Part 3, OT: Why Francis Mauigoa 'n co. may define the 2026 NFL Draft
Need an offensive tackle to start on Day 1? You're in luck. Eight could go in Round 1. Bob McGinn shares the unfiltered analysis from NFL scouts.
This is the 42nd year, and the fifth year at Go Long, that Bob McGinn has written a position-by-position series previewing the NFL draft. Previously, it appeared in the Green Bay Press-Gazette (1985-’91), the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (1992-2017), BobMcGinnFootball.com (2018-’19) and The Athletic (2020-’21). Until 2014, many personnel people were quoted by name. The series reluctantly adopted an all-anonymous format in 2015 at the request of many scouts. Listed times in the 40-yard dash reflect the average of hand-held clockings from the combine and pro days. Electronic times from the combine aren’t compatible with most pro days and thus weren’t utilized.
Third of 12 parts: tackles.
By Bob McGinn
One could arguably state that running back Jeremiyah Love of Notre Dame is the No. 1 prospect in the entire NFL draft. What’s almost inarguable is that Love is the leading player on offense.
The offensive side of the ball this year, at least in the first round, is a ho-hum affair. The defensive side isn’t all that great, either, at least in terms of first-round quality.
Of course, there will have to be 32 selections made in the first round, which is where the offensive tackles will figure most prominently. There might not be a Trent Williams or a Penei Sewell staring at teams but there’s enough of a bumper crop to soothe the anxieties of most general managers.
“I’ve got at least eight potential starting tackles,” an executive in personnel said. “That’s pretty good at a position that’s so hard to find. Eight in the first round would be some kind of record, wouldn’t it?”
Eight settled in the first round two years ago led by the Chargers’ Joe Alt at No. 5. Starting in 2016, when Ronnie Stanley (No. 6), Jack Conklin (No. 8), Laremy Tunsil (No. 13), Taylor Decker (No. 16) and Germain Ifredi (No. 32), the average number of tackles chosen in the first round is 4.4.
The aforementioned five tackles have combined for 603 starts and seven Pro Bowls. It’s that type of stable, consistent yield that invariably leads teams to tackles in Round 1.
“The position itself, you’re allowed to take a tackle in the first round even if it’s a reach,” said one evaluator who has been through the media wars. “But, my God, these guys are nowhere near the likes of Jonathan Ogden, Joe Thomas and Walter Jones.”
That’s a familiar refrain from the scouting ranks.
“(Francis) Mauigoa is my favorite tackle, by far,” one personnel man said. “After Mauigoa, you’re rolling the dice a little bit. There aren’t top-tier prospects but tackles will be taken there, anyway.”
One thing scouts don’t expect to see is much movement in the first round.
“No one’s gonna trade up for anybody,” said one executive. “This is just a bad draft. There’s absolutely not one player you’d say, ‘I gotta get up and get this guy.’
“It’s just a wild year. All these guys are going to get taken and have major, major, major flaws. Every year there are flaws, of course, but these guys have major flaws. This draft could go any kind of way. There will be guys that will be top-5 picks that could be the 25th pick, and vice versa.”
TACKLES
1. FRANCIS MAUIGOA, Miami (6-5 ½, 328, 5.14, 1): Third-year junior. “I liked Will Campbell but I’d have to say this guy’s better than Will Campbell,” one scout said. “He’s not that (Hall of Famer Willie Roaf) but he’ll be an All-Pro type. He looks like a guard but he moves like a tackle. He’s got feel, balance, and he can bend. He positions guys really well. He’s an instant starter.”