Draft Preview – Offensive Tackles

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March 4, 2026

by David Earl

Washington’s Offensive Line

Washington’s offensive lined finished 15th in the NFL allowed a total of 15 sacks at a sack rate of 7.31% (ranked 19th). This unit was about middle of the road among all league offensive lines allowing a 3.0-second average time to throw. While they weren’t exceptional in pocket time allowed, they improved from the 2024 season, reducing the sacks allowed compared to 50 sacks allowed the previous season. As for the run game they were certainly solid but inconsistent at times. While there was a clear upgrade in protection for Jayden Daniels and company (fewer sacks/pressures), the run blocking remained a work in progress – they were functional enough to create a few explosive moments but they didn’t generate nearly enough to help the passing game. Washington enters the season with what looks to be very good bookend tackles in Laremy Tunsil and Josh Conerly Jr. but the interior looks questionable beyond RG Sam Cosmi. As this column covers the 2026 offensive tackle prospects, it’s the late round potential that offers prospects moving to the interior of the offensive line for one reason or another.

Top Offensive Tackles: Day One and Two Selections

Francis Mauigoa, Miami (FL), 6’6″, 335lb
  • Strengths: Elite anchor and power absorption with violent hands and quick initial punch. Surprising burst and balance for size plus a tone-setting physicality in run game. Versatile in gap/power schemes.
  • Weaknesses: Lateral quickness limited against elite speed. Mirror ability needs work on counters and pad level rises with fatigue. Hand placement can wander and processing complex blitzes requires refinement.
  • Draft Projection: Projected Top 5 overall
Spencer Fano, Utah, 6’6″, 308lb
  • Strengths: Exceptional lateral agility and explosiveness. Refined kick-slide and hand timing plus very strong balance and recovery. High processing speed for adjustments as he is ideal for zone schemes.
  • Weaknesses: Lean build lacks ideal power against heavy power rushers. Pad level too high on drive blocks and exposes chest to counters. Opens hips prematurely and ultimately may project to guard long-term due to frame.
  • Draft Projection: Early to mid first round
Caleb Lomu, Utah, 6’6″, 305lbs
  • Strengths: Uncommon burst and hand violence with excellent posture and balance. Processes stunts well plus smooth pull blocking and lateral agility.
  • Weaknesses: Opens hips too quickly vs. speed as run blocking lags (poor finishing and movement). Feet/hands not always synced as physical development needed for NFL power. Has inconsistent grip sustain as well.
  • Draft Projection: Mid first round
Kadyn Proctor, Alabama, 6’7″, 360lbs 
  • Strengths: Rare mass with functional athleticism plus an elite anchor and violent pop. Dominates gap/power runs with long arms for engagement and has finisher mentality.
  • Weaknesses: Lateral redirect struggles on counters. Pad level rises with fatigue and inconsistent in zone/space blocking. His hand placement drifts wide at times. He does have conditioning questions in up-tempo systems.
  • Draft Projection: Late first round
Monroe Freeling, Georgia, 6’7″, 315lbs 
  • Strengths: Rare length and foot speed  plus strong pass protection allowing low sack percentage. Lateral agility and mirror ability as basketball background aids awareness.
  • Weaknesses: Run blocking inconsistent with upright hips causing leverage loss. Needs added mass for power plus technique needs refinement as he lunges and bends at waist. Grip strength average plus limited starts raise workload concerns.
  • Draft Projection: Late first to early second round
Max Iheanachor, Arizona State, 6′ 6″ and 330 lbs
  • Strengths: Smooth mover with good foot quickness and strong in pass pro sets. Adequate length and frame plus a consistent technique. High athletic traits post-combine as he has versatile potential.
  • Weaknesses: Needs added mass/strength for run finishing. Can get bull-rushed by power rushers and hand usage inconsistent on counters. Limited elite anchor plus limited versatility leads to scheme fit questions.
  • Draft Projection: Late first to early second round
Blake Miller, Clemson, 6′ 6″, 315lbs
  • Strengths: Explosive first step and lateral fluidity plus strong awareness vs. stunts. Durable with 54 starts helping him to become a polished in pass protection. He has versatile across both tackle spots.
  • Weaknesses: Plays too tall/upright, especially in run game; average movement creation on ground; hand placement drifts wide; overextends vs. counters; choppy steps on pulls/screens.
  • Draft Projection: Early second round
Gennings Dunker, Iowa, 6’5″, 320lbs
  • Strengths: Stout build with solid power base with good leverage and play strength. Reliable in gap schemes and anchors well vs. the bull rush. He has an extremely high football IQ and toughness.
  • Weaknesses: Lacks ideal lateral agility/speed for edge speed rushers. Struggles redirecting vs. quick counters and is upright in pass sets at times. He has limited experience vs. top competition.
  • Weaknesses: Second round
Blake Miller, Clemson, 6′ 6″, 315lbs
  • Strengths: Polished technique and awareness with an explosive first step. Durable with high snap count and strong vs. stunts/twists. He is extremely fluid in mirror rushers for pass protection.
  • Weaknesses: Plays tall/upright and losing leverage in run game. Has average power generation on drive blocks and hand placement can widen times resulting in overextends vs. speed/power mix.
  • Draft Projection: Mid second round could rise up to late first round
Caleb Tiernan, Northwestern, 6’7″, 325lbs
  • Strengths: Excellent pass set quickness maintaining a low pad level. Good recovery balance and processes/adjusts well while on the move. Zone blocking specialist with athletic feet.
  • Weaknesses: Undersized frame/length and lacks ideal power/anchor vs. heavy bull rushers. His run blocking movement is limited and has grip sustain issues. He may ultimately project inside long-term.
  • Draft Projection: Late second to early third round

