It’s that time of year, folks. With April finally here, it’s time for me to release my final position rankings for this class. It’s a process that’s stretched all the way back to last summer, with literal days of grinding film on top of collecting other nuggets from the Combine, All-Star performances and more. It’s all led to this.

It’s guards and centers day today, and as usual, I’ve compiled both positions into one interior offensive linemen list. While some players are true guards or true centers, many prospects can play either and often don’t settle into one position until they arrive in the NFL, so it’s useful to compare them all in one article. This year, we have a strong group — in addition to the tackles I covered in yesterday’s article that could kick inside, this is a deep class of interior offensive linemen. Rounds 2 and 3 are chock full of plug-and-play starters, a dream for teams looking to prioritize talent at other positions but who also need to improve in the trenches.

Of course, follow us for more draft coverage. I’ll be finalizing the rest of my position rankings in the coming weeks, as well as providing you all with wall-to-wall coverage of the draft. This next month will be a big one for us on the draft side, so stay tuned!

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• 2026 NFL Draft Visit Tracker
• Final Position Rankings: Quarterbacks
• Final Position Rankings: Offensive Tackles

1: Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State

A three-star recruit from Washington, Ioane didn’t start playing football at all until his sophomore year of high school — apparently without his parents’ knowledge, who preferred for him to focus on academics. Once he arrived at State College, he redshirted in 2022 before playing some spot snaps in 2023. As a redshirt sophomore, he earned second-team All-Big Ten recognition after splitting time as a starter between left and right guard, even getting a few snaps at center. In 2025, Ioane was named to the first-team All-Big Ten after another great season, this time just at left guard.

A grown man at 6-4, 320 pounds, Ioane has an NFL body right now. He’s a load for defensive linemen to try to deal with in the trenches, consistently winning with power and imposing his will on the opposing front. He has massive, powerful hands that jolt defenders on contact and give him an immediate advantage off the snap. Once he locks onto a defender, he controls their movement, driving them back when run blocking and preventing them from controlling the point of attack.

Ioane moves pretty well at his size, with plenty of great reps in zone blocking on his tape. He can get out in space and hit his marks, whether he’s moving with the line on a zone run or pulling to the second level on a counter play. In pass protection, he stymies speed rushers with his quick punch and has the foot speed to stay in front of the shifty 3-techs he’s faced, with great hand usage to combat them and hold the pocket. Ioane showcases great awareness, handling stunts and twists well and plays aggressively without drawing flags.

If there’s one thing I’d like to see Ioane clean up, it would be his leverage. The fact that he’s as effective as he is in drive blocking scenarios is honestly scary, given he consistently plays too high in his stance. If he could get lower, he’d be better able to utilize his impressive lower half to generate even more power. Additionally, Ioane needs to continue to grow in his hand fighting technical skills, something he showed improvement in this season.

A clear first-round-caliber player, Ioane is one of my favorite prospects in this class. Despite being so new to the sport, he’s an elite pass protector and versatile run blocker, capable of fitting seamlessly into any scheme. For any team needing a new starter inside, Ioane is the best available. In a class without many blue-chip prospects at the top, don’t be surprised if he sneaks into the top 15 — and he might just be the best overall offensive line prospect in the class.

2: Emmanuel Pregnon, G, Oregon

Originally a two-star recruit out of Denver, Pregnon committed to Wyoming and took a redshirt year initially, not playing at all as a redshirt freshman. He moved into the starting lineup in 2022 and got some freshman All-America recognition before transferring to USC after the season. He was a two-year starter at left guard for the Trojans, being named second-team All-Big Ten in 2024. Pregnon transferred to the Ducks for his sixth-year senior season, earning consensus first-team All-Big Ten and first-team All-America honors.

Standing at 6-4, 315 pounds, Pregnon is as refined as they come after six years of college football. His hand placement and timing in the run game are immaculate, knocking defenders off-balance and maintaining tight control of the rep. Once he locks onto someone, he’s tough to shake, with massive hands and a crushing grip that controls the point of attack. He has a strong lower half with impressive leg drive, moving people off the line of scrimmage and clearing a ton of space in the run game. In pass protection, he has an unmovable anchor, walling off against even the strongest bull rushes.

With long arms and quick feet, Pregnon is a fantastic pass blocker. He can establish initial contact and has a counter for every interior move, keeping low and flexible without compromising his solid base. In space, he gets to his marks with speed and consistency, reliably beating defenders to the spot. He’s such a natural on the move, fluid and coordinated, which is a rarity at his size. Don’t be surprised to hear the “dancing bear” moniker with Pregnon.

