April 15, 2025   5 MIN READ

Inside Jobs

2025 Defensive Tackle Big Board

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When the Eagles expectedly lost major component Milton Williams to free agency, it appeared on the surface that they had enough there to soften the blow.

Jordan Davis and third-year pro Moro Ojomo would be next up to replace Williams’ role, but each logged 37 percent of the defensive snaps last season.

For perspective, Williams accounted for 48 percent of the Eagles’ defensive snaps.

While Ojomo flashed in a complementary role, showcasing the ability to push the pocket and provide some juice, it’s unclear whether an elevated role will diminish his effectiveness.

The third-year pro deserves an opportunity, but the Eagles can’t – and probably won’t – bank purely on Ojomo making a sizeable leap.

As for Davis, well, I think 37-40% of the snaps is the most you can expect at this stage. The Eagles also have an upcoming decision to make on him.

The reality is that the Eagles were a tad thin along the interior last season but benefited from good health. They need to add another player, and it should be more evident now.

Fortunately for them, this particular draft is ripe with talent throughout at the position, and I’m expecting the Eagles to default early to a position that the organization values.

Here is my final 2025 NFL Draft defensive tackle big board, including the range in which each prospect is expected to fall.

Mason Graham Kenneth Grant getty

GETTY IMAGES: Michigan has two DT products who are expected to be first-rounders: Mason Graham (left), Kenneth Grant.

1. Mason Graham, Michigan

A projected top-five pick, Graham produced 45 tackles (seven for loss) and 3.5 sacks in his final season in Ann Arbor. The 6-foot-4, 305-pounder interior defender exhibits the desired strength and explosiveness and does an exceptional job using leverage to his advantage.

Heavy, active hands to go along with a sturdy, powerful base. He’s also fairly light on his feet despite his size, moving elegantly in confined spaces. He won’t be a realistic target for the Eagles, even with a trade up, but this Wolverine is at the head of the class.

2. Kenneth Grant, Michigan

I view Grant, another Michigan product, as a mid first-round pick. At 6-foot-4, 330 pounds, Grant is more in the mold of a true nose tackle, but he has the ability to moonlight as a 3-technique. Grant finished his third season with 32 tackles (seven for loss), and three sacks over 12 games.

Grant’s calling card is in run defense, where he serves as an immoveable and powerful space-eater, but he’s far more athletic than his frame suggests. Sure, his 6.5 sacks over three seasons leaves much to be desired, but Grant has the athleticism to, if not become a pass rush specialist, refine that area of his game to respectable levels.

3. Derrick Harmon, Oregon

While going back and forth between Harmon and the next listed player, I ultimately settled on the Oregon product, whom I project to be a top-25 prospect. Harmon (6-5, 313)  boasts enticing length and plays with tremendous motor and effort. He surges to the ball and never seemed to take off a play.

Harmon, who spent his first three seasons at Michigan State, turned in his best season in 2024, racking up five sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss – perhaps forecasting an arrow trending up. A common theme among most interior defensive linemen listed here, Harmon’s 8.5 career sacks aren’t going to jump off the page, but what really stood out to me when watching his 2024 tape was his balance against the run and pass. I also saw a player with the talent to grow into a more impactful interior presence.

Walter Nolen getty

GETTY IMAGES: Ole Miss DT Walter Nolen is a polarizing prospect who could go anywhere outside the top 10.

4. Walter Nolen, Ole Miss

Nolen is a productive, though somewhat polarizing, prospect who ranges anywhere from mid-to-late first round. If he fell to the Eagles at 32, the prospect of pairing Nolen alongside Jalen Carter should be formidable enough to keep offensive coordinators up at night.

Nolen (6-4, 300 pounds) is a 3-tech who possesses the requisite athleticism and off-ball explosiveness teams covet from that position. Showcasing active hands and above average change of direction, Nolen has the potential to thrive as an interior rusher.

He plays the position with controlled violence and sense of urgency. Wildly productive final season for the Rebels, posting 48 tackles (14 for loss) and 6.5 sacks. I’ve noticed that when offensive linemen are able to keep him at bay, it’s mostly a result of him playing a bit too high. Nolen is one of a handful of players conceivably available at 32 who would give the Eagles an immediate jolt.

5. Tyleik Williams, Ohio State

I’ve slotted Williams as more of an early second-round prospect than late first, so he currently kind of falls into no man’s land for the Eagles. Williams (6-2, 329) sports a burly and dense physique, and has the strength to consistently reset the line of scrimmage.

His weight climbed a bit at times during his time with the Buckeyes, but his ideal playing weight at the pro level figures to be around 320-325. Another 3-techique who failed to generate much in the way of pressure, producing just 11.5 sacks for the Buckeyes over his four-year career.

If he’s the last remaining defensive tackle of this bunch at 32, in my opinion, the Eagles would be better served trading back and pouncing on a handful of other intriguing options.

Others to know:

Shemar Turner, Texas A&M (1st-2nd)

Darius Alexander, Toledo (2nd)

TJ Sanders, South Carolina (2nd)

Alfred Collins, Texas (2nd)

Jordan Phillips, Maryland (3rd)

– Andrew DiCecco (@AndrewDiCecco) is a Staff Reporter/Content Producer for InsideTheBirds.com.

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