2027 NFL Draft Preseason Rankings - OT

2 minutes ago

4 min read

The top of the prospective 2027 OT class offers as many as a half dozen potential first-round draft picks, most of whom look like long-term NFL starting OLTs. There is good overall depth potentially in this draft with quality depth available throughout next spring's draft.

1. Carter Smith / Indiana

After earning a first-round grade from SNS for the 2026 NFL Draft, the Hoosiers starting OLT decided to return to Bloomington for his senior season. Smith (6'5" / 313 lbs) will be entering his fourth-year as the blindside protector, this year for TCU transfer QB Josh Hoover, and Smith has no real holes in his game. He should start as an NFL rookie next fall.

Area for Improvement - Smith underwent offseason shoulder surgery after suffering a torn labrum in the national championship game victory over the Miami Hurricanes. Smith is progressing well and is expected to be available for the season-opener against North Texas on September 5th but this injury needs to be monitored going forward.

2. Trevor Goosby / Texas

Goosby (6'7" / 325 lbs) looks the part of an NFL OLT - desired height, length, mass, and wingspan to protect a QB's blindside with the lateral agility and mirroring skills to handle both speed and power rushers well. Goosby looks locked in as a first-round pick in either 2027 or 2028.

Area for Improvement - Goosby suffered a bone bruise on his left knee in practice on August 18th and his availability for the season-opener against Texas State on September 5th is TBD. This injury needs to be monitored, especially going into the Ohio State game on September 12th.

3. Cayden Green / Missouri

Green (6'5" / 324 lbs), a former 5-star recruit, is versatile having started inside at OG for two years before sliding to OLT last season in Columbia. Green has the complete tool kit to play OLT in the NFL - size, length, wingspan, and elite athleticism for his size. Green is a likely first-round draft pick once he declares for the draft.

Area for Improvement - Green is sometimes too passive and needs to improve his punch power and grip strength to punish EDGEs and blitzers more authoritatively his senior season.

4. Trevor Lauck / Iowa

Lauck (6'5" / 314 lbs) is the next in line of quality offensive linemen developed by the Hawkeyes. Lauck's combination of length, power, and lateral agility fits the NFL prototype for an OLT. Lauck looks like a potential top 20 pick in next spring's draft.

Area for Improvement - Lauck needs development in keeping his pads low - when they rise he can get washed out of the play.

5. Lance Heard / Kentucky

Heard is a gigantic man (6'6" / 325 lbs) with a massive wingspan - he is an OL coach's dream - and flashes as an elite pass protector at his previous stops at LSU and Tennessee. Heard is extremely powerful and can abuse DL at the LOS.

Areas for Improvement - Consistency is the biggest concern regarding Heard. His lapses tend to come at inopportune times and he needs to refine his game as a senior this season in Lexington.

6. Anthonie Knapp / Notre Dame

Knapp is a versatile OL who's future may be inside at OG but has the size (6'5" / 304 lbs), tenacity, technique, and power to play OT. Knapp is smart, disciplined, and a very good run blocker. Knapp has a solid opportunity to earn a first-round grade next spring.

Areas for Improvement - Knapp is likely to see significant snaps inside at OG this season which makes playing him outside at OT a projection as a pro.

7. McKale Boley / Virginia

Another prospect that may have to slide inside to OG in the NFL but has proven to have the technique, bend, and lateral agility to stay on the QB's blindside, Boley (6'5" / 329 lbs) is a multi-year starter at OLT who has the durability and playing style to play ten-plus years in the NFL. Boley looks like a potential top 75 prospect for the 2027 draft.

Area for Improvement - Concerns around Boley's wingspan and finesse playing style temper some enthusiasm around Boley's ability to stay on the outside in the NFL.

8. Earnest Greene / Georgia

Greene (6'4" / 320 lbs) has experience both inside at OG and at ORT and has the skill set to play either position in the NFL. Greene displays the nastiness that OL coaches love and is one of the stronger OL in the nation. Greene could earn a top 100 grade next year.

Area for Improvement - Greene needs to improve his consistency from down to down and maintain his focus throughout the game.

9. Austin Siereveld / Ohio State

Siereveld (6'5" / 325 lbs) is entering his second season as the starter at OLT for the Buckeyes and he displayed steady improvement throughout last season. Siereveld's length and agility give him a chance to stick on the left-side in the NFL.

Area for Improvement - Siereveld needs to improve his core strength and anchor more effectively against the bull rush after he was somewhat exposed by Rueben Bain (Saints) and Akheem Mesidor (Chargers) in the playoffs last season.

10. Jacarrius Peak / South Carolina

Peak (6'4" / 305 lbs), a transfer from North Carolina State, will step in at OLT for the Gamecocks after performing those same duties for the Wolfpack last season. Peak has the length and lateral agility to stay at OLT in the NFL, although he will likely slide inside to OG in the pros.

Area for Improvement - Peak needs to improve his core strength and hand use to better battle physical EDGEs at the LOS. Peak faces a weekly step-up in competition from what he faced last year in the ACC.