2026 Draft: Interior OL

[manxman2601]

This could be a quality group this year.

 

[Dec54]

This could be a quality group this year.

Sign them all up

 

[manxman2601]

Logan Jones, C, Iowa

SCOUTING REPORT: STRENGTHS​

• Elite athleticism for the position, who has the speed to fill in at tight end
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• Devastating anchor strength with 700-pound squat translating to immovable presence against bull rushes
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• Nasty finisher in run blocking who consistently drives defenders five yards off the line of scrimmage
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• Advanced line caller with sharp pre-snap recognition that helped Iowa allow just 15 sacks in 2024
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• Durable competitor who started 26 consecutive games while playing every offensive snap in multiple contests
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• Quick study who mastered center position in just one spring after defensive line background
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• Outstanding work ethic with relentless pursuit of technical refinement and strength development
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• Versatile frame capable of emergency duty at guard or tackle based on high school experience

Zero sacks allowed in '24 and according to the Freaks List:

36.5 vertical jump
1.53 ten yard split
4.09 shuttle

This center class looks as exciting as it's possible for center classes to be.

Logan Jones Center Iowa | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

Rating: 84.7 Rank: #17 Forty: 4.90 Jones' pass protection is the reason he won the Rimington Trophy. Watch his 2025 tape and what stands out is how clean his reps are in the passing game. He...

www.nfldraftbuzz.com

 

[manxman2601]

Jake Slaughter, C, Florida
6-5, 308lbs
It will be an interesting battle between him and Connor Lew for best center in this draft.

SCOUTING REPORT: STRENGTHS​

• Possesses surgical pass protection technique with exceptional core strength to anchor against power rushers, stonewalling even the SEC's most disruptive interior defenders while allowing just one sack in 800 snaps.
• Demonstrates savant-level mental processing when diagnosing blitzes, consistently identifying defensive fronts pre-snap and communicating adjustments that kept his quarterback clean throughout multiple hostile SEC environments.
• Exhibits powerful initial punch in run blocking with excellent timing that consistently jolts defenders backward, creating immediate vertical displacement that translated directly to Florida's improved ground attack.
• Shows rare competitive toughness working in combination blocks, maintaining control through contact transitions while keeping eyes downfield for incoming linebackers, truly nasty when climbing to the second level.
• Brings exceptional movement skills when pulling on counters and traps, demonstrating loose hips and natural balance that allow him to square up defenders in space without lunging or sacrificing power.
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• Maintains outstanding leverage throughout entire blocks due to natural knee bend and core flexibility, playing with consistently lower pad level than opponents which translates to sustainable drive in the run game.
• Demonstrates iron man durability, answering the bell for every offensive snap in critical situations while maintaining elite performance levels deep into the fourth quarter of physically demanding SEC contests.
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• Exhibits leadership qualities that transcend statistics, commanding respect in the huddle and setting the tone for Florida's offensive identity through relentless finish and attention to technical details.

He has given up 1 sack and only 8 hurries in two full seasons. Connor Lew? Zero sacks and only 7 hurries in a similar number of snaps. Logan Jones? 3 sacks and 10 hurries. This center class man!

Jake Slaughter Center Florida | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

Rating: 85.1 Rank: #13 Forty: 5.10 Slaughter's pass protection is NFL-ready. The tape against Georgia, Texas, and Ole Miss tells the story: he diagnosed pressures, handled interior stunts, a...

www.nfldraftbuzz.com

 

[Clonamery]

Ok, do Laloulu next.

 

[manxman2601]

Ok, do Laloulu next.

OK. So...zero sacks, 3 hits and one hurry. Slightly less total snaps than Slaughter and Lew but not by much.

Iapane Laloulu, C, Oregon
6-2, 325lbs
So a different body type and athletic profile to Lew, Jones and Slaughter.

