Editor’s note: The Union-Tribune’s Eddie Brown is breaking down prospects, position by position, leading up to the NFL draft (April 24-26). Here are his top 10 interior offensive linemen, plus “bonus” players he believes will be drafted or signed as a priority free agent:

— 1. Donovan Jackson (Sr., Ohio St., 6-foot-4, 315 pounds)

Jackson was the top-ranked interior offensive lineman in the 2021 recruiting class. There’s an argument to be made he was the Buckeyes’ MVP last season. He had started at left guard since his sophomore year, before replacing former San Diego State standout Josh Simmons at left tackle after he was lost for the season with a knee injury. Jackson hadn’t played left tackle since high school, and struggled in his first start, up against Penn State’s Abdul Carter. He settled down and was locked in during Ohio State’s championship run. Jackson isn’t overpowering, but he’s hyper-intelligent, features premium athleticism (9.00 RAS) and excels at pulling, sometimes taking down multiple targets while on the move. He’ll be a guard in the NFL, but positional versatility is always a plus. Projected: Rounds 1-2

— 2. Tyler Booker (Jr., Alabama, 6-5, 321)

Booker was the seventh-ranked offensive tackle in the 2022 recruiting class, and became a two-year starter at left guard for the Crimson Tide. He is a statue: he can’t move and you can’t move him. The first-team All-American (and team captain) is the poster child for brute strength. Booker has enough functional athleticism to dominate the guy across from him, in pass protection or the run game, but you can’t do anything fun with him (he’s ill-suited for zone blocking). You just stick him somewhere and let him set the tone for your offensive line. Booker tested terribly at the combine, producing the worst long jump (7’10”) and second-worst 40-yard dash (5.38), among other lowlights, resulting in a 3.93 RAS (one of the worst in the class). However, he was almost universally praised for how he presented himself in interviews. I still believe there’s Pro Bowl-potential here, but Booker is best suited to play in a gap/power scheme that enables him to utilize his elite length and massive hands to bludgeon defenders. Projected: Rounds 1-2

— 3. Grey Zabel (Sr., North Dakota St., 6-6, 312)

Zabel started 40 games across five seasons with the Bison, appearing at both tackle and both guard positions. The unanimous FCS first-team All-American also worked out at center in Mobile at the Senior Bowl, a position he played in high school. Zabel’s size, premium athleticism (9.49 RAS) and advanced technique, especially in the run game, will excite offensive line coaches. Powerful rushers can get the best of him at times, which is something he’ll have to address in the pros, considering his short arms (32 inches) will force him inside. Projected: Rounds 1-2

— 4. Tate Ratledge (Sr., Georgia, 6-6, 308)

Ratledge spent five seasons in Athens, starting 37 games at right guard and earning first-team All-SEC the last two years and first-team All-American honors in 2024. The former four-star recruit imposes his will in the run game and doesn’t take kindly to defenders who try to bull-rush his pocket. Ratledge’s size, toughness and strong hands all add up to a strong enforcer on the interior for years to come, if he stays healthy (he’s dealt with some ankle issues). He also tested off the charts in Indy with a 9.96 RAS. Projected: Round 2

— 5. Wyatt Milum (Sr., West Virginia, 6-6, 313)

Milum was a four-year starter for the Mountaineers, primarily at left tackle, and didn’t allow a sack in 1,155 pass blocking snaps despite featuring arms that measure just a tick above 32 inches. The consensus All-American and Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year last season is a tenacious run blocker who has the ability to seek and destroy moving targets at the second level. Milum has the strength and athleticism to play tackle in the pros, but he struggles with speed off the edge, and I imagine his arms will be a nonstarter for the vast majority of NFL teams. Regardless, he has the makeup of a player who will start for a decade in the pros. Projected: Rounds 3-4

— 6. Jonah Savaiinaea (Jr., Arizona, 6-4, 324)

Savaiinaea was a three-year starter for the Wildcats, with experience at both tackle positions and right guard. He’s a physically imposing blocker who could potentially thrive on the interior in the pros as he continues to develop his technique. However, Savaiinaea has the length (just a tick under 34 inch arms) and movement skills to stay outside. He ran a 4.95 40-yard dash, the third-fastest time among all offensive linemen in Indy (9.19 RAS). He also tied for the second-best 10-yard split (1.72). Projected: Rounds 2-3

— 7. Marcus Mbow (Jr., Purdue, 6-4, 302)

