Trench Warfare

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit trenchwarfare.substack.comThe Athletic’s Dane Brugler joined me to break down the 2026 OL class — from top-ranked prospects to mid-tier value and late-round sleepers — with specific player-by-player takes throughout.Key TakeawaysWhy this class creates wide variance team-to-team (position drop-offs + similar grades).The top OT/OG group: who has the safest floor vs the biggest ceiling bets.Day 3/late-round OL profiles worth gambling on (traits, development arcs, role fits).Timestamps0:00 Intro + why now (Combine list week)0:46 Big-picture class feel: your OL grades vs Dane’s board (top 50/top 100)2:09 Why this draft is tough to rank (drop-offs, tight clusters, team need variance)4:46 “True 1st-round” OL: your 3 vs Dane’s 14 total 1st-round grades6:10 How the top OL order could vary (scheme/value context)Top OL: early-round targets7:13 Spencer Fano: movement, balance through contact, run game weaponization10:31 Utah context: heavy run scheme + projection/scheme fit questions11:43 Francis Mauigoa: clean tape early, exposed late; tackle vs guard projection14:31 “Maximized at guard” vs “survive at tackle” (Zack Martin-type framework)16:37 High-variance tackles with upside: Proctor / Lomu / Freeling18:57 Proctor: elite traits vs technique/discipline; positional leverage theme21:06 Why his current pass-pro style may not translate at 350+ (must dictate reps)22:39 Lomu + Freeling: youth, development runway, projection outcomesNext tier + developmental tackle bets23:12 Markel Bell (Miami): size/length profile + path to starting25:39 Dane’s view on Bell: just outside top 100 + Senior Bowl context29:25 Arm-length discussion + historical comps (Dawand/long-arm database)31:33 Late bloomer theme (Aamil Wagner example)32:02 Max Iheanachor (Arizona State): late-to-football profile, upside vs readiness33:12 How high is too high to draft a developmental tackle?36:45 Day 3 darts: Isaiah World / Diego Pounds / Crownover38:34 Crownover: Senior Bowl helped; why he rose for you39:10 Aamil Wagner (Notre Dame): swing tackle path; traits/length/“lose slowly” profile41:48 Penn State OL disappointment; Drew Shelton note; Bowery’s Senior Bowl strugglesInterior OL: guards/centers with payoff42:41 Chase Bisontis (Texas A&M): strength profile + movement/processing upside43:12 “Strongest player he’s ever coached” quote + what shows/doesn’t on film46:13 Bisontis: leverage/technique vs recovery skills; why his ceiling is intriguing48:24 Two upside guards: Keylan Rutledge (GT) + Billy Schrauth (ND)49:06 Schrauth: leverage/power/athletic traits; health is the swing factor50:47 Rutledge: brawler temperament; Senior Bowl versatility reps (incl. center)52:16 Rutledge medical backstory + why Combine checks matterPopular name vs film reality54:01 Gennings Dunker: personality buzz vs stiffness/limitations; likely guard projection56:21 Why NFL teams will still like him (mentality, hands, communication)Late-round interior favorite + Combine list reactions57:47 Oklahoma IOL (Febechi Nwaiwu): walk-on story, processing, center projection59:45 Combine invite list: surprises + notable omissions (Rucci, others)1:02:05 Wrap + value of the Combine for finishing evals1:03:06 End + tease upcoming draft player interview

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit trenchwarfare.substack.comEach year, Duke Manyweather and I put together our NFL Offensive Line All-Pro teams — 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Team — and for the first time in 2025, our Protector of the Year Award selections.This show represents the culmination of another season spent studying the position full-time: grinding film, trading daily notes, and working to quantify what actually shows up on Sundays.Our goal is simple — do right by the offensive line. Put in the work, shine a light on the position, and elevate the players who truly define it.We take the process seriously. And we still have a lot of fun doing it.Episode Timestamps00:00 – Welcome + framing the annual OL All-Pro show01:00 – All-Pro criteria: snaps, starts, and why thresholds matter03:40 – Why this year’s OL evaluations were tighter than usual05:20 – 1st Team All-Pro: Left Tackle08:35 – 2nd & 3rd Team: Left Tackle14:50 – Left Guard All-Pro Teams (1st–3rd Team)25:35 – Center All-Pro Teams (1st–3rd Team)36:20 – Right Guard All-Pro Teams (1st–3rd Team)44:50 – Right Tackle All-Pro Teams (1st–3rd Team)~58:00 – Protector of the Year Award (Top 3)~64:30 – Final thoughts + season wrap-up

