The final day of NFL Combine drills and tests took place on Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium. Offensive linemen may not have as many highlights as skill position players and quarterbacks, but they’re just as important as any other position in football.
With all four days of NFL Scouting Combine drills in the books, let’s look at the biggest winners and losers from the offensive line prospects.
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Joe Alt has rare speed for a lineman
There are several offensive linemen worthy of a first-round selection in the 2024 NFL Draft, but Notre Dame’s Joe Alt may be the cream of the crop. He didn’t do anything to hurt his draft stock at the NFL Combine. If anything, he might have improved it.
While we’re not sure how much higher his ceiling can really go, he’s already really good, Alt showed a bit of what makes him so special. Not only is he very technically sound with his technique, Alt also showed off his elite athleticism, which is becoming more important as teams try picking up the pace offensively.
One of the areas where Alt impressed was by reaching the highest top speed among offensive linemen during his 40-yard dash. No, Alt’s 5.05 40 time wasn’t among the fastest, but he still reached the highest mph among his peers in the trenches.
Olumuyiwa Fashanu’s day ends early after thigh injury
Another left tackle prospect who could hear his name called in the first round impressed while he could. But Olumuyiwa Fashanu’s day had to end a bit early after suffering a thigh injury during his workout. However, Fashanu’s injury isn’t believed to be serious enough to cause him to miss his Penn State pro day on March 15.
Fashanu’s day ends with a 5.11 40-yard dash, reasonable for a player who measured in at a towering 6-foot-6, 312 pounds. But he also posted an impressive 32-inch vertical and had a broad jump of 9 feet-1 inch.
Amarius Mims is a monster
As mentioned there are several potential first-round offensive line prospects, Georgia’s Amarius Mims is one of them. One aspect that can greatly improve a player’s stock is simply showing you have NFL size. It’s safe to say, Mims passed that test with flying colors.
Amarius Mims
— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) March 3, 2024
6076
340
11 1/4 hand
36 1/8 arm
86 3/4 wing
He even ran a 5.07 40-yard dash, which may not seem impressive at first, but considering his massive size, it’s quite the feat.
Troy Fautanu shows he’s quick enough, and agile enough to play tackle
Washington’s Troy Fautanu managed to keep Michael Penix Jr. clean last season. But one of the biggest questions surrounding the former Huskies lineman was whether he could stick at offensive tackle in the pros. Fautanu not only showed he has NFL quickness, thanks to having the third-fastest 40 time among tackles this year, but his footwork also looked like a player poised to stick at offensive tackle a the next level too.
Taliese Fuaga shows quick feet
A player who looks like he could play guard or tackle, Taliese Fuaga seems like he has good enough feet to be a blindside protector in the NFL. Several evaluators were impressed with his work in the blocking drills, where Fuaga showed above-average athleticism. Fuaga locked in his status as a first-round pick with his NFL Combine showing.
Fastest 40 times at 2024 NFL Combine – Offensive tackles
- Roger Rosengarten – 4.92 seconds
- Frank Crum – 4.94
- Tylan Grable – 4.95
- Troy Fautanu – 5.01
- Christian Jones – 5.04
Related: Fastest 40 yard dash: Fastest players in NFL Combine history, fastest NFL players
Fastest 40 times at 2024 NFL Combine – Offensive guards
- Brandon Coleman – 4.99 seconds
- C.J. Hanson – 5.00
- Gottlieb Ayedze – 5.01
- Jarrett Kingston – 5.02
- Cooper Beebe, Christian Haynes – 5.03
Fastest 40 times at 2024 NFL Combine – Centers
- Tanor Bortolini – 4.94 seconds
- Matt Lee -5.04
- Jacob Monk – 5.09
- Dylan McMahon – 5.10
- Nick Gargiulo – 5.25
Related: Fastest players at NFL Combine 2024: Xavier Worthy makes history with fastest 40 time ever