Despite his agility, Pregnon can struggle to redirect against speedy interior rushers. In fact, he’s ill-equipped to deal with twitchy, souped-up athletes in most areas of the game, and it can come back to bite him. He rarely loses the leverage battle, but he can get a little over his skis on the run, making it easier for defenders to beat his blocks when they arrive. And he’s strictly limited to guard — you won’t see him moonlighting at center or kicking out to tackle.

I like Pregnon as a second-round, top 50 pick. He can be an immediate plug-and-play starter in the NFL and that has value early on Day 2. He’s athletic enough to fit multiple schemes and is a supreme pass protector, which is paramount in today’s game. His limitations won’t often show up and can be mitigated. Interior offensive line depth is important and sometimes neglected, but Pregnon will find a suitor early in the draft, and could even sneak into the back end of the first round.

3: Gennings Dunker, G, Iowa

A three-star recruit from Illinois, Dunker played right guard as a freshman in 2022 before settling in at right tackle ever since. He was named second-team All-Big Ten in 2024 in his second year as a full-time starter, anchoring the always-excellent Hawkeyes offensive line. He had his best season yet in 2025 as a senior, earning first-team All-Big Ten for the first time in his career.

Measuring at 6-5, 319 pounds, Dunker is firmly a guard in the NFL, despite primarily playing tackle in college. A true people mover, there’s nothing he loves more than a violent finish to a block. In short yardage and goal line situations, he generates explosive vertical displacement, carving holes in the defensive front to pave lanes for the offense to use. In the run game, he moves well in space, climbing to the second level and erasing linebackers and safeties from the play.

While Dunker can sometimes struggle with speed on the edge, the opposite is true on the interior. He has great quickness and mirroring ability for a guard, with the precision and hand usage to ward off even the most creative pass rushers. With plus anchor strength to hold his ground against bull rushes and the awareness to pick up stunts without issue, Dunker projects inside quite well.

Leverage is a consistent issue for Dunker in pass protection. He maintains it properly when run blocking, but he lets his pad level get too high in his pass sets — allowing pass rushers to get into his chest a little too easily. His hand usage can be pretty hit or miss, as well, something that will be a focus early in his NFL career.

I have a second-round grade on Dunker, and he’s a player with a wide range on Day 2 of the draft. His tape at tackle projects very well inside, and he has an infectious personality and playstyle. Dunker is the kind of player every offensive line coach loves, and he’d be a great addition on the interior. Plus, he has proven flexibility to kick out to tackle in a pinch.

4: Keylan Rutledge, G, Georgia Tech

A star high school basketball player and former three-star recruit, Rutledge started his collegiate career at Middle Tennessee State and was named to Conference USA’s All-Freshman team in 2022. That next season, he became a full-time starter and was named first-team All-Conference USA, transferring to the Yellow Jackets and returning to his home state in 2024. In two seasons at Georgia Tech, Rutledge started every game at right guard and earned back-to-back first-team All-ACC and first-team All-America honors.

At 6-4, 316 pounds, Rutledge is a freaky athlete. He showed out at the Combine, with a 32.5-inch vertical and a 5.05-second 40-yard dash at over 300 pounds. That athleticism shows up on the field, as he thrives in space, maneuvering to find defenders and bury them out of the play. He’s a linebacker’s worst nightmare, arriving with force and sustaining blocks through the whistle. His competitive edge is infectious and coaches at the Senior Bowl had to constantly tell him to tone it down.

As a pass blocker, Rutledge truly shines. His power translates against pass rushers, jolting defenders on contact and utilizing smart hand placements to protect his chest. With plus anchor strength and consistent pass sets, defenders have a nearly impossible task if they try to go through him. He can move on an island, defending both shoulders and recovering when initially beaten. At the Senior Bowl, he took some reps at center, adding some extra versatility.

If there’s one consistent issue on Rutledge’s tape, it’s his leverage. He tends to rise too high in stance, causing issues. In his initial sets, he keeps his hands too wide, compromising his leverage. He already doesn’t have the longest arms — it’s a problem he needs to fix. Additionally, at times he can be beaten by the first step of some of the quickest interior defenders he faced.

Rutledge is someone who has steadily risen up my board over the last few months. Every time I go back to the tape, I like him a little bit more. His Combine was exceptional and he jumped considerably in my rankings just because of that. Quite frankly, I wasn’t sure he was that level of athlete. Rutledge is another second- or third-round guard prospect who projects as an immediate starter for teams in need.

