Here we go Steelers fans! Another week closer to the 2026 NFL Draft and Aaron Rodgers still hasn’t decided if he wants to be a football player! Shocking! With this week’s Draft Position Preview, we’re going to take a look at Defensive Tackles. However because it is a somewhat underwhelming class overall, I want to look specifically at players I think will help the Steelers the most; those that can play Nose Tackle so Benton can finally move to his natural spot outside. These players fit that mold regardless of round.
Kayden McDonald, 6’2” 326lbs, Ohio State
Strengths
-Play recognition; locates ball carrier while engaged with blocker to make plays
-Great power and leverage
-Good quickness for his size
-Played well in big games against high level competition
-Hard to move; old school NT
Weaknesses
-Shorter arms than most teams like
-Does not have a pass rush repertoire
-Needs to master fundamentals like widening his base
Projection: Late first round pick. For teams looking to improve against the run, this is where McDonald makes his money. He’s on the shorter side, but big and powerfully built. His strength is evident on tape. McDonald has a good bull rush, but that’s about it. His ability to get TFL’s is impressive for a nose tackle. McDonald will need development to be impactful on passing downs.
Lee Hunter, 6’3” 318lbs, Texas Tech
Strengths
-Stays low out of snap and maximizes leverage
-Violent hands and big wing span
-Excellent run stuffer
-Handles double teams very well which provides opportunities for supporting cast
-Solid tackling technique; uses body and does not arm tackle
Weaknesses
-Most likely limited to being a 2-down lineman
-Older player; will be a 24-year old rookie
-Seems to get fatigued and will need a good conditioning program
-Is not a pass rusher; another 2-down player
Projection: Early to mid-second rounder. Lee Hunter is another pure run-stuffer. He is older than the typical rookie, but he is very good at the job he does. On tape, you can see when he gets fatigued he loses leverage and lineman get into his pads. Hunter will need improved cardio, especially with a longer NFL season. He frees up linebackers to make plays because he clogs the middle. Most likely he will be relegated to being a 2-down Nose Tackle.
Domonique Orange, 6’2” 322lbs, Iowa State
Strengths
-Powerful; Put effort into strength and diet in offseason
-Good initial quickness and reaction is where he wins battles
-Active feet allows quick recovery
-Ideal NT in a 3-4
Weaknesses
-Needs to improve ability to shed blocks
-Lateral movement is lacking when tracking runners
-Tackling is not consistent and seemed to worsen this past season
-Needs to fine tune his base and ability to take on double teams
Projection: Round 3-4. Big Citrus has one of the better nicknames in this year’s draft class. This is a player I really like as a sleeper for the Steelers. Critics point out that he tends to get moved around some, but when I watch his tape I see it as a result of at times overactive feet and not having gap discipline. So the effort is there and I believe his flaws can be coached up. Orange’s commitment to the weight room and his diet are impressive, which is the hardest thing to coach: want to. I don’t see him taking plays off and he is a high effort player.
Darrell Jackson, Jr., 6’5” 315lbs, Florida State
Strengths
-Ridiculous 7’2” wingspan
-Team Captain at Florida State and awarded their defensive MVP
-Long arms help him slow runners even when engaged with blockers
-Good at holding ground against the run
Weaknesses
-Too high out of his stance
-Does not use his hands well
-Needs to be quicker at the snap
-Can get overwhelmed by double teams
Projection: Middle to late round 4. Jackson Jr. has rare size and length for the position. He’s a great locker room presence and his teammates love him. Jackson Jr.’s fundamentals need some work. He doesn’t properly utilize his physical gifts. At his size, Jackson Jr. does not eat up double teams, does not use his crazy wingspan to properly shed blocks, and his hands need to be quicker. That being said, he is a specimen and with refinement could be an absolute monster. It’s easy to see the boom potential for teams willing to take the risk.
Nick Barrett, 6’3” 312lbs, South Carolina
Strengths
-Strong and holds ground against double teams
-Thickly built but has the frame to add even more mass
-Consistent technique and pad level
-Shuts down running lanes in the middle of the line
Weaknesses
-Below average agility
-Strong but not quick hands; uses build-up power
-Not a great tackler
-Was subbed out in passing downs in college so will be a 2-down player in the NFL
Projection: Late round 4-5. Barrett is a big man that has the frame to be a bigger man. He is a huge clog in the middle of the line and keeps his linebackers free to make plays. This might be his ceiling though. In college he did not offer anything as a pass-rusher. He lacks agility and won’t pursue sideline to sideline. He’s a space eater and will be used best as a 3-4 Nose Tackle on “running downs.”
Dontay Corleone, 6’1” 340lbs, Cincinnati
Strengths
-Anchors well with a strong base
-Surprisingly agile for his size
-Uses his hands well
-High motor/effort player who will pursue ball carriers
Weaknesses
-Short arms (31”) impacts ability to shed blocks
-Weight control might be a concern
-Needs more consistency in his pad level
-Has medical red flags that will need to be reviewed
Projection: Round 6. So here’s a guy that gives “Big Citrus” a run for his money in the nickname department. “The Godfather” Dontay Corleone is another Nose Tackle prospect who is shorter but with more girth. This gives him natural leverage and the ability to stay beneath blockers’ pads on every snap. For being 6’1 and 340lbs., he moves very well and is a high effort player who will pursue ball carriers. Corleone’s weight room numbers are impressive, particularly a 605-pound squat. His physical makeup and quickness may enable him to bring more on passing downs at some point, although his short arms may hinder him.
Final thoughts
Although this is generally not considered a great Defensive Tackle class overall, every round offers a potential fit at 3-4 Nose Tackle. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again; Keeanu Benton is not a NT. He is much better fitted outside due to his athleticism. Getting a true 0-tech will open up pass rushing opportunities for him, Harmon, and Old Man Heyward (just kidding, Cam!) while also hopefully shoring up the run defense. If they kind find someone that can hold down the middle that is versatile enough to contribute on passing downs as well, even better. Hopefully the new regime recognizes this and moves the defense in a positive direction.
