Whew – I’m finally done watching offensive tackles. I’m sure an offensive tackle that isn’t on this list is going to be drafted, but I don’t care. I’ve watched 25 guys and I’m calling it quits so I can focus on some other positions that I just haven’t gotten around to yet. So, with that said, now that my list is final, let’s see how the big board falls. And, if you’re interested in such a thing, you can sign up for the SoBros Network Patreon for my full notes on all 25 guys listed below.
2023 NFL Draft: Top 10 Offensive Tackles
1. Paris Johnson, Jr., Ohio State – He’s the one guy in this class that I’d be willing to bet will be a stud left tackle for years to come. I see him as one of the safest prospects in this class, and a guy you can plug in at left tackle Week 1. He is athletic as a pass protector, and aggressive in the run game. His ability to get into his stance and mirror edge rushers is phenomenal, but I think his tenacity at the second level on run-blocking is being a little underrated. He plays with a lot of spark, and while he might not be an outright dude-mover, he pops. I see some Taylor Lewan to his game.
2. Darnell Wright, Tennessee – He’s easily the best right tackle in this draft class, but it sounds like some teams have expressed an interest in playing him elsewhere. Wright is a powerful athlete that handled his business in 1:1 situations at the Senior Bowl, but showed the athletic traits at the Scouting Combine. His tape is littered with wins over talented SEC pass rushers that are also going to be draft picks. Don’t overthink it. Let’s call a winner a winner and move on. He and Johnson are the two highest-floor tackles in this class.
3. Broderick Jones, Georgia – I love the physicality and aggression that Jones shows in the run game, but there are some technique issues that scare me. He tends to be pretty easily knocked off balance when facing a solid pass rusher with a good punch, he reaches at times, and his footwork leaves a little to be desired. But, with his size and attitude, if he refines his game, he could be the best left tackle to come out of this class.
4. Peter Skoronski, Northwestern – Personally, I don’t see how you don’t start Skoronski at guard, and ultimately, I think that’s where he’ll make his hay in the NFL. But, there’s not a lot of proven talent at left tackle in this draft. Sure, there’s a ton of upside guys who have potential to be great, but in a class that lacks polish, Skoronski has it in spades. He’s one of the more technically savvy offensive linemen in the class, and that may lead a tackle-needy team to at least give him a shot.
5. Dawand Jones, Ohio State – I run so hot and cold with Jones. On one hand, he is a mauler for a team that runs a gap-running scheme. He is a massive guy that can put anyone and their mama into the dirt. On the other hand, he’s beaten pretty easily by the shiftier speedier edge rushers. I’m not quite sure what was going on with him at the Senior Bowl, but I noticed that he kept taking his helmet off after every rep during practice. I thought it might’ve been a conditioning thing…it might’ve been a concussion thing. I don’t know, so I try not to hold that against him. Like I said..I’m hot and cold on the guy. Check back tomorrow and he could be OT10.
6. Matthew Bergeron, Syracuse – Bergeron checks a lot of the boxes you look for in an athletic left tackle, and he’s one of my favorite “under the radar” types in this draft class. He’s a smooth mover that plays with good hand usage, has a great burst off the line of scrimmage, and can win a wrestling match when he needs to. He’s less headhunter and more technician, but he impressed at the Senior Bowl frustrating the likes of Tennessee’s Byron Young and Auburn’s Derick Hall. He’s done nothing to lose that standing since.
7. Anton Harrison, Oklahoma – If you want to call Harrison the best pure pass protector in the draft class, go on right ahead. I don’t believe you’ll hear much debate from me. It’s beautiful – he mirrors guys well, routes them outside and away from the play, and recognizes stunts well. I want to see more drive out of his game, and there are some minor technique questions, but all in all, if he goes somewhere that primarily throws the ball (Cincinnati, Kansas City), he’s going to be a stud.
8. Jaelyn Duncan, Maryland – He’s athletic, twitchy, long, and speedy. For Duncan, it’s been about the physical traits from the jump. The question has been about refining his technique and footwork. I was impressed by the work he put in down at the Reese’s Senior Bowl in getting coached up during his week in Mobile. I saw improvement between Day 1 and Day 3 of practice, and it was enough for me to say, “okay yeah – this guy’s got something.” He may not pop right away, but you can draw a starting NFL left tackle out of Duncan.
9. Tyler Steen, Alabama – Steen’s a polarizing guy because his tape, quite frankly, just isn’t as good as you’d want to see out of an upper echelon tackle prospect. But, I really liked him at the Senior Bowl and at the Scouting Combine. It almost feels like a tale of two prospects – there’s Steen on tape, and then there’s Steen in the workouts. If you get the guy from Mobile and Indianapolis, you’re getting a glider in pass pro and a driver in the run game. The lapses in technique need to be cleaned up, but he’s a powerful guy that has potential.
10. Carter Warren, Pittsburgh – Warren tends to play a little too high in the run game, but he has the size and frame to be a solid run blocker if he lands with a coach who can get him there. He does have some valid injury concerns, too. The trait that would have Warren see the field early is his skill as a pass protector. He’s one of the more polished guys in the class, flashing good hand usage, understanding pad level and getting lower than his guy, good balance, and a nice ability to kick out quickly.
Best of the Rest
11. Ryan Hayes, Michigan
12. Blake Freeland, BYU
13. Wanya Morris, Oklahoma
14. Warren McClendon, Georgia
15. Jaxson Kirkland, Washington
16. Trevor Reid, Louisville
17. Asim Richards, North Carolina
18. Joey Fisher, Shepherd
19. John Ojukwu, Boise State
20. Richard Gouraige, Florida
21. Connor Galvin, Baylor
22. Dalton Wagner, Arkansas
23. Anthony Bradford, LSU
24. Raiqwon O’Neal, UCLA
25. Tashawn Manning, Kentucky
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network, and a Dogs Playing Poker on velvet connoisseur. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD, #BeBetter, and ‘Minds right, asses tight.’ “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, Yankee Candle, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley.
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