The Eagles won their Super Bowl partially on the strength of their defensive line. Jalen Carter and Milton Williams terrorized the Chiefs for four quarters and were dominant the entirety of the postseason. With Williams off to the New England Patriots, the Eagles will turn to the draft to reload in the trenches. The trio of Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, and Moro Ojomo is still very, very good, but I imagine Howie Roseman and Vic Fangio want more tools in their belt going into the season. Luckily, this is a great class for interior defenders. It’s possible the Eagles get a starter-quality player in the first two rounds. Here is how the class looks at the top.
1) Mason Graham, Michigan
Mason Graham was the dominant presence in the Michigan front-seven over the last two years. Turn on tape of the 2023 Championship team and you constantly see #55 draw double teams, opening up opportunities for his teammates. Despite all the attention, Graham still was extremely disruptive as a pass rusher and run defender.
Graham is not prototypical in terms of size. He is a sub-300 pound defensive tackle with short arms. However, he is so strong, quick, and nasty that it tends not to matter. His relative lack of height becomes a leverage advantage as he gets under blockers’ pads. He is truly relentless on every down and his best football should still be ahead of him.
One of the best players in the class.
NFL Comparison: Geno Atkins, Cincinnati Bengals
2) Derrick Harmon, Oregon
Let me get my bias out of the way right now: I love Derrick Harmon and think the Eagles should draft him.
From a tools perspective, he is probably the best prospect in the class. He is massive at 6’5”, 315 pounds with long arms and he is a great athlete. Turn on the tape, and his athleticism is immediately evident in the way he can win off the snap and shoot gaps. He didn’t start too many games during his college career, so it’s exciting to think he could get even better.
Harmon, being a taller interior lineman, can sometimes get too high out of the snap and get blown off the ball. Generally, he could use his size and strength more consistently. Against the run, he can be more consistent and physical. All well within his ability.
NFL Comparison: Travis Jones, Baltimore Ravens
3) Kenneth Grant, Michigan
Kenneth Grant feels like a relatively easy evaluation.
He is big as hell, strong as hell, and plays with a serious mean streak. He is not the most athletic, the quickest, or the best pass rusher, but he is going to be a really consistent NFL nose-tackle for a long time.
Grant will do his best work as a space eating tackle who can plug up running lanes and create opportunities for linebackers flowing to the ball. He will be a truly great two-down defender.
It’s possible he has upside as a pass rusher, it was just not consistently on tape last season. In the right defense, with the right snap count, it’s possible he could contribute there.
NFL Comparison: BJ Raji
4) Walter Nolen, Ole Miss
At one point, Walter Nolen was the top high school player in the country before going to Texas A&M. After two inconsistent seasons in College Station, Nolen transferred to Ole Miss where he broke out in a big way in 2024.
Nolen is a supremely talented athlete. Throughout the season, he’d flash quickness and strength that reminded everyone why he was once a top recruit. He can blow up passing and running plays with ease.
Consistency remains the biggest concern and it means Nolen’s best football is still ahead of him if he lands with a patient coaching staff. Luckily, his talent and nonstop motor will create opportunities for him early in his career.
NFL Comparison: Milton Williams, New England Patriots
5) Darius Alexander, Toledo
Darius Alexander was a late bloomer for the Rockets. He first arrived in Toledo in 2019 and started to come on in 2023 before breaking out all the way last season.
Alexander has NFL size and athleticism, which is evident in the way he manhandled the competition last year. He is quick, strong, and violent with a hot motor.
Of course, the concern will be age (will be 25 as a rookie) given his late breakout. Will he be able to maintain his dominance at the NFL level or was he just more physically advanced than his college competition?
NFL Comparison: Kawaan Short, Carolina Panthers
The Rest
6) TJ Sanders, South Carolina
7) Shemar Turner, Texas A&M
8) Tyleik Williams, Ohio State
9) Deonne Walker, Kentucky
10) Vernon Broughton, Texas
11) Omar Norman-Lott, Tennessee
12) CJ West, Indiana
13) Alfred Collins, Texas
14) Jordan Phillips, Maryland
15) Joshua Farmer, Florida State
16) Aeneas Peebles, Virginia Tech
17) Tonka Hemingway, South Carolina
