The offensive linemen wrapped up the on-field drills on the 2026 NFL Mix and produced a plethora of spectacular performances. With Al Karsten specializing in evaluating the Prime 5 winners from the middle prospects, this text will shut up our Mix protection by taking a more in-depth take a look at the offensive tackles and guards who impressed in Indianapolis.
Spencer Fano, RT, Utah (6-foot-5 1/2, 311)
With Miami’s Francis Mauigoa not collaborating on the Mix, Fano was offered with the chance to steal the present, and he didn’t disappoint. With an all-important 1.72 10-yard-split and total RAS rating of 9.76, Fano checked plenty of bins that ought to make him one of many high picks on this yr’s draft.
Fano merely glided by on-field drills, making the whole lot look straightforward. He’s a pure kick slider (from either side), staying low, balanced, and below agency management. His fast ft and straightforward motion enable him to glide by change-of-direction drills, easily masking floor with elite lateral quickness. Pulling was clear, exhibiting a one-step-and-gone influence; his switch-dip-and-pull arcs have been environment friendly, and he was in a position to string methods collectively effortlessly. Oh, and he additionally labored out at middle after his exercise.
Monroe Freeling, LT, Georgia (6-foot-7 1/2, 315)
Freeling was one of many greatest risers within the draft course of coming into the Mix, and he was in a position to hold that momentum transferring in a constructive route together with his elite measurables and terrific on-field performances. His 1.71 10-yard cut up was the most effective among the many tackles, and second for all offensive linemen (Alabama middle Parker Brailsford ran a 1.7 cut up), and on the finish of the day, Freeling earned a 9.99 RAS rating.
In on-field drills, Freeling confirmed good total method and pure athleticism. He constantly bends on the knees to regulate his motion, retains his chest out, his weight low in his hips, permitting him to anchor at will, and throws strikes with energy. When on the transfer, Freeling had a great shuffle, was speedy within the open area, and showcased his pure expertise on pulls. His base did get too vast in some drills, resulting in him slipping, however that might be attributed to youth on the place and eager to show his vary.
Feeeling is firmly in competition with the following prospect on this listing to be the third sort out chosen within the first spherical, and the Lions may find yourself with their Taylor Decker substitute if he lasts till decide No. 17. As for would the Lions pull the set off, Lions coach Dan Campbell made it clear on the Mix that they’re available in the market for a longterm substitute who could also be abel to identify begin this season:
“I like Deck, he’s acquired some issues which might be going to want some administration, and that’s type of the place we’re at. So, a technique or one other, we’re going to want any individual who can play over there (left sort out). If we’d like them in a crunch, or if we’d like them as a starter.”
Kayden Proctor, LT, Alabama (6-foot-5 1/2, 352)
A mountain of a prospect, Proctor arrived at Alabama weighing over 400 kilos and listened to the NFL once they informed him that he’d must drop extra pounds to begin on the subsequent degree. Now at 352 kilos, Proctor is a scary athlete for his measurement, working a 1.84 10-yard-split and incomes a 9.28 RAS.
Proctor explodes together with his first step, displaying mild ft and lateral agility. He was nice in move safety drills, mirroring with a strong gate, losing little motion, and never relinquishing any floor. His move professional slide was common in pace, however when he anchored and engaged the bag, he hit it with a lot energy that it knocked the coach again, and his hat flew off his head. When transferring laterally, there was extra hopping (each ft off the bottom) than I would like, however he confirmed sturdy pulls when allowed a clean nook, and bumped into extra issue when requested to plant and alter route. His dip-and-pull was on equal degree with any guard, and proved extra environment friendly when allowed to let his momentum roll.
As for match with the Lions, the NFL broadcast introduced it up a number of occasions, evaluating his measurement and athleticism to that of Penei Sewell (although they have been fast to remind that this comparability was to measurement/weight/pace), and analyst Charles Davis even went so far as to say, “he simply seems to be like a Lion”, at the least twice.
Caleb Lomu, LT, Utah (6-foot-6, 315)
Lomu’s fast ft constantly confirmed up in on-field and measured drills, working a 1.74 10-yard-split and incomes a 9.88 RAS. He offered a giant, managed kick slide—shining extra on the left aspect—and lateral footwork to shortly achieve plenty of area. Lomu’s greatest weak point is his core energy, which was evident in his strikes and within the mirror drill. Whereas easily and effectively shadowing the coach’s route, Lomu slowly drifted backwards, probably an unconscious behavior from bracing for influence. Nonetheless, his motion expertise have been these of an NFL left sort out, exhibiting the athleticism to reach a number of pull drills.
Blake Miller, RT, Clemson (6-foot-7, 317)
Miller showcased a really balanced day, performing effectively in virtually each side. His 1.75 10-yard-split is nice, however his 9.94 RAS actually exceeded expectations. The veteran sort out acquired out and in of his move safety slide within the blink of an eye fixed, exhibiting constructive and managed expertise within the mirror and slide drills. Miller displayed pure pulling expertise, a formidable dip-and-pull, and fluidity when on the transfer. Probably the most stunning talent Miller confirmed off was the timing and energy in his strikes, flashing the elite influence that comes from 54 profession begins.
