More Potential Premium Round Offensive Linemen For the 2025 NFL Draft

As I wrote the other day, the Chicago Bears may be in the market for offensive linemen next spring. One way to acquire them is through veteran free agency, and the other of course is through the NFL Draft . Signing an offensive lineman in veteran free agency can be an expensive proposition, so the Draft becomes the best way to get quality linemen at a much lower cost per year.

On Wednesday, I wrote up six players who have the potential to become premium picks. Today, I'm adding a few more. Just a note: several college tackles will play guard in the NFL. It's not that they can't play tackle, but it's more about getting them on the field sooner, and that can be done at guard.

*Height, weight, and forty-yard dash speed are all estimated*Wisconsin Tackle

71 – Riley Mahlman – OT – 6074e – 320e – 5.16e

A third-year player with two years of eligibility remaining. Enrolled in 2021 and red-shirted, Started six games at RT in '22 and missed six because of injury. He was a fulltime starter in '23. In short, this kid is a player!!

He is a large man with long arms, and he really moves well for such a big man. Light on his feet, he can get to the second level and in space, and make productive blocks. The first play I watched (vs Iowa) he showed snap in his hips that few tall guys have. Very good balance and stays on his feet. Tries to be physical as a run blocker and always looks to finish. In pass pro, he has a quick set, can set wide to stop speed, and plays with good knee-bend to anchor. Has good feet, can mirror and recover vs counter moves. Good hand use with a strong punch and strong hands. Does a good job keeping his hands inside on a consistent basis. On the negative side, he can get tall at times, and when this happens, he can over-extend some but still stays on his feet. Overall, Riley should keep improving as he gets more experience. As good as he looked in '23, I expect him to look even better in '24. I can see this guy coming in and starting as a rookie at right tackle. At worst, he's a high Day 2 in the '25 Draft. Teams win with kids like this. He is a very typical Wisconsin OLineman in that he is big, strong, physical, and well-coached.

Ole Miss

61 – Diego Pounds – OT – 6060e - 330e -5.10e

A third-year player who transferred to Ole Miss from North Carolina. At Carolina he redshirted as a true freshman in 2022, then started in 8 and played in all 13 games in 2023. Transferred to Ole Miss in January.

In short, Diego has a chance to become a very good tackle. He has great natural size though he needs to tighten up his body a little. Very long arms. For such a big man he is very athletic. He's light on his feet, can change direction, slide and recover. In all areas where he needs some improvement, it can easily be done with good coaching and hard work.

In the run game, he shows some snap on contact and is able to get movement. Has the athleticism to get out into space at the second level and make a productive block. In pass pro, he needs to improve the angle of his pass set, but the quickness and agility are there. Has strong hands and does a good job keeping his hands inside. Flashes blocking wide speed but will falter at times because is set angle needs improvement. He plays with bend in the pass game and he isn't going to be bull rushed. Overall, Deigo is a young player with only 1 season of play time. He should keep improving and with his natural traits, and by the end of 2024, he could be one of the better tackles in the country. Easily a high Day 2 with upside to go higher if he improves the way I feel he will.

66 – Will Campbell – OT – 6054e – 320e – 5.00e

This will be Will's third season at LSU, and he has started every game since he walked on campus in January 2022 as an early enrollee. Easily the best tackle I have done to date for the 2025 Draft. He has all the tools needed to excel, Has great size and length, is both strong and explosive, and he's a really good athlete. In the run game, he comes off the ball quickly with snap and explosion in his hips to get movement. Takes good angles to the second level and can adjust to movement in space. In pass pro he sets quickly and makes things look easy. Has very good feet and lateral agility, shows a strong punch, keeps his back straight, and can mirror very well. He's a natural bender who doesn't give ground vs bull rushes. Overall, this player would have been a first-round player in the 2024 Draft and more than likely be the second tackle taken. If he keeps developing and plays close to the same level he has shown, he could very easily be a top 5 pick next April.

Arkansas Tackle

55 – Fernando Carmona – OT – 6050e – 322e – 5.10e

A fourth-year player, he played three years at San Jose St., stating the last two at left tackle. Was a redshirt in 2021. Transferred to Arkansas in January.