FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in February. Here’s a look at Florida offensive tackle Austin Barber.
2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Austin Barber
Austin Barber (OT – Florida)
6-foot-6 | 314 Pounds
Background
Austin Barber was a three-star recruit who played sparingly in 2021 before starting five games the following year, all at right tackle. He played on over 655 snaps that season, allowing just one sack and 16 combined sacks + hits + pressures (1-16), before flipping over to left tackle the following year (nine starts). He’s played left tackle for the past three seasons. Barber allowed 5-16 in 2023, 2-13 in 2024 and 2-17 in 2025.
Positives
Barber has over three years of starting experience in the SEC between left tackle and right tackle. Well-built and looks the part. Plays with physicality and toughness; competitive temperament should appeal to line coaches. Fires out of his stance low and with some explosiveness; works hard to compete in the leverage battle. Relatively mobile, scheme/assignment-versatile player in the run game, who has the short-area quickness to chip and climb, or get out in space and line up opponents.
Barber keeps his legs going after contact and is capable of generating some push, especially when he gets into an opponent’s outside shoulder. Shows good effort to stick with blocks through the whistle. Looks patient in his pass sets, showing good commitment to his form when defending the edge against speed, with adequate lateral quickness to mirror and good lightness in his feet. Looks comfortable handling power, with an early anchor. Has some power to his punch to jolt defenders on contact, and likes to initiate contact. Active with his hands and does a good job of resetting.
Negatives
The Florida tackle seemed to struggle when matched up against most of the high-profile rushers he played against. Overall snap-to-snap consistency leaves something to be desired. Has waist-bender tendencies, as his aggression can get the better of him; length may also be a bit less than you’d like despite his solid overall size, so pre-draft measurements could be important.
Butler lowers his head into contact, which leads to whiffed blocks. His ability to sustain looks to be average, at best. He has some tendencies to fall off blocks, potentially because of length issues or average grip strength. Has been relatively penalty-prone, having been flagged on 29 occasions.
Summary
A three-year starter with a physical, competitive temperament, solid mobility and above-average functional strength, but whose aggressive style of play (and possibly a lack of ideal length) led to issues with consistency.
Butler has tendencies to lunge/waist-bend and, as a result, whiffs or falls off blocks more often than you’d like. Looks more like a tackle on the hoof, and that’s where his collegiate experience has come. However, I wonder if he’d play better on the inside, where his game seems like it might fit well.
Projection: Round 4
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