Miami right tackle Francis Mauigoa landed in the first round of ESPN analyst Field Yates’ preseason 2026 NFL mock draft, slotted to the Arizona Cardinals at No. 14 overall. Yates cited Mauigoa’s 6-foot-6 frame and noted the junior made life easier on Cam Ward. The fit, Yates added, aligns with Arizona’s looming need at right tackle with veteran Jonah Williams headed for free agency next March.
The cornerstone lineman has looked NFL-ready since arriving from IMG Academy as a five-star in 2023. Mauigoa has been an O-line staple his first two seasons at right tackle, earning second-team All-ACC recognition in 2024 while helping the Hurricanes’ offense surge.
"Throughout the predraft process this year, I often linked offensive tackles to the Cardinals. That need will likely only grow next year, given that veteran right tackle Jonah Williams is going to be a free agent in March. Mauigoa has played right tackle in each of his first two college seasons, boasting great 6-foot-6 size, nimble feet and immense power that all project well to the NFL level. He made life easier on Cam Ward in 2024, not allowing a single sack over 13 games. Could he have a similar impact on Kyler Murray?"Field Yates
The projection pairs Mauigoa with Kyler Murray, and Yates’ blurb reads like a checklist of what pro evaluators want. If his 2024 pass-protection form holds — again, Yates wrote he didn’t yield a sack — Mauigoa profiles as a plug-and-play guy for an NFL team looking to keep its franchise quarterback upright.
Also, Pro Football Focus ranked Miami among the nation’s top offensive lines entering 2025 and labeled Mauigoa its No. 2 offensive tackle in college football. Mauigoa has been named to several preseason award watch lists and landed on the Associated Press Preseason All-America second team.
Of course, August mocks are tough as Yates prefaced his board by reminding readers how much can change before April. But, it should be safe to say Mauigoa will hear his name called on night one of the 2026 NFL Draft.
1st Round Offensive Lineman per Field Yates
- OT Spencer Fano (Utah) goes No. 7 to the Las Vegas Raiders
- OT Austin Barber (Florida) goes No. 12 to the Cleveland Browns (via Jacksonville Jaguars)
- OT Francis Mauigoa (Miami) goes No. 14 to the Arizona Cardinals
- OT Jude Bowry (Boston College) goes No. 23 to the San Francisco 49ers
- OT Kadyn Proctor (Alabama) goes No. 24 to the Cincinatti Bengals
- OT Isaiah World (Oregon) goes No. 30 to the Kansas City Chiefs
- OT Blake Miller (Clemson) goes No. 31 to the Philadelphia Eagles