Onto the big boys we go, at least the ones who do the blocking. A pretty deep draft at offensive tackle, though many project pretty strongly as interior linemen long-term. Time will tell how things unfold in the trenches!
Tackles:
Kelvin Banks Jr.:
Texas 6' 5" 315 lbs.
Powerful hands, delivering devastating blows to opposing defenders' chests. Blocks through the entire play, often climbing multiple levels while taking as many victims as he can between the whistles. Expertly seals lanes for his running backs to burst through.
Shorter arms could ultimately force him inside to guard. Pass blocking leaves room for improvement, with a slower kick back that could be exploited by faster edge rushers. Occasionally gets off balance or overextended while trying to deliver his trademark powerful blocks, resulting in missed or incomplete assignments.
Summary: Make no mistake about Kelvin Banks Jr., the man is built to start in the NFL-- but at what position remains to be seen. Some teams may be weary about spending a high first round pick on a guy who isn't a surefire OT, but the tape is out there about what he can bring to any offensive line-- aggression, strength and drive. It'd be shocking to see Banks fall out of the 20's, projecting as a day one starter either inside or out.
Will Campbell:
LSU 6' 6" 319 lbs.
Uses his hands well in pass blocking to engage and ride out opposing rushers-- once he's locked in on you, it's over. Good balance and center of gravity, with the athleticism to effectively pull around the edge while rarely overextending. Seals off running lanes well for his backs to power through.
A little stiff at times, occasionally engaging at too high of a level or getting overset against pass rushers. Really lacks a mean streak in the run game that you'd want to see from an early round selection. Less than ideal wingspan, with some teams thinking he projects best at the guard position.
Summary: One of the more pure pass blockers you'll see in any class, Will Campbell has the footwork and technique to neutralize some of the fiercest rushers he'll come across. His size isn't quite ideal for a pro tackle, meaning he could start (or remain) at guard for much of his career, but he's a safe bet to plug in play on any team.
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| Photo: Jonathan Mailhes |
Josh Simmons:
Ohio State 6' 5" 317 lbs.
Good hand placement on run blocks, trying to bury his matchups while always playing through the whistle. Impressive lateral quickness for his size, adept at pulling or popping out on screen plays. Sets up combo blocks impressively, baiting opposing defenders to spots before putting them on skates. Good balance in pass blocking, regularly keeping a disciplined base to counter changes in direction. Experience at guard and tackle.
Pretty extensive injury history, with an October knee ailment ending his season early. Will be a key focal point in NFL team's medical exams. Occasionally gets a little tall against power rushers. 25 penalties over the last two seasons in limited action.
Summary: Josh Simmons' tape is full of things to rave about: strong hands, a real mean streak and athleticism that's hard to find in a man his size. His positional versatility is also appealing, though some teams don't want to spend a premium pick on a potential guard. He needs to clean up the penalties and have his knee concerns cleared, neither of which are guaranteed. A high ceiling, low floor prospect that'll find himself pegged anywhere from the early first round to the middle of round two on draft boards across the league.
Armond Membou:
Missouri 6' 3" 332 lbs.
Extremely strong and athletic for his size. Constantly drives through blocks with bad intentions, always trying to bury opponents. Quick feet and unparalleled body control allow him to pull and set edges with ease. Supremely adept at combo blocks, with heavy chips as he climbs to the second level and beyond.
Played RT for majority of his snaps at Mizzou, lowering his value compared to those who play on the opposite side. Stands at 6' 3", which many teams may view as a non-negotiable at tackle. Occasional struggles against pure speed or power rushers may be exploited at the NFL defenders.
Summary: Membou's a freaky player to watch on the grid iron, moving with agility and fluidity that's hardly matched by men his size. He lacks prototypical height to play the tackle position, which could ding his stock some, but the tape more than supports his ability to do so. Ceiling is likely at right tackle, but he could end up being an All-Pro talent there if he can clean up some of his technique.
Gray Zabel:
North Dakota State 6' 6" 312 lbs.
Impressive balance and change of direction when pass blocking. Surprisingly agile given his lumbering frame when pulling or progressing to the next level. Strong hands, often pancaking opponents once he locks in on their chests. Versatile on the offensive line, splitting time between both tackle slots this season while finding success on the interior line early in his NDSU days.
