Execs, coaches, scouts rank top NFL offensive tackles for 2026 - ESPN

Jeremy Fowler Jul 11, 2026, 06:00 AM ET

Close Jeremy Fowler is a senior national NFL writer for ESPN, covering the entire league including breaking news. Jeremy also contributes to SportsCenter both as a studio analyst and a sideline reporter covering for NFL games. He is an Orlando, Florida native who joined ESPN in 2014 after covering college football for CBSSports.com.

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The 2026 NFL training camps are on the horizon, and with that in mind, ESPN surveyed league executives, coaches and scouts to help us rank the top 10 players at 11 different positions. This is the seventh edition of these annual rankings.

Here's how it works: Voters gave their own top 10 players at a position, then we compiled the results and ranked candidates based on the number of top-10 votes, composite average and dozens of interviews, with research and film study help from ESPN NFL analyst Matt Bowen as well as ESPN Research. More than 70 voters submitted a ballot on at least one position, and in many cases all positions. Additional voting and follow-up calls with those surveyed contributed to placements.

This was not a five-year projection or a career achievement award, but meant to answer a simple question: Who are the best players right now?

Our rollout schedule: running backs (July 6), cornerbacks (July 7), edge rushers (July 8), defensive tackles (July 9), tight ends (July 10), offensive tackles (July 11), interior offensive linemen (July 12), quarterbacks (July 13), off-ball linebackers (July 14), wide receivers (July 15) and safeties (July 16).

Offensive tackle is seen as a premium position, but you wouldn't know it by the pay scale. Five positions -- quarterback, wide receiver, edge rusher, cornerback and defensive tackle -- have at least one player making $31 million per year or more. Offensive tackle is just short of that, with Washington's Laremy Tunsil leading the group at $30.1 million and several others in the $28 million area.

Part of the issue is age. Many top-shelf players, some well above 30, are years out from their last contract. It will take young stars to change that.

Two of our top 10 offensive tackles here are still on rookie deals. In all, three players debuted on the list this cycle. The battle for supremacy once again featured two NFC stars in their primes, though a 37-year-old is also keeping himself in the conversation.

Here are the top 10 offensive tackles based on votes and input from league scouts, executives and coaches.

1. Penei Sewell, Detroit Lions

Highest ranking: 1 | Lowest ranking: 4

Age: 25 | Last year's ranking: 2

"He's still the most complete player at this stage -- physical, powerful, smart," a veteran NFL defensive coach said of Sewell.

Sewell took the top spot with consistency in the voting. Though he didn't dominate the first-place voting, he was living in the second- and third-place range, which improved his average in the composite total. And one NFC executive was blunt when describing Sewell's strengths as a player.

"He has the most 'f--- you' attitude plays in the league," the exec said. "Always brings the juice."

But even so, his 89.6% pass block win rate landed outside the top 40 offensive tackles last season. It was his lowest since his rookie year in 2021. Sewell is making the anticipated switch from right tackle to left tackle this season, and it will be something to watch.

"He's got short arms, and he doesn't win a lot in pass protection against real guys, just like everyone else," an NFL coordinator said. "But they pretend like he doesn't [struggle]."

2. Trent Williams, San Francisco 49ers

Highest ranking: 1 | Lowest ranking: Unranked

Age: 37 | Last year's ranking: 4

Williams is strengthening his Hall of Fame résumé with strong play into his late 30s. It's hard to knock his game. He finished the 2025 season with a 92.2% pass block win rate, and his run block win rate of 79.5% was best among the top-10 group and sixth overall for tackles.

"At this stage, it takes him a while to get going early in the season, but he's still producing at a high level," an NFL coordinator said.

Multiple scouts insist he's no longer the best due to age. But one NFC defensive coach disagrees. "I don't see a lot of drop-off -- he still operates without the need for any help in pass protection, he still mauls people, he's still got light feet for his size, still has the capacity to dominate," the coach said.

3. Tristan Wirfs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers