The 'On The Clock' crew of Matt Williamson, Mike Prisuta and Max Starks take a look at the top prospects in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft, which will be held in Pittsburgh in April. Today, they delve into the offensive tackle position.
Note: The opinions expressed here are their own and not those of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Matt's Take
Outside of quarterback, offensive tackle is the scarcest position in the NFL and searching for one in free agency is simply bad business. Therefore, offensive tackles always go early in the draft. This year, it will be interesting to see when the first player at this position comes off the board as all these top prospects have some sort of flaw. There isn't an elite offensive tackle prospect this year. However, unlike in most drafts, playoff teams might be able to find tackle help deep into the first round.
Matt's Rankings
1. Francis Mauigoa, Miami, 6-5 1/2, 329 lbs. - A massive mauling lineman, there is debate if Mauigoa would be better off at tackle or guard because his lack of length For the most part though, Mauigoa moves like a tackle and excels playing in space. And this guy is a finisher.
2. Spencer Fano, Utah, 6-5 1/2, 311 lbs. - Like Mauigoa, Fano's best spot at the next level could be at guard as his arms are unusually short for an offensive tackle. But everything about Fano screams staying on the outside. He has fantastic movement skills with a great blend of suddenness and smoothness to all his movements.
3. Monroe Freeling, Georgia, 6-7, 315 lbs. - A great athlete with the body type you are looking for, Freeling is the most prototypical left tackle in this draft class. However, Freeling has limited experience and his early season tape is very concerning. To his credit, Freeling greatly improved throughout the course of the 2025 season.
4. Max Iheanachor, Arizona State, 6-6, 321 lbs. -This one is a bit of projection, as Iheanachor isn't just new to the position, but he is very new to the sport. But if a team has some patience and brings Iheanachor along properly, he could become one of the best in the business. He has a nasty streak with extreme athletic traits in every category you look for at this position.
5. Kadyn Proctor, Alabama, 6-7, 352 lbs. - There were several tackle prospects that easily could have made this list but were left off. Obviously the first thing you notice with Proctor is his extreme size-and maintaining a proper weight is a concern for him. But Proctor carries his weight extremely well with great length. As you'd imagine, Proctor is a people mover.
Sleeper: Jude Bowry, Boston College, 6-5, 314 lbs. - Bowry isn't getting enough attention in this draft process thus far. But that could change after an excellent showing at the Combine where he showed off his quickness, speed, and explosion. Bowry has a lot to clean up with his game, including his hand usage, but could start his career as a sixth lineman to get some experience and possibly develop into a starter.
Mike's Take
Teams seeking help at offensive tackle in the NFL Draft might well be advised to get one while they last.
"There are 7 OT's with potential to go in 1st rd," NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah has tweeted. "After that group, I could see a gap to the 3rd rd.
"If you want one, you are going to probably have to take one higher than you'd like in RD 1."
ESPN draft analyst Tidd McShay has expressed a similar sentiment on social media.
"Eight OL come flying off the board in RD1/top-40 overall," McShay has tweeted. "The shelf drops off drastically after that, especially at OT."
Mike's Rankings
1. Francis Mauigoa, Miami, 6-5 1/2, 329 lbs. - He has the prerequisite size and the proper temperament and both were on display at the NFL Scouting Combine. "There are five positions, I make sure I take one of them," Mauigoa told reporters in Indy. "I mean, I play right tackle. It would be cool if I stay at tackle but if guard is the way I get into the game, I'm going to give it my all."
2. Spencer Fano, Utah, 6-5 1/2, 311 lbs. - Fano's 2025 resume included winning the Outland Trophy (nation's top interior lineman), being named the Big XII Offensive Lineman of the Year and earning First-Team Associated Press All-America honors. He was also a team captain at Utah and comes from a line of succession that sent four of his uncles to the NFL.
3. Caleb Lomu, Utah, 6-6, 313 lbs. - Like Fano, Lomu was a three-year player and Utah but unlike Fano, Lomu only started for his final two seasons. He's a little less decorated and a little less polished than his offensive tackle teammate but Lomu played on the left side and he oozes potential.
4. Kadyn Proctor, Alabama, 6-7, 352 lbs. - Proctor started every game he ever played at Alabama at left tackle, all 39 of them. And his athleticism was so highly regarded the Crimson Tide actually lined him up wide and threw him a pass against Georgia (the "Krispy Screen"). Jeremiah's on board with Proctor having "the most upside of any blocker in this draft."
5. Max Iheanachor, Arizona State, 6-6, 321 lbs. - Iheanachor started out athletically as a soccer player in Nigeria and didn't play football until arriving at East Los Angeles Junior College and taking the advice of an AAU coach. He only played 32 games at Arizona State so he's still developing. But Iheanachor appears to be a fast learner based on how he appeared to take coaching at the Senior Bowl. "His tape isn't perfect," Jeremiah assessed. "But it's full of clues hinting he could end up being one of the best offensive linemen in this year's draft class."
Sleeper: Markell Bell, Miami, Fla., 6-9, 346 lbs. - He's not among the highest-rated players at the position but he's one of the largest. You can get around him but you have to take a cab.
Max's Take
In the words of the late Craig Wolfley, "There's not a lot of large prairie mammals roaming this earth!" This year's crop of offensive tackles are a big group of earth, movers and there's a lot of teams that need the services of the big man!
Max's Rankings
1. Francis Mauigoa, Miami, 6-5 1/2, 329 lbs. - Big, physical frame and power to boot, Mauigoa will be a day one starter whether at guard or tackle at the next level.
2. Spencer Fano, Utah, 6-5 1/2, 311 lbs. - Athleticism to play either side at tackle, Fano will be a complement and a starter wherever he's drafted.
3. Monroe Freeling, Georgia, 6-7, 315 lbs. - For his size, Freeling is very flexible and athletic, his long frame, and long arms keep pass rushers at bay.
4. Blake Miller, Clemson 6-7, 317 lbs. - Experience runs deep with Blake Miller, he's played in 54 games and has the rugged knowledge of what it takes to be an offensive lineman.
5. Caleb Lomu, Utah, 6-6, 313 lbs. - Caleb has the raw skills and body to become an elite offensive tackle, he needs some polish and a little more weight in the upper body to be a lockdown pro.
Sleeper- Keagan Trost, Missouri, 6-5, 311 lbs. - Trost is interesting because he's an older player coming into this draft. He brings a lot of experience and I really like his demeanor and how he played.
