Remember how I published some of the feedback I got on tight ends in this draft class? Well, even before I wrote this piece on the interior defensive line, my phone was blowing up. The issue was this line in my NFL Notebook from this past weekend: ‘This interior defensive line class is lean. Like, maybe only 4 or 5 players going in the top 100.’
It started with one scout talking about the number of draftable prospects they had on their board this year (mid-20s). I was quick to point out that his comments had nothing to do with what I wrote (See? I don’t just chirp back at just you all in the comments).
Another believed the number could be double what I suggested. I understood where he was coming from, but wondered whether other positions (edge and WR in particular) would push a few of these players into the fourth round. That retort wasn’t met with much resistance, although I was reminded that football people still lean on the old phrase, “Bigger is better.” Duly noted.
Overall, this class is heavy on run stuffers, and very few have shown they can actually rush the passer (though a couple have definite potential). Bottom line, there are a bunch of rotational players who will go later on day 2, and a majority on day 3. And that’s why I still wonder if teams will decide to take a dude with a higher ceiling at another spot than ‘settle’ on a first-down or run-only DT.
TOP TIER: Kayden McDonald, Ohio St (6’2”, 327); Caleb Banks, Florida (6’6”, 327)
If you want someone who will be in the league for a decade and just be solid as a rock, that’s McDonald. Hard to move and hard to run against. “Wears the hard hat every day and gives you everything he’s got,” said one assistant. “I think he’s gonna make some team very happy because you’re going to get a high-floor player who finds himself in the backfield a lot against the run game.”
“He can push the pocket,” said another assistant, “but there’s not much pass-rushing juice beyond that. He’s a nose in a 3-4. And he’ll be a good one at that.”
There are some questions about how good an athlete McDonald is, which is why most wonder whether he’ll ever develop enough to play all three downs. He didn’t test.
Banks has the potential to be a planet-type player, but inconsistent production and a foot injury that’s reared its head for a second time could very well cost him round one money. I’d be hard-pressed to find another player who spent as much time in the backfield as this dude did but had as little to show for it. Banks doesn’t tackle well. It shouldn’t be that hard to teach him, should it?
“The way he moves in tight spaces is mind-boggling,” one scout texted. “And he closes on whoever has the ball. But damn kid, get ‘em on the ground.”
“If he gets his hands on you first, he’s winning,” added an assistant. “Gotta clean up the technique and definitely needs to work on lowering his pad level (not easy at 6’6”). I also question his motor.”
Huge hands (10 7/8”) and his arm length was tops at the combine for interior DL (35”).
TIER TWO: Peter Woods, Clemson (6’2.5”, 310); Christen Miller (6’4”, 321)
Woods went into the year as a potential top-10 pick. Like the rest of the Tigers, he didn’t perform well enough to justify that. Another guy who decided not to do anything this spring. Why? His 2024 tape is littered with athletic plays. 2025? Not so much.
“Inconsistent,” one scout noted. “Can you get him to level out his play? If you can, there’s enough talent there to be a first-rounder.”
Miller has heavy hands and jolts dudes. Believe it or not, at that size, he needs to get stronger, but certainly has the frame to handle it. Played on the nose. Smart player. Has a good idea of what is coming and responds accordingly.
“Not going to be much of a pass rusher,” that scout added. “He plays with great energy, and while he wasn’t a full-time player, never cheated his team with how hard he plays and how well he handled the run. Stack and shed. Stack and shed. Lather, rinse, repeat.”
TIER THREE: Tim Keenan, Alabama (6’1”, 327); Domonique Orange, Iowa St (6’2”, 322)
If you want a rotational run stuffer, give me Keenan on day three. Built like a fire hydrant. Or as the kids say, ‘Thicc.’ Excellent lower-body explosion (see his 30” vertical jump at that size. I couldn’t jump over a Monday Boston Globe at this point). Team captain for the Crimson Tide.
“Handles double teams, and uses a club move to keep centers and guards from busing him,’ an assistant coach told me. “Hard to run at it.”
Can push the pocket (better tape in 2024). Had tightrope ankle surgery before the start of this past season. Good hands. Not going to be a star, but can play in this league and play for a long time.
