Execs, coaches, scouts rank top NFL offensive tackles for 2026
Key Points:
- ESPN surveyed over 70 NFL executives, coaches, and scouts to rank the top 10 offensive tackles for the 2026 season, focusing on current performance rather than career achievements or projections.
- Detroit Lions' Penei Sewell ranks first due to his physicality and intelligence, despite a lower pass block win rate last season and a position switch from right to left tackle.
- Veteran Trent Williams of the San Francisco 49ers holds second place with strong pass and run blocking metrics at age 37, showing minimal decline in performance.
- Tampa Bay's Tristan Wirfs, last year's top tackle, is third but showed some struggles after a knee injury, while Philadelphia's Jordan Mailata and Washington's Laremy Tunsil round out the top five with consistent play.
- Rising young talents like Chicago's Darnell Wright and Los Angeles Chargers' Joe Alt made the list, indicating a shift toward younger players, while honorable mentions include Rashawn Slater and Charles Cross.