With draft week approaching, theRams.com will be doing a big-picture overview of the positions linked to the Rams externally via mock drafts, covering names to know and what experts are saying about each class overall.
We kick continue the series with offensive tackle.
The basics
While wide receiver has felt like a near-consensus projection for pick No. 13, offensive tackle is not as far behind as one might think. According to the website Grinding the Mocks, which aggregates mock draft results from across the web, 26.5% of published mocks as of April 7 have Los Angeles using that pick on an offensive tackle, making it the second-most projected position for the team (wide receiver is 31.4%).
Those predictions most often cite the retirement of longtime right tackle Rob Havenstein, though head coach Sean McVay earlier this offseason said Warren McClendon Jr. – who filled in for Havenstein when he was injured last season – earned the right to succeed the veteran. At the same time, McClendon is entering the final year of his rookie contract. Will all of that preclude the Rams from taking one?
Outlook
Yahoo Sports' Charles McDonald recently wrote the following about this year's offensive tackle class:
"What immediately stands out about this class of offensive tackles is the sheer size of the prospects. There's a handful of players with elite physical traits just from a pure size perspective and they showed off elite movement skills in the athletic testing that translates to tape."
Five names to know
Francis Mauigoa – Miami (Fla.) – Prospect Preview
Measurables: 6-foot-5 1/2, 329
Snapshot: Three-year starter for the Hurricanes who capped his college career winning the ACC's Jacobs Blocking Trophy (best offensive lineman) and earning Associated Press First-Team All-American recognition. Though his length may limit his ceiling as an offensive tackle, he remains well-regarded for his power as a run blocker and his technique in pass protection.
Big board rankings:
Daniel Jeremiah Top 50 4.0 (NFL.com - April 1): No. 10 overall (No. 1 OT)
Dane Brugler Top 100 (The Beast; The Athletic - April 8): No. 11 overall (No. 2 OT)
Matt Miller Top 50 (ESPN – March 5): No. 7 overall (No. 1 OT)
Pro Football Focus (Big Board, April 2): No. 7 overall (No. 1 OT)
Quoteworthy:
"Mauigoa should immediately be a dominant run blocker in the NFL and he has the skill set to be functional in pass protection," Jeremiah wrote in part of his breakdown of Mauigoa in his latest Top 50 prospect rankings.
Spencer Fano – Utah – Prospect Preview
Measurables: 6-5 1/2, 311
Snapshot: Winner of the 2025 Outland Trophy (best interior lineman, offense or defense, in college football) and a consensus First-Team All-American, Fano was a three-year starter for the Utes with experience at both left and right tackle. He started at left tackle as a freshman before switching to right tackle. His athleticism, strength and explosiveness stand out, but similar to Mauigoa, Fano's length leads some analysts to believe those other traits are a better fit on the interior.
Big board rankings:
Daniel Jeremiah Top 50 4.0 (NFL.com - April 1): No. 13 overall (No. 2 iOL)
Dane Brugler Top 100 (The Beast; The Athletic - April 8): No. 11 overall (No. 1 OT)
Matt Miller Top 50 (ESPN – March 5): No. 21 overall (No. 2 OT)
Pro Football Focus (Big Board, April 2): No. 12 overall (No. 2 OT)
Quoteworthy:
"Overall, Fano is an explosive people mover with upside and probably fits best on the interior for most teams," Jeremiah wrote in part of his breakdown of Fano in his latest Top 50 prospect rankings.
Monroe Freeling – Georgia
Measurables: 6-7, 315
Snapshot: 13-game starter at left tackle for the Bulldogs last year who garnered Second-Team All-SEC recognition. While he lacks the amount of starting experience other prospects in this year's class have and needs more time to develop, he has the desired measurables for a left tackle, and analysts believe he has starting left tackle upside.
Big board rankings:
Daniel Jeremiah Top 50 4.0 (NFL.com - April 1): No. 20 overall (No. 2 OT)
Dane Brugler Top 100 (The Beast; The Athletic - April 8): No. 17 overall (No. 3 OT)
Matt Miller Top 50 (ESPN – March 5): No. 25 overall (No. 4 OT)
Pro Football Focus (Big Board, April 2): No. 13 overall (No. 3 OT)
Quoteworthy:
"Freeling offers coveted length and athleticism at right tackle," NFL.com's Lance Zierlein wrote in part of his breakdown for Freeling's draft profile on the website. "With only one season as a full-time starter, filling out his frame and improving his technique should be early priorities."
Kadyn Proctor – Alabama
Measurables: 6-7, 352
Snapshot: Co-winner of the SEC's Jacobs Blocking Trophy (best offensive lineman) and a finalist for the Lombardi Award (nation's best offensive lineman), Proctor was also a three-year starter at left tackle for the Crimson Tide. Lauded for his frame, explosiveness, and agility, that foundation has analysts excited about his upside if his pass protection becomes more consistent.
Big board rankings:
Daniel Jeremiah Top 50 4.0 (NFL.com - April 1): No. 22 overall (No. 3 OT)
Dane Brugler Top 100 (The Beast; The Athletic - April 8): No. 19 overall (No. 4 OT)
Matt Miller Top 50 (ESPN – March 5): No. 40 overall (No. 6 OT)
Pro Football Focus (Big Board, April 2): No. 27 overall (No. 5 OT)
Quoteworthy:
"Overall, Proctor will need to manage his weight to stay at tackle, but he has the most upside of any blocker in this draft," writes Jeremiah in his latest Top 50 prospect rankings.
Caleb Lomu – Utah
Measurables: 6-6, 313
Snapshot: A two-year starter at left tackle for the Utes, Lomu concluded his career with First-Team All-Big 12 recognition in 2025. He needs to get stronger, but has the size and frame to add that weight and reach his ceiling as an NFL starter.
Big board rankings:
Daniel Jeremiah Top 50 4.0 (NFL.com - April 1): No. 26 overall (No. 4 OT)
Dane Brugler Top 100 (The Beast; The Athletic - April 8): No. 25 overall (No. 5 OT)
Matt Miller Top 50 (ESPN – March 5): No. 23 overall (No. 3 OT)
Pro Football Focus (Big Board, April 2): No. 38 overall (No. 7 OT)
Quoteworthy:
"Overall, Lomu does need to add some core strength, but he has the rest of the ingredients to be a solid starting tackle at the next level," writes Jeremiah in his latest Top 50 prospect rankings.
