The 2026 NFL Draft is over and teams are getting comfortable with their new draft picks. The next class of players is getting prepared now for another year of college football. Each position will be analyzed in the coming days. Here is the 2027 NFL Draft prospect watchlist: Defensive Linemen.
William Echoles, Ole Miss Rebels
Echoles was a four-star recruit in the 2024 class who decided to stay in-state to play for Ole Miss. He had two tackles for loss and 0.5 sacks in his first season. Echoles showed improvement in 2025, registering 68 total tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss and five sacks. His play helped Ole Miss make the CFP semifinals.
At 6-foot-3 and 315 pounds, Echoles has solid size for an interior defensive lineman. He has good power with heavy hands to go with athleticism. Echoles is a great run defender. He needs a better pass rush plan and misses too many tackles. Echoles can also struggle against double teams, but he has time to improve, as he is still just a third-year collegiate player.
Ahmad Moten, Miami Hurricanes
As a three-star recruit in the class of 2022, Moten decided to stay in-state and play for Miami. He didn’t play much in his first two seasons with the Hurricanes, then had 3.5 tackles for loss and one sack in 2024. The 2025 season was Moten’s best so far, as he tallied nine tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. His play helped Miami make a run to the National Championship Game last year.
Moten stands at 6-foot-3 and 300 pounds, which is decent for an NFL interior defensive lineman. He has good pass-rush production for an interior player and can win quickly as a rusher. Moten has good burst at the snap and has heavy hands that he uses well. Moten could shed quicker against the run and struggles against power sometimes in the middle.
David Stone, Oklahoma Sooners
Stone was a five-star recruit in the class of 2024 who decided to stay in-state to play for Oklahoma. He had two tackles for loss and one sack in 2024. Stone really broke out in 2025, as he racked up 42 total tackles, eight tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. He helped Oklahoma make the CFP and will be looking to do more in 2026.
He has good size at 6-foot-3 and 315 pounds and has solid athleticism to go with it. Stone is a good run defender who attacks gaps and uses his quickness well. He has gets a good jump at the snap and has a nice motor. Stone will need to develop some pass rush moves to make more of an impact as a rusher. Finding the football quicker will also help his stock.
A’Mauri Washington, Oregon Ducks
In the class of 2023, Washington was a four-star recruit who signed with Oregon out of Arizona. He had 1.5 tackles for loss and no sacks in his first two seasons with the Ducks. In 2025, he stepped his game up, finishing the year with 4.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. His play helped Oregon go back to the CFP with a lot more attainable this season.
At 6-foot-3 and 330 pounds, Washington has great size for the interior. He has good burst at the snap and is a quality athlete for his size. He can attack gaps and sheds well too. Washington won’t produce much as a pass rusher and his pad level can get too elevated, making him lose power.
Other Draft Prospects
Bear Alexander, Oregon Ducks
Alexander bounced around from Georgia to USC to Oregon. Last season with the Ducks, he had 6.5 tackles for loss and one sack. If he can improve on those numbers, Alexander will see his stock rise after a long journey at the college level.
AJ Holmes, Texas Tech Red Raiders
In three years at Houston, Holmes had 13.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. He was part of a good defensive line at Texas Tech last season, registering nine tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks.
Jayden Jackson, Oklahoma Sooners
He has eight tackles for loss and five sacks in his first two seasons. Jackson pairs with Stone to make a formidable dou on the interior.
Anthony Smith, Minnesota Golden Gophers
There wasn’t much production in Smith’s first two seasons at Minnesota, but he has 29 tackles for loss and 18.5 sacks over the last two seasons. The sack production is unique for the interior line.
Make sure to check out our brand new NFL Draft page
for more content like 2027 NFL Draft Watchlists: Defensive Linemen!
You can like The Game Haus on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for more sports and esports articles from great TGH writers!