From the Senior Bowl to eight of 30 pre-draft visits, the Steelers have spent a lot of time and resources learning about this year's class of defensive tackles. There is a clear priority within the organization, and it just so happens to align with one of the strongest and deepest positions in the draft.
But, how do these defensive tackles compare to each other? One way is to rank them, though even the top 10 is scratching the surface. Even though a defensive tackle being selected in the first round is perhaps the most likely option, there are plenty of other choices throughout the draft.
These rankings are based on a combination of the player's talent, potential, likelihood of achieving that potential and fit with the Steelers in terms of need and scheme.
1. MASON GRAHAM, MICHIGAN
With just 32-inch arms, Graham has significantly short arms for a defensive tackle. But, everything else about him is outstanding. He is absolutely relentless and his motor is unmatched by anybody else in this class. He possesses great strength, and as a two-time state champion in wrestling, he has a great understanding of how to gain leverage. He's also pretty polished both as a run defender and pass rusher, making him the top guy in a very strong class of defensive tackles. He's a surefire top-10 pick.
2. KENNETH GRANT, MICHIGAN
Grant's freakish blend of athleticism, size and strength gives him a high floor. At 6-4, 331 pounds, he's built big enough to play nose tackle, but also quick and athletic enough to play as a three-technique. He's got some superb tools, including a very quick first step and active hands (11 passes defensed over the past two seasons). Of course, there are concerns, including a high pad level which causes him to immediately lose leverage and hurts his ability to eat up space.
Thanks to a great first step and exceptional hand usage, Harmon is one of the more polished pass rushers in this class. Given his ideal size at 6-5, 313 pounds with 34 3/8-inch arms, Harmon is also difficult to move in run defense, making him a legitimate three-technique at the NFL level. His quickness also grants him the versatility to scoot further outside as a five-technique when the Steelers are in their 3-4 base defense. Harmon also has a high football IQ and has good motor from snap to whistle. He's not a perfect prospect, but there's a lot of untapped potential given his smarts and passion for the game.
Nolen isn't the most polished defensive tackle in this class, but he's perhaps the most talented. He has great build and size for the position, he's incredibly strong and has an explosive first step. Because of his strength and quickness, he often wins by exploding into contact, causing disruption both as a run defender and a pass rusher. He can rely too much on his strength to win, and that's why his floor isn't quite as high as Grant or Harmon. He'll need more coaching. If he can learn the art of the pass rush, matching his obscene strength, he can undoubtedly become the best defensive tackle in this class and a multiple time All-Pro.
Alexander has great size and length to play multiple techniques up front. He's a violent player who impresses with strength and physicality, highlighted by an impressive club move, but also possesses some very underrated quickness for a man that stands 6-4 and weighs 305 pounds. He needs to clean up some of the technical aspects of his game, but a lot of it is correctable through coaching. Alexander could possibly be an attractive trade-back option in the first round.
For my full draft profile on Alexander, read here.
6. TYLEIK WILLIAMS, OHIO STATE
As required by the nature of today's game, Williams can scoot further out to a three-technique. However, he's best suited to be a run-stuffing nose tackle in a 3-4 defense. That's why, most likely, Williams is a Day 2 pick given a ceiling on his versatility. That being said, he possesses all of the great traits of being a good interior run-stopper. His pass-rush arsenal needs significant refinement, but if he ever develops that part of his game, he can be a phenomenal get in this draft.
7. T.J. SANDERS, SOUTH CAROLINA
Sanders is a true three-technique who possesses impressive quickness and a high motor. He needs to be coached up quite a bit on run defense and as a pass rusher, but that seldom deters teams from taking a chance on a player like Sanders. He's likely a second-round pick because in addition to his college production and relentless motor, he's of ideal size at 6-4, 297 pounds with decent arm length at 33 1/8 inches. His game is all about quickness and active hands. He just needs some development to turn into a quality player.
