The 2025 NFL Draft will feature top prospects at quarterback, running back, and wide receiver. But purists will tell you that if you want those positions to look their best, it starts up front with the offensive line.
Super Bowl 59 was a rout in large part due to the Eagles dominating the pass rush matchup and getting after Patrick Mahomes with a standard four-man rush while the Chiefs had little success getting to Jalen Hurts through that well-built offensive line from Philadelphia.
You have to build a good line, but doing so appears to be increasingly difficult in the NFL.
First, you could argue that the college game is not producing great offensive tackles like it used to. Whether it be the RPOs, the running quarterbacks, or the gimmicky offenses that dominate college football, it’s hard to find pro-ready tackles who are going to hold blocks for more than 2.5 seconds with real consistency.
Proof of the problem can be seen when you ask people to name the best offensive tackles in the NFL right now. You get a lot of answers like Trent Williams (drafted in 2010), Lane Johnson (2013), and before last year, Tyron Smith (2011).
Where exactly are all the studs from recent years? Laremy Tunsil was supposed to be one of those players, and he’s on his third team this year (Washington).
Sure, at least there are Penei Sewell (Lions) and Tristan Wirfs (Buccaneers) for the 2020s. But it’s a far cry from those days of Willie Roaf, Jonathan Ogden, Orlando Pace, Walter Jones, Willie Anderson, Tony Boselli, Joe Thomas, etc. Maybe the 1990s and 2000s were the outliers, but it sure doesn’t feel like the game is producing Hall of Fame tackles like it used to.
This is the era where Mike McGlinchey (2018), Andrew Thomas (2020), and Ikem Ekwonu (2022) look more like your typical top 10 pick at offensive tackle.
Second, the offensive line is more like a unit where your weakest link may matter more than having one elite player. For example, the 2024 Chiefs had a left tackle issue, starting Joe Thuney, a guard, as their fourth left tackle of the season. That didn’t work out in the Super Bowl against a strong Philadelphia defense.
That’s why you could argue it’s much better to build a line with five decent starters than one with one elite starter and some scrubs. It’s hard to cover up a weak link, especially at tackle.
But keeping five good players together is nearly impossible in today’s NFL when you have to pay your quarterback, your receivers, and your pass rushers if you’re lucky enough to find great players at those positions, too.
Aaron Banks was a middling guard that the 49ers drafted in the second round in 2021. The team declined to give him a second contract, so he hit it big in free agency with a 4-year deal worth $77 million from the Packers. We’ll see how that works out, but it’s probably good practice to just draft a young guard instead of overpaying like that for someone who isn’t even Pro Bowl caliber.
That’s why the draft is so important to keep finding linemen cheaply that you can at least keep in the building for four or five seasons before they get paid elsewhere. Only pay the ones that really work out, like Sewell and Wirfs.
With that said, let’s look at this year’s class of offensive linemen. Using the prospect rankings from NFL Mock Draft Database, we are going to look at the top 10 players that have a top 64 ranking, including six offensive tackles and four interior linemen. We’ll pick some potential landing spots for them.
Table of Contents
1. OT Will Campbell (LSU) – No. 6 Overall Prospect
LSU’s Will Campbell was hyped as the best offensive tackle coming into this process, and while it’s a close ranking with Armand Membou, there’s still a gut feeling that Campbell will be the first offensive line prospect drafted on April 24, 2025.
You should even be old enough to remember when some thought he was the No. 1 overall prize in this draft, though that kind of talk cooled months ago.
He dominated at @RivalsCamp and he’s dominating in college.
— Rivals (@Rivals) October 3, 2024
LSU’s Will Campbell has a chance to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draftpic.twitter.com/f7O58rlmjO
Campbell is 6’6” and 319 pounds, but he’s been criticized for short arms (32 5/8”) and his struggles with lateral movement. But he’s also an aggressive player, a 3-year starter for a productive college offense that faced plenty of NFL-caliber defensive talent, and he should be a factor in the running game.
LSU OL Will Campbell Over The Past Two Seasons:
— PFF College (@PFF_College) March 5, 2025994 Pass Block Snaps
Best Fit – New England Patriots (No. 4 Pick)
With the Patriots unlikely to have their pick of the top pass rusher (Abdul Carter) or the dual-threat Travis Hunter, you have to think they’ll look at the trenches as they move forward with Mike Vrabel coaching Drake Maye at quarterback.
When Vrabel won in Tennessee, he had a dominant running game and play-action passing game for Ryan Tannehill and Derrick Henry. Maye is a solid runner himself, so building an offense around the left tackle who was there in 2023 when Jayden Daniels had his magical season at LSU, that sounds like a pretty solid plan to me.
The Patriots also threw good money at defensive tackle Milton Williams from the Eagles, so doubling up on defensive tackle with a pick like Mason Graham is probably the wrong direction to go. Build around Maye directly and give your quarterback someone who can hopefully become his franchise left tackle.
