6 Rings Prospect Preview: Offensive and defensive interior lines
The 2024 NFL Draft is now just four weeks away, and that means our week 6 Rings and Football Things podcast draft coverage is slowly coming to a close.
In our penultimate prospect preview, Andy Hart and I hit on the trenches this week – both offensive and defensive. You can watch it here:
And, in written form, here’s a look at my top five interior offensive and tackle prospects in the 2024 class. Let’s start with the offense:
Honorable Mentions:
– Dominick Puni, Kansas
– Christian Haynes, UConn
– Zach Frazier, West Virginia
– Mason McCormick, South Dakota State
– Troy Fautanu, Washington
No. 5 - Cooper Beebe, Kansas State
Kansas State’s Cooper Beebe was a four-year stater for the Wildcats, and has positional versatility at the next level having played both guard and tackle in college.
He’s your typical “road grader” at the position, but at 6-foot-4, 335 pounds is also a very solid pass blocker. Beebe’s game will translate to the next level.
No. 4 - Christian Mahogany, Boston College
A 6-foot-3 guard out of Boston College, Christian Mahogany was named to the All-ACC Second Team in 2021 and after missing the 2022 season due to a torn ACL, was named to the First Team this season.
Notably, Mahogany played some center at the East-West Shrine Bowl in January – showing off some potential positional versatility at the next level. Given David Andrews’ age and Cole Strange’s injury history, Mahogany could make sense in Foxborough next season.
No. 3 - Zak Zinter, Michigan
Arguably the interior offensive lineman with the most upside in the class, pretty much the lone reason Zak Zinter isn’t the No. 1 on this list is due to his season-ending injury when he broke his tibia in late November.
At 6-foot-6, 322 pounds, Zinter has the size to play at the next level, and with 42 career starts has the experience to as well. The 22-year-old was a Unanimous All-American in 2023 and earned First-team All-Big Ten honors in both ‘23 and 2022.
Zinter went to high school at the BB&N School in Cambridge, MA and told NESN.com this week that “Playing for [the Patriots]... would be awesome.” He continued: “Being there when (Tom) Brady was there and they’re winning Super Bowls and all that stuff. I’ve seen the culture, the city. The fan base is unreal. I’d be close to friends and all that good stuff. I think it would be pretty sweet to play for them, for sure.”
No. 2 - Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon
Jackson Powers-Johnson has become a household name among the draft world after putting on a show at the NFL Combine in February.
Though the rumor is that he’s renowned in the social media draft community far more than by scouts and front offices, the former Duck won the Rimington Trophy in 2023 as the nation’s top center and a 6-foot-3, 320 pounds has the size to be a difference maker in the league.
No. 1 - Graham Barton, Duke
Duke’s Graham Barton is technically an interior offensive lineman but like ‘24 class counterpart Cooper Beebe has positional versatility.
At 6-foot-5, 313 pounds, Barton has been considered by draftniks as a tackle at the next level – which will help his draft stock. He’s a high-floor player who will likely be a first-round pick come the end of April.
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And now to the defensive linemen…
Honorable Mentions:
– Mehki Wingo, LSU
– Darius Robinson, Missouri
– Eric Watts, UConn
– Myles Murphy, UNC
No. 5 - Kris Jenkins, Michigan
Kris Jenkins was a monster along the Michigan defensive line over the past two seasons, tallying 37 total tackles and 2.5 sacks in ‘22 and 54 tackles and two sacks in ‘23.
The son of a former NFL defensive lineman, Jenkins’ ability as a run stopper mixed with his athletic frame will make him a quality addition to any defensive unit. Showing an improvement as a pass rusher could turn him into an elite player at the next level.
No. 4 - Jer’Zhan Newton, Illinois
“Johnny” Newton out of Illinois is your typical “wins with strength” interior defensive lineman.
Though just shy of 300 pounds, 295 to be exact, the former Illini defender has shown the ability to move whatever’s in front of him to make the play. During his time at Illinois, Newton tallied 27.5 tackles for loss and 18 total sacks. He’ll be a difference maker on Sunday’s.
No. 3 - T’Vondre Sweat, Texas
While T’Vondre Sweat played five seasons at Texas, 2023 was without question his best.
This past season, the 360-pound freak was a Unanimous All-American, First-Team All-Big 12, the Outland Trophy winner, and the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year.
Sweat was arrested for DWI this past weekend in Texas, and has had to answer questions about partying in his past during pre-draft visits. The off-the-field stuff is what will likely affect his draft stock. Otherwise? He’s a first-round talent.
No. 2 - Braden Fiske, Florida State
After transferring from Western Michigan ahead of this past Braden Fiske made his mark on the ACC with Florida this past season.
A freak, explosive athlete at 6’3” 292 pounds, the former Seminole ran a 4.78-second 40-yard dash at the Combine in February and improved his draft stock further with quality numbers in various other tests.
In 2023, Fiske was named second-team All-ACC after notching 43 total tackles and six sacks.
No. 1 - Byron Murphy II, Texas
T’Vondre Sweat’s partner on the inside of Texas’ defensive line, and arguably the top defensive lineman in the 2024 class, is Byron Murphy II.
The Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year in 2023, Murphy put up 29 tackles and dive sacks for the Longhorns last season. He's lean at just 6-foot-0, 297 pounds, but has the strength and athleticism to get where he wants. Murphy is likely to be the first DT off the board.
Make sure to follow Mike on Twitter @mikekadlick, and follow @WEEI for the latest up-to-date Patriots and Boston sports news!
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