NFL Draft defensive tackle stud, sleeper and deep-sleeper picks in 2025
The 2025 NFL Draft is absolutely loaded with defensive tackle talent.
Whether you're looking for a 330-pound space-eater to clog up running lanes or a nimble, powerful gap-shooter to harass quarterbacks, you'll have a proper selection of future stars, starters and role players across April's 257 picks.That begins with Michigan monster Mason Graham.
While he's as much a sure thing as anyone in the 2025 class, there are several high value consolation prizes lined up behind him.
So let's take a closer look.
The goal of this series is to break down one stud, one sleeper and one player who may not have his name called in Green Bay and examine what they bring to the NFL table.2025 NFL DRAFT: EDGE rusher stud, sleeper and deep-sleeper picks.Studs are players with first-round grades.
Their inclusion here doesn't necessarily mean they're the best at their position just that they're worth singling out for a deeper look.
Sleepers are prospects slated for selection in the middle or toward the end of the 2025 NFL Draft.
REM cycle stars the deep-sleepers will likely be undrafted free agents after pick No.
257 is read.
That's going to create an uphill battle to find a roster spot, but these could be bargain pickups who play key roles for playoff teams.Let's talk about three guys who could have big NFL impacts from three very different draft positions this spring.Stud: Mason Graham, MichiganIn his two years as a starter at Michigan, Graham has shined for an NFL head coach (Jim Harbaugh in 2023's national title winning team) and a longtime NFL defensive coordinator (Don "Wink" Martindale, who came in post-Harbaugh).
He thrived under both, racking up 15 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks in that stretch and playing way, way above those stats.The 300-plus pounder -- his playing weight was clocked at 320 at Michigan, was down to 296 at the combine and 306 at the Wolverines' pro day -- is a rising tide.
He is the crank that raises the floodgates, inundating the backfield with a swarm of rushers ready to overtake a quarterback.
He is a low-anchored beast who understands how to make himself as immovable as possible.
He uses the slightest overcorrection from whomever is blocking him as an opportunity to introduce them to the ground.Graham's ridiculous athleticism -- quick feet and stunning lateral movement -- set the stage.
He capitalizes with an innate sense of leverage, prying up entrenched guards or spinning them like turnstiles.
He may never have a double-digit sack season in the NFL.
But he will be responsible for several of his teammates getting there over what's likely to be a long, fruitful career.Sleeper: Jared Harrison-Hunte, SMU Harrison-Hunte's 290-pound frame will likely limit him to gap duty in the NFL.
That's perfect, because that's where his explosive first step can shine brightest.He's a late bloomer in every sense.
He was a modest contributor at Miami who didn't break out as a draft prospect until moving to SMU.
Of his career-high 6.5 sacks, 4.5 came as the Mustangs made their push to the College Football Playoff in the final four games of 2024.
He's quickly ascending, and his athletic profile suggests we have yet to see the peak of his power.Harrison-Hunte does his best work slicing through creases, using an explosive first step and quick hips to slide through tight spaces and into the backfield.
He identifies the ball well, sliding to block running lanes, picking up on play action passes and, as seen above, making himself a real headache on interior screens.But part of his charm is a relative svelte-ness for a tackle.
He's able to shoot gaps effectively because he's leaner than most lane-cloggers at 6-foot-3 and 290 pounds.
There's a chance NFL guards wash him out, and the quick pulls of Sunday's run games minimize his window to wreak havoc in the backfield.
He's a proper athlete who should have a place on a 53-man roster, but he's still got room to grow -- and at 25 years old, it's fair to wonder if he's got the same ceiling as a younger prospect at the same spot.REM cycle star: Thor Griffith, LouisvilleGriffith was my wild card on last year's way-too-early big board.
The former All-Ivy League star is one of the few men capable of living up to his name thanks to freakish athleticism (a 4.9-second 40 at 305 pounds with a reported 1.65-second 10-yard split) and ridiculous strength (42 bench press reps at 225 pounds at Louisville's pro day).Griffith wins with power and explosion, holding his place on run plays and bullying guards into the pocket on dropbacks.
His bulk, speed and twitchiness means he can be effective over center or in the gaps, bringing flexibility to his defense.
This manifested in 13.5 sacks and more than a tackle for loss per game in 30 contests at Harvard.The move to ACC competition was tricky.
He had six tackles for loss and three sacks last fall with the Cardinals.
He's slightly undersized at 6-foot-2 and, importantly, needs to keep adding to his pass rushing toolbox.
His power moves won't have the same efficacy against NFL linemen.Still, he's a monster with raw talent yet to be mined.
Griffith may be a developmental player, but the juice is worth the squeeze.
He understands how to turn his strength and size into leverage.
The right coach can nurture that base and help him blossom into a three-down player on Sundays.Previously:NFL Draft wide receiver stud, sleeper and deep sleeper picks in 2025 (Travis Hunter! Will Sheppard!)NFL Draft running back stud, sleeper and deep sleeper picks in 2025 (Omarion Hampton! DJ Giddens!)NFL Draft tight end stud, sleeper and deep sleeper picks in 2025 (Tyler Warren! Oronde Gadsden II!)NFL Draft offensive line stud, sleeper and deep sleeper picks in 2025 (Josh Simmons! William & Mary road-grader Charles Grant!)NFL Draft EDGE rusher stud, sleeper and deep sleeper picks in 2025 (Mike Green! Ashton Gillotte!)This article originally appeared on For The Win: 2025 NFL Draft: Stud, sleepers at DT, from Mason Graham to Thor Griffith.
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