Top Offensive Tackles – 2026 NFL Draft Preseason Watch List

John B. Everett
Aug 12
6 min read

Updated: Aug 15

The potential top OT prospects look to be similar in quality to last year’s class and should provide NFL teams with several starting caliber OTs next April, including a couple of players projected to be elite blindside protectors in the NFL. The depth at OT should provide teams with potential starters available on days two and three of the draft next spring. This class is stocked with big and long levered OTs who check the boxes from a physical specimen stand point.

Top of the Class

1. Kadyn Proctor / Alabama

Entering his third year as the starting OLT for the Crimson Tide, the former 5-star recruit, Proctor has refined his game to the point where he could now not only start in the SEC but the NFL as well. Proctor is a huge prospect (6’7” / 366 lbs) with grapevines for arms and surprising agility and fluidity for a man of his size. His combination of length, athleticism, and natural strength are prototypical and makes Proctor a candidate to go #1 overall next April.

2. Isaiah World / Oregon

World is a massive man (6’8” / 318 lbs) with great length and plenty of starting experience, having started 35 games over the previous three years at Nevada. World has played both OLT and ORT while in Reno and entered the portal last winter and became the top ranked transfer prospect in the nation. He replaces Josh Conerly, first round pick of the Commanders, as Oregon’s starting OLT and World also is projected to be a first round pick next April. Oregon has national championship hopes and World’s ability to protect QB Dante Moore is vital in those efforts.

3. Spencer Fano / Utah

Fano is entering his third year as the starting ORT for the Utes and while he has the size (6’6” / 302 lbs), length, and movement skills to remain on the outside, his value as a run blocker may necessitate a move inside to guard. However, Fano is a good enough athlete to play either side of the line and this perceived versatility only adds to Fano’s value. Fano enters the 2025 season as a Top 30 prospect for the 2026 NFL Draft.

4. Max Iheanachor / Arizona State

The highly experienced and durable Iheanachor has been a staple of the Sun Devil’s offensive line at ORT for years and has been reliable and effective in those duties. Iheanachor looks the part with desired NFL size with excellent height (6’6”), frame, mass (330 lbs), and length. He is extremely strong and when he gets his mitts on the opponent, he typically wins. Iheanachor may not have the lateral agility to protect the QB’s blindside but he looks like a long-term starter at either ORT or guard in the NFL.

5. Francis Mauigoa / Miami, Fl

Mauigoa has become a fixture on the right side of the offensive line for the Hurricanes for the last three years and his physicality and tenacity are NFL quality. Mauigoa possesses NFL size (6’6” / 315 lbs), strength, and tenacity and may find his NFL home at guard. Mauigoa has the desired mean streak and nastiness to be a long-term NFL starter.

6. Caleb Tiernan / Northwestern

Tiernan is entering his third year as the starting OLT for the Wildcats, having started as a true freshman in Evanston. Ideal height (6’7”), frame, mass (325 lbs), and length. Large wingspan. Plays with excellent leverage and bend. Possesses an easy kick slide and handles edge speed well. Tiernan needs to improve his playing strength but he projects as a future NFL starter at OLT. Tiernan could rapidly ascend draft rankings with a productive junior season.

7. Carter Smith / Indiana. A rapidly ascending talent, Smith (6’5” / 308) is starting his third year as the Hoosiers OLT and displays the lateral agility and athleticism to man the QB’s blindside as a pro. Smith has been durable and he has the size desired on the outside. Smith could be the top OT prospect in 2027 if he returns for his senior season in Bloomington.

8. Aamil Wagner / Notre Dame. Wagner (6’6” / 296 lbs) is a dominating run blocker and will tempt teams that stress running the ball to move him inside to guard. He is physical and tough. Continued improvement in pass protection, specifically handling speed rushers, could allow Wagner to be a day two pick next spring.

Other Names to Monitor:

· Blake Miller / Clemson. Miller is another multi-year ORT starter who has proven to be durable and reliable player for the Tigers. Miller possesses desired size (6’6” / 315 lbs) and length for remaining outside although his foot speed may limit him to ORT or guard. Miller looks like a solid midround selection in next April’s draft.

· Lance Heard / Tennessee. Heard is the only returning starter on the Volunteer offensive line and he will be tasked with protecting QB Joey Aguilar’s blindside. Heard possesses ideal size (6’6” / 330 lbs), long arms, and natural power to thwart opposing pass rushers.

· JC Davis / Illinois. Davis is entering his second year as the starting OLT for the Illini. He looks the part with the height (6’5”), athletic frame, mass (320 lbs), and length desired protecting the QB’s blindside. Plays balanced and with good leverage and a wide base. Easy kick slide. Needs to drive legs and sustain blocks better.

· Drew Shelton / Penn State. Shelton will be tasked with protecting potential top 2026 draft pick, QB Drew Allar. Shelton (6’5” / 305 lbs) is starting for the second straight season at OLT but his professional future may be inside at guard.

· Tristan Leigh / Clemson. The starting OLT for the Tigers, Leigh (6’6” / 310 lbs) is an efficient technician who displays very good balance and coordination. Leigh lacks some desired athleticism but handles both speed and power rushers well. Leigh looks like a late round pick who may eventually be developed into a quality swing tackle backup in the NFL.

· Trey Zuhn / Texas A&M. Zuhn is entering his third year starting for the Aggies. Excellent height (6’6”), frame, and mass (319 lbs) with a large wingspan. Fires out of his stance and has good initial twitch. Displays some difficulty setting against a powerful bull rush and needs to work on his core strength to better withstand the demands of the NFL.

· Austin Barber / Florida. Somewhat flying under the radar entering the 2025 season, Barber has the responsibility to protect QB DJ Lagway’s blindside as the Gators’ OLT. Barber (6’6” / 314 lbs) is entering his second year as the starter and continued development will give him a chance to be drafted next spring.

· Corey Robinson / Arkansas. Robinson started at OLT last season at Georgia Tech and will be expected to do the same in Fayetteville this year. Prototypical size, frame, and overall length. Plays with good knee bend. Moves fluidly side to side with the athleticism to handle speed well. Anchors effectively against the bull rush. Future may be inside at guard in the NFL.

· Shiyazh Pete / Kentucky. The former starting OLT at New Mexico State, Pete (6’8” / 322 lbs) transfers to Kentucky after missing most of last year with an ankle injury. Pete (6’8” / 322) has a huge reach and anchors well but is not fleet footed. Looks like an ORT candidate in the NFL.

· Howard Sampson / Texas Tech. Another massive prospect (6’8” / 340 lbs) with a massive reach, Sampson relies on his natural strength to create movement at the line of scrimmage (LOS). The Red Raiders spent serious NIL money on the offensive line in an attempt to address a deficiency that has persisted for years.

· Savion Byrd / Kansas. Byrd has the size (6’5” / 304 lbs) and athleticism that NFL teams seek in their offensive linemen. Byrd just needs continued development in technique work and driving his legs to finish blocks more consistently. The raw tools are there but he needs to put it all together in Lawrence.