2025 NFL Draft Prospects: 3-4 Defensive End

*Walt taking 2014 and 2018

Charlie Campbell, Senior Draft Analyst
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Led all NFL media in draft rumor accuracy in '15, '16, '17, '18, '20, and '21
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2021 NFL MOCK DRAFT - WALT'S | CHARLIE'S ROUND: 1

The top 2025 3-4 Defensive End prospects available for the 2025 NFL Draft. * – denotes 2026 prospect. ** – denotes 2027 prospect.

This page was last updated July 20, 2023. Follow Walter @walterfootball for updates.

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2023 NFL Draft Position Rankings:
QB | RB | FB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | NT | 3-4 OLB | 3-4 DE | OLB | ILB | CB | S | K | P

2024 NFL Draft Position Rankings:
QB | RB | FB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | NT | 3-4 OLB | 3-4 DE | OLB | ILB | CB | S | K | P

2025 NFL Draft Position Rankings:
QB | RB | FB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | NT | 3-4 OLB | 3-4 DE | OLB | ILB | CB | S | K | P

Ruke Orhorhoro, 3-4DE/DT, Clemson
Height: 6-4. Weight: 295.
Projected 40 Time: 5.15.
Projected Round (2025): 1-2.

7/20/23: Orhorhoro recorded 23 tackles, five passes batted and four sacks in 2022. He was a solid rotational defender for the Tigers. Orhorhoro took advantage of the opportunity of Bryan Bresee going out with injury in 2021 to have a solid season. Orhorhoro totaled 36 tackles and 2.5 sacks that year. While Orhorhoro might be a rotational backup, NFL teams like his potential and have him with a favorable projection entering his junior season.

Maason Smith*, 3-4DE/DT, LSU
Height: 6-5. Weight: 298.
Projected 40 Time: 5.00.
Projected Round (2025): 1-2.

7/20/23: Smith was a dynamic freshman for the Tigers in 2021, and the former five-star recruit made an instant impact for them, recording four sacks and 19 tackles. There was a ton of hype coming from LSU that he was poised to have a monster 2022 season, but he suffered a torn ACL in the season opener against Florida State and missed the year. The 6-foot-5, 298-pounder has excellent size and length with the upside to build on his fantastic debut. Smith could break out and dominate in 2023 or 2024.

Leonard Taylor, 3-4DE/DT, Miami
Height: 6-5. Weight: 250. Arm: 32.75. Hand: 10.13.
Projected 40 Time: 5.10.
Projected Round (2025): 1-2.

7/20/23: Taylor flashed some potential as a freshman in 2021, racking up 24 tackles, 8.5 tackles for a loss, three sacks and a pass broken up. In 2022, he recorded 10 tackles and 1.5 sacks. Taylor has upside to grow as he gains experience.

T'Vondre Sweat, 3-4DE/DT, Texas
Height: 6-4. Weight: 340.
Projected 40 Time: 4.99.
Projected Round (2025): 1-2.

7/20/23: Sweat is a massive nose tackle who is a beast at the point of attack in the ground game. He had his best statistical year in run support in 2022, recording 29 tackles. Sweat totaled 22 stops total in each of his previous two seasons. He is a big, powerful, strong man who can cause disruption at the point of attack and also generate a push in the pass rush. Off the field, team sources say Sweat a good kid but has some issues with lethargy and likes to party. Sweat possesses a big-time skill set and upside to develop.

J.T. Tuimoloau*, 3-4DE/DE, Ohio State
Height: 6-4. Weight: 270.
Projected 40 Time: 4.70.
Projected Round (2025): 1-3.

7/20/23: As a redshirt freshman in 2022, Tuimoloau turned in a good season for the Buckeyes, showing an ability to produce big plays. He recorded 28 tackles, 3.5 sacks, one forced fumble, two interceptions and two passes broken up on the year. Tuimoloau could rise if his pass-rush and sack production improves in 2023 and 2024.