2026 NFL Draft rankings: Peter Woods leads interior DL prospects

Jack McKessy and Ayrton Ostly, USA TODAYTue, April 14, 2026 at 11:01 AM UTC

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2026 NFL Draft rankings: Peter Woods leads interior DL prospects

NFL battles are won in the trenches.

On the defensive side of the ball, cornerbacks and edge rushers claim the glory in interceptions and sacks, but interior defensive linemen can play just as crucial a role in disrupting opposing offenses.

A great defensive lineman can torment offensive linemen with their strength to collapse a pocket or close a running lane. The best defensive linemen can turn those disruptions into production via sacks and tackles for a loss.

The 2026 NFL Draft presents an opportunity for teams around the league to upgrade their trenches and bring in additional disruptive players on defense. Clemson's Peter Woods and Florida's Caleb Banks lead the pack of interior defensive linemen as potential first-round picks this year, but there are dozens of other talented players at the position who could hear their names called.

Here's how the top defensive line prospects rank, according to USA TODAY Sports' draft expert Ayrton Ostly's big board of the top 200 players in the 2026 draft class:

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1 / 0NFL mock draft: Top-10 surprises in latest first-round projection1. Las Vegas Raiders – Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana2026 NFL Draft: Ranking top DT prospects1. Peter Woods, Clemson

Scouting report: Woods looks at times like a prospect who is 85% of what Jalen Carter offers, thanks to his mix of size (6-foot-3, 298 pounds) and athleticism. He can beat defenders with a bull rush, chase down ball-carriers in the run game and eat up double teams. Yet he struggles with consistency. We're willing to bet on the tantalizing, Pro Bowl-caliber upside.

2. Caleb Banks, Florida

Scouting report: Fluid mover for his imposing size with all of the tools you could look for in a dominant interior DT. Elite length with impressive burst off the line. A difference-maker in pass rush but needs work in run defense and consistency. Fully healed from midseason foot injury; came back early from that to compete with teammates late in the season.

3. Kayden McDonald, Ohio State

Scouting report: The Buckeyes will have many first-round players in this draft and McDonald very well could be one of them in this interior defensive line class. His 6-foot-2, 326-pound frame eats up blocks in the running game thanks to his play strength and overall power. He hasn't put much on tape as a pass rusher but he could improve that with time.

4. Christen Miller, Georgia

Scouting report: Elite anchor and strength show up in both run defense and pass rush scenarios. He can move to multiple spots on the line thanks to his lateral agility. Needs to improve his hand usage to be effective as an interior rusher at the NFL level.

5. Domonique Orange, Iowa State

Scouting report: Takes on blocks with his big frame in the middle and that shows up regularly in run defense. Good burst off the line for his size with the strength to win with his bull rush. Good pad level despite his frame. Can be overaggressive in his rush, and he lacks pass rush production; his totals dropped in 2025 despite a higher snap count.

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6. Darrell Jackson Jr., Florida State

Scouting report: Huge prospect with 35-inch arms and massive hands that deploy his powerful frame very well in the middle. Strong, aggressive mentality at the point of attack. Can make arm tackles. Can be stiff and lacks explosive athleticism. Pad level can be concerning. The tools are there to develop long-term, though.

7. Lee Hunter, Texas Tech

Scouting report: Powerful run-stuffing presence in the middle who regularly disrupts opposing offensive lines. Consistently wins at the point of attack to open things up for second-level defenders. Operates with a strong anchor and powerful hands. Lacks pass-rush acumen at this point which lowers his overall value.

8. Zxavian Harris, Mississippi

Scouting report: Example of the "planet theory": There just aren't many people his size on Earth. Uses his size, length and power to be an impactful run defender. Lined up at multiple spots on the defensive line. Long strides to seal off backside plays. High-cut frame can be a negative with leverage. Needs to improve block disengagement to truly be a force.

9. Dontay Corleone, Cincinnati

Scouting report: Short stature belies his elite strength and athleticism. Relentless motor. Violent hand usage that shows up in both run defense and pass rushing. Injuries limited him in 2025 to zero sacks for the first time in his college career.

10. DeMonte Capehart, Clemson

Scouting report: Explosively athletic interior defender who shined at the combine (4.85 40, 33.5-inch vertical) for his size. Not a lot of starting experience but that may have more to do with staying at Clemson for six years. Powerful with good lateral movement to stress guards out and handle double-teams. More of a run-stuffer than a pass rusher from the interior. Relies on power and motor over technique to win matchups. Hand usage must improve to stick in the NFL.

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1 / 0Ranking top 25 prospects for 2026 NFL Draft -

Arvell Reese, LB/DE, Ohio StateOn a defense already dotted with stars, Reese rose from an occasional contributor to a bona fide star in his first full season as a starter. The 6-4, 241-pound linebacker exhibited uncommon fluidity for a player of his size, finding equal comfort dropping back in coverage as bullying his way into the backfield. His pass-rush plan is still rather rudimentary at the moment, but he has the toolkit of a double-digit sack artist. In a league where defenses are constantly taxed against the pass and run, Reese displays a unique aptitude for detonating whatever play an offense might throw at him.

11. Kaleb Proctor, Southeastern Louisiana

Scouting report: Lit up the NFL combine with his testing and drill performances. An elite athlete with the range to be a playmaker consistently. Can bend well to attack pass protection consistently. His undersized frame will show up more in the NFL than his college competition but the tools are there as a rotational interior rusher at the least.

12. Chris McClellan, Missouri

Scouting report: Good arm length for his size and massive hands which provide him a great punch off the line into blockers. Reactive facing blockers and nimble laterally to adjust his rush. Not an explosive athlete. Lacks bend and anchor which can show up in run defense. Needs to improve block shedding given how strong his hands are.

13. Tim Keenan III, Alabama

Scouting report: Surprisingly nimble for his size. Shorter height means he naturally has a leverage advantage on blockers. Good pass rush production (45 pressures, eight sacks in his last three years). Great timing with his hands. Lacks high-end explosiveness and can rush too far upfield at times.

14. Albert Regis, Texas A&M

Scouting report: Great burst for a DT (34-inch vertical, 4.88-second 40-yard dash). Low center of gravity and great balance mean he can out-leverage double teams and take on centers. Tough player on a snap-by-snap basis. Short arms and a lack of size overall will limit his effectiveness as an interior rusher.

15. Gracen Halton, Oklahoma

Scouting report: Smaller, penetrating pass-rusher from the interior with good body control and footwork but needs to improve leverage understanding and hand usage.

16. Tyler Onyedim, Texas A&M

Scouting report: Explosive first step with great length and alignment versatility but lacks lower body power to be a reliable run defender on the interior.

17. Zane Durant, Penn State

Scouting report: Explosive interior rusher who thrives in slants and twists but lacks the stature to hold up consistently in run defense.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2026 NFL Draft position rankings: Best available DT prospects

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