Former Saints and Dolphins LT Terron Armstead has a new YouTube channel and show titled ‘The Set’ airing every Monday and Thursday this season. Terron asked me to join him for a segment every Monday to recap key trench matchups of the week which I am very excited for. You can find this segment in video form airing every Monday on Terron’s channel beginning in Week 2.Here’s the backstory on why the Week 1 edition is airing here: After Week 1 we hit a snag in scheduling so I wound up recording the video for Terron to give his producer to edit and get up on his channel. Unfortunately, the audio did not match up with the video and since Terron only does video (for now) the file became unusable, until now. After realizing that the audio itself was uncorrupted and full of valuable insight and analysis, I asked Terron if I could post it on my channels which he graciously agreed to.That brings me to this episode. Terron is the host speaking as if this will be airing on his channel before we get into the good stuff:The three Tyler’s in Dallas (Guyton, Smith and Booker) against the Eagles frontCommanders LT Laremy Tunsil vs. Giants edge-rushers Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux and Abdul CarterLions RT Penei Sewell vs. Packers edge-rusher Micah ParsonsTitans LT Dan Moore vs. Broncos edge-rusher Nik BonittoIf you want to hear Terron and I break down key trench matchups all season make sure to go check out his channel here. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit trenchwarfare.substack.com/subscribe

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit trenchwarfare.substack.comCommanders OL coach Bobby Johnson has spent the last 15 years coaching the tight end and offensive line positions in the NFL. He is coming off of a stellar season in Washington where he, along with head coach Dan Quinn and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, joined forces as recently fired coaches who had never worked together to assemble a stunningly impressive 2024 campaign. The Commanders posted a 12-5 record and appeared in the NFC Championship against the eventual Super Bowl champion Eagles.Overview - Topics coveredThe legacy of NFL coaches from OhioThe value of being able to coach the defensive line early in his coaching career at AkronUnderstanding fronts, coverages, rotations and how to think like a defensive linemanHow coaching tight ends at the collegiate and pro level furthered an understanding of coverages as it relates to blocking schemesUnpacking the unique skill-sets of Marcedes Lewis and Lee SmithWhat “tough and smart” means in a practical sense and why it is vital for the offensive lineSome epic examples of these traits from Lee Smith, Dominic Raiola, Jon Feliciana and Matt SlausonUnpacking “Making it easy for us and difficult for them” as a coaching philosophyEvolving as a coach and the constant pursuit of improvementLeadership 101: Accentuating the strengths of your players and minimizing the weaknessesSpecific examples of how coach Johnson has done that during his careerDiving into coach Johnson’s affinity and proximity to players with legendary toughness and their value to the roomCoach Johnson’s strategy for communication to the players in Washington that helped lead to them developing cohesion and chemistry throughout the seasonDrawing on prior experiences and relationships to coach each playe

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit trenchwarfare.substack.comOffensive line play has gotten more attention and credit over the last few seasons than anytime I can remember over the last decade of studying the position due to the unit’s repeated and undeniable impact on team success in the NFL. Naturally, getting to sit down and learn from Aaron Kromer, who has been one of the architects of great line play for ove…

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit trenchwarfare.substack.comDuke and I selecting our first, second and third-team All-Pro teams with detailed discussions on each player and landscape of the position

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit trenchwarfare.substack.comVideo version:

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit trenchwarfare.substack.comTopics covered this weekEagles OL with multiple backups dominating (a bad Giants run defense) in the run gameFrank Ragnow dominating Harrison PhillipsTerron Armstead & Aaron Brewer as run blockersThe Chiefs elite, tier one interior trioArizona’s dynamic run gameAmarius Mims Tristan Wirfs brillianceGraham Barton putting on a show against very good competitionSpencer Brown’s developmental journeyJared Verse is a menaceThe Titans problematic right tackle position49ers concerns on the interior defensive lineTyron Smith’s over reliance on his outside hand getting him into trouble againTexans continued issues at center/left guard and potential fixesThe Giants dramatic drop-off at left tackle without Andrew Thomas + a possible answerPanthers’ bottom-feeder defensive lineVideo version:

