NFL combine: Concerning measurements could weaken an already thin NFL draft group

NFL draft prep will continue for another month and a half but the OT group has some concerns

In preparation for the NFL draft, the idea that “everything/nothing matters unless it does” sounds simple and oxymoronic but there is just a lot of truth to it. Does quarterback’s hand size matter? Only if they can’t push the ball down the field or fumble a lot. Does it matter that we don’t have agility drill information on a lot of the running backs (because the hips don’t lie!)? Sure, until we either do or don’t get it coming out of their Pro Days.

Arm length for offensive tackles has long joined hand size as an overblown conversation. That doesn’t mean it doesn’t matter, however. When the Cleveland Browns were set to draft OT Joe Thomas, the now-Hall of Famer had “only” 33.8 inch arms which concerned quite a few people.

We all know how that worked out but that doesn’t mean arm length doesn’t matter.

This year’s NFL draft offensive tackle class was already lacking in both high-end prospects and depth before the NFL combine measurements came out. The 2025 Consensus Big Board had just five tackles ranked in the top 30 and only two more within the top 50.

OT Will Campbell out of LSU sits at the top of the list for many but his measurements in Indianapolis set off alarms:

The short arms and small wingspan percentiles, even for guards, are shocking.

Texas OT Kelvin Banks, the second overall tackle in the class, also had short arms but could overcome that with a much longer reach than Campbell:

Campbell’s short wingspan is “unheard of” for tackles in the NFL.

There is a bit of perspective to note about measurements at the NFL combine this year. Compared to the Senior Bowl and Shrine Bowl, everyone is measuring in smaller:

Somehow, it is a problem for all the “top OT prospects” as none had at least 34” arms, the standard most believe is the minimum required for a good tackle in the NFL.

The list of longest arms measured for tackles this year is not full of known names for most (Big Board Ranking in parentheses for context):

• Rutgers Hollin Pierce (153) – 36”
• Iowa St. Jalen Travis (174) – 34 7/8”
• Miami Jalen Rivers (172) – 34 7/8”
• William & Mary Charles Grant (Unranked) – 34 6/8”
• Alabama A&M Carson Vinson (Unranked) – 34 4/8”

While the tackle class could take a hit, the guard group could be joined by a number of the guys that are very good but may not measure up at tackle. Many of the best guards in the game were moved from outside to inside:

We saw Joe Thuney, a great guard, struggle at left tackle against a great pass rush in the Super Bowl. Thuney’s lack of length (32 1/4” arms) was one of the biggest reasons he was moved inside. Tackles need to have not only other skills but also arm length and wingspan to allow them to control pass rushers and recover quicker when they get beat.

Given the arm length and wingspan measurements coming in from Indianapolis, the guard position could see a significant influx of talent this year. For teams like the Browns, who have a need for offensive tackles (now and in the future), this year’s draft might disappoint.

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Much like our question about hand size for QBs, what do you think about arm length for offensive tackles?