Defensive Tackles Who Can Stop the Run and Dent the Pocket in the 2025 Draft

A roundup of prospects to address the Commanders’ biggest weakness overall

Continuing my series of draft position roundups, focusing on skillsets the Commanders need to raise their talent ceiling and rebuild the depth pipeline, I’d like to switch back to offense. But, in case you missed the previous roundups, here they are:

Late Round Running Backs

Offensive Linemen Who Can Help the Running Game

Ball-hawking Cornerbacks

Ball-hawking Safeties

Edge Defenders Who Can Disrupt the QB and Stop the Run

Who Are the Best Wide Receivers in the 2025 Draft Class?

To many fans, prioritizing interior defensive linemen in this draft might seem perverse, given the investment that the Commanders have made in the DL in recent years and pressing needs elsewhere. That line of thinking is misguided, because it emphasizes the sunk costs over the return on investment.

In fact, despite having more former first round picks than any other position group, the Commanders did not field a particularly imposing defensive line in 2024. One area where they were particularly deficient was in stopping the run.

While the Commanders’ pass defense ranked 3^rd in the league in yardage allowed and 10^th in Net Yards/Attempt, the run defense ranked 30^th in total yardage allowed and 28^th in opposing rushers’ Yards/Attempt.

While there may be plenty of blame to spread around, rush defense starts up front, and the Commanders’ defensive tackles were particularly deficient in stopping the run. As with the previous Edge Defenders roundup, this article uses Run Stop Percentage as a primary performance metric for run defenders. A Stop is a tackle that represents a failure for the offense. In 2024,

Daron Payne was Washington’s most effective interior defender against the run. His 7.0% Run Stop Rate ranked 46^th among interior defenders (min 76 run defense snaps), and was less than half that of top-ranked Calais Campbell (15.9%). Washington’s next ranked DT was Jonathan Allen in 62^nd place (6.6%), followed by Jalyn Holmes (77^th, 6.2%) and Sheldon Day (81^st, 6.1%). Johnny Newton was drafted as a gap shooting pass rusher, and was fairly mediocre against the run as a rookie (102^nd, 5.3%).

Of course, Adam Peters bolstered the line with some additions in free agency. The impact of these additions is likely to be primarily in pass defense. Javon Kinlaw, signed to a 3 yr, $15 million APY deal to replace Jon Allen is a disruptive pass rusher, but only ranked 72^nd in Run Stop Rate in 2024, at a modest 6.4%. Budget free agent Eddie Goldman is a space eating nose tackle, whose role is to boost other defenders’ stats. Like most of the nose tackles making up the bottom of the rankings, he posted modest Run Stop numbers with the Falcons (2.8%, ranked 145^th/153 qualifying DTs).

If the Commanders hope to compete with the best teams in the league, they will need get better at stopping the run. In fact, the numbers say that run defense was the team’s biggest weakness last season on defense or offense. My final draft position roundup for the season will therefore take a look at defensive tackles who can beef up the Commanders’ run defense as three down starters or rotational contributors.

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Defensive Tackles Who Can Improve the Run Defense

To identify the key prospects of interest, I sorted through 199 draft eligible interior defenders who played a minimum of 327 defensive snaps in 2024. Prospects were ranked by Run Stop Rate and Pressure Rate on passing downs to identify players who excelled at stopping the run and were factors on passing downs. Then I culled players who ranked higher than 300 on the consensus draft board and sifted through online draft profiles to find players who fit Joe Whitt’s defense. I also excluded a few players like Mason Graham, who will be long gone when the Commanders pick.

A few notable players who didn’t make the cut were Kenneth Grant (ranked too high for a pure run stuffer), Tyleik Williams (poor value for draft position in run and pass defense) and Darius Alexander (good pass rush, hit and miss run defense).

Stats were sourced from Pro Football Focus and Pro Football Reference. Consensus ranks up to 100 were taken from The Athletic’s Consensus Big Board, and after that from the Mock Draft Database Consensus Big Board. Team meetings are from the Hogs Haven Pre-draft Visit Tracker.

Photo by Andy Altenburger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Walter Nolen, Ole Miss

6-4, 296 lbs | 32. 5” arms

Classic Stats: 6 sacks | 35 press | 25 tkl | 23 asst | 32 stops | 14 TFL | Miss% 4.3 | 0 FF

MiBV Stats: Pressure Rate: 9.7% (24) | Run Stop Rate 11.9% (3)

Consensus Rank: 18

Commanders Meeting: Senior Bowl, Team Pro Day

The consensus projects Nolen to go ahead of the Commanders’ first round pick, and with the most recent update of the Consensus Board, he’s really just skirting the error margin. On paper, Nolen might look similar to the Commanders’ 2024 second round pick, Johnny Newton. But there is a key difference. Nolen was an elite run stopper in 2024, ranking third in the DT class with an 11.9% Run Stop Rate. For comparison, Newton’s run stop rate in his senior year was 7.4%, which was good but not special.

