2027 prospect preview: Talent, but questions at OT … The offensive tackle position likely won’t be the best or deepest grouping for the upcoming draft, but it still might be one of the most interesting as there is a lot of sorting out to do at the position. At least three OTs including Carter Smith of Indiana, Texas’ Trevor Goosby and Jordan Seaton, who transferred from Colorado to LSU this winter, come into the season carrying top 10-15 grades, but each has questions that still need to be answered. Smith, for example, anchored the Hoosiers offensive front during their somewhat improbable run to the national championship last fall, is a gifted pass blocker with the light feet to cut-off the edge and plant and change direction, but a little like Spencer Fano of Utah, the first OL off the board this past April (9th overall by Cleveland), lacks prototype size and length and isn’t most physical drive blocker. On the other hand, the Longhorns’ Goosby has the kind of length NFL teams covet in a LT, plus he’s a freakish athlete who runs more like a TE, but he’s still very much a work in progress technique wise. For his part, Seaton, the top-ranked OL in his recruit class, is also a very accomplished pass protector, but despite being a full-sized 330-pounder, he’s not the most aggressive run blocker, plus he’s been a career RT to date.
What adds a little more intrigue to the position is that while its not overly deep, there is a very strong second tier group of OTs just about any of whom could ultimately end up in next year’s first-round discussion including Lance Heard of Kentucky, SMU’s PJ Williams, Austin Siereveld of Ohio State, Iowa’s Trevor Lauck, Drew Azzopardi of Washington, South Carolina’s Jacarrius Peak, and Elijah Paige of Southern Cal. The position would also get a huge boost if NFL teams decide to rate Caedan Green of Missouri as a tackle. Green, who plays LT for the Tigers, is arguably the top offensive line prospect for the 2027 draft, but is another OL who lacks that prototype length and may ultimately be thought as more of an OG. For now, here are the top OT prospects for the upcoming draft.
