The 2025 NFL Combine kicked off on Thursday, with the defensive line as the first positional group, and here are some of the biggest standouts in the first day’s drills.
Defensive Line Prospects Who Stood Out Above The Rest At The 2025 NFL Combine
EDGE Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M
It was obvious that Stewart would test well, and boy, did he. His stock has been rising consistently in the pre-draft process, and he likely cemented himself as a Top-15 pick come April. He finished the day with a 10.0 Relative Athletic Score, ranking first out of 1802 total edge rushers since 1987. His Composite Explosion Grade was the most eye-popping section, with a 40-inch vertical jump and ridiculous 10’11” broad jump. He ran a 4.60 second 40-yard dash, which ranked among the top times of the day, and his 1.58 second 10-yard split was equally elite.
Potential Team Fit: New Orleans Saints
EDGE James Pearce, Tennessee
Pearce just moves in such a way that looks so smooth and pleasing to watch. After some brief starting issues in his second attempt, the 6’5” 245 pounder sprinted to a position-best 4.47 second 40-yard dash. His 1.58 10-yard split put the finishing touches on an incredible 9.35 RAS. He flew through the drills with fantastic athleticism and movement skills, clearly looking like a top-tier pass rusher. He looked effortless in the bag drills and showed great power in his punches.
Potential Team Fit: Atlanta Falcons
DL Darius Alexander, Toledo
Alexander is another player whose stock is firmly on the rise, especially after his Senior Bowl performance in Mobile. His 9.72 RAS was just outside of the Top-50 DTs since 1987and everything from his size to athleticism was off the charts. He put up a 1.73 10-yard split that placed him third among players on the defensive line and simply consistently stood out in every combine drill he participated in. His explosiveness carried seamlessly from his game tape to his combine showing, and the chances of him being selected in the first round grow by the day.
Potential Team Fit: Philadelphia Eagles
DL Ty Robinson, Nebraska
Robinson has been touted for his sharp quickness and great burst, both attributes he showed in bunches at the combine. His 4.83 40-yard dash topped the charts for DTs at the event, and his 9.91 RAS was 18th best since 1987. He blazed to a 1.71 10-yard split and looked downright vicious in the bag drills. The 40 time was a great indicator of some improved long speed and could be rising up teams’ boards as a high-ceiling defender.
Potential Team Fit: Cleveland Browns
DL Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, Georgia
Ingram-Dawkins’ frame at just 6’4” and 276 pounds is quite odd for an interior defensive lineman, but he showed more than enough movement skills to overcome that. His day ended with a 9.85 RAS, and he shined in every drill he participated in. His 36” vertical and 10’4” broad jump placed first and second respectively among DTs since 2003. Everything graded out as elite, and a 1.70 second 10-yard split was also a good sign for his stock. He looked fluid and powerful in the drills too, drawing heavy positive attention from analyst Daniel Jeremiah on the NFL Network broadcast, easily rendering him one of the defensive line combine standouts.
Potential Team Fit: Green Bay Packers
Main Image: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
