The offensive tackle class in the 2026 NFL Draft is a curious one. There is talent at the top of the draft, with roughly seven or eight tackles who should be drafted early, followed by a potentially severe drop-off. That, itself, isn’t the most curious aspect of this class, however.
Utah right tackle Spencer Fano is usually considered one of the top two offensive tackle prospects in this year’s class. He has the traits to be one of the most athletic players at a traits-heavy position in the NFL. The
question has been raised, however, whether offensive tackle is Fano’s best position. There are some who believe he could be a good tackle, but a great center — assuming he can learn to snap the ball.
The New York Giants signed Jermaine Eluemunor to a three-year contract to man their right tackle position, while center John Michael Schmitz is entering his fourth year and has improved each year of his career. And yet, the Giants brought Fano in on a “30” visit.
Did they want a closer look at an intriguing player? Is he a realistic target for them in the first round? Or do they believe an NFC East rival could be targeting him and want to know a future foe?
Prospect: Spencer Fano (55)
Games Watched: vs. UCLA (2025), vs. Texas Tech (2025), vs. West Virginia (2025)
Measurables
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Strengths
Best traits
- Athleticism
- Movement skills
- Pass protection
- Run blocking
Spencer Fano is an athletic and versatile offensive tackle prospect.
He has a good frame and solid mass for the position at 6-foot 5 ⅝ inches, 311 pounds, but is a truly excellent athlete. Fano moves more like a basketball player than a football player despite his size.
Fano has effortless lateral movement and is easily able to mirror speed off the edge, as well as redirect to block the B-gap, pull, work up to the second level, or make blocks on the move in space. He is a very good pass protector with the athleticism to match almost any pass rusher he’ll see at the NFL level, as well as good-enough footwork to anchor against power as long as he’s playing with good leverage.
Fano is a versatile run blocker who can execute man-gap or zone blocks, though his athleticism lends itself more to zone blocking schemes – or to being a puller in a man-gap scheme. He was primarily Utah’s right tackle, however he has some experience on the left side. He was often used as a left tackle or jumbo tight end on the left side on running plays in short-yardage situations.
Weaknesses
Worst traits
- Arm length
- Technique consistency
- Balance
Fano’s single biggest weakness is his arm length, or lack thereof. Fano’s 32 ⅛ inch arms are below average for an offensive tackle and significantly below ideal for the position.
His lack of length shows up in a few areas of his game, but most notably when he doesn’t play with great hand technique. Fano has a tendency to “clap” or “hug” defenders, with his hands coming low and wide, landing on the outside of defenders’ framework. That only magnifies his length issues, as it allows defenders into his chest plate and lets them control the rep. That can either cause Fano to lunge at defenders to try to make up the difference, or he can have balance issues when engaged with a defender who’s able to control him.
Fano winds up on the ground or hopping to regain his balance entirely too often for a top tackle prospect, and it often comes when he fails to engage with good hand usage.
Game Tape
(Fano is the Utah right tackle wearing number 55.)
Projection
Spencer Fano projects as a starting offensive lineman at the NFL level and a first round selection.
The biggest question may be where Fano ultimately plays in the NFL. His arms could come in well below teams’ thresholds for a tackle, and his athleticism might not be enough to compensate against NFL defenders. However, some teams did request that he snap the ball at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine. It’s possible that his best position could be inside at center.
Fano would be tall for a center, but not egregiously so, and his athleticism would be a boon at a position that demands great athleticism to snap the ball and position to engage a defensive lineman almost instantly. Moving to center would lessen the impact of his arm length, while also making him one of the most athletic players in the League at a position where angles and leverage are vitally important.
Fano will be one of the first offensive linemen selected, the only question is where he lands.
Does he fit the Giants? Unlikely
Final Word: A first-round pick