The former three-star recruit became a three-year starter for the Boilermakers at right guard and right tackle while earning All-Big Ten honorable mention each season. Mbow’s movement skills, processing ability and elite instincts play at all five line positions. His short arms (32 inches) likely means he’s playing guard or center in the pros. Projected: Rounds 2-3

— 8. Emery Jones Jr. (Jr., LSU, 6-5, 315)

Jones was a three-year starter at right tackle for the Tigers despite being the fifth-ranked interior offensive lineman in the 2022 recruiting class. He was a freshman All-American and was selected second-team All-SEC the last two seasons in Baton Rouge. Jones is a big, strong, tough, and surprisingly raw prospect considering his premium experience against SEC talent, but a move inside might help negate his flaws (handling speed rushers) while accentuating his positives (heavy hands), potentially unlocking Pro Bowl upside. Projected: Rounds 3-4

— 9. Jared Wilson (Jr., Georgia, 6-3, 310)

The former three-star recruit is athletically gifted (9.84 RAS) and was selected second-team ALL-SEC in his only season as a starter for the Bulldogs. Wilson isn’t a finished product, but his high football IQ and ability to finish at the second level with efficiency scream future starting center. His basketball and soccer background shows in his footwork. Projected: Rounds 2-3

— 10. Dylan Fairchild (Jr., Georgia, 6-5, 325)

Fairchild was a prolific wrestler in high school, earning all-state honors all four years and winning two state championships. He was a two-year starter at left guard for the Bulldogs, earning second-team All-American honors last season. Fairchild is a scrappy competitor who is hard to move. He was No. 43 on Bruce Feldman’s “Freaks List” last year due to his weight room prowess. He’s a little stiff at times, and has average range, but there’s still a lot of growth potential in his game. Projected: Rounds 3-4

— 11. Jalen Rivers (Sr., Miami, 6-6, 319)

Rivers was the 12th-ranked offensive tackle in the 2020 recruiting class. He was a three-year starter at left tackle and guard for the Hurricanes. Rivers’ powerful build — strong lower-half with long arms and large hands — is an asset in pass pro, and he’s a disciplined finisher in the run game. His extensive injury history will likely push him to the final day of the draft. He’s suffered season-ending injuries three of the last four seasons. Projected: Round 4

— 12. Miles Frazier (Sr., LSU, 6-6, 317)

A former two-star recruit, Frazier spent two years at Florida International before joining the Tigers in 2022. He features a bully mentality, durability and versatility with functional athleticism. Frazier started 51 games, appearing at both tackle and both guard positions. Nourishing his technique in the pros will help him offset his athletic deficiencies. Projected: Rounds 3-4

— 13. Jackson Slater (Jr., Sacramento St., 6-3, 311)

Slater was a four-year starter for the Hornets and a first-team FCS All-American in 2024. He impressed scouts at the Senior Bowl and showcased elite athleticism at the combine (9.43 RAS). Slater’s strong, stout and athletic enough to play center in the pros despite primarily playing left guard at Sac State. His size and skill set points to him being best utilized in a zone blocking scheme. Projected: Rounds 4-5

— 14. Jake Majors (Sr., Texas, 6-3, 304)

Majors was the fifth-ranked center in the 2020 recruiting class. He set a school record with 57 career starts (all at center). It requires sophistication if you’re going to fool him with blitzes or stunts, and even then, he’s capable of adjusting on the fly. Majors is technically proficient, functionally strong and athletic enough to thrive in the pros. His combination of toughness and high football IQ is a coach’s dream. There will be an adjustment period against NFL power. Projected: Rounds 6-7

— 15. Luke Kandra (Sr., Cincinnati, 6-5, 320)

A former three-star recruit, Kandra spent three years at Louisville before joining the Bearcats in 2023, earning second-team All-American recognition each season at right guard. Kandra’s game is built on physicality. He has short arms, but a large wingspan, so he rarely allows a pass rusher to get into his chest. Kandra’s powerful, he led all prospects with 33 bench-press reps at the combine, but he plays a little stiff and lacks explosiveness. Projected: Rounds 6-7

— 16. Caleb Rogers (Sr., Texas Tech, 6-5, 312)

A former three-star recruit, Rogers was a four-year starter for the Red Raiders with 55 starts across four O-line positions (primarily at tackle and excluding center), and voted team captain as a senior. His arms aren’t long enough to stay at tackle, but his impressive movement skills (9.03 RAS) and violent hands will play well inside. He’ll just need to refine his technique. Rogers turns 24 in October. Projected: Rounds 4-5

— 17. Joe Huber (Sr., Wisconsin, 6-5, 310)

