While the 2026 college football season has yet to begin, NFL front offices are already building preliminary draft boards and identifying future roster needs. Two teams that could find themselves in the market for offensive tackle help next spring are the Atlanta Falcons and the Chicago Bears.
For Atlanta, protecting its quarterbacks must remain a top priority. With Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr. both carrying injury concerns, investing in the offensive line makes plenty of sense. The Falcons are also breaking in Jawaan Taylor at right tackle after he posted a disappointing 43.8 PFF run-blocking grade last season with the Kansas City Chiefs. Fortunately for Atlanta, they have one of the NFL's premier offensive line coaches in Bill Callahan, making a high-upside developmental prospect such as LSU's Jordan Seaton an intriguing fit.
Meanwhile, the Chicago Bears appear to have found their franchise quarterback in Caleb Williams, but questions remain along the offensive line. Braxton Jones has been inconsistent throughout his career, while Ozzy Trapilo is working his way back from a major injury that cut short his 2025 season. Chicago would undoubtedly love the opportunity to land a prospect like Texas star Trevor Goosby, but if the Bears are picking near the end of the first round, they may have to turn their attention to a second-tier option such as Indiana's Carter Smith.
With that in mind, here are the offensive tackles the Falcons, Bears, and the rest of the NFL will be monitoring closely throughout the 2026 college football season.
Top Player: Trevor Goosby, Texas
Heading into the season, Texas offensive tackle Trevor Goosby is widely viewed as the top offensive tackle prospect in the 2027 NFL Draft class, and it's easy to see why. Goosby possesses the athletic traits NFL teams look for in a franchise left tackle, including excellent mobility in pass protection and a reported 1.44-second 10-yard split. At 6-foot-7 and 312 pounds, he also has the size and length to hold up on the edge while consistently playing with good pad level in the run game. The biggest area for improvement is maintaining balance throughout the rep, as he can occasionally get over his skis and lunge at defenders. Even so, Goosby enters the season as the offensive tackle to beat in the 2027 class.
Trevor Goosby | OT | #Texas | 6-7, 325
— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) May 1, 2026
Arguably the top 2027 OT, he’s a similar archetype to Patrick Paul and Charles Cross. Natural pass protector. Has the tools to be a high-end starter at either tackle spot. pic.twitter.com/jYhP4xrzXM
Guy I would stand on the table for: Trevor Lauck, Iowa
After entering the 2025 season with just 23 career snaps, Trevor Lauck emerged as one of the nation's most dependable offensive linemen and a key piece of Iowa's Joe Moore Award-winning unit. He did not allow a sack all season, showcasing impressive grip strength, active hands, and refined technique that belie his lack of experience. Whether he ends up at right tackle or guard in the NFL, Lauck has the versatility and reliability to become a long-term starter.
Overrated:Â Lance Heard, Kentucky
Expectations remain high for Kentucky offensive tackle Lance Heard, who is now on his third SEC stop after beginning his career at LSU and later transferring to Tennessee. Despite being ranked among the top transfers in the country and carrying a consensus Day 2 NFL Draft grade, his film suggests he may be overrated at this stage of his development. Heard's biggest issue is inconsistent technique, as he frequently allows defenders into his chest and surrendered 21 pressures last season. He also earned just a 69.7 PFF run-blocking grade and can struggle when asked to operate in space due to average flexibility and balance. The upside is his impressive power at the point of attack, which could make him a better fit at guard in a gap-heavy rushing scheme at the next level.
Sleeper: Nathan Roy, MinnesotaÂ
One of the most underrated offensive linemen in the 2027 NFL Draft class is Minnesota's Nathan Roy, assuming the redshirt sophomore declares after the season. Roy's athleticism immediately stands out on film, as he moves well in space and possesses the mobility teams look for in a developmental left tackle prospect. At 6-foot-5, he also has the length NFL scouts covet on the edge. The biggest area for improvement is adding strength, particularly in the run game, where he can occasionally be overwhelmed by more powerful defenders. While Roy is still a work in progress, his athletic traits and positional upside make him an intriguing developmental prospect who currently carries a fifth-round grade on my board.
Biggest risk: Jordan Seaton, LSU
Few players in the 2027 NFL Draft class possess the upside of LSU offensive tackle Jordan Seaton, who transferred from Colorado. Seaton has the athleticism, foot quickness, and natural movement skills to develop into a franchise left tackle and potential first-round pick. However, his production has yet to consistently match his talent. He still needs to improve his technique, particularly as a run blocker, where a high pad level and inconsistent footwork contributed to a 52.0 PFF run-blocking grade last season. If Seaton can refine those areas under LSU's coaching staff, he has the potential to emerge as the top offensive tackle in the draft.
Time for a bounce-back season: Xavier Chaplin, Florida State
Xavier Chaplin is coming off the most disappointing season of his college career, as the former Auburn offensive tackle posted career lows in both overall and run-blocking grades while allowing 18 pressures and committing 12 penalties. Now at Florida State, Chaplin has an opportunity to reestablish himself as one of the better offensive tackle prospects in the country. At 6-foot-8 and 354 pounds, he possesses rare size and surprisingly good movement skills for a player of his stature. The key to a bounce-back season will be improving his technique, particularly his hand usage and footwork, as he can be late with his initial punch and inconsistent with his positioning. If those areas improve, Chaplin has the physical tools to significantly raise his draft stock this fall.
Overall rank
1. Trevor Goosby, Texas (first round)
2. Austin Siereveld, Ohio State (first round)
3. Jordan Seaton, LSU (first round)
4. Trevor Lauck, Iowa (first round)
5. Carter Smith, Indiana (second round)
6. Jacarrius Peak, South Carolina (third round)
7. Nathan Roy, Minnesota (fifth round)
8. Lance Heard, Kentucky (fifth round)
9. PJ Williams, SMU (fifth round)
10. E'Marion Harris, Oklahoma (sixth round)
11. Xavier Chaplin, Florida State (sixth round)
12. Melvin Siani, Texas (sixth round)
13. Phillip Daniels, Ohio State (sixth round)
14. McKale Boley, Virginia (seventh round)
15. Jacob Ponton, Texas Tech (seventh round)
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