Top offensive tackles in the 2021 NFL Draft class
Finding gifted players on both sides of the ball who can impact the passing game is an absolute must in today’s NFL. The 2021 NFL Draft class has impact talent at many of these important positions and offensive tackle is one of those positions that stands tall as a strength in this class.
In this post, we are going to take a deeper look at the top offensive tackle prospects in the 2021 NFL Draft by ranking the top 10. Let’s get started with one of the top players in the class, regardless of position.
1. Penei Sewell, Oregon
Penei Sewell sitting out the 2020 season was disappointing, but it certainly makes sense. He has already proved more than enough as a 2021 NFL Draft prospect to warrant a top-five pick and is arguably the best prospect not named Trevor Lawrence in the class. Placing him at the top of this list was easy.
Sewell displays an incredible combination of power and athleticism that makes him an impact blocker in every situation. He is a dominant run blocker who is powerful at the point of attack and also shows the mobility needed to dominate as a second-level blocker. In pass protection, Sewell shows great on-field awareness, quick feet and a powerful initial punch that will stop most edge defenders in their tracks.
The Oregon product also has an ideal offensive tackle frame, using his long arms to his advantage a majority of the time and having more than enough power and thickness in his upper and lower body. Simply put, Sewell is an elite offensive tackle prospect who undoubtedly has massive upside as a blindside protector at the next level. He is the clear top offensive lineman in the 2021 NFL Draft class and will be an easy top-five selection on draft day.
2. Christian Darrisaw, Virginia Tech
The decision on these next two players is tough. I see Christian Darrisaw and Rashawn Slater as the next tier of offensive tackles in the 2021 NFL Draft class, with neither player being a threat to Sewell at the top, but a step above the other players at the position. This one is close, but I do give Darrisaw the slight edge here.
Darrisaw has taken his game to the next level this season and has quickly become one of the best offensive linemen in the nation. He has great length at the position and knows how to use it to his advantage as a pass protector. Darrisaw is also a strong athlete who moves well in space and shows impressive natural power at the point of attack.
Simply put, he is a high-level pass protector who has also shown impact ability in the run game. Darrisaw has the talent needed to come in and be an immediate starter at the left tackle position at the next level. He will likely come off of the board in the top half of the first round in the 2021 NFL Draft.
3. Rashawn Slater, Northwestern
Rashawn Slater is a quick, powerful and aggressive offensive lineman who absolutely overwhelms opposing defenders as a run blocker. He shows an explosive first step, great lateral agility and maintains his balance well throughout the play. Slater also displays a strong initial punch and impressive grip strength at all times.
He also moves his feet well in pass protection and particularly impressive when he is allowed to attack. Slater is not the most patient offensive lineman and that will get him in trouble at times, but when he can be aggressive, nobody can stop this man.
Slater does lack ideal arm length for an offensive tackle at the next level, but the rest of his skill-set shines through enough where he should not have any troubles handling the position. At worst, he would fit well as a candidate to move inside to guard.
The question for most teams when it comes to Slater will be whether they want to draft him as a good offensive tackle or move him inside where he can be an elite offensive guard. Either way, he should be taken at some point in the top half of the first round.
4. Samuel Cosmi, Texas
We talked earlier about how important it is for teams to have impact players who can help them in the passing game. Samuel Cosmi stands out as a premier offensive tackle prospect in pass protection and should be able to protect the blindside of his quarterback well for many years.
Cosmi is undoubtedly a bit of a raw player, but his athletic upside up front is incredibly impressive. He is quick off of the ball and smooth in space. He mirrors opposing edge rushers extremely well and has the quickness needed to recover if needed. Cosmi’s value will primarily come as a pass protector, but he can hold his own as a run blocker as well. He does a great job of taking proper angles and holds up well against powerful players on the inside.
While Cosmi has exciting athletic upside, he also has a slight frame, which is obviously a concern for an offensive lineman. He also displays sloppy footwork and hand usage at times, which can be taken advantage of in a big way at the next level. Cosmi is undoubtedly a bit of a project player, but his upside a the next level is too exciting to ignore. Based on that potential, Cosmi is extremely likely to be a first-round selection in the 2021 NFL Draft.
5. Jalen Mayfield, Michigan
Jalen Mayfield is a gifted offensive tackle prospect who has primarily played right tackle at Michigan but has some experience on the left side as well. He shows an impressive combination of length, mobility and power that makes him an impact run blocker and pass protector.
