Framing the Draft: Tierable Defensive Tackle/Linebacker/Safety Profiles
This is an interesting draft class. LB and S lack talent and depth, while DT is flush with both. Due to time constraints, we are combining a few positions this week and going up the spine of the defense!
I will put a bit of a twist on rankings, as this series will not just break down top 5s. Top 5s are important, of course, but it gets tedious to read about the same handful of prospects across multiple platforms. Therefore, we will go deeper, taking a couple of players to analyze from a few “tiers” of consensus rankings.
The 2024 class was less than ideal for LB and S. 2025 is no different. LBs are incredibly similar, with one true first-rounder (Edgerrin Cooper had that grade for me), a 2nd rounder, then a couple of late day-2 guys with some talent. Like in 2024, there are six probable top-100 safeties. However, two will certainly go top-40, maybe top-25. The depth is not great in this class at either spot. LB and S have only 12 players in the top 185 (a little over five rounds). If your team needs LB or S, you better jump early. Conversely, the DT class is loaded. There are 15 interior DL who could go in the top 100. There is high-end talent and depth in one of the deepest positions of the class. Like RB, it is a good year to need IDL!
Utilizing the consensus big board from www.nflmockdraftdatabase.com. The consensus top 12 DTs are on the left, LBs in the middle, and safeties on the right! For this iteration, we will frame and profile one DT, LB, and S from each tier! We will utilize the consensus as a breakdown for tiers: Top-50 picks, Next-50 probables, and Day 3 shots. Note: DTs will be closer to 1st rounders, early day-2, and later day-2, but we will lump them with LB & S here! Another note: all metric references will come from PFF’s database, while box-score stats are from The Athletic’s Dane Brugler’s “The Beast”.
In lieu of a brief tier breakdown, I would like to remind all IDP players: Patience is needed! We will rarely see players at these spots become superstars from day 1. Kyle Hamilton struggled in year 1 despite being the best Safety prospect since Derwin James. Daiyan Henley was a top-5 type LB this year after doing nothing as a rookie. Patience is the practice with IDP!
Tier 1 – Top 50 picks:
Players in this group: Graham, Grant, Nolen, Harmon, Campbell, Schwesinger, Starks, Emmanwori, Watts.
DT2: Walter Nolen, Ole Miss (Texas A&M)
Framing the draft: Nolen was the top recruit in his high school class before starting at Texas A&M. He showed flashes but disappointed overall in College Station before moving to Oxford for this season. With the Rebels, Nolen revived his career with a consensus All-American season. Views on him vary, especially with some “character concerns”, so his landing spot will be fascinating.
Tierable profile: Nolen makes his name against the run. In 2024, he had elite run defense metrics (his run-stop % was in the 96th percentile) while flashing as a rusher. Nolen is unrefined as a pass rusher, but his best moments are jaw-dropping. He is violent, explosive, and incredibly powerful, using his athletic ability to break blocks. Consistency will be a big question mark as he loses his technique and struggles with rush plans. However, the talent is clear and very real. If Nolen puts his immense talent together, he could become the next Jeffery Simmons, if not more. Nolen’s prowess against the run makes him interesting for IDP leagues, especially if he can tie in more rush presence. In DT leagues, he has top-10 pick potential.
LB2: Carson Schwesinger, UCLA
Framing the draft: Even six months ago, Schwesinger was an unknown prospect. He has blown up this season. He started for only one season with the Bruins, but what a season it was! He was an All-American after leading FBS in solo tackles and racking up impact plays. Schwesinger has become the consensus LB2 and an expected gem in round 2.
