2026 NFL Draft rankings: Spencer Fano tops list of best OL prospects
2026 NFL Draft rankings: Spencer Fano tops list of best OL prospects
Nick Brinkerhoff and Ayrton Ostly, USA TODAYWed, April 15, 2026 at 10:04 AM UTC
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Offensive lineman are some of the most important players on the football field, but you'd never know it.
The casual football fan might not recognize Trent Williams or Lane Johnson if they passed them in the store. Of course, they might take a second look just because of their sheer size. Would they think they played football if they weren't wearing any team merchandise?
Probably not.
While offensive lineman mostly go unnoticed by fans and experts, the reality is that these players often make-or-break a season. If there is no blocking up front, the best quarterbacks, running backs and receivers can't shine.
Success starts somewhere and that's at the line of scrimmage. And the path to building towards that success often comes through the draft.
It might not be the most glamorous class that brings franchise-changing left tackles, but there is still quality talent to be discovered. Here's a look at the top OL prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft, with scouting reports and rankings provided by USA TODAY Sports.
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1 / 0Ranking top 25 prospects for 2026 NFL Draft -
Arvell Reese, LB/DE, Ohio StateOn a defense already dotted with stars, Reese rose from an occasional contributor to a bona fide star in his first full season as a starter. The 6-4, 241-pound linebacker exhibited uncommon fluidity for a player of his size, finding equal comfort dropping back in coverage as bullying his way into the backfield. His pass-rush plan is still rather rudimentary at the moment, but he has the toolkit of a double-digit sack artist. In a league where defenses are constantly taxed against the pass and run, Reese displays a unique aptitude for detonating whatever play an offense might throw at him.
2026 NFL Draft: Ranking top OL prospects1. Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
Scouting report: Fano brings experience at both left tackle (2023) and right tackle (2024-25) for the Utes in his career. His athleticism and footwork, paired with hand strength, make him our top tackle prospect in the class. His leaner frame at 6-foot-6 and 311 pounds may give pause to keeping him on the outside against stronger pass rushers. His relentless motor offers a lot to like, though.
2. Olaivavega Ioane, IOL, Penn State
Scouting report: Ioane is by far the top interior offensive line prospect in a class full of starting-caliber prospects. His size (6-foot-3, 335 pounds) and very good athleticism made him one of the bright spots in a disappointing year for the Nittany Lions offense. His physicality in the run game and anchor in pass protection should make him a plug-and-play starter in the trenches.
3. Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (FL)
Scouting report: Mauigoa offers years of experience at right tackle with a powerful frame and very strong hands at 6-foot-6 and 325 pounds. His body control and anchor make him a great fit in pass protection. His footwork may ultimately move him inside to guard but he has a very high floor at either position with a mauling presence coaches would love in the run game.
4. Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
Scouting report: There just aren't a lot of humans that move like Proctor does at 6-foot-7 and 352 pounds. That size and power could keep him on the outside for some teams or have them instead take the Mekhi Becton route and move him inside. He needs to improve his discipline and consistency as a blocker given how much leverage he gives up at his size.
5. Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
Scouting report: Huge, powerful frame that shows up with a great anchor in pass protection. Went from 21 pressures allowed in 2024 to nine in 2025. Good initial quickness off the snap should ensure he stays in front of faster edge rushers. Needs to improve his hand usage and upright playing style in order to last as more than a swing tackle in the NFL.
6. Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
Scouting report: Great mover at his size with discipline and ideal football IQ. He's a bit lean like his teammate Fano but experienced at left tackle. Early on in his development with plenty of room to grow. Could become the best tackle in the class thanks to his natural movement abilities at his size.
7. Caleb Tiernan, OT, Northwestern
Scouting report: Tiernan has spent the last three years at left tackle for the Wildcats and hasn't missed a snap in four years. He offers elite size at 6-foot-8 and 323 pounds with solid arm length, giving him an ideal frame for pass protection. He allowed just 13 pressures on 430 pass blocking snaps in 2025; that's the same as he did on 467 snaps in 2024. He's technically sound and could be a plug-and-play starter as a rookie.
8. Emmanuel Pregnon, IOL, Oregon
Scouting report: Transferred from USC to Oregon in 2025 and immediately took a step. Set a career-low in pressures despite playing extra games due to playoff. Good length at an ideal size with strong hands and anchor for both pass protection and run blocking. Demeanor that coaches will like at the NFL level. Not a plus athlete which may limit his fit in certain offenses.
