As the 2026 NFL Draft begins to take shape, the spotlight isn’t just on the quarterbacks and playmakers, it's the offensive linemen who may quietly shape the future of your favorite NFL team. The Chargers revamped their OL with Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt. The Jets have spent back-to-back first round picks on Olu Fashanu and Armond Membou. It wouldn't surprise me if the Patriots were in the market for a first-round tackle in the 2026 class after just selecting Will Campbell 4th overall. That is how much offensive line, especially offensive tackles, matter in the NFL. This year’s class is loaded with gigantic tackles who bring size, power, and surprising athleticism to the table. From road-grading guards to one of the best center prospects I've ever seen, these prospects anchor some of the top offenses in college football. Let's deep dive into the tape and start to build their draft profiles ahead of the college football season.

Mauigoa plays with relentless effort, competing 1-on-1 even when the play flows away from him. He has a quick first step and excels at getting to the second level, often seeking out additional blocks and consistently looking to spring plays downfield. In pass protection, he's a true neutralizer with the ability to move edge defenders and even herd multiple defenders at once thanks to his explosive athleticism and impressive spatial awareness. One of his best traits is his ability to handle stunts with ease, rarely getting fooled by twists or delayed rushers. He’s an aggressive finisher who isn't afraid to clobber defenders, particularly on quick slants and outside runs where he creates displacement by force. That said, balance is a critical area for improvement. He can overextend his upper body, get too far out in front of his feet, and is occasionally vulnerable to long-armed power rushers. A prime example came at 11:52 in the second quarter of the Georgia Tech game, where he gave up a tackle for loss. When controlled, his athleticism and effort make him a potential tone-setter on the line. His measurables are going to determine whether or not he's an NFL tackle or guard but the dude can play.

PROJECTION: TOP 20 PICK

Proctor possesses an elite base with tree trunk-like legs and long arms, giving him the physical foundation of a future All-Pro. He’s an absolute mauler in the trenches, explosive off the snap and surprisingly light on his feet for his size. On tape, he consistently manhandles smaller defenders and plays with a level of physicality that jumps off the screen, particularly in standout performances against Georgia and South Carolina. His raw power and ability to overwhelm opponents make him a dominant force in the run game. However, there are areas for refinement. He can mis-time his punches in pass protection and occasionally gets bull rushed by smaller defenders, pointing to lingering balance issues. If he can clean up those lapses, his upside is sky-high.

PROJECTION: ROUND 1 PICK

Tiernan plays with strong, heavy hands and has a powerful kick slide in pass protection. Physically, he looks long and uses that reach to his advantage, routinely moving both defensive tackles and ends off their spot. In the run game, he down blocks with force and regularly moves smaller defenders across the formation, showing potential as a road-grader. He probably projects best at right tackle but he has the ability to hold his own on the left side. However, there are concerns with his balance and body control. He has a tendency to launch and lunge, occasionally falling off blocks or ending up on the ground. He struggles with sudden, explosive pass rushers who can get underneath him and challenge his leverage. With technical refinement and better balance, his physicality and effort give him a chance to develop into a reliable starter.

PROJECTION: ROUND 2 PICK

With nearly 2,000 career snaps at left tackle, Casey brings a wealth of experience and a polished, consistent presence on the edge. In 2024, he committed just one penalty all season and didn’t allow a single sack, surrendering only six total pressures and never more than one in any single game. His pass protection is his clear strength; he’s smooth, poised, and never caught overextending or doing too much. He held elite edge rusher Matayo Uiagalelei to his lowest pass rush grade of the season (54) and held his own against NFL-caliber talent like Derrick Harmon, Jamaree Caldwell, and Jordan Burch. While dependable in pass sets, there’s still room for improvement. He’s been occasionally exposed by stunts and struggles at times with smaller, more explosive edge rushers who can get under or around him. He typically played with his hand in the dirt and doesn’t have ideal arm length, which can limit his reach and recovery. Improving his strength and consistency in the run game will be key to unlocking his full potential at the next level, especially if he makes the move inside to guard.

