Defensive Line Rankings 2026 NFL Draft

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LAST UPDATED: 03/20/2025

Player Rankings - Defensive Line

# Player Pos H/W/S Team Weight Height 40YD AVG POS RANK AVG OVR RANK Rating Summary
37

DE
Dylan
Brooks

6-4 240lbs 4.60
DE
Kansas   Mascot
Kansas Mascot
240lbs 6-4 4.60 65 479
73.0
Quick to read run, showing good agility and speed to get past blockers and finish. Experienced in coverage and gets a strong jam on outside...
38

DL
Gabriel
Rubio

6-5 316lbs 4.90
DL
Notre Dame   Mascot
Notre Dame Mascot
316lbs 6-5 4.90 69 493.5
72.6
Rubio has heavy hands and uses them aggressively, rocking offensive linemen back. He shows the ability to disengage and out-grapple...
39

DE/ED
Keaten
Wade

6-4 245lbs 4.45
DE/ED
Kentucky   Mascot
Kentucky Mascot
245lbs 6-4 4.45 54 393.5
72.5
Raw talent with a sky-high ceiling, but currently more of a traits-based prospect than a polished product. His transfer to Colorado...
40

DT
Keyon
Ware-Hudson

6-2 305lbs 4.80
DT
Penn State   Mascot
Penn State Mascot
305lbs 6-2 4.80 71 500.5
70.0
His hand use is excellent; he’s strong in the upper body and consistently swats away blockers. He’s a high-effort pass rusher who shows...
41

DL
Tyler
Johnson

6-4 280lbs 4.81
DL
Colorado   Mascot
Colorado Mascot
280lbs 6-4 4.81 92 595.5
69.0
42

DL/ED
Clayton
Smith

6-4 240lbs 4.64
DL/ED
Arizona State   Mascot
Arizona State Mascot
240lbs 6-4 4.64 72 502.5
66.1
Smith shows good quickness off the line of scrimmage and flashes the violent hands to win around the edge. He’s a capable blitzer with...
43

DT
Jonathan
Jefferson

6-3 295lbs 4.90
DT
SMU   Mascot
SMU Mascot
295lbs 6-3 4.90 79 540
65.4
He’s a high-effort pass rusher who shows good initial quickness and the ability to beat blockers to the inside. He’s quick to react and...
44

DE
Tunmise
Adeleye

6-4 295lbs 4.75
DE
Texas State   Mascot
Texas State Mascot
295lbs 6-4 4.75 80 542.5
65.1
Adeleye has decent enough flexibility to bend the edge, and Adeleye shows a good closing burst. He’s a high-effort pass rusher who shows...
45

DL/ED
Reggie
Grimes II

6-4 282lbs 4.77
DL/ED
Memphis   Mascot
Memphis Mascot
282lbs 6-4 4.77 89 588.5
63.1
Grimes can move laterally and chase in pursuit. A tough, violent tackler with a non-stop motor, Grimes also shows good awareness when...
46

DL/ED
Demon
Clowney

6-4 250lbs 4.55
DL/ED
Charlotte   Mascot
Charlotte Mascot
250lbs 6-4 4.55 100 619.5
61.3
With a powerful lower body and the ability to hold up at the point of attack as a run defender, Clowney is remarkably instinctive. He's...
47

DL
Damon
Payne Jr.

6-4 313lbs 5.20
DL
Michigan   Mascot
Michigan Mascot
313lbs 6-4 5.20 82 549
60.9
Despite his relatively tall frame, Payne typically plays with a low enough pad level and natural power to push the pocket with the bull...
48

DL/ED
Khordae
Sydnor

6-4 262lbs 4.47
DL/ED
Purdue   Mascot
Purdue Mascot
262lbs 6-4 4.47 105 672.5
57.2
Plays with leverage at the point of attack whether inside or outside. Keeps eyes in the backfield when inside; moves linemen to either side...

2026 NFL Draft Athleticism Chart - Defensive Line

We've compared players post combine 40 times and weight and charted them on the scatter chart below. You'll find the 40 time on the Y-axis and on the X-axis the weight in pounds.
The exceptional athletic freaks (determined by the combination of speed vs weight) will be found at the top right of the chart while the less impressive athletes will be sitting towards the bottom left.

For a much improved viewing experience (with more players) please view on a larger screen.

2026 NFL Draft Athleticism Chart - Defensive Line

We've compared players 40 times and weight and charted them on the scatter chart below. You'll find the 40 time on the Y-axis and on the X-axis the weight in pounds.
The exceptional athletic freaks (determined by the combination of speed vs weight) will be found at the top right of the chart while the less impressive athletes will be sitting towards the bottom left.