The Athletic’s Dane Brugler joined me to break down the 2026 OL class heading into the Combine — from top-ranked prospects to mid-tier value and late-round sleepers — with specific player-by-player takes throughout.
Free preview ends at 11:43. Full episode video is for paid subscribers. 🎧 Full episode audio is live on Apple Podcasts.
Paid subscribers also get the downloadable Notes Pack (PDF): a clean 2-page recap + Brugler vs Thorn board comparison you can reference during the Combine.
Key Takeaways
Why this class creates wide variance team-to-team (position drop-offs + similar grades).
The top OT/OG group: who has the safest floor vs the biggest ceiling bets.
Day 3/late-round OL profiles worth gambling on (traits, development arcs, role fits).
Timestamps
0:00 Intro + why now (Combine list week)
0:46 Big-picture class feel: my OL grades vs Dane’s board (top 50/top 100)
2:09 Why this draft is tough to rank (drop-offs, tight clusters, team need variance)
4:46 “True 1st-round” OL
6:10 How the top OL order could vary (scheme/value context)
Top OL: early-round targets
7:13 Spencer Fano: movement, balance through contact, run game weaponization
10:31 Utah context: heavy run scheme + projection/scheme fit questions
11:43 Francis Mauigoa: clean tape early, exposed late; tackle vs guard projection
Full timestamped outline + Notes Pack PDF available for paid subscribers below.