A former no-star recruit, Huber spent three years at Cincinnati before joining the Badgers in 2023, and earned third-team All-Big Ten recognition last season at right guard. He has double-digit starts at both guard positions and right tackle. Huber is an athletic (8.98 RAS) former walk-on who has shown the ability to mirror. He’s scheme-versatile, but he’ll need to maintain his weight and continue to get stronger in the pros. He’s added well over 100 pounds to his frame since his junior year of high school. Projected: Rounds 5-6

— 18. Joshua Gray (Sr., Oregon St., 6-5, 299)

A former three-star recruit, Gray spent seven years in Corvallis after grayshirting his first year and taking advantage of an extra year of eligibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He was a five-year starter, earning second-team All-Pac 12 recognition at left tackle three times and voted team captain twice. He also has double-digit starts at left guard. Gray is an instinctive athlete (8.90 RAS) who can be weaponized in the run game, but there’s still work to do in pass pro. Gray turned 25 in March. He was teammates with CJ Stroud for two years at Rancho Cucamonga High. Projected: Rounds 5-6

— 19. Seth McLaughlin (Sr., Ohio St., 6-4, 304)

The 11th-ranked center in the 2020 recruiting class, McLaughlin spent four years at Alabama before joining the Buckeyes last season. He won the Rimington Trophy (top center) and earned first-team All-Big Ten honors despite missing the final six games with a ruptured Achilles. McLaughlin is technically sound, a quick processor, and possesses enough strength and agility to thrive in the pros, but low snaps were an issue in Tuscaloosa (and didn’t completely disappear in Columbus). McLaughlin is a two-time national champion. Projected: Rounds 4-5

— 20. Clay Webb (Sr., Jacksonville St., 6-4, 312)

Webb was the top-ranked center in the 2019 recruiting class and spent three years at Georgia before joining the Gamecocks in 2022. Webb played fewer than 50 snaps in three seasons at Athens before transferring. At Jacksonville State, he became a two-time All-CUSA left guard and looked good during Senior Bowl practices. Webb is strong, athletic (8.68 RAS) and looks like he’s regained his confidence from his tough experience with the Bulldogs. Projected: Rounds 5-6

— 21. Eli Cox (Sr., Kentucky, 6-5, 306)

A former three-star recruit, Cox became a four-year starter for the Wildcats — 47 career starts at center (35) and right guard (12). He’s a two-time team captain who earned All-SEC recognition each of the last two seasons. Cox impressed at the combine, earning a 9.90 RAS, which is the highest in this draft class at center. He occasionally gets out-muscled. Cox turns 25 in October. Projected: Rounds 6-7

— 22. Drew Kendall (Jr., Boston College, 6-4, 308)

Kendall was the ninth-ranked interior offensive lineman in the 2021 recruiting class. He was voted team captain and first-team All-ACC last season. Kendall’s a fluid athlete (9.20 RAS) with coordinated feet and can sniff out a blitz if the defense is trying to act clever. He has an excellent feel for angles, but his anchor could be lacking in the pros, especially against NFL length. Kendall’s father, Pete, was drafted No. 21 overall by the Seattle Seahawks in the 1996 NFL draft, and played with four teams over a 13-year NFL career. Projected: Round 4

— 23. Jonah Monheim (Sr., USC, 6-4, 303)

Monheim is a former four-star recruit who became a four-year starter for the Trojans, earning all-conference accolades in the Pac-12 and Big Ten. His 46 career starts was divided among four positions: right tackle (18), left tackle (12), center (12) and right guard (four). Monheim features impressive smarts, and surprising discipline despite having very short arms (a tick above 30 inches). He moves well, especially as a puller, which coupled with high football IQ, makes him an asset in the run game. But his lack of length might get him mollywhopped by NFL power rushers. Projected: Rounds 6-7

— 24. Willie Lampkin (Sr., North Carolina, 5-11, 279)

A former three-star recruit at defensive tackle, Lampkin switched to the O-line and spent three years at Coastal Carolina before joining the Tar Heels in 2023, earning the Jacobs Blocking Trophy last season as the top O-lineman in the ACC. He has double-digit starts at all three interior O-line positions: 27 at left guard, 20 at right guard and 14 at center. Lampkin’s championship wrestling background is evident from the moment you start watching his tape. He’ll beat a defender to the spot and win with leverage almost every time as a run blocker. It’s hard to imagine NFL power won’t overwhelm him in pass pro, but he’s made it this far as an extreme size outlier. Projected: Round 7-PFA

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