Draft Preview: Offensive Lineman Prospects

Posted on March 1, 2024 by Dave

March 1, 2024

by David Earl

Offensive Line Major Need

As we continue to beat the drum on how horrible Washington’s offensive line was last season, this draft class is loaded with plenty of help. Many of the top offensive tackles will surely be gone by the second round. Unless Washington trades back up into the first round, look for them to key on a versatile player such as Graham Barton from Duke or Jackson Powers-Johnson from Oregon. Both are potential anchors on the interior offensive line, with Barton probably the best center in this class even though listed as a guard. Before we dive into this list let’s look at Washington’s 2023 numbers via team rankings:

Ranked 7th yards per attempt (4.4) which was a grossly underutilized bright spot
Ranked 30th in sacks allowed per game (3.8)
Ranked 28th in sack percentage allowed (9.27)

Note: All evaluation data compiled below is taken from Draft Buzz. So refer to them for a deeper list of options such as Patrick Paul from Houston and Kiran Amegadjie from Yale. So let’s cover some of the early top names entering the 2024 draft.

Troy Fautanu, Washington, 6’4″ 317lbs

Strengths: Excellent athleticism, power, and length plus climbs with great burst and precision. A great combination of power and hand technique often has him winning upon initial contact. Great recognition and reaction time in pass blocking while utilizing his leverage to sustain blocks effectively. Complete pass-and-run blocker who demonstrates excellent flexibility that rarely results in him being in a bad position. Best suited inside although could be a good right tackle in the right scheme.
Weaknesses: Can be overly aggressive in pass protection that throws off his balance at times. Will have occasional control issues with his hands and could improve run blocking technique.
Projected Round: 1-2

Graham Barton, Duke, 6’5″ 314lbs

Strengths: Excellent explosion after the snap and maintains good leverage through his blocks. Works great in space showing a great range. Consistently sets in a wide base and a controlled hand placement allows him to sustain blocks effectively. Processes everything in front of him exceptionally well which results in adjustments later in the game.
Weaknesses: Lacks in arm length which makes him best suited to move inside to guard. Can struggle against power moves and expose his frame. Does need some refinement in his pass protection.
Projected Round: 1-2

Christian Haynes, Connecticut, 6’2″ 318lbs

Strengths: Plays with balance and leverage, strong point of attack with consistently good hand placement. His strong footwork technique makes him a polished pass blocker but his agility and power make him a more effective run blocker
Weaknesses: Does not excel in tight spaces coming up high, and often losing leverage. At times can be overpowered by strong physical defensive linemen
Projected Round: 2-4

Cooper Beebe, Kansas State, 6’4″ 335lbs

Strengths: Strong hands once engaged with a rusher, strong in tight spaces, and great upper body strength. Can hold his own when bull-rushed with good hand technique grappling against pass rushers.
Weaknesses: Inconsistent in his balance and can be impatient in setting up his blocks. Tends to lean and lunge forward too often leading to loss of leverage at times. Is not as comfortable in footwork moving back into pass protection as compared to his movement forward as a run blocker.
Projected Round: 2-3

Christian Mahogany, Boston College, 6’2″ 318lbs

Strengths: Excellent coordination and balance with excellent power off the line. Plays with strong leverage and transitions into the second level very well in run blocking. Maintains good foundation against bull rushers plus has good awareness against stunts and twists.
Weaknesses: Better run blocker than is in pass protection and struggles at times mirroring pass rushers after initial contact. At times will lose his balance getting into his sets on pass protection.
Projected Round: 3-5

Zak Zitner, Michigan, 6’6″ 322lbs

Strengths: A balanced run and pass blocker who uses his hands technically well. Has a good initial push after contact and fairs well against bull rushers. Takes excellent angles and gets to the second level of the defense very well with strong coordinated footwork.
Weaknesses: Works too much with his waist at times and will often be caught dropping his head. While strong in the run game, he can be inconsistent in maintaining that leverage throughout the play. Is limited in agility as a pulling guard getting to the second level.
Projected Round: 2-3

Javion Cohen, Miami, 6’4″ 319lbs

Strengths: Quick initial step after the snap and quickly gains inside leverage on linebackers at the second level. Strong at the point of attack with good agility to get outside taking very good angles.
Weaknesses: Inconsistent coordination between lower and upper body control resulting in his struggles against defenders counter moves. Best suited for a power running scheme as he struggles in pass protection at times with inconsistent footwork and balance.
Projected Round: 3-5

