Zak Drapeau's Top 10 Tackles 2025 NFL Draft
- Zak Drapeau
- 8 hours ago
- 7 min read
I have to put a disclaimer right away, I have ranked OTs and IOLs based on how I project the prospect's position to be. College OTs like Will Campbell, Wyatt Milum and Marcus Mbow will be in my IOL list because of their projections, largely due to arm length which the NFL normally likes 33" or longer for Tackles.
That being said, versatility amongst line prospects is always valuable and seems to be getting more important by the year. This list is strictly for Tackles however and will be based on the prospect's ability to have a career at Tackle with the size and mechanics to do so.
The class of Tackles this year is pretty average, with no real Blue Chip prospect, the top tiers of this class have some very good prospects with high potentials while the lower tiers still have several developmental guys who have decent floors on the interior. The bottom line for offensive linemen is that could-be Tackle prospects will always have more value. Those Tackles that can't make it on the edge because of agility, hand usage, footwork or any other reason will still have potential on the inside and therefore have extra potential in the league.
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1. Armand Membou
Missouri 6'4" 332 lbs.
Big Board Rank: 12
Archetype: Agile All-Around LT
If Will Campbell's arms were three-quarters-an-inch longer he would take the #1 spot but that doesn't mean Membou doesn't deserve high praise. A 2-year starter at Missouri, Membou's progression as an SEC starter was glorious as he finished this past season as one of the best pass blockers in the country. Due to his size, production and experience he was all set to be a first-rounder come April; then he went to the Combine. Membou's testing was the best for this Tackle class and is one of 4 people EVER at the event to run a sub 5.00-40 at over 330 pounds. Membou would also lead the group at the bench press and display incredible balance and strength at both the showcase and the Senior Bowl. Due to his remarkable traits and being one of the only legitimate Tackles in the upper-echelon, Membou's spot at 12 on my Big Board could be shattered by a draft pick as high as 4 come the draft.
Pro Comp: Alijah Vera-Tucker
Draft Projection: Top-15 Picks
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2. Kelvin Banks Jr.
Texas 6'5" 315 lbs.
Big Board Rank: 15
Archetype: Power All-Around LT
Not to be outdone by Membou and Campbell, Kelvin Banks Jr. has been one of the least talked about prospects since the end of the college football seasons at no fault of his own. Kelvin Banks has the highest floor of the Top-3 and his experience of 3 great season at Texas is the reason. Great size, great length, good in run blocking and great at pass blocking too. A powerful man with powerful hands, he ranks just below Membou because of his average athletic testing at the Combine. Don't be fooled though, because of his "drop", Banks is projected to go a bit lower in the First Round which means he'll likely go to a contender and have the personnel and coaching around him to potentially be the best in his class.
Pro Comp: Peter Skoronski
Draft Projection: Round 1
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3. Josh Simmons
Ohio State 6'5" 317 lbs.
Big Board Rank: 21
Archetype: Power All-Around LT
Josh Simmons is an interesting case of "talented but injured" that we will see more of particularly in the CB class this year. Quite possibly the best projected LT of his class, Simmons mechanics size and footwork made him the best pass blocker until an untimely torn patellar tendon in October ended his season. Simmons rehab has gone well, testing at Ohio State's pro day just 10 days ago. With modern medicine making leg injury's less of an issue these days, Simmons stock didn't drop too much and his potential as a bonafide NFL LT is too good to drop him farther than the low 20's on any Big Board. Simmons did have a propensity for penalties at OSU that will need to be cleaned up but still has all the potential and talent needed to be a First Round pick.
Pro Comp: Dion Dawkins
Draft Projection: Round 1
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4. Josh Conerly Jr.
Oregon 6'5" 311 lbs.
Big Board Rank: 37
Archetype: Agile Pass Blocking LT
Conerly is commonly thought of as the last Tackle of Tier 1 but I have him as the sole member of Tier 2. Conerly's experience at Oregon and progression at pass blocking and good agility for his general size needed are what have him as high as he is but Conerly is still a work in progress in my mind. Needing to add bulk as to not be bullied by power rushers, Conerly can certainly do so after a year or two in the NFL. With a great chance to be a perennial starter on a team with patience, Conerly's not ready just yet which is why I have him lower than most.
Pro Comp: Anton Harrison
Draft Projection: Late 1st to Early 2nd
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5. Jonah Savaiinaea
Arizona 6'4" 324 lbs.