Nolen is an explosive gap shooter, with a hot motor and better play strength than his size suggests. He was very productive in both phases in college. He could upgrade the Commanders’ run defense, if he’s still available at 29. I doubt he’s the pick, but with Adam Peters you never know what could happen when value aligns with draft position.

Derrick Harmon, Oregon

6-4.5, 313 lbs | 34.4” arms | 4.95 sec 40 | 1.74 sec 10-yd

Classic Stats: 5 sacks | 55 press | 27 tkl | 18 asst | 21 stops |11 TFL | Miss% 12.2 | 2 FF

MiBV Stats: Pressure Rate: 15.9% (1) | Run Stop Rate 7.1% (58)

Consensus Rank: 30

Commanders Meeting: Team Pro Day

The draft-an-edge-at-all-costs camp won’t like it, but Derrick Harmon is a player Adam Peters will have to consider if he’s on the board at 29. Harmon has a great blend of size, length and power to the defensive line. He gets described frequently as “country-strong”.

Harmon had good sack production in 2024 and led the DT class in pressuring the passer. Against the run, he sets an immovable anchor, with the ability to split double teams. His length and raw power allow him to clog running lanes as a two-gapper.

Over the last decade, NFL teams have increasingly valued interior pressure. Harmon can bolster the Commanders’ pass rush, while also strengthening the run defense, which was the team’s biggest weakness in 2024. Harmon draws comps to Osa Odighizuwa, who was the mainstay of Dan Quinn’s defensive line in Dallas.

TJ Sanders, Senior, South Carolina

6-4, 297 lbs | 33.1” arms | 4.95 sec 40 | 1.67 sec 10-yd | RAS 9.38

Classic Stats: 4 sacks | 33 press | 29 tkl | 21 asst | 24 stops | 7 TFL | Miss% 8.2 | 0 FF

MiBV Stats: Pressure Rate: 12.9% (2) | Run Stop Rate 8.8% (19)

Consensus Rank: 54

Commanders Meeting: Senior Bowl, Team Pro Day

I have to admit, I’ve got WR Tre Harris pencilled in for the Commanders’ second round pick, if RB Quinshon Judkins is off the board. But Sanders makes a lot of sense if he falls slightly from the consensus projection.

Sanders has the highest combined rank of Pressure Rate and Run Stop Rate in this roundup. He is a powerful run defender with a strong anchor at the point of attack, awareness of ball carriers, and good extension to control blockers and shed blocks. He makes up for poor first-step quickness with good hand usage and power in the pass rush.

Sanders could be the two-gapping DT the Commanders need to strengthen their 30^th ranked run defense, and is an asset on passing downs.

Ty Robinson, 6^th yr Senior, Nebraska

6-5, 288 lbs | 32.25” arms | 4.83 sec 40 | 1.71 sec 10-yd | RAS 9.89

Classic Stats: 7 sacks | 42 press | 21 tkl | 16 asst | 28 stops | 13 TFL | Miss% 17.5 | 1 FF | 4 PBU

MiBV Stats: Pressure Rate: 11.8% (7) | Run Stop Rate 8.1% (25)

Consensus Rank: 100 (Mock Draft Database)

Commanders Meeting: Senior Bowl, Team Pro Day

Robinson is not what you immediately think of as a player to beef up the run defense, but he is likely to appeal to the coaching staff, if they can get past his advanced age.

Robinson slimmed down for the Combine, after weighing 296 lbs at the senior bowl and reportedly playing at over 310 lbs for Nebraska. At the lighter weight, he is the kind of twitchy tweener that Dan Quinn has had success with in his varied defensive fronts.

Robinson is a bully in the trenches with power to displace and shed blockers and take on double teams. His strong play recognition and lateral mobility make life difficult for running backs. As a pass rusher, Robinson combines power elements with a well developed repertoire of pass rush moves.

If the consensus projection is accurate, it would be hard to find a player with this much production, this late in the draft. Robinson ranked 7^th in the DT class in pressuring the QB, with good sack numbers, and ranked 25^th at stopping the run. He is also good at deflecting passes at the line, with 10 PBU in the past two seasons. That’s better than some draftable defensive backs.

Robinson is one of the last of the pre-COVID draft prospects, having honed his craft over 6 seasons at Nebraska. If the Commanders are OK with a 24 year old rookie, he could make a good addition to the DL rotation in the fourth round.

