Sports Info Solutions just dropped their first big board of the 2026 draft class, which features 246 prospects. They have a bunch of interesting stats in there, which include the rate that defensive tackles actually played the nose tackle position. For Green Bay Packers fans, that data might be worth looking at.
The story of the Packers’ defense in 2025 was simple. They had arguably the best first-quarter defense in football last year. After that, their defensive line wore down, as they couldn’t get
teams to stop running the ball on them. In part, this issue was caused by the team being unable to replace Kenny Clark, their projected starting 2025 nose tackle, who was involved in the Micah Parsons trade.
While the Packers made several smaller moves at the position throughout the year (talented big bodies don’t become available during the season), none of those players were able to replace the void that Clark left, even as a collective. I expect Green Bay to add a starting nose tackle, be it in free agency or the draft, this offseason, so they don’t have to rely on Colby Wooden, who came into the NFL at 273 pounds, consistently eating double teams for the second straight year. The nose tackle position should only be highlighted more if the Packers shift to a 3-4 defense (which is expected and GM Brian Gutekunst might have spilled the beans about during his combine press conference).
So, which defensive tackles in the upcoming class are actually nose tackles, the market that Green Bay should be in this offseason? Let’s take a look, using SIS’s data.
Consensus Interior Defensive Line Rankings — 2026 NFL Draft
- #17: Peter Woods, Clemson (14% nose tackle rate)
- #26: Caleb Banks, Florida (9%)
- #29: Kayden McDonald, Ohio State (60%)
- #35: Lee Hunter, Texas Tech (31% – 50% in 2025)
- #47: Christen Miller, Georgia (30%)
- #71: Darrell Jackson Jr., Florida State (24% – 37% in 2025)
- #77: Domonique Orange, Iowa State (73%)
- #97: Dontay Corleone, Cincinnati (85%)
- #112: Gracen Halton, Oklahoma (24%)
- #121: Tim Keenan III, Alabama (42%)
- #130: Skyler Gill-Howard, Texas Tech (2%)
- #132: Chris McClellan, Missouri (15%)
- #134: Zane Durant, Penn State (12%)
- #137: Rayshaun Benny, Michigan (4%)
- #163: DeMonte Capehart, Clemson (26%)
For the most part, this is what I expected from the top defensive tackles in the class. I haven’t gotten the chance to see everyone (mostly the top guys), but this passes what I’ve seen on film (I’m surprised the giant at Florida didn’t get more looks at nose, though).
Based on the data, all-star game measurements, measurement projections and SIS’s nose tackle data, here are the top-150-ish guys who I think can credibly be called nose tackles in the 2026 draft:
- #29: Kayden McDonald, Ohio State
- #35: Lee Hunter, Texas Tech
- #71: Darrell Jackson Jr., Florida State
- #77: Domonique Orange, Iowa State
- #97: Dontay Corleone, Cincinnati
- #121: Tim Keenan III, Alabama
- #163: DeMonte Capehart, Clemson
I don’t think that McDonald or Hunter will be available at #52, but we’ll see. Usually, top-40 guys don’t last that long unless they’re injury or off-field red flag guys. Personally, I’d consider Hunter more of a three-technique (he stunted a lot in his lone season as a true nose tackle, so it’s not like his job was taking on double-teams) than a nose tackle, but you’ll see him listed as a nose tackle for the most part.
Every single one of these players is expected to weigh in over 310 pounds in Indianapolis later this week. If you’re keeping a short list for the position, this is where I would start.
