Arizona’s offensive line has lacked a true tone-setter capable of consistently winning at the point of attack and holding up against elite edge defenders. For Utah's Spencer Fano, his experience against physical Big 12 fronts and his advanced technical foundation make him an appealing option for a team seeking immediate competence with long-term upside. The question now is whether Arizona views Fano as a top-three caliber lineman or a slightly safer, high-floor alternative to the more toolsy tackle prospects in the class.
Let's dive into the tape.
Utah OT Spencer Fano 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report
Notes:
Height: 6054
Weight: 315
Recruiting: Four-star recruit. Top-15 offensive tackle nationally in the 2023 recruiting class.
Positives:
- Highly polished technician with advanced hand placement and timing. Wins reps with leverage and footwork. Allowed just six pressures on 382 pass pro snaps on 2025.
- Strong, wide base allows him to anchor consistently against power rushers. Rarely walked back into the pocket.
- Plays with excellent balance and body control. Stays square to rushers and recovers well when initially beaten.
- Physical run blocker who generates movement on down blocks and thrives in gap schemes.
- Excellent football intelligence and awareness. Passes off stunts and blitzes cleanly.
- High-level competitiveness and toughness -- finishes through the echo of the whistle.
Fano is built for an offense that values physicality and efficiency over flash. He doesn't rely on overwhelming athletic traits, but his consistency, technique, and mental processing make him a dependable blindside protector.
Negatives:
- Does not possess elite length compared to top-tier tackle prospects. Can be challenged by long-armed edge rushers.
- Average top-end athleticism limits his effectiveness in wide-zone schemes.
- Lacks the sudden recovery burst of more explosive tackle prospects.
- Ceiling may be viewed as solid-to-very-good rather than truly elite.
Fano’s limitations are largely tied to athletic upside rather than functional effectiveness. While he may not test as a rare athlete, his reliability and technique give him one of the higher floors among tackles in the class. Teams now must decide how much they value polish versus prototype traits at the very top of the draft.
Spencer Fano NFL Player Comparison: Charles Cross
Like Cross, Fano wins with technique and elite footwork. Both players entered the league with questions about power, but have the traits to stymie the most nuanced and explosive pass-rushers in football.
Spencer Fano NFL Draft Grade: Day 1 Selection
Offensive tackles with Fano’s refinement usually succeed early in their NFL career. While he may not have the raw upside of some elite trait-based prospects, his readiness and reliability make him a strong candidate as a Day 1 pick whether that's at No. 3 overall, or later on night one following a potential trade back.