Max Iheanachor, RT, Arizona State (6-foot-6, 321)
Iheanachor continues to be very uncooked for the place (he didn’t begin taking part in soccer till Junior faculty), however he’s such a pure athlete with limitless upside that he’s positioned himself as a possible high 50 decide. His 1.73 10-yard cut up is great for his measurement, and his 9.91 RAS was very spectacular. Iheanachor offered a constant knee bend, a sq. and upright type, proved to have a pure kick-slide from either side, and displayed clean and highly effective lateral motion. His decrease physique strikes shortly, and whereas he is usually a bit labored on the snaps (particularly on pulls), as soon as he will get going, he’s a load to decelerate. The pure pop in his arms is one in every of his finest instruments in a creating talent set.
Caleb Tiernan, LT, Northwestern (6-foot-8, 323)
Whereas Tiernan didn’t take part in measured actions, his on-field efficiency confirmed potential. He’s a clean lateral slider with a really clear and managed slide-and-strike move safety transfer. Whereas Tiernan was most lately a left sort out for Northwestern, he has proper sort out expertise and appeared extra pure on that aspect in drills. His top was a difficulty throughout pulling drills, however he did showcase some athletic motion in open area. I’m undecided he’s a high 50 participant, however there are intriguing traits to develop.
Vega Ioane, LG, Penn State (6-foot-4 1/4, 320)
The “finest offensive lineman within the draft,” in keeping with NFL Community’s Daniel Jeremiah, Ioane didn’t run or soar in on the Mix, however his on-field drills checked the bins. Persistently below management together with his actions, Ioane is an influence strider, with a fast get off. He drops weight on the sting and explodes out of his breaks. He shows fast, clear ft and a simple mirror match, stays sq. always, and has a ton of pop in his punch. If he’s there at decide No. 17, and the Lions resolve to maneuver Tate Ratledge to middle, Ioane would resolve plenty of issues within the Lions’ inside offensive line.
Chase Bisontis, LG, Texas A&M (6-foot-5, 315)
After Ioane, Bisontis is probably going the OG2 on the Lions board resulting from his capability to excel in zone blocking schemes. His 1.76 10-yard-split is strong, however his 9.85 RAS was on show in pon-field drills. Bisontis confirmed off good lateral quickness, above-average response expertise, and a quick pull method paired with a managed flip and run. He’s explosive on the snap, has fast ft and a simple slide, permitting him to cowl plenty of floor and hit his marks precisely, whether or not laterally or upfield.
Emmanuel Pregnon, LG, Oregon (6-foot-4, 314)
Pregnon is the highest challenger with Bisontis for an OG2 spot, and whereas he excels in additional of a GAP-oriented blocking scheme, that wouldn’t be a difficulty with new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing’s expertise on this space. With a 1.82 10-yard-split and a 9.42 RAS, Pregnon shows energy in the whole lot he does. He presents a robust base, with a giant, highly effective first step, each when transferring laterally or pulling. He aggressively assaults his edges, exhibiting clean dip-and-pull motion and a managed angle slide. He’s a little bit of a brief strider, however that aids him in his punch, as he constantly delivers knock-back strikes.
At the moment, I don’t know if I’ll worth one other guard inside the highest 50 past Ioane, Bisontis, and Pregnon, however there have been two guards that stood out as challengers to that thought course of.
Kaylan Rutledge, RG, Georgia Tech (6-foot-4, 315)
Rutledge ran a 1.81 10-yard cut up and earned a 9.52 RAS, however he was most spectacular in his on-field efficiency on Sunday. Identified for being a tricky, “dirtbag” blocker, Rutledge impressed with an attacking downhill method. He shows a great base and could be very fluid when pulling, however the overriding presence of energy in his motion could be very interesting within the Lions’ scheme. Actually, Rutledge was naturally environment friendly in each side of the pulling drills on the Mix, which I might argue made him the clear finest pulling lineman of each teams. His move safety slide was additionally very managed, as was his mirror (which was additionally very quick), and his dip-back strike was impactful. I walked away extremely impressed.
Gennings Dunker, G, Iowa (6-foot-5, 319)
Dunker was Iowa’s proper sort out, however he’ll must shift inside on the subsequent degree and will thrive in doing so. Merely put, regardless of a strong RAS rating (8.2 as an OT, 9.65 as a G), Dunker was too gradual in sort out drills, requiring an additional step in his kick slide and uneven lateral motion (his knee motion slows him down), although he actually put in a ton of effort to beat his pure hitches. Whereas he doesn’t transfer naturally sufficient to stay on an island within the NFL, he does transfer like a guard, displaying highly effective strides and straightforward pulling traits. He assaults the sting on his pulls, has a ton of pop in his arms, and lands his strikes with knock-back energy. A transfer inside will intensify his strengths and character.
