Anchor Up Front: Analyzing the Top Offensive Tackle Prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft
The 2024 NFL season saw offenses explode, with teams averaging a record-breaking 24.8 points per game. This offensive surge has intensified the demand for elite offensive line play, making the offensive tackle position more crucial than ever. As we look ahead to the 2025 NFL Draft, several outstanding offensive tackle prospects are poised to become foundational anchors for NFL teams. This article dives deep into the top offensive tackle prospects, analyzing their strengths, weaknesses, and potential impact at the next level.
The Cream of the Crop
Will Campbell, LSU: Will Campbell from LSU stands out as the top-ranked offensive tackle in the 2025 NFL Draft. Campbell earned the starting left tackle job as a true freshman in 2022 and has held onto it ever since, protecting the blind side. At 6-foot-6 and 319 pounds, Campbell is a technically refined blocker ready to start from day one. His masterful work against SEC edge rushers showcases his readiness for the NFL. Campbell is a powerful drive blocker with the core strength to move defenders off the ball. He’s smooth getting set and delivers a powerful punch in pass protection, latching on with his hands and staying in front of defenders once locked on. Campbell ran a sub five-second 40-yard dash and had the second-best broad jump (9-foot-5) out of the offensive tackles at the combine.
Armand Membou, Missouri: Armand Membou from Missouri is another highly touted prospect. Membou earned 2nd-Team All-SEC honors in 2024 after not allowing a single sack in 411 pass-blocking snaps. A starter for 30 career games at right tackle, he quickly developed into a dominant force, using his strength and mobility to excel in both pass protection and run blocking. Membou tested well at the combine, running a 4.91-second 40-yard dash at 332 pounds. He also had the best broad jump, tied for the second-best performance on the bench, and tied for the fourth-best vertical jump among offensive linemen.
Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas: Kelvin Banks Jr. from Texas is a versatile athlete with the potential to excel at either tackle or guard. Banks has good athleticism and is a solid player. Some feel he has a body that is better suited for guard with short arms (33.5 inches), but he might be able to stay at tackle, similar to NFL starters Dion Dawkins and Kelvin Beachum. Banks played very well against Michigan while taking on a group of future NFL defensive linemen.
Josh Simmons, Ohio State: Josh Simmons from Ohio State is an athletic left tackle with quickness and agility, along with good size and strength. Simmons started out his collegiate career playing two seasons at San Diego State. In 2023, he had a strong debut season starting at left tackle for the Buckeyes. Simmons brings impressive flexibility, leverage, foot speed, balance, and hand work to the NFL with an adequate frame.
Josh Conerly Jr., Oregon: Josh Conerly Jr. from Oregon is a quality athlete who shows some strength as a run blocker. Conerly was an excellent pass protector at left tackle for the Ducks in 2023, allowing only one sack all season. Team sources think Conerly is a quality athlete and shows some strength as a run blocker. They feel he has a potentially fatal flaw with no ability to anchor, and that was illustrated in the pass rushing one-on-ones at the Senior Bowl. That inability to anchor could force him to move inside to guard. However, they think that Conerly could be an excellent guard in the NFL.
Promising Second-Tier Prospects
Aireontae Ersery, Minnesota: Aireontae Ersery from Minnesota is a prospect with a strong build and good athleticism. Ersery’s experience and versatility make him a valuable asset.
Grey Zabel, North Dakota State: Grey Zabel from North Dakota State is a versatile offensive lineman who could play tackle, guard, or center. Zabel’s adaptability makes him an intriguing prospect for teams seeking depth and flexibility.
Ozzy Trapilo, Boston College: Ozzy Trapilo from Boston College is an intriguing developmental starter at right tackle with an awesome frame and wide base at 6-foot-8, 316 pounds and 33-inch arms. He will overwhelm defensive lineman and second level defenders with his size and wingspan while playing light on his feet in pass protection. Trapilo has a tendency to play with high pad level and inconsistency in his depth in sets, leading to some refinement before he starts at the next level.
Wyatt Milum, West Virginia: Wyatt Milum from West Virginia is a strong run blocker between the tackles with good power at contact, heavy/reliable hands, and good grip strength. He can get in trouble when truly left on an island in pass protection, which is why a move inside could be best to get the most out of his strength while mitigating flexibility/agility risks.
Charles Grant, William & Mary: Charles Grant from William & Mary possesses the attributes to be a fun developmental piece on the offensive line. His 34.75-inch arms and nearly 85-inch wingspan offer plenty of reach in the run game and pass protection. He could use some more mass in his frame, but Grant offers the quickness, positioning, flashes of accurate hand strikes, and explosiveness out of his stance to be an effective zone-blocking left tackle.
Draft Trends and Team Needs
The 2025 NFL Draft is expected to see a significant emphasis on offensive line talent. In the 2025 class, 19 offensive linemen were selected in the first three rounds. Teams have gradually been spending more premium draft capital on the offensive line over the last 20 years. The results of the 2025 class fit into this narrative and were perfectly encapsulated by Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh before the 2024 season. Several teams with pressing needs at offensive tackle include the New York Jets, who have had a revolving door at right tackle for the past few seasons, and the Las Vegas Raiders, who are looking to solidify their offensive line to protect their quarterback.
Final Thoughts
The offensive tackle class of the 2025 NFL Draft is rich with talent, offering teams a variety of options to bolster their offensive lines. From the polished technique of Will Campbell to the raw athleticism of Josh Simmons, these prospects have the potential to become long-term anchors for their respective teams. As the draft approaches, it will be fascinating to see where these talented players land and how they contribute to the ever-evolving landscape of the NFL.