Here are my initial 2025 NFL Draft defensive rankings by position.
Interior Defensive Line
1. Mason Graham, Michigan
2. Derrick Harmon, Oregon
3. Kenneth Grant, Michigan
4. Walter Nolen, Mississippi
5. Tyleik Williams, Ohio State
6. Darius Alexander, Toledo
7. T.J. Sanders, South Carolina
8. Alfred Collins, Texas
9. Deone Walker, Kentucky
10. Omarr Norman-Lott, Tennessee
Honorable Mention: Jordan Phillips, Maryland
EDGE
1. Abdul Carter, Penn State
2. Mike Green, Marshall
3. James Pearce Jr., Tennessee
4. Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M
5. Mykel Williams, Georgia
6. Nic Scourton, Texas A&M
7. Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College
8. Landon Jackson, Arkansas
9. Jack Sawyer, Ohio State
10. J.T. Tuimoloau, Ohio State
Honorable Mention: Oluwafemi Oladejo, UCLA
Linebacker
1. Jalon Walker, Georgia
2. Jihaad Campbell, Alabama
3. Demetrius Knight Jr., South Carolina
4. Barrett Carter, Clemson
5. Carson Schwesinger, UCLA
6. Danny Stutsman, Oklahoma
7. Chris Paul Jr., Mississippi
8. Jeffrey Bassa, Oregon
9. Smael Mondon Jr., Georgia
10. Cody Simon, Ohio State
Honorable Mention: Nick Martin, Oklahoma State
Cornerback
1. Will Johnson, Michigan
2. Travis Hunter, Colorado
3. Jahdae Barron, Texas
4. Shavon Revel Jr., East Carolina
5. Benjamin Morrison, Notre Dame
6. Azareye’h Thomas, Florida State
7. Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky
8. Trey Amos, Mississippi
9. Darien Porter, Iowa State
10. Dorian Strong, Virginia Tech
Honorable Mention: Nohl Williams, California
Safety
1. Malaki Starks, Georgia
2. Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina
3. Xavier Watts, Notre Dame
4. Andrew Mukuba, Texas
5. Kevin Winston Jr., Penn State
6. Sebastian Castro, Iowa
7. Malachi Moore, Alabama
8. Lathan Ransom, Ohio State
9. Jonas Sanker, Virginia
10. Billy Bowman Jr., Oklahoma
Honorable Mention: Dante Trader Jr., Maryland
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Georgia Athletics