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit trenchwarfare.substack.comTopics covered this weekTrent Williams unmatched physical prowessRashawn Slater’s dominant return to the lineupTristan Wirfs’ dominant performance against the SaintsPatrick Mekari/Daniel FaaleleJackson Powers-Johnson’s aggressive demeanor and flashes of power continue to be notableSam Cosmi’s ascension and standout game against Nnamdi MadubuikeAndrew Thomas vs. Trey HendricksonDion Dawkins vs. Michael ClemonsSeattle’s disastrous right sideNick AllegrettiRoger RosengartenBlake Fisher, Juice Scruggs & Kenyon Green strugglesTaliese Fuaga’s repeated struggles in pass protectionAdding context to Joel Bitonio and Zack Martin’s struggles in Week 6Adding context to the Cowboys struggles on the OLAmarius Mims’ underwhelming startTyron Smith’s struggles

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit trenchwarfare.substack.comPlayers discussed:LSU OTs Will Campbell & Emery Jones Jr.Texas OTs Kelvin Banks Jr. & Cameron WilliamsOhio State LT Josh SimmonsOhio State LG Donovan JacksonMinnesota LT Aireontae ErseryArizona RT Jonah SavaiinaeaAlabama LG Tyler BookerGeorgia RG Tate RatledgeOregon OTs Josh Conerly Jr. & Ajani Cornelius

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit trenchwarfare.substack.comA rundown of my weekly film study with a focus on the best/worst performances and adding context to each selection, including level of competition, outside factors & moreTopics covered this weekCam HeywardZach Frazier vs Grover StewartQuinn Meinerz on double-teamsVikings pass protection planCody Mauch vs Jalen CarterJackson Powers-Johnson first startRonnie StanleyJC LathamBears pass protection plan vs RamsAdding much-needed context to the performance of the Commanders O-lineJared VerseWanya MorrisAmarius MimsKenyon GreenEagles O-line without Lane JohnsonSaints interior OL

Topics covered this weekChris Lindstrom vs. Chris JonesQuenton NelsonWill FriesZach FrazierZion JohnsonBroncos DLJC LathamDion DawkinsSpencer BrownRams rookie DL Verse/FiskeBrandon ColemanSaints OL moving forwardBrowns OLChargers OL/Slater (pec) & Alt (MCL) getting hurtBucs OGsTitans right side of OLCody WhitehairBengals IDLAndrew ThomasTrue Pressure Rate introduction/methodology/overview This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit trenchwarfare.substack.com/subscribe

A rundown of my weekly film study with a focus on the best/worst performances and adding context to each selection, including level of competition, outside factors & more This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit trenchwarfare.substack.com/subscribe

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit trenchwarfare.substack.comA rundown of my weekly film study with a focus on the best/worst performances and adding context to each selection, including level of competition, outside factors & more

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit trenchwarfare.substack.comAndrew and I sit down to discuss his journey from a former top five pick to experiencing rookie struggles to becoming an All-Pro. We go into how he overcame a lack of confidence in a chaotic environment, having five line coaches in his first five seasons as a pro, how he watches film, which tackles he studies, pass-rushers and more.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit trenchwarfare.substack.comHjalte & I discuss his unique journey, breakout season in 2023, facing Dexter Lawrence, DJ Reader, the Cardinals scheme, expectations moving forward and more

