Get ready for the O-line takeover of the 2026 NFL draft.

The league is desperate for help in the trenches. Supply, for so long, has not matched demand.

13 linemen were drafted in the first two rounds a year ago. We could easily see that topped this year, following a highly explosive testing performance at the combine.

Explosive testing, measured by the vertical and broad jumps, really matters — as noted in this article from four years ago. Consistently the best offensive linemen in the league are typically explosive athletes. It’s why, for the last decade, we’ve used our own formula to measure explosive traits.

The ideals are a 31-inch vertical and a 9-0 broad jump.

So how does this year compare to last?

Players jumping a +31-inch vertical in 2025: 22
Players jumping a +31-inch vertical in 2026: 22

Players jumping a 9-0 broad in 2025: 20
Players jumping a 9-0 broad in 2026: 20

The numbers are identical.

The difference is, the numbers above for 2025 include pro-day workouts. The 2026 numbers do not. So there is every chance this will be a more explosive O-linen group than a year ago. For example, Miami’s Francis Mauigoa didn’t do anything at the combine but a big pro-day performance is expected.

With options limited at other positions and a lack of premium quality across the board, don’t be surprised if the league collectively goes to the O-line well.

I will calculate the TEF scores for the class when we get the bench-press numbers tomorrow.

Before I get into the on-field notes, this could influence the Seahawks.

I know a lot of the fan base see it as a priority to replace Anthony Bradford. I don’t see this as a major, glaring need. The Seahawks have added young, scheme-fit linemen who can challenge Bradford in camp. They will retain five starters who helped them win a Super Bowl and consistency on the line is critical.

However, it’s at least possible that the Seahawks don’t trade the #32 pick and are presented with the need to make a selection. It’s not unrealistic that their best option, based on grade, will be an offensive lineman in that spot. Or, alternatively, fast forward to round two and they are presented with a decision to make at #64 with the O-line being a grading fit.

The point is — there’s every chance this class will push the Seahawks towards an early pick on the offensive line.

Here are all the combine linemen who scored a +75 grade for zone-blocking in 2025:

Emmanuel Pregnon — 93.0
Keagen Trost — 91.6
Beau Stephens — 89.5
Brian Parker — 89.4
Travis Burke — 88.7
Austin Barber — 87.1
Gennings Dunker — 86.6
Evan Beerntsen — 85.3
JC Davis — 83.9
Kadyn Proctor — 83.6
Carver Willis — 81.8
Jake Slaughter — 81.7
DJ Campbell — 81.2
Sam Hecht — 79.8
Spencer Fano — 79.4
Matt Gulbin — 79.2
Keylan Rutledge — 77.4
Garrett DiGiorgio — 77.3
Fernando Carmona — 76.8
Blake Miller — 76.6
Ar’maj Reed-Adams — 75.8

Several players on this list performed well today and could be on Seattle’s radar.

So on to my thoughts from the day…

Gennings Dunker could be a serious option for the Seahawks, possibly as early as #32. I thought his tape was fantastic. He jumped a 32.5-inch vertical and a 9-0 broad at 319lbs. His frame is really well put together — his weight in proportion, a thick lower body. He showed some agility by running the third fastest short shuttle (his 4.63 topped Spencer Fano’s 4.67). Only his Iowa team-mate Logan Jones (4.59), who is 20lbs lighter than Dunker, and Keyland Rutledge (4.54) ran a faster shuttle.

His base is so thick and powerful and he showed how that enables him to keep his movements controlled in the wave. On the long pulls he moved very well and drew praise from the on-field coaches. On the short pulls he looked like a runaway beer truck, flying out of his stance and getting on the move with force in his progression.

I thought Dunker had the best kick-slide rep. He created ideal depth on his drop and his movements were sudden and explosive. He was one of the few linemen to deliver a jarring punch to the bag. Everything was controlled.

His mirror drill was performed at a slight angle and the coach leading the drill should’ve corrected that. Yet this was also a great example of how his legs and arms work together to create easy shifts from left to right. Even when he was just blocking air, you could see how physical and imposing he looked compared to the others. This is a dude.

The NFL Network kept comparing his physical profile to Brandan Scherff. I appreciate this is mainly because they both went to Iowa — but there’s very little separating them in terms of size and athleticism. Scherff’s short shuttle (4.57) was even only 0.06 seconds faster.

Here’s my write-up on Dunker:

One of my favourite linemen to study in 18 years of doing this blog. It’s been comical to see the internet nit-picking him at the Senior Bowl or looking at the tape of the game after he suffered a grade-two MCL tear, played anyway, but didn’t move that freely when zone blocking.

He showed two years of consistently good tape. He can be nasty as a finisher when given an opportunity and I like that. Dunker shows huge power on contact and is able to control blocks with brute force.

He can flow down the line to create cut-back opportunities for the running back. He blocks well on the move even when tasked with striking defenders at awkward angles. He loves to dump opponents on their back and then plaster them on the ground.

When he blocks square-on he is a people-mover in the running game. He can get out on the move, latch on to a target and control using his length which is impressive — 34-inch arms with a 6-5, 320lbs frame and big 10-inch hands. This is what an O-liner is supposed to look like — thick lower body, powerful upper body, long arms.

His combo blocks are sharp and effective. He’s very comfortable reaching up to the second level and knocking a linebacker out of position. His initial punch on contact carries violence. He keeps his feet moving on contact and drives through his blocks well.