SCOUTING REPORT: STRENGTHS​

• Exceptional anchor strength in pass protection - sinks hips and establishes immovable base that completely stalls bull rushers trying to collapse the pocket.
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• Natural leverage advantage at 6'2" allows him to consistently get under taller defenders' pads, turning their height against them when they try to penetrate.
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• Shows impressive lateral agility on reach blocks, consistently sealing off backside defenders to create cutback lanes that weren't initially designed into the play.
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• Demonstrates surgeon-like hand technique - times his punch perfectly and places hands inside defenders' frame while maintaining balanced base through contact.
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• Possesses rare positional versatility with game experience at center and both guard spots, giving evaluators confidence he can plug into any interior lineup spot.
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• Processes stunts and blitzes with veteran-like awareness, rarely fooled by defensive movement and shows ability to seamlessly pass off twisting defenders.
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• Plays with nasty demeanor through the whistle - regularly finishes blocks with defenders on the ground and accumulated 40+ knockdowns over last 14 games.
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• Exceptional football intelligence evident in pre-snap communication - orchestrated protection adjustments that transformed Oregon's pass blocking efficiency midseason.

Draft Buzz, which is the site I use because of their detailed scouting reports, has Laloulu as their 2nd highest graded center behind Slaughter and ahead of Lew. It looks like he has a very solid base in pass pro but lacks the athleticism of the others in run blocking.

Iapani Laloulu Center Oregon | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

Rating: 82.4 Rank: #28 Forty: 5.30 The tape shows a technician who wins with intelligence and hand placement rather than overwhelming athleticism. When you watch Laloulu on passing downs, ...

www.nfldraftbuzz.com

 

[mayoclinic]

The more the merrier.

 

[manxman2601]

My early take on the above four based mainly upon research but with a little bit of tape watching:

Connor Lew and Jake Slaughter - 1st - 2nd round. Day one plug in starters with pro-bowl upside but might suffer from positional value debuff.

Iapane Laloulu - Day two and probably towards the latter half. A team who likes bigger linemen might value him higher and provides RG flexibility but is less quick-footed.

Logan Jones - Early day 3. Might be more developmental and lacks ideal size but the athletic upside is very appealing.

Parker Brailsford and Bryce Foster still to come.

 

[manxman2601]

Add Gennings Dunker to the list. I'm not sure at 291lbs that guard is in his future.

 

[Clonamery]

Add Gennings Dunker to the list. I'm not sure at 291lbs that guard is in his future.

He lost 25 lbs from his shoulder injury prior season to last year. Definitely not an OT in the NFL, wouldn't rule out G yet though he's smart and OL leader.

Interesting diet take once you get by the hair talk.

 

[manxman2601]

Gennings Dunker, Iowa, OG

He plays RT for Iowa but most expect him to move inside at the NFL level.

Trevor Sikkema has him ranked inside the top 10 right now.

Last season he had a 90.2 run blocking grade from PFF. Compare that with Spencer Fano's 93.6 and it stacks up pretty well, although it should be noted his worst game as a run blocker was against Ohio State. I'd like to see him at LG next to Will Campbell, allowing Jared Wilson to shift back to his natural position at center. I'd settle for RG though.

SCOUTING REPORT: STRENGTHS​

• Absurd play strength that jumps off the tape - consistently creates movement at the point of attack and finishes blocks with vicious intent that leaves defenders checking their chinstraps.
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• Exceptional run blocking technique with tremendous leg drive and hand placement that allows him to dominate smaller EDGE players and linebackers when climbing to the second level.
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• Shows surprising foot quickness for his size when executing zone blocks - takes precise angles and understands leverage points that make him lethal in Iowa's scheme.
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• Brings authentic nastiness that can't be taught - plays with a snarling demeanor through the whistle and seeks to punish defenders with bone-crushing pancake blocks.
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• Football intelligence grades through the roof - recognizes stunts, blitzes and defensive alignments pre-snap and rarely appears confused by complex defensive fronts.
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• Consistently creates gaping run lanes with his power base and powerful initial punch - when he locks onto defenders, they're typically going where he wants them to go.
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• Exhibits excellent recovery skills when initially beaten - uses strong hands and a wide base to re-anchor against bull rushers even after losing the initial battle.
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• Plays with relentless motor that wears down opponents - maintains intensity from opening whistle to final gun, showing the same energy on play 70 as on play 1.

