The big uglies, offensive linemen, storm the field on the fourth and final day of the 2026 NFL Combine. While the Los Angeles Rams return all five starters, a stellar quintet at that, there are question marks behind them. The backups are an interior heavy group and the tackles in reserve are iffy, at best. With 10 linemen under contract, L.A. will need to add a minimum of five candidates to build out the roster for camp.
Two weeks ago, I wrote about versatile offensive line prospects and keeping with that theme, here’s three more of my own favorites that are participating in today’s Combine workout.
Center
Coleman Shelton returned to fold after a season in Chicago, he’s started 60 straight NFL regular-season games, but will turn 31 in July and is in the last of a two-year deal. Dylan McMahon is the backup and has suited up once in two seasons in L.A.. The Rams offensive braintrust loves Shelton and although there is much cross-training amongst all the interior players, the unit could an infusion of new blood.
Matt Gulbin – Michigan State
Three-star recruit spent four seasons (one redshirt) at Wake Forest before transferring to Michigan State for his final year. Between the two stops, Gulbin started 34 of 51 games. As a senior, he was graded by Pro Football Focus as the #2 center in the FBS regular season (82.1) and #1 in run blocking grade (80.3).
Blocky build with a low center of gravity. Strong lower body sets a wide, balanced base and maintains a stout anchor against bullrush. Arms appear short and it shows up when extending against the pass rush. Strike has jolt although often late and wide, but his strong base allows him to recover. Phone booth mauler in the run game, driving players out of the hole. On the heavy-footed side, doesn’t explode off the snap, but dies have the feet to reach block and get to the second level off combinations.
Gulbin has good versatility with 12 starts in the pivot, 11 at left guard, and 11 on the right. He’ll need work to consistently clamp on to defenders, but has the requisite strength to rag doll them. I grade him into late Round 4, a developmental interior prospect with a mean streak.
Guard
Solid starting pair in Kevin Dotson and Steve Avila, although Avila has missed nine games and parts of two others over the last two seasons. Beau Limmer and Wyatt Bowles fill out the current room. Limmer slipped a bit as a sophomore, down to 55 snaps, after stepping up and starting 14 games as a rookie. Bowles had strong preseason, but was an afterthought on the practice squad.
Fernando Carmona – Arkansas
After a redshirt year, Carmona started every game of his college career, 49 straight. He started with 24 in two seasons at San Jose State and finished up with 25 at SEC Arkansas. He was a high school tight end and transitioned to the offensive line in that redshirt season.
At 6’5” 318 lb, Carmona shows a dense, blocky frame with adequate arm length (32 7/8”). Sneakily athletic, nifty feet give away his tight end past. Film shows him to be an easy mover on leads, pulls, and combinations. Adept at both gap/ power and zone run schemes. He strikes well in space and sustains blocks. In pass pro, sets solid anchor and is patient and accurate with his punch. Latches on inside and stays square to control rushers. Shows powerful swipe with his hands to keep defenders from clamping on. Fluidly switches off double teams to pick up work.
Played left tackle for three seasons and moved right guard for his last year at Arkansas, Named to the Senior Bowl and worked out at center. Solid film against top competition. Aggressive play style all the way through the whistle. I like this prospect and give him an early Round 4 grade, just on the cusp of the Top 100.
Tackle
Behind the two starters, Alaric Jackson and Warren McClendon, there isn’t much meat on the bone. AJ Arcuri enters his 5th season in L.A. without distinction and David Quessenberry was recently re-signed, but doesn’t offer much more than veteran status. The Rams will likely need two, maybe three more tackles to appropriately fill out the unit for camp and preseason.
Trey Zuhn – Texas A&M
Four-star prospect who turns 24 in October. Became a starter for the after his redshirt season, all told, he logged 50 starts for the Aggies. As a senior, his 96.8 pass blocking grade was the highest ever dished out by Pro Football Focus.
Experienced, agile prospect with stellar pass blocking skills. Pro frame with room for more. Probably a better fit into passing-based, zone rushing teams. Not an elite mover, but is fluid, both laterally and straight ahead. Technical player consistent with the fundamentals, showing nimble feet, solid, accurate strikes and good knee bend. Experience and football IQ shows when picking up stunts/loops, switching off, and understanding positioning to stay between defender and the ball. Will need play strength work, particularly lower body, and mass for the next level. It shows in his run blocking, he’s not ready to move NFL defensive linemen, even with his strong footwork and angles.
There are numerous reports suggesting that his arms won’t measure up to NFL standards and scouts want him to move inside. He’s had a few snaps at center and guard over his time at Texas A&M, so I don’t really know what position lies in Zuhn’s future, What I do know is that he can flat out block. He’s been a solid starting left tackle for a good program, against top competition. His durability and technical prowess gives him a high floor, I grade him as a tackle in late Round 3, a developmental prospect that, with some strength work, has a NFL starter ceiling.
Line em’ up!
After finishing his profile, I read that Matt Gulbin was not 100% from an injury he suffered in the Michigan State season finale and won’t be participating in today’s drills. Combine workout or not, I think he’s a viable mid/late interior prospect. Fernando Carmona has the best shot at plying right away with his physicality and move skills. Trey Zuhn is probably year of strength work away. He’ll need more sand if he ends up playing inside as a pro.
Who do you like on Day 4 of the NFL Combine?
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