2025 NFL Draft Defensive Big Board from Ryan McCrystal

Building an NFL draft board is a work in progress throughout the offseason.

The NFL Combine is always a significant step towards completing the process, and the final touches can be put on as players work through their Pro Days.

Here’s how my top defensive prospects look right now.

These rankings are based on my personal estimation of each player’s value, based on the assumption each prospect lands in an offensive or defensive scheme suited to his skill set.

• 2025 NFL Draft Prospect Top 50
• 2025 NFL Draft Offensive Big Board
• 2025 NFL Mock Draft From Ryan McCrystal
• 2025 NFL Mock Draft From Brendan Donahue

Ryan McCrystal has the eighth-best big board over the last five years, according to The Huddle Report.

2025 NFL Draft Defensive Big Board

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1. Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado

Where he’ll make an impact in the NFL

Hunter probably has a higher ceiling at cornerback than receiver based on his traits and elite production already in that role. As a corner, he wins with his intelligence. His ability to anticipate throws and break quickly makes him a ball hawk in the secondary. As a receiver, his reliable hands and efficient route technique set a high floor. 

What are his weaknesses? What concerns do teams have?

Despite his incredible college production, Hunter lacks elite size/speed/agility traits, which may limit his ceiling. His anticipation skills, which greatly aided his coverage production in college, likely won’t help as frequently against NFL receivers and cornerbacks. As a receiver, his lack of size coupled with below-average after-catch production limits the roles he can play. 

Good team fits: Anyone who plays football on Sundays 

2. Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State

Where he’ll make an impact in the NFL

Carter is a speed rusher who can be a game wrecker when in a favorable matchup. He’ll fit best in a defense where he can line up in a two-point stance given his speed and lack of experience playing with his hand in the dirt.  

What are his weaknesses? What concerns do teams have?

Although it was for relatively minor offenses, Carter was arrested multiple times at Penn State, once as recently as April 2024. Questions about his maturity are warranted, and interested teams will spend as much time with him before the draft as possible to assess the risk. On the field, he’ll need to continue refining his technique so that he’s more than just a speed rusher. 

Good team fits: Titans, Giants, Patriots, Panthers, Browns

3. Mason Graham, DL, Michigan

Where he’ll make an impact in the NFL

Graham is a high-motor, quick interior pass rusher who will make his greatest impact lining up as a three tech. His ability to burst through the line of scrimmage and close quickly allows him to make plays in the backfield against the run. 

What are his weaknesses? What concerns do teams have?

Teams can run at Graham due to his lack of size and length. He can also be controlled by double teams, so he’ll need a solid supporting cast around him to reach his full potential. 

Good team fits: Jaguars, Panthers, Falcons, Bengals, Jets

4. Jalon Walker, EDGE, Georgia

Where he’ll make an impact in the NFL

Walker’s athleticism on the edge makes him a tough matchup for any offensive tackle. His lack of size makes him slippery, and he finds ways to live in the backfield as a pass rusher and against the run. He could play standing up on the edge or in a hybrid role where he also lines up as an off-ball linebacker, as he did in college. 

What are his weaknesses? What concerns do teams have?

Can he line up as a traditional edge defender, or will he get swallowed up by bigger linemen? Georgia used him in a hybrid role last year, playing some off-ball linebacker and some on the edge, but always standing up. However, 50% of his pass-rush snaps came on non-blitzes, so despite lining all over, he was still consistently used as a conventional edge rusher.

Good team fits: Panthers, Falcons, Jaguars, Saints

5. Shemar Stewart, DL, Texas A&M

Where he’ll make an impact in the NFL

Stewart wins with an elite combination of size and athletic traits, which makes him a tough assignment for any offensive lineman. At this stage of his career, he’s best against the run with the strength to set the edge and the closing burst to make plays in the backfield. 

What are his weaknesses? What concerns do teams have?

He needs to further his development as a pass rusher and learn to attack with a plan. Only 4.5 career sacks is definitely a red flag, but he also ranked 20th in FBS in pressure rate in 2023, so the lack of sacks doesn’t tell the full story. 

Good team fits: Saints, Falcons, Panthers, Buccaneers, Eagles, Commanders

6. Will Johnson, CB, Michigan

Where he’ll make an impact in the NFL

Johnson has the polished fundamentals to step in as an immediate starter as an outside corner. He’s proven capable of handling both zone and man schemes at a high level.

What are his weaknesses? What concerns do teams have?

For a 6-foot-2 cornerback, Johnson was surprisingly inconsistent at disrupting the catch point in coverage. His short arm measurement (30.1 inches) at the Combine helped explain that.  

