Travon Walker was the most recent defensive player to go No. 1 overall in the NFL draft in 2022. Only three defensive players have been selected with the top pick since 2014. Will a defensive player hear his name called No. 1 overall in the 2025 NFL draft?
The first round of this year’s draft could be dominated by defense. Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter and Colorado Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter headline a stacked group of prospects.
Where will the top defensive players be selected during April’s draft? USA TODAY Sports explores the best landing spots for the highest-rated defenders in the 2025 draft.
NFL draft landing spots for top defensive prospects
Travis Hunter CB/WR, Colorado
Best fit: New England Patriots
Hunter is a fluid and smooth route runner with excellent hands. As a cornerback, he diagnoses routes quickly and possesses tremendous ball skills. He played over 86% of Colorado’s offensive snaps and 82% of the team’s defensive snaps. Hunter caught 96% of his catchable passes and only accounted for three dropped passes. Pro Football Focus gave Hunter a 90.3 coverage grade, the second-highest grade for a cornerback with at least 400 snaps.
The Patriots had the worst total offense in the AFC and finished 22nd in the NFL in total defense last season. New England needs help on both sides of the ball, and Hunter can provide it.
Abdul Carter EDGE, Penn State
Best fit: Cleveland Browns
Carter finished his collegiate career ranking sixth all-time at Penn State in sacks (23.0) and eighth in tackles for loss (39.5). His 12 sacks last year ranked seventh in the nation and 52 pressures ranked in the top 10. Pro Football Focus gave Carter a 92.4 pass rush grade, which ranked first among all college edge rushers with at least 250 snaps.
The Browns run a 4-3 defense where Carter can line up opposite 2023 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett. With Garrett commanding much of the attention, Carter would see fewer double teams and chip blocks coming off the edge. Furthermore, Carter could learn from arguably the best pass rusher in the game.
Carter and Garrett would provide the Browns with one of the top edge rush duos in the NFL.
Mason Graham DT, Michigan
Best fit: Carolina Panthers
Graham is regarded as the top three-technique defensive tackle in this year’s draft. His 34 pressures ranked in the top eight among all interior defensive linemen in college football. He led all Michigan defensive linemen with 45 tackles.
Carolina finished 2024 with the NFL’s worst total defense and was at the bottom of the league in points per game. Quarterback Bryce Young needs more weapons on offense but the Panthers aren’t going to win many games if their defense can’t stop anybody.
Jalon Walker LB, Georgia
Best fit: Atlanta Falcons
Walker produced a team-high 10.5 tackles for loss, and his 6.5 sacks tied for a team-best. The Butkus Award winner is considered a hybrid player who can play edge or linebacker.
The Falcons need assistance in both areas after they finished last in the NFC in sacks and ranked 23rd in total defense. Leonard Floyd was a necessary addition to Atlanta’s base 3-4 defense and Walker could play on the opposite side.
Jahdae Barron CB, Texas
Best fit: Jacksonville Jaguars
Pro Football Focus gave Barron a 91.3 coverage grade for last year, the best of any cornerback with at least 300 snaps. Barron’s five interceptions were tied for first in the SEC, and he also led the team with 11 pass breakups.
The Jaguars had the NFL’s worst pass defense last season, allowing 257 yards per contest. The team’s finished 26th or below in pass defense for three straight years. Jasonville’s leaky defense is void of a shutdown corner.
Mike Green EDGE, Marshall
Best fit: San Francisco 49ers
Green is an explosive pass rusher who is relentless coming off the edge. Green’s 17 sacks led college football in 2024 and set a Sun Belt Conference record. He also compiled 84 tackles and 22.5 tackles for loss.
The 49ers lost plenty of talent on defense. They will have at least two new starters along their defensive line entering the season, including at defensive end. Leonard Floyd’s 8.5 sacks and 44 pressures are gone. San Francisco needs to supply Nick Bosa with more assistance.
