Every Snub from Top 10 in New NFL DT Rankings by Coaches, Execs

A few notable players were left out of ESPN's annual rankings of the top 10 defensive tackles in the NFL.

The rankings, published Thursday by ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, featured 10 defensive tackles. Here's a look at the full list.

1. Leonard Williams, Seattle Seahawks
2. Jeffery Simmons, Tennessee Titans
3. Jalen Carter, Philadelphia Eagles
4. Chris Jones, Kansas City Chiefs
5. Derrick Brown, Carolina Panthers
6. Quinnen Williams, Dallas Cowboys
7. Dexter Lawrence II, Cincinnati Bengals
8. Zach Allen, Denver Broncos
9. Milton Williams, New England Patriots
10. Jordan Davis, Philadelphia Eagles

Four players received "honorable mentions" after the vote, according to Fowler.

• Byron Murphy II, Seattle Seahawks
• DeForest Buckner, Indianapolis Colts
• Vita Vea, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Five defensive tackles received votes but did not qualify for the rankings, according to Fowler.

• Cam Heyward, Pittsburgh Steelers
• Kobie Turner, Los Angeles Rams
• Osa Odighizuwa, San Francisco 49ers
• Kenny Clark, Dallas Cowboys
• David Onyemata, New York Jets

According to Fowler, the list was compiled after a voting process involving more than 70 executives, coaches and scouts.

Heyward missed the cut on the top-10 list despite recording 78 tackles, 3.5 sacks and PFF's highest defensive grade among any defensive tackle last season.

Turner, ranked sixth by PFF, missed out despite posting 7.0 sacks and 48 tackles. Onyemata was also left off the list after getting ranked eighth by PFF while recording 62 tackles and a sack.

Longtime Cowboys defensive tackle Odighizuwa will look to bounce back into the top 10 after making his 49ers debut this fall, while Clark will look to find a way to make a stronger defensive impact in his second year with the Cowboys.

One notable player who received no votes is the Baltimore Ravens' Nnamdi Madubuike, who missed the 2025 season after a potentially career-threatening neck surgery. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported in April his doctors feel he will be able to play in 2026.

Another unranked defensive tackle looking to bounce back from major injury this season is the Detroit Lions' Alim McNeill, who played just 10 games last season after returning from an ACL injury.

Two teams with defensive tackles they hope to see in these rankings in the future are the Cleveland Browns, which are looking to see Mason Graham take a step forward after playing a major role in his team's defense as a rookie, and the Minnesota Vikings, which are set to turn to 2026 first-round pick Caleb Banks as a key part of their defensive line.

ESPN's annual positional rankings are set to continue Friday with the release of the top 10 tight ends list, according to Fowler.