Good team fits: Jets, Bengals, Jaguars, Falcons, Vikings, Packers, Chargers

7. Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia

Where he’ll make an impact in the NFL

Williams has an impressive blend of length, strength, and athleticism and is still just 21 years old. He’s built like a traditional 4-3 defensive end and should have an immediate impact against the run, with the traits to develop into a high-level pass rusher. 

What are his weaknesses? What concerns do teams have?

Partially due to injuries, Williams doesn’t have a ton of experience, and his pass-rush technique remains raw. He lacks the elite traits to win with athleticism and effort alone, so he’ll need to develop an array of pass-rush moves to reach his potential.  

Good team fits: Saints, Panthers, Bengals, 49ers, Falcons, Buccaneers, Eagles

8. Derrick Harmon, DL, Oregon

Where he’ll make an impact in the NFL

Harmon is coming off a dominant year as an interior pass rusher, primarily lining up in the three-tech spot on Oregon’s defensive line. He could stay in that role, but his length/strength combination also makes him a good five as a five-tech in three-man fronts, which will appeal to teams leaning on those formations. 

What are his weaknesses? What concerns do teams have?

Although Harmon is a decent athlete, he lacks elite movement skills and probably can’t replicate his impressive 11.2% pressure rate from the interior in the pros.  

Good team fits: Saints, Steelers, Falcons, Ravens, Cardinals, Chargers, Bills

9. Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M

Where he’ll make an impact in the NFL

Scourton wins with a dominant spin move and a motor that never quits. He was arguably the Big Ten’s most dominant pass rusher as a 19-year-old in 2023 while playing at Purdue.

What are his weaknesses? What concerns do teams have?

At Texas A&M, Scourton’s production took a step back. Since he lacks elite size or athletic traits, he’ll need more than just that spin move to remain effective as a pass rusher. 

Good team fits: Buccaneers, Falcons, Lions, Eagles, Browns, Jets

10. Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame

Where he’ll make an impact in the NFL

Morrison thrived as an outside corner in a man-heavy scheme at Notre Dame, and his elite ball skills make him a weapon in the secondary. 

What are his weaknesses? What concerns do teams have?

A hip injury ended Morrison’s 2024 season, and he’ll need to prove there are no lingering effects for a team to spend a high pick on him. Despite his experience in man coverage, there is some concern that he lacks the length, strength, and agility to thrive in a similar scheme in the NFL. 

Good team fits: Bengals, Steelers, Ravens, Commanders, 49ers, Packers

11. Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina

Where he’ll make an impact in the NFL

Emmanwori is a day-one starter with the versatility to play either safety role. He’s built like a prototypical strong safety who can line up in the box, but he's also athletic enough to match up with tight ends in the slot and has the speed to cover ground in the deep secondary.

What are his weaknesses? What concerns do teams have?

In coverage, he’s still developing his recognition skills. In the free safety role, he needs to improve his anticipation. His speed makes up for it sometimes, but in the NFL, he’ll need to react more quickly. 

Good team fits: Vikings, Ravens, Eagles, Bills, Dolphins, Colts, Falcons

12. Azareye’h Thomas, CB, Florida State

Where he’ll make an impact in the NFL

Thomas is a physical outside corner and a natural ball hawk in the secondary. He’ll fit best with a team leaning heavily on zone or press coverage schemes. 

What are his weaknesses? What concerns do teams have?

A lack of elite speed will be a limiting factor in man coverage. He’ll need help over the top in certain matchups.

Good team fits: Bills, Ravens. Falcons, Chargers, Packers, Rams, 49ers

13. Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas

Where he’ll make an impact in the NFL

Barron has more experience in the slot and will be a candidate to start in that role immediately. He also had a breakout year in 2024 as an outside corner and might be physical enough to excel in that role as well. 

What are his weaknesses? What concerns do teams have?

He lacks the ideal size and length to play on the outside, so some teams will view him as only a nickel corner, which limits his value. Teams using higher rates of press coverage will also be hesitant to invest as he has almost no experience in those coverage schemes. 

Good team fits: 49ers, Dolphins, Packers, Ravens, Commanders, Steelers

14. James Pearce Jr, EDGE, Tennessee

Where he’ll make an impact in the NFL

Pearce has a high ceiling as a pass rusher due to his speed off the edge. He has the traits you can’t teach, making him an exciting developmental prospect. 

What are his weaknesses? What concerns do teams have?

