Top OT hit with ‘overhyped’ label before 2026 NFL draft

As many as six offensive tackles could be taken in Round 1 of the 2026 NFL draft.

Miami’s Francis Mauigoa, Utah’s Spencer Fano and Caleb Lomu, Alabama’s Kadyn Proctor, Georgia’s Monroe Freeling, and Clemson’s Blake Miller all could hear their names called in the first 32 picks, and all six could find themselves with significant playing time as rookies.

Offensive tackle is a premium position in the draft, and it’s also one of the deepest positions in the class.

There’s expected to be a run on tackles before the second round, but one of those players may be getting a little too much love according to Blake Brockermeyer of CBS Sports.

Brockerymeyer named Miller as a first-round player who’s hype he’s not buying, stating the 6-foot-7, 315-pound lineman struggles with a few things that could prove costly transitioning to the pros.

“Blake Miller is an ironman and model of consistency, starting 54 games in four seasons at Clemson,” Brockermeyer wrote. “He’s a solid player who has improved each year and brings a professional approach to development. I don’t see the athleticism or awareness for him to be an instant NFL starter at tackle.

“He struggles with hand timing in pass protection, which can get him in trouble against athletic edge defenders. He also gets beat on the edge when he plays like a catcher instead of a striker. At times, he struggles to anchor as a mostly vertical setter and doesn’t always have his feet rooted when absorbing contact. He ends up on the ground too often in the run game and struggles to sync his hands and hips for maximum power. His inability to correct some of these issues, despite extensive experience, is concerning.”

Miller has just 101 snaps of experience at left tackle, playing primarily on the right side with the Tigers (3,631 snaps). Of the six potential first-round OTs, many scouts consider him the greenest of the group.

Most college tackles typically struggle with the transition from the right to the left side, meaning Miller may not be a plug-and-play option like some of the other OTs slated to go in Round 1.