8. ALFRED COLLINS, TEXAS
At 6-6 and 332 pounds, Collins is an absolute house. When he's technically sound, he's nearly impossible to move. He has great length with 34 5/8-inch arms, and is also very strong. His biggest knock is being slow to disengage from blocks, both in run defense and when rushing the passer. That obviously has to improve, otherwise he'll just become a rotational player. But, as one NFC personnel director told NFL.com, "He's a legit specimen. With the right coaching, he could end up taking off and becoming the best interior player in this class."
9. JOSHUA FARMER, FLORIDA STATE
Farmer is most likely a later Day 2 pick, a potential option for the Steelers in the third round. He has great size at 6-3, 305 pounds, and best fits as a defensive end in a 3-4 scheme. However, his size, strength and 35-inch arms make him an eventual option as an eventual two-gap defender. Farmer needs to improve his mechanics playing more as a three-technique, as he tends to gets walled off by blockers too often in run defense. He could also benefit from adding more tricks to the bag in his pass-rush game.
10. JAMAREE CALDWELL, OREGON
Caldwell is most likely a later Day 2 or early Day 3 pick in this year's draft, but that's only because the defensive tackle position is so deep. At 6-2 and 332 pounds, Caldwell is more of a nose tackle, but is athletic enough to play the three-technique in the Steelers' front when in sub-packages. He's more of a run stopper than a pass rusher, and he needs to be coached up on some technique. But those are perhaps the two things holding him back the most. If he's available in the third or fourth round, he could be a very nice find.
Want to participate in our comments?
Want an ad-free experience?
Become a member, and enjoy premium benefits! Make your voice heard on the Steelers, Penguins and Pirates, and hear right back from tens of thousands of fellow Pittsburgh sports fans worldwide! Plus, access all our premium content, including Dejan Kovacevic columns, Friday Insider, daily Live Qs with the staff, more! And yeah, that's right, no ads at all!
THE ASYLUM
Chris Halicke
2:43 pm - 04.19.2025DowntownDraft rankings: Top 10 defensive tackles
From the Senior Bowl to eight of 30 pre-draft visits, the Steelers have spent a lot of time and resources learning about this year's class of defensive tackles. There is a clear priority within the organization, and it just so happens to align with one of the strongest and deepest positions in the draft.
But, how do these defensive tackles compare to each other? One way is to rank them, though even the top 10 is scratching the surface. Even though a defensive tackle being selected in the first round is perhaps the most likely option, there are plenty of other choices throughout the draft.
These rankings are based on a combination of the player's talent, potential, likelihood of achieving that potential and fit with the Steelers in terms of need and scheme.
1. MASON GRAHAM, MICHIGAN
With just 32-inch arms, Graham has significantly short arms for a defensive tackle. But, everything else about him is outstanding. He is absolutely relentless and his motor is unmatched by anybody else in this class. He possesses great strength, and as a two-time state champion in wrestling, he has a great understanding of how to gain leverage. He's also pretty polished both as a run defender and pass rusher, making him the top guy in a very strong class of defensive tackles. He's a surefire top-10 pick.
2. KENNETH GRANT, MICHIGAN
Grant's freakish blend of athleticism, size and strength gives him a high floor. At 6-4, 331 pounds, he's built big enough to play nose tackle, but also quick and athletic enough to play as a three-technique. He's got some superb tools, including a very quick first step and active hands (11 passes defensed over the past two seasons). Of course, there are concerns, including a high pad level which causes him to immediately lose leverage and hurts his ability to eat up space.
For my full draft profile on Grant, read here.
3. DERRICK HARMON, OREGON
Thanks to a great first step and exceptional hand usage, Harmon is one of the more polished pass rushers in this class. Given his ideal size at 6-5, 313 pounds with 34 3/8-inch arms, Harmon is also difficult to move in run defense, making him a legitimate three-technique at the NFL level. His quickness also grants him the versatility to scoot further outside as a five-technique when the Steelers are in their 3-4 base defense. Harmon also has a high football IQ and has good motor from snap to whistle. He's not a perfect prospect, but there's a lot of untapped potential given his smarts and passion for the game.
