The 'On The Clock' crew of Matt Williamson, Mike Prisuta and Max Starks take a look at the top prospects in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft, which will be held in Pittsburgh later this month. Today, they take a second look at the offensive tackle position.
Note: The opinions expressed here are their own and not those of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Matt's First Look
1. Francis Mauigoa, Miami, 6-5 1/2, 329 lbs.
2. Spencer Fano, Utah, 6-5 1/2, 311 lbs.
3. Monroe Freeling, Georgia, 6-7, 315 lbs.
4. Max Iheanachor, Arizona State, 6-6, 321 lbs.
5. Kadyn Proctor, Alabama, 6-7, 352 lbs.
Matt's Thoughts
After much thought and discontinuation, my top five offensive tackle rankings have not changed. That being said, there are a clear top seven at this position including Fano's teammate at Utah Caleb Lomu (6-6, 313 lbs.) and Clemson's Blake Miller (6-7, 317 lbs.). While this draft does not have a no-brainer top of the draft offensive tackle prospect like Penei Sewell or Joe Alt, it is rare to have seven players at this position that truly project as NFL starters-and possibly very early in their career. And we know that offensive tackles come off the board quickly because of how difficult it is to find quality starters at this position. These seven are an impressive group overall with unusual depth, but there is a huge drop-off after these players are drafted. And there is some worry that Mauigoa and Fano, while very different in their styles of play, are both better suited to play guard rather than tackle at the next level. Meanwhile, Freeling, Lomu, and Miller all look like tackle-only prospects and could really struggle playing with leverage against NFL defensive tackles. As for that eighth offensive tackle drafted, the best guess might be Northwestern's Caleb Tiernan (6-8, 323 lbs.). Tiernan obviously has rare height and while that often works in his favor, there are times when he is just too high on initial contact. And he lacks ideal length. But Tiernan plays hard, is intelligent, and has a lot of college experience. Usually, such players go on to have successful careers and are often difficult to get off the field. You really have to squint for long term starting offensive tackles in this draft class after this group of players mentioned.
Mike's First Look
1. Francis Mauigoa, Miami, 6-5 1/2, 329 lbs.
2. Spencer Fano, Utah, 6-5 1/2, 311 lbs.
3. Caleb Lomu, Utah, 6-6, 313 lbs.
4. Kadyn Proctor, Alabama, 6-7, 352 lbs.
5. Max Iheanachor, Arizona State, 6-6, 321 lbs.
Mike's Thoughts
Another deep position group with a lot more options than five available when trying to identify the best five. I'll let my initial rankings stand with an eye toward long-term development and prospects. And sleeper Markell Bell of Miami, Fla. (6-9, 346) probably qualifies more as a guy coming out of hibernation by now. He might have the best nickname of the draft, "The Human Skyscraper," as anointed by his head coach at Miami, Mario Cristobal. Texas A&M's Chase Bisontis (6-51/4, 315) could easily be a Top 5-player at the position and might be a first-round selection. Whether he is or he isn't, "He'll be a starter right away," NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah maintained. Bisontis had what Jeremiah classified as an "epic battle" with Miami, Fla. edge Rueben Bain Jr. when the Aggies played the Hurricanes. Boston College's Jude Bowry (6-51/8, 314) is a left tackle and among a handful of prospects at the position who might end up at guard in the NFL. Memphis' Travis Burke (6-9, 325) started at Gardner-Webb and stopped at Florida International on the way to Memphis. He has experience starting at left and right tackle and is reportedly generating a lot of 30-visits interest. Boise State's Kage Casey (6-6, 310) comes from a place with a reputation. "I feel like Boise State's good for an offensive lineman at least every other year," Jeremiah offered. "And they're usually ready to go," NFL Network analyst Charles Davis added. Texas A&M's Dametrious Crownover (6-71/4, 319) was recruited as an "athlete" and initially played tight end for the Aggies. Illinois' JC Davis (6-43/8, 322) started all 49 games he played in two seasons at New Mexico and two at Illinois. He was First-Team All-Big Ten at left tackle in 2025. Georgia's Monroe Freeling (6-73/8, 315) is another potential first-round pick at the position. Analysts have been impressed with his movement skills, attributes that might have been honed thanks to his mother being a yoga instructor. His NFL Network height/weight/speed/measureables comparison is Anthony Castonzo. Clemson's Blake Miller is yet another player in this position group destined to hear his name called sooner rather than later. He started all 54 games he played for Clemson (a program record for consecutive starts) and looked the part while doing so. "Overall, Miller has the ideal profile for a starting NFL right tackle," Jeremiah assessed. Northwestern's Caleb Tiernan (6-8, 323) impressed athletically with a 9'3" broad jump and a 351/2" vertical leap at the NFL Scouting Combine. He was a Second-Team All-Big Ten selection in 2025. Missouri's Keagen Trost (6-5, 311) isn't flashy, but Jeremiah suspects one day "you're gonna look up an he's gonna have started in the NFL for like seven, eight years." Davis also thinks Trost has what it takes. "A lot of offensive lines are made on guys like him," Davis said.
Max's First Look
1. Francis Mauigoa, Miami, 6-5 1/2, 329 lbs.
2. Spencer Fano, Utah, 6-5 1/2, 311 lbs.
3. Monroe Freeling, Georgia, 6-7, 315 lbs.
4. Blake Miller, Clemson 6-7, 317 lbs.
5. Caleb Lomu, Utah, 6-6, 313 lbs.
Max's Thoughts
As you know, this is my bread-and-butter position group and one that I feel very strongly about the way that I have them slotted and nothing a pro day can tell me it was really gonna change this group in their positioning in my mind. There are some fascinating guys that you could slot move around, and I have some current offensive tackles that I have slotted in my interior line grouping only because I feel like at the next level this is where they would project as their best fits, and the guys that I have here are truly offensive tackles in my mind. Mauigoa is a hulking right tackle that brings the attitude and run demeanor that would instantly change the tenacity and demeanor of any offensive line. Freeling and Miller our left tackles and the long frames and arm length give them the greatest chance of success and also early play capabilities for struggling offensive line groups. Fano is the swing tackle of this group and is a plug and play offensive tackle. Lomu has the speed but lacks the polish that you would expect from a day one starter, but in a pinch can put him on the line and he's probably an upgrade to whoever drafts him, he will need work. My sleeper in this category is from Mizzou, Trost. The reason I like him is nasty play demeanor, and experience the holdback or negative for him his age and ceiling potential but I do believe in the short term can be a player that can be a swing offensive lineman off the bench for a team. and can have a good, long career as a back up option.