Rookie IOLs with mettle to medal

Amid the Summer Olympics, the NFL season has officially begun with a full slate of preseason games. This is the time of year when the attention is typically on the skilled position players as fantasy football degenerates are fine-tuning their draft strategies to create a championship-caliber team.

Yet, there is a vital component that deserves a closer look: the imposing interior offensive linemen (IOLs) who provide their quarterback with protection up the middle and pave the way for RBs running in behind them. For this positional spotlight, there is an Olympic twist to how these IOLs rookie outlooks are ranked.

************************************

Note: Frank Cooney’s Hall of Fame series continues next week and features senior candidates mired in the abyss.

************************************

Gold medal winners

From the start of the season, these players are set in stone as the starters on their team’s depth charts. They will be expected to make an immediate impact from the very first snap.

GOLD MEDAL WINNERS

1. Zach Frazier: 6-2, 306

Draft: 2nd round, 51st overall, Pittsburgh Steelers

A three-star recruit and a four-time heavyweight state champion wrestler from Fairmont High School (WV), Frazier’s dedication and skill were evident from the start of his career at West Virginia. In his freshman year, Frazier made an immediate impact for the Mountaineers, playing in 10 games and logging nearly 630 snaps. Over the next three seasons, he continued to showcase his exceptional talent, accumulating almost 2,400 more snaps as a starter. His protection metrics were equally impressive: Frazier allowed 29 hurries, 17 quarterback hits, and five sacks, underscoring his formidable presence in anchoring the Mountaineers’ offensive line.

As he enters the NFL, Frazier seems poised to bring much-needed stability to the center position, a role the Steelers have been searching to fill since the retirement of Maurkice Pouncey in 2020. With his solid track record and proven skills, Frazier is expected to solidify the Pittsburgh offensive line.

2. Jordan Morgan: 6-6, 312

Draft: 1st round, 25th overall, Green Bay Packers

Morgan enjoyed a stellar career at Arizona, earning All-PAC-12 honors in a remarkable bounce-back season following an ACL tear in 2022. Initially listed as an offensive tackle for this year’s draft, he now faces a new challenge with the Packers: transitioning to guard. Moving inside may allow him to utilize his strength, so this move could make sense both for him and the Packers' offensive line.

3. Graham Barton: 6-5, 315

Draft: 1st round, 26th overall, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

During his college career with the Duke Blue Devils, Barton gained considerable experience as a left tackle, logging nearly 2,000 snaps and allowing 27 quarterback hurries, four quarterback hits, and 10 sacks.

The Buccaneers plan to leverage his explosive power and ability to excel in space by moving Barton back to the center position, where he played as a freshman in college. With his relentless drive to finish off blocks, Barton is expected to bring an edge to the Bucs' running game.

4. Jackson Powers-Johnson: 6-4, 284

Draft: 2nd round, 44th overall, Las Vegas Raiders

Powers-Johnson’s four seasons at Oregon were marked by a steady rise that culminated in a dominant senior season, when he became a unanimous All-American and clinched the prestigious Rimington Trophy, awarded to the best center in college football. His exceptional performance seems to speak to his readiness for the next level.

As part of their hopes this season to build a formidable running attack and do better at controlling the clock, the Raiders will look to insert Powers-Johnson as a starter at the right guard spot. His athletic prowess means he can be a force in space and out on the edge where he can overwhelm defensive backs.

5. Beaux Limmer: 6-5, 300

Draft: 6th round, 217th overall, Los Angeles Rams

As a member of the Arkansas Razorbacks, Limmer demonstrated impressive versatility by shifting from right guard to center during his senior year. Despite the intense competition of the SEC, he allowed only three sacks throughout the season. Off the field, Limmer earned a spot on the SEC Academic Honor Roll all four years.

His football IQ is also quite high, and the Rams expect him both to stabilize the offensive line on the field and bring leadership and accountability to the locker room,

Silver medal winners

Many of these players are also listed as starters on their team’s depth charts, but they might struggle with the level of competition they’ll face each week.

Hall of Football is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

SILVER MEDAL WINNERS

1. Christian Haynes: 6-2, 298

Draft: 3rd round, 81st overall, Seattle Seahawks

Haynes began his collegiate journey as a relatively overlooked two-star recruit, but his hidden talent soon became impossible to ignore. During his time at Connecticut, he defied expectations by starting 49 consecutive games at right guard, demonstrating remarkable consistency. His play earned him back-to-back Third-Team All-American honors, a testament to his development. Haynes' rise from an under-the-radar prospect to a standout performer spotlights his willingness to work on his craft. The Seahawks will welcome that kind of focus and resilience to the middle of their offensive line.