For my full draft profile on Harmon, read here.
4. WALTER NOLEN, OLE MISS
Nolen isn't the most polished defensive tackle in this class, but he's perhaps the most talented. He has great build and size for the position, he's incredibly strong and has an explosive first step. Because of his strength and quickness, he often wins by exploding into contact, causing disruption both as a run defender and a pass rusher. He can rely too much on his strength to win, and that's why his floor isn't quite as high as Grant or Harmon. He'll need more coaching. If he can learn the art of the pass rush, matching his obscene strength, he can undoubtedly become the best defensive tackle in this class and a multiple time All-Pro.
For my full draft profile on Nolen, read here.
5. DARIUS ALEXANDER, TOLEDO
Alexander has great size and length to play multiple techniques up front. He's a violent player who impresses with strength and physicality, highlighted by an impressive club move, but also possesses some very underrated quickness for a man that stands 6-4 and weighs 305 pounds. He needs to clean up some of the technical aspects of his game, but a lot of it is correctable through coaching. Alexander could possibly be an attractive trade-back option in the first round.
For my full draft profile on Alexander, read here.
6. TYLEIK WILLIAMS, OHIO STATE
As required by the nature of today's game, Williams can scoot further out to a three-technique. However, he's best suited to be a run-stuffing nose tackle in a 3-4 defense. That's why, most likely, Williams is a Day 2 pick given a ceiling on his versatility. That being said, he possesses all of the great traits of being a good interior run-stopper. His pass-rush arsenal needs significant refinement, but if he ever develops that part of his game, he can be a phenomenal get in this draft.
7. T.J. SANDERS, SOUTH CAROLINA
Sanders is a true three-technique who possesses impressive quickness and a high motor. He needs to be coached up quite a bit on run defense and as a pass rusher, but that seldom deters teams from taking a chance on a player like Sanders. He's likely a second-round pick because in addition to his college production and relentless motor, he's of ideal size at 6-4, 297 pounds with decent arm length at 33 1/8 inches. His game is all about quickness and active hands. He just needs some development to turn into a quality player.
8. ALFRED COLLINS, TEXAS
At 6-6 and 332 pounds, Collins is an absolute house. When he's technically sound, he's nearly impossible to move. He has great length with 34 5/8-inch arms, and is also very strong. His biggest knock is being slow to disengage from blocks, both in run defense and when rushing the passer. That obviously has to improve, otherwise he'll just become a rotational player. But, as one NFC personnel director told NFL.com, "He's a legit specimen. With the right coaching, he could end up taking off and becoming the best interior player in this class."
9. JOSHUA FARMER, FLORIDA STATE
Farmer is most likely a later Day 2 pick, a potential option for the Steelers in the third round. He has great size at 6-3, 305 pounds, and best fits as a defensive end in a 3-4 scheme. However, his size, strength and 35-inch arms make him an eventual option as an eventual two-gap defender. Farmer needs to improve his mechanics playing more as a three-technique, as he tends to gets walled off by blockers too often in run defense. He could also benefit from adding more tricks to the bag in his pass-rush game.
10. JAMAREE CALDWELL, OREGON
Caldwell is most likely a later Day 2 or early Day 3 pick in this year's draft, but that's only because the defensive tackle position is so deep. At 6-2 and 332 pounds, Caldwell is more of a nose tackle, but is athletic enough to play the three-technique in the Steelers' front when in sub-packages. He's more of a run stopper than a pass rusher, and he needs to be coached up on some technique. But those are perhaps the two things holding him back the most. If he's available in the third or fourth round, he could be a very nice find.
Want to participate in our comments?
Want an ad-free experience?
Become a member, and enjoy premium benefits! Make your voice heard on the Steelers, Penguins and Pirates, and hear right back from tens of thousands of fellow Pittsburgh sports fans worldwide! Plus, access all our premium content, including Dejan Kovacevic columns, Friday Insider, daily Live Qs with the staff, more! And yeah, that's right, no ads at all!
We’d love to have you!