It’s draft season! I’ve been busy watching many of these prospects, so in the lead-up to the 2025 NFL Draft, I’ll release my Eagles-specific rankings. Before you read ahead, please keep in mind the following!
I have ranked these players based on the Eagles’ needs and scheme fits. Therefore, I may rank player ‘X’ above player ‘Y’ in terms of pure talent and my own personal rankings, but due to the Eagles’ needs and scheme fit, I have player ‘Y’ above player ‘X’.
Please focus more on the tiers rather than the exact numerical order. I use tiers when I have similar grades on players, and there might not be a lot of difference between players if they are in the same tier.
I may mention off-the-field and injury issues in the reports, but I don’t factor that in when ranking these prospects. We don’t have the necessary information.
If I haven’t ranked someone, I haven’t watched them! If you’d like me to watch someone in particular, feel free to comment, and I’ll try to get to them before the draft.
You can check out my podcast feed here to hear more from me. Also, I have released an Eagles-specific Draft Guide on my Patreon, which will include more information on each player.
Previously: Running Back / Wide Receiver / Tight End / Offensive Line
Defensive Line
Tier 1
1. Mason Graham, Michigan, 6-3 1/2 296
Overall: Graham is explosive and relentless. He combines a powerful first step, violent hands, and a deep pass rush arsenal to disrupt plays in the backfield consistently. I’m a little lower on Graham than the consensus due to his size and length, but he clearly flashes elite talent with an explosive first step and ability to penetrate through gaps.
Eagles Thoughts: Not happening!
2. Derrick Harmon, Oregon, 6-4 1/2 313
Overall: Harmon boasts great size, strength, and versatility on the interior, with solid production and strong play at the point of attack. He is one of the best pass rushers in this class. I think Harmon does everything consistently well without having a standout trait. I expect him to develop into a full-time player who can win as a run defender and pass rusher.
Eagles Thoughts: I think Harmon would make a ton of sense at 32 for the Eagles. He would be a versatile piece who could contribute as a rookie, but I doubt he is there! I would consider a trade up if he falls near.
3. Walter Nolen, Ole Miss, 6-3 3/4 296
Overall: Walter Nolen is a highly athletic and versatile defensive lineman who flashes elite traits and should excel as a 3-technique at the next level. However, his inconsistent technique, reliance on raw athleticism, and occasional struggles with leverage raise questions about his down-to-down impact. He has some work to do as a pass rusher, and he isn’t the biggest, but he has a huge upside.
Eagles Thoughts: I am certain the Eagles will have interest in Nolen, but I would be extremely surprised if he drops out of the top 20/25. I would consider trading up if he is within reach.
4. Kenneth Grant, Michigan, 6-3 5/8 331
Overall: Kenneth Grant is a massive defensive lineman with a quick first step, impressive power, and the ability to wreck plays with gap penetration or anchor against double teams. Grant has the size to play as a nose, but didn’t always do it in college. He’s a huge DT with some quickness and is great against the run, but needs work as a pass rusher.
Eagles Thoughts: Jordan Davis could be entering his final year with the Eagles, so it’s not impossible that the Eagles will look to add another big body this year. I doubt they want to use another very high pick on a nose, though, and Grant may go early. I would be surprised if he’s there at 32. I would be tempted if he is there, though!
Tier 2
5. Omarr Norman-Lott, Tennessee, 6-1 7/8 291
Overall: A sub rusher with a ton of upside. Norman Lott is an explosive, high-upside defensive tackle with great length, burst, and an elite pass rush win rate, flashing serious athleticism and effort in limited reps. However, he’s extremely raw with minimal game experience and questionable run defense. Norman-Lott is one of the most difficult evaluations because he didn’t play a lot. He has a lot of juice, though.
Eagles Thoughts: I mean… 32 is too early for a guy who didn’t play 1000 college snaps but, this guy has so much talent. The Eagles might be in a great position to take a risk and take him at 32 to replace Milton Williams. It would be a huge risk, but at the very worst I think you are getting an explosive sub rusher. I would absolutely love him in the 2nd round, and 32 would be a real luxury pick, but I would not hate it.
6. T.J. Sanders, South Carolina, 6-3 7/8 297
Overall: T.J. Sanders is a high-motor 3-technique with good production and upside, but needs to get stronger and spend less time on the ground. His lack of lower-body mass, balance issues, and limited counter moves could hinder his effectiveness against stronger, more technically sound NFL linemen.
Eagles Thoughts: I love the idea of Sanders as a 3-technique to replace Milton Williams. Sanders could do with playing next to a bigger, more physical lineman, and the Eagles can provide that! He feels like a great option in the 2nd round. I don’t think he will go in the 1st.
7. Alfred Collins, Texas, 6-5 5/8 332
Overall: Collins is a long, technically sound defensive lineman with excellent run defense ability, positional versatility, and an elite frame that makes him tough to move. However, his limited pass-rushing production, high pad level, and questionable conditioning raise concerns about his upside on passing downs. He might be an early-down lineman only.
