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2024 NFL draft prospect rankings: Offensive tackles

Eddie Brown, The San Diego Union-Tribune on

Published in Football

Editor's note: The Union-Tribune's Eddie Brown is breaking down prospects, position by position, leading up to the NFL draft (April 25-27). Here are his top 10 offensive tackles, plus "bonus" players he believes will be drafted or signed as a priority free agent:

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— 1. Joe Alt (Jr., Notre Dame, 6-foot-8, 321 pounds)

The massive Irish tackle amassed several All-American honors after another successful season in South Bend. Alt only allowed a single sack in 774 pass-block snaps the last two years and he's a true finisher in the run game. There were a few technical areas that needed polish after his sophomore season, but those are all gone now. Alt is a prototypical blindside protector, and his smooth athleticism is indicative of a former tight end. The junior captain turned 21 in February, but has an advanced understanding of pass pro dynamics, and almost never gets fooled by stunts or blitzes. He would be the first overall pick if this draft were lacking premium QB prospects. Alt's father (John) was drafted in the first round (No. 21) by the Kansas City Chiefs in 1984 and played 13 seasons, earning All-Pro honors in 1990 and two Pro Bowl selections. Projected: Top 10

— 2. Olu Fashanu (Jr., Penn State, 6-6, 312)

The former three-star recruit blocked for the presumptive No. 1 overall pick in this draft, Caleb Williams, who was one grade below him in high school. Fashanu would've likely ended up a first-round selection had he declared after his sophomore season. There's still room for improvement in the run game, but he's already an elite pass-protector — he didn't allow a single sack in 733 career pass-block snaps for the Nittany Lions. Fashanu was Penn State's first consensus All-American on the offensive line since 1995 (Jeff Hartings). He faced off against two really good pass-rushers in practice who will be playing on Sundays (Chop Robinson and Adisa Isaac), so he knows what it looks like. Fashanu was No. 23 on Bruce Feldman's 2023 "Freak List." Projected: Top 15

 

— 3. Taliese Fuaga (Jr., Oregon State, 6-5, 324)

Fuaga is a well-rounded mauler at tackle and could be the Beavers' first offensive lineman ever selected in the first round of the draft. His arm length doesn't meet the NFL standard for tackles, but the first-team All-American's pass protection technique is outstanding, and he possesses the athleticism to mirror and match rush movements. Some teams see him as a guard, where he could improve their interior protection, but I believe he'll make an impact either way. He's a bulldozer in the run game, if that bulldozer was angry at the soil for some reason and wanted to send it flying in an indiscriminate direction. Fuaga was voted the top offensive tackle on the Senior Bowl's National team during the week of practice in Mobile. Projected: Round 1

— 4. JC Latham (Jr., Alabama, 6-5, 342)

Latham was the No. 1 offensive tackle in the 2021 recruiting class and turned 21 in February. He's a super-sized tackle with elite strength and movement skills. His footwork is impressive for a man his size. He has undisciplined tendencies, committing 18 penalties the last two seasons, and he's surprisingly susceptible to losing ground against a well-executed bull rush considering how big he is — both are coachable transgressions. Latham has a bully mentality and his premium physical traits and talent sets his ceiling at Pro-Bowl-caliber right tackle or guard. Projected: Round 1

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

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