2026 NFL Draft Interior Defensive Line Rankings: Peter Woods, Kayden McDonald Lead a Strong Class

The 2026 NFL Draft interior defensive line rankings arrive at a time when the value of disruptive interior defenders is rising across the league. Modern NFL defenses are increasingly relying on a four-man rush to generate pressure while defending the run with lighter boxes. As seen on the biggest stages — including recent Super Bowl runs — the ability to rush four and still collapse the pocket allows defenses to maximize coverage on the back end and unlock pressure packages from multiple launch points.

This class reflects that evolution. While it may not feature a consensus top-10, game-wrecking interior pass rusher, it offers a deep collection of powerful, gap-disciplined defenders who can anchor against double teams and compress the pocket with force. Prospects like Peter Woods headline a group built on leverage, motor, and interior toughness, with strong Day 2 depth for teams seeking early-down stability and sub-package disruption from the inside.

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2026 NFL Draft Interior Defensive Line Rankings

1). Peter Woods, 6’3”, 315 lbs, Clemson

Grade Tier: Near Elite

NFL Projection: Mid-to-Late 1st Round

Analysis: A twitch-heavy interior disruptor with rare first-step explosion and natural leverage. Woods consistently wins across the guard’s face with speed-to-power and violent hands, stressing protection rules before blocks can fully develop. His 2025 production dip appears more contextual than trait-based. Best deployed as an attacking 3-technique in one-gap systems where penetration is prioritized over static two-gapping.

2). Kayden McDonald, 6’3”, 326 lbs, Ohio State

Grade Tier: Near Elite

NFL Projection: Mid-to-Late 1st Round

Analysis: A dense, leverage-driven nose tackle whose anchor strength and leg drive consistently reset the line of scrimmage. McDonald controls A-gaps, absorbs double teams, and frees second-level defenders to flow cleanly. Pass-rush counters and pad-level consistency remain developmental, but his play strength and early-down reliability project immediate value in odd or hybrid fronts.

3). Caleb Banks, 6’6”, 325 lbs, Florida

Grade Tier: High-End Starter Potential

NFL Projection: 2nd Round

Analysis: A physically rare interior defender with elite length and movement skills for his size. Banks flashes disruptive burst and alignment versatility, generating pressure from multiple launch points. Pad level and double-team anchor consistency must improve, but his blend of size and interior pass-rush upside gives him legitimate top-20 ceiling in attacking schemes.

4). Lee Hunter, 6’4”, 325 lbs, Texas Tech

Grade Tier: High-End Starter Potential

NFL Projection: 2nd–3rd Round

Analysis: A powerful interior anchor built to control A-gaps in both odd and even fronts. Hunter wins with leverage, heavy hands, and functional explosiveness, consistently collapsing space versus single blocks and surviving doubles. While not a high-volume interior penetrator, he compresses pockets and projects as an early-down tone-setter with starting nose tackle upside.

5). Christen Miller, 6’3”, 305 lbs, Georgia

Grade Tier: High-End Starter Potential

NFL Projection: 2nd–3rd Round

Analysis: A leverage-based interior defender with strong run integrity and developing pass-rush efficiency. Miller wins with length, power, and consistent motor, stacking and shedding effectively while flashing interior quickness. His ability to align as a 3-tech or 4i gives him scheme flexibility in hybrid fronts. If pressure-to-sack conversion improves, he profiles as a steady Day 2 starter with three-down potential.

6). Domonique Orange, 6’4”, 325 lbs, Iowa State

Grade Tier: Mid-Level Starter Potential

NFL Projection: 3rd–4th Round

Analysis: A power-centric nose tackle built for gap-control systems. Orange wins with natural leverage, mass, and play strength, consistently anchoring versus double teams and compressing interior run lanes. He projects cleanly as a zero- or one-tech in odd fronts, with early-down value in even schemes. Pass-rush upside remains limited, but his plug-and-play run defense gives him immediate rotational floor with starting nose tackle potential.

