CLEVELAND, Ohio — If an offensive tackle goes in the top 10 of the 2025 NFL Draft, the position group might have Armand Membou’s 40-yard dash time at the NFL Combine to thank.
The big Missouri offensive tackle ran the 40 in 4.91 seconds, which was the second-best time among all offensive linemen at the Combine. But more importantly for him, Membou had the fastest 40 time among any offensive lineman at least 6-foot-4 and 330 pounds in 22 years.
NFL Combine performances usually mean little unless they are sensational, and Membou’s was just that. It was good enough to earn him a Relative Athletic Score of 9.89 out of 10.
Why that matters is that every draft in the 2020s has had at least one tackle go in the top 10.
In total, there have been 10 offensive tackles picked in the top 10 of the NFL draft since 2020.
Since we’re considering LSU’s Will Campbell an interior offensive lineman in these rankings as you can see in the links below, Membou might be the only chance for this top-10 streak to continue.
Where this position ranks in the 2025 NFL Draft?
As part of our 11-part position group ranking series for the 2025 NFL Draft, we have the offensive tackle position ranked No. 7.
We will unveil one position group per weekday until Apr. 7, so come back to cleveland.com each day to meet the next highest-ranked position group.
You can catch up on the rest of the series here.
What do the Browns need at offensive tackle?
Dawand Jones and Jack Conklin might be penciled in as starters right now. But there is uncertainty about both.
Jones has limited experience at left tackle and is coming off a second consecutive season-ending knee injury. As for Conklin, the Browns reworked his contract, and he will be a free agent after the 2025 season.
So depth and another potential starter might be things the Browns are looking for at tackle as part of a youth movement that needs to happen up front.
Meet the top five offensive tackles
1. Armand Membou, Missouri
Height, weight: 6-4, 332 pounds.
Projected slot: Top 20.
More about Membou: Since I’m considering Campbell as an interior offensive lineman in this class, the nod for the top tackle in 2025 goes to another Tiger from the SEC.
Membou has risen throughout the process, starting at the Senior Bowl and continuing it with a strong NFL Combine. He’s a very good mover and his power blocking will make him an asset in the run game.
However, he is a shorter offensive tackle and one thing he will need to work on is dealing with power rushers in the NFL. While he also needs to get stronger, Membou’s athletic tools are worth betting on early in the draft.
2. Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas
Height, weight: 6-4, 320 pounds.
Projected slot: Back half of first round.
More about Banks Jr.: For a while, Banks was widely considered the top offensive tackle in this class. He has slid some in the last few weeks, but he still feels like a safe bet to go in the first round.
Banks spent only three seasons at Texas, but he started all 42 games at left tackle for the Longhorns. He moves well and is strong as a run blocker.
Banks does have a problem leaning at times as a pass blocker, which can cause him to lose balance. It’s something that’s correctable, though, especially for a young player like Banks.
3. Josh Simmons, Ohio State
Height, weight: 6-5, 310 pounds.
Projected slot: Late first round.
More about Simmons: Simmons took quite the leap from 2023 to 2024, and he might have had a legitimate case to be the No. 1 tackle in this draft had he not suffered a season-ending knee injury at Oregon in October.
The injury will naturally be a concern for teams and could cause him to go later than his talent says he probably should.
But when healthy, whoever drafts Simmons will get a lineman who can move very well and can finish blocks with strength.
4. Aireontae Ersery, Minnesota
Height, weight: 6-6, 331 pounds.
Projected slot: Early second round.
More about Ersery: Ersery is a player I’ve had sneaking into the first round of the draft, and he could certainly still get there.
A big reason why is because of that size at 6-6, 331 pounds and how he moves at that size. He also knows how to use his size, especially with his hands.
But a problem with Ersery is plays too upright, which may limit how good he can be at the next level.
5. Josh Conerly Jr., Oregon
Height, weight: 6-5, 311 pounds.
Projected slot: Early second round.
More about Conerly Jr.: Conerly fits the theme of mobile offensive tackles at the top of this draft class.
The former five-star offensive lineman was a running back as a freshman in high school until he moved to tackle, and it’s easy to see that given how well he moves. He also has good hands, especially in pass protection.
He will need to get stronger at just more than 310 pounds. His lack of size does show up at times, but he’s young at just 21 and should naturally get stronger with time in an NFL weight room.