5: Connor Lew, C, Auburn

A four-star recruit from Kennesaw, Georgia, Lew was thrust into the starting lineup as a true freshman midway through the season when the Tigers’ starter went down with an injury. Lew performed very well and earned Freshman All-America honors and has since started every game as a sophomore and junior. Lew now enters the draft as a true junior with a lot of upside, despite only playing seven games in his final season due to a torn ACL back in October.

Checking in at 6-3 and a half, 310 pounds, Lew is a fantastic athlete for a center. Get him in space and watch him go to work, as he has quick feet and can reach his marks without getting off-balance, connecting on difficult blocks. A master of leverage, he knows how to make life difficult for taller defenders, consistently getting under their pads and controlling the point of attack. Even against smaller defenders, Lew sinks low in his stance and doesn’t rise too much after the snap, maximizing his length without giving defenders an easy time getting hands on him. Over his years starting for the Tigers, he’s developed a keen eye for what defenses are trying to do, and is excellent at reading and reacting to stunts and blitzes.

In pass protection, Lew walls off with solid anchor strength and exceptional hand-fighting skills. Interior defenders have a tough time getting hands on him, as he’s constantly moving and utilizing quick adjustments to alter his positioning, keeping pass rushers guessing. He plays with a nasty demeanor on the field, always looking to get the last hit in and finish blocks in the dirt, but he plays under control just enough to avoid drawing dumb penalties. As a pass blocker, you really can’t ask for a more advanced technician than Lew, which gives him a high floor in the league.

Lew is a little undersized and has some strength issues. He’s not as good a run blocker as he is a pass protector, largely because he doesn’t have the functional mass to consistently move people at the point of attack. Even when anchoring in pass protection, his smaller frame can be an issue against the most dedicated bull rushers he faces. Also, his ACL injury is a complication to his draft stock. He should be good to go for next season and potentially for training camp as well, but he won’t be able to work out before the draft and teams will need to be thorough in their medical checks.

A strong Day 2 center in this class, I like what Lew offers as a projected NFL starter. He’s athletic and refined, a great combination. While he needs to add some strength, he can do that with his new team — the only complicating factor is his injury. Lew may fall a bit in the draft as a result, but I don’t think he’ll fall too far. He should still be a third-round pick at worst and getting surefire starters in that range is a win for drafting teams.

6: Sam Hecht, C, Kansas State

A former zero-star recruit from Kansas, Hecht stayed in his home state and redshirted in 2021, barely seeing the field over the next two years. That all changed as a redshirt junior in 2024, when he locked down the starting center job and was named second-team All-Big 12 in an impressive breakout season. Hecht returned to school for a fifth year and earned first-team All-Big 12 recognition, showing out at the Senior Bowl to rocket his name up draft boards.

Standing at 6-4, 303 pounds, Hecht excels on the move in the run game. He’s so smooth in space and knows what he’s doing out there, finding defenders to attack rather than just passively waiting for them to run into his path. His hand usage is superb, staying active and aggressive, maintaining proper leverage and consistently winning hand fights. Hecht climbs to the second level effectively and has no difficulty sustaining blocks.

In pass protection, Hecht puts those active hands to good use, keeping his chest clean and his hands inside. Despite being a little undersized from a weight perspective, he anchors against bull rushers and doesn’t get moved off his spot. Hecht wasn’t called for a single penalty in 2025, showcasing his discipline and consistency despite only two years of starting experience. He had to wait for his chance, but the work he put in in the meantime clearly paid off.

Now, Hecht can be a little stiff at times, and there are reps where he gets outworked to the quarterback. This doesn’t happen too often, but twitchier interior rushers could sometimes get a bead on him and cut back faster than he could move to cut them off. He’s a little undersized for an NFL offensive lineman and doesn’t have the leg drive to consistently move people off the line of scrimmage.

Hecht was the best interior lineman at the Senior Bowl and he projects as a starting center in the league. I was impressed with how much he improved from 2024 to 2025, and he can continue to improve from here. It’ll be interesting to see if he’s able to add a little more weight to his frame without sacrificing his mobility, as that could determine his season. Hecht will come off the board somewhere on Day 2 and be an immediately impactful addition.

