2021 NFL Draft- Offensive Tackles
Penei Sewell, JR, Oregon
Sewell has been regarded as the best offensive tackle in this class for a while. He quickly found his way onto the field at Oregon and looked the part. He's got quick feet and power at the point of attack, while also being a great pass blocker. He can play either right or left tackle and is built well. The only real concern I've heard about him is his shorter arms. Those can certainly be a factor but shouldn't preclude him from an early selection. Sewell is a top 10 pick.
Rashawn Slater, SR, Northwestern
Slater also may go in the top 10, and there are rumors that some teams prefer him over Sewell. Slater is a bit more a powerful player and projects a little better at right tackle to me. Great player and shouldn't last much past 10 if he slides out of the top 10.
Teven Jenkins, SR, Oklahoma State
Jenkins is another possible first round player but may project as a better pro at guard after playing both tackle spots in college. He started for three seasons with the Cowboys and helped pave the way for Chuba Hubbard to lead the FBS in rushing in 2019. Could be a very nice piece to add to a 2020 playoff team.
Dillon Radunz, SR, North Dakota State
Radunz is in many people's top 30 or so and could sneak into the first round. He's very tall and long and should be able to handle similarly built pass rushers. He never looks out of place and won't be on the board for long. Late round 1 or round 2.
Alex Leatherwood, SR, Alabama
Leatherwood is a big and powerful player and projects best at right tackle or guard. He plays well most of the time but can slow down later in games. He's athletic and powerful but needs to make everything seem more natural. He's still one of the best players in the SEC and should be picked in the early rounds.
Brady Christensen, SR, BYU
6'6" 300 lb tackle with pretty good movement. Two-year starter with many traits to like but has short legs and can get off-balance in his technique. Has the ability to develop into a starting tackle because he knows what he's doing and most deficiencies are not severe. Third or fourth rounder.
Alijah Vera-Tucker, SR, USC
Vera-Tucker is starting to climb back up draft boards with some analysts projecting him in the Top-20. He's a little on the shorter side for a tackle but you wouldn't know it from his play. More polished as a pass blocker than run blocker right now. Teams may have to decide whether or not to move him inside, but he's a first rounder.
Jackson Carman, SR, Clemson
Carman played three years at Clemson where he started 27 games and made the College Football Playoff in each season. He was thought to be a first round possibility last offseason but has since been surpassed by a few other prospects. Can still be a solid NFL tackle. Probably 3rd or 4th rounder but wouldn't be surprised to see him taken in the second.
Samuel Cosmi, SR, Texas
Cosmi is another highly thought of tackle prospect. He's got prototypical size at 6'7" 309 and started 34 games for the Longhorns. He led all Longhorn linemen in most key blocking metrics in 2020 (1st down/TD blocks, pancakes, dominant blocks). Cosmi has developed well over his time in college and is a possible first round pick depending on who wants an elite tackle. Definitely more suited to be a left tackle and pass protect but needs to work on vision and recognition.
Cole Van Lanen, SR, Wisconsin
Van Lanen passed on entering the 2020 Draft to return to Wisconsin. Now he the next Wisconsin offensive line prospect, which has been a mixed bag over recent years. Van Lanen has earned All-Big Ten and All-America honors and was PFF's top college tackle in 2018. He's not the fastest or most athletic player but has a strong foundation and knowledge. The lack of athleticism may move him inside, but we'll just have to see how it plays out. I'm seeing 7th round projections but can see him sneaking into the late 5th.
Spencer Brown, SR, Northern Iowa
Brown is the other small school tackle to pay attention to. His measurables are on par with elite offensive tackles and he moves well while keeping his power. AT 6'8", he may have some trouble staying low, but he has outstanding potential.
Jalen Mayfield, r-SO, Michigan
Mayfield is yet another tackle prospect that experts think could be picked in the first round Thursday night. He has some good traits and his background makes him a solid player. However, he did only play one season before opting out of 2020 to enter the draft. He played well in 2019 and earned All-Big Ten honors, but starting only 13 games since high school is a big jump to the NFL, especially after sitting out a year.
Calvin Ashley, SR, Florida A&M
Ashley is a difficult player to evaluate. He spent two years at Auburn before transferring to Florida Atlantic but never played for the Owls and transferred to Florida A&M. He helped the Rattlers greatly in a 9-2 season then opted out of the 2020 season. There isn't much playing time from him to go off of, so whoever's taking him will be relying on projections while betting on his size and potential. Where he goes will depend on team boards, and I'm not sure I can accurately say where he should go.
Walker Little, SR, Stanford
Little is another prototypical left tackle at 6'7" 320. The Stanford product was once a top prospect and is now considered a mid-round player. I think his ceiling would be a second round player, and he could be developed similarly to Indy's Braden Smith. The biggest issues with Little are recent injuries, which may have hindered his movement and made him a little more stiff. Teams will have to trust that their staff have evaluated him well. 2nd-4th round should be his range unless teams don't have good reports.
Christian Darrisaw, JR, Virginia Tech
Darrisaw is another OT getting first round buzz, possibly in the top 15. Like many in this class, he looks like a better right tackle than left tackle, but the difference is much narrower than it used to be. I think he can be a good player in the NFL.
Adrian Ealy, SR, Oklahoma
Ealy was a second team All-Big 12 selection in each of his seasons as a starter. He played right tackle in college and should stay there as a pro. He doesn't get the attention that other prospects do and has always been considered more of a "project." He could sneak into the last day or become a key free agent signing.
Alaric Jackson, SR, Iowa
Evaluations of Jackson have been all over the board. I can recall some calling him a first rounder or even top 10 pick at least two years ago in their early mocks. He;s another player with a good frame for the position and had a productive career in a conference known for its offensive lines. His biggest issue is his footspeed, which could hurt him against speed rushers at the next level. I see promise as a rotational player right now. I'll say fourth round is the earliest he'll be taken and he's better than he gets credit for.
Donovaughn Campbell, SR, Louisiana Tech
Campbell started his career at LSU and was key player on the 2019 National Championship team before transferring to Louisiana Tech. At LA Tech, he started 6 games at left tackle in the shortened season. He's a big guy but doesn't have much college playing time behind him (only 7 starts). He also needs to get himself in better game-playing shape if he hopes to be an every down player. Probably a free agent signing.
D'Ante Smith, SR, East Carolina
Smith has been gaining traction since the Senior Bowl. He started for three years at left tackle for ECU and may fit better as a guard in the league (seems to be a common theme with this class outside the top 4 or so). He's powerful and great in pass protection but isn't quite as quick laterally as you'd hope. NFL coaching should help with his lesser skills. Fits best as a rotational player and should be a priority on Day 3.
Liam Eichenberg, SR, Notre Dame
Eichenberg is the top prospect on a loaded Notre Dame offensive line. He's a three year starter, who may be best suited for right tackle in the NFL, since he is a better run blocker than pass blocker. He also needs to get quicker and improve his feet. Nonetheless, he has the frame to improve and should be selected on Day 2.