2025 Draft: Interior Offensive Line

[manxman2601]

Two more names to conjure with. Some 'Bulldog' spirit for out OL?

1. Jared Wilson, C, Georgia. 6'3, 310.

Reportedly runs in the 4.7s which, if accurate, would make him one of only three linemen to do that apparently. Whether he does or not he is super smooth and quick in space and at 310 has good size for the position. I've seen him referred to as a blue chip prospect. Maybe hyperbole but he certainly appears to have the skills and athleticism to be a potential top centre in the league:

All in all, there’s not much, if anything, that Wilson lacks in his projection to a starting center role in the NFL. He’s a coach's dream when you consider his combination of leverage, hands, and athleticism. Wilson will be a day-one starter and will immediately make a lasting impact in any offensive scheme in the league.

The Draft Network

TDN

www.thedraftnetwork.com

2. Dylan Fairchild, OG, Georgia 6-5, 315lbs

Matt Miller in his mid-season top 50 ranked him as the 22nd best prospect:

The epitome of an interior lineman quietly doing his job, Fairchild doesn't get a lot of public hype -- but scouts rave about his instincts and technique at left guard. "He's the best interior player in the country," an AFC East area scout told me before the season began. And that hasn't changed. Fairchild hasn't allowed a sack over 17 starts at Georgia and has been penalized just three times in that time span. He's as solid as you can get at guard with picture-perfect hand positioning, NFL-level strength and agility, and a battle-tested SEC résumé.

I mean, one in four chance right?

Miller's debut 2025 NFL draft rankings: Top 50 prospects, plus position reports

Who are the best players in the 2025 class? Which stars from Michigan, Georgia and Texas could go early? We rank 50 prospects to watch.

www.espn.co.uk

 

[Water Boy]

It would suck if we have to spend more high draft capital on the Guard position, but it may be necessary if Robinson can't improve his pass pro.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

We have J Andrews, D Andrews, Strange, Sow, Robinson, and Onwenu. With a change in coaching we have to see if there is a combination that works. Too many other holes to fill. BB started J Andrews at LG before he was hurt (BB does not start guys lightly), so let Robinson and J Andrews compete to see who is best.

We need tackles. M Jackson and B Brown were awful but they are gone. We have to replace Lowe and Jacobs now.

 

[Wilfork#75]

I’m a huge fan of Jared Wilson. To me he is the clear #1 C in this draft. The combination of strength, athleticism and intelligence is fantastic. He has shown a really good anchor against some quality DT’s in the SEC. His athleticism and fluidity are off the charts. Some are predicting he will test out as the most athletic C in NFL combine history. His strength and agility make him a perfect C in any blocking scheme, which fits exactly what Vrabel is looking for.

The thing that impresses me most about him though is his instincts and intelligence, especially for someone so young. His ability to identify and process for someone so inexperienced is really impressive. He works really well with his guards and is great at dealing with blitzes and stunts, which is something the Pats have struggled with in recent years.

He still has a ways to go with his technique, but that’s to be expected with someone so inexperienced. Give him a year under David Andrews and he could be an absolute stud.

The other guy I really like as an IOL is Anthony Belton from NC State. He is a mammoth human at 6’6” 336lbs (maybe closer to 350lbs), but he moves really well for his size. He has nimble feet and really heavy hands. His anchor is outstanding, he throws guys around in the run game and he moves extremely well in space for a guy his size. I wouldn’t want to be a linebacker meeting this guy head on pulling around the formation.

He played LT for NC State and with his size, length and athleticism he might be able to develop into an NFL OT. But I love his fit at LG. Give me an interior of Belton-Wilson-Onwenu and I think Drake Maye is going have a nice, clean middle of the pocket to step up into. In the run game, good luck once Josh McDaniels gets these big boys on the move.

 

[Patriot Missile]

Jake Majors Texas
Jonah Monheim USC

My two favorites. Not quite as deep as last years class, but very solid.

 

[bakes781]

Jake Majors Texas
Jonah Monheim USC

My two favorites. Not quite as deep as last years class, but very solid.

I like Majors and Mays. Both are going way too late in mock simulators.

 

[manxman2601]

 

[PatsFan2]

Are we getting a Guard to replace Siddy Soso?? Who had a very underwhelming year. Layden Robinson played better than him.

 

[imahobgoblin]

I just don't see an early round pick going to a guard. Strange can start at left guard. Andrews says he wants to come back and he is a solid center and captain. Owenu is at right guard. Those are you starters. We have too many holes to fill to worry about a new starting guard or center. By all means, grab some depth later in the draft if there is a good value, but the starting tackles have be be fixed along with their depth. Sow and Robinson can fight for backup guard, and J Andrews can grow into center. If not, Strange did fine.

 

[bakes781]

OK I've seen enough to declare who the best Guard prospect is....

 

[manxman2601]

OK I've seen enough to declare who the best Guard prospect is....

LG or RG?

 

[bakes781]

LG or RG?

Likely to be at RG in a zone-blocking system.

 

[manxman2601]

Likely to be at RG in a zone-blocking system.

That's what I thought too. My main issue there is that RG is the one position on the OL we have some proven quality and least need to upgrade. However Jonah does have the length to play RT so they could start him there. Would probably require 38 though.

 

[bakes781]

That's what I thought too. My main issue there is that RG is the one position on the OL we have some proven quality and least need to upgrade. However Jonah does have the length to play RT so they could start him there. Would probably require 38 though.

Yeah I wasn't looking at him for us necessarily. I am mostly focused on Tackles for us.

 

[manxman2601]

Yes!

 

[stelfans]

I love Fairchild, that is a really strong unit indeed.
It’s a damn shame our needs our outside because this is actually a really strong IOL draft.

 

[jboston19]

I love Fairchild, that is a really strong unit indeed.
It’s a damn shame our needs our outside because this is actually a really strong IOL draft.

The more immediate and glaring needs are outside, but the LG job hasn’t been seized by anyone, Andrews is in the twilight of his career, Strange is at the end of his rookie contract, and Onwenu has two years left with big cap hits. I’d definitely grab at least one interior lineman this draft.

 

[bakes781]

Just want to refresh the memory on Layden Robinson....

2024 NFL Draft Prospects: Offensive Guard – WalterFootball

walterfootball.com

Ranked 10th with a couple tackles sprinkled at the top. Just saying I'd give him the chance to prove it.

 

[manxman2601]

Just want to refresh the memory on Layden Robinson....

2024 NFL Draft Prospects: Offensive Guard – WalterFootball

walterfootball.com

Ranked 10th with a couple tackles sprinkled at the top. Just saying I'd give him the chance to prove it.

He was graded by Lance Zierlein as "an average backup or special-teamer". He's unathletic and graded pretty poorly. I'm struggling to understand why some competition for him isn't a good thing.

 

[bakes781]

He was graded by Lance Zierlein as "an average backup or special-teamer". He's unathletic and graded pretty poorly. I'm struggling to understand why some competition for him isn't a good thing.

Of course it is but I'm expecting him to develop into the regular starter long-term. No different than I would think we can't assume the ship has sailed on Strange.