Early DT Rankings - 2026 NFL Draft

Newt Westen

Top 10 Defensive Tackles

Over the last couple of weeks, I have been given the wonderful opportunity to pair my two loves in football, the NFL Draft and the Green Bay Packers. That opportunity comes from creating content for Cheesehead TV as their Lead Draft Analyst. For my early position rankings, I have been recording and sharing my thoughts on their YouTube channel and website. Please feel free to check them out! If you want a shorter, written synopsis, check out my rankings below. Until next time, Prost!

10. Tyler Onyedim (Texas A&M)

A redshirt senior, spending his final year of eligibility at Texas A&M after a four-year stint at Iowa State, Onyedim showcased his talents against the top competition in the country. Onyedim is an extremely explosive and athletic defensive tackle who has a knack for blowing up plays in the backfield. He has starred as a dominant run-stopping 3T, boasting a 12.9% stop rate. He will struggle with double teams, given his lighter frame, and lacks a true firm floor as a prospect. Expect his tools and traits to get him a nod from an organization looking to draft and develop an explosive inside defensive presence. Projected as a safe Day 3 pick post-100.

9. Ahmad Moten (Miami)

A redshirt junior with remaining eligibility, Moten thrived in Miami's loaded defensive front, often occupying double teams. At 324 pounds, he boasts a phenomenal first step and surprising movement for his size, allowing versatility as a potential 3-tech or nose tackle. His active hands help, though technique needs refinement for consistency. He edges out lower-ranked players with greater mass, presence, and three-down potential thanks to his early-down power and late-down athleticism. Day 2 upside.

8. Lee Hunter, "The Fridge" (Texas Tech)

Part of Texas Tech's high-powered defense, the aptly nicknamed The Fridge (6'3.5", 330 lbs) is a massive run-stuffing piece who has steadily risen. He checks the boxes as a two-gap nose tackle with a strong initial burst, length, and a nasty demeanor. Impressively, he's added legitimate pass-rush refinement, standing out in big games (e.g., against BYU). While his size brings athletic limitations in open-field speed, his power and improvement make him a notable riser. Likely a true nose tackle projection.

7. Aaron Graves (Iowa)

Graves embodies the classic Iowa defender: high motor, football IQ, and playing through the whistle. With a strong burst and versatility across run and pass downs, he excels in true pass-rush situations (20% win rate on obvious passing downs—one in five reps, elite for an interior player). Length concerns occasionally hinder stacking and shedding in the run game, but his smart approach and juice mitigate issues. A solid, high-upside versatile option.

6. Domonique Orange, "Big Citrus" (Iowa State)

One of the most intriguing pre-season prospects, Orange is a massive nose tackle (with nearly 34-inch arms) who generates natural leverage and excels at anchoring in the run game while flashing explosive pass-rush plans. This season saw a slight step back in consistency and technical polish, but his high run-defense floor, movement skills, and arm length keep him versatile. A pre-draft athletic testing standout could push him toward top-50 buzz if he recaptures his flashes of brilliance.

5. Kayden McDonald (Ohio State)

Regarded as the class's best pure nose tackle and an All-American, McDonald dominates as a two-gapping run stuffer who stacks, sheds, and dictates blocks. His early-down presence is elite, though pass-rush tools are limited (sufficient for third downs). A high-floor, high-impact run defender with top-32 potential in the right scheme.

4. Christen Miller (Georgia)

A high-floor run defender around 300 pounds, Miller brings versatility (3-tech, 4i, over center) and explosiveness to blow up plays in space. Productivity has been modest (zero sacks, 13 stops), marking him as more of a project with tools. Strong second-round grade for teams valuing interior disruption potential.

3. A'Mauri Washington (Oregon)

Washington combines mass (330 lbs) with rare speed and twitch, making him explosive at shooting gaps and anchoring against the run. His high floor stems from size and burst, though tackling consistency (13% miss rate) needs work. A potential three-down player with legitimate first-round buzz.

2. Caleb Banks (Florida)

At 6'6⅛" and 334 lbs with over 35-inch arms, Banks is highly disruptive, especially in 4i or odd-front defensive end alignments. He wins with length, active hands, and stack-and-shed ability. Injuries limited his sample size, but the tape shows first-round traits. Technique refinement remains a key development area.

1. Peter Woods (Clemson)

The shining star and clear top defensive tackle in the class, Woods is a potential top-five overall prospect. He blends mass, length, elite athleticism, and a technical approach for true three-down versatility. Dominant as a run defender with an explosive first step and a disruptive pass rush. High floor, high ceiling—easily the most complete and impactful interior prospect available.