Aaron Graves

NFL Draft Profile: Aaron Graves

Position: Defensive Tackle (3-Tech/DI) | School: Iowa | Class: Senior

Height: 6'5" | Weight: 300 lbs | Archetype: Balance

College Career Summary

Aaron Graves is a classic Iowa success story—a homegrown, five-star talent who lived up to the hype through sheer work ethic and multi-sport athleticism (wrestling/basketball). A rare four-year contributor, Graves became the heartbeat of the Hawkeye front. After a productive 2024 season, he opted to return for his senior year in 2025, where he was named to the Player Council and became a William V. Campbell Trophy finalist (the "Academic Heisman"). He capped off his career as a Second-Team All-Big Ten selection, proving that his wrestling background translates directly into elite interior leverage.

Highlight Career Stats:

• Games Played: 46 (25 Starts)

• Total Tackles: 110

• Tackles For Loss (TFL): 22.0

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• Sacks: 13.5

• Interceptions: 1 (2025 vs. Wisconsin)

• Forced Fumbles: 4

2025 Season Game-by-Game Grades

Opponent	Stats	Grade	Key Performance Note
Albany	1 Tackle, 1.0 Sack	B+	Set the tone early with a drive-killing sack.
@ No. 12 Iowa St.	2 Tackles	B-	Stout against the run, but struggled to generate consistent pressure.
UMass	5 Tackles, 1.5 TFL	A-	Dominant at the point of attack; physically overwhelmed the guard.
@ Rutgers	5 Tackles	B+	High-pursuit game; showed great lateral range.
No. 11 Indiana	3 Tackles, 1.0 Sack	B	Relentless motor resulted in a late-game coverage sack.
@ Wisconsin	2 Tackles, 1 INT	A	Career-first INT on a tipped pass; showed elite IQ.
Penn State	7 Tackles, 1 QBH	A+	Career-high tackles; completely neutralized the interior run game.
Minnesota	2 Tackles, 2.0 Sacks	A	Pure pass-rush dominance; utilized wrestling background for leverage.
Northwestern	3 Tackles, 1.0 TFL	B+	Consistent disruptor in a dominant defensive team effort.
UCLA	1 Tackle, 1 PBU	C+	Quiet night statistically; struggled with UCLA’s quick release.
@ Maryland	3 Tackles, 0.5 TFL	B	Solid gap discipline; stayed home against misdirection.
Nebraska	2 Tackles	B-	Fought through double teams all game; exhausted by the 4th.
@ No. 17 USC	3 Tackles, 1.0 Sack	A-	Showed elite Acceleration to track down a mobile QB.

Scouting Report

Strengths

• Leverage & Core Strength: His background as a state-placer in wrestling is evident. He understands how to use his 6'5" frame to maintain a low center of gravity and "out-lever" larger blockers.

• Technique: Shows mastery of the "club-and-rip" and "push-pull." His hands are constantly moving and rarely stay locked on a blocker's chest.

• Mental Toughness & IQ: A Campbell Trophy finalist who processes the game quickly. He identifies screens and draws almost instantly, as seen in his 2025 interception.

• Versatility: Can slide from a 1-tech to a 5-tech depending on the package, offering high utility for multiple defensive fronts.

Weaknesses

• Relative "Lack of Mass": At 300 lbs on a 6'5" frame, he has a leaner build than traditional "space-eaters." He can be moved by elite NFL double-teams if he doesn't win the initial step.

• Arm Length: While his height is great, his arm length is average. NFL tackles can occasionally "get into him" if he doesn't use his hands quickly enough.

• Stamina: Iowa’s offensive struggles often left the defense on the field for 35+ minutes; he can lose his "twitch" late in the second half of high-possession games.

Scheme Fit: Ideal 3-Technique in a 4-3 front that prizes penetration and "up-field" disruption.

NFL Comparison: Zach Sieler / Logan Lee (with more upside)

Scout’s Final Word & Projection

Intangibles: 20/20 | Physical Tools: 17/20 | Attributes: 18/20 | Athleticism: 17/20 | IQ: 19/20

Final Grade: 91/100

Aaron Graves is the "safe" pick that every GM loves. He is a high-character, high-IQ leader who brings a wrestling mentality to the trenches. While he might not have the 12-sack ceiling of a pure edge rusher, he is a Day 1 rotational player who will eventually develop into a cornerstone starter. His ability to produce TFLs from the interior while maintaining elite academic and leadership standards makes him a "can't-miss" locker room addition.

Draft Projection: 2nd Round