2026 NFL Draft: Interior Offensive Line Big Board

The NFL Draft is a little over one week away from kicking off in Pittsburgh. It’s been a long offseason grind, with free agency, Pro Days, and prospect visits coming to a close soon. Who are the best interior offensive linemen in the class? After a one-year barren spate of rookie starting centers, how many rookies make the jump to the toughest position to play on the offensive line? Let’s find out on the 2026 interior OL big board!

In case you missed the previous position groups in the big board series, they are listed below:

Quarterback

Running Back

Wide Receiver

Offensive Tackle

Note: All statistics are courtesy of College Football Reference, and all RAS numbers are courtesy of @MathBomb

Guard

1. Gennings Dunker | 6’5 319 | Iowa

Dunker is a versatile prospect who played both tackle and guard at Iowa, but fits better inside at the NFL level. He started at right tackle for the past three seasons but initially came to Iowa City as a guard. Teams will comb over his medical history, given the assortment of issues that plagued his career. Football IQ and power are major pluses in his toolkit. The offseason testing turned out very well for the Hawkeyes’ star with an 8.56 RAS. If teams can clear him medically, his talent should merit a first-round selection. He profiles similarly to former Boston College guard Christian Mahogany.

Round Projection: First Round

RAS: 8.56

Player Comparison: Christian Mahogany (Guard)

2. Emmanuel Pregnon | 6’4 314 | Oregon

The three-time transfer finished his career with a flourish for Oregon after beginning his career at Wyoming and then USC. He has experience at both guard spots, which teams will love. Pregnon initially got on the radar while at USC, but cemented himself at Oregon with an outstanding 2025 season. The testing numbers back up his athleticism on tape. He’s a well-built guard who plays with his hair on fire most of the time. His power and brute strength are the biggest traits in his arsenal. The former Ducks lineman projects well as a first-round selection, and the offseason testing at the Combine, along with the Pro Day, locks it in. Pregnon is similar to former UCLA lineman Sean Rhyan, but his play style is comparable to Wyatt Teller.

Round Projection: First Round

RAS: 9.16

Player Comparison: Wyatt Teller / Sean Rhyan (traits)

3. Olaivavega Ioane | 6’4 320 | Penn State

Penn State may have had a down season that didn’t come close to living up to expectations, but Ioane did his part. The offseason process has elevated his stock into the first round. Ioane is a road grader in the run game and doesn’t get beaten often against pass rushers. He’s a steady force and a rock in the interior that a team can depend on for many seasons. The former Penn State star showed out at the Combine, further elevating his stock and cementing himself in the first round. He compares physically to Laken Tomlinson, who played collegiately for Duke before becoming a starter-level guard.

Round Projection: First Round

RAS: N/A

Player Comparison: Laken Tomlinson

4. Keylan Rutledge | 6’4 316 | Georgia Tech

Rutledge’s draft process underwent a tremendous boost, starting with an impressive resume-enhancing Senior Bowl, and hasn’t let up since. He plays with great passion and an emphasis on physicality, frequently showing his power. Teams covet versatile linemen, which Rutledge delivers in that regard with experience at both guard spots. Georgia Tech is a run-oriented team, so his run-blocking reps were very solid, and his pass protection improved. He transferred to Tech before the 2024 season after beginning his career at Middle Tennessee State. His athleticism was confirmed with a score of 9.53 on the RAS scale. The former Yellow Jacket should be a Day 2 value pick. The physical and stylistic comparison for him easily mirrors that of Quinn Meinerz.

Round Projection: Day 2

RAS: 9.53

Player Comparison: Quinn Meinerz

5. Chase Bisontis | 6’5 315 | Texas A&M

Bisontis started his career at right tackle before moving inside to guard for the last two seasons in his tenure at College Station. He’s a pure guard, but can play there in a pinch if necessary. However, his length is a concern given his size, with 32″ arms, which is short, even for guards. He plays with a hot-running motor all the time and doesn’t quit, even after losing a rep. Power is his specialty, but he has underrated athleticism. The former Aggies lineman tested very well during the offseason, earning a 9.85 RAS. Physically and stylistically, he compares to former Giants veteran Chris Snee. He’s a surefire Day 2 selection at this point in the process.

Round Projection: Day 2

RAS: 9.85

Player Comparison: Chris Snee

6. Jalen Farmer | 6’5 312 | Kentucky

Farmer started his career at Florida before transferring to Kentucky, where he saw action at guard for the last two seasons. He earned an invitation to the Senior Bowl with his standout play amid a lost season for the Wildcats, which saw a new coach ushered in. The former UK guard possesses the height/weight/length traits that teams love in their interior linemen. He’s a dominant run blocker with potential to grow in the pass game. The offseason process has been kind to him as he posted an incredible 9.82 on the RAS scale. He profiles similarly to former Memphis Tigers star lineman Dylan Parham. Farmer stands a good chance of being selected on Day 2 but will likely settle into the early stages of Day 3.