C.J. West, Redshirt Senior, Indiana

6-1, 316 lbs | 31.5” arms | 4.95 sec 40 | 1.73 sec 10-yd | RAS 9.15

Classic Stats: 2 sacks | 25 press | 14 tkl | 26 asst | 22 stops | 8 TFL | Miss% 18.2 | 1 FF

MiBV Stats: Pressure Rate: 10.5% (18) | Run Stop Rate 11.4% (4)

Consensus Rank: 109

Commanders Meeting: East West Shrine, Team Pro Day

West is something of a conundrum. The draft profilers tell us that his lack of length and leverage will limit his ability as a run defender and pass rusher at the pro level. Yet, despite those limitations, he was the fourth most productive run stopper in the DT draft class and 18^th best at generating QB pressures (top 9%).

West is a compact DT who plays with good burst and power. Against the run, he uses plus lateral mobility and a hot motor and good play recognition to generate stops, but he doesn’t anchor well and can get washed out of his gaps. As a pass rusher, good block recognition and, burst and foot quickness help to offset his size limitations, and his low center of gravity helps him turn corners.

The consensus projection to the early fourth round is too rich for me, but he could be good value as a rotational piece for early down work a bit later on Day 3.

Vernon Broughton, 5^th year Senior, Texas

6-5, 311 lbs | 35” arms

Classic Stats: 4 sacks | 32 press | 24 tkl | 15 asst | 26 stops | 5 TFL | Miss% 16.7 | 2 FF | 2 PBU

MiBV Stats: Pressure Rate: 9.2% (31) | Run Stop Rate 7.6% (41)

Consensus Rank: 117

Commanders Meeting: Team Pro Day

Despite playing five years in college, Broughton is a developmental prospect, who got his first start in 2024 after lingering behind quality starters on the Longhorns’ DL.

Broughton has the length and first step quickness that defensive coordinators covet. Against the run Broughton has the punch power and reach to stack blocks, but needs to get better at diagnosing plays to shed defenders and make plays on the ball. He also needs to add lower body mass to improve his anchor. He is an instinctive pass rusher, with a variety of moves, with potential to improve if he adds lower body strength.

Broughton flashed potential in his first season starting and has upside to develop in the NFL.

Jamaree Caldwell, Junior, Oregon

6-2, 332 lbs | 32” arms | 5.16 sec 40 | 1.86 sec 10-yd | RAS 3.50

Classic Stats: 0 sacks | 25 press | 16 tkl | 13 asst | 21 stops | 5 TFL | Miss% 20.0 | 1 FF | 3 PBU

MiBV Stats: Pressure Rate: 8.83% (36) | Run Stop Rate 7.5% (47)

Consensus Rank: 126

Commanders Meeting: Senior Bowl, Team Pro Day

If the Commanders want to beef up the defensive line, Caldwell could be a solution as a rotational piece on rushing downs. He is probably not a prospect that fans will get excited about, despite having potential to address the team’s biggest weakness on defense.

Caldwell is a prototypically-built nose tackle with the girth and power to eat double blocks and clog running lanes as a two-gapper. Draft profilers say has good athleticism for his size, but the RAS score disagrees. What elevates Caldwell is that he plays every snap like it’s his last, which is not always the case with the bigger men. He might not make a living as an interior pass rusher, but he has flashed some ability to push the pocket which could be developed. His pass rush numbers were better with Houston, where he logged 8.5 sacks over two seasons.

Caldwell offers developmental upside as the heavy man in the Commanders’ DL rotation, which Eddie Goldman was brought in to fill on a one year contract, replacing Carl Davis.

J.J. Pegues, Senior, Mississippi

6-2.5, 309 lbs | 32.5” arms | 5.15 sec 40 | 1.82 sec 10-yd | RAS 4.81

Classic Stats: 3.5 sacks | 31 press | 18 tkl | 24 asst | 22 stops | 14 TFL | Miss% 13.2 | 1 FF | 1 PBU

Rushing Stats: 21 Att | 69 yds | 3.3 Y/A | 7 TD

MiBV Stats: Pressure Rate: 10.6% (17) | Run Stop Rate 8.9% (18)

Consensus Rank: 139

Commanders Meeting: East West Shrine, Team Pro Day

Not only was J.J. Pegues sneaky good in both phases as a versatile defensive tackle, he is also the best fullback in the draft class, and quite possibly the draft’s most underrated player.

Don’t let the RAS fool you, everyone who watches tape comments on his quickness of the snap and phenomenal change of direction skills for his size.

