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2024 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings: Interior offensive linemen

Eddie Brown, The San Diego Union-Tribune on

Published in Football

Editor’s note: The U-T’s Eddie Brown is breaking down prospects, position by position, leading up to the NFL Draft (April 25-27). Here are his top 10 interior offensive linemen, plus “bonus” players he believes will be drafted or signed as a priority free agent:

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— 1. Troy Fautanu (Sr., Washington, 6-foot-3, 317 pounds)

Fautanu’s heavy hands and impressive athleticism has been on display at left tackle for the Huskies the last two seasons, but many believed he possessed less-than-ideal arm length, which might have diminished him on some draft boards. However, the two-time All-Pac-12 honoree and third-team All-American’s arms measured over the 34 inch threshold at the combine, boosting his draft stock even higher. Fautanu features legitimate five-position upside and All-Pro potential. Projected: Round 1

— 2. Zach Frazier (Sr., West Virginia, 6-2, 315)

A wrestling background is almost a prerequisite for a top-tier center prospect, but Frazier was an elite heavyweight (285-pound weight class). He was a four-time state wrestling champion in West Virginia, while only losing twice (both times as a freshman). Frazier was the first true freshman to start on the offensive line in Morgantown since 1980. He finished as a four-year starter and three-time All-American for the Mountaineers. He started 37 straight games at center before suffering a broken leg in the regular-season finale against Baylor last season. He’s been limited during the draft process as a result of the injury. Frazier is stout, a quick processor and scheme-versatile. He isn’t an elite athlete, but he’s athletic enough and if the three-time team captain gets leverage on a defender, he’s cooked. Frazier was a finalist for the 2023 William V. Campbell Trophy (Academic Heisman). Projected: Rounds 2-3

 

— 3. Graham Barton (Sr., Duke, 6-5, 311)

Barton could thrive at both tackle or guard (and possibly center) in the NFL. His arm length is less than prototypical for the tackle position, but 34 of his 39 career starts were at left tackle for the Blue Devils (the rest were at center), and he was chosen second-team All-American his final season in Durham despite missing three games, battling through multiple injuries, including a concussion and left knee sprain. He’s a technically sound, sticky blocker with quickness and competitive tendencies. I’d be mildly surprised if he’s available outside of the first 25 picks. Projected: Round 1

— 4. Jackson Powers-Johnson (Jr., Oregon, 6-3, 328)

The former four-star recruit was a three-year letterman in both baseball and wrestling on top of helping his high school go undefeated (40-0) his final three prep seasons, winning three straight state championships in Utah. Powers-Johnson had only one full season of starting experience for the Ducks, but he managed to become an unanimous All-American and the first-ever Pac-12 player to win the Rimington Award (nation’s top center). He’s smart, tough, strong and his premium skill-set plays at both guard positions and center. Medical evaluations could play a role on where and when Jackson Powers-Johnson is drafted considering he’s suffered multiple concussions. Projected: Rounds 1-2

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©2024 The San Diego Union-Tribune. Visit sandiegouniontribune.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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