Skeptics will attribute some of Zabel's success to the generally lower level of competition he faced. Gets a little high at times after engaging defenders, leading to loss of balance and leverage. Short arms, with many pundits projecting him as a tall guard long term.
Summary: Despite being a member of the FCS, North Dakota State has done a fantastic job producing some NFL-ready talent over the last decade-plus. Gray Zabel is another name to add to that list, who should start out as a plug-and-play guard at the bare minimum. He's got a lanky 6' 6" frame that has room to fill out, which could allow him to settle in at either tackle position. Pretty desirable upside with Zabel.
Josh Conerly Jr.:
Oregon 6' 5" 311 lbs.
Fairly athletic for his size, showing success on pulls and in the screen game. Capable combo blocker, moving between levels seamlessly to engage in assignments. Stronger in pass protection than the run game, displaying fluid footwork and technique against pass rushers.
Gets a little stiff at times when pass blocking, occasionally lunging toward opponents rather then timing his engagement. Collected his share of pancakes but isn't a true "people mover"; may struggle against stronger professional linemen. Hand placement's inconsistent, sometimes exposing him to bull rushes or leaving him susceptible to holding penalties.
Summary: Josh Conerly Jr. has one of the more intriguing skillsets in this class, with really refined pass protection technique and the frame to add functional muscle and improve his run blocking. He may fit best at the guard position early on in his career, but after a year or two in a pro weight program, the Oregon alum should be able to shift seamlessly to the blind side of any defensive line.
Jonah Savaiinaea:
Arizona 6' 4" 324 lbs.
Big bodied and versatile, playing all over Arizona's offensive line in 2024. Possesses a real mean streak, consistently working to bury opposing defenders. Strong hands, delivering powerful blows to opponents when engaging. 4.95 40-time shows on tape, with the ability to cover impressive distances before sealing lanes for runners.
Foot speed in pass blocking has room for improvement, likely will be exploited early on by speed rushers. Gets a little high at times during run blocks, allowing stronger defenders to stand him up. Doesn't always maintain balance when pulling, occasionally resulting in missed assignments.
Summary: The former Wildcat has imposing size and improved with each passing collegiate season. Savaiinaea's positional versatility suggests he'd be able to play either tackle spot in a real pinch, but it's much more likely he ends up in the interior for majority of his playing career. Has the physical tools to be a worthwhile project however.
Guards and Centers:
Tyler Booker (G):
Alabama 6' 5" 321 lbs.
An absolute mauler, routinely taking people off their feet in pass or run blocking with powerful hands. Extremely athletic and balanced when pulling, having opponents squared up before reaching his destination. Disciplined in pass protection, maintaining his assignments and not falling victim to stunts or delayed blitzes.
Chips and climbs effectively on interior rushes, though he could improve his sealing at the point of attack. Occasionally gets too high against defenders, particularly when run blocking, resulting in blown assignments. Really raw in general in the run blocking department, especially compared to his elite pocket protection.
Summary: Definitely not a fit for every team, at least as an immediate plug and play. His pass blocking is supremely refined and he shows plenty of grit/potential as a run blocker, but his overall production in that regard is lacking right now. Could be a liability early on in a run-heavy scheme, but if Booker can put it all together, he's got all the physical tools to be a monster in the league.
Tate Ratledge (G):
Georgia 6' 6" 308 lbs.
Disciplined hand placement when blocking, really stonewalling defenders once he locks in. Seemingly takes pride in putting opponents on their backside. Seals running lanes efficiently and effectively. Balance in pass protection is impressive, with well-timed punches to counter moves and stymy rushers.
Base gets off balance when pulling or climbing beyond the first level. Functional strength could use improvement on the next level, with stronger opponents occasionally getting into his chest and overpowering him. Recent string of injuries will need to be checked in on by interested teams.
Summary: Hell of a mullet on Ratledge-- and a solid football player to boot! The Georgia Bulldog plays with a real mean streak, always looking to punish his opponents in the form of a pancake. His lack of experience at any position but right guard may be viewed as a negative by some franchises that value versatility, but quality coaching should be able to overcome that-- if and when the time comes. Has the skillset to immediately and productively slide into a guard slot. Probably a mid-second rounder.
