Ranking the 10 best defensive tackles in the 2026 NFL Draft

Anthony Licciardi

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Ranking the 10 best defensive tackles in the 2026 NFL Draft image

Much is left to be determined before the 2026 NFL Draft, but a regular season's worth of action has made it clear that teams in need of defensive upgrades are in luck.

While that's largely true across the field, and more so in the front-seven, this year's group of defensive tackles stands out as one of the best in recent memory.

With blue-chip prospects, various archetypes, and options reaching into Day 3, there's a lot to like about this crop of interior linemen.

2026 NFL Draft defensive tackle rankings

1. Peter Woods, Clemson (Early first round)

Woods began the season as the top player on my board, and while he may have loosened his grip on that spot, he still projects to be the best defensive tackle in this class. In a just world, that would make him an easy top-10 pick.

Woods is a violent run defender with an elite capacity for power in a 310-pound frame. He's a freak athlete with all the ingredients of a front-line pass-rushing option, and freeing himself from the double-teams he saw at Clemson should open the door for more production.

2. Kayden McDonald, Ohio State (First round)

McDonald isn't going to be chasing after double-digit sack seasons, but his NFL-ready run defense and nuance should slide him into the back half of Day 1.

MORE: Ohio State has sneaky chance to make history in Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft

McDonald is a force on early downs, operating with impressive leverage, technique, and anchor strength. He manipulates gaps well, is mobile enough to take snaps at multiple alignments, and has some pocket-pushing tendencies as a pass rusher. For teams looking to insulate the spine of their defense, McDonald is a plug-and-play starter with one of the class's highest floors.

3. Christen Miller, Georgia (Late first/early second round)

Miller is another pro-ready run defender whose combination of hand usage and burst is enticing. There's some pass-rushing upside to unlock with his blend of athleticism and power, although the production hasn't come to fruition.

That might ultimately hold him out of Round 1, especially as the league leans into pass-rushing prioritization. Even so, I'd be comfortable thrusting him into a starting role after sharpening iron against SEC competition over the past few seasons.

4. Caleb Banks, Florida (Late first/early second round)

The biggest thing keeping Banks out of sure-first Day 1 territory is a foot injury that cost him much of his platform year and some pass-rushing potency in his limited action. Tainting the sample of his redshirt season is a bit troubling, especially with just one season with more than one sack (4.5 in 2024).

There is exciting potential in his bull rush and a powerful frame that makes him instantly viable against the run. His ability to generate pressure as a nose tackle while winning in run defense across the line is reminiscent of Carolina Panthers star Derrick Brown. While I'm not all the way in on a high-sack ceiling, getting any production out of a 330-pounder on passing downs is a plus, and his run defense should translate easily.

5. A'Mauri Washington, Oregon (Second round)

Washington had legitimate first-round hype as a key player on a championship-caliber Oregon Ducks defense. He won't rank quite as high on my board.

Washington is a penetrating 1-tech who hasn't yet tapped into his pass-rushing potential, letting questions linger about his potency as an athletic force. He profiles as an average starter at the next level. A Year 3 breakout and a knack for not capitalizing as a tackler have me concerned, too. 

6. Lee Hunter, Texas Tech (Third round)

It can be difficult to disentangle the Red Raiders from their high-level peers along the defensive line. There are five real contributors on the unit, and each of them is taking strides toward Sunday football.

Hunter is a nose tackle who wins with an excellent anchor and an innate ability to manipulate gaps. His stock has ascended with his pass-rushing prowess, which is weirdly (but not unsustainably) high for someone of his size. Hunter is comfortable against the run and moves incredibly well for a 330-pound lineman.

7. Zane Durant, Penn State (Third round)

I know Durant had a down year -- Who didn't at Penn State? -- but the enticing flashes as a pass rusher have me willing to roll the dice. Durant has edge-level movement skills, including better bend than any interior lineman in the class. He can win with a surprising bull rush and has the athleticism to make plays on stunts and in pursuit. 

It isn't always pretty against the run. Ultimately, that may render him a rotational player, but one who can make an impact in a hyper-specific role. 

8. Domonique Orange, Iowa State (Late third/early fourth round)

Entering Week 0, Orange was an Iowa State stalwart with real Day 2 aspirations. He may have capitalized on them in 2025. "Big Citrus" wasn't very productive as a senior, but he's done enough to slot in as a fringe starter with an avenue to making an impact on early downs.

Orange is a quality run defender who has the frame and athleticism to take snaps at 0-, 1-, and 3-tech. He does enough as a pass rusher to stay on the field when necessary, although he took a step back in this regard as a senior.

9. Dontay Corleone (Late third/early fourth round)

Corleone isn't quite as short as his spiritual predecessor, Poona Ford. However, the Cincinnati product plays with similarly impressive leverage, and it has helped make him a rotational asset against the run.

Corleone's ability to two-gap is among the better individual traits in this class, and there is proof of concept as a pass rusher, too. Before an empty 2025, Corleone racked up 9.5 sacks and 17 tackles for loss in his prior three campaigns.

10. Darrell Jackson Jr. (Fourth round)

There is a narrow range of outcomes in Jackson's profile. He looks every part of a quality backup nose tackle, with room to grow into a lower-end starter. 

MORE: Darrell Jackson Jr. 2026 NFL Draft scouting report: FSU's top prospect vying for top 100

Jackson could be a top-100 pick for a team in desperate need of insulation against the run. He isn't quite as consistent with his anchor or pass rush as one would like, and he wins with his physical tools more than technique. That doesn't dismantle his profile, but it does add some hesitation to his Day 2 hopes.

Honorable mentions

  • Skyler Gill-Howard, Texas Tech (Late fourth/early fifth round): Rotational pass rusher who is currently most comfortable as a 3-4 defensive end. Plus athleticism and motor, with real limitations against the run.
  • C.J. Fite, Arizona State (Fifth round): Fite is a fine depth option at 3-tech who can move further inside when necessary and remain competent on early downs. There's limited pass-rush utility in his profile, but quality technique to bank on.

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Contributing Writer