American Football

Ranking 16 offensive lineman in the 2024 NFL Draft

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Ball State v Georgia
Photo by Brandon Sloter/Image Of Sport/Getty Images

It’s draft season! I’ve been busy watching a bunch of these prospects, so in the lead-up to the 2024 NFL Draft, I’ll be releasing my rankings. Before you read ahead, please keep in mind the following!

  1. I have ranked these players based on the Eagles’ needs and scheme fits. Therefore, the round grade I have given considers that. For example, I may have had a 2nd round grade on a player like Trey Benson if the Eagles badly needed a running back, but I have pushed him down the board after the signing of Barkley.
  2. Please focus more on the tiers rather than the list. I use tiers when I have similar grades on players, and there might not be a lot of difference between players if they are in the same tier.
  3. I try to watch as much film as I can on these guys, but I also rely on others for stats and other data. Huge credit to PFF and Dane Brugler for some of the stats and measurables used in the pieces.
  4. I may mention off-the-field and injury issues in the reports, but I don’t really factor that in when ranking these prospects. However, I may mention it in the summaries.
  5. If I haven’t ranked someone, that’s because I haven’t watched them! If you’d like me to watch someone in particular, feel free to comment and I’ll try to get to them before the draft.

Previously

Running Backs / Wide Receivers

Offensive Line

Tier 1

1. Joe Alt, Notre Dame, 6’8, 321

Summary: Joe Alt is more of a finesse tackle with exceptional movement skills and technique. He will need to improve his play strength and physicality at the next level but he’s an exceptional talent coming out who should be dominant in pass protection early on.

Eagles Thoughts: He’s not going to be there at 22, and I wouldn’t move up for him either (as I expect him to go very early) and I don’t see the tackle/guard versatility I want the Eagles to target.

Tier 2

2. Olumuyiwa Fashanu, Penn State, 6’6, 312

Summary: Fashanu is the rare tackle coming out who is exceptional in pass protection but needs some work in the run game. He’s dominant in pass protection though and has uncoachable movement traits.

Eagles Thoughts: He won’t be available anywhere near 22 because elite pass-protecting tackles go early. If he does somehow fall, then yes. It would be an annoying pick in some ways because I’m not sure he can slide into guard, but this guy would be too good to pass on at 22. It’s not happening though!

3. JC Latham, Alabama, 6’5, 342

Summary: Latham is another very high-level prospect in this class. The lack of testing at the combine is a slight concern, but he’s only 20 currently and he is already very polished. He’s a nasty run blocker with possibly the strongest anchor in the entire class.

Eagles Thoughts: This is another guy that makes a ton of sense at 22, although I expect him go to earlier. I wouldn’t be shocked to see the Eagles move up for Latham, as I think he can start at guard immediately and would be an outstanding run blocker. He may not have the usual athleticism that the Eagles look for at tackle, but I think he can be a future starter at tackle too. If the Eagles think he can play tackle, he would make so much sense.

4. Troy Fautanu, Washington, 6’3, 317

Summary: Fautanu might be the most versatile lineman in this class, and could arguably play any of the 5 positions on the offensive line at a high good. I think he has the size to win at tackle, but could easily move inside.

Eagles Thoughts: The Eagles will love his positional versatility, and he would make sense at 22 as he can start at guard and potentially play tackle down the line. It’s hard to get players who can start at all 5 positions, although it’s fair to worry that he might not be ‘elite’ in any of them. If the Eagles do take him, I hope they see him as a future tackle.

5. Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State, 6’5, 324

Summary: A physically dominant tackle in the run game with explosive traits, but some weaknesses in pass protection that could see him moved inside at the next level. Have heard him described by Ollie Connolly as a ‘walking volcano’ which is my favorite description of him!

Eagles Thoughts: This is just the guy you want on your team, although he’s not the usual Philly prototype at tackle. He makes a lot of sense in the 1st round where he can start at right guard and add to the Eagles’ dominant run-blocking offensive line, before potentially moving to tackle in a few years. This would make a lot of sense at 22, especially if the Eagles think he could play tackle.

6. Amarius Mims, Georgia, 6’7, 340

Summary: Mims is a freakish talent who just hasn’t played. It seems incredible to have a 1st round value on someone who has played 8 career games, but the potential is off the charts. He has uncoachable traits but it’s going to be a risk when he’s taken early. He looks like he’s been created in a lab to play tackle.

Eagles Thoughts: You know it’s a risk in the first round but… I wouldn’t say no to this guy. I can’t see why he couldn’t start at guard either, although he looks like a tackle. Whoever takes him is taking a risk, and I prefer the other linemen in this tier just because they are safer. But he could end up being the best tackle in this class. In simple terms: he moves differently from everyone else.

Tier 3

7. Graham Barton, Duke, 6’5, 313

Summary: Barton is another great prospect who has the athleticism and technique to potentially play all 5 spots on the offensive line. He lacks the movement traits and arm length to be a quality tackle in my opinion, but should end up as a very good guard or center. The only thing that worries me is that he has only played left tackle the past few years.