7: Chase Bisontis, G, Texas A&M

A four-star recruit from New Jersey, Bisontis started at right tackle for the Aggies as a true freshman in 2023, earning freshman All-America honors for his efforts. He moved to left guard as a sophomore, though he battled some injuries late in the season. Bisontis had his best season yet as a junior in 2025, earning third-team All-SEC honors and starting every game, once again at left guard.

Checking in at 6-5, 315 pounds, Bisontis is a powerful run blocker. He’s a major plus in drive blocking situations, coming up clutch in plenty of short-yardage and goal-line scenarios. When he gets his hands on a defender, he locks on and just moves them, exerting his control over the line of scrimmage with the kinds of people-mover blocks that get the whole team fired up. His anchor strength is phenomenal and he plays with a firm base that doesn’t get moved back, even by dedicated bull rushes from nose tackles. He gets low in his stance and plays with outstanding leverage, almost benching defensive tackles back off the line.

Bistontis isn’t just a mauler, though, as he’s pretty fluid in space and performs well in zone schemes. Get him out in space and he’ll hit his marks, connect on blocks, and make life miserable for any linebackers looking to make a tackle. He shows flashes of high-end athleticism with the way he operates on the move, executing difficult blocks that not every guard can make. When initially beaten by a pass rusher, he can redirect well enough to stay in the play, rarely giving up bad blow-bys.

That said, Bistonis isn’t much of a lateral athlete. He doesn’t possess the agility to mirror faster interior pass rushers, drawing holding penalties when he gets his hands too wide. More generally in pass protection, his hand usage is still a work in progress, as he struggles to keep defenders out of his chest, which neutralizes that length and leverage advantages he creates. Bisontis can get in trouble when he gets off-balance, reaching instead of staying firm over his base.

As a third-round pick, there’s a lot to like with Bisontis. I’m a little lower on him than consensus, but I still like what he has to offer as a guy who can come in and compete for a starting role right away. He’s a young player who got better and better each year, and his tools give him a decently high ceiling. Most likely, Bisontis will be a second-round selection.

8: Jake Slaughter, C, Florida

A three-star high school recruit who stayed in his home state, Slaughter was primarily a special teamer as a true freshman and got eight starts at center in 2023. Stepping into a full-time starting role as a junior, Slaughter broke out in a major way, earning first-team All-SEC recognition and being named a second-team All-American. As a senior, he lived up to his reputation as one of the best centers in college football and was named a consensus first-team All-SEC player.

At 6-5, 303 pounds, Slaughter has a bit of an unusual build for a center. He’s an all-world pass protector, playing under supreme control at all times. His hand usage is masterful and he knows how to manipulate spacing on the interior, pinning pass rushers inside and congesting the areas they can work from. With smooth feet and active hands, it’s difficult for defenders to get into Slaughter’s chest, and they often can’t execute their moves because they can’t get a clean grip on him. Few players are as aware as he is at all times, and he’s rarely fooled by complex pressure packages and late blitzes.

In space, Slaughter moves well, hitting his marks and connecting on blocks. He’s best in zone schemes where he can use that to his advantage, keeping his feet moving and erasing defenders from the play. He gets low in his stance and plays with outstanding leverage, using his powerful hands to move defenders off the ball and get under their pads. His teammates and coaches at Florida rave about his leadership qualities, something that will no doubt endear him to NFL teams.

Slaughter is a little thin in his lower half and he isn’t the strongest center. His anchor isn’t weak by any means, but he is susceptible to getting bull rushed from time to time. More noticeably, he struggles more in gap and power running schemes, as he can’t create vertical displacement off the line as easily as some of his peers. The fastest interior pass rushers he faced were able to outwork him a bit, and his foot speed is of some concern.

Though he’s somewhat scheme-specific, I like Slaughter as a third-round pick. He projects as a future NFL starter at center, though he might struggle a little right away if he doesn’t add more strength. Teams that run a lot of inside power runs might want to look elsewhere, but otherwise, Slaughter is one of the safer picks in the draft.

9: Jalen Farmer, G, Kentucky

A three-star high school recruit from Georgia, Farmer began his collegiate career at Florida, redshirting in 2022 and not really seeing the field at all in 2023. Given that, he transferred to Kentucky, where he’s spent the last two seasons as the Wildcats’ starting right guard. After a strong 2025 campaign, Farmer elected to declare early for the draft.

