Offensive Line Prospects to Watch at the NFL Scouting Combine
Tackle
Will Campbell – LSU
LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell (66) lines up during an NCAA football game against South Alabama on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Baton Rouge, La. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
According to NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein, Campbell is an athletic left tackle prospect who is durable and has been battle tested in a deep Southeastern Conference. But with being battle tested, comes a bit of high risk, high reward to Campbell’s game.
Zierlein said Campbell is a thumping run blocker who can clear out B-gaps with forceful down blocks and displace base blocks with his “strike and run” technique. Where Campbell struggles, is his ability to win laterally. He will also lunge and miss against stunts and movement at times.
His play is “determined, spirited and aggressive,” but Campbell must learn to vary his pass-set technique and operate with optimal hand timing in order to thrive at offensive tackle.
Joshua Simmons – Ohio State
Ohio State offensive lineman Josh Simmons plays against Western Michigan during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Also billed by Zierlein as an athletic left tackle prospect, Simmons is a consistently fluid mover who has the slide quickness to compete against NFL edge speed. Zierlein said he’s more positional than powerful in completing his run-blocking tasks, but he’s versatile enough to fit into any given scheme.
Improved hand placement and latch-in strength could help him better control opponents in both the run and the pass, but Simmons can still be susceptible to twists and counters in pass protection so, he might need a year to continue developing his craft before he is fully ready to take on NFL pass rushers every Sunday.
Kelvin Banks Jr. – Texas
Texas offensive lineman Kelvin Banks Jr. (78) sets up to block against Arkansas during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Zierlein sees Banks Jr. as being somewhere between Peter Skoronski and Christian Darrisaw. He’s a three-year starter who will come into the NFL as an early starter, but his run-blocking is more pro-ready than his pass protection is.
Zierlein said he is technically sound and scrappy in the ground game, with the quickness and athleticism to get to all move blocks and the leverage and strain to hold his own at the point of attack.
Where Banks Jr. needs improvement, according to Zierlein, is in his proactivity in attacking power rushers and long-limbed attackers to prevent them from dictating terms on the edge.
Charles Grant – William & Mary
William & Mary offensive lineman Charles Grant (60) warms up before an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in Williamsburg, Va. (AP Photo/Mike Caudill)
A three-year starter at left tackle for a run-heavy William & Mary football team, he has a lean, muscular build with solid measurables and athletic ability that should translate well at the NFL level.
According to Bleacher Report, Grant is an efficient zone run blocker with the burst, quickness, and timing to cut off the backside, secure and climb on combinations, and erase second-level targets. He does a good job of maintaining control of defenders once latched due to his excellent effort and strain, combined with a physical demeanor to consistently take the fight to opposing defensive linemen.
Guard
Tyler Booker – Alabama
Alabama offensive lineman Tyler Booker (52) looks for a block against Auburn during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Standing at 6-foot-5-inches tall and weighing in at 335 pounds, Booker is a big, physically-imposing interior offensive lineman who has spent time at both guard spots while playing at Alabama.
According to nfldraftbuzz.com, Booker demonstrates impressive power at the point of attack and consistently moves defenders off the line of scrimmage. He also has quick feet for his size and displays a high football IQ, as in he’s adept at recognizing and picking up a variety of stunts and blitzes at a consistent rate.
Tate Ratledge – Georgia
Georgia offensive lineman Tate Ratledge (69) is shown in action during the second half of an NCAA college football game against UMass, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Another physically imposing specimen at 6-foot-6-inches and 320 pounds, Ratledge earned second-team All-American honors from the Associated Press after starting 13 of 14 games during the 2023 college football season.
By the end of 2024, he earned third-team All-American honors from the AP and looks to be one of the best interior pass-blocking offensive linemen in this draft class who can also win early in plays.
According to nfldraftbuzz.com, Ratledge is also a powerful run blocker with the ability to generate movement at the point of attack. He also possesses excellent hand placement and upper body strength to control defenders.
Center
Jonah Monheim – USC
Southern California offensive lineman Jonah Monheim (79) in the first half during an NCAA college football game against Arizona State, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Monheim is currently slated by most NFL mock drafts to be taken in the back half of the draft, but what makes him an interesting prospect for the Bears is his ties to Caleb Williams and his positional versatility.
While Williams played at USC from 2022-23, Monheim made starts at left tackle, right tackle, and right guard. Not until 2024 did he transition to playing full time at center.
According to The Draft Network, Monheim displays excellent movement skills and core strength with the quickness and agility necessary to execute any block. His experience playing both tackle positions while also switching inside to guard and center has helped lay the groundwork for the impressive footwork and striking ability he demonstrates in pass protection.
When it comes to running the football, USC often used Monheim as a pulling lead blocker in gap schemes, where his physicality and athleticism were on full display.
He projects as a starting interior offensive lineman once given time to develop, or a versatile first lineman off the bench that can be used as at a plug-and-play type — think Bill Murray on the Bears last year, but with a higher ceiling.
Seth McLaughlin – Ohio State
Ohio State offensive lineman