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit trenchwarfare.substack.comOregon O-Line coach A'lique Terry joins Brandon to have a wide-ranging discussion on his football journey from playing center at Wake Forest before focusing on his path into coaching as a graduate assistant at Oregon in 2019-2020 when Penei Sewell and other future NFL draft picks were there. We then get into his one year of coaching D-Line with the Minnesota Vikings before circling back to being hired as the head OL coach at Oregon prior to last season.A'lique shares details and insight into his rapid rise and success as a coach, what he looks for in O-Line recruits and how he identifies, moving into the Big Ten this season and much more.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit trenchwarfare.substack.comWelcome everyone to the second annual offensive line fantasy draft with myself, Andrew Whitworth and Geoff Schwartz sitting down to each select our starting five units with one special ‘25 & under’ addition as our top backup. These units were picked for the next three seasons and with salaries as a consideration.As we begin to approach training camp for the 2024 NFL season each off-season I have found value in taking a big picture look at the offensive line position from a few different vantage points. From my annual top 75 overall O-linemen, OL Almanac (both coming over the next few weeks) to a fantasy draft, these exercises offer fun, insightful and unique ways of gauging the position group as a whole entering the season while also allowing room for deep dives into the nuances of players and units.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit trenchwarfare.substack.comIn the first ever Trench Warfare D-Line fantasy draft, myself, Nate Tice from Yahoo! Sports and NFL defensive end Carl Lawson selected our front four unit with two additional ‘rotational’ players to build out our ideal D-Line room. The goal was to draft a unit for the next three seasons while taking contracts into consideration. We dove into the best defensive linemen in the NFL and some up-and-coming guys that provide surplus value due to their age and/or contracts.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit trenchwarfare.substack.comBrandon Thorn and Duke Manyweather discuss OL current events before selecting the top 5 OL at each position for 2024. Larry Allen's death Corey Linsley's retirement Eagles RG competition + expectations for Cam Jurgens first year at center Addressing a recent PFF top 10 OG list before selecting each of our Top 5 LTs, LGs, Cs, RGs, & RTs for the 2024 season, including our top 10 overall OGs For more Trench Warfare and OL/DL analysis: Instagram: / brandonthornnfl / thebigduke50 X: / brandonthornnfl / bigduke50 Facebook: / brandon thorn football scouting and evaluation YouTube: / brandonthornnfl

Brandon sorts through each team in alphabetical order and discusses every OL that he evaluated and was drafted. He shares his thoughts, takeaways and expectations for the player. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit trenchwarfare.substack.com/subscribe

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit trenchwarfare.substack.comIn addition to the deep dive on the O-line class that Duke and I put together for you here, my first batch of scouting reports from this class were released today over at Bleacher Report as part of our updated top 100 big board. There were 19 total OL in the top 100 with nine blockers inside the top 30.Reports published so far:Penn State’s Olu FashanuNotre Dame’s Joe AltAlabama’s JC LathamWashington’s Troy FautanuDuke’s Graham BartonWest Virginia’s Zach FrazierGeorgia’s Amarius MimsOregon State’s Teliese FuagaArizona’s Jordan MorganVideo podcast:

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit trenchwarfare.substack.comFull video version:

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit trenchwarfare.substack.com

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit trenchwarfare.substack.comGeoff Schwartz and Duke Manyweather join Brandon Thorn to draft their O-line units for the next three seasons. The considerations are simple: Age & contract of the player + performance. They each provide background and rationale behind each selection while incorporating bigger picture topics all centered around line play.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit trenchwarfare.substack.com

Brandon shares his notes, observations and key takeaways from the 6th annual OL Masterminds summit. He recaps the Legends panel featuring Andrew Whitworth, Steve Hutchinson, Will Shields, Bruce Matthews, Robbie Tobeck, Damien Woody and Richie Incognito before sharing insight from Lane Johnson, Terron Armstead and more current players.Lastly, he shares stories from dinners, exclusive video and more. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit trenchwarfare.substack.com/subscribe

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit trenchwarfare.substack.comOL Masterminds founder Duke Manyweather and NFL.com's Lance Zierlein join the show to break down our favorite day 3 OL prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft. What does a successful day 3 pick along the OL typically look like? How do you determine what position a guy can/can't play? And what is Duke's 'secret sauce' for developing OL? We cover that and much more during this wide-ranging discussion about OL evaluation with a focus on the 2023 class.Follow Brandon on Twitter: @BrandonThornNFLFollow Duke on Twitter: @BigDuke50Follow Lance on Twitter: @LanceZierleinSubscriber to the Trench Warfare Newsletter: https://trenchwarfare.substack.com/

