NFL insiders expect a surge of up to nine offensive linemen in Thursday night's first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, starting around picks 10-14. Analyst Gregg Rosenthal projects Pittsburgh Steelers selecting versatile Utah OT Spencer Fano at No. 21, while Todd McShay predicts the run—especially on tackles—will cause top wide receivers to slide.
NFL Draft braces for offensive line run. NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported a consensus among teams for an OL surge in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh. In a post on X, Schultz wrote, “One thing that seems like a consensus among teams is that an OL run is going to happen on Thursday night, likely starting in the 10–14 range. I’ve had over a dozen executives tell me that in their mock simulations, they’ve had as many as nine OL go in Round 1.”
Teams like the New York Jets, Arizona Cardinals, New York Giants, Cleveland Browns, and Kansas City Chiefs may go OL early, followed by the Miami Dolphins, Dallas Cowboys, and Baltimore Ravens in the 10-14 range. First-round locks include Francis Mauigoa, Spencer Fano, Monroe Freeling, Kadyn Proctor, Olaivavega Ioane, Blake Miller, Caleb Lomu, Max Iheanachor, Keylan Rutledge, and Chase Bisontis.
Steelers target Fano amid OL needs. Pittsburgh, picking 21st, could struggle to land a top lineman without trading up. The Steelers have questions at left tackle (Broderick Jones recovering from neck injury, Dylan Cook unproven) and left guard (Isaac Seumalo gone; Spencer Anderson and Brock Hoffman as options). Fano's versatility—experience at both tackle spots and projection inside—fits perfectly. He ranks No. 2 among OL and 11th overall on Mock Draft Database.
On the NFL Daily podcast, Gregg Rosenthal predicted: “I have the Steelers taking Spencer Fano, tackle, guard from Utah... athleticism, maybe moving inside. Broderick Jones is a guy at left tackle that they maybe need to replace.”
WRs could slide. Analyst Todd McShay, on The Herd with Colin Cowherd, foresaw heavy tackle selections (potentially seven tackles, two guards) pushing receivers down: “I do think the wide receivers in general could slide a little bit because there’s so much need for offensive tackle.” Prospects like Makai Lemon, KC Concepcion, Omar Cooper Jr. (Indiana), and Denzel Boston (Washington) might fall to late Round 1 or Day 2, aiding teams like the Steelers.
