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The defensive tackle group has a chance to be special for the 2027 NFL Draft. Here are some of my early favorites to know.
The 2027 NFL Draft defensive tackle class is shaping up to be one of the deepest and most talented positional groups in the entire draft cycle.
After working through Summer Scouting evaluations on Best Pod Available alongside Joe DeLeone, I wanted to expand beyond the top 10 we discussed on the show and provide a full ranking of my 25 highest-rated interior defensive linemen heading into the 2027 college football season.
This group exemplifies what a strong draft class should look like. It starts with legitimate first-round talent at the top, but what truly defines it is the depth. Some players could hear their names called in the first 32 selections, day-two contributors who belong inside the top 100, and late-round gems with developmental upside. The class has all of it.
1. Will Echoles (Ole Miss)
Ole Miss defensive tackle Will Echoles stands out as one of the most complete players in the group. At over 6-2 and 309 pounds, Echoles is a thick, densely built defender who plays with a great base, good natural leverage, and an explosive first step. He’s extremely hard to move off the spot and can create penetration both as a pass rusher and against the run. What makes him even more compelling is that he’s one of the youngest players in the class heading into his true junior season. The floor is high, and the ceiling is exciting.
2. Ahmad Moten (Miami)
Ahmad Moten from Miami checks in at No. 2. Moten is never going to be an impact player at the point of attack. Still, his dynamite first step and flexibility to create havoc behind the line of scrimmage make him a legitimate playmaker. He’ll be somewhat scheme-dependent, but for a team that wants an attack-style front, Moten will be extremely attractive.
3. David Stone (Oklahoma)
Oklahoma’s David Stone sits at No. 3. The size, explosiveness, and power are all there, but I still want to see consistency from game to game. There are moments of sheer dominance, but his hands need more nuance and counter ability to disengage from blockers on a snap-to-snap basis.
4. DJ Hicks (Texas A&M)
DJ Hicks from Texas A&M is one of my favorite players in this class at No. 4. At only 288 pounds, he’s undersized, but he’s bull-strong and flexible with some of the biggest upside as a pass rusher in the group. His production hasn’t matched the talent yet, but this is a bet on the athletic traits that once made Hicks a five-star recruit.
5. Justin Scott (Miami)
Rounding out the top five, Miami’s Justin Scott possesses some of the best raw tools in the class at over 6-4 and 310 pounds. He was only a true sophomore and first-year starter last season, so there’s plenty of developmental runway. It wouldn’t be shocking if Scott ends up as the No. 1 defensive tackle in this class when the process is finished.
6. Jayden Jackson (Oklahoma)
Jayden Jackson from Oklahoma lands at No. 6. Before his injury, Jackson looked like a slam-dunk top-32 player. If he can regain that pre-injury form, he should be a playmaking nose tackle at the next level.
7. A’Mauri Washington (Oregon)
Oregon’s Amari Washington has the raw power and explosiveness to be a top-32 selection, but durability and consistency have been issues.
8. Horace Lockett (UCF)
UCF’s Horace Lockett is a massive presence at over 6-4 and 362 pounds who was unblockable at times when healthy.
9. Mateen Ibirogba (Texas Tech)
Texas Tech’s Mateen Ibirogba has a fascinating trajectory from FCS Georgetown to Wake Forest to Lubbock, and his developing frame now over 300 pounds gives him real upside.
10. Kemari Copeland (Virginia Tech)
Virginia Tech’s Kamari Copeland rounds out the top 10 as a sub-6-2 mover with unique pass rush versatility and a great motor.
THE BEST OF THE REST (11-25)
The depth of this class becomes evident from Nos. 11 through 25.
- Kentucky’s Tavion Gadson (No. 11) could be a massive riser under new head coach Will Stein.
- Oregon’s Bear Alexander (No. 12) has elite talent but hasn’t been a player teams can consistently depend on.
- Arkansas’s David Oke (No. 13) dominated at FCS Central Arkansas before an injury derailed his first Razorbacks season.
- Ohio State’s James Smith (No. 14), an Alabama transfer, is dominant at times but disappears too often.
- Texas’s Hero Kanu (No. 15) brought a solid floor as an underrated contributor for the Longhorns last season.
- Texas Tech’s AJ Holmes (No. 16) has a good first step but lacks the mass and length to be serviceable on early downs.
- Ole Miss’s Kam Franklin (No. 17) has played defensive end for Ole Miss but could bring some intriguing pass rush potential at 6-5 and 295 pounds.
- Indiana’s Tyrique Tucker (No. 18) is a leverage monster with limited physical tools.
- BYU’s Keanu Tanuvasa (No. 19) hasn’t taken the step many hoped for. The former Utah transfer is still an intriguing talent.
- Notre Dame’s Francis Brewu (No. 20) is an extremely undersized but active defensive tackle. The former Pitt transfer is incredibly strong for his size.
- Arizona State’s CJ Fite (No. 21) is a sawed-off defensive tackle who plays with outstanding effort every snap.
- Indiana’s Mario Landino (No. 22) is an angular interior defensive lineman with high effort but limited power.
- Notre Dame’s Jason Onye (No. 23) looks like a million bucks, but needs to start to play like it consistently.
- Ole Miss’s Jaheim Oatis (No. 24) is a massive nose tackle who has had quite the college journey. He gets a final chance to put it all together with the Rebels.
- Colorado’s Ezra Christensen (No. 25) is currently fighting for an extra year of eligibility. Either way, the former New Mexico State is an interesting mover as a developmental prospect.
This defensive tackle class has real potential to be the strongest overall positional group in the 2027 NFL Draft. From Echols at the top to developmental pieces at the bottom, the talent and depth are substantial.
This article was originally published on A to Z Sports. Read the full story here: 2027 NFL Draft Defensive Tackle Rankings: Top 25 list features the best college disruptors, nose tackles, and 3-Tech stars
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