Defensive Line Rankings 2026 NFL Draft

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LAST UPDATED: 05/02/2025

Player Rankings - Defensive Line

# Player Pos H/W/S Team Weight Height 40YD AVG POS RANK AVG OVR RANK Rating Summary
63

DT
Tywone
Malone Jr.

6-4 301lbs 5.00
DT
Ohio State   Mascot
Ohio State Mascot
301lbs 6-4 5.00 73 597
67.3
Malone can also win going speed-to-power, with the leg drive to push blockers back. He has violent hands and the long arms to ward off...
65

DE
Bryce
Carter

6-3 272lbs 4.90
DE
Virginia   Mascot
Virginia Mascot
272lbs 6-3 4.90 71 585.5
64.2
Excellent hustle-and-chase tackler. Good closing speed with change of direction to corral mobile quarterbacks. Carter has an excellent...
57

DL
Keeshawn
Silver

6-4 336lbs 4.90
DL
USC   Mascot
USC Mascot
336lbs 6-4 4.90 62 527.5
72.5
Strong tackler. Has good power in hands and can anchor, shed, and chase. Agile run-stopper at end, extends to grab backs from the backside...
59

DT
Stephiylan
Green

6-4 290lbs 4.90
DT
Clemson   Mascot
Clemson Mascot
290lbs 6-4 4.90 52 382
68.8
Green has the lateral agility and balance to cover two gaps, and Green shows some good closing burst when moving down the line in...
46

DL
Jehiem
Oatis

6-5 325lbs 4.90
DL
Colorado   Mascot
Colorado Mascot
325lbs 6-5 4.90 54 417.5
75.0
Oatis fits the mold of a rotational piece in an NFL defensive line, with the potential to develop into a starting nose tackle or...
38

DL/ED
Akheem
Mesidor

6-3 280lbs 4.90
DL/ED
Miami   Mascot
Miami Mascot
280lbs 6-3 4.90 38 254
77.0
Mesidor projects as a versatile defensive lineman who can contribute in both 3-4 and 4-3 schemes at the next level. His ability to...
49

DL
Gabriel
Rubio

6-5 316lbs 4.90
DL
Notre Dame   Mascot
Notre Dame Mascot
316lbs 6-5 4.90 61 510
74.4
Rubio has heavy hands and uses them aggressively, rocking offensive linemen back. He shows the ability to disengage and out-grapple...
52

DT
Jonathan
Jefferson

6-3 295lbs 4.90
DT
SMU   Mascot
SMU Mascot
295lbs 6-3 4.90 64 537
74.0
He’s a high-effort pass rusher who shows good initial quickness and the ability to beat blockers to the inside. He’s quick to react and...
18

DL
Aaron
Graves

6-4 300lbs 4.90
DL
Iowa   Mascot
Iowa Mascot
300lbs 6-4 4.90 23 113
84.7
16

DL
Rayshaun
Benny

6-4 296lbs 4.90
DL
Michigan   Mascot
Michigan Mascot
296lbs 6-4 4.90 21 96.7
85.6
10

DL
Christen
Miller

6-4 305lbs 4.90
DL
Georgia   Mascot
Georgia Mascot
305lbs 6-4 4.90 10 43
86.4
30

DL
James
Smith

6-3 296lbs 4.88
DL
Alabama   Mascot
Alabama Mascot
296lbs 6-3 4.88 25 140.3
80.8
Smith has an excellent motor and shows the stamina to last deep into the fourth quarter. Quick off the snap in the pass rush, Smith has...

2026 NFL Draft Athleticism Chart - Defensive Line

We've compared players post combine 40 times and weight and charted them on the scatter chart below. You'll find the 40 time on the Y-axis and on the X-axis the weight in pounds.
The exceptional athletic freaks (determined by the combination of speed vs weight) will be found at the top right of the chart while the less impressive athletes will be sitting towards the bottom left.

For a much improved viewing experience (with more players) please view on a larger screen.

2026 NFL Draft Athleticism Chart - Defensive Line

We've compared players 40 times and weight and charted them on the scatter chart below. You'll find the 40 time on the Y-axis and on the X-axis the weight in pounds.
The exceptional athletic freaks (determined by the combination of speed vs weight) will be found at the top right of the chart while the less impressive athletes will be sitting towards the bottom left.