9. Chase Bisontis, IOL, Texas A&M
Scouting report: Played RT in 2023 before moving to guard in 2024 and 2025. Athletic mover off the snap with impressively light feet for his size. Good hand placement. Hips can sometimes open too quickly. Two sacks allowed in the last two years combined.
10. Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State
Scouting report: Impressive footwork thanks to his background in soccer and basketball. Good control in pass protection sets and uses his active hands. Great athleticism. Remains a bit raw as a tackle with an anchor that needs development. Could become a solid starter with time thanks to his potential.
11. Gennings Dunker, IOL, Iowa
Scouting report: Standout blocker in the run game with NFL-level power and nastiness to finish blocks off with his play strength. Brings that to pass blocking but can be limited laterally against faster rushers. Needs to improve his hand usage and pad level at times. Will likely end up best at guard in the NFL.
12. Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
Scouting report: Four-year starter for the Tigers who was almost exclusively a right tackle. Impressive athleticism for such a large frame (34 1/4-inch arms) and that showed in testing. That athleticism kept him out of trouble in college despite playing too upright at the position. Needs to make strides there and with his hand usage.
13. Keylan Rutledge, IOL, Georgia Tech
Scouting report: Ideal run blocker thanks to his burst and overall athleticism off the line. Good sustainer in blocks with great punch and good hand usage. Pass protection needs work but he has the functional athleticism to build on. His tough mentality will be endearing to coaches.
14. Connor Lew, C, Auburn
Scouting report: Tough blocker with good anchor at his weight. Quickness makes it easy for him to climb to the second level. Mirrors very well in pass blocking. Good burst off the line with active hands. His smaller frame may keep him down on some teams' draft boards.
15. Brian Parker II, IOL, Duke
Scouting report: Three-year starter at tackle with a sawed-off frame better suited inside at guard in the NFL. Strong hands and aggressive mindset. Latches on to blocks and keeps with them. Shorter arms will necessitate a move inside.
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16. Kage Casey, OT, Boise State
Scouting report: Three-year starter at left tackle with good play strength and ideal hand usage. Average athlete with the processing to stay in front of rushers. Uses great angles and maximizes his length. Can be stiff in his lower body and bendier edge rushers in the NFL may exploit that.
17. Jude Bowry, OT, Boston College
Scouting report: Two-year starting left tackle with explosive athleticism and elite twitch off the line. Good anchor in pass protection. Played opposite Ozzy Traplilo in 2024. Allowed two sacks in 655 pass-blocking snaps over his last two seasons. Needs to improve his consistency and hand usage to reach his ceiling.
18. Jake Slaughter, C, Florida
Scouting report: Two-time team captain for the Gators. Not an overwhelming physical presence but wins with his movement abilities and innate leverage. Can reset and maintain leverage on blocks. Fluid mover with the anchor to maintain in pass protection. May struggle if asked to block bigger nose tackles one-on-one.
19. Sam Hecht, C, Kansas State
Scouting report: Lacks mass but makes up for it with outstanding technique from the center position. Can make it work in any scheme you ask of him. Core strength shines through on tape and his hand placement keeps him connected on blocks. Arm length may be more of a problem at the NFL level. Needs more muscle mass overall, but once he gets that, he can be a long-time starter.
1 / 0NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection1. Las Vegas Raiders – Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana20. Austin Barber, OT, Florida
Scouting report: Three-year starter at left tackle. Good hand usage and play strength with near-prototypical length for a left tackle. Fluid athlete who can handle bull rushers. Standout run blocker for the position. Struggles against speed rushers. Susceptible to counter moves. Can rely too much on two-hand punches.
21. Trey Zuhn III, IOL, Texas A&M
Scouting report: Career left tackle who will likely move inside to guard or center due to lack of length. Good burst and lateral quickness with a proven track record on combination blocks. Overall athleticism is average which will show up in pass protection despite his good anchor. May struggle to mirror NFL interior rushers doing stunts or twists.
22. Billy Schrauth, IOL, Notre Dame
Scouting report: MCL sprain in 2025 and prior ankle injury will knock his stock down. If his medical is clear, he could be a great value pick. Experience at both guard spots, most recently left guard. Good play strength and anchor which shows up well in pass protection. Heavy feet show up in run blocking where he may be limited in pulling assignments.
