2024 NFL Draft- Top 10 Offensive Tackles

2024 NFL Draft- Top 10 Offensive Tackles

With the amount of money a team pays for a franchise quarterback it is no surprise that finding pieces to protect him are at a premium. In 2023, there were 5 tackles taken in the first round. The first to hear his name called was Paris Johnson, Jr. out of Ohio State. He was selected by the Arizona Cardinals at No. 6. 

All together there were 24 tackles selected in the 2023 draft and 2024 features a deep crop of road graders and pass protectors. This class could mirror last year's with at least five tackles off the board in round one, with an outside shot of six or seven by pick 32. 

Complete list of every RB pick from the 2023 NFL Draft:

Round 1, Pick 6: Paris Johnson, Jr. , Ohio State

Round 1, Pick 10: Darnell Wright, Tennessee

Round 1, Pick 11: Peter Skoronski, Northwestern

Round 1, Pick 14: Broderick Jones, Georgia

Round 1, Pick 27: Anton Harrison, Oklahoma

Round 2, Pick 48: Cody Mauch, North Dakota State

Round 3, Pick 65: Tyler Steen, Alabama

Round 3, Pick 92: Wanya Morris, Oklahoma

Round 4, Pick 103: Nick Saldiveri, Old Dominion

Round 4, Pick 106: Blake Freeland, BYU

Round 4, Pick 111: Dawand Jones, Ohio State

Round 4, Pick 118: Braeden Daniels, Utah

Round 4, Pick 120: Carter Warren, Pittsburgh

Round 5, Pick 152: Colby Sorsdal, William & Mary

Round 5, Pick 156: Jordan McFadden, Clemson

Round 5, Pick 169: Asim Richards, North Carolina

Round 5, Pick 174: Warren McClendon, Georgia

Round 6, Pick 186: Jaelyn Duncan, Maryland

Round 6, Pick 199: Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu, Oregon

Round 7, Pick 226: Cooper Hodges, Appalachian State

Round 7, Pick 230: Nick Broeker, Ole Miss

Round 7, Pick 236: Jake Witt, Northern Michigan

Round 7, Pick 238: Ryan Hayes, Michigan

This season there are up to 5 offensive tackles who grade out as a possible first round pick. Led by Joe Alt of Notre Dame and Olu Fashanu of Penn State, this class has star power and is deep. There is no doubt that the amount of tackles selected will equal or surpass the numbers we saw in 2023. 

1. Notre Dame- T- Joe Alt (6’8” 315 lbs)

Strengths

• Athleticism 
• First step
• Fluid movement
• Run blocking
• Nasty side

Weaknesses

• Footwork
• Frame
• Stiff mechanics

At 6’8” and as athletic as Joe Alt is, expectations are high for the former golden domer to dominate at the next level. He fires off the ball and has a nasty side in run blocking. He should hear his name called in the top 10 of the NFL Draft if not the top five if the Chargers value him over a trade down or receiver. He will be a fixture on somebody’s left side for many years.

Projection- 1st round pick

 2. Penn State- T- Olu Fashanu (6’6” 321 lbs)

Strengths

• Quickness
• Size
• Strong hands
• Football I.Q.

Weaknesses

• Footwork
• Impatience
• Balance

Fashanu has the size, strength and football I.Q. to step right in and play from the first snap of the season. He understands angles and leverage and should transition quickly to the NFL. His one weakness is his footwork which can get sloppy at times, but should get fixed by coaching at the NFL level.

Projection- 1st round

3. Alabama- T- J.C. Latham (6’6” 326 lbs)

Strengths

• Hand placement
• Upper body
• Size
• Run blocking

Weaknesses

• Balance
• Playing in space
• Lunges

Latham plays better in tight quarters that any other tackle in this draft class. Once he latches his hands onto an opponent, he manhandles defenders through the whistle. He loves one-on-one battles, but struggles while playing in space against faster pass rushers. He should be off the board my mid-1st round and fill the role of right tackle for a team for the next decade.

Projection- 1st round

4. Oregon State- T- Taliese Fuaga (6’6” 334 lbs)

Strengths

• Hands
• Footwork
• Point of attack

Weaknesses

• Patience
• Balance
• Lunges
• Pass blocking

Taliese Fuaga has improved his stock over the past season at Oregon State. He is a road grader in the run game and has made big strides in his pass blocking. Fuaga went from a “possible” first round pick to one that will definitely hear his 

name on night one. 

Projection- Round 1

5. Georgia- T- Amarius Mims (6’7” 330 lbs)

Strengths

• Size
• Athleticism
• Strong hands
• Football IQ

Weaknesses

• Footwork
• Balance
• Lunges
• Experience

Mims has elite size and strength and his athleticism will help him to overwhelm his opponent. He plays with a mean streak but has only started 8 games at Georgia. In 2022 he saw action in 14 games as a reserve. He will be off the board in the mid to late first round on talent and potential alone.

Projection- Round 1

6. Oklahoma- T- Tyler Guyton (6’7” 328 lbs)

Strengths

• Athleticism
• Point of attack
• Initial punch
• Playing in space

Weaknesses

• Mechanics
• Raw
• Base
• Pass blocking

Tyler Guyton is the first tackle on this list who we would not consider as a finished product. He is raw, unlike the other top prospects, but has the tools to be a dominant force for a team with a little bit of patience. He could be a perfect pick for a playoff team who picks late in the first round. 

Projection- late 1st round

7. Houston- T- Patrick Paul (6’7” 315 lbs)

Strengths

• Footwork
• Size
• Mechanics
• Seals the edge

Weaknesses

• Strength
• Leverage
• Run blocking

Patrick Paul is fundamentally sound with an athletic base and excellent footwork. However, he struggles at times with faster and stronger opponents. He needs to work on his strength.

Projection- 2nd round

8- Arizona- T- Jordan Morgan (6’6” 320 lbs)

Strengths

• Size
• Athleticism
• Angles
• Football IQ
• Run blocking

Weaknesses

• Mechanics
• Arm strength
• Leverage
• Base

Jordan Morgan is still growing into his body. He has added over 50 lbs since high school. He is light on his feet and is a hard worker who soaks in knowledge. He is still mechanically behind the other top prospects. He may need a year or two, but his ceiling could be worth the wait.

Projection- 2nd round

9- Washington- T- Roger Rosengarten (6’6” 300 lbs)

Strengths

• Angles
• Hustle
• Leadership

Weaknesses

• Versatility
• Balance
• Speed rush
• Reaches

Roger Rosengarten plays with a nasty side and a non-stop motor. He has leadership qualities but will have to prove that he can handle the speed rush at the next level. He projects as a future starting right tackle.

Projection- 3rd round 

10. BYU- T- Kingsley Suamataia (6’6” 315 lbs)

Strengths

• Footwork
• Length
• Pass blocking
• 2nd level

Weaknesses

• Balance
• Run blocking
• Reaches

Suamataia has the technique and footwork that NFL offensive line coaches want to see in their left tackles. He uses his length to his advantage, but on the downside, speed rushers create balance issues for him. His run blocking needs a lot of work. A solid late 2nd day pick or early on day 3.

Projection- 3rd or 4th round