Offensive tackles are among the premium positions in the NFL Draft. While not quite valued as highly as quarterbacks, teams often pay up handsomely to draft a premiere offensive tackle. Below, we’ll look at 2023 NFL Draft odds for all offensive linemen, both inside and out. Which player will be taken first? This year, there’s no obvious answer.
NFL draft odds: First OL drafted
Bet on the first offensive lineman drafted by clicking on odds in the table below.
How to bet on first OL drafted
At most online sportsbooks, you can find options for several NFL Draft bets including the first player drafted at each position. To find this section click the NFL tab and find a tab for “First Pick by Position” then view the odds listed below.
Teams early in the first round primarily needing offensive line help include:
- Seattle Seahawks (No. 5)
- Las Vegas Raiders (No. 7)
- Atlanta Falcons (No. 8)
- Chicago Bears (No. 9)
- Philadelphia Eagles (No. 10, No. 30)
NFL Draft: 2023 OL profiles
Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State
Johnson came out of high school as a consensus five-star prospect. He played inside at guard and moved to tackle in 2022 once a spot opened up. At 6-foot-6, 315 pounds, Johnson moves extremely well. He’s a prototypical offensive tackle prospect for the modern NFL. He’s also hailed a future starter at left tackle – not something bestowed on every tackle coming out of college – by multiple scouting sources.
The Steelers met with Johnson and a couple other Ohio State teammates over dinner ahead of the Buckeyes’ Pro Day. He also met with the Packers and Buccaneers at the Combine, though all three teams would likely have to trade up to land Johnson.
Tied teams: Raiders, Titans, Jets
Peter Skoronski, OL, Northwestern
Skoronski consistently lists as “OL” despite being a three-year starter at tackle for Northwestern. Whether or not he should be, the rumor mill is ablaze with the possibility that a team slides him inside to guard. Skoronski can still very much succeed inside at guard and is a very intelligent football player. He excels in technique and versatility, a big allure for NFL teams.
Tied teams: Falcons, Steelers
Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia
Any team that gets the “leftover” of Johnson, Skoronski, and Jones will be very happy. Both players are comparable prospects, with Johnson separating himself a bit at the NFL Combine. Jones stands a little shorter, 6-foot-4, but is a true athletic specimen at tackle (he played basketball in high school!). He started at left tackle for Georgia in both of their National Championship seasons after being hailed a top-three tackle recruit. Don’t expect him to leave the top half of the first round.
Tied teams: Jets, Steelers, Eagles, Chiefs
John Michael Schmitz, OC, Minnesota
Few players rose as dramatically as Schmitz did at the Senior Bowl. Center isn’t a “premium” position in the NFL, but rare prospects like Schmitz move the needle enough to likely earn him a Day 1 selection. Per The Draft Network, he’s sturdy, fluid, and he processes information well. But, coming into the NFL at 24 years old (when many prospects come in at 21) may bump his draft stock slightly.
He had a top 30 meeting with the Steelers and Jets, and formal interviews with several teams including the Cardinals, Chargers, Commanders, Cowboys, Jets, and Seahawks. Schmitz also attended the Vikings’ Pro Day locally in Minneapolis.
Tied teams: Jets, Steelers, Vikings
Dawand Jones, OT, Ohio State
Dawand Jones already garners attention from his size. No doubt he’ll be one of the central focuses of the NFL Combine, with a real potential to skyrocket up draft boards. Jones boasts the longest arm span ever recorded at the Senior Bowl, adding to his 6-foot-8, 360-pound build. “Specimen” is truly the best word for Jones and NFL front offices will be clamoring to draft him, likely in Round 1.
Jones scheduled seven top 30 meetings, including with the Bengals, Browns, Colts, Eagles, and Steelers. Notably, the Browns don’t have a pick in the top two rounds.
Tied teams: Colts, Seahawks, Bengals, Eagles
NFL Draft OL history
Here is a list of the first offensive linemen taken in each NFL Draft going back to 2010.
| Year | Team | Player | College | Pick (No. overall) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Carolina | Ikem Ekwonu | NC State | 6 |
| 2021 | Detroit | Penei Sewell | Oregon | 7 |
| 2020 | NY Giants | Andrew Thomas | Georgia | 4 |
| 2019 | Cincinnati | Jonah Williams | Alabama | 11 |
| 2018 | San Francisco | Mike McGlinchey | Notre Dame | 9 |
| 2017 | Denver | Garrett Boles | Utah | 20 |
| 2016 | Baltimore | Ronnie Stanley | Notre Dame | 6 |
| 2015 | Washington | Brandon Scherff | Iowa | 5 |
| 2014 | St. Louis | Greg Robinson | Auburn | 2 |
| 2013 | Kansas City | Eric Fisher | Central Michigan | 1 |
| 2012 | Minnesota | Matt Kalil | USC | 4 |
| 2011 | Dallas | Tyron Smith | USC | 9 |
| 2010 | Washington | Trent Williams | Oklahoma | 4 |
NFL Draft odds, betting strategy, and trends
With more offensive linemen being on the field at once than any other NFL position on a typical play, they’re the most frequently-drafted players. Defense may win championships, but offensive lines get teams in the conversation. In recent years, we’ve seen explosive teams crumble to dust without an effective offensive line, most recently the 2021 Cincinnati Bengals and 2020 Kansas City Chiefs.