Despite the flashes of dominance, Pearce was MIA in Tennessee’s biggest games. Tennessee only faced two teams ranked in the top 50 of pressure rate allowed last year (Ohio State, Georgia), and Pearce generated just three pressures on 43 pass-rush snaps in those contests. He lacks a consistent plan as a pass rusher and will take time to develop.  

Good team fits: Commanders, Buccaneers, Falcons, Eagles, Lions, Browns, Jets

15. Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama

Where he’ll make an impact in the NFL

Campbell is a developmental prospect with all the traits necessary to play at a high level in the pros. His production on blitzes will fit well with a team that likes to bring extra pressure. He even has some experience lining up on the edge. 

What are his weaknesses? What concerns do teams have?

The mental side of the game is still a work in progress for Campbell. He reacts more than he anticipates at this stage of his career, and may need time before those skills catch up to his physical traits. 

Good team fits: Buccaneers, Seahawks, Raiders, Jets, Commanders, Dolphins

16. Shavon Revel Jr, CB, East Carolina

Where he’ll make an impact in the NFL

Revel has rare size, length, and athleticism, setting a high ceiling as an outside corner with the potential to excel in press coverage. 

What are his weaknesses? What concerns do teams have?

Partially due to an ACL injury, from which he’s still recovering, Revel made just 15 starts at East Carolina, and only one against a power conference opponent. He’s played less than 500 career snaps in coverage. 

Good team fits: Commanders, Ravens, Falcons, 49ers, Packers, Raiders, Rams, Vikings

17. Kenneth Grant, DL, Michigan

Where he’ll make an impact in the NFL

Grant is built like a nose tackle but has the movement skills to provide some versatility on the interior defensive line. He’ll provide the most value to a multiple-front defense that can capitalize on his unique skill set. 

What are his weaknesses? What concerns do teams have?

Although he’s athletic for his size, Grant lacks the truly elite movement skills of other outliers at his size, such as Jordan Davis and Dexter Lawrence. If that different limits his effectiveness at other spots on the line, maybe he’s just a nose tackle, which would make him significantly less valuable. 

Good team fits: Chargers, Bills, Titans, Jaguars, Panthers, Cardinals

18. Walter Nolen, DL, Ole Miss

Where he’ll make an impact in the NFL

Nolen is a developmental interior lineman with the movement skills to set a high ceiling. He fits best as a three-tech and will likely make his impact felt most with his pass rush. 

What are his weaknesses? What concerns do teams have?

The production never fully lived up to the hype and the traits for the former five-star recruit. Nolen generated a mediocre 6.7% pressure when lined up at the three-tech spot last year. 

Good team fits: Eagles, Bills, Panthers, Cardinals, Steelers, Jets

19. Carson Schwesinger, LB, UCLA

Where he’ll make an impact in the NFL

Schwesinger's anticipation skills and reliable tackling set a high floor for his production. He looks like a future starter with the intelligence to be a green player on defense. 

What are his weaknesses? What concerns do teams have?

As a former walk-on, he spent four years in college but only started in 2024, so the one-year wonder concerns apply. He’ll need to add some strength to improve his production when mixing it up at the line of scrimmage. 

Good team fits: Cowboys, Buccaneers, Seahawks, Raiders, Patriots, Dolphins

20. Xavier Watts, S, Notre Dame

Where he’ll make an impact in the NFL

Watts, who was recruited as a wide receiver, applies those skills in the deep secondary, where he has elite ball-hawk skills. Notre Dame played a high rate of single-high coverage, and Watts thrived as the free safety in that scheme, though he can also line up in the slot or the box. 

What are his weaknesses? What concerns do teams have?

Disappointing testing numbers raise some concern at a position that typically requires high-level athletic traits. Since he relies on his anticipation skills to mask those flaws, it might take some time to hit his stride in the NFL. 

Good team fits: Colts, Bears, Steelers, Dolphins, Panthers

21. Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College

Where he’ll make an impact in the NFL

Ezeiruaku is a polished pass rusher who wins with an array of moves and a blend of speed and power. He can play immediately on passing downs and has the tools to develop into a scheme-versatile three-down lineman. 

What are his weaknesses? What concerns do teams have?

A lack of elite power or speed lowers his ceiling and might cause problems against the NFL’s top offensive tackles. To stay on the field on early downs, he’ll probably need to improve his strength for setting the edge. 

Good team fits: Packers, Bills, Cowboys, Chargers, Buccaneers, Commanders, Saints, Patriots

22. JT Tuimoloau, EDGE, Ohio State

Where he’ll make an impact in the NFL

Tuimoloau has the balanced skill set and refined technique of an immediate starter. He primarily wins with power, but he has enough athleticism to generate quick pressure off the edge against lesser offensive tackles. 

