The 2025 NFL Draft brings a lot of upside, but a ton of question marks concerning the offensive tackle class
We are coming off the 2024 NFL Draft class, which was outstanding at offensive tackle. The 2025 NFL Draft does not seem nearly as strong at the position, leaving the Summer with some major questions. Obviously there is a lot of time, and some interesting names on the board with the potential to rise. Here […]
We are coming off the 2024 NFL Draft class, which was outstanding at offensive tackle. The 2025 NFL Draft does not seem nearly as strong at the position, leaving the Summer with some major questions. Obviously there is a lot of time, and some interesting names on the board with the potential to rise.
Here is how the offensive tackle class stacks up so far. There is certainly upside but this fall will be huge. It’s a divisive class with more questions than answers right now.
1. Kelvin Banks (Texas) – 6040e, 320e
Banks has been a player that most college football fans have known for some time now, ranked as a five-star recruit by multiple platforms coming out of Summer Creek. Pretty much from the minute Banks stepped on campus, he became the starting left tackle for the Longhorns. Year one in 2022 was viewed as a transitional period up front but we saw outstanding growth in 2023.
Banks is a densely built offensive tackle with some impressive natural power to work with. His hands are violent and heavy, boasting tremendous anchor. The foot quickness is also good for Banks, although his lower body gets lazy at times. Being challenged more in 2024 will be big for him.
2. Will Campbell (LSU) – 6056v, 319v
There may not be a safer offensive tackle in the 2025 NFL Draft class than Will Campbell. Some people will compare him to former LSU and NFL standout Andrew Whitworth, and that comparison makes sense. Campbell has solid good quickness, tremendous hand play, and overall technique. He isn’t the most flexible offensive tackle of all time but he clearly understands his deficiencies, and plays to his strengths.
Some people will underrate Campbell because there are more exciting athletes in the group, but he is just so dependable. Since his first start against Jared Verse two years ago, all Campbell has done is win reps. He will most likely at least be a quality starter on the next level, although Campbell’s upside might not be anything special.
3. Josh Conerly Jr. (Oregon) – 6040e, 305e
There may not be a more frustrating player to watch in this group than Conerly. He possesses really nice foot quickness, flexibility, and is insanely long. The building blocks are clearly there to be a plus starter on the next level. Concerly’s upside might be the highest of anyone on this list, but his floor also rivals the lowest.
The game hasn’t seemed to slow down fully for Concerly yet. Things seem a bit chaotic, with his lower and upper body working against each other too often. Conerly’s power profile is also a work in progress. He needs to get considerably stronger to match up against power-based rushers on the next level.
4. Aireontae Ersery (Minnesota) – 6060v, 325v
When first watching Ersery, you can get an early impression of him. He is a massive offensive tackle who looks like he boasts outstanding power and loves to work downhill. While he is a forceful blocker, the movement skills can take you off guard quickly. Minnesota has run some outside zone in their scheme, and that really showcases how athletic Ersery is.
The biggest questions for Ersery are going to be from a pass blocking perspective. He has more than enough length and foot quickness to excel in that area, but the heavy RPO approach hasn’t allowed Ersery to expand his pass blocking approach. He is pretty foreign to both vertical and 45 degree sets, which could make for a difficult early transition. The talent is definitely there for Ersery to develop into a plus starter long term.
5. Anthony Belton (NC State) – 6055v, 348v
Similar to Belton, his size and body type could make people believe that Belton is a lumbering athlete who might struggle to stick at offensive tackle. The film tells a much different story. It can take you off guard how quickly that Belton explodes out of his stance, and how smooth he is working laterally. It is really impressive to behold.
The biggest issue with Belton is the bad weight on his frame. The flexibility he has at 350 pounds is impressive but there is no reason to be that big. If he is able to rework his frame, and put back on good weight, he has a lot more upside to tap into. There is no reason that Belton can’t be a top 64 selection when April comes.
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6. Austin Barber (Florida) – 6062e, 316e
This is a throw of the dart for Summer Scouting. Barber is a really nice athlete for a player his size, seeming to possess all the physical traits to be a high draft pick. With an injury last season, the Gator standout just wasn’t able to take a massive step. If healthy, Barber could be a substantial riser. 2024 is a big year.
7. Wyatt Milum (West Virginia) – 6060v, 314v
There hasn’t been a ton of conversation about Milum, which is a bit odd. He has stacked multiple years of good film, and seemingly checks the boxes you would want for a standout at the position. There may be some players who are flashier, but not many are as consistent as Milum. You know what you are going to get frame a game to game perspective.
8. Emery Jones (LSU) – 6044v, 319v
Jones appears to be a pretty divisive offensive line prospect. There are some who are super high on him, like clear first round player high. Then there are others who think he’s a guard and question the ability to stick on the outside. The trust could be somewhere in the middle. Jones has enough athleticism to stick outside but you might have to be smart about how you use him in pass protection. His inconsistencies playing outside of his frame is pretty troubling.
9. Chase Lundt (UConn) – 6070e, 300e
A part of a less than stellar UConn team last season, Lundt is one of the best kept secrets in all of college football. Extremely smooth and athletic, Lundt is very good on the move. He is comfortable playing on an island and in increased space, clearly projecting as a plus athlete for the position. As his power profile continues to improve, Lundt has a chance to shoot up draft boards quickly this fall.
10. Charles Grant (William & Mary) – 6040e, 290e
Grant is a very interesting football player. On film, there’s a lot to like. He is smooth, athletic, and flexible. Reports suggest that Grant also has 35-inch arms, which is an outstanding number projecting to the next level. The issue is his weight. Grant has played at a smaller weight the last few years, which will scare some teams. There are reports that he’s more in the 300-pound range, which would be massive for his projection.
More offensive tackles to know
Blake Miller (Clemson) – 6064v, 298v
It didn't take Miller long to win a starting spot for Clemson as a freshman. Now fast forward two years and you have one of the better offensive linemen in college football. Miller, who still weighs below 300 pounds, still needs to add weight to his frame. From a technique and control perspective, he sort of luls defenders to sleep. Miller has the tools of a solid future starter on the next level.
Josh Simmons (Ohio State) – 6050e, 310e
Simmons is yet another example of a talented athlete who simply needs to get stronger. During his first couple of games with the Buckeyes last fall, it didn’t look like the former San Diego State standout belonged. As he got more comfortable, you saw more and more the overall athleticism that Simmons possesses. There are certainly building blocks to build on here.
Ajani Cornelius (Oregon) – 6042v, 311v
The former Rhode Island transfer was one of the big acquisitions in the transfer portal last offseason. He had a rock-solid first season with the Ducks, cutting some bad weight off of his frame. Cornelius has the requisite foot quickness and power to eventually develop into a starter, although there is nothing overly exciting about his profile.
Jack Nelson (Wisconsin) – 6066v, 307v
After the 2022 season, it looks like Nelson was going to be a massive riser from an NFL Draft perspective. Unfortunately, his 2023 film did not show progression. His power profile was super inconsistent, and Nelson really struggled to finish his blocks. Nelson is long, very athletic and boasts a clean frame. He has the talent to finish much higher than this down the road, but must clean up the inconsistencies from last season.
Riley Mahlman (Wisconsin) – 6080e, 313e
Size, length, solid foot quickness; there’s a lot working for Mahlman on paper. He just is a bit high-cut and stiff. That seriously affects his power profile, allowing defenders to get into his chest. Improving that pad level and bend is a must for Mahlman to rise up boards in April.