7). Chris McClellan, 6’4”, 323 lbs, Missouri

Grade Tier: Mid-Level Starter Potential

NFL Projection: 3rd–4th Round

Analysis: A disruptive interior defender with size, length (34” arms), and explosive get-off to impact both as a penetrator and gap-control player. When leverage is consistent, McClellan controls blocks and collapses the pocket with heavy power. His snap anticipation and competitive motor elevate his flashes. Pad-level inconsistency limits down-to-down reliability, but the tools suggest rotational Year 1 impact with starter-level upside in multiple fronts.

8). Rayshaun Benny, 6’4”, 305 lbs, Michigan

Grade Tier: Mid-Level Starter Potential

NFL Projection: 3rd–4th Round

Analysis: A strong-anchored interior defender with steady three-down rotational value. Benny combines natural leverage, heavy hands, and good lateral quickness to control interior gaps and survive double teams. He currently relies too heavily on bull rush mechanics and lacks a refined counter package. If pass-rush development takes a step forward, he projects as a dependable early-down starter in even or hybrid schemes.

9). Darrell Jackson Jr., 6’5”, 337 lbs, Florida State

Grade Tier: Mid-Level Starter Potential

NFL Projection: 3rd–4th Round

Analysis: A massive two-gap anchor with rare length (35” arms) and overwhelming play strength. Jackson consistently commands double teams and resets the line of scrimmage with heavy hands and long-arm power. Conditioning consistency and limited pass-rush sequencing cap three-down projection, but he offers immediate value as a starting nose in odd fronts or a heavy 1-tech in even systems built on interior run control.

10). Dontay Corleone, 6’1”, 320 lbs, Cincinnati

Grade Tier: Mid-Level Starter Potential

NFL Projection: 3rd–4th Round

Analysis: A compact, power-dense nose tackle who wins with leverage and violent hands. Corleone absorbs double teams, controls A-gaps, and generates interior push with natural lower-body strength. Shorter length and limited counter development restrict pass-rush ceiling, but his ability to reset the pocket and control the run game makes him an ideal early-down 1-tech or rotational nose in odd fronts.

How We Grade the Interior Defensive Line Position

Interior defensive linemen are evaluated primarily on anchor strength, gap discipline, and disruption at the point of attack. Grades are driven by how consistently a defender controls leverage, holds ground against double teams, and executes assignments within even and odd front structures.

Key factors include first-step explosiveness, hand usage, block deconstruction, pad level, interior pass-rush plan, and pursuit motor. While raw size and mass matter, functional strength, leverage consistency, and the ability to collapse the pocket without compromising run integrity carry the most weight in today’s NFL, where interior defenders must impact both early downs and sub-package situations.

Football Scout 365 Grade Scale

Elite

NFL Projection: Top 5–10 Picks (1st Round)

Franchise-altering talent with elite physical tools, advanced processing, and minimal weaknesses. Immediate high-impact starter with difference-making ability.

Near Elite

NFL Projection: Mid-to-Late 1st Round

High-level prospect with strong traits and football intelligence. Expected to become a major contributor early in their career with Pro Bowl upside.

High-End Starter Potential

NFL Projection: 2nd–3rd Round

Projects as a quality NFL starter with strong tools and functional traits. May require refinement but offers consistent impact with development.

Mid-Level Starter Potential

NFL Projection: 4th–5th Round

Dependable starter or high-end rotational player. Solid athletic profile with some limitations that cap ceiling or require scheme fit.

Low-Level Starter Potential

NFL Projection: 6th–7th Round

Developmental prospect with starter upside in defined roles. Inconsistencies in technique, processing, or durability limit long-term ceiling.

Backup Level

NFL Projection: Undrafted Free Agent (UDFA)

Depth player or rotational piece. Functional traits but limited upside for a long-term starting role.

Not NFL Level

NFL Projection: Unlikely to Make NFL Roster

Significant developmental needs across athleticism, technique, or processing. Long-shot to stick at the NFL level.