Mykel Williams EDGE, Georgia
Best fit: Cincinnati Bengals
Williams has high upside, and his 6-foot-5, 260-pound frame gives him the necessary traits to be a standout defensive end. He had five sacks in his final season at Georgia, which ranked second on the squad. Any team who selects Williams will be betting on his potential.
Trey Hendrickson had 17.5 of Cincinnati’s 36 total sacks this past season. Hendrickson wants out if the Bengals can’t grant him a new deal. The Bengals need to build their defense through the draft after doling out massive contracts on offense.
Walter Nolen DT, Ole Miss
Best fit: Los Angeles Chargers
In 2022, 247Sports ranked Travis Hunter and Nolen as the top two high school football players in the country. He lived up to the billing in 2024. The three-technique defensive tackle tied for a team lead with 14.0 tackles for loss. He additionally had 6.5 sacks and 30 pressures. Nolen was an anchor on Ole Miss’ stingy run defense, which allowed an FBS-low 2.3 yards per carry.
The Chargers lost their best defensive tackle, Poona Ford, in free agency. Nolen, at 6-foot-4 and 296 pounds, has the size and potential to be a force in the interior. He would start immediately in Los Angeles.
Kenneth Grant DT, Michigan
Best fit: Arizona Cardinals
The big-bodied one-technique defensive tackle is a run-stuffing machine. He tallied 32 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and three sacks in his final season in Ann Arbor.
The Cardinals have long needed a disruptive defensive tackle. They ranked in the bottom half of the league in run defense. Calais Campbell, who’s drinking out of the fountain of youth, was brought back to Arizona but he’s not a long-term solution at 38 years old.
Will Johnson CB, Michigan
Best fit: Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders need to improve their depth at cornerback. They recently cut Jack Jones after a down year in Las Vegas. The Raiders gave up 29 touchdown receptions and allowed a 96.5 passer rating to opposing quarterbacks; both marks ranked near the bottom of the league.
New Raiders coach Pete Carroll is accustomed to big and physical corners. He helped architect the “Legion of Boom” in Seattle. Johnson is a 6-foot-2 corner whose playstyle matches his size. He set a Michigan record with three interceptions returned for touchdowns in his career.
Nick Emmanwori S, South Carolina
Best fit: Minnesota Vikings
The 6-foot-2 safety has speed and versatility. His Next Gen Stats total score of 85 ranked first among safeties at the combine. At the same time, his 4.38 40-yard dash time was the second-best safety time in Indianapolis.
Vikings veteran safety Harrison Smith is returning for his 14th season. Minnesota must find Smith’s heir apparent at some point. Most scouts have pegged Emmanwori as the top safety in this year’s draft. His speed and athleticism would be a welcoming addition to Minnesota’s defensive backfield.
Jihaad Campbell LB, Alabama
Best fit: Los Angeles Rams
Campbell led Alabama with 117 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and five sacks in his final season. His performance earned him first-team All-SEC recognition. He possesses the speed and athleticism to be an every-down linebacker. Next Gen Stats gave Campbell an 82 total score at the combine, first among linebackers.
The Rams haven’t had an enforcer at inside linebacker since Bobby Wagner in 2022 and Ernest Jones in 2023. This offseason, leading tackler Christian Rozeboom departed for Carolina. The Rams added Nate Landman, but are they done addressing what was a weak position group last year?
Derrick Harmon DT, Oregon
Best fit: Pittsburgh Steelers
At 6-foot-4 and 313 pounds, Harmon has the build of a prototypical defensive tackle. He tallied a career-best 10.5 tackles for loss, five sacks and 45 tackles for the Ducks in 2024. He has position versatility along the defensive line.
The Steelers traditionally have stout defensive fronts. But Cameron Heyward, who will be 36 years old at the start of next season, is by far Pittsburgh’s best defensive linemen and Larry Ogunjobi left in free agency.
Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.