2025 Draft Preview: Offensive Tackle

Apr 17, 2025 at 08:00 AM

Kassidy Hill

Arkansas defensive lineman Landon Jackson (40) tries to push past LSU offensive lineman Will Campbell (66) during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)

CHARLOTTE — The 2025 NFL draft is now less than a month away. Teams are updating their big board every day, welcoming in prospects for visits, and evaluating their current rosters every minute of every day. Only a select few in each building know what a club might due when the first round quicks off on April 24 in Green Bay, but between now and then, we will take a look at different positions of need for the Carolina Panthers, and how they might be addressed in the upcoming draft.

Missouri offensive lineman Armand Membou (79) gets set at the line of scrimmage during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Alabama, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)

The Panthers currently have nine picks:

Rd. 1, No. 8 overall
Rd. 2, No 57 overall (from Rams)
Rd. 3, No. 74 overall
Rd. 4, No. 111 overall
Rd. 4, No. 114 overall (from Cowboys)
Rd. 5, No. 140 overall (from Giants)
Rd. 5, No. 146 overall
Rd. 5, No. 163 overall (from Ravens)
Rd. 7, No. 230 overall (from Cardinals)

Will Campbell — LSU

Campbell's name has been all over mock drafts in recent weeks. The LSU product is considered one of, if not the best tackle prospect in this year's draft. He's a left tackle, but has the size to play all along the line. Scouts express concern about his lateral movement, but his tape against pass-rushers and on run blocks will stand out more than weaknesses. He ran a sub 5.0 40-yard dash (4.98) at 6-6 and 319 pounds.

Armand Membou — Missouri

Membou plays a smart game, tapping into experience, understanding, and maturity to beat defenders with technique. He only spent three years at the college level as well, indicating he still has more growth to accomplish, but he started every game at right tackle the last two seasons, so he already has a depth of experience teams will like. His 6-4 height makes him undersized for a tackle, so clubs will have to weigh NFL standards versus college tape when it comes to Membou.

Ohio State offensive lineman Josh Simmons looks to block Michigan defensive lineman Kris Jenkins during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, in Ann Arbor, Mich. Michigan won 30-24. (AP Photo/David Dermer)

Josh Simmons — Ohio State

Simmons spent one year playing at San Diego State before transferring to Ohio State, where he earned the starting left tackle job. He suffered a patellar tendon tear this past October, which can take 6-12 months to recover from, something teams will have to consider. That recovery time could make him an ideal candidate for a line that has starters already but needs depth and a future. He's smooth and fast off the line, giving him a shot to beat rushers before they can react. His power in the run game still stands to improve, but that is something that can come with more playing time.

Kelvin Banks Jr. — Texas

Banks racked up the awards this past season. The first-team All-American won the Lombardi Award for the nation's top OL, the Outland Trophy for the nations top lineman, offense or defense, and shared the SEC Jacobs Blocking Trophy with Will Campbell. He spent his three year career at Texas as a starting left tackle, but some scouts have him as a guard because of his wingspan. He exhibits quickness, an ability to box out rushers, and knows when to use his hands.

Josh Conerly — Oregon

Conerly is still young, playing three years at Oregon and starting the last two. He has nice size to play tackle or guard (6-5 311 pounds) and has steadily improved year over year at Oregon. He's hard to just straight up beat, and is athletic enough to hang with anyone. There is still developmental aspects to his game, such as playing bigger and trusting his technique more, but most of them are things that can be coached and will come with time.

Boston College offensive lineman Ozzy Trapilo (70) anchors the line during the first half of an NCAA football game against Louisville on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, in Chestnut Hill, Mass. (AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper)

Ozzy Trapilo — Boston College

It's hard to miss Trapilo, who stands at 6-8. He could use more weight for his frame (316 pounds) to play at the NFL level, but it's hard to deny his natural ability to set a pocket at right tackle. His length means he won't be as much of an impact in the run game, but his pass protection is solid and only getting better. He has the lineage as well. His father was Steve Trapilo, a former starting guard for the New Orleans Saints.

Anthony Belton — NC State

Belton spent three seasons starting at left tackle for the Wolfpack and has ideal size at 6-6 336 pounds. He's strong, especially in the run game, and uses his frame to knock rushers off their path. There is still development in his future, most of which can be addressed with coaching, such as hand placement and anchoring his feet for blocks.

Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson — Florida

The right tackle spent five years (one redshirt) at San Diego State before using his final year of eligibility at Florida. Teams will see Crenshaw-Dickson's size (6-7 316 pounds) and want to work with him, but there are still areas to address, like a lack of bend and slow footwork. In the meantime, he will provide nice depth with natural athleticism and experience.