Madden 25 is here, and today we're diving deep into one of the most crucial positions in the game: defensive tackles. These players are the heart of the defensive line, responsible for shutting down the run, pressuring the quarterback, and controlling the trenches. With the latest update, we've received several new cards that shake up the tier list, so let's break them down.
How the Rankings Work
We rank players based on their overall ratings, speed, power moves, finesse moves, block shedding, impact blocking, traits, and abilities. With the current update, a new S-tier player has emerged, shifting previous rankings down a tier.
Updated Defensive Tackle Tier List
S-Tier (Elite Performers)
These defensive tackles dominate the game with elite stats, ideal traits, and powerful abilities.
Dontari Poe (97 OVR) – LTD Combine Card
• Height/Weight: 6'3” / 346 lbs
• Speed/Acceleration: 87 SPD / 97 ACC
• Power Moves/Finesse Moves: 97 PMV / 86 FMV
• Block Shed/Impact Blocking: 98 BSH / 98 IB
• Traits: Bull Rush on Yes
• Abilities:
• Zero AP Inside Stuff (stops inside runs effectively)
• Zero AP Secure Tackler (prevents broken tackles)
• 1 AP Double or Nothing (extra pass rush pressure)
Verdict: Poe is a dominant force on the field with high-end stats and exceptional abilities. His combination of size, speed, and power makes him one of the best DTs in the game.
Chris Jones (97 OVR) – Team of the Year
• Height/Weight: 6'6” / 310 lbs
• Speed/Acceleration: 88 SPD / 95 ACC
• Power Moves/Finesse Moves: 97 PMV / 96 FMV
• Block Shed/Impact Blocking: 98 BSH / 98 IB
• Traits: Bull Rush and Swim Move on Yes
• Abilities:
• Zero AP Inside Stuff
• 1 AP Double or Nothing
• Additional zero AP options
Verdict: Chris Jones offers a balanced attack with elite pass-rush and run-stopping ability. His 6'6” frame provides an advantage in batting down passes at the line.
Dexter Lawrence (97 OVR) – "Sexy Dexy"
• Height/Weight: 6'4” / 342 lbs
• Speed/Acceleration: 89 SPD / 96 ACC
• Power Moves/Finesse Moves: 97 PMV / 95 FMV
• Block Shed/Impact Blocking: 99 BSH / 99 IB
• Traits: Bull Rush on Yes
• Abilities:
• Zero AP Inside Stuff
• Zero AP Defensive Rally
• 1 AP Double or Nothing
Verdict: Dexter Lawrence is an endgame DT with maxed-out block shed and elite pass-rush moves. His size and agility make him a perfect fit for any defensive scheme.
A-Tier (Great but Slightly Lacking in Certain Areas)
These defensive tackles are excellent but may have minor flaws compared to the S-tier.
Kenny Clark (96 OVR)
• Speed: 90 SPD (fastest DT)
• Traits: Bull Rush on Yes
• Abilities: Inside Stuff for zero AP, Double or Nothing for 1 AP
Verdict: Clark's speed is a huge advantage, but his power moves aren't quite elite compared to S-tier players.
Johnathan Allen (96 OVR)
• Speed: 88 SPD
• Traits: Bull Rush on Yes
• Abilities: Inside Stuff and Secure Tackler for zero AP
Verdict: A well-rounded DT with solid traits and abilities. A reliable pick but not quite elite.
B-Tier (Good, But Not Game-Changers)
These defensive tackles are still useful but lack the elite traits of higher-tier players.
Vince Wilfork (95 OVR)
• Speed: 78 SPD
• Abilities:
• Defensive Rally
• Goal Line Stuff
• Reach Elite
• Double or Nothing for 1 AP
Verdict: A massive run-stuffer, but his lack of speed holds him back from being a top-tier option.
Gerald McCoy (96 OVR) – Team Captain
• Speed: 88 SPD (90+ with theme team boosts)
• Traits: Bull Rush and Swim Move on Yes
• Abilities: Zero AP Lurker, 1 AP Inside Stuff
Verdict: McCoy is an okay choice, but his finesse moves are underwhelming, and his best ability (Lurker) is mostly wasted on a DT.
C-Tier (Average Players, Not Ideal for High-Level Play)
These defensive tackles lack key stats or traits and aren't ideal for competitive play.
Kin Sanders (93 OVR)
• Speed: 82 SPD
• Traits: Bull Rush and Swim Move on Yes
• Abilities: None
Verdict: Decent but lacks key abilities and doesn't excel in any particular area.
F-Tier (Avoid Using in Competitive Play)
These DTs lack the necessary stats and abilities to be effective.
Bill Freck (93 OVR)
• Speed: 85 SPD
• Traits: None
• Abilities: None
Verdict: With no pass-rush traits and no discounted abilities, this card is practically unusable.
Other Low-Rated DTs
If a defensive tackle doesn't have high block shedding, impact blocking, or the right pass-rush traits, they will struggle in competitive play.
Final Thoughts
With this latest update, the defensive tackle position has become even more important in Madden 25. Players like Dontari Poe, Chris Jones, and Dexter Lawrence stand out as absolute must-haves, while others like Vince Wilfork and Kenny Clark provides solid alternative options. As we approach the endgame of Madden 25, expect even stronger DTs to be released, but for now, these are the best options available.