PROJECTION: DAY 2 PICK

Slaughter sets a consistently clean pocket up the middle and thrives in one-on-one pass protection, showing elite technical control and awareness. A fluid mover with a smooth pull technique, he’s effective at setting the edge and reaching second-level defenders, including defensive backs on screens. In pass pro, he doesn’t just hold his ground, he actively moves defenders out of the middle of the pocket, giving quarterbacks ample space to operate. Over the course of the season, he allowed just one sack and nine total pressures. While largely dependable, there were a couple of blemishes on tape: he was beaten for a tackle for loss by Miami DT Ahmad Moten Sr. and gave up a QB hit on a play-action rollout that led to an interception. Despite that, his balance, athleticism, and processing make him a high-floor prospect with the ceiling for 14-year vet and 2-time All-Pro, Tom Nalen.

PROJECTION: DAY 2 PICK

A true plug-and-play right guard prospect, Reed-Adams brings extensive experience with over 2,000 career snaps at the position. He consistently plays low to the ground with a violent edge, finishing blocks through the whistle and delivering impact at the point of attack. He went toe-to-toe with SEC talent like Caleb Banks and finished the season ranked top 10 in PFF’s run blocking grades among guards. In pass protection, he allowed just one sack all year but did commit 7 penalties, often tied to communication breakdowns, including a key false start. While he flashes aggression, his effort on pulls can sometimes appear inconsistent, but ultimately, I believe he is scoping the play out before he makes a decision on who to block. I just want him to get to the spot and make that decision quicker. Additionally, long-armed defenders have shown the ability to win at the point of attack and toss him aside when they gain early leverage. Still, his physicality, experience, and production make him a strong candidate to start early in an NFL offense.

PROJECTION: DAY 2 PICK

With over 1,000 career snaps at right guard, Roberts brings solid experience and technique to the interior. He handles stunts well and shows good lateral movement on run blocks, using his feet effectively to seal defenders and open lanes. He’s particularly effective at the second level, delivering impact blocks on linebackers and defensive backs. His athleticism and footwork stand out in the run game, but there are some concerns in pass protection. He occasionally reaches for quicker defenders, which can lead to pressures, and he struggles at times to anchor against power in one-on-one situations. Still, his mobility, awareness, and upside as a run blocker make him a strong developmental guard with starting potential.

PROJECTION: DAY 2 PICK

Lomu’s long arms consistently show up on tape, allowing him to control defenders at the point of attack in pass protection when he gets his hands on first. He plays with noticeable strength and often tries to “stun” rushers with a powerful initial punch. While he's not a statue by any means, his lateral quickness remains a work in progress, and he can be exposed by pure speed off the edge. He also struggles to consistently sink his hips, which affects leverage and balance against quicker, more agile defenders. His spatial awareness is solid, but he can get out-maneuvered or “out-hands’d” at the point of attack, especially when his timing or placement is off. At times, he loses upper-body balance trying to recover, which leads to instability in his pass sets. With technical refinement, especially in hand usage and footwork, he has the raw tools to develop into a reliable contributor.

PROJECTION: DAY 2 PICK

Miller is a solid mover with good functional strength in the run game, even if the analytics don’t always reflect his true impact. I thought he showed up better on film than he does in his PFF grade. He gets to the second level with ease and has the athleticism to mirror defenders in space. In pass protection, he holds his own and generally maintains a clean pocket, though his blocking style can be a bit unorthodox at times. He occasionally loses the initial hand battle in the run game and can be caught off guard by delayed blitzes from corners or nickels, which he struggles to pick up consistently. Despite those lapses, his movement skills and overall feel for the game give him the tools to contribute in a zone-heavy or movement-based blocking scheme.

