2023 NFL Draft Big Board: Top 10 Offensive Tackles

The Bengals could address offensive tackle early in this year's draft.

The 2023 NFL Draft is just 24 days away! I'll be releasing my top 10 players at each position as part of an All Bengals Big Board series over the next few weeks. 

Let's start with offensive tackle since it's a need for the Bengals and a major talking point. Here are my top 10 tackles in the 2023 NFL Draft:

1. Paris Johnson Jr., Ohio State

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Johnson is the most plug-and-play, starter quality tackle in this draft and it isn't particularly close. His athleticism alone will allow him to perform at a high level early in his NFL career. 

On the technical side, he has very effective hand placement and doesn't often get too wide on blocks. He can get a bit high in his set, but his impressive play strength allows him to recover well and get back into position while handling pressure.

2. Broderick Jones, Georgia

Jones is now a back-to-back national champion as a left tackle and didn't show any regression this past season. He plays very strong and has impressive footwork in his pass set that allows him to adjust with the high level of competition that he's seen through his collegiate career. I'd like to see him track second level players better in space, but once he's locked on to a block, he's a very effective people mover and consistently drives through contact.

3. Darnell Wright, Tennessee

Wright is a startable prospect that didn't get much hype at the beginning of this draft cycle. He has consistent hand placement and a strong punch that helped him have success against top prospect Will Anderson Jr. 

He's very quick in his pass set and pairs that with being very patient with his hands. This makes him very hard to beat as a pass protector. 

Wright has also proven to be very effective at tracking and closing off second level defenders in the run game. He does need to learn how to extend better on pass rushers in order to widen the pocket.

Related: Bengals Address Trenches in Mock Draft 1.0

4. Peter Skoronski, Northwestern

Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Skoronski is an interesting prospect that could very well be the top offensive lineman in the draft. He's a very strong prospect and is an effective people mover in the run game. 

I do have concerns with his athleticism. His hands tend to start out wide and he can end up leaning into quicker edge rushers. His sound footwork allows him to stick with defenders and he can effectively work to regain inside control. His high ceiling is reflective of his ability to play guard or tackle at a high level in the NFL.

5. Warren McClendon, Georgia 

McClendon is a very underrated prospect in this draft class. He was a three-year starter for a very successful Georgia team and is also a back-to-back national champion. 

He is a very smooth operator and an effective pass protector as a right tackle. He has very patient hands and extends well on quicker rushers. His high motor makes him a threat in the run game against edge defenders or at the second level. I'd like to see him work on deeper sets in protection. The wider sets he used often in college could get exposed by NFL level edge players.

Warren McClendon (RT #70) is a top 5 OT in this class and you won't convince me otherwise. pic.twitter.com/mNNMw0KXRA

— Parker Blake (@ParkerBlake60) March 31, 2023

6. Dawand Jones, Ohio State

© Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

Jones is the best option in the second tier of this year's tackle group. His massive frame, paired with the athletic ability he shows on film makes him a very intriguing prospect.

He tends to depend on his size to help him win matchups. He uses his dramatic length very effectively and is able to expand the pocket consistently. Though he seems to have a weak punch, once he's attached to a defender, he shows a very high level of play strength and moves defenders with ease in the run game. A team that is able to clean up the technical side of his game could end up with a high quality player for a long time.

7. Matthew Bergeron, Syracuse  

While Bergeron was a left tackle at Syracuse, his best position may be right tackle in the NFL. He struggled to anchor against power rushers in college, but was a very effective run blocker. He moves his feet very well in both the pass and run game and paired that with his effective extension ability to be a high quality protector against speedier edge players. He's a lower floor prospect, but could develop into a quality tackle in the NFL.

8. Anton Harrison, Oklahoma 

Harrison is a strong and effective blocker in the run game, but leaves a lot to be desired as a pass protector. Oklahoma's offense doesn't do their tackles any favors, as they get very few "true" pass sets due to a high number of quick game or play action concepts. 

Harrison seems very slow out of his stance to his pass set. Once engaged with the defender, he showcases a very strong anchor and nice extension to keep pass rushers out of the pocket. Harrison has a decent floor, but I don't expect him to develop far past that level of production.

I'm not high on Harrison (LT #71), but boy does he have some impressive play strength... pic.twitter.com/T7sbi0ltAd

— Parker Blake (@ParkerBlake60) March 31, 2023

9. Jaelyn Duncan, Maryland 

Duncan is a quality prospect that will benefit from NFL level coaching. He plays with a good, wide, base and is a high level athlete. This allows him to mirror defenders very well and he is very good at staying square both in protection and at the second level. He has a tendency to reach for defenders at times, but has good hand placement and is athletic enough to compensate for putting himself off balance. While being a low floor prospect, Duncan has potential to develop into a quality starter in the NFL.

10. Carter Warren, Pittsburgh 

Warren is another prospect that has a low floor due to a lack of quality competition in college. However, he has the traits to develop into a quality starter. 

He's very patient and balanced in protection. Pair that with his above average athletic ability and you have a prospect with good developmental potential. Warren doesn't seem to have the trademark mentality of finishing blocks or aggressively attacking defenders, but is a very consistent and effective player.

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