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2026 Shrine Bowl: 5 intriguing offensive linemen for Chiefs draft

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The 2026 East-West Shrine Bowl is set to kick off Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. Arrowhead time, broadcast on NFL Network. Both the East and West squads have been busy practicing this past week in preparation, and showcased their abilities in front of scouts and the media.

The Kansas City Chiefs will need offensive line depth in the later rounds of the draft, and the Shrine Bowl serves as a good spot to identify talent.

The Arrowhead Pride staff had boots on the ground in Frisco, Texas, last week, and a few of the offensive linemen stood out.

1. Brian Parker, Duke


Parker played at both right and left tackle during his time at Duke, but after talking with him, he revealed that he would be playing center exclusively at the Shrine Bowl.

Duke OL Brian Parker II made every career start at RT/LT but will be taking snaps at center exclusively for the duration of the Shrine Bowl.

"If you want to draft me at tackle, draft me at tackle, or bump me inside to center or guard, this is what I am here to show this week."

— Caleb James (@CJScoobs) January 23, 2026

Measuring 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing 306 pounds, Parker is slightly undersized to play along the offensive interior. Still, his movement abilities can be maximized by a team that utilizes a zone blocking scheme as well as blocking in space.

The Chiefs do not need a starter at any spot along the interior offensive line, but Parker has proven to be a versatile player and quick learner, and would have good value as a backup when first entering the league.

This was a good double team rep from Brian Parker and Joe Cooper. I like how Parker was able to take over the block and get his head around to end the play.

The DT Dontay Corleone is no slouch either. pic.twitter.com/VoTMGH9BPv

— Caleb James (@CJScoobs) January 26, 2026

For not taking snaps at center since high school, Parker appeared to be gaining comfort, and having positional versatility will boost his draft stock.

2. Aamil Wagner, Notre Dame


One of the standouts from the early practice sessions was Notre Dame tackle Aamil Wagner. A two-year starter in college, Wagner wasted no time showing off his game.

Great recovery from Amail Wagner. Gives up his chest a little bit early, but fights to reset and re anchor. pic.twitter.com/mU30jQevSc

— Caleb James (@CJScoobs) January 23, 2026

Standing 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighing 306 pounds with longer than 34-inch arms, Wagner is a little bit on the lighter side for an offensive lineman, but he makes up for it with solid athletic ability and long arms.

Wagner projects to be a swing tackle early on in his career, and through the course of practice, he seamlessly transitioned from left to right tackle.

Solid snap from Amail Wagner. pic.twitter.com/uYhcu5GsWf

— Caleb James (@CJScoobs) January 23, 2026

A smooth mover, Wagner fires out of his stance comfortably, locks on, and fights to anchor himself to finish the play. He will need to work on his striking ability, but his build and movement skills should have the Chiefs interested in pursuing him later on in the draft.

3. Caden Barnett, Wyoming


One of the risers of the week has been the Wyoming standout. Barnett played tackle during his time at Wyoming, but will look to slide to the interior in the NFL. This week at Shrine Bowl practices, he lined up primarily at right guard.

Caden Barnett with the good lateral quickness and strong hands to stop the pass rush. pic.twitter.com/uHuQN7L6VR

— Caleb James (@CJScoobs) January 26, 2026

A heavy-handed brawler, Barnett has advanced hand-fighting skills, and with a strong base, he was able to anchor himself down and win pass protection snaps.

Barnett had a fist fight in a phone booth style, and he was not shy when I asked him about the mentality an offensive lineman has to have in the NFL.

I asked Wyoming OL Caden Barnett what his favorite part of playing OL is.

"The physicality, I love moving a grown man against his will from point A to point B. I'm a mauler."

His favorite play is power, he likes "running through someones face".

Football guys football guy

— Caleb James (@CJScoobs) January 23, 2026

At just a hair under 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing 316 pounds with 32-inch arms, Barnett is a hair undersized and will likely be a reserve early on in his career. However, if he can continue to string together more solid performances, he will have a chance to be drafted and develop into an interior swing player. The Chiefs need depth along the interior, so he will be a player to keep an eye on for Day 3 of the draft.

4. James Neal III, Iowa State


Starting his college career at Independence Community College in Kansas, Neal eventually found his way to Iowa State, where he lined up all over the line of scrimmage during his college career. As a Senior, he started every game at left tackle, and this is where he found himself at for Shrine Bowl practices.

Good pass pro rep from James Neal III. Plays the spin well and runs his man up the arc. pic.twitter.com/DSEpZvVcH5

— Caleb James (@CJScoobs) January 26, 2026

Neal is a good athlete, along with a stature of 6 feet 4 inches tall and 322 pounds with nearly 34” long arms; he profiles to play tackle or guard in the NFL.

He carries his weight well, and quick feet and a strong core help him to win pass-blocking snaps, while good bend and power transfer help him to root out defenders in the run game.

Neal comes from a downhill rushing offense at Iowa State, and he shared with me what his favorite play to run in college was.

James Neal III, OT from Iowa State, said his favorite play to run in college was a "duo scheme with a tackle pull". Said he "really liked to pull as a tackle".

He mentioned the best opposing player he faced was former KU edge and current Chicago Bear Austin Booker.

— Caleb James (@CJScoobs) January 23, 2026

Given his athletic profile, any play where Neal could pull to get into space would be a benefit for him. Athletic, moldable talent like Neal is what the Chiefs will be seeking in the late rounds of the draft and undrafted free agency.

5. Faialili Fa’amoe, Wake Forest


The All-ACC performer has looked solid in practice this week and is making a case to be drafted. At 6 feet 4 inches tall and 311 pounds with 33.68” arms, Fa’amoe projects more as a guard in the NFL, but his performance against other top competition at the Shrine Bowl should leave the door open for him to play right tackle at the next level.

Fa’alili Fa’amoe from Wake Forest had some nice snaps in pass protection. Good footwork solid base and core. Nasty finish. pic.twitter.com/z60RFQjsQm

— Caleb James (@CJScoobs) January 26, 2026

Fa’amoe has been solid in pass protection and shown a nasty streak as well. His fundamentals in pass protection have showcased an agile and quick tackle, with a good understanding of momentum and the angles needed to take away the defender’s ability to bend the arc.

His footwork and core are good for a tackle, but his hands are good as well. This combination should help him to climb up draft boards.

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...-shrine-bowl-5-offensive-linemen-chiefs-draft
 
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