Late Round Selections: May Project Better as Guards

Alex Harkey, Oregon, 6-6, 327lbs
  • Strengths: Solid size with good initial punch plus functional in pass sets. His overall athletic testing showed strong initial burst.
  • Weaknesses: Shorter arms and average mirror quickness limit edge sustainability. Better leverage and power inside against interior rush as scouts recommend kicking inside early. Could be a swing interior lineman.
Logan Taylor, Boston College, 6-7, 312lbs
  • Strengths: Good length and footwork as he is most reliable in zone schemes. Been very durable with multi-year starts.
  • Weaknesses: Height plays tall and exposing himself giving up leverage. Lacks ideal anchor vs. power rusher as traits suit guard where he can use quickness in tighter spaces. 
Trey Zuhn III, Texas A&M, 6-7, 315lbs
  • Strengths: Big frame strong in run game with violent hands. He held up well in pass pro against Big 12 competition.
  • Weaknesses: Average bend and redirect leaving him vulnerable to more athletic rushers. Is better as a mauler inside as some boards list him directly as G/C due to scheme fit.
J.C. Davis, Illinois, 6’5″, 335lbs
  • Strengths: Stout build with good play strength. Is effective in gap schemes and provides a solid anchor.
  • Weaknesses: Limited length and lateral agility for offensive tackle. He projects as a guard where power translates better.
 Tristan Leigh, Clemson, 6′ 6″, 315lbs
  • Strengths: Athletic mover as shown with good shuttle times. He is experience at both tackles so could be a swing tackle with better upside in pass protection.
  • Weaknesses: Inconsistent leverage and hand placement. Has shorter arms which suggest interior move. Graded as OT/G hybrid with a Sixth-round projection. Could develop into a starter inside.
Micah Pettus, Florida State, 6’7″, 360lbs
  • Strengths: Physical run blocker and good awareness vs. stunts.
  • Weaknesses: Arm length and foot speed limitations vs. speed rushers.He could be a better fit at guard for power schemes. Stronger traits for interior of the line.
Derek Simmons, Oklahoma, 6’5″, 317lbs
  • Strengths: Explosive first step and versatile across line. Showed very strong against SEC competition.
  • Weaknesses: Plays high and loses leverage at offensive tackle at times. Projects inside where quickness shines.

 

Note: These evaluations are consensus reports from multiple sources like Draft Buzz, NFL Scouts, Walter Football and CBS Sports

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