The Cincinnati Bengals may have Dexter Lawrence, but they could easily still take another defensive tackle to groom as an eventual replacement for 31-year-olds B.J. Hill and Jonathan Allen, while Kris Jenkins has yet to prove he’s deserving of significant playing time on a contender.
Let’s take a look at the top defensive tackles in this year’s NFL Draft class.
1. Peter Woods (6’2” 298) Clemson
The Clemson defensive tackle just turned 21 years old on March 5th. While he didn’t have the production many were expecting, he still generated
pressure at a fairly high rate. He had a 16% win rate on true pass sets in 2025. That number was even better in 2024, when he had a 22% win rate. Woods has quick feet, paired with active hands, to be a disruptive force on the interior defensive line. It was disappointing that he didn’t test at the combine this year. After not testing as well as expected at the Clemson Pro Day, Woods could end up going later than originally expected.
2. Kayden McDonald (6’2” 326) Ohio State
McDonald is a dominant run defender on the interior. His 13.8% stop rate was the highest in this draft class for the position. McDonald can absorb double teams, is powerful at the point of attack, and had just a 3.3% missed tackle rate this past season. While he doesn’t offer much explosiveness as a pass rusher, he can still push the pocket with pure power.
3. Caleb Banks (6’6” 327) Florida
Banks is an incredible athlete for his size. He posted a 9.84 relative athletic score at the combine. However, his day ended early with what appeared to be foot issues. That is concerning based on the issues he had during the 2025 season. He was limited to just 3 games due to recurring foot issues. When healthy, Banks is a difference maker with his 35” arm length. He posted 4.5 sacks and had a 20% win rate on true pass sets in 2024. The 2024 tape, size, and freakish athleticism are enticing. However, after confirmation of him breaking his foot at the combine, Banks is now likely to fall completely out of the first round.
4. Lee Hunter (6’3” 318) Texas Tech
Lee Hunter attended Auburn during his first season in college, ultimately redshirting that year, and decided to transfer after the season. Hunter spent his next three seasons playing at UCF. He transferred to Texas Tech ahead of the 2025 season, and proceeded to help lead them to the college football playoffs this year. Hunter is a stout presence in the middle, posting an 11.9% stop rate as a run defender. He had a highly impressive 17.5% win rate on true pass sets. The Tech nose tackle has shown good hand usage, quickness off the snap for his size, and iron-man durability, with over 500 snaps played in each of the last three seasons.
5. Gracen Halton (6’3” 293) Oklahoma
Halton had 30 pressures and 3.5 sacks in 2025. In 2024, he had 29 pressures and 5 sacks. He isn’t just a pass rusher either. Halton had an impressive 10.2% stop rate as a run defender this past season. He is alignment versatile, quick off the snap, a high effort player, and scored a 9.70 relative athletic score at the combine.
6. Christen Miller (6’4” 321) Georgia
Miller is still just 21 years old until August. He was mainly known as a run defender during his time at Georgia, but flashed at times as a pass rusher. He has quick feet, stack and shed ability, and his 90.2 run defense grade was among the highest in the class. While Miller is still developing as a pass rusher, he should come in and immediately help a team in stopping the run.
7. Domonique Orange (6’2” 322) Iowa St.
The player affectionately known as Big Citrus, Dominique Orange is a massive presence in the middle of a defense. He is physical against the run, has a strong anchor, powerful hands, and shows more burst than expected off the snap. Orange isn’t going to give a lot as a pass rusher, with just one career sack. He should be able to come in and immediately contribute on early downs and goal-line situations at the next level.
8. Chris McClellan (6’4” 313) Missouri
McClellan had his most productive season as a pass rusher in 2025, accumulating six sacks on the year. He possesses ideal grip strength in his hands, is a reliable tackler, has four years of SEC experience between Florida and Missouri, and had an 8.1% stop rate as a run defender. McClellan should find a role in a rotation early on his career, with potential to be a key starter down the road.
9. Tyler Onyedim (6’3” 292) Texas A&M
Onyedim transferred to Texas A&M after spending his first four seasons with Iowa State. He has violent hands, a vicious spin move, can move around the line, closing burst, and was among the leaders in the country as a run defender with an 11.7% stop rate in 2025. He can still continue expanding his pass rush arsenal, and has mediocre career sack production with just 5.5 sacks. I think the 6’2” 292 pound defensive tackle slides into a rotation immediately, and should be a quality player for years.
10. Darrell Jackson (6’5” 315) Florida State
Another massive defensive tackle on this list. Jackson has 35” arm length. He maintains proper gap control and discipline, possesses power at the point of attack, and has played over 1,700 snaps during his career. Jackson’s motor can run a bit hot and cold, but there is no denying the physical traits he possesses. If he can be more consistent, this is a player who could outplay where he is likely to be selected on draft day.
Honorable mentions: Kaleb Proctor, Zane Durant, Landon Robinson, Rayshaun Benny, Rene Konga, DeMonte Capehart, Albert Regis, Aaron Graves, Tim Keenan III, Zxavian Harris, Dontay Corleone, and Skyler Gill-Howard
