Jared Zhang's 2026 NFL OT BIG BOARD
Image 1: OT Kadyn Proctor (74), my highest graded OT in the 2026 NFL draft class
INTRODUCTIONS
My name is Jared Zhang, and I have been doing draft evaluations for the past few years now. While I started off doing this as a hobbyist, I have been blessed with the opportunity to write for a draft publication and intern for an agent during my scouting journey so far. Throughout the draft cycle, I will be dropping positional big boards when I get a sufficient amount of names watched and written up. Though I will not be listing my thoughts on the prospects on this list, I fully can elaborate more on my grades via dms and Substack/X/Reddit comments. This document will be updated throughout the cycle with updated grades, new players, and linked reports
For positions where players may switch positions in the NFL (this is mainly talking about OL), I will give a brief note at the beginning of my rankings articles on where I have the player listed currently (Ex. in 2025 I would have listed on the top of my 2025 OT big board that I had Grey Zabel as an OG despite him being a college OT).
GRADING
With grading being different per evaluator, I am grading not based on where I believe players will go in the NFL and more on what I believe they can be as an NFL player. I have what I look for in each grade for an OT listed below. For anyone that has any off-field/profile issues that can affect grading, then I will be noting them down with a * with a note explaining the issue (Ex. in 2025 I would put a * down for Josh Simmons due to his patellar tendon issue and reported off-field concerns). While many prospects fit true round grades, I do have players that teeter rounds (a second/third round grade is someone I believe should go in the late second or early third).
First round - Immediate ability to start while having pro bowl+ potential. (Ex. Tristan Wirfs, Joe Alt, Penei Sewell).
Second round - High-end tools prospect that needs either technical or realistic body improvements/low-end ceiling immediate starters. These players should be good enough to compete for a swing tackle job and play spot starts year one. (Ex. Patrick Paul, Rob Havenstein, Luke Goedeke).
Third round - High-end tools prospects that need major technical or body improvements before any play time is considered. The difference between second and third round is the level of improvement needed before being startable, the realistic improvement possible based on frame, and differences in intangibles like effort. These players should be good enough to compete for a swing tackle job and play spot starts year one. (Ex. Abraham Lucas, Bernard Raimann, Trey Pipkins).
Fourth round - Prospects with some starting tools that need major body/technical development before they could become starters. I don’t think they are good enough year one to compete for a swing tackle job or provide a high enough level of play to play spot starts year one. (Ex. Giovanni Manu, Dawand Jones, Blake Freeland).
Fifth round - Prospects that may not enough tools to become a starter, but have enough height, movement, or length to develop into a swing tackle. Technical development is needed, but they have a ready-enough NFL body. Any play in year one beyond special teams would be concerning. (Ex. Jaylon Moore, Asim Richards, Larry Borom).
Sixth round - Prospects that lack the tools to become a starter, but also have concerns related to their body (size, conditioning, etc). If technical and physical development are made, then they can develop into a capable swing tackle. Any play in year one beyond special teams would be concerning. (Ex. Mike Jerrell, Stone Forsythe, Jaelyn Duncan).
Seventh round - Good tools IPP eligible-players who are not good enough year one to be on a 53, good tools college players that need major physical and technical refinement, or players with mediocre tools but have enough experience and technique to compete for roster spots as a depth OT/OG. (Ex. Travis Clayton, Jake Witt, Thayer Munford).
PUDFA - Players that lack the tools/technique to be drafted, but are interesting enough prospects to be considered a lock for a PS while having enough talent to win a 53-man roster spot. This grade is also given to players who had draftable talent but will go UDFA due to off the field or medical issues/IPP players who are not eligible for the draft. (Ex. Frank Crum, Luke Felix-Fualalo, Xavier Truss)
UDFA - Players that lack the tools/technique to be drafted, but have enough talent or snaps to be locks for a preseason T90 and compete for a practice squad spot. These players also lack IPP eligibility (Ex. Theo Benedet, Hollin Pierce, Easton Kilty).
Camp - Players that have lots of snaps and experience, but are too poor of tools or technique prospect wise to be considered locks for a preseason T90. (Ex. Carson Heidecker, Blaise Sparks, Parker Clements).
Reject - Players I don’t believe have any realistic future in the NFL. These players can have a future in alternative leagues (UFL, CFL, etc), but they often retire from the sport or go into coaching.
GRADES
Players that I have listed at other positions:
Francis Mauigoa, Logan Taylor, Isaiah World, Max Iheanachor, Tristan Leigh, JC Davis, Kage Casey, Gennings Dunker, Trey Zuhn III, JaQuan Adams
Kadyn Proctor (First Round) (Blue Chip)
Caleb Tiernan (Second Round)
Fa’alili Fa’amoe (Second/Third Round)*
Old prospect
McKale Boley (Second/Third Round)
Mason Murphy (Third Round)
James Milovale (Third Round)
Niki Prongos (Third/Fourth Round)
Spencer Fano (Third/Fourth Round)
Jude Bowry (Fourth Round)
Caleb Lomu (Fourth Round)
Nolan Rucci (Fourth Round)
Xavier Chaplin (Fourth Round)
Riley Mahlman (Fifth Round)
Dametrious Crownover (Fifth Round)
Drew Shelton (Sixth Round)
Christian Jones (Seventh Round)
Austin Barber (Seventh Round)
Micah Peetus (PUDFA)*
Dismissal in 2025 from Ole Miss
Chris Adams (UDFA)
Diego Pounds (UDFA)
Bryce Henderson (UDFA)
Robert Wright Jr (Camp)
Corey Robinson II (Camp)
If there are any draft eligible/declared OTs you want grades on, then let me know in the comments of this article or cross posted platforms. If you want a detailed scouting report (Here is an example of my report on Kadyn Proctor), then consider subscribing to my substack where paid subscribers can commission one report per month.
Date Published: 11/30/2025
Date Last Updated: 11/30/2025