Especially with the Las Vegas Raiders shifting to a 3-4 base defense, nose tackle is one of the biggest needs on the roster heading into the 2026 NFL draft. The previous coaching staff focused on defensive tackles who are smaller and quicker to shoot gaps in even fronts, leaving new head coach Klint Kubiak and defensive coordinator Rob Leonard without a true gap-filler in the middle of the defensive line.
Luckily, this year’s draft class has a handful of quality options at nose tackle, all of whom
should be in range with the 36th pick or later. So, let’s dive into the top five prospects at the position. All draft projections below are via NFL Mock Draft Database’s consensus big board and as of March 30.
1. Kayden McDonald, Ohio State
Draft projection: 29th overall
2025 Stats: 65 tackles, 9 TFLs, 3 sacks (14 games)
McDonald, who reportedly is visiting the Raiders, rose to prominence this season, in part because he led all FBS defensive tackles with a 91.2 run defense grade from Pro Football Focus. He’s a force in the running game whose technique steadily rose as he gained more experience throughout the campaign. But what sets the 21-year-old apart from the rest of the pack is that he showed some impressive athleticism and quickness for his size to become a serviceable pass-rusher with more development down the line.
2. Lee Hunter, Texas Tech
Draft projection: 43rd overall
2025 Stats: 41 tackles, 10.5 TFLs, 2.5 sacks (14 games)
Led by a defense full of transfers and future draft picks, the Red Raiders had the best season in school history last fall. Hunter, whose college career began at Auburn before three years at UFC, was a big part of the equation. He’s an immovable object against the run and made several quality tackles in 2025, ranking tied for 16th among defensive tackles with 23 ‘defensive stops’ and fifth with an 11.9 run stop rate, per PFF.
3. Christen Miller, Georgia
Draft projection: 45th overall
Stats: 23 tackles, 4 TFLs, 1.5 sacks (14 games)
Before the NFL Combine, Miller profiled as more of a shade nose in even fronts than someone who can line up over the center and two-gap in a 3-4 scheme. However, he showed up in Indianapolis over 320 pounds to flip that narrative. Even better, the former Bulldog showed impressive strength to hold his ground in the trenches while being listed 10 pounds lighter than his combine weight. As the numbers above suggest, he doesn’t have eye-catching statistics, but Miller was right behind McDonald with a 90.2 PFF run defense grade in 2025.
4. Domonique Orange, Iowa State
Draft projection: 74th overall
2025 Stats: 18 tackles, 0.5 TFLs, 0 sacks (12 games)
Unlike the three prospects above, Orange’s draft stock took a hit this past fall. For reference, his marks against the run went from 79.5 and 74.4 in the two seasons prior, respectively, to 67.4 last year. However, the 6-foot-2, 322-pounder still has the size and strength to plug up gaps and be an effective nose tackle in the NFL. “Big Citrus” is just more of a Tier 2 or third- to fourth-round option.
5. Darrell Jackson Jr., Florida State
Draft projection: 85th overall
2025 Stats: 45 tackles, 3 TFLs, 1 sack (12 games)
Standing at 6-foot-5.5 with 34.75-inch arms, Jackson’s lenght is a big part of what makes him an intriuguing draft prospect. Also, he was listed at 337 pounds on Florida State’s roster but tipped the combine scale at a lean 315 pounds. Playing around 320 pounds should be the former Seminole’s sweet spot at the next level, and he’s a stout run defender who finished third among ACC interior defensivelinemen with an 81.3 PFF run defense grade and tied for the most defensive stops with 23 last season.
Honorable mentions: Tim Keenan III, Alabama; DeMonte Capehart, Clemson; Nick Barrett, South Carolina; Chris McClellan, Missouri.
