2025 NFL Draft Interior Defensive Line Rankings

The 2025 interior defensive line group is incredibly deep and will fuel the NFL with tons of future contributors. This class features a strong top tier with several players likely to come off the board in the first two rounds, but the value extends well into Day 3. There’s a healthy mix of nose tackles, 3-tech penetrators, and hybrid linemen who offer scheme versatility. As a whole, this class is loaded with stout run defenders and flashes of interior pass rush, making it a well-rounded unit for teams needing help in the trenches.

IDL1 – Walter Nolen, Ole Miss – 88.4 – Round 1
Nolen is an explosive combination of speed and power and is a tremendous athlete at the position His ability to penetrate gaps and overwhelm blockers gives him All-Pro upside.

IDL2 – Derrick Harmon, Oregon – 87.3 – Round 1
Harmon is a stout interior force with good athleticism and pad level. He eats double teams and has flashes of being a truly dominate two way player.

IDL3 – Mason Graham, Michigan – 87.1 – Round 1
Graham is a technically refined, high-motor player with excellent leverage and pad level despite being undersized. He is widely regarded as the top at his position, and I don’t necessarily agree, he is a surefire first round prospect .

IDL4 – Kenneth Grant, Michigan – 85.9 – Round 2
Grant is a massive, space-eating presence who moves surprisingly well for his size. He’s dominant against the run and flashes upside as a pocket pusher.

IDL5 – Omar Norman-Lott, Tennessee – 84.6 – Round 2
Norman-Lott is a disruptive 3-tech with a quick first step and strong hands. He creates chaos inside with his burst and ability to slip blocks. He has unknowns that will cause him to fall due to a deep rotation at Tennessee, but could prove to have massive upside.

IDL6 – TJ Sanders, South Carolina – 84.4 – Round 3
Sanders is a quick pass rushing tackle with a solid bag of pass rushing moves. He struggles in the run game due to his size, but could contribute early and often as a rotational pass rusher.

IDL7 – Darius Alexander, Toledo – 84.3 – Round 3
Alexander is a small-school standout with explosive traits and quick feet. His athleticism pops on tape, and he’s a consistent penetrator against weaker interior lines.

IDL8 – Tyleik Williams, Ohio State – 84.1 – Round 3
Williams has a ton of starting potential, but failed to show consistency at Ohio State. He has a quick get off as a pass rusher, and great block shedding ability, but needs to put it all together at the next level.

IDL9 – Deone Walker, Kentucky – 83.1 – Round 3
Walker is a mammoth interior lineman with rare size as a pass rusher. His pad level can be inconsistent, but he’s a load to handle and has elite traits.

IDL10 – Jamaree Caldwell, Oregon – 82.8 – Round 3
Caldwell is a physical player who struggles in the run game, but is a true pass rushing nose tackle. He lacks technical refinement, but has upside if he can work on his gap discipline in the run game, among other areas.