The Iowa State defense is odd. They don’t play like that in the NFL. Tons of slanting and weird fronts, and I wonder how that style will be received at Penn State (head coach just made the leap). Orange is nicknamed the “Big Citrus.” Benches 450 pounds. Squats 650. Vertical jump 34”. FREAK. That athleticism could allow him to not only play the nose, but also be a big-bodied 3-4 defensive end.
“Quick. Not fast. Don’t expect him to chase down ball carriers outside the edge,” according to one scout. “This is one powerful dude, and that’s how he wins. Could use that strength even more, and would be helped by using his hands more and better.”
Had some injury issues that made his 2025 tape not look as good as 2024 tape.
TIER FOUR: Darrell Jackson, Florida St (6’5”, 330); Lee Hunter, Texas Tech (6’3.5”, 320)
Jackson came into the season looking like a potential first-round pick. He was the Seminoles' defensive MVP, but at that size, he has pad-level issues and got pushed around a little more than someone with this skill set should. His paws are massive (11”) and could blot out the sun. If he does get them on an offensive line and is more sound technique-wise, forget about it. The problem is, you don’t see that on tape enough. Ditto with his pass rush. Occasionally, Jackson puts it all together, and you say, “Damn.” Can his coach get that power to show at all times?
“If he ends up in round four, I roll the dice,” said one coach. “But anything before that changes the expectation and I’m not sure he’s ever going to get there.”
Hunter ends up on the list because of consensus. I don’t see it. Lacks consistency. Not a great athlete (his vertical jump was 21.5” and broad jump 8’4”). Borderline Hall of Fame bad body. Where is the explosiveness? Also, considered a different kind of cat.
Those who like him say Hunter can hold his own at the point of attack, gets low and stays low, and is capable of pushing the pocket if caught on the field in passing situations. Bull rushed everybody at the Senior Bowl in drills.
Others of note: Albert Regis, Texas A&M (6’1”, 295); Demonte Capeheart, Clemson (6’5”, 313); Albert McClellan, Missouri (6’4”, 313); Zxavian Harris, Ole Miss (6’8, 330); David Blay, Miami (6’4”, 303); Zane Durant, Penn St (6’1”, 290); Gracen Halton, Oklahoma (6’3”, 293)
If I were to make a case for any one or two players in this grouping, it would be Regis and Halton. Halton is a crazy good athlete (4.82 40, 36.5” vertical, 9’6” broad jump), and his testing numbers reveal that explosiveness. He’s got some quickness as a pass rusher. However, Halton is undersized, and that shows up at times against strong centers or if he tries to anchor versus a double team.
Regis is another good athlete, and his motor is always running. His effort is noteworthy, especially as an undersized nose for the Aggies. Regis managed, though, by staying low and having a powerful lower half. There’s not much pass rush to speak of, and I doubt that’s ever going to show up. He doesn’t have long arms, and you see it.
“He’s a good player,” one scout texted. “Not a star. But you’ll be happy to have him on your team.”
As for the rest, McClellan has 11” hands. I mean, he might be able to palm two basketballs with that. Between his size and those hands, he can control blockers when he plays with good technique. But that consistency eludes him.
Harris is a giant human being and can be an absolute force at times. He does, however, have a DUI in 2023 and a domestic charge against him in 2024. Blay is a bit of an unknown, having transferred from La.Tech to Miami, but he was a good engine on the Hurricanes' terrific front.
MAPU MOVING ON OUT
Shortly after leaking their intentions to waive Marte Mapu, the Patriots instead swung a deal with the Texans, shipping their 2023 3rd round pick - and a 2027 7th rounder - to Houston for a 2027 6th rounder. Thus ends a Bill Belichick experiment that never panned out.
Mapu was a safety/linebacker hybrid who didn’t find a position until this year - he played in dime at the linebacker level - and even that was hardly groundbreaking in terms of his performance, earning 12% of the defensive snaps (13 tackles, INT, 5 PBUs). And while he was a valued member on special teams, including being the personal protector on punts, the team clearly didn’t think there was a place for him on the roster, even with a base salary of $1.5 milion.
This move makes a thin linebacker group even thinner (released Jahlani Tavai and let Jack Gibbens leave via free agency), which is why I profiled the 2026 Draft class. I’d be surprised if the Pats don’t take one, and add some competition behind starters Robert Spillane and Christian Elliss.