2026 Draft: Interior OL

[manxman2601]

My dream OL:

Will Campbell - Austin Siereveld - Jared Wilson - Carter Smith - Monroe Freeling

You're going to have to do some trading because I don't think any of those are falling to the bottom of the 3rd. To be frank, I think we'd be lucky if one of them falls to 64.

Just as a thought, I wonder if Ben Brown has done enough to earn a starting spot at RG next year? I don't love him, but then I'm not convinced starting two rookies at two of the three interior spots is the answer either.

 

[mayoclinic]

Nebraska's Rocco Spindler Declares for NFL Draft

Senior guard Rocco Spindler, one of Nebraska’s most seasoned and dependable veterans on the offensive line, announced Monday that he will declare for the 2026 N

www.si.com

 

[mayoclinic]

Brewer was a UDFA in 2020.

 

[stelfans]

That’s how I envision Wilson at center

 

[mayoclinic]

Agreed.

 

[mayoclinic]

Smith, Siereveld and Dunker likely IOLs.

 

[manxman2601]

Smith, Siereveld and Dunker likely IOLs.

Run blocking grades with context.

Carter Smith - 83.2 (The 2nd best pass blocking grade amongst draft eligible OL too)
Brian Parker - 82.8
JC Davis - 82.2
Emmanuel Pregnon - 82.0
Spencer Fano - 81.8
Francis Mauigoa - 80.8
Austin Siereveld - 79.4

Membou and Milum were the only two last year to grade better overall than Smith.

He might lack elite athleticism, but it's hard to find much wrong with Carter Smith.

 

[mayoclinic]

Liking both Siereveld and Smith at IOL very much. Could play all 3 positions, with tackle versatility in a pinch.

Really want that Peter Skoronski "guard's body with LT feet" kind of guy.

 

[stelfans]

campbell smith/sierevald wilson pregnon is my dream scenario. I know you can find IOL later in the draft, but protecting Maye while improving the run should be #1 priority for this team.

 

[mayoclinic]

That would be very good.

Just as a hypothetical, what do people think about:

Campbell - Wilson - Linderbaum

on the left side, if Linderbaum somehow hits FA? Then draft a starting RG for 2026 (Siereveld/Smith/Pregnon) and a successor to Morgan Moses for 2027 (Freeling, Prongos, Goosby, Williams).

 

[stelfans]

I think he's gonna make way too much money.

 

[mayoclinic]

Would love him, but longshot. If he does hit FA, his market will be huge.

 

[mayoclinic]

 

[dliverey44]

Owenu has been decent this year and I would like to see him on the team next year as long as he takes a pay cut. He has looked rough at times but the RG situation could be much worse. I see people wanting him replaced, but I really don't understand why other than the outrageous money he is set to make.

He has been a pretty good pass protector and alright while run blocking, though could be better in the run game.

Can someone give me their rational?? Thanks

 

[Huckleberry1]

This thread is changing my mind about going interior OL in free agency.

 

[Huckleberry1]

Owenu has been decent this year and I would like to see him on the team next year as long as he takes a pay cut. He has looked rough at times but the RG situation could be much worse. I see people wanting him replaced, but I really don't understand why other than the outrageous money he is set to make.

He has been a pretty good pass protector and alright while run blocking, though could be better in the run game.

Can someone give me their rational?? Thanks

I don't know. IMO the red zone issues are a result of the interior linemen not being able to bully defensive fronts. I know Bradbury is part of that issue, but I feel like Onwenu, despite his size, is also part of the issue. If they can get an interior OL in free agency, then get a right tackle like Caleb Lomu in the first round, and a Center or Guard day 2 they will have fixed their OL completely, and long term. I think it's the biggest priority they have, and I want it addressed with great prospects.

 

[dliverey44]

I don't know. IMO the red zone issues are a result of the interior linemen not being able to bully defensive fronts. I know Bradbury is part of that issue, but I feel like Onwenu, despite his size, is also part of the issue. If they can get an interior OL in free agency, then get a right tackle like Caleb Lomu in the first round, and a Center or Guard day 2 they will have fixed their OL completely, and long term. I think it's the biggest priority they have, and I want it addressed with great prospects.

Fair points, I only wanted Owenu back at a significant pay cut. He probably would not be agreeable to that so it would mean he is probably a cap casualty. I do agree that it is the #1 off season priority.

 

[Huckleberry1]

Fair points, I only wanted Owenu back at a significant pay cut. He probably would not be agreeable to that so it would mean he is probably a camp casualty. I do agree that it is the #1 off season priority.

I'm not sure if they will try to restructure Jim, they may have already decided that they want to get younger and more violent on the line. Imo Bradbury, Onwenu, and Moses are only going to be here for one more year at the most.

 

[Huckleberry1]

That would be very good.

Just as a hypothetical, what do people think about:

Campbell - Wilson - Linderbaum

on the left side, if Linderbaum somehow hits FA? Then draft a starting RG for 2026 (Siereveld/Smith/Pregnon) and a successor to Morgan Moses for 2027 (Freeling, Prongos, Goosby, Williams).

I love it, but with the IOL talent in the draft it makes me wonder if they should just go draft heavy at OL.

On the other hand if you sign Lindebaum and draft Caleb Lomu and an OG on Day 2 then your line is set for years to come.

 

[mayoclinic]

Owenu has been decent this year and I would like to see him on the team next year as long as he takes a pay cut. He has looked rough at times but the RG situation could be much worse. I see people wanting him replaced, but I really don't understand why other than the outrageous money he is set to make.

He has been a pretty good pass protector and alright while run blocking, though could be better in the run game.

Can someone give me their rational?? Thanks

In my initial ridiculously early off-season plan I was open to either cutting Onwenu, or keeping him with a pay cut. But I feel we can do better with the $17M saved. Onwenu is inconsistent, seems less than motivated at times, and is not very effective in opening running lanes.

For $17M in cap space we could sign a quality veteran IOL (Linderbaum, Teller), or invest the money elsewhere.

The 2026 is deep and fairly strong at IOL, with a dozen or so potential starters. True guards like Vega Ioane, Emmanuel Pregnon, Chase Bisontis, and Keylon Rutledge; tackles with guard experience like Austin Siereveld and Cayden Green; tackle converts like Carter Smith, Kadyn Procter, Gennings Dunker, or Brian Parker.

I'm not 100% opposed to keeping Onwenu at a reduced price, but I think we can do better.