Mayfield shows impressive power at the point of attack and anchors in against power on the edge extremely well. He has shown some issues against elite speed rushers but can take care of his responsibilities in pass protection a majority of the time. Simply put, Mayfield is a rock-solid offensive tackle prospect who will be an important piece up front for a team for many years. He is a fringe first-round prospect who could end up being a major value early on Day 2.
6. Liam Eichenberg, Notre Dame
It is difficult to find any major flaws in Liam Eichenberg‘s game. He has been the starting left tackle for one of the best offensive lines in the nation for three years and has always been a stable force for Notre Dame. Eichenberg is not the most naturally athletic offensive lineman in the 2021 NFL Draft class, but he does the absolute most with what he has to work with.
Eichenberg displays a quick first step and can overwhelm opposing defenders with power at the point of attack. He is extremely smooth when setting up in his pass sets and does a great job of simply keeping himself between the quarterback and defender. Eichenberg dominates against power on the edge and does well to limit damage against pure speed rushers.
Simply put, he is a smart, physical and dependable offensive lineman who can come in and be an immediate starter at the next level. The lack of natural athleticism does limit Eichenberg’s long-term upside, but he will be a guy who teams can count on to provide stability up front.
7. Spencer Brown, Northern Iowa
Spencer Brown entered the Northern Iowa program as a tall and skinny tight end and is leaving four years later as a 6-foot-9, 322-pound mammoth of a man at the offensive tackle position. Brown has added a ton of weight to his frame in recent years but still moves around the field like a smaller player. The athleticism that he shows for his size is legitimately special and helps give Brown massive upside at the next level.
Brown absolutely dominated his competition in college, which is exactly what an FCS prospect has to do in order to be taken seriously. He moved around the field with easy fluidity, stone-walled edge rushers in pass protection and dominated opposing defenders with impressive power at the point of attack.
Brown will compete against a higher level of talent at the Senior Bowl and his performance there will be important when determining his 2021 NFL Draft stock. This may seem like a high ranking right now, but do not be surprised if Brown soars even higher than this when he can showcase his talent at the Senior Bowl and NFL Combine.
8. Alex Leatherwood, Alabama
I considered not having Alex Leatherwood eligible for this list because he is best suited to play inside at the next level. That being said, he has been a strong starting left tackle for one of the marquee programs in college football for the last two years and his NFL team will likely give him a chance to prove himself at offensive tackle at the next level.
Leatherwood is another quick and aggressive offensive lineman who is at his best when he is asked to play forward and attack. Because of this, he typically shines in the run game, firing off of the ball and attacking with impressive power at the point of attack. However, his aggressiveness does get him in trouble in pass protection at times, as crafty pass rushers will take advantage of his mistimed and inaccurate punches.
Leatherwood is an interesting player who could become a solid starting offensive tackle with some advanced coaching. That being said, his future is likely on the inside, limiting his overall upside at the next level.
9. Jackson Carman, Clemson
Jackson Carman is a massive offensive tackle prospect who absolutely dominates his opponents in the run game. He is a mean and nasty player who dominates opponents at the point of attack and does not let them escape. Once he gets his paws on a defender, he typically drives them down the field and eliminates them from the play.
While Jackson is not an elite athlete at the position, he moves well for his size. This allows him to have success as a second-level blocker and hold his own against speed in pass protection. Carman would be a nice target for any offensive line needy team on Day 2 of the 2021 NFL Draft.
10. Daniel Faalele, Minnesota
Daniel Faalele is an incredibly difficult player to evaluate. His size is unrivaled (6-foot-8, 400 pounds), even when compared to the biggest players across the NFL and he certainly gets around well for his size. Faalele is not an overly impressive athlete up front, but the fact that he can get out in space and move a bit at his size is an impressive feat itself.
Faalele’s size gives him a massive advantage over any defender and it simply is not easy to get around someone that big who also has long arms. Faalele is going to have some issues when he tries to vertically set against elite speed rushers but should be able to use his size as enough of an advantage to hold his own against most NFL edge rushers.
This prospect is ridiculous power at the point of attack, consistently man-handles and controls opposing defenders in the run game and has elite anchor ability in pass protection. He is an extremely raw prospect who will make mental mistakes, but his upside as a right tackle at the next level is absolutely massive. Landing with a team that has a respected offensive line coach and a strong developmental process will be important for Faalele’s success at the next level.