With a few defensive tackles projected to be taken in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft and several plug-and-go starters available in free agency, the DT positions are sure to see some overhaul this offseason.
We polled a group of writers from around SB Nation to gather consensus rankings about the players.
We will remove players from the list as they re-sign with their current teams all the way up to the opening of free agency in March.
Others receiving votes: Greg Gaines, Javon Kinlaw, Jarran Reed, Sebastian Joseph-Day, Morgan Fox, Tershawn Wharton, Taven Bryan, Derrick Nnadi, Bobby Brown, Tedarrell Slaton, Poona Ford
8. Leki Fotu, new York Jets
After signing a one-year, $2.5 million deal with the Jets last offseason, Fotu only managed to play in two games following a training camp hamstring injury and an in-season knee injury. He was designated to return late in the season, but with the Jets out of the playoff picture, he stayed on injured reserve. That being said, it shouldn’t linger too far into the offseason. At 334 pounds, he’s the big man in the middle of your line.
7. Calais Campbell, Miami Dolphins
Campbell turns 39 just before the start of the 2025 season and hasn’t made a decision if he’ll play this season or not, so you can understand why there is some variance in his ranking. Campbell received one first-place vote but was also left completely out of a different voter’s top ten. He played in at least 12 games every season for 17 years and started 17 games in both 2024 with Miami and 2023 with Atlanta. He’s still playing at a high level, delivering five sacks, 52 tackles, and 12 QB hits this year. He made just $2 million in 2024 coming off a $7 million contract in 2023.
6. Adam Butler, Las Vegas Raiders
If you’re looking for value, Butler might be your best bet. He made just $1.8 million for the Raiders in 2024 and he turns 31 this offseason. He finished the year with five sacks, 10 QB hits, and 65 tackles as a primary starter for the first time in his career. He played nearly 77% of the defensive snaps for Vegas, far and away the most on the team. After a good year, he should definitely be chasing the first really rich contract of his career.
4T. Milton Williams, Philadelphia Eagles
Williams was ranked as high as third on one of our ballots, and he recorded five sacks and 10 QB hits in 2024 as the number two DT for the Eagles. He’s only going to be 26 in April, and has a lot of room for further growth. The former third-round pick has an elite pass-rush grade from PFF, but struggles against the run.
4T. Levi Onwuzurike, Detroit Lions
A former second-round pick in 2021, Onwuzurike missed his sophomore season after back surgery. He’s only started 10 NFL games and played 42 as a result. In 2024, he has his best season with 13 QB hits and 1.5 sacks, while logging the most snaps of any lineman in Detroit at nearly 58%.
3. Osa Odighizuwa, Dallas Cowboys
Odighizuwa was a four-year starter for the Cowboys averaging 44 tackles and 3.4 sacks per season. He really got after the passer in 2024, setting a career-high in sacks and exploding for 23 QB hits. The former third-rounder turns 27 just before the season starts, and is definitely in line for a longer-term deal.
2. D.J. Jones, Denver Broncos
Coming off a three-year, $30 million contract with Denver, Jones has been a seven-year starter for the 49ers and Broncos. A durable defender, he played the second-most snaps at DT for the Broncos in 2024. PFF has him rated above-average as a pass rusher and average as a run defender.
1. B.J. Hill, Cincinnati Bengals
Our clear top choice, Hill has recorded 50+ tackles in each of the last four seasons with the Bengals and averaged four sacks per season. The former third-round pick is coming off a three-year, $30 million contract. He turns 30 this offseason, so he has good years left in the tank, and he’s a disruptive instant starter for any team that signs him to shore up their interior.
Other free agent defensive tackles
- Chris Williams
- Kurt Hinish
- Austin Johnson
- Mike Hoecht
- John Jenkins
- Jerry Tillery
- Linval Joseph
- Kevin Givens
- Johnathan Hankins
- Jeremiah Ledbetter
- Maurice Hurst
- Benito Jones
- Daniel Ekuale
- Khalil Davis
- Chauncey Golston
- Mike Pennel
- Eddie Goldman
- Kyle Peko
- Quinton Jefferson
- Jordan Phillips
- Larrell Murchison
- Teair Tart
- Marlon Davidson
- Marlon Tuipulotu
- James Lynch
- Roy Lopez
- Ta’Quon Graham
- Mario Edwards