PROJECTION: DAY 2 PICK

Ioane puts together one of the more complete and high-effort tapes in the class. He consistently sets clean running lanes, pulling efficiently with excellent leverage and positioning on defenders. His elite footwork allows him to get to the correct side of defensive tackles and move them out of the play entirely. Whether working to the second level or chasing down blocks downfield, he always plays through the whistle and brings a physical, team-first mentality. If he’s not engaged with a defender, he’ll go find someone to help finish. He holds up well in one-on-one pass protection, winning with quick, accurate hands and sound technique. He’s played both left and right guard but looks noticeably more natural on the left side. One highlight play came on a Tyler Warren screen pass where, after tripping over his own feet while pulling, he recovered and managed to block three defenders. Despite his high motor and technical strengths, he does have some balance issues and can lunge too aggressively at times, which leaves him vulnerable to counters. Still, this is a well-rounded, high-upside prospect who brings both grit and versatility to the line.

PROJECTION: DAY 2 PICK

Thompson made the switch from right tackle in 2023 to right guard in 2024, and the improvement was clear. After allowing 27 pressures at RT, he surrendered just 8 at RG, showcasing a much better fit on the interior. He plays with a strong lower base and high football IQ, consistently driving defenders off the line in the run game and showing the ability to displace defensive linemen with leverage and power. His experience at tackle is valuable, but his shorter arms were more exposed on the edge, often limiting his ability to recover against speed or length. Inside at guard, those limitations are masked, and his strength, awareness, and physicality make him a reliable interior presence with starting potential at the next level.

PROJECTION: DAY 2 PICK

World boasts ideal size (6'8 318) and good arm length, giving him the physical traits NFL teams covet. He’s effective at getting his hands on pass rushers early, often disrupting their balance and redirecting their path. However, he tends to play too tall, which limits his ability to generate power in the run game and leaves him vulnerable to defenders who win with leverage. He’s more of a positional blocker than a true mauler and struggles to consistently move defenders off the ball. Low-leverage defenders can get underneath him and create disruption, particularly on early downs. Additionally, he needs to improve his recognition and technique when facing stunts and twists, where he can be slow to react or overcommit. With the opportunity to learn from Oregon coaches that just put both starting tackles from last season in the NFL, he has the foundation to develop into a quality starter.

PROJECTION: DAY 2 PICK

Laloulu, who began the 2024 season at right guard, projects as a plug-and-play center at the next level. While his debut at RG resulted in his lowest-graded game of the season (47.3), his overall body of work at center showcases a player with strong spatial awareness in pass protection and the ability to neutralize NFL-caliber talent. He had standout reps against top-tier defensive tackles Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant, most notably combo-blocking Grant before handling Graham one-on-one in pass pro and winning the rep. As a snapper, he’s solid but not exceptional, though his quickness to the second level and willingness to finish blocks downfield reflect a high-effort mentality. Despite being athletic, he struggles to consistently land blocks in space on pulls and screens, contributing to a lower run-blocking grade. However, he executes down blocks well and shows enough lateral mobility to function in both zone and gap schemes. With refinement, especially in space and hand placement, he has the intelligence and toughness to anchor an NFL interior offensive line.

PROJECTION: EARLY DAY 3 PICK

Wagner is a long, lanky prospect with exceptional length and a high football IQ. He flashes solid balance and shows the ability to clear space in the run game with good positioning and leverage. From Week 2 against Northern Illinois through the College Football Playoff matchup versus Penn State, he didn’t allow a single sack, an impressive 12-game streak that speaks to his technical awareness and consistency against most competition. However, his lean frame stands out on tape, and he’ll need to add mass to handle NFL-level power. Against elite defensive fronts, his flaws are more pronounced: he allowed 18 of his 29 total pressures in games against Virginia, Louisville, Ohio State, Penn State, and Georgia. He's particularly vulnerable to bull rushes and power moves, as shown when Panthers 2nd round pick Nic Scourton ran him over twice. While not overly fast, his length, intelligence, and pass protection floor make him an intriguing developmental tackle with starting upside if he can bulk up and improve his anchor against power.

