FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in February. Here’s a look at Oklahoma defensive lineman Gracen Halton.
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2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Gracen Halton
Gracen Halton (DL – Oklahoma)
6-foot-2 | 292 Pounds
Background
Gracen Halton was a four-star recruit out of San Diego who rotated in sparingly over his first two seasons before starting a total of 10 games over the final two years of his collegiate career, playing a bit over 400 snaps in each of those campaigns. Finished with 30-6.0-5.0 in 2024 and 33-7.0-3.5 in 2025.
Positives
Thickly built, productive two-year contributor for a major program, mostly playing the three technique. Plays like a bull in a china shop. His explosive, high-intensity approach should be a credit to team culture and appeal to teams that prefer aggressive, swarming defenses.
Halton has a very quick, impressive first step to threaten gaps early on the snap, firing out low and drawing attention from opposing defensive lines to facilitate for his teammates. Has natural leverage and does a very good job of holding the point of attack, with good knee-bend and plenty of stable lower-body strength.
Has heavy hands to discard blockers on time to make the tackle when he locates the football. Pretty reliable tackler with a nice closing burst and thudding power into contact to help set the tone defensively. Active hand-fighter on passing downs, with a strong motor. Has the short-area quickness, footwork and flexibility to execute twists and stunts, with the solid base and contact balance to stay on course when working around the edge. Closes faster than you’d expect when he finds a lane.
Negatives
Doesn’t have the ideal size or length, so Halton might not have the type of build some teams in odd base fronts look for. Throws his body around a lot and could get more consistent extension with his arms to lock out opponents and play off of blocks. Because of his lack of ideal length, there’s some waist-bending on tape.
Halton tends to lower his head, which can lead to issues with awareness in the run game. An aggressive approach can undermine some of the team’s run fits. Somewhat reliant on his initial move, and could stand to develop a wider repertoire of counters for his pass-rush approach.
Summary
A very thickly-built defensive lineman with an excellent first step, good quickness and stable power in his lower body, Halton’s high-intensity approach to the game should endear him to teams that prioritize disrupting the front.
While his lack of ideal length shows up on tape, and he could stand to improve his technique and awareness in run support, he’s able to force opposing offensive lines to account for him, eating blocks and facilitating effectively.
Should be able to work his way into a rotation relatively early in his career and bring a spark to a defensive front, with the potential for a bigger role if he makes further strides from a technical standpoint.
Projection: Round 3/Round 4
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