Miami offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa was a major factor in the Hurricanes' run to the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship game. According to Pro Football Focus, he allowed zero sacks and five pressures on 118 postseason pass block snaps and was called for zero penalties. Since then, he's turned his attention to the pros as a top prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Recent mock drafts from ESPN, NFL.com and many others have the Rams selecting Mauigoa with pick No. 13 in the 2026 NFL Draft. Out of the 1,064 mock drafts aggregated by Grinding the Mocks, the Rams have selected Mauigoa in around 5% of them, making him their third-most drafted offensive lineman in those projections. If that were to happen, it would be the first time general manager Les Snead has selected an offensive tackle before Round 5 in the past three years.
This is not an endorsement of Mauigoa by the Rams, nor is it an indication that they are targeting him. This is simply a reflection of external media linking Mauigoa to Los Angeles in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Here's a scouting report on Mauigoa and what he could bring to the Rams offense:
Scouting Report
Dane Brugler of The Athletic ranked Mauigoa as the No. 11 overall prospect in this year's draft and the No. 2 offensive tackle behind Utah's Spencer Fano.
"Mauigoa was (Miami's) most consistent blocker," Brugler wrote. "He doesn't have elite length or foot quickness, but he plays with a relaxed feel in space to mirror and put rushers in a vise. Whether he plays tackle or guard, Mauigoa will start in the league for a long time.
He's 6-foot-5 1/2, 329 pounds with just over 33-inch arms and 10 5/8-inch hands. Among draft-eligible tackles since 2011, Mauigoa registered 45th percentile height, 85th percentile weight, 19th percentile arm length and 85th percentile hand size, according to mockdraftable.com. That build could help him transition into an above average guard in the NFL, but his tackle tape is excellent, so experts believe he can succeed on the outside.
Analysts like his football IQ and experience as a three-year starter for Miami, which have helped him cultivate strong tactics against various pass rushers and pass rush moves.
"He has good contact balance and a strong core," wrote NFL.com's Lance Zierlein. "He delivers firm first contact but excessive leaning diminishes not only his leverage and sustain as a run blocker but also his ability to deal with spin counters when protecting. He's good at trapping rushers at the turn and can smother their momentum. He has the footwork, anchor and punch timing to diversify his pass-set approach. He works with an innate feel for pocket depth and is rarely out-paced to the top by speed."
Mauigoa's lack of length and foot quickness are thought to be his only major limitations, but he's still considered a pro-ready prospect.
Fit
"The Rams are all in for another Lombardi Trophy run," wrote Charles Davis in a recent mock draft for NFL.com. "Mauigoa offers immediate help on the offensive line."
Mauigoa could fit well in the Rams' scheme because of his ability to keep rushers out of the pocket and displace defenders in the run game. Blocking for pocket passers and moving defenders in a zone run scheme at Miami would help him acclimate quickly to the Rams' offense, which primarily utilizes duo and outside zone runs.
"(He) shows a good feel on spacing and timing in the zone run game to timely overtake/release off of combo blocks and 'collect' movement across his face," wrote Brandon Thorn of Bleacher Report.
"He uses his strength to dominate pass rushers, and he can clear out running lanes," wrote Mel Kiper Jr. in a recent mock draft for ESPN. "Warren McClendon Jr. is under contract for only one more season, and run blocking is so important in the Rams' offense.
Head coach Sean McVay has been vocal in his support for McClendon, who took over the starting right tackle job last season while Rob Havenstein dealt with injuries. McClendon performed as well as any tackle in the NFL, especially in pass protection where he allowed a league-best 2.9% pressure rate, according to Next Gen Stats. McVay has indicated that McClendon could be an extension candidate and the long-term the successor to Havenstein.
Meanwhile, starting left tackle Alaric Jackson was awarded a three-year extension last year and is under contract through the 2027 season.
Fano and Mauigoa are different players, but drafting either would present a champagne problem. Still, it would undoubtedly solidify the future of the tackle position for Los Angeles.