Tierable profile: Schwesinger is a see-ball-get-ball player who racked up tackles and ball-production in his one year starting. He has a high football IQ, reading and reacting at an elite level. His range is true sideline-to-sideline, with some coverage chops as well. He needs to improve in coverage, however hopefully more reps will help here. His biggest plus may be as a pass rusher, where he had the best PRWR amongst draft-eligible LBs. The range, elite tackle ability, rush prowess, and coverage chops are reminiscent of Logan Wilson (from my alma mater, Go Pokes!). His size will be a concern as he struggles with the strength and length of offensive linemen. The lack of starting experience also has to be a concern, though this season’s film seems very real. He is a worthy LB2 and should go in IDP drafts as a top-6 prospect.
S5: Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina
Framing the draft: Emmanwori is a certified freak. His combine testing is some of the best you will ever see, especially when you factor in his great size. His testing and raw ability have made him a tantalizing prospect who is a round-1 lock. I am lower on Emmanwori than consensus, but the talent and athleticism are beyond intriguing.
Tierable profile: Emmanwori is an excellent example of the NFL and fantasy ranking debate. He is my S5 for the NFL but is almost certainly the IDP DB1. He has been listed at Safety throughout his career, but has his best success in the box as a nickel-LB. Much like Jeremy Chinn, Emmanwori is a hybrid LB/DB who needs a lot of refinement as a football player. He is an explosive straight-line athlete but is stiff when changing directions, leading to struggles in coverage and block evasion. His instincts are lacking overall, but the range and length can make up for it most of the time. Like Chinn, he may have a few awesome years mixed into a journeyman career. However, if he hits, he will be a Derwin James-level IDP impact. He is worth a top-6 IDP pick on talent and positional scarcity alone.
Tier 2 – Next-50 picks
Players in this group: Williams, Alexander, Sanders, Knight, Paul, Mukuba, Winston, Bowman.
DT5: T.J. Sanders, South Carolina
Framing the draft: Another favorite of mine is the interior rusher from South Carolina. He started on the interior for the Gamecocks for two seasons and put up solid numbers. His youth and continuous improvement make him an interesting prospect.
Tierable profile: Sanders is a typical pass-rush DT. This season, he ranked in the top 5 amongst all DTs in PRP while also in the top 18 for PRWR. He wins as a pass rusher primarily due to his elite first-step and general explosiveness, similar to Devonte Wyatt at Georgia. He also has a good pass-rush plan, utilizing quick hands and a variety of moves to get to the passer. In the run-game, Sanders struggles due to average strength and desire to win by shooting-gaps more than two-gapping. To reach his ceiling, he will need to get stronger so he can pair power with great explosiveness. He plays with a high motor and has improved yearly, giving hope to reach his ceiling. He may fall outside of the top 50 in a deep DT class, leading to a potential IDP stash-and-steal.
LB4: Chris “Pooh” Paul Jr, Ole Miss (Arkansas)
Framing the draft: Chris Paul may not be an elite prospect, but his nickname is. Pooh Paul started at Arkansas where he had two solid years before transferring to Ole Miss. He broke out this season, earning second-team All-SEC honors. He is expected to go around pick 100, with a well-rounded and intense game.
Tierable profile: An all-around LB, Paul is a solid bet to have a longer NFL career. He is a high-IQ player with good range and a relentless mindset. Despite average testing, he has good athleticism, with closing ability and gap-shooting. He dominated moving forward, with top-10 pass rush metrics amongst LBs and 11 TFLs. Paul has a nose for the ball, with 224 tackles, 25.5 TFLs, and 9.5 sacks in 3 years as a starter. He is undersized and lacks strength, which can show if his DL cannot keep him clean. Paul, like Cedric Gray last season, may take a year to bulk up to NFL size, but he has the potential to be a team’s WILL and LB2. He is worth a top-12/15 IDP pick with tackle and big-play prowess.
S2: Kevin Winston Jr, Penn State
Framing the draft: Winston Jr. had real first-round hype going into 2024. Unfortunately, that was derailed after he tore his ACL in game 2. Based on his play in 2023 and other factors, he is still my S2 in the class. He won’t go round 1 after the injury, but returning to form would be incredibly exciting.
