With the 2024 college football season getting closer, let’s take a quick look at the Indianapolis Colts’ 2025 NFL Draft with Pro Football Focus’ top draft-eligible defensive tackles.
PFF recently reviewed all 11 positions and selected the top 10 draft prospects from each of them. Here’s who they picked for defensive tackle. For more information on each player, click Here.
Mason Graham, Michigan
Deone Walker, Kentucky
Kenneth Grant, Michigan
Howard Cross III, Notre Dame
Tyleik Williams, Ohio State
Walter Nolen, The Old Maid
Dontay Corleone, Cincinnati
Aeneas Peebles, Virginia Tech
Rylie Mills at Notre Dame
Tonka Hemingway in South Carolina
At least where we stand now, adding to the interior defensive line next April will be on the Packers’ radar, and the extent to which that can happen will largely depend on whether or not Kenny Clark returns.
Clark is currently in the final year of his contract. He recently mentioned that his representatives and the Packers are in contract extension talks and that Clark would like to finish his career in Green Bay. Time will tell how close both sides are to an agreement.
If Clark returns in 2025, the need to add a defensive tackle position will obviously decrease. However, if he plays elsewhere, the demand increases significantly.
The main reason I think strengthening the interior defensive line could come into play next offseason, even if Clark returns, is that under fresh defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, defenders are being asked to get upfield and downfield as quickly as possible to the defense rather than just reading and reacting as they did under Joe Barry is that this approach involves a lot of effort. This requires a deeper pivot.
With Clark being in the final year of his contract, so is TJ Slaton. If he ends up elsewhere next year, the Packers will need to find a fresh member to contribute to that rotation. Devonte Wyatt will also be entering the final year of his rookie deal in 2025, although the Packers could pick up his fifth-year option for the 2026 season.
Both Karl Brooks and Colby Wood will have two years left on their rookie contracts entering the 2025 season. If both Clark and Slaton return next season, that would be the only scenario in which strengthening the defensive tackle position likely won’t make a difference makes more sense.
In the PFF article, they note that the upcoming interior defensive line class appears to be “loaded” with multiple first-round selections and potentially several top-10 picks.