Pegues started his college career at TE and is still developing as a defender. His rawness shows in run defense where he needs to improve his hand placement to avoid giving up his chest to blockers. Nevertheless, he has power to shed blocks or even make tackles with blockers hanging off him, and a nice ability to blow up pulling blocks in the backfield. He ranked in the top 10% of the draft class in Run Stop Rate and has upside to develop further as a run defender.

JJ is further along as a pass rusher. His spin move is a thing of beauty. It is among an arsenal of pass rush moves he uses to slip defenders to get into the backfield and pressure the QB. He ranked 17^th out of the top198 draft-eligible DTs in pressure rate last season, and he’s just getting started.

If that were not enough to make him insane value on Day 3, JJ tied teammate Tre Harris in touchdowns scored. The Rebels used Pegues in short yardage and goal-line situations as a run blocker and taking direct snaps as a ball carrier. The tape shows him sprint like a gazelle toward the goal line, knocking over anyone in his path.

My rule of thumb that players who are fun to watch in college will excel at that next level tags JJ as one of the safest picks in the draft. No player posted more entertaining highlight clips than JJ Pegues in 2024.

Cam’Ron Jackson, 5^th yr Senior, Florida

6-6, 328 lbs | 34.1” arms | 5.17 sec 40 | 1.81 sec 10-yd | RAS 3.88

Classic Stats: 1.5 sacks | 16 press | 13 tkl | 24 asst | 20 stops | 4 TFL | Miss% 5.9 | 1 FF | 2 PBU

MiBV Stats: Pressure Rate: 8.1% (51) | Run Stop Rate 10.9% (6)

Consensus Rank: 176

Commanders Meeting: Senior Bowl, Team Pro Day

Cam Jackson is another massive nose tackle the Commanders might consider as a rotational piece to beef up the line on rushing downs. He was one of the best run defenders in the DT class, ranking 6^th in Run Stop Rate. The tape watchers are not high on his pass rush ability, but the Pressure Rate stats suggest better ability to impact the pocket than they are letting on.

What everyone seems to agree on is that Jackson is a great run defender with upside to improve. He uses power, length and extension to throw blockers around and stop runners behind the line. He is effective at clogging running lanes and is a very secure tackler.

If the fourth round is too high for a two-down nose tackle, Jackson might be a better option in the sixth or seventh round.

Thor Griffith, Senior, Louisville

6-2, 305 lbs | 31.5” arms

Classic Stats: 3 sacks | 17 press | 15 tkl | 6 asst | 16 stops | 6 TFL | Miss% 5.3 | 1 FF

MiBV Stats: Pressure Rate: 8.8% (38) | Run Stop Rate 8.2% (23)

Consensus Rank: 250

Commanders Meeting: None

If Adam Peters can wait to the seventh round to address the team’s biggest need, Thor could be a viable option.

Griffith dominated the Ivy League for three seasons and then transferred to Louisville for his final season where he played in a rotational capacity.

In limited snaps against ACC competition, Griffith proved to be one of the more effective run stoppers in the iDL class. He plays with good pad level, power to reset the line of scrimmage and excellent play recognition as a run defender. He also has good backside pursuit, and is a secure tackler.

His pass rush is rudimentary, and entirely power-based, but he was reasonably effective at pressuring the QB when he got on the field.

In the seventh round, Griffith offers a depth addition with potential to upgrade the leaky run defense as part of the DL rotation.

Cam Horsley, 5^th yr Senior, Boston College

6-3, 312 lbs | 33” arms | 5.04 sec 40 | 1.73 sec 10-yd | RAS 8.54

Classic Stats: 0 sacks | 16 press | 16 tkl | 26 asst | 31 stops | 7 TFL | Miss% 8.7 | 0 FF | 3 PD

MiBV Stats: Pressure Rate: 6.3% (89) | Run Stop Rate 14.4% (1)

Consensus Rank: 269

Commanders Meeting: None

Horsley is another player the Commanders could bring in as a depth addition with potential to bolster the run defense in a rotational capacity.

Horsley had the second most run stops among NCAA DTs in 2024, and led the draft class in Run Stop Rate. He has good athleticism for a big man and projects as a classic, two-gapping run stopper. He has a strong anchor at the point of attack and good short area quickness. He arrives violently and is a secure tackler. He offers very little as a pass rusher at this stage of his development.

Horsley is not a household name. I hadn’t heard of him until I ran the stats and he popped out as the most productive run stopper in the DT class. He could be a sneaky good addition to the DL depth ranks in the seventh round or after the draft is over. He probably won’t ever crack the starting lineup, but could add value rotating in to shore up the rush defense on early downs and short yardage situations while he perfects his craft in the pass rush.

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