Offensive tackles are expected to fly off the board in the 2024 NFL Draft. All 32 NFL franchises will attempt to upgrade their offensive line throughout the draft. The tackle position is arguably the richest position group in the entire class. Upwards of six offensive tackles are expected to be selected on night one.
Now that April has marked its exciting arrival, FanDuel recently released their updated betting odds for the first offensive linemen drafted. We've identified the odds-on favorite, underdogs worth backing, and other prospects with a legitimate opportunity to earn the honor. The top betting options are listed as follows:
Joe Alt (-250)
Taliese Fuaga (+380)
Olu Fashanu (+600)
JC Latham (+1300)
Amarius Mims (+4500)
Troy Fautanu (+4500)
THE FAVORITE AND MY PICK: JOE ALT
Notre Dame's Joe Alt is the most pro-ready offensive tackle in the class. A technically clean player, Alt is rarely beaten in pass protection or as a run blocker. Alt possesses an impressive physical stature that he pairs with strength and movement skills to project as an elite blindside protector at the next level. We're talking about a left tackle with annual Pro Bowl and All-Pro potential.
Alt could be an option as early as No. 4 overall for the Arizona Cardinals—the Los Angeles Chargers (No. 5) and New York Giants (No. 6) arguably need tackles as well. Alt is most commonly mocked to the Tennessee Titans at No. 7, which qualifies as the appropriate landing spot for the first drafted tackle.
THE NO. 1 CONTENDER: TALIESE FUAGA
FanDuel's oddsmakers list Oregon State's Taliese Fuaga as the second-likeliest player to be the first offensive lineman drafted. Fuaga has consistently risen up the ranks throughout the pre-draft process. The mammoth Fuaga is a 6-foot-5, 325-pound road grader.
Fuaga is a physical blocker with an aggressive mean streak that aims to punish opposing defenders in the run game. Fuaga tested extremely well at the NFL Combine for a man of his stature, displaying a 32-inch vertical and 9-foot-3 broad jump. The one knock on Fuaga is his 15th-percentile arm length and 25th-percentile wingspan. Fuaga may be viewed as an interior offensive lineman by some NFL general managers, which would likely lower his potential draft spot.
A WORTHY UNDERDOG: JC LATHAM
JC Latham is arguably the most physical blocker of any tackle in the 2024 NFL Draft class. That's quite the compliment given the amount of impressive tackles littered throughout all seven rounds. Latham possesses the prototypical size necessary at 6-foot-5 and 342 pounds to be a dominant tackle.
Latham has rare grip strength in his 95th-percentile 11-inch hands. Reps are effectively over when Latham latches on. Body mass, length, and strength make Latham a consistently dominant run blocker. In pass protection, Latham utilizes a terrific anchor to shut down power and shows quickness and athleticism to protect the edge.
Latham is a plug-and-play right tackle through and through. If the Chargers or Giants select the first offensive tackle, they have larger needs at Latham's right-sided position than the left. That makes Latham a worthy underdog.