2025 NFL Draft: A Defensive Line Bonanza

The upcoming 2025 NFL Draft is shaping up to be a feast for teams seeking to bolster their defensive lines. While the overall class may lack the transcendent superstar talent seen in some years, with the possible exception of two-way standout Travis Hunter, analysts are unanimous in their assessment of the defensive line depth and quality. A plethora of potential starters and impact players are expected to be available, making it a prime opportunity for teams to revitalize their pass rush and run defense.

NFL Media’s draft guru, Daniel Jeremiah, highlighted the contrast between this year’s class and previous years, stating, "But we do have a boatload of starters, particularly the defensive line. A bunch of really, really good players." The absence of a quarterback frenzy at the top, unlike the six signal-callers selected in the first 12 picks of the previous draft, further emphasizes the focus on the defensive front.

This emphasis is only heightened by the recent Super Bowl victory of the Philadelphia Eagles, a team whose dominant defensive line performance proved pivotal in their triumph over the Kansas City Chiefs. The impact of a strong defensive front is undeniable, and teams across the league are eager to replicate that success.

Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles echoed this sentiment at the NFL Combine, stating, "You can’t have enough good ones. I think we all watched that last game of the season." The importance of a relentless pass rush and a stout defensive line is not lost on NFL decision-makers.

The pre-combine rankings and mock drafts further solidify the defensive line’s prominence. USA TODAY Sports’ top 50 prospect rankings featured eight defensive linemen in the top 20 and sixteen in the top 50. Similarly, their pre-combine mock draft projected eleven defensive linemen to be selected in the first round.

ESPN draft analyst Jordan Reid anticipates a significant number of pass rushers being scooped up early. "It’s a great edge-rusher draft," Reid stated, envisioning six or seven pure pass rushers taken in Round 1 and 10 or 11 defensive linemen overall.

One of the most highly touted prospects in the class is Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter. Despite a stress fracture in his foot preventing him from working out at the Combine, Carter has emerged as a potential No. 1 overall pick in several mock drafts. While the Tennessee Titans, who hold the top pick, have a pressing need at quarterback, Carter’s floor is projected to be within the top 5 selections.

Beyond Carter, the 2025 draft boasts a deep pool of potential first-round talent along the defensive line. This includes a host of names.

The depth extends beyond the highly-regarded prospects, with numerous players capable of making an impact at the next level. "I think defensive line is far and away, outside of running back, the deepest position in this year’s draft," Reid emphasized.

Among the players projected to be selected outside the top tier, Ohio State’s Jack Sawyer and Arkansas’ Landon Jackson represent valuable additions.

Several teams picking within the top 10 have clear needs along the defensive line, including the Jacksonville Jaguars (fifth) and the Carolina Panthers (eighth). The Georgia Bulldogs are also heavily represented. Daniel Jeremiah suggests that the New Orleans Saints, selecting ninth, would be wise to select a Bulldog defensive lineman.

"(Walker) makes all the sense in the world for them," Jeremiah said. "Hes just so dynamic. Not only just with the talent that he brings, I think in year one with Kellen Moore, having someone like that who is going to take your message and spread it around. Hes that type of dude. That one to me would be a home run."

“Then I think Mykel Williams is the next one that would be a worthy candidate for where that slot is. I think hes another one, maybe (be) a little patient with him, but its all in there, and the upside is tremendous. I think all those guys – or both those guys would be legit options and would provide some serious juice to a pass rush.”

The Philadelphia Eagles, having already benefitted from the influx of Georgia defensive talent with players like Nolan Smith, Jalen Carter, and Jordan Davis, are a prime example of the success teams can achieve by targeting Bulldogs. General manager Howie Roseman has continued this trend, drafting Georgia products at other defensive levels.

"We’ve seen how these Georgia guys have been able to produce, whether it’s in Philadelphia or other teams, that if I was the GM, I would be running the card in, really trying to draft these guys, just because they’ve translated so well over the past few years," Reid explained.

Walker’s versatility is a valuable asset, as his size (6-2, 245 pounds) allows him to play multiple positions along the defensive front.

Stewart, a Texas A&M product, possesses the physical tools and potential to excel as an outside guy. While his sack production may not be eye-popping, his overall impact on the game is undeniable.

"I wasn’t a sack-chasing warrior," Stewart said. "I just wanted to become the best player for my team. And sometimes the stats don’t show that."

Nic Scourton, another member of the "stacked" Texas A&M defensive line, has also garnered attention. Several other defensive linemen, including Louisiana State’s Sai’vion Jones, Ahmed Hassanein of Boise State, and Oluwafemi Oladejo of UCLA, contribute to the draft’s depth.

Louisville edge rusher Ashton Gillote acknowledges the fierce competition among defensive linemen in this year’s class.

"We just have a lot of good depth this year," Gillote said. "It’s definitely more of a defensive draft, I feel like."

Reid compares the current class to the 2019 draft, which yielded a remarkable number of successful defensive linemen, including Josh Allen, Nick Bosa, Quinnen Williams, Dexter Lawrence, Jeffrey Simmons, Brian Burns, Rashan Gary, Montez Sweat, and Ed Oliver. Even players selected in later rounds, such as Zach Allen, Maxx Crosby, and Andrew Van Ginkel, have emerged as stars.

Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn values the versatility of the 2025 defensive line class, noting the ability of players to excel in multiple roles.

"The creativity part – I think that’s what I see most in this group," Quinn said.

Big ends can rush from the outside, and edge rushers can play inside, creating matchup advantages for defensive coordinators.

Ultimately, the key is finding players who can consistently win at the point of attack. Jeremiah emphasizes the importance of identifying players who are violent, explosive, and twitchy – "VET" players who can disrupt opposing offenses.

"Those are the guys that I think you want," Jeremiah said, "because that’s what we just saw win the Super Bowl."

The 2025 NFL Draft presents a golden opportunity for teams seeking to upgrade their defensive lines. The depth and quality of the defensive line class promise to reshape the landscape of NFL defenses for years to come.