Tierable profile: Winston is a pure box safety with great range, tackling, and athleticism. He has a lightning-quick trigger and will come down and knock opponents out in the run game. His coverage game has flaws, as his instincts are not fully formed yet. Winston needed reps in 2024 after starting for just one season (<700 career snaps). He will take some time to knock the rust off and grow, but he is a player in the mold of fellow Nittany Lion Jaquan Brisker. Quick aside: you will find that I LOVE Penn State players (especially defenders). Winston is elite against the run, missing two career tackles. His instincts are not up to snuff yet, but he has high-IQ and ball skills. If reps can get his instincts and coverage chops up, he will be a steal in the NFL and IDP.
Tier 3 – Day 2 shots:
Players in this group: DT – Collins and on, LB – Stutsman and on, S – Bowman and on.
DT8: Omarr Norman-Lott, Tennessee
Framing the draft: Typically we see schematic issues from Volunteer prospects on the offensive side of the ball. This time, the Vols have a defensive prospect who is tough to read. He is a pass-rush savant, but saw less than 100 run-defense snaps this year. Is this a result of Tennessee’s hockey-like rotations? Or does it speak to real issues against the run? It will be fascinating to see where he lands and how he can be used!
Tierable profile: As mentioned in the framing section, ONL is an elite interior rusher. He finished top-3 amongst all DTs in pretty much every relevant rush metric. He plays with strength and explosion, efficiently getting to the Quarterback. Despite his smaller stature, he can push linemen away from him while having great bend and hand-fighting. The biggest question is playing time. His run-stop metrics are spectacular, but how much can we really take from them? He was in the 98th percentile in run-stop % in 2024, but that was on 86 run-defense snaps. Tennessee loves to rotate their DL, so the hope is that was the issue, not faith (or lack thereof) in the player. It will be too much to ask for him to be a 90th percentile player against the run and pass, but developing into an Osa Odighizuwa is more than realistic.
LB3: Jeffrey Bassa, Oregon
Framing the draft: Bassa, a converted safety, started for the Ducks for four seasons. He has played WILL and MIKE, wearing the green dot for Oregon and at the Senior Bowl. Bassa is a team leader who personnel will love as his on-field skills continue to improve. He may not land in the top 100, but “My Guy” at LB will get a chance to play.
Tierable profile: You can see Bassa’s safety roots in coverage, where he had a 95th percentile Slot grade. He has elite range, from sideline-to-sideline and LOS-to-downfield. His coverage chops are strong, with the ability to turn-and-run, mirror, and communicate (pre and post-snap) coverage assignments. Against the run, he is aggressive and can feel and evade blockers well. His size shows up mainly in the run game, where he can get caught and turned by linemen. His quick explosion and speed are typically assets, but he will get himself out of position too often. Bassas shows similarly to 2024 breakout Daiyan Henley (also started as a non-LB: WR). Both are great in coverage as well as run-and-hit against the run. Bassa will need time to bulk up, but he can become a team’s LB1 in the right scheme. He is a 2nd round IDP pick with high steal potential.
S7: Caleb Ransaw, Tulane (Troy)
Framing the draft: A favorite archetype of mine is the mid-round, athletic hybrid safety/slot who will knock your head off. Ransaw, the former Troy boundary corner, is that player this season. He has played almost every role in the DB-field, including some LB/STAR. His competition level, size, and lack of a true position make him a probable day-three selection.
Tierable profile: Ransaw is dynamic in the run game, with elite tackling and power for a nickel defender. He has played all over the field but excelled near the ball, whether as a slot CB or box safety. His explosive ability is always on display, triggering down or making life hard on underneath receivers. He lacks in coverage anticipation and zone awareness, which probably keeps him in a moving-forward role. That is great news for fantasy, with the potential to be a slot/star dynamo like a Javon Bullard or Quan Martin (even if he is not quite that level today). The sticky tackling and athletic ability give hope that he can find a full-time role and be a starter. He is an unknown in the class, giving you massive steal potential late in drafts!