Eagles Thoughts: I think the Eagles would be fascinated by Collins, as he could play at nose tackle, 3 technique and as a 4i. However, his lack of pass rush ability pushes him out the 1st round for me. He has real upside, though, in the 2nd round.
8. Tyleik Williams, Ohio State, 6-2 6/7 334
Overall: Tyleik Williams is a dominant run defender who has outstanding lateral movement skills, power and the ability to deal with double teams. However, he is poor as a pass rusher at this stage and needs a ton of work. His inability to collapse the pocket cap affects his third-down value at the next level.
Eagles Thoughts: I don’t like drafting run defenders in the 1st round, but Williams has the potential to be more than that. I think 32 would be a reach, but the Eagles will be interested with his lateral movement skills. I prefer him in the 2nd, and still have concerns over his pass rushing skills.
Tier 3
9. CJ West, Indiana, 6-1 1/8 316
Overall: A versatile, powerful run defender with some juice to collapse the pocket. CJ West has some untapped potential as a pass rusher, and his combine performance will bump him up draft boards. However, his short arms and limited flexibility may cap his upside.
Eagles Thoughts: West was expected to go on day 3, but I think his combine may have pushed him up to day 2. I think he would be a great fit for the Eagles at the end of round 3. He can play some nose tackle, and potentially replace Jordan Davis down the line, but also take some 3-technique reps to replace the loss of Milton Williams
10. Shemar Turner, Texas A&M, 6’3 290
Overall: I’m not sure what to make of Turner. He weighed less than I expected, and I worry a little about his ability to play on every down. He’s a high-motor, twitchy interior defender with a background as an EDGE, bringing fluid athleticism, strong hands, and an aggressive edge. However, his lack of pass rush production and limited pre-draft testing worry me. He’s a physically tenacious player who moves well for a 3-technique.
Eagles Thoughts: I’ve seen Turner mocked in the top 50 frequently, and I struggle with that a little. I wish we had combine numbers on him, because he moves well. I would want to see a higher pass rush win rate before investing a top 50 pick on him. However, he might fit the Eagles really well as someone who can line up as a 3-techinque, 4i, and then kick out to EDGE at the last second. Fangio will like his profile.
11. Darius Alexander, Toledo, 6-3 7/8 305
Overall: A very tough evaluation. I wish Alexander dominated weaker competition more, and he will be 25 years old next year. However, he has the physical tools NFL teams covet — he’s long, powerful, and showed well at the Senior Bowl.
Eagles Thoughts: I think Alexander would fit the Eagles well as someone who can play 3-technique, 4i or even 5-technique. The risks mean I wouldn’t consider him at 32 and would wait until the 2nd round at the earliest. He has the traits, but the film doesn’t flash, and his age suggests that he might not improve a ton.
12. Joshua Farmer, Florida State, 6’3 305
Overall: Joshua Farmer is a thick-framed, high-motor defensive lineman with the build, burst, and hand usage to be a very good run defender at the next level. He’s still developing as a pass rusher, but the raw tools are there. He could become a disruptive rotational piece who fits multiple fronts (can play 1-technique to 5-technique) and adds physicality to a D-line group.
Eagles Thoughts: I think the Eagles are going to like Farmer. Although he’s not a pass rusher, and that will push him out of the top 50 picks, he would fit well in Fangio’s defense and could play a number of different roles in this defense. I think he would play the ‘gap and a half’ technique very well. I love him in the 3rd round.
13. Deone Walker, Kentucky, 6-7 3/8 331
Overall: Walker is a freaky athlete with an explosive first step and impressive production. However, concerns about his leverage, conditioning, and reliance on raw physicality over technique raise questions about how his game will translate. Walker might have the highest upside of any DT in this class. He’s extremely boom/bust as he plays with awful leverage at times, but you don’t see many prospects his size with his pass rush numbers. A unique prospect.
Eagles Thoughts: Rankings for Walker seem to be all over the place. I think he would be a great option in the 3rd round if the Eagles are looking at someone to replace Jordan Davis long term. I wonder if he will go earlier than expected.
14. Aeneas Peebles, Virginia Tech, 6-0 1/2 282
Overall: Peebles is an explosive and energetic sub pass rusher with elite burst and quickness. However, his light frame and lack of play strength make him a liability against the run and limit his every-down potential. He’s a rotational pass-rushing defensive tackle.
Eagles Thoughts: Every year, I have a mid-round undersized defensive tackle draft crush… Peebles is that guy this year. He would be a real luxury pick, but I would love it in the 3rd round. Just let him rush the quarterback on 3rd and long a few times a game next to Jalen Carter. Why not!
As always, thank you for reading. If you want more detailed notes on each player (including strengths and weaknesses), then please check out the Draft Guide via Patreon.
