Defensive Line Rankings 2026 NFL Draft

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LAST UPDATED: 03/20/2025

Player Rankings - Defensive Line

# Player Pos H/W/S Team Weight Height 40YD AVG POS RANK AVG OVR RANK Rating Summary
9

DE/ED
LT
Overton

6-5 283lbs 4.85
DE/ED
Alabama   Mascot
Alabama Mascot
283lbs 6-5 4.85 21 47
86.0
Overton brings a blend of physical tools and raw potential to the defensive line position. His frame and athleticism suggest scheme...
10

DE/ED
Matayo
Uiagalelei

6-5 270lbs 4.85
DE/ED
Oregon   Mascot
Oregon Mascot
270lbs 6-5 4.85 10 60
85.5
Plays with leverage at the point of attack whether inside or outside. Keeps eyes in the backfield when inside; moves linemen to either side...
29

DL
Thomas
Collins

6-1 285lbs 4.85
DL
Oregon State   Mascot
Oregon State Mascot
285lbs 6-1 4.85 33 276
78.5
He’s flexible enough to bend the edge, and he’s at his best when Collins can use his quickness and change-of-direction abilities to counter...
8

DL
James
Smith

6-3 296lbs 4.88
DL
Alabama   Mascot
Alabama Mascot
296lbs 6-3 4.88 7 45
86.4
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...
31

DL/ED
Akheem
Mesidor

6-3 280lbs 4.90
DL/ED
Miami   Mascot
Miami Mascot
280lbs 6-3 4.90 35 313
75.7
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...
43

DT
Jonathan
Jefferson

6-3 295lbs 4.90
DT
SMU   Mascot
SMU Mascot
295lbs 6-3 4.90 49 444
65.4
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...
36

DL
Jehiem
Oatis

6-5 325lbs 4.90
DL
Alabama   Mascot
Alabama Mascot
325lbs 6-5 4.90 41 370
73.3
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
Gabriel
Rubio

6-5 316lbs 4.90
DL
Notre Dame   Mascot
Notre Dame Mascot
316lbs 6-5 4.90 43 383
72.6
Rubio has heavy hands and uses them aggressively, rocking offensive linemen back. He shows the ability to disengage and out-grapple...
52

DT
Stephiylan
Green

6-4 290lbs 4.90
DT
Clemson   Mascot
Clemson Mascot
290lbs 6-4 4.90 106 883
45.6
Green has the lateral agility and balance to cover two gaps, and Green shows some good closing burst when moving down the line in...
49

DL
Keeshawn
Silver

6-4 336lbs 4.90
DL
Kentucky   Mascot
Kentucky Mascot
336lbs 6-4 4.90 80 718
55.1
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...
56

DE
Bryce
Carter

6-3 272lbs 4.90
DE
Virginia   Mascot
Virginia Mascot
272lbs 6-3 4.90 118 953
39.3
Excellent hustle-and-chase tackler. Good closing speed with change of direction to corral mobile quarterbacks. Carter has an excellent...
50

DT
Tywone
Malone Jr.

6-4 301lbs 5.00
DT
Ohio State   Mascot
Ohio State Mascot
301lbs 6-4 5.00 97 832
50.0
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...

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.