His feet move well enough on kick-slide to protect at tackle if you want to keep him there. I think he’ll be a red-zone dynamo in the running game. He can handle counters (spin moves, inside counter) and he consistently executes his blocking assignment.

Dunker seals the edge for outside runs and he re-sets his feet to block off any edge penetration on inside runs.

I do get some of the complaints. He’s not Grey Zabel running to the second level or on pulls. That’s why he isn’t going to be a top-20 pick. Let’s not go overboard though and suggest he can’t play zone. He can.

He clearly loves the game and has a classic O-lineman personality. This is the kind of player I want on my football team. I think he can play right tackle but he’d be an excellent guard. Testing will determine his upside but I can’t see him failing at the next level. He might not be an elite interior lineman but I doubt he’s going to make you rue taking him. For me he’s a top-45 pick.

As a player who admits he’ll be kicking inside in the NFL to play right guard, I think he has every chance to be a long-term, very productive starter. In a draft like this with so few attractive options in the late first round, I don’t know why you wouldn’t consider Dunker.

His zone-blocking grade, explosive traits, size and length, mentality, personality fit and classic Iowa-training for the NFL give you a great chance to come out of this draft with a long-term starter. That is really all you can hope for in the 2026 draft, such as it is.

Seahawks fans should be taking Dunker very seriously. He might not be flashy. He might not excite the masses, or have everyone hyping him up online. Players like this create foundations for success though. Sometimes these very solid O-liners are easy to identify and yet the league — somehow — overlooks them.

Elsewhere, Spencer Fano confirmed why he is going to be a very high pick. He ran a 4.91 and added explosive testing with a 31-inch vertical and a 9-3 broad. Yes, he has short arms (32 1/8) and that will likely mean he has to kick inside to guard. So what? He’ll be an excellent guard. He was noticeably more athletic to the other linemen during on-field drills with his speed and ease of movement jumping off the screen. He is a different level of athlete.

Parker Brailsford had some incredible testing numbers — jumping a 9-10 broad to go with a 32.5 inch vertical. A 4.95 forty isn’t a surprise given he’s only 289lbs. He has a ton of potential as a zone-blocking center. He is certainly someone worth considering later on and he’ll have a shot to start in the league one day. His wave drill and long pull were excellent with good burst and an easy change of direction.

Max Iheanachor could easily go in round one and he just looks the part out there. He’s 6-6 and 321lbs but carries the weight well. He ran a 4.91 and jumped a 30.5 inch vertical and a 9-7 broad. He has smaller hands (nine-inches) but there’s every chance that when the run on O-liners starts, he’ll be included in the top-32. He looks muscular and athletic.

Chase Bisontis looked very solid across the various pulling drills. His frame is classic for a guard and his explosive testing was decent, jumping a 32.5 inch vertical and an 8-9 broad. There was a lot of control in his movements and he ran a 5.02 at 315lbs. He has nearly 10-inch hands but his arms (sub-32 inches) will be an issue for some.

DJ Campbell looked like a monster. Along with Micah Morris and Jaeden Roberts, these were three ‘get off the bus first’ types. Campbell has good zone-blocking grades (81.2) and I look forward to studying more of his tape. He moved well for his huge frame but his explosive testing was poor, including a 26.5 inch vertical.

Brian Parker really stood out to me from the second group. He moved very well, transitioned from left to right with ease and he was excellent on the long and short pulls. He was so quick out of his stance and sprinted down the line. His punch could’ve been stronger on the kick-slide but his footwork and athleticism, plus the depth of his drop, were good. He could’ve let loose a bit more on the mirror and everything was a bit too controlled but he had an excellent day. He’s another very underrated player — jumping a 9-1 broad but opting not to do a vertical.

Caleb Lomu crossed his feet on the wave but otherwise performed very well. He ran a 4.99 and will likely get serious attention in the top-20. He jumped a 32.5 inch vertical and a 9-5 broad. He moved brilliantly on his kick-slide and he had a great mirror. Lomu should be able to stick at left tackle with 33.5 inch arms.

Emmanuel Pregnon had some stiffness in his movements and it’s peculiar that he has PFF’s top zone-blocking grade because he’s not an obvious, natural fit for the scheme. I liked his footwork on the wave drill though and his control on the pulls. He’s also extremely explosive — jumping a 35 inch vertical and a 9-3 broad. He ran a 5.21 at 314lbs and he has massive 11-inch hands. His mirror drill felt a bit restricted.

Kadyn Proctor’s session was a little bit all over the place. His massive 6-7, 352lbs frame didn’t always want to play ball with the quick changes of direction and he lost balance a couple of times. However, you can see he’s a decent athlete. He ran a 5.21 which is good for such an enormous human and managed a 32.5 inch vertical and a 9-5 broad. He will go in round one.

Logan Jones’ testing results were good but not what they needed to be for his size. He was noticeably smaller than everyone else. Logan Taylor had a good drill session with group two I thought, while Keylan Rutledge moved well for his size.

On Rutledge, he could be a strong alternative to Dunker. He has a tough playing demeanour and loves to finish his blocks. His 4.54 short shuttle at 6-4 and 316lbs speaks to his athleticism. He also ran a very good 5.05 forty and jumped a 32.5 inch vertical. He has 33 1/4 inch arms and big 10-inch hands. He’s a good zone-blocker, played right guard for Georgia Tech and would likely be available at #64.

I also thought Diego Pounds had a strong day during drills and Jake Slaughter had the best mirror drill of the day.