2027 NFL Draft Preseason Rankings - IOL

The prospective IOL that could declare for next spring's draft do not appear to offer many future starters and the majority of prospects who figure to eventually earn starting jobs inside are likely to be converted OTs. Only one prospect (McConnell) has earned a preseason first-round grade for next year's draft.

Centers

1. Iapani Laloulu / Oregon

Potentially the first IOL to hear his name called next spring is the big Hawaiian OC for the Ducks. Laloulu (6'2" / 329 lbs) possesses a wide, stocky frame and is a very effective run blocker and pass protector. Laloulu relies on technique and natural strength to neutralize strength or quickness on his nose.

Area for Improvement - Laloulu lacks elite athleticism and lateral agility and will not fit every offensive system. Laloulu can have difficulty with quickness when he does not get his hands on the defender.

2. Carson Hinzman / Ohio State

Hinzman may be the most experienced and proven OC in the nation, entering his third-year as the starter in Columbus. Hinzman (6'5" / 300 lbs) brings rare height and length for a center and will be graded highly by every zone blocking team in the NFL. Hinzman is athletic, quick, and has excellent agility.

Area for Improvement - Like many tall, high-cut centers, Hinzman sometimes loses the leverage battle when he allows the DL to get into his body. Hinzman needs to improve his core strength to help compensate.

3. Bruce Mitchell / BYU

Mitchell (6'4" / 305 lbs) is an experienced, multi-year starter at the pivot for the Cougars and he possesses the size, bend, twitch, and strength to handle both power and quickness well. Mitchell looks like a mid-round selection with starting potential.

Area for Improvement - Mitchell is still inconsistent with his shotgun snap and needs to refine his technique. Mitchell can have difficulty with a physical NT at times.

4. Kade Pieper / Iowa

Pieper (6'3" / 298 lbs) is an experienced OG who sliding inside and taking over for Logan Jones (Bears) at OC. Pieper is smart, instinctive, experienced, and offers the versatility that NFL teams want in their OL.

Area for Improvement - Pieper has minimal experience at center and how he adjusts to playing the pivot in Iowa City will need to be monitored this fall.

5. Drew Bobo / Georgia

Bobo (6'5" / 305 lbs) is an experienced and well-rounded pivot who possesses the length and lateral agility to be used as an effective blocker at the second level. Bobo has solid initial twitch and is a well-schooled technician.

Areas for Improvement - Bobo underwent Lisfranc surgery on his foot after last season but is not expected to miss any time this fall. Bobo has battled injuries throughout his career and his long-term health remains a concern.

Watch List - Jake Renfro / Illinois, Braelin Moore / LSU, Trent Fraley / Michigan State, Ashton Beers / Minnesota, Lyndon Cooper / Vanderbilt, Yakiri Walker / Baylor, Landen Hatchett / Washington, and Matt Craycraft / Duke.

Guards

1. Cade McConnell / Vanderbilt

McConnell (6'5" / 323 lbs) enters the 2027 NFL Draft cycle as the highest-ranked IOL available next spring due to his combination of size, power, athleticism, and finishing ability. McConnell is a borderline first-round pick next April.

Areas for Improvement - McConnell, unlike almost any other IOL in the nation, has no real holes in his game. However, when his pads rise, he can lose leverage and get defeated late in the rep.

2. Luke Montgomery / Ohio State

A potential top 50 selection in the 2027 NFL Draft, Montgomery (6'5" / 312 lbs) is an experienced, smart, athletic, and highly competitive OG with the balance, bend, and twitch to be a plug and play starter as a rookie.

Area for Improvement - Montgomery sometimes struggles with a powerful IDL who can get into his body and control him. Montgomery needs to improve his upper body strength and maintain better leverage throughout the blocking assignment.

3. Dave Iuli / Oregon

One of the biggest and strongest IOL in the nation, Iuli (6'3" / 322 lbs) can abuse IDL at the LOS due to power, physicality, and nastiness that OL coaches will love. Iuli's stength and competitiveness is top notch.

Area for Improvement - Iuli is not a great athlete, is tight in the hips, and has limited lateral agility and range. Iuli struggles getting out to the second level and can be defeated by quickness moving across his face.

4. Greg Johnson / Minnesota

Johnson (6'6" / 325 lbs) is an experienced and versatile OL who has started games at Minnesota at both OT and OG, and has the length desired on the outside. Johnson flashes great mauling ability inside and works to finish consistently.

Area for Improvement - Johnson lacks great feet or lateral agility and he struggles the farther he is required to move.

5. Patrick Kutas / Ole Miss

Kutas (6'6" / 315 lbs), a transfer from Arkansas, is a highly experienced OG who has a great combination of size, length, power, and athleticism to be developed into an eventual NFL starter. Kutas is relatively durable and looks like a potential steal of a mid-round selection next spring.

Area for Improvement - Kutas needs to refine his hand fighting skill - he needs to improve placement consistency and power. Additionally, Kutas needs to improve his upper body strength and conditioning.

Watch List - Hunter Zambrano / Texas Tech, Matthew McCoy / Miami, Fl, Bray Lynch / Indiana, Drew Evans / Indiana, Shadre Hurst / Houston, Paul Mubenga / Nebraska, Charles Jagusah / Notre Dame, Sullivan Ashber / Notre Dame, and Evan Tengesdahl / Cincinnati