Round Projection: Day 2 to Early Day 3

RAS: 9.82

Player Comparison: Dylan Parham

7. Ar’maj Reed-Adams | 6’5 314 | Texas A&M

ARA is another A&M lineman who started at least three seasons for the Aggies on the interior. He has the physical traits to be an outstanding starter for a team looking for one on Day 3. Teams will love his weight and length, which translate into power in his game. He plays with a mean streak and doesn’t hesitate when looking for targets outside of his assignment. Another plus in his toolkit is his versatility, as he has experience at tackle and guard. While he isn’t the best athlete, he’s plenty capable of dancing well with the defender. Uses his length to stun the pass rusher. Reed-Adams compares physically to former Ohio State guard Michael Jordan.

Round Projection: Middle to Late Day 3

RAS: 7.87

Player Comparison: Michael Jordan

8. DJ Campbell | 6’3 313 | Texas

Campbell started at right guard for the Longhorns for three seasons and has the physical tools to become a starter eventually down the road. He has the length to stymie pass rushers, but his lateral agility needs refinement. The former Texas lineman is a serviceable athlete who consistently handles defenders but isn’t elite enough to combat faster pass rushers. Power is the name of his game at this point in his career. A Day 3 selection is in the cards for him. Physically, he compares to former Saints star guard Ben Grubbs.

Round Projection: Day 3

RAS: 7.90

Player Comparison: Ben Grubbs

Center

1. Jake Slaughter | 6’5 303 | Florida

Slaughter is the best true center in the class, after a great career and an amazing offseason. He earned an overall PFF grade of 79.3 for the 2025 season. The former Gators’ pivot man possesses the size and athleticism for the position, along with the starting experience. His football acumen is among the best in the class, regardless of position, and he can identify oncoming defenders rapidly. He was agonizingly close to notching a perfect RAS score during the offseason testing. Day 2 seems like the right projection for the Florida star lineman. His physical and stylistic comparison to former Wisconsin and current Colts starter Tanor Bortolini.

Round Projection: Middle Day 2 to Middle Day 3

RAS: 9.97

Player Comparison: Tanor Bortolini

2. Parker Brailsford | 6’2 289 | Alabama

Brailsford started at center for the Tide in 2025 after playing guard for the majority of his career in Tuscaloosa. He’s undersized for the position, but is a sufficient athlete to make up for it. Football IQ is his strong suit, as is his tireless work ethic, which matches his athleticism. He had an outstanding offseason process, which skyrocketed his draft projection into the early Day 3 range for teams that need a starting center. Teams will love his positional versatility. Brailsford followed DeBoer to Alabama from Washington and immediately became a hit. The size is a concern, but plenty of undersized centers have gone on to NFL success. He compares physically and stylistically to Dolphins center Aaron Brewer.

Round Projection: Early to Middle Day 3

RAS: 8.65

Player Comparison: Aaron Brewer

3. Trey Zuhn | 6’6 312 | Texas A&M

Speaking of position-versatile athletes, Zuhn is one, having started at left tackle throughout his entire college career. He does have center experience in 2025, but played tackle for the most part. He has the size and athleticism that teams love for the position. The RAS score is among the best in history for the position and proves that he has the athleticism to play any position along the line, but center could be his long-term home. Zuhn plays with a road-grading attitude and is physical at the point of attack. He’s an excellent lateral athlete who can get to the second level quickly. Teams will covet his physicality, athleticism, and versatility. Projected to go in the early stages of Day 3, there’s a chance that he could get into late Day 2. He compares physically and stylistically to former Missouri Tiger lineman Connor McGovern.

Round Projection: Late Day 2 to Middle Day 3

RAS: 9.99 (as a Center)

Player Comparison: Connor McGovern (Missouri)

4. Brian Parker II | 6’5 309 | Duke

Parker is a tackle prospect who could fit better as a center at the next level. He will likely struggle in the NFL against bigger and faster pass rushers if at tackle, given the lack of length (sub 33″ arms), but the athleticism and length play better on the interior. He has the size and lateral quickness to be dominant on the interior despite not getting serious reps at center until the East-West Shrine Game. The offseason process has been great for him, with an excellent RAS score and a strong performance at the Combine. Physically, he compares to NFLPA leader J.C. Tretter, but stylistically, as a player, he compares to Elgton Jenkins. There’s a chance that he gets to the early stages of Day 3, but he’ll likely settle for the middle rounds.

Round Projection: Early to Middle Day 3

RAS: 9.13

Player Comparison: Elgton Jenkins (player) / J.C. Tretter (physical)