Mike Farrell Sports

College Football Recruiting, Opinion, and Analysis

Building a Dream Offensive Line From the 2024 Combine

A perfect offensive line from the 2024 combine would include Joe Alt and Taliese Fuaga as tackles.

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By Alec Nederveld

The NFL Combine’s final day showcased a deep and talented offensive line class. Many guys will make an impact in the NFL, and these guys combined would anchor an elite offensive line for years to come.

Left Tackle

Joe Alt

Coming into the weekend, Joe Alt was already seen as an early first-round pick and either the best or second-best lineman in the class. Alt performed just as expected and showed why he’s so highly rated. His footwork was pristine and looks very pro-ready.

The two-time All-American turned in a fantastic physical performance, running a 5.07 40 at a monstrous 6’8 5/8″, 321 pounds. Alt also topped offensive tackles at 7.31 seconds.

Left Guard

Cooper Beebe

Twice named the Big-12 Offensive Linemen of the Year, Cooper Beebe continued his great college career in Indianapolis. Beebe has played both left tackle and left guard, although at 6’3″ 322 lbs with 31 1/2″ arms. Even then, he’s on the smaller size for that position although I believe he’ll make it work.

The Kansas State prospect’s biggest criticism was being slow out of his stance. He proved doubters his doubters wrong with a good 5.03 40 and 1.75 10-yard split. He especially mirrored well and all around had a good session of fieldwork.

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Center

Jackson Powers-Johnson

Jackson Powers-Johnson is a monster who is rarely seen playing center. Like Beebe, he’s a fantastic run blocker and is about the same size as him. Checking in at 6’3, 328″, Powers-Johnson is massive for his position. The Rimington Award winner, given to the country’s best center had (to my knowledge) the only pancake of the combine. 

A knock that can be given to Powers-Johnson is his lack of athleticism. While that’s fair, he still turned in a 32″ vertical, good for 15th of 53 linemen. Still, the Oregon center shined and further cemented himself as one of the best linemen in the class and could go to the Dolphins at pick 21.

Right Guard

Christian Haynes

The UConn prospect is one of the most experienced in the class and showed what he can do. Christian Haynes has started 49 games for the Huskies at guard and in over 2,400 snaps only gave up three sacks, five QB hits, and 19 hurries. 

The two-time third-team All-American had a great senior bowl and continued that here. On Sunday, Haynes tied Beebe with a 5.03 40 and 1.75 10-second split and leaped even higher at 33″. He’s nearly the same size as the Kansas State guard, although with 2″ longer arms, a big deal for linemen. A two-time third-team All-American, Haynes also tested well like Beebe. I especially liked his pass set and short pull execution. 

Right Tackle

Taliese Fuaga

While not having the strongest testing results, Taliese Fuaga looked fantastic during drills. Fuaga moved incredibly smoothly and was especially great in the mirror drill. The former Oregon State Beaver was compared to Bryan Bulaga, who has a similar physical profile and started 122 games over his NFL career.

While it didn’t show up without competition, the 6’6″ 324 lb tackle is also an aggressive blocker and has good hands. A multi-year starter in college, Fuaga has a bright future and while a little overlooked, would bookend the other side of the offensive line.

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