In the video below, there are arguably double digit plays where h is almost single-handedly creating the block that springs the RB. Well as much as any one OL can in what is a collective endeavour by the OL.

Gennings Dunker Offensive Tackle Iowa | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

Rating: 85.6 Rank: #12 Forty: 5.30 Dunker has legitimate NFL talent with a ceiling that will depend entirely on where teams decide to play him. At Iowa, he dominated as a road-grader in t...

www.nfldraftbuzz.com

 

[manxman2601]

Connor Lew highlights.

 

[manxman2601]

Add another potential name to the center list.



Strict junior so draft eligible but may not declare. Hasn't allowed a single pressure this season. A transfer from Stanford.

 

[Clonamery]

Add another potential name to the center list.



Strict junior so draft eligible but may not declare. Hasn't allowed a single pressure this season. A transfer from Stanford.

If he transferred from Stanford to OK Boomer Sooners, it's gotta be for bigger Football prestige.

"I am excited to explore new opportunities and find a place to call home as I pursue both a graduate degree and my football ambitions."

His other choice was UCLA.

 

[manxman2601]

Scouting report of Connor Lew

 

[manxman2601]

I think I've found my favourite guard prospect so far not named Dunker.

Cayden Green, LT/LG, Missouri 6-5, 316

Played LG last year but has switched to LT this. He looks to have a really strong anchor in pass pro and the strength to move people in the run game. I don't think he's the most athletic and looks more like a RG to me.

SCOUTING REPORT: STRENGTHS​

• Exceptional anchor strength in pass protection - can absorb power rushers and reset his feet without surrendering ground, showing outstanding core stability when defenders try to walk him back.
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• Nasty finisher in the run game who plays through the whistle with bad intentions - consistently looks to plant defenders into the turf and brings legitimate glass-eater mentality to the trenches.
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• Quick processor who shows advanced understanding of stunts and twists - rarely caught out of position and demonstrates veteran-level awareness when defensive coordinators get creative.
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• Generates impressive torque from his hips when drive blocking - creates consistent vertical displacement at point of attack and shows ability to reset the line of scrimmage against quality SEC defensive tackles.
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• Fluid mover in space with surprisingly nimble feet for his size - can climb effectively to second level and adjust on the move to connect with linebackers in zone schemes.
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• Demonstrates textbook hand placement in pass sets - consistently lands his punch inside the defender's frame and shows vice-grip strength once locked on, rarely allowing disengagement.
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• Plays with natural leverage despite 6'5" frame - maintains low pad level through contact and has shown significant improvement keeping his base wide through engagement.
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• Versatile scheme fit who has thrived in both gap and zone concepts - shows technical proficiency pulling across formation and working combination blocks seamlessly with center.

SCOUTING REPORT: SUMMARY​

Teams will covet Green's blend of nastiness and technical ability in the interior offensive line. He brings day-one starter potential with his impressive anchor strength and ability to create vertical displacement in the run game.

...

The developmental trajectory is what makes Green particularly intriguing. His significant technical improvements from sophomore to junior year demonstrate coachability and commitment to his craft. His ceiling comparison is a tone-setting interior lineman with Pro Bowl potential who can transform a running game's identity while providing reliable pass protection. His floor remains that of a quality starter who may struggle against the league's elite interior defenders until he develops more consistent technique across all aspects of his game.

Cayden Green Offensive Guard Missouri | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

Rating: 84.1 Rank: #21 Forty: 5.20 Teams will covet Green's blend of nastiness and technical ability in the interior offensive line. He brings day-one starter potential with his impressive ...

www.nfldraftbuzz.com

 

[manxman2601]

Highlights

 

[stelfans]

I was just looking at him today! They should know him a bit since he played with Bryant.

 

[Clonamery]

He's been slowly moving up the charts.

 

[manxman2601]

I was just looking at him today! They should know him a bit since he played with Bryant.

And Membou who they no doubt scouted hard.