The 2026 offensive tackle class is deep and talented, featuring six players with first-round grades, the second-most since 2020. The class also has high-upside sleepers, including Texas A&M’s Dametrious Crownover, who could be a valuable mid-round pick.
Teams with tackle needs could see the Arizona Cardinals, holding the No. 3 overall pick, take the first tackle off the board, with Miami’s Francis Mauigoa as a logical choice. Another team looking to upgrade at tackle is the Patriots, as Will Campbell struggled in the Super Bowl, giving up 14 pressures and looking more like a guard than a tackle.
Top Player: Francis Mauigoa, Miami
Miami’s Francis Mauigoa has legitimate All-Pro potential and projects as either an elite offensive tackle or guard at the NFL level. His athleticism stands out immediately, as he slides smoothly in pass protection and consistently reaches the second level as a run blocker. The 2025 winner of the ACC’s Jacobs Blocking Trophy also shows excellent body control and is rarely on the ground, which speaks to his balance and play strength. The main area that needs improvement is his hand usage, as he was flagged for seven penalties this past season, but that is a coachable issue. If the Arizona Cardinals are set on taking an offensive lineman with the No. 3 overall pick, Mauigoa would be the smart choice.
“He’s ( Francis Mauigoa) striving for perfection, for absolute excellence. He just goes. He’s got his foot on the gas. He is unbelievably fun to coach because every single day, he brings it, and he brings it with a great attitude.”
Miami Head Coach Mario CristobalGuy I Would Stand on the Table For: Gennings Dunker, Iowa
Iowa’s Gennings Dunker was a key reason the Hawkeyes had the best offense in college football this past season, earning first-team All-Big Ten honors and ranking as PFF’s second-highest graded offensive lineman over the past two years. He came off a strong Senior Bowl where he saw time at tackle, guard, and even center. As a pro prospect, Dunker is a physical lineman who consistently plays through the whistle. A logical landing spot for him on Day Two could be the Detroit Lions.
Breakout Player: Monroe Freeling, Georgia
Monroe Freeling was one of the biggest movers up draft boards this season. Entering the year, he carried a late-round grade on my board due to limited playing time, with only five starts in 2024. This season, he proved he belongs in the late first-round conversation. His strong pass protection stood out, earning him an 85.7 PFF pass-blocking grade and second-team All-SEC honors. Freeling also flashes impressive natural power, which should only improve as his technique continues to develop. A potential landing spot for him is New England, which holds the 31st overall pick.
Biggest Risk: Isaiah World, Oregon
Isaiah World is a traits-based prospect whose film does not consistently match his physical upside. He brings high-end tools, including excellent length at 6-foot-8 and good explosion off the ball, but he remains extremely raw as a blocker. His hand usage needs significant improvement, as he struggles to latch onto defenders and adjust to second moves. World also shows sloppy footwork, which causes balance issues too often to satisfy NFL evaluators. Because of the refinement still required in these areas, he is a risky prospect and more of a long-term project than a player you can rely on early in his career.
Sleeper: Dametrious Crownover, Texas A&M
A big-school sleeper in the 2026 NFL Draft is Texas A&M’s Dametrious Crownover. He flies under the radar largely because he is still raw technically, especially with his hand usage. However, his upside is notable due to how well he moves for a 6-foot-7, 331-pound tackle. At the Senior Bowl, he consistently showed good power in one-on-one drills. While his role as a rookie may be limited, with proper coaching he has the potential to develop into a high-quality starting right tackle.
Dametrious Crownover is a sleeper in the 2026 NFL Draft | Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images
Non-Power 4 Standout: Kage Casey, Boise State
Boise State’s Kage Casey is the top Non-Power 4 offensive tackle and carries a third-round grade on my board. His standout trait is his strength, which helped him earn PFF’s top ranking among offensive players in the Mountain West this season. He also moves well in pass protection and has the versatility to play either right tackle or guard in the NFL. A potential landing spot for Casey could be the Los Angeles Rams, who are moving on from Rob Havenstein.
Overrated: Spencer Fano, Utah
Spencer Fano is one of the most overrated offensive tackle prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft. Despite winning the Outland Trophy, there are reasons to be skeptical of his projection. He consistently plays with a high pad level, which limits his play strength and at times causes him to lunge and end up on the ground in the run game. On the positive side, he is a good athlete with quick feet, which keeps him in the first-round conversation. However, I see him as a late first-round prospect, not a top-tier talent, making projections like Pro Football Network mocking him to the Arizona Cardinals at No. 3 overall a clear reach.