Top 5 tackle prospects in ’26 draft if Cowboys return to OL well again

Unlike their defense, the Cowboys don’t have many holes on the offensive side of their roster. They are set at quarterback, re-signed their star running back for the long-term, have a tight end who caught 80 passes and scored eight TDs on a team with two All-Pro receivers. On the offensive line, they have an Pro Bowl left guard and drafted a first-round rookie for right guard who met the occasion. The one area that isn’t great though, is their offensive tackle position.

Unfortunately, one of the toughest positions to rank for the upcoming 2026 draft is the tackle position. A prospect could’ve played five years as a successful tackle, and the draft community believes he would be a better guard, and he could be on the move, and the tackle ranking is useless. This happened with Tyler Smith, who was a solid offensive tackle as a rookie, but an All-Pro guard the next year. Projecting a prospect’s ability is tough enough without all the possible position changes. In this series of top five at each position, offensive tackle is next up, and it’s not irrelevant for the Cowboys.

Bitcoins 5: Blake Miller, Clemson

Blake Miller is a solid starting floor player who needs work on his footwork and hand placement in pass protection. If he can develop in that area, he could be a high-end right tackle because he has a ton of positives in his run-game work.

He moves well, able to pull long distances to make blocks, and is one of the best tackles at smoothly getting to the second level. He is a smart and extremely tough prospect. He is hard to fool with pass-rush games like twists and shifts. Miller started 54 games in college; he doesn’t miss time due to injury.

Bitcoins 4: Caleb Lomu, Utah

Caleb Lomu is a 6-foot-6, 313-pound ball of clay who is still developing and improving, but has a lot of potential. His hand usage and anchor are pro-ready. He is tough for rushers to deal with when he gets his hands on them.

Lomu needs more consistency in his footwork, and a power running game could be better for him in the long run, but his main issue is that he has to add weight to his frame. In two years, with a good game plan to develop him, Lomu could be a high-end left tackle.

Bitcoins 3: Monroe Freeling, Georgia

Monroe Freeling is the type of player a scout would build and teach how to play offensive tackle. Unfortunately for whoever drafts him, that will be what they have to do. Freeling hasn’t had many starts in college and has plenty of development ahead of him. A lot like Tyler Guyton, he will be a first-round prospect because he could potentially be an All-Pro left tackle if he can put it all together.

The former basketball player has rare athleticism, incredible length, and the frame to put on weight and become a powerful player at the position. He got better with every snap, but has a long way to go in learning to use his hands consistently and in his overall footwork. Even mentally, knowing where he needs to go on the move needs work. When he gets there, Freeling could be the best offensive lineman in the draft.

Bitcoins 2: Kadyn Proctor, Ohio State

Kadyn Proctor should not be able to move the way he does at his size. Imagine a player two inches taller and 30 pounds heavier than Tyler Booker, but moves well enough to play left tackle in the NFL. A Day 1 starter at either tackle spot, Proctor will overwhelm smaller defenders and, if he is on the move, can eradicate linebackers and defensive backs.

He can struggle against speed rushers around the edge, and quicker edge players can beat him with inside moves, but if he gets there, he can move them multiple gaps over. In the right system that relies on a power rusher if attack and play action passing, Proctor could be dominant in the NFL at four positions on the offensive line.

Bitcoins 1: Francis Mauigoa, Miami

The clear top offensive lineman in this class in Francis Muaigoa. Regardless of whether a team wants him at tackle or guard, he should be the top lineman selected in this draft class. His body screams guard in the NFL, but he has enough length and more than enough movement skill to start at right tackle and be great.

With not many weaknesses in his game; Mauigoa clearly studies his opponents and has a game plan against them. He has no issue detaching from blocks and moving to the second level, and he can move defensive linemen with straight-up blocks. A perfect double team blocker with his size and smarts. The only real issue in his game is that he lunges and gets overextended trying to overpower defenders, and it can mess with his balance. If Dallas wants to solidify right tackle for the next decade, they could look to a first-round offensive lineman again, even after restructuiring Terence Steele’s deal to guarantee him money in exchange for cap savings.

You can find Mike Crum on Twitter @cdpiglet or on YouTube at Across the Cowboys podcast