What are his weaknesses? What concerns do teams have?

Speed is not the strength of his game, which limits his ceiling as a pass rusher. He’ll need to continue perfecting an array of pass-rush moves to maintain a starting role in the league. 

Good team fits: Patriots, Saints, Falcons, Buccaneers, 49ers, Browns, Panthers

23. Tyleik Williams, DL, Ohio State

Where he’ll make an impact in the NFL

Williams is built like a nose tackle but primarily lined up as a three-tech at Ohio State. His versatility would be a welcome addition to a defense relying on multiple fronts. 

What are his weaknesses? What concerns do teams have?

Due to his lack of typical three-tech movement skills, Williams never made a consistent impact as a pass rusher. If he can’t collapse the pocket, maybe he’s just a nose tackle, which is significantly less valuable. 

Good team fits: Bills, Chargers, Titans, Cardinals, Saints

24. Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall

Where he’ll make an impact in the NFL

Green is a high-energy pass rusher with the explosive traits to create quick pressure off the edge. He should make an immediate impact as a pass rusher. 

What are his weaknesses? What concerns do teams have?

Can he be trusted off the field? Green was accused of sexual assault in high school and then again during his freshman year at Virginia. Neither led to an arrest, but even a generous interpretation of those accusations shows a pattern of putting himself in bad situations. On the field, the primary concern is a lack of strength, which may limit him to a pass-rush specialist role. 

Good team fits: Commanders, Lions, Vikings, Bills, Texans, Giants, Seahawks

25. Jack Sawyer, EDGE, Ohio State

Where he’ll make an impact in the NFL

Sawyer is a pass-rush technician whose best attribute is his ability to generate power. His toughness and leadership skills will be attractive to coaches.  

What are his weaknesses? What concerns do teams have?

A lack of length and speed lowers Sawyer’s potential. He’s a max-effort player, which endears him to coaches and teammates, but might be an indication that he’s already playing near his ceiling. 

Good team fits: Lions, Packers, Commanders, Broncos, Titans, Chargers, Cowboys, Browns

26. Malaki Starks, S, Georgia

Where he’ll make an impact in the NFL

Starks is a center fielder with the anticipation skills to be a threat in the free safety role. He’ll fit best with a team playing a high rate of two-high coverage, where he’ll be an asset in the deep secondary.

What are his weaknesses? What concerns do teams have?

A lack of size and strength probably prevents him from consistently lining up in the box. However, a lack of speed might concern teams leaning on a lot of single-high safety coverages. 

Good team fits: Dolphins, Bengals, Jaguars, Bills, Vikings

27. Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky

Where he’ll make an impact in the NFL

Hairston is a developmental prospect with the speed and length to set a high ceiling. He’s quick enough for a role in the slot but also has the traits to play on the outside. 

What are his weaknesses? What concerns do teams have?

The production has yet to match the traits. Based on route-adjusted data, Hairston allowed a catch rate 3.3% above expected last year 一 an above-average rate in that metric is almost unheard of for a high-level prospect. Expect him to struggle if forced into an immediate role. 

Good team fits: Commanders, Chiefs, Panthers, Colts, Bills, Falcons, Cardinals, Buccaneers 

28. Landon Jackson, EDGE, Arkansas

Where he’ll make an impact in the NFL

Jackson fits best as a defensive end in four-man fronts who can set the edge against the run. With a nice blend of size and athleticism, he can make his presence felt as a pass rusher enough to provide value. 

What are his weaknesses? What concerns do teams have?

Above-average traits across the board set a high floor for Jackson, but a lack of one elite trait to set him apart might limit his ceiling. He’s not quite explosive enough to threaten opponents as a speed rusher, and doesn’t win with power consistently enough either. 

Good team fits: Bills, Packers, Vikings, Browns, Commanders, Buccaneers, Eagles, Jets, Cowboys

29. Princely Umanmielen, EDGE, Ole Miss

Where he’ll make an impact in the NFL

Umanmielen's production is impossible to ignore. His 18% pressure rate off the edge ranked fourth among power conference pass rushers last year. He should make an immediate impact on passing downs. 

What are his weaknesses? What concerns do teams have?

Umanmielen might lack the strength to play on early downs against the run as a rookie. Mediocre testing numbers raised some doubts about his ability to translate his pass-rush success to the pros. 

Good team fits: Commanders, Eagles, Cowboys, Broncos, Panthers, Chiefs, Chargers