2. OT Armand Membou (Missouri) – No. 8 Overall Prospect
If Will Campbell isn’t your cup of tea, then the other offensive tackle experts agree is the best in this class is Missouri’s Armand Membou. Not to sound like a size queen, but Membou has longer arms (33 1/2″) than Campbell, but he is also much shorter at 6’4”, which is definitely on the short side for NFL left tackles, who are usually 6’5” and 6’6”.
But arm length is probably more important than height for this position. The other thing to know about Membou is that he was a right tackle at Missouri, so he may need to stick on that side, which still isn’t treated equally to the left by NFL standards of importance (and pay).
Height aside, Membou has an elite athletic profile for the position, and he has been praised for his varied pass sets. If you want a pass-blocking emphasis right tackle, you probably favor Membou over Campbell, the run-game emphasis left tackle.
Best Fit – New York Jets (No. 7 Pick)
A favorite spot for Membou has been the Jets at No. 7. They took left tackle Olu Fashanu last season, but they certainly have a weakness on the right side with Carter Warren. If you’re going to build around Justin Fields and the running game (Breece Hall), then you’re going to need better tackles, as Fields is notorious for holding the ball as long as any quarterback in the NFL.
If the Jets pass on Membou, which could very well be the case, then the Bears at No. 10 become an option as they’ll need to beef up the offensive line for Caleb Williams if he’s going to have success in Ben Johnson’s offense. However, would they play Membou at left tackle at that size? They just used a first-round pick in 2023 on Darnell Wright, who shouldn’t be given up on already.
With the Saints and Panthers picking in between the Jets and Bears, Membou is likely a top 10 pick no matter how you slice it this year. If he slips past that, then maybe being a 6’4” right tackle is a bridge too far for these teams.
3. OT Kelvin Banks (Texas) – No. 13 Overall Prospect
Another player with top-15 pick potential is Kelvin Banks, who started 42 games at left tackle during his 3-year run at Texas, where he kept improving:
Kelvin Banks Jr improved every year at Texas, turning into the star prospect he his today
— PFF College (@PFF_College) April 11, 2025pic.twitter.com/QmiMx5Wb1e
Right now, scouts think he is much better at run blocking than in pass protection, so that may be something to keep in mind when teams draft him. Size-wise, he’s a split between Campbell and Membou as he’s 6’5” with the same arm length as Membou. But he is a more raw, less polished prospect than those two.
There is also talk that Banks could be moved to guard in the NFL, so he has that potential as well. He’s been compared to Peter Skoronski, whom the Titans drafted last year.
Best Fit – Cincinnati Bengals (No. 17 Pick)
Teams like the 49ers (No. 11 pick) and Falcons (No. 15) could certainly be thinking about a future replacement for their aging left tackles, Trent Williams and Jake Matthews. But if you’re willing to play Banks at guard, then that opens a wider range of possible selections for him.
It’s certainly not my favorite value pick in the first round, but if he’s sitting there at No. 17, the Cincinnati Bengals should look at taking him to be that franchise left guard paired next to Orlando Brown Jr. at left tackle. Give the Bengals a little more athleticism in the running game and insulate him in pass protection at guard.
Bengals fans are always complaining about the offensive line, but the team’s willingness to make their wide receivers the most expensive duo in the league doesn’t give them a lot of options in free agency to bring in linemen. So, that’s why you use draft picks like this on starters.
4. OT Josh Simmons (Ohio State) – No. 24 Overall Prospect
We are still on the tackles as Josh Simmons won a national championship at Ohio State despite the fact that he technically missed the last 10 games with a torn patellar tendon in his left knee. But his medical should be fine for a long NFL career if he’s legit.
Simmons played at San Diego State at right tackle before transferring to Ohio State in 2023, where he switched to left tackle, so he has that ability to play either side with good size (6’5”, 317 pounds, 33” arms).
If you want a pass blocker later in the first round or early second, then Simmons could be that guy.
Best Fit – Seattle Seahawks (No. 18 Pick)
The Seahawks could go a variety of ways, but this feels like a team that is building up the trenches again under new coach Mike Macdonald. They went defensive line last year and added more in free agency this year. It’s time they upgrade the offensive tackle position, too.
You could move Simmons to right tackle and keep Charles Cross at left tackle. Simmons has shown he can adapt to multiple positions and offenses. He’d probably go higher if he didn’t suffer that knee injury last October.
But it’s unlikely he gets out of the first round as the Chiefs (No. 31) would be crazy not to give him a try if he’s still there.
5. OL Grey Zabel (North Dakota State) – No. 28 Overall Prospect
You can put “OL” in front of Grey Zabel’s name because the guy did it all at North Dakota State, where he even turned down good NIL offers from other schools so he could play with his brother. He’s started games at both tackle positions as well as at guard.
Grey Zabel has Played EVERY Position on the OL with an ELITE 88.4 Career PFF Grade
— PFF College (@PFF_College) March 30, 2025pic.twitter.com/vsKNtX0W8V
Zabel has been considered an interior line prospect, and he could even be a center in the NFL despite it being the position he played the least in college. But he’s got versatility down better than the other top prospects this year.
