Ranking 12 defensive tackles in the 2026 NFL Draft

GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 29: Caleb Banks #88 of the Florida Gators celebrates after recovering a fumble against the Florida State Seminoles during the second quarter of the game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on November 29, 2025 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images) | Getty Images

It’s NFL Draft Season! Before you read, some important context…

I’ve ranked these players based on the Eagles’ needs and scheme fit. So while I may rate player ‘X’ higher than player ‘Y’ on pure talent, ‘Y’ could rank higher here due to fit or need. Focus more on tiers than exact order. Players in the same tier have similar grades, with minimal separation. I may note injury or off-field concerns, but they aren’t factored into rankings that often due to limited information. If a player isn’t listed, I haven’t evaluated them yet. I’ll try to get to as many prospects as possible.

You can find more on my podcast, and I’ll be releasing some videos on these prospects over on Patreon.

Defensive Line

This is a weak defensive tackle class overall, which suits the Eagles reasonably well as they don’t have a glaring need at the position. The recent Jordan Davis extension reduces the urgency at nose tackle, and the starting trio of Davis, Jalen Carter, and Moro Ojomo is strong. However, both Carter and Ojomo are entering contract years, so the Eagles may need to look for a future option who can step into a starting role in the coming seasons if either or both move on.

The more immediate concern is the DT4 spot. Fourth-round pick Ty Robinson had a difficult rookie season, and Byron Young really struggled when asked to play, which hurt the Eagles’ run defense at times. If Robinson can’t establish himself as a reliable run defender, adding a DT4 with genuine run-stopping ability becomes a priority. The ideal target is someone who can hold up against the run on early downs and provide meaningful depth behind the starters.

This is a weak enough class that there is no first-round defensive tackle worth considering for the Eagles this year. Tier 1 begins in the second round for me.

Tier 1: Round 2

1. Caleb Banks, Florida

Overall: Banks barely played in 2024, and he’s a risky pick for a number of reasons, but he has rare size and an extraordinary physical profile that teams will inevitably fall for. The talent is real; the question is whether it ever translates consistently onto the field.

Eagles Thoughts: Banks is raw, but someone is going to take him early. He will almost certainly be gone before the Eagles are looking to address this position.

2. Christen Miller, Georgia

Overall: A powerful interior defender whose strength and Georgia pedigree make him a reliable run defender with upside as a pass rusher. His physicality and motor are consistent positives across the film.

Eagles Thoughts: If Miller fell to the Eagles’ second-round pick, I think Howie Roseman is going to be very tempted, even if it would be a significant luxury given the roster context. Miller would instantly improve the Eagles’ run defense and could develop further over the next few seasons. This is the guy I could see the Eagles being very high on at the top of this board.

3. Kayden McDonald, Ohio State

Overall: A massive interior presence whose size and strength make him a natural run-stuffing defensive tackle with clear early-down value. He lacks the juice as a pass rusher that would make him a three-down player.

Eagles Thoughts: I have interest in a reliable run-stuffing defensive tackle as the Eagles’ DT4, but McDonald will go far too early before the Eagles look to address this position. The fit also feels unlikely given the Jordan Davis extension. Another space-eating nose is a hard sell on this roster right now.

4. Peter Woods, Clemson

Overall: A boom/bust prospect who could develop into a decent pass rusher as a 3-technique. He doesn’t have the size or length to be a full-time player at the next level, and his inconsistency is a concern.

Eagles Thoughts: I can’t see the Eagles spending that high on a defensive tackle this year, and I’d be very surprised if they targeted Woods at a premium pick. Not the right profile

Tier 2: Round 3

5. Lee Hunter, Texas Tech

Overall: An older prospect whose film is solid, but a disappointing combine has raised real questions about whether he has the athleticism to be anything more than an early-down run defender at the next level.

Eagles Thoughts: If he falls to the third round after a difficult combine, the Eagles could consider him as a valuable run defender. However, the athletic concerns are real, and I’m not convinced his role on an Eagles roster is worth spending a high pick on.

6. Domonique Orange, Iowa State

Overall: A stout, extremely strong interior lineman whose strength and leverage make him a dependable run defender. Orange uses his power well and is a difficult player to move off his spot at the point of attack.

Eagles Thoughts: I’m immediately interested in anyone nicknamed “Big Citrus”, and if he’s available in the third round, I think the Eagles will be tempted too. Orange is a reliable run defender with great size, which is exactly the DT4 profile worth targeting.

7. Gracen Halton, Oklahoma

Overall: An undersized but disruptive interior defender whose quickness and penetration ability are real strengths. Halton is rising up draft boards following an impressive combine, and his burst and first-step quickness have caught a lot of attention.

Eagles Thoughts: If the Eagles want a lightweight pass rusher at the back end of Day 2, Halton is the man. I’m always drawn to these explosive undersized rushers, but I’m not sure this is the profile the Eagles will be prioritizing at DT4, as they need someone who can help in the run game, not just rush the passer.

8. Chris McClellan

Overall: A versatile interior defender whose athletic tools and alignment flexibility give him genuine upside as a rotational disruptor. He has developmental pass-rush potential and can line up in multiple gaps.

Eagles Thoughts: McClellan is a personal Day 3 target precisely because of his positional versatility. He may not be an elite talent, but he can play multiple roles and could be a very useful DT4 for this roster.

Tier 3: Round 4

9. Kaleb Proctor, Southeastern Louisiana

Overall: A long, small-school interior defensive lineman whose athletic traits give him developmental upside as a rotational pass rusher. Proctor may take time to develop, but the raw tools are there to make the investment worthwhile.

Eagles Thoughts: Proctor’s struggles against the run are a concern, as that’s the primary need at DT4 right now. But if the Eagles want a Day 3 developmental pick with pass-rush potential, Proctor makes some sense as a long-term project.

10. Darrell Jackson Jr, Florida State

Overall: A big nose tackle with the ability to be an excellent run defender at the next level. He doesn’t do a great deal outside of his run-stopping role, which limits his overall profile as a rotational piece.

Eagles Thoughts: Even as a 1-technique, he gets moved too often for a player of his size. There’s work to be done, and I wouldn’t have any interest until the start of Day 3. The Eagles are also unlikely to add another space-eating tackle after keeping Jordan Davis.

11. Zane Durant, Penn State

Overall: A quick, disruptive interior defender whose burst and penetration ability make him a pass-rush threat as a B-technique. He is too light for a full-time role and struggles to counter if he doesn’t win with his first move. There is a lot of work to do before he can contribute consistently at the next level.

Eagles Thoughts: Durant isn’t the profile I’d expect the Eagles to target at DT4 given the run defense needs, but if they want an undersized Day 3 pass-rushing tackle with some upside, I wouldn’t mind him as a late pick.

Tier 4: Round 5

12. Dontay Corleone, Cincinnati

Overall: A massive interior presence whose size and strength give him run-stopping potential, but he needs a significant amount of coaching and development before he can be trusted to contribute on an NFL roster.

Eagles Thoughts: I’m interested in a good run-stuffing DT4, but Corleone is a long-term project who needs a lot of work. As a late Day 3 flier on a big body with a high floor in the run game, he has some appeal, but expectations would need to be managed accordingly.

Thank you for reading! I’d love to hear your thoughts, so feel free to comment below and ask any questions. If you enjoyed this piece, you can find more of my work and podcasthere. If you would like to support me further, please check out my Patreon here!