1. Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon

After watching tape from the Reese’s Senior Bowl, it became apparent that there isn’t an interior offensive lineman better than Jackson Powers-Johnson in this year’s draft. Whether he was playing center or guard, Powers-Johnson found himself winning reps in both one-on-ones and team periods. What I like about him in the pass game is his patience in his sets. He’s confident in giving up a bit of ground and waits for the defensive lineman to initiate a move before using his hands to stifle their rush. His hand placement always seems to find the center of a defensive tackles chest, which is a dream scenario if you’re an offensive lineman. His patience also benefits him because he never gets beat across his face. A common theme in many of his reps was riding defensive linemen upfield which allows the quarterback to step up in the pocket to make their reads.

In the run game, he does a nice job all-around. Whether it’s chipping on a double team and climbing to the second level, or using leverage to win a one-on-one with a bigger nose tackle, Powers-Johnson dominated. But where I got most excited watching Powers-Johnson was on perimeter run plays. When he’s tasked with reaching a 2i, he flaunts a great lateral step out of his stance and then locks out his play side arm to leverage the defensive lineman away from the play. Whoever lands Powers-Johnson gets a versatile lineman that will drastically improve a teams offensive line play.

2. Zach Frazier, West Virginia

There’s a lot of reasons to love Zach Frazier; whether it’s his tenacious play or his mature understanding of the game, but the reason I’m high on Frazier is that he’s a former wrestler. A four-time West Virginia State Champion to be exact. His prowess on the mat correlates with his play because he understands how to best leverage opposing defenders. That’s not an easy aspect of the game to master and Frazier has a pretty good grasp on it. Where that leverage benefits Frazier the most is in the run game. There are many instances where Frazier plants bigger nose tackles in the dirt on run plays. Most notably, he did it to Siaki Ika in 2022, a 6’3 335 pound run stuffer.

In pass protection, Frazier doesn’t really do anything wrong. Unlike Jackson Powers-Johnson who is more patient in his sets, Frazier likes to jump set defensive linemen, especially nose tackles. He’s giving them little to no time to get off the ball before suffocating them with his stout sets. Getting hands on immediately is a big part of Frazier’s play style which is something scouts should be drooling over.

3. Troy Fautanu, Washington

When people talk about the 2023-2024 Washington Huskies, you’ll hear all about Michael Penix Jr., Rome Odunze, and Bralen Trice, and for good reason. But you should be focusing on a player like Troy Fautanu. The slender, 6’4 317 pound mauler was a big reason that Dillon Johnson excelled in the run game. His athleticism and experience as a left tackle makes him a threat in many ways to defenses. Fautanu is familiar with playing against wiry edge rushers, so playing inside against slower 3techs or 2is shouldn’t be an issue for him.

Along with his ability as a pass protector, Fautanu is a machine in the run game, especially when he pulls. He pulls with bad intentions and one goal on his mind: to kill. He’s able to get out of his stance quickly and does a nice job remembering the small details, like hugging the asses of the down blocking offensive lineman in an effort to not let who he’s pulling to work over the top of him. As a former offensive lineman, seeing someone else adhere to those small details is refreshing to see.

4. Christian Haynes, UConn

The biggest leader on the UConn Huskies roster over the past few seasons was guard Christian Haynes. He anchored an offensive line that allowed the ninth lowest amount of sacks and rushed for an average of 136.6 yards per game. He’s a player with a thick frame, but that doesn’t stop him from moving fluidly in both the run and pass game. A lot like Zach Frazier, Haynes uses his hands like weapons, and that’s my favorite part of his game. Because his arms aren’t super long, he uses his hands to attack a defenders chest and latch on to defensive tackles to make life difficult for them. I see him as a second round talent that’ll make an NFL offensive line coach very happy.

5. Graham Barton, Duke

There are some maulers in this draft, but no one personifies that word more than Graham Barton. His mauler mentality and his versatility stick out when you asses Barton. Being able to play both tackle and guard is huge because he stands as an asset to any team that drafts him, but the team does get a monster in the trenches who dominated Jared Verse when the Blue Devils played the Seminoles this season. He’s so tenacious when he comes down on down blocks, walling off players to create running lanes. The only issue that I see in Barton’s game is that he sometimes over-commits in the run and pass game. You’ll see his shoulders make a full turn which can work in college, but won’t work in the NFL. If Barton can adjust that minor flaw then he’s going to dominate in the league.

6. Drake Nugent, Michigan

Coming into the season, I was sure Drake Nugent was going to be the best center in college football. And while I have him ranked below Frazier and Powers-Johnson, I still think he was the best center in the nation. When you see Nugent play, it’s impressive to see the way he finishes blocks. He’ll easily win reps whether it’s on a down block or in pass protection, but isn’t content with “just winning“. He’ll win reps and then plant the defender into the dirt. I LOVE SEEING THAT. Along with his desire to demoralize defenders, it’s impressive watching him climb to the second level on linebackers. He’s so quick and his understanding of angles shows his high football IQ. Nugent might not be a day one starter in the NFL like Powers-Johnson, but once he gets his opportunity, it’ll be extremely eye opening.

7. Zak Zinter, Michigan

Maybe the best offensive lineman in college football last season was Zak Zinter. The only reason he isn’t higher is because he suffered a gruesome leg injury vs Ohio State. Had that not happened, he’d be one or two because of his elite play in the run game. Whether Zinter is pulling to the perimeter or helping on a double team, I don’t see any weaknesses in his play. The same goes for his pass protection. He takes short sets to ensure he doesn’t give up the inside and allow a two way go for defenders and is patient in asserting his punch. Like I said, Zinter doesn’t do much wrong. He’s just not higher because I’m not sure how he’ll rebound from this injury.

8. Coober Beebe, Kansas State

The lifeblood of the Kansas State offense was Cooper Beebe this season. He was responsible for any offensive success because he stepped up vs good defenders like Byron Murphy and T’Vondre Sweat. When a player can dominate against two of the best interior defensive lineman, then you know you have a player with poise and maturity. He’s not overly quick like Nugent or Fautanu, but he’s fundamentally sound. The athleticism will develop with a good trainer, but teaching fundamentals that Beebe has is borderline unteachable at this level. Whoever drafts Beebe gets a good leader and a player who makes minimal mistakes.