The Raiders rounded out their 2026 draft class, selecting NC state nose tackle Brandon Cleveland with the 229th overall selection. The Raiders had been searching for a nose tackle, and Cleveland provides that especially with their lack of true 0/1-Tech on the roster. A 2 year starter, and 2x All ACC selection, Cleveland should push for a roster spot, and has a good shot to carve out an NFL role as a starting nose tackle.
Introduction:
Age: 21 Height: 6’4 Weight: 315 Stats: 107 tackles, 17 TFL, 6 sacks, PBU, 2 FF,
38 pressures, 11 hits, 47 run stops, 6.7% pass rush win rate
Positional Splits:
- 0-Tech: 590 snaps
- 1-Tech: 353 snaps
- 2-Tech: 308 snaps
- 3-Tech: 98 snaps
- 4-Tech: 58 snaps
RAS Testing:
- 5.12 40 (1.78 10-Split), 26.5 Vert, 4.91 Shuttle | 5.11 RAS (6.34 at NT)
Positives:
I wrote about Cleveland before, he’s been one of my guys the entire cycle, and the last time a guy from NC State was one of “my guys” it was Jakobi Meyers, then Drake Thomas, so hopefully Cleveland follows their steps. He’s big, and he’s a physical defensive tackle. Cleveland is your prototypical NT, he had a depth of tackle of 1.72 which was 4th among all 2026 DT’s that were draft eligible. He has heavy physical hands, he’s extremely violent, and his lower half is exceptionally well built. Cleveland anchors well, has a stout lower half, and he’s a tough mover for the interior offensive line. He utilize his core, drives through blockers, and keeps his feet moving. Cleveland has good closing speed, is able to get into the backfield quickly, and his second step is noticeable also. He does a great job engaging his arms and using his full body to drive backwards. Cleveland understands leverage, uses his natural leverage and plays with low pads making it hard for defenders to engage him. He’s well balanced, plays with fluid knees, hips, and ankles, and shows a good ability to turn and bend as a pass rusher. He has some flashy NFL pass rush moves, mainly a club, swipe, and does good with speed to power but his overall pass rush ability likely isn’t the main taker at the NFL level. Former wrestler, understands leverage, elite grip strength.
Weakness:
Cleveland has shorter arms, but he’s able to disengage with his strength and grip power. He’s a very limited pass rusher, doesn’t come off the line of scrimmage quickly, and overall there’s a little bit to be desired. He doesn’t have a pass rush plan, doesn’t really flash a true secondary pass rush move, and he mainly trys to win off speed to power, pure power, or just sitting in the gap and letting the EDGE’s collapse the pocket. He has inconsistent tackling form, and he’ll need to add upper body power to bring down defenders more consistently. Additionally, Cleveland does tend to be a little too quick at times and whiff a sack, with about 3-4 in his career he just bounced off the quarterback or over pursued. I’d like to see him get quicker as a run defender off the line of scrimmage, and he’ll struggle to anchor when crashed into from a tackle in blocking forms.
Recap:
Cleveland lacks elite strength, but he’s powerful, and he’s gritty. He has good understanding of leverage, grip strength, grappling, and does the dirty work. He won’t flash in many capacities, and likely never flashes off the box score either, but Cleveland takes on double teams, gets through his blocks, and has devastating lower half fluidity that he’ll work to drive lineman backwards. The Raiders were looking to add a nose tackle, and Cleveland in round 7 is exceptional value, he’ll likely push to make the roster, and with Las Vegas lacking nose tackles, he has a good shot to see a fair share of the snap counts. He’s a player who will come in, do his work, and never be an issue for a team’s run defense.
Pro Comp: Roy Lopez
Ceiling: Starting NT
Floor: Practice squad
Consensus: 229
