1. Joe Alt, Notre Dame

21
6’9″, 321lbs

Joe Alt, son of former pro-bowler John Alt, is the consensus number 1 offensive lineman in this years draft. With 3 years of play at Notre Dame, he was a finalist for the Lombardi Award (nation’s top college OL/DL) and the Outland Trophy (nation’s top interior offensive/defensive linemen).

Strengths
– Huge frame and long arms makes it hard to get him out of position.
– Feels the speed and angle rushers are taking in order to get his base set.
– Great hand placement on the chest plate.
– Always has his head on a swivel and can anticipate the twist from inside defenders.
– Quick enough feet and hands to get multiple blocks off to open up rushing lanes.

Weaknesses
– Standing at 6’9″, he struggles to get low enough to anchor against the bull rush.
– Has a habit of leaning forward to initiate contact.

Alt should be a top 10 pick this year in the NFL Draft. A surprise to some, the Chargers could look to build up their offensive line and select Alt at 5, otherwise the Titans would be happy to select him at 7.

2. JC Latham, Alabama

21
6’6″, 342lbs

JC Latham, the nations top right tackle had stints of playing guard as well at his time in Mobile. In 2023, he started all 14 games at right tackle and was named First-Team All-SEC.

Strengths
– He gets quick into his pass protection and has active feet to mirror defenders.
– Really strong hand strength to freeze defenders in place.
– Ideal size and strength you look for in an offensive lineman.
– Finishes plays by pancaking defenders.

Weaknesses
– Has more of a guard build.
– Tendency to be beat inside with the long arm.
– As a run blocker he is inpatient and can lunge or reach to get onto defenders.
– Average at best lateral quickness.

JC Latham should be taken between picks 7 (Titans) and 18 (Bengals). The wide base offensive lineman is top 3 at his position and should look to add to the right side of a teams offensive line at the NFL level.

3. Olumuyiwa Fashanu, Penn State

21
6’6″, 312lbs

Fashanu was a 2 year starter for Penn State, and was a finalist for the William V. Campbell award which is known as the “Academic Heisman”. Fashanu is relatively raw, with a very high ceiling coming into the NFL.

Strengths
– May have the highest ceiling as an offensive lineman in this years draft.
– Has the ideal size, strength, and speed to manage the left side of the offensive line.
– Strong hands to sink defenders rushes.
– Really strong drive as a run blocker, opening up gaps and crashing down the defensive line.
– Very good agility to recover from early mistakes made in reps.

Weaknesses
– Lacks the patience to let defenders come to him and often times lunges out of position.
– Only 2 years as a starter, he is still working on his instincts as a blocker.
– Tendency to lean forward will be manipulated at the NFL level.
– Gets too excited in the run game and over commits.

Fashanu is a great prospect that can start at left tackle but may bring some early growing pains to a franchise. He should be gone before pick 20, and should be a part of a run on offensive lineman in the middle of round 1.

4. Troy Fautanu, Washington

23
6’4″, 317lbs

Troy Fautanu played all 4 years as a Washington Huskie, majority of the time at left tackle, but also snuck in some games at left guard. In 2023 his team was awarded with the Joe Moore award which is given to the nations top offensive line.

Strengths
– Great lateral quickness that helps him get into position quickly.
– Can play either tackle or guard as he as experience playing both.
– Leans on his agility and hand recovery to keep defenders back.
– Really strong base and generates power through his hips.

Weaknesses
– Gets beaten inside as he gets too deep in his pass set.
– Hands can get away from him and has to play through his chest often times.
– Doesn’t close out plays against rushers.

Fautanu is an interesting prospect that can play either position on the left side of the offensive line. This benefit will intrigue teams looking to anchor up front. Fautanu should be selected before pick 20, and could land at a team like the Seahawks (16).