL big board. Athletically, he compares to Washington Huskies interior lineman Levi Onwuzurike.

Round Projection: Day 2 to Day 3

Player Comp: Levi Onwuzurike

RAS: N/A

10. Jamaree Caldwell / 6’2 332 / Oregon

Caldwell transferred to Oregon after playing two seasons at the University of Houston. Before his stop at Houston, he played at the junior college level. While in Houston, Mr. Caldwell had his most productive season, posting 8.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. He became the glue guy who held the star-studded Oregon line together, playing as a nose tackle. The prospect possesses impressive athleticism for a player of his size. Caldwell shone the brightest at the Senior Bowl, regularly driving his assignment into the backfield with the power game. It will be interesting to see how his NFL team utilizes him, either by keeping him at nose or asking him to lose weight to play more versatile roles. The 2025 IDL big board projects him as an early Day 3 selection. His physical and stylistic comparisons resemble those of Keondre Coburn, who plays a significant role for the Titans.

Round Projection: Fourth to Fifth

Player Comp: Keondre Coburn

RAS: 3.49

11. Aeneas Peebles / 6’0 289 / Virginia Tech

After getting the invite, the former Hokies’ interior defensive lineman instantly impacted the proceedings in Mobile. He’s an undersized tackle at 6’0 282, but his athleticism and high-level motor make up for it. Some teams highly value IDL prospects who have his body type due to their quickness in the first step. Peebles was given an 89.3 Overall defensive grade and a 91.2 pass rush score by PFF. He transferred to Virginia Tech after three outstanding seasons at Duke. Interestingly, Peebles appeared slightly heavier at his Pro Day than at the Combine. The Hokies’ star lineman looks like an early Day 3 selection, but there’s a chance that he could go higher than the 2025 IDL big board projects. His athletic and stylistic profile bears a resemblance to another Senior Bowl standout, Javon Hargrave.

Round Projection: Fourth to Fifth

Player Comp: Javon Hargrave

RAS: 7.29

12. Tyleik Williams / 6’2 334 / Ohio State

Williams is an underrated prospect who starred in a low-key role for the national champions. He increased his production every season in Columbus, which is a positive sign. The former Buckeye is primarily a run stopper but possesses the skill set to be an effective pass rusher from the defensive tackle position. He’s a steady prospect who won’t wow anyone with top-tier measureables but can be a reliable weapon. His physical and stylistic comparisons resemble those of former Washington Huskies standout Danny Shelton. Williams should be a middle Day 3 selection.

Round Projection: Fifth

Player Comp: Danny Shelton

RAS: N/A

13. Ty Robinson / 6’5 288 / Nebraska

Robinson is a lifelong Husker, playing at Nebraska for six seasons. He truly didn’t break out until 2024, when he produced seven sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss. He has had an excellent offseason process, testing well at the Combine after performing well at the Senior Bowl. The former Cornhusker athlete’s weight has fluctuated between 296 and 291 in the intervening period. He’s a fluid athlete with great short-area burst and quickness for a defensive tackle, but is limited in his ability to move outside. Teams will fall in love with his size, motor, versatility, and football IQ. Power is the name of his game. He is improving his pass rush arsenal and boasts plenty of strength. Athletically, his comparison is veteran swing lineman John Franklin-Myers.

Round Projection: Fifth to Sixth

Player Comparison: John Franklin-Myers

RAS: 9.89