Layden Robinson, Texas A&M, 6’3″ 311lbs

Strengths: Plays with great balance and leverage and plays light on his feet. A patient pass blocker with solid hand placement and excellent core strength. The agile blocker who can quickly pull outside and works very well at the second level locating the defenders and taking good angles.
Weaknesses: Struggles with overall technique as a pass blocker and is a step slow off the snap in pass protection. His hesitation against stunts results in elite rushers getting a leg on him after the snap.
Projected Round: 2-3

Aki Ogunbiyi, Texas A&M, 6’4″ 315lbs

Strengths: Good quickness and flexibility of the snap plus reacts well to stunts. Good in space especially at the second level and in the screen game. Plays with a solid wide base and good awareness in pass protection.
Weaknesses: Does get sloppy in technique at times and lack of good hand technique may result in struggling against faster pass rushers. Can get a bit heavy in his footwork but overall coordination lacks solid technique in pass protection.
Projected Round: 5-7

CJ Hanson, Holy Cross, 6’6″ 305lbs

Strengths: Solid balance and leverage with good coordination at the second level when engaging his blocks. Quick and low out from his stance makes him very effective in short-yardage plays. Excellent in recognizing stunts and twists quickly thus giving him good leverage at the point of attack against quicker edge rushers.
Weaknesses: Lacks overall strength at the point of attack which results in struggling to re-engage the defender effectively. Has to rely too much on angles and technique to win which may create problems against the more athletic and physical interior linemen.
Projected Round: 5-7

Trevor Keegan, Michigan, 6’5″ 308lbs

Strengths: A strong, wide base and lateral movement allow him to successfully mirror and sustain blocks. Does well in a closed-in space and recognizes stunts very well. Much better run blocker as he gains leverage and drives through blocks consistently.
Weaknesses: A stronger short-area blocker as he will struggle in space, especially at the second level. While he recognizes initial twists and stunts well his reaction to counter moves by the defender is often slow. Will get too handsy resulting in frequent penalties.
Projected Round: 3-5

Matthew Jones, Ohio State, 6’3″ 313lbs

Strengths: Good hand work and overall technique in pass protection while showing good patience. Works very well in closed-in spaces with very quick engagement after the snap. Mauler in the run game who finishes every block.
Weaknesses: Doesn’t get set well in pass-blocking sets. Struggles to readjust against the defender’s counter moves and lacks adjustment in the run game when the blocks break down.
Projected Round: 3-5

Draft-eligible Centers

Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon, 6’3″ 334lbs

Strengths: Has outstanding initial quickness and agility, enabling explosive movements out of his stance. Great movement on screens with fluid and sound footwork. Has the ability to enforce his will on the defender excelling in both gap and zone schemes. Strong hands and shoulders deliver a significant impact on double-team blocks
Weaknesses: Can play with wide hand placement and too much of an upright stance. Will overcorrect at times affecting his pass protection plus gets too handsy making him prone to holding penalties.
Projected Round: 1-2

Zach Frazier, West Virginia, 6’2″ 314lbs

Strengths: Maintains good position and leverage in run blocking and patient in pass protection never leaning forward losing position. Good coordination being strong at the point of attack and effectively getting into the second level. Great intelligence and awareness in the passing game while diagnosing stunts and seamlessly managing transitions.
Weaknesses: Doesn’t play with ideal power and functional strengths he often gets caught dropping his head. Lacks great athleticism and his lateral movement is about average. Struggles with his timing getting into passing sets thus leading to struggles against explosive interior defenders.
Projected Round: 2-3

Sedrik Van Pran, Georgia, 6’4″ 310lbs

Strengths: Strong instincts at the line pre-snap and adjusts very well to stunts and twists. Strong flexible core and good overall coordination that often allows him to usually win the point of attack.
Weaknesses: As a stronger pass blocker, his shorter arms hamper is consistent at being a good run blocker. Will look a bit choppy getting into his pass-blocking sets plus does lack some ranch affecting him when mirroring a defender.
Projected Round: 3