Checking in at 605, 312 pounds, Farmer is a violent, powerful blocker. He has long arms and a grip that never quits, locking onto his matchup and driving them out of the play. One of the best drive blockers in this class, Farmer is excellent in short-yardage and goal-line situations, gouging holes in the defensive scheme for his back to run through. When he reaches the second level, it’s game over for linebackers, as he arrives like a heat-seeking missile and puts them in the dirt.

As a pass blocker, Farmer uses his strong hands and well-timed initial punch to shock pass rushers off the snap and take control of the rep. With his anchor, no one is getting through his chest, and he’s even held off nose tackles one-on-one. Combo blocks are easy work for him and he plays with a true finisher’s mentality on every rep. That’ll endear him to coaches and teammates alike.

Farmer isn’t all that quick or mobile, and he can get into trouble out in space. For as much damage as he causes when he connects as a puller, getting there can be a problem. He lacks ideal foot speed and lateral quickness, and that shows up in his pass protection too. Quicker pass rushers can get around him at times, especially since his hand usage is still a work in progress.

A candidate for one of the most improved players in all of college football from 2024 to 2025, Farmer went from a draft afterthought to a strong mid-round pick. I’d take him in the fourth round and he can compete for a starting role right away. While he does have some limitations — and I wouldn’t draft him if I’m a team that runs a lot of zone run concepts — his power and consistency will play in the NFL.

10: Pat Coogan, C, Indiana

A high school offensive tackle and three-star recruit from a Chicago suburb, Coogan began his college career at Notre Dame. He took a redshirt year before moving into the starting lineup as a redshirt sophomore in 2023, playing left guard initially before swapping over to center in 2024. Before his fifth-year senior season, Coogan transferred to the Hoosiers, immediately taking over at center once again. On the No. 1 team in college football, he earned second-team All-Big Ten honors.

Measuring at 6-5, 311 pounds, Coogan has a workmanlike mentality in both phases of the offense. He’s a fantastic pass protector, disrupting interior pass rushers with superb timing on his punches. When faced with crafty 3-techs, he matches them in hand fighting, using his strong hands and rapid movements to keep the defender off balance and unable to execute their moves. Coogan plays with natural leverage and stays low in his stance, driving defenders off the ball and preventing them from getting into his chest. His play strength is eye-popping, with some seriously impressive drive blocks on his film and a bulletproof anchor against bull rushes.

In space, Coogan showcases surprising fluidity and lateral agility. In zone schemes, he can dominate, hitting his marks and overwhelming defenders on the move. He performs well in gap schemes, too, and is a versatile run blocker who simply outworks defenders no matter the play design. This extends to his ability to connect on reach blocks and second-level defenders, erasing them from the play. Coogan creates significant vertical displacement whenever he’s asked to, and his nasty play-finishing mentality will endear him to offensive line coaches everywhere.

As much as he does succeed in space, Coogan has a bad habit of arriving at his blocks unbalanced. He can get a little over his skis trying to work too quickly and smart defenders take advantage of that. Additionally, the fastest interior rushers he faced could sometimes get him, as his redirect ability in pass protection isn’t the best. Coogan typically makes up for this by playing smarter than his opponent, but on occasion he got got.

Coogan might be my favorite prospect on a loaded Indiana team. I love the way he plays; he’s a fit in every scheme and has a future as an NFL starter. I’d give him a fourth-round grade, as he’s not quite athletic enough to go higher but can step onto an NFL field and hold his own right away. I think this class has four centers who can be day one league starters, and that’s pretty impressive.

The Next Five

11 — Brian Parker II, C, Duke: A 6-5, 309-pound college tackle, Parker is a technician on the offensive line, utilizing excellent footwork and advanced hand placement to outwork defensive linemen.

12 — Ar’maj Reed-Adams, G, Texas A&M: A 6-6, 314-pound guard from Dallas, Reed-Adams is a mauler on the interior. He’s a power blocker with excellent strength at the point of attack and is a plus in short-yardage situations.

13 — Logan Jones, C, Iowa: A freakish athlete at 6-3, 299 pounds, Jones is a polished pass protector. He is a wall in the middle of the offensive line, with top-notch hand usage and recovery skills.

14 — DJ Campbell, G, Texas: A 6-3, 313-pound guard from Arlington, Campbell uses his long arms to maintain strong leverage throughout each rep. He can anchor with the best of them and got better each year as a starter.

15 — Billy Schrauth, G, Notre Dame: A 6-5, 310-pound guard who missed a chunk of the season with a knee injury, Schrauth plays with good leverage and a veteran’s hand usage, keeping his chest clean and anchoring strong against bull rushes.