Defensive Line Rankings 2026 NFL Draft

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LAST UPDATED: 02/27/2025

Player Rankings - Defensive Line

# Player Pos H/W/S Team Weight Height 40YD AVG POS RANK AVG OVR RANK Rating Summary
49

DL
Keeshawn
Silver

6-4 336lbs 4.90
DL
Kentucky   Mascot
Kentucky Mascot
336lbs 6-4 4.90 81 717
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...
50

DT
Tywone
Malone Jr.

6-4 301lbs 5.00
DT
Ohio State   Mascot
Ohio State Mascot
301lbs 6-4 5.00 97 828
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...
51

DL
Elliot
Donald

6-3 275lbs 4.69
DL
Pittsburgh   Mascot
Pittsburgh Mascot
275lbs 6-3 4.69 104 875
46.2
With a powerful lower body and the ability to hold up at the point of attack as a run defender, Donald is remarkably instinctive. Donald...
52

DT
Stephiylan
Green

6-4 290lbs 4.90
DT
Clemson   Mascot
Clemson Mascot
290lbs 6-4 4.90 106 881
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...
53

DE/ED
Cade
Denhoff

6-5 255lbs 4.75
DE/ED
Clemson   Mascot
Clemson Mascot
255lbs 6-5 4.75 107 882
45.4
Denhoff has an excellent motor and shows the stamina to last deep into the fourth quarter. He explodes off the line with a quick first...
54

DL
Kelvin
Gilliam Jr.

6-3 295lbs 4.75
DL
Virginia Tech   Mascot
Virginia Tech Mascot
295lbs 6-3 4.75 108 886
44.9
A technician with a high motor, Gilliam has a variety of moves and displays exceptionally good hand use. Gilliam shows a strong finishing...
55

DL
Darnell
Jefferies

6-3 285lbs 5.09
DL
Minnesota   Mascot
Minnesota Mascot
285lbs 6-3 5.09 110 906
43.5
Jefferies is strong enough in the lower body to hold up at the point of attack, and Jefferies displays a good feel as a grappler in the...
56

DE
Bryce
Carter

6-3 272lbs 4.90
DE
Virginia   Mascot
Virginia Mascot
272lbs 6-3 4.90 118 951
39.3
Excellent hustle-and-chase tackler. Good closing speed with change of direction to corral mobile quarterbacks. Carter has an excellent...
57

DL/ED
Adonijah
Green

6-6 240lbs 4.62
DL/ED
Louisville   Mascot
Louisville Mascot
240lbs 6-6 4.62 124 991
35.6
He’s a capable blitzer with the ability to close quickly. He’s also very good in coverage, rangy with good awareness in zone coverage, and...

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.