The Post’s Ryan Dunleavy breaks down the top defensive linemen in the draft:
Regressed in 2025 but his 2024 tape shows flashes of dominance. Was he out of position? Motor runs hot enough to believe he will become more consistent. Twitchy, with first-step explosiveness. Needs more diverse rush plan after go-to move. Frequently double-teamed.
Knock-back power in his hands allowed him to live behind the line of scrimmage (nine tackles for loss) last season. Immovable object for opposing centers. Big numbers versus elite competition. Limited pass-rush ability, especially against moving pockets. One-year starter.
Played 43 games in SEC, but his path-clearing, run-defense impact is more in teammates’ box scores. Example of low pad level, heavy hands and impressive range. Could play nose tackle or three technique. Plays with fire and breathes it, too. Jolly giant.
‘A’-gap space-eater who absorbs double teams and stuffs the run. Durable Day 1-ready, high-floor prospect because of size-strength-length combination, with pass-rush upside. Bull-rush power on display at Senior Bowl. Conditioning needs work. Won’t fit every defense. Lacks explosion.
Underwent surgery after breaking foot at NFL combine and is sidelined until at least June. Unrelated to broken foot that limited him to three games last season. Bread-and-butter pass-rush move. Relies on athleticism and power over technique. Alignment versatility.
Prototypical, block-devouring 3-4 nose tackle with tree trunks (650-pound squatter) planted in ground. Drop in production last season as missed-tackle rate jumped. Non-factor pass-rusher with limited lateral movement. Nicknamed “Big Citrus.” Does he love football? Sheds contact with hand-to-hand combat.
Nose tackle who affects quarterbacks without sacks by collapsing pocket and sticking his hands up in sight lanes (10 passes defended) to make himself taller. Never blocked out of a play. Mature beyond his years. Caught lunging. Needs to master leverage.
Combination of strength, quickness and enormous wingspan. Used to winning with raw tools, so sloppy technique is exposed when he doesn’t. Feels like he is freelancing. Is he the effective pocket-pusher seen in 2024 or not? Doesn’t cede to double- or triple-teams.
No questions about his durability or work ethic. Scheme versatility, including a 3-4 end. Quick first step to shoot the gaps. Lacks secondary pass-rush moves. Shows awareness of offense’s tricks. Finishes solo tackles. Needs to add lower-body strength.
Three appearances on The Athletic’s annual Freaks list. Boom moments when athleticism drops jaws. Bust moments when he is washed out of a play as rushers run through his lane. Sniffs out screens. Nimble feet. Needs pass rush countermoves.
Gracen Halton, Oklahoma, 6-3, 293
High-energy “tweener” who offers interior pass-rushing ability (8.5 sacks since 2024). Uses swim move and agilely gets skinny through the gaps. Closing burst. Could get eliminated by power guards. Needs a scheme or rotation that highlights his particular skills.
Zxavian Harris, Ole Miss, 6-8, 330
Built like a supervillain. Long arms (34 ⁵/₈ inches) reach around blockers and touch the sky (six career blocked kicks). Pad level and footwork will be constant points of reinforcement. Makes plays from the backside. Two arrests, including domestic violence charge.
Kaleb Proctor, Southeastern Louisiana, 6-2, 291
Southland Conference Defensive Player of the Year whose two-sack game vs. LSU put him on the map. Technique and acceleration to get to the quarterback in few steps. Deep bag of tricks. Undersized to play on the interior against the run.