2. Isaiah Adams: 6-5, 320

Draft: 3rd round, 71st overall, Arizona Cardinals

Adams embarks on his NFL career following a journey reminiscent of Lewis and Clark's adventurous expedition, tracing a path through the diverse landscapes of Canadian and American football. His odyssey began at Wilfrid Laurier University in Ontario, where he showcased his talent before heading to Garden City Community College. His travels took him to Champaign, Illinois, where he joined the Fighting Illini and further sharpened his skills.

Adams currently finds himself behind seven-year veteran Elijah Wilkinson, who is set to become a free agent in 2025. With Wilkinson's future uncertain, Adams’ versatility becomes a crucial asset. His ability to adapt to multiple positions makes him ready to step in and fulfill a role at a moment’s notice.

3. Dominick Puni: 6-5, 313

Draft: 3rd round, 86th overall, San Francisco 49ers

For anyone familiar with the movie Greater, Puni’s journey to the NFL might seem familiar. Beginning as an unranked recruit at Central Missouri, Puni developed his talents at both guard and tackle over his four years with the Mules. He then transferred to Kansas, where in his final collegiate season he carved out a rep as standout run blocker and pass protector, earning First-Team All-Big 12 honors. Now, Puni is set for his ultimate transition—from an overlooked recruit to a standout at a Power Five program to an immediate starter for a Super Bowl-caliber team in his rookie season.

Bronze medal winners

These late-round picks will be tasked with stepping up and filling shoes as they compete against experienced veterans for meaningful playing time. Some may even have to adapt by learning new positions to secure the playing time they’re aiming for.

BRONZE MEDAL WINNERS

1. Brandon Coleman: 6-6, 317

Draft: 3rd round, 67th overall, Washington Commanders

Coleman entered college as a highly touted 3-star recruit with significant expectations as he joined the TCU Horned Frogs. Throughout his four-year tenure, Coleman alternated between right and left tackle positions before settling in as a left guard. This adaptability points to his readiness to contribute at positions across the offensive line. The one-time captain’s leadership on and off the field earned him a Second-Team All-Big 12 selection during his senior year. Coleman's versatility and leadership underline his readiness to make an impact at the next level.

The Commanders are set to capitalize on Coleman's versatility by assigning him the starting right tackle position. This move aligns well with the Commanders' strategy, especially after their significant investment in quarterback Jayden Daniels.

2. Sedrick Van Pran-Granger: 6-4, 310

Draft: 5th round, 141st overall, Buffalo Bills

Van Pran became a cornerstone of the Georgia Bulldogs' offensive line, becoming a starter as a sophomore and staying there for the rest of his career (43 starts). His durability and consistency were instrumental in the team's balanced offensive attack. His ability to block consistently both in the run and in pass protection give him a shot at sticking at the next level.

3. Trevor Keegan: 6-6, 324

Draft: 5th round, 172nd overall, Philadelphia Eagles

Keegan’s reliable play was instrumental in leading the University of Michigan to last year’s national championship. For his career, Keegan started 37 of 43 games, and in 1,230 pass-blocking snaps, he allowed 41 pressures and just three sacks. His outstanding performance earned him All-Big Ten honors in three straight seasons.

With Jason Kelce's retirement, the Eagles lost the cornerstone of their offensive line. They hope Keegan’s high football IQ, sound fundamentals, and championship pedigree bolster the team's depth up front. There is a chance he could challenge second-year player Tyler Steen for the starting left guard position.

Just missed the podium

These players are currently overshadowed by seasoned veterans with substantial contracts, which may make it challenging to see the field in their rookie year. However, they are expected to develop into strong NFL players once their opportunity arises.

Christian Mahogany: 6-3, 318 

Draft: 6th round, 210th overall, Detroit Lions

The Lions have assembled one of the league's top offensive lines and strengthened it this offseason by signing 12-year veteran right guard Kevin Zeitler from the Baltimore Ravens. This development creates a challenging path for Mahogany to secure immediate playing time. However, Mahogany brings significant upside and experience, having logged over 2,000 snaps at Boston College.

Zak Zinter: 6-6, 320

Draft: 3rd round, 85th overall, Cleveland Browns

The Browns have committed nearly $100 million to their interior offensive line, making it unlikely that Zinter, barring injury to a starter, breaks into the starting lineup this season Despite this, Zinter possesses the tools and experience to step in and contribute on short notice.

Mason McCormick: 6-4, 309

Draft: 4th round, 119th overall, Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers have continued to focus on reshaping their offensive line in this year’s draft. A stiff competition awaits McCormick, as two other rookies and two established veterans reside ahead of him on the depth chart. However, his championship-caliber leadership will be a welcomed attribute to the Steelers’ locker room.

Tanor Bortolini: 6-4, 303

Draft: 4th round, 117th overall, Indianapolis Colts

Bortolini, finds himself buried on a Colts’ line that returns all five starters from last year. His road to seeing playing time will most likely have to wait a year until current starting center Ryan Kelly becomes an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.