Best Fit – Las Vegas Raiders (No. 37 Pick)
Maybe he’ll already be gone with his versatility, but the Raiders would be foolish not to upgrade their guard situation with Zabel at No. 37. If they do indeed end up drafting running back Ashton Jeanty with the No. 6 pick, then he’s going to need adequate blocking in front of him that currently isn’t all there.
Going with Zabel helps solidify that pick if the Raiders are going that direction.
6. G Tyler Booker (Alabama) – No. 30 Overall Prospect
It wouldn’t be a draft without some Alabama prospect ranking high for the offensive line. But Tyler Booker is only a 2-year starter (reserve in 2022) and had mediocre test results for his athleticism:
Tyler Booker's film backs up his poor athletic testing. he's a plodding, throwback guard who will thrive in gap-heavy schemes but probably won't even be on OZ/WZ teams' boards. that type of scheme-specific guy rarely goes in the first round. scouting report
— alex katsonpic.twitter.com/KQcCuB3fNC
(@alexkatson) March 23, 2025
But with his size and pedigree, many still like him as the best pure guard prospect in this class.
Best Fit – Baltimore Ravens (No. 27 Pick)
The Ravens may need to go defense more, but if they take an offensive player at No. 27, it could be Booker. They haven’t spent much on their starting guards, and if there’s an offense where you can get a good run blocker to look even more impressive, it’s the Ravens with Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry carrying the ball.
7. OT Josh Conerly Jr. (Oregon) – No. 35 Overall Prospect
We could be getting into second-round picks at this point, but Josh Conerly Jr. started 28 games at left tackle for Oregon in 2023-24 after he was a reserve as a freshman.
He has a nice combo of size and athleticism, and he gets a lot of credit for holding Penn State’s Abdul Carter, the top edge rushing prospect in this class, to zero pressures in their head-to-head matchup.
Josh Conerly Jr. continues to stand out in this tackle class. Efficient pass blocking over longer dropbacks last season. pic.twitter.com/4eSBHD4A0G
— Football Insights(@fball_insights) April 5, 2025
Best Fit – Kansas City Chiefs (No. 31 Pick)
We’ve talked a lot about the Chiefs needing to find a long-term left tackle solution before they end up wasting the rest of Patrick Mahomes’ prime run. They signed Jaylon Moore from the 49ers in free agency, but that still shouldn’t persuade them away from the position in this draft, especially if that happens to be the best player available at No. 31.
If Conerly is still there, the Chiefs should take a chance on a good athlete who can sustain blocks for a mobile quarterback.
8. G Donovan Jackson (Ohio State) – No. 37 Overall Prospect
Donovan Jackson led the way at guard for a great Ohio State offense that won the national championship. He made 31 college starts at left guard and nine more at left tackle last year, taking over for injured Josh Simmons.
He has the prototypical size for an NFL guard and should be able to adjust to any scheme. He has first-round ability.
Best Fit – Jacksonville Jaguars (No. 36 Pick)
It wouldn’t be crazy to see Jackson go to the Texans (No. 25), Rams (No. 26), Ravens (No. 27), or most of the playoff teams in that range this year.
But I think if he slides to the second round, the Jaguars should make sure they get him at No. 36. They don’t have a lot to show for at guard right now, they need to beef up the protection for Trevor Lawrence, and Travis Etienne could use the run blocking boost in a contract year.
9. OT Aireontae Ersery (Minnesota) – No. 46 Overall Prospect
Definitely some originality points for the name. Aireontae Ersery is a big boy (6’6”, 331 pounds) who still ran a 5.01-second 40-yard dash. He moves quite well for his size. He’s also a 3-year starter at left tackle at Minnesota, where he spent five seasons total.
Aireontae Ersery posted an INSANE 9.89 RAS, including a 5.01 40 at 6’6, 331lbs
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) March 14, 2025
But how’s the tape? Well…POWERFUL hands
Likely a 2nd round pick pic.twitter.com/nlmikC5Hb8
Best Fit – Chicago Bears (No. 39 or No. 41 Pick)
I’m not getting out of this preview without sending an offensive lineman to the Bears with one of those two picks early in the second round. Ersery could be the kind of zone-scheme tackle the Bears could use as an upgrade over Braxton Jones.
10. G Jonah Savaiinaea (Arizona) – No. 56 Overall Prospect
Already rooting for a good nickname if he becomes a star, because that “Savaiinaea” is a diabolical name to remember how to spell with that double ‘i’ followed by the ‘naea’ to end it. He’s from American Samoa.
He made 36 starts at Arizona with plenty of time spent at tackle and guard with a lean towards the right side. But he likely projects as a guard in the NFL.
Best Fit – Houston Texans (No. 79 Pick)
I think you could see him go in a wide range of picks in the second or third round. Maybe the Lions (No. 60) get interested in pairing him next to Sewell at right guard. Maybe the teams we keep mentioning give him a shot with the Chiefs (No. 66), Raiders (No. 68), Patriots (No. 69), Jaguars (No. 70), Bears (No. 72), and Jets (No. 73), all holding picks early in the third round.
But he shouldn’t go past the Texans at No. 79 as they look to beef up the interior after a rough 2024 for the offensive line.
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