Eagles Thoughts: Barton would make sense as a potential guard/center for the Eagles, and should be able to start there day 1. It’s worth noting that’s never played at guard though, so the Eagles would have to be comfortable keeping Jurgens at guard if they drafted Barton in the 1st. I would probably rather not take this chance at 22, although he is good enough. If the Eagles think he can play tackle, I would bump him up a tier.

8. Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon, 6’3, 328

Summary: A slightly raw but physically dominant strongman guard/center, Jackson-Powers Johnson is going to move players in the run game at the next level, but still needs a little development.

Eagles Thoughts: Jackson Powers-Johnson doesn’t have future tackle versatility like some of the other prospects, so I have moved him down a tier. But if the Eagles want to just create an absolutely dominant run-blocking offensive line, then this would be a hell of a pick at 22. He can play at center or guard and he will help create some huge lanes for Barkley.

9. Tyler Guyton, Oklahoma, 6’7, 322

Summary: Guyton is an extremely talented work in progress on the offensive line. The upside is very high due to his movement skills but he needs to correct some issues before he’s ready to start.

Eagles Thoughts: I think he’s too raw for pick 22, but there aren’t many guys who move like Guyton and can win in space like he can. Stoutland would love this guy. I’m not sure if he’s too long to play at guard, so he would make sense in the 2nd round where he can develop and eventually replace Lane Johnson. I bet the Eagles have this guy high on their board.

10. Jordan Morgan, Arizona, 6’5, 311

Summary: Morgan is a tough projection as he’s played left tackle 3 years in a row, but likely won’t survive there at the next level due to his arm length and feet. He’s a very intelligent and talented prospect who needs coaching up, and will likely end up inside at the next level.

Eagles Thoughts: Morgan is the kind of guy who needs a coach like Stoutland to unlock his potential. He probably won’t survive at tackle at the next level, so if the Eagles went after him I doubt they are looking at him as Lane Johnson’s future replacement. I would look towards the 2nd rather than the 1st but if you think he has tackle versatility, then I’d be more happy moving him up this list.

Tier 4

11. Cooper Beebe, Kansas State, 6’3, 322

Summary: Beebe may not have the upside that some in this class do, but he might be one of the safest prospects. He tested well (except for a slightly concerning bench press) and has played 45 games in a row, whilst taking snaps at both tackle and guard positions. He’s a starting guard at the next level.

Eagles Thoughts: If the Eagles want an athletic guard to start in the 2nd round, Beebe is a sensible choice.

12. Christian Haynes, Connecticut, 6’2, 317

Summary: I really like Haynes as a prospect at right guard. He’s an athletic guy who wins in space and tested really well. He has some things to improve on, but I expect him to be a very solid starting guard.

Eagles Thoughts: I expect the Eagles to really like Haynes due to his ability to start at right guard immediately and the way he plays in space. Look out for this guy in the 2nd round.

13. Kingsley Suamataia, Brigham Young, 6’5 326

Summary: Suamataia is a young tackle prospect with outstanding length, athleticism, and movement skills. He needs coaching and isn’t ready to start right away, but the upside is absolutely there.

Eagles Thoughts: I think Suamataia is a tackle, so if the Eagles drafted him he would sit behind Lane Johnson and Mailata for a while. However, Suamataia is a work in progress who could develop into a superstar under Stoutland. I would take him in the 2nd, although I understand fans’ concern about taking a player who won’t start for a while.

Tier 5

14. Patrick Paul, Houston, 6’7, 331

Summary: Similar to Kingsley Suamataia, Paul is another athletic tackle prospect who needs a redshirt year due to some technique issues.

Eagles Thoughts: Paul played left tackle exclusively in college, so there could be some concerns over the ability for him to move to the right. I have him a tier below Kingsley Suamataia because of that, and I also think he’s a little less polished than Suamataia. I don’t think he’s ready to play guard either.

15. Zach Frazier, West Virginia, 6’2, 313

Summary: Frazier is an excellent prospect at center. He plays with a high IQ, competitive toughness, and a strong frame and anchor. He lacks elite athleticism but that isn’t as much of a concern as a center only.

Eagles Thoughts: Frazier is a good center prospect, but I don’t want someone who doesn’t have the ability to play both center and guard as I expect Jurgens to be a better center than guard. Although I expect him to go in the 1st 2 rounds, I have a round 3 grade on him because of that. If he falls, the Eagles could be tempted later on but it would probably mean moving Jurgens to guard. I bet the Eagles are going to love him as a person though, and if they think he can play guard, keep an eye on him in the 2nd.

16. Brandon Coleman, TCU, 6’4, 313

Summary: Coleman is an interesting prospect who has experience at both guard and tackle. He tested off the charts but didn’t play as well in 2023 as he did in 2022 due to injury problems.

Eagles Thoughts: If Coleman is there in the 3rd round, I wouldn’t be shocked if the Eagles had interest. He has tackle/guard versatility and although he is 24, could be a potential starter or backup at numerous positions.

As always, thank you for reading. If you want more detailed notes on each player (strengths and weaknesses) then I’m thinking of releasing my entire document this year. Keep an eye out for this and let me know if this is something you are interested in!

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