Who are the five best offensive tackles in the 2024 NFL Draft?

Recruiting college players to the NFL is never an exact science, but if you consider the physical attributes of the prospects who have declared for the 2024 Draft next week, offensive tackle is among the positions whose talent pool is the deepest and offers the most potential.

In total, 32 OTs are available for selection in Detroit - and several are likely to be picked in the first round. Many teams need to bring fresh blood in on the outside of their offensive line, such as the Washington Commanders, the New England Patriots, the Dallas Cowboys, the Los Angeles Chargers, the New York Giants and the New Orleans Saints.

Olu Fashanu, Penn State Nittanny Lions

Fashanu showed in his last year at Penn State that he is an excellent left tackle in pass protection and that makes him the best OT available in the Draft. In 382 pass situations, according to PFF, he allowed 10 pressures on his quarterback, but never let him be sacked. Although his blocking on rushing offence isn’t up to the mark, his intellectual capacity will help him assimilate any attacking system he comes up with. An All-Big Ten second-team pick in 2022, Fashanu followed that up with first-team honours last year.

Joe Alt, Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Alt is out to follow in the footsteps of his father, John, who enjoyed a 13-season NFL career after being drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in 1984. It is very likely that the Notre Dame graduate will, like Alt Sr, be a first-round pick. Teams that need a huge left tackle who can hit the ground running in Week 1 will find him in Alt. The former Fighting Irish player, who stands at 6ft 8in tall and weighs 322lb, possesses outstanding footwork and is effective on rushing offence. Additionally, he is capable of stopping rival pass rushers, despite having a high center of gravity due to his tall stature.

Amarius Mims, Georgia Bulldogs

At 6ft 7in and 340lb, Mims is a spectacular physical specimen. His potential as an offensive tackle in the NFL is incredible. PFF notes that the former Georgia Bulldogs player did not allow his quarterbacks to be hit or sacked throughout his college career. Sadly, he suffered a hamstring injury during the 40-yard dash at the Scouting Combine, and a sprained ankle at the start of his final NCAA season. A starter in the Bulldogs’ victory over the TCU Horned Frogs in the 2022 College Football Championship Game, Mims boasts winning DNA.

Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State Beavers

A right tackle throughout his college career at Oregon State, Fuaga only allowed five hits to his quarterbacks during his two years as a starter for the Beavers. What’s more, PFF notes, he never let them be sacked in 716 passing plays in 25 games. The 22-year-old boasts outstanding running-game ability, but has room for improvement in pass protection. Because he doesn’t have such a long arm span, he could easily become a guard.

JC Latham, Alabama Crimson Tide

Latham aims to start his NFL career at right tackle, since he never played on the left side with Alabama. He even began his college career as a right guard in 2021. During his final year with the Crimson Tide, he only allowed two quarterback sacks in 443 passing plays across 14 games. The 21-year-old’s physical condition is an enigma to some scouts, as he did not participate in the Scouting Combine and did not perform any athletic tests during Alabama’s Pro Day.

When is the 2024 NFL Draft?

Held at Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza in Detroit, Michigan, the 2024 NFL Draft is to take place from Thursday 25 to Saturday 27 April 2024.