2025 NFL Draft: Joel Klatt ranks top ten defensive players available

Workouts, interviews and preparations for the 2025 NFL Draft are in their final stages, and a clear picture of who the best prospects in this year’s cycle has taken its shape. Naturally, there’s a pecking order for these NFL candidates.

That’s why FOX Sports analyst Joel Klatt took some time out of his show on Monday to reveal his top 10 defensive players who will be on the board at the start of the NFL Draft. Notably, he believes the top three players in his list are the top three players available overall in this year’s draft cycle. Here’s how Klatt ranked his top 10 defensive players in the draft:

1. Abdul Carter, Penn State EDGE

The defensive star was a dominating force for Penn State throughout his time in Happy Valley. All told, he spent three seasons with the program, amassing 173 total tackles, 23 sacks, five forced fumbles and one interception. Carter totaled 12 sacks in 2024 alone and led the country with 23.5 tackles for loss.

Klatt: “He moved from linebacker to defensive end this last year, and he did it so naturally and fluidly that it, in a lot of ways, almost shocked me. … This guy is going to immediately make any defense that he’s on better, and again, his versatility. I don’t want to put the Micah [Parsons] comp on him just yet, but what Dallas does moving Micah around, you can do with Abdul Carter.”

2. Travis Hunter, Colorado CB

Offensively, Travis Hunter totaled 1,258 yards and a Big 12-leading 15 touchdowns in 2024. However, many see him as a star in the NFL as a defensive back. At CB this past season, Hunter added 36 tackles and four interceptions. For his efforts, it earned him the 2024 Heisman Trophy.

Klatt: “If you look at him just as a corner, he’s an elite corner. He’s got great ball skills, and he’s got everything that you would want to see. … You see him in the right spot at the right time. You constantly see him being sticky in coverage. He’s tough in coverage.”

3. Mason Graham, Michigan DT

Graham was productive at defensive tackle as a key piece to Michigan’s defense over the past couple of seasons. During his time in Ann Arbor, Graham compiled 52 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 26 pressures, and 14 run stops in 12 games last season.

Klatt: “This guy is an incredible player. He’s got probably the best balance, leverage, and strength combination that I’ve seen in a defensive tackle in a long time. He is very athletic, although doesn’t look it. He’s tough. I’ll say this. He almost single-handedly — he and Kenneth Grant basically beat Ohio State this last year. They were that dominant on the interior.”

4. Will Johnson, Michigan CB

Former Michigan star Will Johnson has the potential to be a staple on a franchise’s defense wherever he ends up come April. During his time in Ann Arbor, Johnson elevated to become arguably the top corner in all of college football. All told he finished his career with nine interceptions, including a school-record three pick-sixes.

Klatt: “I know that the NFL decision-makers have to weigh the injuries … I’ve got a guy that has been slipping a little bit in this process because of his health, but will Johnson, the corner of Michigan, I think that that’s one of the reasons why his stock has dropped a little bit, because when healthy, I think it, it’s easy to put him in there as essentially the top corner in the draft. He and Travis Hunter are right there.”

5. Jalon Walker, Georgia LB

In three seasons at Georgia, Jalon Walker compiled 12.5 sacks, including a career-best 6.5 in 2024. He had by far the most productive season of his career with 61 total tackles. For reference, he totaled just 20 tackles in 2023.

Klatt: “He can play traditional linebacker. He can pop out and play over on the edge. He destroyed Texas in that first meeting. That defense from Georgia played so well down in Austin that was a fun tape to watch. He had three sacks that were against Kelvin Banks and all those experienced offensive linemen. He’s been dealing with some injuries as well, so he’s had a quad. He’s going to have to do a private workout because of that.”

6. Jahdae Barron, Texas CB

In five seasons with Texas, Barron played in 57 total games. During that time, he made 226 total tackles, 21 tackles for a loss, 2.0 sacks, eight interceptions, and 24 passes defended. The vast majority of that production came between 2022 and 2024.

Klatt: “I really loved Texas’s secondary. I remember a couple of years ago, their secondary had some weaknesses, and their past defense had some weaknesses, and they shored that up this last season. He was excellent. He was a big reason why they were better against the pass, and that was a unit that was one of the only units to slow down Ohio State’s passing game, particularly in the playoffs.”

7. Mykel Williams, Georgia EDGE

In 12 games this past year, Williams recorded 21 tackles, 8.5 tackles for a loss, and five sacks. As Klatt mentioned, four of those sacks came against Texas — two in the regular season and two in the SEC Championship game. Williams’ other sack was during the nonconference slate vs. UMass.

Klatt: “I think he’s got elite top-end ability. He had a bit of an ankle injury, and I felt like that kept him from having the year that he probably could have. But if you go back in his career, he was maybe better early in his career. He was a freshman All-American. He was highly recruited. His Pro Day was a little underwhelming. But when you turn on the film and in particular games that you want to see him play well … he plays well.”

8. Jihaad Campbell, Alabama LB

The 6-foot-3, 235-pound Campbell led the loaded Crimson Tide defense with 117 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 5 sacks and 2 forced fumbles in 2024. The former five-star recruit could be a strong addition to whichever defense he finds himself supporting.

Klatt: “Now, I think he could have had more production in college, but they moved him around a lot. He played on the inside as a linebacker. He can play outside as an EDGE player. It was basically wherever they needed him, which tells me that he’s a smart player.”

9. Mike Green, Marshall EDGE

Green is a physical freak with elite explosiveness off the edge. In turn, he’s been climbing up draft boards after his stellar 2024 season where he was named a first-team All-American and Sun Belt Player of the Year.

Klatt: “He works hard. He’s one of [Marshall’s] best-practice players. He’s twitchy, he gets after the quarterback. He’s got great instincts. … I was very impressed with him. Mike Green, maybe [doesn’t have] the measurables that you would love, but he’s certainly a guy who can be productive.”

10. Kenneth Grant, Michigan DT

A third-team All-American selection this year, Grant recorded 69 total tackles, 9 passes defended and 6.5 sacks at the nose tackle position for the Michigan Wolverines. He ultimately played in 41 games during his time in Ann Arbor.

Klatt: “I think he’s gonna be an excellent pro. He’s young, he’s huge, he is very athletic, and he’s a guy that I could see just getting better and better and better. Maybe at the end of this, he could be the best defender from this draft 10 years from now. He’s got that type of upside.”