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit trenchwarfare.substack.comDuke and I discuss the most impressive offensive line units in the NFL, which lines are surprising us and letting us down the most and break down many of the players within those groups. We also draw on some metrics such as pass attempts, sacks taken, QB time to throw, play-action percentage and more to help paint a comprehensive vie…

Each year that we get together for OL Masterminds, I think back to the inaugural event in 2018 when we had 27 total people show up to the state of the art Baylor Scott and White Sports Therapy and Research Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas.We first met in a classroom on the second floor of the facility. Duke Manyweather and I set up chairs and did early morning coffee runs prior to everyone showing up. It required us to adapt as we went over that first weekend and do what we could to make the guys comfortable. We even had to move the classroom portion on the last day to the Lincoln Experience Center down the road. I remember working with the staff there to figure out how we would seat everyone and having to help set up video equipment at the last minute so we could watch film.This year’s Masterminds featured over 200 people in attendance with a heap of sponsors and the entire ground floor of the Baylor Scott and White facility dedicated to the event. Looking back on that first event to see where it is now makes me realize how much the event has grown and how fortunate I am to have been a part of this since its inception. I am truly grateful for my role at Masterminds, the relationships that I have built and for Duke including me in putting it all together each of these past five years.This year was the fifth annual event and the first time where we had Hall of Famers like Willie Roaf and Steve Hutchinson join us. We also had Hall of Fame-caliber former players join us for the first time in Mark Schlereth and Willie Anderson, plus returning guest Olin Kreutz. The bulk of the crowd consisted of current NFL linemen, along with some of the game’s top offensive line coaches and dozens of high-quality college prospects mixed in. They were all looking to learn more about the position and pick up something to help them prolong and enhance their careers.This podcast recaps detailed notes that I took from some of the speakers and my observations before having one of those distinguished guests in Olin Kreutz join me to share his main takeaways. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit trenchwarfare.substack.com/subscribe

With the NFL Draft set to kick off in just over a week, I asked The Athletic’s Dane Brugler, one of the premier draft analysts in the business and someone I regularly discuss prospects with, to join me on a podcast. As Dane said in the opening of this podcast, this sort of conversation is one we’ve had almost daily on various prospects and evaluation methods, so it was mostly us peeling back the curtain for everyone else.Chances are if you are reading this you have heard of Brugler’s tremendous draft guide “The Beast,” but you may not know how highly I regard his eye for evaluating the offensive line. I started reading his work several years ago and was impressed with how detailed yet succinct and accurate he was with identifying what linemen did well in his scouting reports. Since then, we have developed an awesome relationship where we can exchange ideas and share and compare notes.I wanted to kick off this discussion by talking about Iowa center Tyler Linderbaum, who is the most interesting valuation in the class for a variety of different reasons to me. We dug deep into our personal evaluations of Linderbaum, how we project him, where we see his value being highest and other pertinent layers of what seems to be one of the most polarizing players in the class.From there we branched off in a few different directions before getting to an exercise I dubbed ‘Building an O-line” where we alternated picking one lineman from round 1, two from rounds 2-3, and four from rounds 4-7 and the UDFA pool to give us a starting five with a key backup.Here are some additional topics we covered:* How much should age factor into an evaluation of a player and how do we each view that question?* Why it is important to not let past misses cloud our perception of current players, specifically when there are some surface-level similarities. Two examples are Linderbaum/Garrett Bradbury and Charles Cross/Andre Dillard.* Dane gives me several of his favorite day two and three targets from the O-line class and we each give an overview of how we view those players.* Why both Dane and I like Cole Strange, where we differ on his outlook and specific insight I was able to obtain during my film room with Strange earlier in the week.* Why UTSA OL Spencer Burford is one of my favorite day three prospects in the class.* A couple prospects we are most heavily split on and why.* When we built our O-line’s, what factors were most important to us and why?Look out for another podcast dropping later this week for subscribers only; my second and final pre-draft podcast with Duke Manyweather. If you missed our first discussion, we covered well over a dozen prospects in this class here. We will dive deeper into some day two and three prospects on this next podcast, revisit the Linderbaum discussion, conduct our own 'Build the O-line’ experiment, and cover many other topics. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit trenchwarfare.substack.com/subscribe