Around the NFL, executives, scouts, and coaches have the Indianapolis Colts’ DeForest Buckner ranked among the best defensive tackles in the game heading into the 2025 season.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler recently spoke to execs, coaches, and scouts across the NFL to determine who the “league’s true insiders” view as the top defensive tackles in 2025.
As Fowler described, here is what the voting process looked like:
“Voters gave us their best 10 players at a position, then we compiled the results and ranked candidates based on number of top-10 votes, composite average and dozens of interviews, with research and film study help from ESPN NFL analyst Matt Bowen,” Fowler wrote.
Where did the Colts’ DeForest Buckner land in these rankings?
After being ranked No. 7 last year, Buckner came in at No. 8 for this season.
“Despite missing five games last season, Buckner continues to disrupt opposing offensive lines,” wrote Fowler. “His 16.4% pass rush win rate ranked second among the top 10, trailing Jones. As multiple voters pointed out, Buckner isn’t in Tier 1 but will always hang around in the top 10 because of his consistency.”
Buckner continues to play at a very high level. He finished the 2024 season ranked seventh among all defensive tackles in PFF’s pass rush win rate, 12th in pass rush productivity, and ninth in run-stop rate.
But Buckner’s impact goes beyond his own column in the stat sheet–he is a force multiplier. His presence on the field makes everyone around him better with the mismatches he creates, the push he generates, and the attention he draws.
At the top of Fowler’s defensive tackle rankings is Dexter Lawrence, followed by Chris Jones, Jalen Carter, Jeffery Simmons, and Quinnen Williams, rounding out the top five.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Indianapolis Colts DeForest Buckner ranked among best DTs by execs, coaches, scouts
Reporting by Paul Bretl, Colts Wire / Colts Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
