Delby Lemieux wasn’t supposed to be part of the early draft conversation. For most of the cycle, he’s been viewed as a late-round flier or even a priority free agent, with concerns about his pass protection technique holding him back. But as the process has unfolded, that narrative has started to shift. Evaluators are taking a closer look at a profile that exceeds the initial projection.
That shift picked up momentum after a strong pre-draft run, highlighted by his Senior Bowl performance and eye-catching testing numbers. Suddenly, the traits, production, and versatility are harder to ignore, especially for teams prioritizing athleticism on the interior. What once looked like a developmental depth piece is now trending toward a legitimate mid-round target with room to climb.
Delby Lemieux Emerges as Intriguing Interior OL Option In 2026 NFL Draft
On episode 14 of PFSN’s “Football Debate Club,” NFL draft analyst Ian Cummings highlighted Lemieux while discussing his favorite college tackle prospects transitioning to the NFL.
He said: “Two-time first team all Ivy League contender, 83.8 PFSA and OL impact score in 2025. Just a 1.1 % true drop-back pressure rate. And then a 1.71 10-yard split in the 97th percentile among offensive linemen. He was one of the Senior Bowl standouts, taking reps at center and guard. And he’s 6’5”, 305.
“So he’s a little bit taller for an interior lineman, but I think he has the elite explosiveness, athleticism, and the flexibility and the leverage acquisition to contend on the interior and play with that strong anchor that you need.”
This evaluation is in complete contrast to where Cummings had him not long ago. In his latest mock draft, Lemieux was slotted at pick No. 240 to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
But it’s easy to understand why he placed him so far down the pecking order. Lemieux’s shaky contact balance and poor footwork in pass protection have mostly led to him being projected as an undrafted free agent, with some potential to make an NFL roster as a center.
However, the sudden shift in the conversation is part of the draft cycles. And there’s some method to the madness as well. Lemieux earned First-Team All-Ivy League honors in 2024, added All-ECAC recognition, and picked up multiple All-America nods across outlets.
He started all 10 games in 2024 and did not allow a sack all season, anchoring an offensive line that finished top 20 nationally in fewest sacks allowed while ranking third in the Ivy League in rushing offense at 166.5 yards per game.
From a metrics standpoint, PFSN’s scouting report slots him as a mid-round value:
PFSN Grade: 81.58
PFSN Rank: No. 171
OT Rank: No. 9
RAS Score: 9.31
Lemieux played his entire career at Dartmouth as a tackle, starting full-time from 2023 through 2025, but the projection is where things get interesting. His Senior Bowl showing, where he took reps at center, accelerated the idea that his future might be inside.
At Boston College’s pro day, Lemieux posted a 5.02 40-yard dash, a 7.52 three-cone, and a 1.71 10-yard split, landing in the 97th percentile among offensive linemen. He covers ground easily, recalibrates his base with quickness, and plays with the kind of range that fits modern zone-heavy systems.
Lemieux Offers Scheme Versatility With Starter Upside
“We see him as an offensive tackle. We like to get some taller kids, and he’s kind of a lanky guy. He had a successful career down at Duxbury High School. We had him in camp and liked him. He’s another one who can move his feet and has the potential to play the edge,” Teevens said.
Lemieux’s torso flexibility and anchor swivel help absorb power, while his hip fluidity allows him to adjust and recover without losing balance. He consistently keeps his legs driving, maximizing lower-body output in the run game.
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The jump from the FCS will require some grace period, or as some might call it, an adjustment period, especially with the mental load that comes with playing center. His arm length can create issues with latch strength, allowing longer defenders to disengage.
In the immediate timeline, Lemieux profiles as athletic, position-versatile depth. In the right scheme, particularly one that leans on movement, angles, and leverage, there is a path for him to become an impact starter on the interior. A player who looked like a late-round flyer now has a measurable, trait-driven case to crash Day 2.
