With just a few defensive tackles projected to be taken within the first spherical of the 2025 NFL Draft and several other plug-and-go starters accessible in free company, the DT positions are certain to see some overhaul this offseason.
We polled a bunch of writers from round SB Nation to collect consensus rankings concerning the gamers.
We are going to take away gamers from the listing as they re-sign with their present groups all the best way as much as the opening of free company in March.
Others receiving votes: Greg Gaines, Javon Kinlaw, Jarran Reed, Sebastian Joseph-Day, Morgan Fox, Tershawn Wharton, Taven Bryan, Derrick Nnadi, Bobby Brown, Tedarrell Slaton, Poona Ford
8. Leki Fotu, New York Jets
After signing a one-year, $2.5 million take care of the Jets final offseason, Fotu solely managed to play in two video games following a coaching camp hamstring harm and an in-season knee harm. He was designated to return late within the season, however with the Jets out of the playoff image, he stayed on injured reserve. That being stated, it shouldn’t linger too far into the offseason. At 334 kilos, he’s the massive man in the midst of your line.
7. Calais Campbell, Miami Dolphins
Campbell turns 39 simply earlier than the beginning of the 2025 season and hasn’t decided if he’ll play this season or not, so you may perceive why there may be some variance in his rating. Campbell obtained one first-place vote however was additionally left fully out of a special voter’s high ten. He performed in no less than 12 video games each season for 17 years and began 17 video games in each 2024 with Miami and 2023 with Atlanta. He’s nonetheless taking part in at a excessive stage, delivering 5 sacks, 52 tackles, and 12 QB hits this 12 months. He made simply $2 million in 2024 coming off a $7 million contract in 2023.
6. Adam Butler, Las Vegas Raiders
In the event you’re in search of worth, Butler is likely to be your greatest wager. He made simply $1.8 million for the Raiders in 2024 and he turns 31 this offseason. He completed the 12 months with 5 sacks, 10 QB hits, and 65 tackles as a major starter for the primary time in his profession. He performed almost 77% of the defensive snaps for Vegas, far and away probably the most on the workforce. After 12 months, he ought to positively be chasing the primary actually wealthy contract of his profession.
4T. Milton Williams, Philadelphia Eagles
Williams was ranked as excessive as third on considered one of our ballots, and he recorded 5 sacks and 10 QB hits in 2024 because the quantity two DT for the Eagles. He’s solely going to be 26 in April, and has a number of room for additional development. The previous third-round decide has an elite pass-rush grade from PFF, however struggles towards the run.
4T. Levi Onwuzurike, Detroit Lions
A former second-round decide in 2021, Onwuzurike missed his sophomore season after again surgical procedure. He’s solely began 10 NFL video games and performed 42 in consequence. In 2024, he has his greatest season with 13 QB hits and 1.5 sacks, whereas logging probably the most snaps of any lineman in Detroit at almost 58%.
3. Osa Odighizuwa, Dallas Cowboys
Odighizuwa was a four-year starter for the Cowboys averaging 44 tackles and three.4 sacks per season. He actually acquired after the passer in 2024, setting a career-high in sacks and exploding for 23 QB hits. The previous third-rounder turns 27 simply earlier than the season begins, and is certainly in line for a longer-term deal. UPDATE: Odighizuwa signed a four-year take care of the Cowboys.
2. D.J. Jones, Denver Broncos
Coming off a three-year, $30 million contract with Denver, Jones has been a seven-year starter for the 49ers and Broncos. A sturdy defender, he performed the second-most snaps at DT for the Broncos in 2024. PFF has him rated above-average as a cross rusher and common as a run defender.
1. B.J. Hill, Cincinnati Bengals
Our clear best choice, Hill has recorded 50+ tackles in every of the final 4 seasons with the Bengals and averaged 4 sacks per season. The previous third-round decide is coming off a three-year, $30 million contract. He turns 30 this offseason, so he has good years left within the tank, and he’s a disruptive instantaneous starter for any workforce that indicators him to shore up their inside.
Not too long ago launched defensive tackles
These defensive tackles had been launched after our rankings had been put collectively within the lead as much as the 2025 league 12 months.
Sheldon Rankins
The previous Saints, Jets, and Texans DT shall be in search of his fourth workforce in 4 years after being launched by the Bengals. He signed a two-year, $24.5 million deal a 12 months in the past however he solely performed in seven video games in 2024 after lacking three with a hamstring harm and the ultimate seven video games with a viral sickness. He instantly turns into a high possibility in the marketplace if he’s wholesome.
Roy Robertson-Harris
Harris was due $6.6 million in 2025, however the Seahawks didn’t wish to pay him that. Seattle traded for him midseason in 2024. The 31-year-old solely began two video games this previous season and his snaps dwindled from 40+% with the Jags to the only digits by the point the season was over. He’s a depth piece at this level in his profession.
Different free agent defensive tackles
- Chris Williams
- Kurt Hinish
- Austin Johnson
- Mike Hoecht
- John Jenkins
- Jerry Tillery
- Linval Joseph
- Kevin Givens
- Johnathan Hankins
- Jeremiah Ledbetter
- Maurice Hurst
- Benito Jones
- Daniel Ekuale
- Khalil Davis
- Chauncey Golston
- Mike Pennel
- Eddie Goldman
- Kyle Peko
- Quinton Jefferson
- Jordan Phillips
- Larrell Murchison
- Teair Tart
- Marlon Davidson
- Marlon Tuipulotu
- James Lynch
- Roy Lopez
- Ta’Quon Graham
- Mario Edwards
Free agent defensive tackles who had been signed to new offers
- Osa Odighizuwa signed a contract extension with the Dallas Cowboys
