Trench Warfare

Brandon Thorn
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In-depth discussion and insight into the world of OL/DL play with Brandon Thorn and guests from around the football world. trenchwarfare.substack.com

  1. 2026 Pre-Combine OL Overview: Top Prospects, Mid-Tier Value, Late Sleepers (with Dane Brugler)

    3 GG FA

    2026 Pre-Combine OL Overview: Top Prospects, Mid-Tier Value, Late Sleepers (with Dane Brugler)

    This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit trenchwarfare.substack.com The 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 Takeaways Why 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). Timestamps 0:00 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 targets 7:13 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 outcomes Next tier + developmental tackle bets 23:12 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 struggles Interior OL: guards/centers with payoff 42:41 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 matter Popular name vs film reality 54:01 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 reactions 57:47 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

    12 min
  2. The 2025 NFL Offensive Line All-Pro Teams — and our Top 3 Protector of the Year Selections

    2 GEN

    The 2025 NFL Offensive Line All-Pro Teams — and our Top 3 Protector of the Year Selections

    This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit trenchwarfare.substack.com Each 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 Timestamps 00:00 – 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 usual 05:20 – 1st Team All-Pro: Left Tackle08:35 – 2nd & 3rd Team: Left Tackle 14:50 – 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

    29 min
  3. Special episode recapping key trench matchups from Week 1 with Terron Armstead

    11/09/2025

    Special episode recapping key trench matchups from Week 1 with Terron Armstead

    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 front Commanders LT Laremy Tunsil vs. Giants edge-rushers Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux and Abdul Carter Lions RT Penei Sewell vs. Packers edge-rusher Micah Parsons Titans LT Dan Moore vs. Broncos edge-rusher Nik Bonitto If 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

    26 min
  4. Trench Warfare Podcast with special guest Commanders O-Line coach Bobby Johnson

    17/06/2025

    Trench Warfare Podcast with special guest Commanders O-Line coach Bobby Johnson

    This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit trenchwarfare.substack.com Commanders 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 covered The legacy of NFL coaches from Ohio The value of being able to coach the defensive line early in his coaching career at Akron Understanding fronts, coverages, rotations and how to think like a defensive lineman How coaching tight ends at the collegiate and pro level furthered an understanding of coverages as it relates to blocking schemes Unpacking the unique skill-sets of Marcedes Lewis and Lee Smith What “tough and smart” means in a practical sense and why it is vital for the offensive line Some epic examples of these traits from Lee Smith, Dominic Raiola, Jon Feliciana and Matt Slauson Unpacking “Making it easy for us and difficult for them” as a coaching philosophy Evolving as a coach and the constant pursuit of improvement Leadership 101: Accentuating the strengths of your players and minimizing the weaknesses Specific examples of how coach Johnson has done that during his career Diving into coach Johnson’s affinity and proximity to players with legendary toughness and their value to the room Coach Johnson’s strategy for communication to the players in Washington that helped lead to them developing cohesion and chemistry throughout the season Drawing on prior experiences and relationships to coach each playe

    38 min
  5. Trench Warfare Podcast with special guest Bills O-Line coach Aaron Kromer

    30/05/2025

    Trench Warfare Podcast with special guest Bills O-Line coach Aaron Kromer

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

    21 min
  6. 2024 OL All-Pro Teams with Duke Manyweather

    01/01/2025

    2024 OL All-Pro Teams with Duke Manyweather

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

    15 min

  7. 31/10/2024

    2024 Midseason OL All-Pro Teams and more with Duke Manyweather

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

    1 h 6 min

  8. 23/10/2024

    Trench Report - Week 7

    This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit trenchwarfare.substack.com Topics covered this week Eagles OL with multiple backups dominating (a bad Giants run defense) in the run game Frank Ragnow dominating Harrison Phillips Terron Armstead & Aaron Brewer as run blockers The Chiefs elite, tier one interior trio Arizona’s dynamic run game Amarius Mims Tristan Wirfs brilliance Graham Barton putting on a show against very good competition Spencer Brown’s developmental journey Jared Verse is a menace The Titans problematic right tackle position 49ers concerns on the interior defensive line Tyron Smith’s over reliance on his outside hand getting him into trouble again Texans continued issues at center/left guard and potential fixes The Giants dramatic drop-off at left tackle without Andrew Thomas + a possible answer Panthers’ bottom-feeder defensive line Video version:

    44 min
Elenco completo (31)

Descrizione

In-depth discussion and insight into the world of OL/DL play with Brandon Thorn and guests from around the football world. trenchwarfare.substack.com

Informazioni

  • Creatore
    Brandon Thorn
  • Anni di attività
    2024 - 2026
  • Puntate
    31
  • Classificazione
    Contenuti espliciti
  • Copyright
    © Brandon Thorn
  • Sito web del podcast
    Trench Warfare

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