PROJECTION: EARLY DAY 3 PICK

Dunker is an absolute tone-setter in the run game, earning a 90.0 PFF run-blocking grade and backing it up with grown-man strength and attitude. He even plays without gloves, adding to his old-school demeanor. He fires off the ball low and with purpose, routinely generating movement at the point of attack and overwhelming defenders with physicality. His run blocking is a clear strength and a major asset for power and gap schemes. However, he’s not the most athletic mover and may lack the lateral quickness and fluidity needed to stick at tackle. Balance issues occasionally show up on tape, especially when he's forced to redirect in space or handle quicker defenders. Still, his toughness, leverage, and mauling ability make him a strong interior line prospect, likely best suited at guard.

PROJECTION: EARLY DAY 3 PICK

Green allowed just one sack in 2024 and consistently shows the ability to climb to the second and even third level in the run game. He moves laterally well for an interior lineman and is always willing to help teammates finish blocks, showing good awareness in combo situations. A natural fit at left guard, he’s played exclusively there and is set for high-profile rematches against Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Alabama in 2025, where his performance was at its lowest in 2024. He allowed more than one pressure in all but one SEC game last season, but those rematches are a great opportunity for him to improve his draft stock. He’s been beaten multiple times on outside stunts and occasionally gives up tipped passes at the line due to lower hand placement and leverage issues. He can struggle against power rushers, getting walked back or losing ground after initial contact. He has the tools to stick on the interior but will need to raise his performance against elite competition.

PROJECTION: EARLY DAY 3 PICK

Sewell brings valuable versatility with experience at all five positions across the offensive line, making him a flexible depth option from day one. He plays with solid initial hand placement and shows flashes of raw strength and athleticism that pop on tape. However, his technical refinement is still a work in progress. He tends to lunge with his head down, leading to frequent balance issues and leaving him vulnerable to falling off blocks or ending up on the ground. Defenders who win the hand battle early can get into his chest and disrupt his base. While his raw traits and strength give him developmental upside, improving his posture, balance, and hand consistency will be key to unlocking his full potential at the next level.

PROJECTION: EARLY DAY 3 PICK

Barber has the size and movement skills to be an effective lead blocker in space and shows the ability to handle power edge rushers when technically sound. He flashes potential, particularly in the second half of the Texas A&M game where his performance improved noticeably from the first half. He was beaten inside by Nic Scourton and Shemar Stewart on separate run plays and has shown vulnerability to bull rushes, which can collapse the pocket. He posted a low PFF grade overall, struggling against elite pass rushers and giving up too many negative plays in both the run and pass game. He’s also been flagged nine times and tends to let his hands drift high, occasionally landing in defenders’ faces. With further development and refinement especially in hand placement and balance he could grow into a dependable depth piece, but right now, he projects more as a backup with upside in the NFL.

PROJECTION: EARLY DAY 3 PICK

Lew brings a high football IQ and nearly 2,000 career snaps to the table, making him one of the more experienced and battle-tested prospects in the class. He consistently demonstrates the ability to reach the second level in the run game and shows strong mental processing by making protection adjustments on the fly. He’s held his own against NFL-caliber defenders and even overpowered Georgia's Warren Brinson (Packers 6th round selection in 2024) to the ground in a dominant rep. He handles stunts and twists well and does a solid job preventing internal pressure, with only five of his nine total pressures allowed coming in a single game against Cal. Though he was beaten by Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins (Vikings 5th round selection in 2024) on one play, it had no impact as the run was directed away. One area to clean up is his tendency to disengage too early from defensive tackles in an effort to climb to the second level which occasionally results in tackles for loss or stuffed runs. Overall, his intelligence, experience, and functional athleticism make him a strong fit for zone-based and gap-heavy schemes alike. The NFL's disdain for centers likely pushes him to the 5th or 6th round.

PROJECTION: MID DAY 3 PICK