JACKSONVILLE – If you're looking for defensive strengths, look up front.
And when you're looking there, look inside.
That's a key 2025 NFL Draft storyline – that in a year of multiple strong position groups, with the defensive front being particularly strong, the interior of the defensive line ranks among the strongest positions of all.
"Defensive line is stacked," ESPN NFL Draft Analyst Jordan Reid said, with Jaguars and NFL Media Draft Analyst Bucky Brooks saying, "There are good dudes at defensive tackle who can play and make an immediate impact."
"Even if you wait to the top of the second round, you can find really good players that can come in and make an immediate impact," Brooks said.
Reid is among multiple analysts who consider this perhaps the draft's deepest area, with University of Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham perhaps the best player at the position.
"In a pretty crowded defensive tackle group at the top, he has maintained the No. 1 spot and held off all the other guys," ESPN NFL Draft Analyst Mel Kiper Jr. said of Graham. "If you want an interior disruptor, that's Mason Graham."
Graham, who has been projected often to the Jaguars at No. 5 overall as the draft approaches,generally is considered a Top 10 selection – with Reid saying he projects him as one of three "blue-chip" players in the class along with Penn State edge Abdul Carter and Colorado cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter.
"He plays with leverage and gets low – low man wins," Kiper said. "He plays with intensity. It never wanes. Go look at the tape. If you watch this kid, the performance level each week, he was popping in those games. And he did it his whole career; he wasn't just a one-year guy.
"He's tough to block. He has violent hands. He understands leverage and technique. He can get in the backfield and wreak havoc."
Added Brooks, "He has great technique. He is relentless at the line of scrimmage as a run stopper and as a pass rusher – and the bigger the game, the bigger the better he plays. He's just a really, really good football player."
Graham is considered the best of a group that is considered versatile and ranks among the best tackle classes in recent draft memory with Walker Nolan of Mississippi, Derrick Harmon of Oregon and Kenneth Grant of Michigan also projected in Round 1.
"You have guys who are more than just run-stuffers," Brooks said. "That's why the excitement over the class. You have guys who can get after the passer from the inside. It's one thing to have a nose tackle or a run stopper, but the majority of guys at the top of the board are guys that can get you six-to-eight sacks. They can make the quarterback uncomfortable and uneasy.
"It used to be you wanted pass rushers on the outside, but now a perfect minute would be one on the inside and one on the outside because the ball comes out so quick you have to put immediate pressure on the quarterback to disrupt his rhythm."
Building the fundamentals. 👀 Both the offensive and defensive playmakers are putting in work at the Miller Electric Center a week before the 2025 NFL Draft. 🔥👣 Swipe through some top shots below.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars safety Antonio Johnson during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on April 15, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Louis Rees-Zammit during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on April 17, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on April 17, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars linebacker Chad Muma during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on April 15, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on April 17, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars cornerback De'Antre Prince during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on April 15, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars cornerback Christian Braswell during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on April 15, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars linebacker Foyesade Oluokun during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on April 15, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars safety Darnell Savage during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on April 15, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars cornerback Zechariah McPhearson during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on April 15, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on April 15, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on April 15, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars linebacker Ventrell Miller during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on April 15, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars safety Eric Murray during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on April 15, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars cornerback Jarrian Jones during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on April 15, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars players participate in voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on April 15, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars linebacker Foyesade Oluokun during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on April 15, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars players participate in voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on April 15, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on April 17, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars players participate in voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on April 15, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars cornerback Montaric Brown during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on April 15, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Austin Trammell during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on April 17, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on April 17, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on April 15, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars cornerback Jarrian Jones during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on April 15, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Dyami Brown during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on April 17, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Dyami Brown during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on April 17, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on April 15, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars tight end Johnny Mundt during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on April 17, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Louis Rees-Zammit during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on April 17, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on April 17, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on April 17, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Dyami Brown during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on April 17, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Dyami Brown during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on April 17, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars tight end Brenton Strange during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on April 17, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on April 17, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars cornerback De'Antre Prince during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on April 15, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars cornerback Jourdan Lewis during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on April 15, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on April 17, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Louis Rees-Zammit during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on April 17, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback Nick Mullens during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on April 17, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars running back Keilan Robinson during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on April 17, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on April 17, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars players participate in voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on April 15, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars cornerback Tyson Campbell during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on April 15, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars running back Keilan Robinson during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on April 17, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback Nick Mullens during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on April 17, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars tight end Hunter Long during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on April 17, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on April 17, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offense during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on April 17, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive lineman Arik Armstead during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on April 15, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars tight end Hunter Long during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on April 17, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars strength and conditioning staff during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on April 15, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars tight end Brenton Strange during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on April 17, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars running back Tank Bigsby during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on April 17, 2025.
HANDICAPPING THE JAGUARS
- This is yet another area of intrigue and interest for the Jaguars entering the '25 draft. The Jaguars like their rotation of defensive linemen, with veteran Arik Armstead likely playing more extensively at tackle in 2025 after playing mostly end in his first season with the team in 2024. The Jaguars also like the potential of second-year tackles Maason Smith and Jordan Jefferson, with Smith – a second-round selection in the 2024 NFL Draft – progressing nicely late after a slow start to his rookie season. Veteran nose tackle DaVon Hamilton gives the Jaguars four reliable players at the position with third-year veteran Tyler Lacy also part of a deep rotation. The Jaguars feel the returning foursome can be productive, but they're also not elite enough hereto preclude them taking a front-line interior player early. Graham has been mocked to the Jaguars at No. 5 overall by analysts more than any other player, but that's no guarantee he will be the selection there.
CHANCE JAGUARS TAKE AN DEFENSIVE TACKLE IN ROUND ONE
- Possible.
DEFENSIVE TACKLES ON THE JAGUARS ROSTER
- DaVon Hamilton
- Maason Smith
- Jordan Jefferson
- Tyler Lacy
BUCKY BROOKS' TOP 5 2025 DEFENSIVE TACKLES
- Mason Graham, Michigan
- Walker Nolen, Mississippi
- Derrick Harmon, Oregon
- Kenneth Grant, Michigan
- Darius Alexander, Toledo
POSSIBLE FIRST-ROUND DEFENSIVE TACKLES
- Mason Graham, Michigan
- Walker Nolen, Mississippi
- Derrick Harmon, Oregon
- Kenneth Grant, Michigan