Big Board Rank: 56
Archetype: Agile Run Blocking RT
Savaiinaea is a mauling run blocker who projects very well as an NFL Guard but has the skill and size to work at Tackle. His floor in the NFL is extremely high as he will make it on the interior if needed but because of his solid build and run blocking prowess, could work at RT. He will need to improve his pass blocking in both his footwork and strength and that could take a year or two. Maybe he waits on the bench for his moment or maybe he starts out at Guard and goes to the Edge at some point. Either way, Savaiinaea is a terrific athlete for his size and has too much potential as a run blocker not to get a shot on the outside.
Pro Comp: Darnell Wright
Draft Projection: Round 2-3
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6. Cameron Williams
Texas 6'6" 317 lbs.
Big Board Rank: 63
Archetype: Powerful All-Around RT
Williams is the best prospect in what we'll call Tier 3 because of his massive potential. I have him much higher than most because I have Williams' floor higher. With only 1 season as a starter under his belt, Williams zone blocking skills mixed with his strength in both run and pass blocking give him an excellent chance to be a RT in the NFL. His potential is heavily dependent on his ability to learn new skills that most of these prospects already have, but his inexperience helps him. As a single-year starter Williams made the leap and was an excellent RT in the SEC and if you project that jump to his eventual NFL jump you can see why he is someone to bet on.
Pro Comp: Dominick Puni
Draft Projection: Round 2-3
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7. Aireontae Ersery
Minnesota 6'6" 331 lbs.
Big Board Rank: 71
Archetype: Agile Run Blocking RT
With a higher floor than Williams, Ersery had 3 years of starting and compiled a great sophomore season followed by a good junior season. The downward trend is somewhat alarming but his stature and run blocking give him a solid future of competing for a RT spot. I also love that Ersery's best performances came against his toughest competition including Penn State, USC and Iowa. Ersery didn't show the gradual improvement I was looking for in pass blocking which is why he is lower on my list but that is not too say he can't learn it. His average athleticism isn't too much of a problem due to his great size. A developmental piece with solid ground to stand on.
Pro Comp: Marcus Cannon
Draft Projection: Round 2-3
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8. Ozzy Trapilo
Boston College 6'8" 316 lbs.
Big Board Rank: 76
Archetype: Massive Pass Blocking RT
At 6'8" Trapilo has great size with average length and a lot of power. He was truly a force in pass protection in college but to be that way in the pros will take some work. Trapilo has some glaring shortcomings in run blocking that he will need to improve on and may never have the agility and instincts to become a Pro Bowl-level Tackle. Still, his tape doesn't lie and with only 2 sacks in almost 750 pass blocking snaps over the past two season, Trapilo has the ability to be a solid RT at the next level with some initial growing pains.
Pro Comp: Cornelius Lucas
Draft Projection: Round 3
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9. Anthony Belton
NC State 6'6" 336 lbs.
Big Board Rank: 94
Archetype: Powerful Pass Blocking LT
One of the best pure pass blockers in the class with the size NFL scouts drool over, Belton's 2024 season has caused him to rise up most draft boards. Belton's lacks real run blocking technique that will take long to get to an NFL-level while his pass blocking is refined but has only stood up to below-average D1 talent. His 3 years of experience is a good start but the level of competition Belton will be facing will be a huge challenge off the bat. Belton will be unable to start his first season but after some time to adjudt and refine his run blocking could become a starting LT with good pass blocking upside.
Pro Comp: Matt Goncalves
Draft Projection: Round 2-3
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10. Logan Brown
Kansas 6'6" 311 lbs.
Big Board Rank:
Archetype: Athletic Run Blocking RT
At the #10 spot I've chosen a flyer with huge developmental upside and potential in Logan Brown. Like Cam Williams, Brown had only 1 season as a starter and made the most of it, giving up only 6 hurries and no sacks in almost 300 pass block snaps this season. Needing strength and more experience against good competition, Brown like Belton, will need time on the bench to develop. The reason I have Brown higher than most and rounding out My Top-10 Tackles is his athletic upside. At 6'6" and 311 pounds, Brown's Combine was eye-opening with his Bench Press, Shuttle and Vertical Jump all testing above the 70th percentile for his size. Banking on potential here, Brown has more of it than anybody that will be drafted in Round 4 or later.
Pro Comp: Liam Eichenberg
Draft Projection: Day 3
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-Z.D.
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