Beaux Limmer, Arkansas, 6’4″ 301lbs

Strengths: Quick to pick up blitzes of the edge and easily adjust angles resetting his feet. Good hand technique with a solid natural athleticism that allows him to be fluid in lateral moves. Doesn’t possess a high ceiling but does flash at times as a very good positional run blocker.
Weaknesses: Will get sloppy at times, especially in pass protection. Has a limited range and doesn’t consistently get to the second level.
Projected Round: 4

Rookie Offensive Tackles

Joe Alt, Notre Dame, 6’8″ 315lbs

Strengths: Excellent control and flexibility while maintaining leverage through his bocks. Strong on the point of attack with excellent hand technique makes him a formidable matchup against power moves. Excellent awareness to recognize stunts and twists makes him one of the best pass blockers in this draft.
Weaknesses: Does lacks some quickness on his first step into pass protection which can result in defenders being too close within his frame. Does need some improvement in anchoring into his blocks in the run game.
Projected Round: 1

Olumuyiwa Fashanu, PSU, 6’6″ 319lbs

Strengths: One of the most athletic linemen in this draft who can adjust easily against twists and stunts. Very fluid in his pass protection sets with quick coordinated footwork and possesses a very quick powerful first punch after the snap. Combines power and athleticism seamlessly, capitalizing on his frame’s length and density to maximize punch power and extend to lock defenders.
Weaknesses: His technique can be inconsistent thus losing leverage at times. Will occasionally be caught overcorrecting allowing the defender to gain leverage thus getting off balance in his sets.
Projected Round: 1

Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State, 6’5″ 332lbs

Strengths: Most effective in run blocking with exceptional leverage and sound impactful hand technique. Excellent explosion off the line and carries his leverage very well into the second level. Very good recovery when caught off-balanced and a versatile player who can play inside or outside. Effective in disrupting a defender’s momentum and control during engagements.
Weaknesses: Arm length just on the underside for an elite-level offensive tackle which may potentially affect him against top elite edge rushers. Tendency to be upright in pass protection with some inconsistencies within his footwork. His aggressive playstyle can lead to overextension and mistimed blocks at times, particularly in space
Projected Round: 1-2

JC Latham, Alabama, 6’6″ 360lbs

Strengths: Great size and has great quickness getting into pass protection sets. A combination of leverage and first contact against quicker edge rushers is ideal for a tackle. Fluid and quick exchange with the guards allowing smooth transition in pass protection to easily redirect defenders. The ability to collapse the edge and drive defenders showcases his upper body torque that’s effective as a run blocker.
Weaknesses: Will struggle to sustain blocks after first contact at times as his weight distribution can be challenging. Doesn’t carry an ideal wide base which can give leverage to pass rushers thus compromising the pocket. There is a need for a more disciplined technique as he is prone to penalties.
Projected Round: 1

Amarius Mims, Georgia, 6’6″ 360lbs

Strengths: Length and frame density contribute to his overall elite power capability. Effective in loading his base and generating torque through extensions, easily displacing defensive linemen off the snap. Very flexible in his movement allowing adjustments to quicker defenders.
Weaknesses: His impressive base can be negated by an occasional upright stance plus inconsistent footwork can displace his position at times. Will need to work on hand techniques, especially in initial engagement.
Projected Round: 1-2

Jordan Morgan, Auburn, 6’4″ 312lbs

Strengths: Explosive after the snap with great change of direction and foot speed to maintain leverage. Great lateral movement to match explosive edge rushers and maintains proper pad level throughout his blocks. The combination of his overall body frame, technique, and leverage makes him ideal against top-tier edge rushers.
Weaknesses: Does lacks ideal arm length which can affect his leverage at times and struggles in zone run schemes at times standing too upright. Will exhibit some inconsistencies in taking angles and flipping his hips in the run game.
Projected Round: 2

Tyler Guyton, Oklahoma, 6’7″ 327lbs

Strengths: Great athleticism and his overall footwork allow for effective engagement with the defender. Most effective as a pass blocker in his ability to pull and secure rush lanes while maintaining excellent leverage sustain blocks.
Weaknesses: Arm length could become an issue against top-tier edge rushers plus struggles to maintain good pad level. Is not consistent with play recognition hampers reaction time against stunts and gap exchanges. Is a bit more limited as a run blocker as he can be late off the line.
Projected Round: 1-2