Luka Kandra (G):
Cincinnati 6' 5" 319 lbs.
Legit pop in his hands, powerfully initiating contact with rushers. Impressive speed when pulling, though he tends to get a little off base at the point of attack. Picks up stunts and blitzes well, seeking bodies to put down if there isn't a defender immediately in his view. Very durable, playing every snap during the Bearcats' 2023 season.
Occasionally caught leaning or off balance during blocks, though he does display decent ability to recover. Not a true people-mover, resulting in stalemates against more powerful opponents. Hand placement not consistently great, sometimes contacting defenders on the shoulders rather then their chests.
Summary: Luka Kandra rocks a hulking frame at right guard, though he'd benefit from adding a little muscle. Fortunately, he's got the frame to handle it. He's a sneaky good athlete who not only embraces contact, but seeks it. While not particularly outstanding at either pass or run blocking, Kandra's more then competent enough at each to step in day one and at least compete for a starting spot.
Jackson Slater (G):
Sacramento State 6' 3" 311 lbs.
Athletic, fluidly moves through pulls and when climbing to the second and third level. Good base during pass protection, latching onto rushers with strong hands and mirroring them pretty effectively. Positional versatility, having played snaps at all five offensive line positions during his career.
Questions will surely arise if Slater's success was due to FCS-level competition. Also coming off a major knee injury which teams will need to clear. Functional strength leaves room for improvement, rarely getting much drive behind his blocks. Fails to recover consistently after getting beat on initial assignments.
Summary: Definitely more of a project than a sure thing, Jackson Slater will catch the eye of many scouts due to his frame and versatility. Unlikely to be a day one starter wherever he ends up but could easily be an effective 6th offensive lineman, providing quality depth with upside. A year in a professional weight program while gaining experience against NFL-caliber defenders will be good for him.
Jake Majors (C):
Texas 6' 3" 306 lbs.
Capable of fluidly climbing to the second level and pulling, though he doesn't always engage while on balance. Skilled pass blocker, working well with other lineman to neutralize interior rushers while maintaining personal assignments and rarely ceding ground. Knee bend is consistently sharp, allowing Majors to create and exploit leverage on opponents. Seemingly always knows what the defense is going to bring at them.
Short arms, allowing defenders to more easily get into his chest. Not a people-mover, struggling to bulldoze defenders that aren't directly in front of him. Weak run blocker overall, who'd benefit from adding some muscle.
Summary: The center from Texas is as pure a pass blocker as you'll find at the position-- impressively diagnosing front seven looks and neutralizing them routinely. But his run blocking is average at best, with less than optimal strength or size. If he can improve those areas, he'll surely outplay his draft position for many years in this league. If not, his running backs are going to be looking to bounce it outside far more often then they'd prefer.
Jared Wilson:
Georgia 6' 3" 310 lbs.
Extremely disciplined in pass protection, stonewalling rushers with a solid base while picking up delayed blitzes and stunts effortlessly. Agile for his size, showing ability to pull and climb effectively. Shows desire to block through the whistle and all the way downfield. Seals running lanes well for his backs, though he rarely forcefully displaces defenders.
Tends to lean when picking up defenders while pulling or climbing. Hand placement on run blocking leaves room for improvement, too often positioning his hands outside of opponents' chests. Would benefit from a year or two of work in a pro weight room.
Summary: Much like Majors, Jared Wilson excels in the pass blocking department, using his solid base and football IQ to anticipate pressures and act accordingly. His run blocking is a bit bland though, as he really lacks the power to drive opponents back from the point of attack. The Bulldog possesses above average agility, which indicates he has plenty of potential to improve in that area, but he's far from a finished product. A day two pick that could end up earning a starting gig in more pass-heavy offenses.
Honorable Mention:
Tackles: Wyatt Milum, Marcus Mbow, Aireontae Ersery, Cameron Williams
Guards: Dylan Fairchild, Willie Lampkin, Tyler Cooper, Joshua Gray
Centers: Seth McLaughlin, Cooper Mays, Jonah Monheim
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@Choppinglines
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