2027 NFL Draft Prospects: Defensive Tackle

9/24/26: In 2026, Echoles has nine tackles and a sack. Echoles was a disruptive force for the Rebels in 2025 and made a lot of big plays for them at the point of attack. He showed run defense and pass-rush ability, totaling 68 tackles, five sacks, and five passes batted. Echoles has quickness, athleticism, and strength.

9/24/26: To open 2026, Alexander has 15 tackles and a sack. In 2025, Alexander has 50 tackles with one sack and one pass batted. Early in the season, Alexander did not play a lot before getting more snaps. Oregon staff told Alexander that he had to show more effort in practice to get playing time. With USC in 2024, Alexander had five tackles and zero sacks. He went out for the season in late September. Alexander totaled 47 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and two passes batted for USC in 2023. In 2022, he played with Georgia as a backup and recorded nine tackles, two sacks, and two passes batted. Alexander has talent with the upside to produce more.

9/24/26: Moten missed some time to start the 2026 season. Thus far, he has three tackles and .5 sacks. Moten was a key contributor and an interior pass rusher on the tough Hurricanes defense that carried them to the National Championship. In 2025, Moten totaled 4.5 sacks with 31 tackles. Moten has a good skill set with upside to develop.

9/24/26: Washington has six tackles in 2026. In 2025, Washington had 31 tackles with 1.5 sacks and seven passes broken up. Washington is known to have an excellent skill set and upside. He is very strong, physical, and has surprising speed and athleticism for a heavy defensive tackle. Last year, Washington was a rotational backup behind Derrick Harmon. In 2024, Washington totaled 10 tackles and two passes broken up.

9/24/26: In 2026, Stone has 12 tackles and .5 sacks. Stone flashed some next-level ability in 2025. He was a disruptive run defender with 43 tackles. Stone had 1.5 sacks as a sophomore. Improving as a pass rusher would help him to rise.

9/24/26: Thus far in 2026, Thompkins has been a disruptive force for Alabama. He has 12 tackles, three sacks, and a forced fumble. In 2025, Thompkins was a quality defender for USC, contributing in both phases. He recorded 31 tackles with three sacks, one forced fumble, and two passes defended. Thompkins is quick and athletic, but could stand to add some weight and strength for the NFL.

9/24/26: Thus far in 2026, Hicks has six tackles and .5 sacks. In 2025, Hicks was a disruptive defender and showed some interior pass rush ability. He totaled 26 tackles with three sacks. Hicks totaled 2.5 sacks and 30 tackles the previous two seasons. For the NFL, Hicks could stand to gain some weight and strength.

9/24/26: Brewu has been impressive to open the season with Notre Dame. He was superb in Week 1 against Wisconsin. Thus far in 2026, Brewu has seven tackles with one sack. With Pitt in 2025, Brewu had 36 tackles with one sack and a forced fumble. He had 15 tackles with 1.5 sacks. Brewu is quick at the point of attack with agility, good leverage, and a burst to close.

9/24/26: In 2026, Gadson has nine tackles with 1.5 sacks. Gadson had an impressive sophomore season for the Wildcats, totaling 28 tackles with 2.5 sacks. Gadson looked like he was just scratching the surface, and he could be a riser. The NFL advance scouts gave Gadson a good preseason grade.

9/24/26: Thus far in 2026, Lockett has six tackles and .5 sacks. In 2025, Lockett was a solid nose tackle for the Knights. He totaled 12 tackles with one sack and two passes batted.

9/24/26: In 2026, Copeland has three tackles. Copeland showed dangerous interior pass rush ability with the Hokies in 2025. He had 4.5 sacks to go along with 48 tackles and an interception. Copeland is a quick and athletic interior defender. He should look to gain weight for the NFL.

9/24/26: Thus far in 2026, McKinley has three tackles. In 2025, McKinley has nine tackles with a sack and a pass batted. McKinley was a reserve as a sophomore in 2024, but he flashed a special skill set with excellent physical talent. He had three sacks as a backup and could be poised to rise in 2026.

9/24/26: Smith has talent but has not produced up to it yet. In 2026, Smith has four tackles thus far. He has flashed some disruptive ability in the early going of 2025. Smith had 26 tackles and 2.5 sacks with Alabama.

9/24/26: In 2026, Holmes has eight tackles and 2.5 sacks. In 2025, Holmes played well on a talented defensive line. He was a quality interior disruptor next to Lee Hunter. Holmes totaled 38 tackles with 4.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and four passes batted. It was his first season with the Red Raiders after playing three seasons at Texas.

9/24/26: Ibirogba has two tackles thus far in 2026. Ibirogba played at Wake Forest the past two seasons and was a solid player in 2025. He totaled 21 tackles with two sacks and a forced fumble. Ibirogba transferred to Texas Tech and flashed enough for NFL advance scouts to place him on their preseason watch list.

9/24/26: Thus far in 2026, Abasiri has 11 tackles and one sack. In 2025, totaled 26 tackles with 3.5 sacks and one forced fumble. It was his first season as a starter, and Abasiri could rise as he gains experience.

9/24/26: In 2026, Oke has five tackles and .5 sacks. Oke has a skill set and upside to rise as a senior. He only played in three games and redshirted in 2025. In 2024 with Abilene Christian, Oke totaled 63 tackles with 9.5 tackles for a loss.

9/24/26: Bledsoe has eight tackles and one sack in 2026. In 2025, Bledsoe had 28 tackles with 1.5 sacks. He was a backup at Texas for three seasons before transferring to the Bulldogs. Bledsoe played well enough to land on NFL team’s preseason watch list.

9/24/26: In 2026, Fite has five tackles and one sack. Fite has been a solid defender for Arizona State the past two seasons. In 2024, Fite totaled 30 tackles with two sacks. In 2025, he had 29 tackles with one sack, two passes batted, and a forced fumble.

9/24/26: Tanuvasa has four tackles and .5 sacks thus far in 2026. In 2025, Tanuvasa totaled 26 tackles with two sacks and three passes batted. He contributed as a rotational lineman for three seasons at Utah. Tanuvasa looks like a potential backup nose tackle.

9/24/26: In 2026, Sigler has 13 tackles and a sack. Sigler played at Arkansas State in 2025 and had a quality season with the Red Wolves. He totaled five sacks with 35 tackles and six passes batted. Auburn landed Sigler in the transfer portal, and he will be a riser if he produces at a similar level in the SEC.

9/24/26: In 2026, he has three tackles. Hall had 12 tackles in 2025 as a rotational backup for the Bulldogs. He has the upside to rise, but needs to lock down a starting job and produce more in 2026.