It’s time to talk about the trenches. The most important positions on the football field. If your team has a good offensive line, you’ll likely have a good offense (unless you’re the New York Jets).

Coaches talk all the time about wanting to dominate the trenches because it decides games, and the past two Super Bowls have proved that. The Kansas City Chiefs and New England Patriots couldn’t keep their quarterbacks upright in the big game, which led to their losses. It’s not the sexy pick, but it’s an important one.

Here are my top-10 offensive tackles in this year’s NFL draft. 1. Francis Mauigoa, Miami Throughout the college football season, I figured Mauigoa would be considered as a guard throughout this draft cycle. Then the college football playoffs happened, and he helped orchestrate a dominant run game throughout the playoffs, helping Miami get to the National Championship.

He’s earned the right to stay at tackle, but he doesn’t view it that way. When asked at the NFL combine, he made it clear he’d go wherever he was asked to along the offensive line. November 22, 2025: Miami FL Hurricanes offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa 61 lines up before a snap during the NCAA, College League, USA football game between the Miami FL Hurricanes and Virginia Tech Hokies at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, Virginia. /Cal Media Blacksburg USA – ZUMAc04_ 20251122_zma_c04_113 Copyright: xGregxAtkinsx Mauigoa comes in at 6-foot-5, 329 pounds, and an arm length of 331/4.

He compares to All-Pro right tackle Penei Sewell in terms of measurements, so he could easily thrive at the tackle position in the league. Watching Mauigoa, he plays with tremendous power, being able to move people out of the way. Good athleticism to have a fast get-off when he attacks edges, but at the same time, he can take a more patient pass set, showing the versatility he has.

Athleticism shows in the run game as well; he can pull efficiently, is smart, and handles stunts well. Could improve his ability to sink his hips and truly anchor against power. Felt like his hand placement was inconsistent, which led to him getting beaten a couple of times this season, but he has the upside and talent to be the first tackle off the board. 2.

Spencer Fano, Utah Fano is the best athlete out of all the offensive linemen in this class. The way he moved at the NFL combine compared to everyone else was just jaw-dropping. He started his career at left tackle and then moved to right for the past two seasons.

The talking point with him is where he’s gonna play in the NFL. He’s 6-foot-5 and 311 pounds, but has an arm length of 32 1/8, which is shorter than New England tackle Will Campbell. Fano’s advantage is his wingspan: 80 1/4; he’s almost three inches wider than Campbell’s.

NCAA, College League, USA Football 2023: Utah vs Baylor SEP 9 September 9 2023: Utah Utes offensive lineman Spencer Fano 55 walks on the field before the NCAA Football game between the Utah Utes and Baylor Bears at McLane Stadium in Waco, Texas. Matthew Lynch/CSM Waco TX US EDITORIAL USE ONLY Copyright: xx ZUMA-20230909_zma_c04_853.jpg MatthewxLynchx csmphotothree153899 The arm length and wingspan both come in below the 20th percentile for offensive tackles. The projection is hard, but the athletic part is not.

Ran a 4.91 40 with a 1.72 10-yard split. Fano’s footwork helps him look clean in the run game, giving him the versatility to run either a zone or gap scheme. Mirrors defenders well, and his pass set is clean; mix it in with his good hand placement, and he has the upside to be a dominant NFL tackle.

The strength part is the issue. Just lacked overall power and got taken advantage of a couple of times in his tape. Didn’t anchor well, nor have tremendous bend when edges would strike his chest.

Rushers who had bend were able to win with ease on his outside shoulder. I’d give Fano an opportunity to play tackle first at the NFL level; he’s the type of athlete who can do it. I wouldn’t rush him to guard; that won’t solve his strength issue. 3.

Max Iheanachor, Arizona State No doubt Iheanachor is one of my favorites in this draft class. He’s very close in terms of being my second-ranked tackle in this class, but I liked the athletic upside of Fano just a bit more. The Iheanachor story is a fun one.

He was born in Nigeria and moved to Los Angeles in his teens. He played basketball and soccer growing up and didn’t play football until five years ago, when he joined the East Los Angeles College football team. Played JUCO for two years, then transferred to Arizona State to start at right tackle for the past two seasons. September 20, 2025 Arizona State Sun Devils offensive lineman Max Iheanachor 58 blocks Baylor Bears defensive lineman Trent Thomas 92 during the 2nd half the NCAA, College League, USA Football game between the Arizona State Sun Devils and Baylor Bears at McLane Stadium in Waco, Texas. /CSM Waco US – ZUMAc04_ 20250920_zma_c04_1235 Copyright: xMatthewxLynchx The tape is clean for someone who doe