23. Logan Jones, C, Iowa
Scouting report: Undersized but extremely athletic center prospect. Great burst and fast feet. Four-year starter at center. Short arms didn't limit him much as a pass blocker but may show up more at the NFL level. May struggle to seal blocks in the run game. Bigger, longer defensive tackles will give him trouble.
24. Drew Shelton, OT, Penn State
Scouting report: Lean frame with impressive quick-twitch athleticism and ideal arm length. Strong hands that pop against edge rushers. Has the tools to develop but size is a concern, as is his ability to sustain blocks throughout the play.
25. Dametrious Crownover, OT, Texas A&M
Scouting report: Lean frame with impressive quick-twitch athleticism and ideal arm length. Strong hands that pop against edge rushers. Has the tools to develop but size is a concern, as is his ability to sustain blocks throughout the play.
26. Jaeden Roberts, IOL, Alabama
Scouting report: Impressive athleticism given his massive frame. Ideal for gap and power schemes to utilize that linear quickness and burst. Heavy hands with rare strength for the position. Footwork isn't always sound which leads to some quick losses against rushers with counter moves. Bulky frame isn't bendy.
27. Markel Bell, OT, Miami (FL)
Scouting report: In a class with some outlier tackles, Bell may stand alone as the rarest of all. His 87-inch wingspan was the biggest at the combine and will help him steer and control NFL edge rushers. Took a huge step forward in 2025 with zero sacks allowed on 558 pass-blocking snaps. Elite grip strength and hand usage for his inexperience. Below-average run blocker who will always struggle with leverage. Foot speed is lacking and he has a tendency to lean forward into blocks.
28. Keagan Trost, OT, Missouri
Scouting report: Old prospect (will turn 25 before the draft) with a high floor thanks to his years of starting experience at both tackle spots. Played RT for Missouri and allowed just 7 pressures on 432 pass-blocking snaps. Solid length with the strength to fit any running scheme. Experience shows in his ability to hand-fight and climb to the second level. Can lean too often and high pad level will be exposed against NFL competition. Footwork is below average in the run game.
29. J.C. Davis, OT, Illinois
Scouting report: Natural strength and finishing ability ideally fit power or gap run schemes as well as good length for pass sets but his technique (hand striking, balance, timing) needs a lot of work to last at tackle.
30. Pat Coogan, C, Indiana
Scouting report: Experienced, high-IQ center with great technique and hand usage but arm length and forward lean could limit him in the NFL.
31. Isaiah World, OT, Oregon
Scouting report: All the physical tools teams love to see at an NFL starting tackle with 34.5-inch arms. Elite traits that show up in pass protection as he can mirror rushers well. Powerful hands that can jolt rushers. Needs to work on his consistency and hand usage to reach his high ceiling.
32. Diego Pounds, OT, Ole Miss
Scouting report: Smooth, athletic mover with heavy, strong hands and good length who needs to improve his leverage use to be a better run blocker and handle bendier, faster edge rushers.
33. Jeremiah Wright, IOL, Auburn
Scouting report: Power-based interior blocker with impressive strength and a nasty finish but lacks good hand usage and foot quickness for modern NFL demands.
34. Beau Stephens, IOL, Iowa
Scouting report: Patient, consistent blocker ideal for zone schemes with great feel and attitude, but short arms, leaner frame and average athleticism limit his ceiling.
35. Parker Brailsford, C, Alabama
Scouting report: Elite quickness, hand usage, toughness and foot drive to assist his lean frame which limits his effectiveness outside of zone schemes in the run and against power rushers on the interior.
36. Jalen Farmer, IOL, Kentucky
Scouting report: Long, athletic guard prospect who is a better run blocker than pass blocker due to pad level and hips but lacks awareness and footwork in protection.
37. Ar'maj Reed-Adams, IOL, Texas A&M
Scouting report: Older prospect who works well in the run in close spaces and uses his length but lacks the body control to handle strong bull rushes.
38. Aamil Wagner, OT, Notre Dame
Scouting report: High-character, long tackle with ideal pass punch and sustaining but plays too high with slower feet and lack of bend.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2026 NFL Draft position rankings: Best available OL prospects
Source: “AOL Sports”
