2026 NFL Draft Defensive Linemen Rankings and Grades

The 2026 NFL draft cycle is gaining steam. The college playoffs roll on until a champion is crowned on January 19. After that, attention turns to the all-star game circuit in late January.

From there, the focus will shift to the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, then to Pro Days and personal and/or private workouts.

Below are the latest DL rankings, grades, superlatives and potential NFL landing spots for the 2026 class.

1. Peter Woods, Clemson (8.3)
2. Keldric Faulk, Auburn (8.0)
3. Kayden McDonald, Ohio State (7.9)
4. LT Overton, Alabama (7.8)
5. Christen Miller, Georgia (7.6)
6. Lee Hunter, Texas Tech (7.4)
7. Domonique Orange, Iowa State (7.3)
8. Tim Keenan III, Alabama (7.2)
9. Darrell Jackson Jr., Florida State (7.1)
10. Ahamad Moten Sr., Miami (7.1)
11. Caleb Banks, Florida (7.0)
12. Dontay Corleone, Cincinnati (6.6)
13. Zane Durant, Penn State (6.5)
14. Aaron Graves, Iowa (6.4)
15. Gracen Halton, Oklahoma (6.3)
16. Rayshaun Benny, Michigan (6.2)
17. Zxavian Harris, Ole Miss (6.1)

NFL teams with a potential need at DL: Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, New York Jets

Best Nose Tackle: Domonique Orange
Best Pass-Rusher: Peter Woods
Best Run-Stopper: Peter Woods
Most Versatile: LT Overton

Bleacher Report Scouting Dept.'s latest Big Board has complete rankings for the entire draft class. You can also find more position-specific rankings here:

Quarterbacks

Running Backs

Wide Receivers

Tight Ends

Offensive Tackles

Interior Offensive Linemen

Edge-Rushers

Linebackers

Cornerbacks

Safeties

Rankings will be updated at regular intervals throughout the 2026 NFL draft cycle.