BYU left tackle Caleb Etienne is looking to continue the tradition as the fourth consecutive player at that position having his name called at the NFL Draft, following the likes of Brady Christensen (2021, third round), Blake Freeland (2023, fourth round), and Kingsley Suamataia (2024, second round).
No pressure, big guy.
The 6-foot-8, 320-pound behemoth is coming off an outstanding All-Big 12 First Team season protecting Jake Retzlaff’s blindside. His snub from participating at the NFL Combine really hurt his draft stock. However, his stellar performance at Big 12 Pro Day has NFL talent evaluators showing real interest in Etienne, either as a late-round pick or a priority undrafted free agent.
What are the odds Caleb Etienne gets drafted?
Where things stand today, it’s not very likely that Etienne will be drafted. While he had an outstanding Big 12 Pro Day, he’s not showing up in many mock drafts. The Draft Network lists him as a potential Day 3 selection (Round 4-7), but they’re about as bullish as I could find.
He did get a bump at sites like NFL Mock Draft Database after Pro Day where he jumped from somewhere around the No. 650 overall prospect to the No. 522 prospect, but only about 250 guys get drafted every year.
Caleb’s most likely path to the NFL will be as an undrafted free agent.
And he’s almost assured to be signed immediately as a free agent if he’s not drafted. All-Big 12 First Team offensive tackles with 9.3 Relative Athletic Scores don’t just grow on trees.
Where Caleb Etienne may end up
Here are the three best landing spots for Caleb to begin his NFL career:
Even after drafting Kingsley Suamatia in the second round last year, Kansas City still hasn’t fixed the left tackle position. They also need depth at other positions across the offensive line, and with Etienne’s size he could be moved inside to guard or swing out to right tackle. Most notably, Etienne revealed to The Draft Network that the Chiefs hosted him for an in-person 30 visit, which shows the team is serious about adding him. Where there’s smoke, there’s often fire.
Going into the draft NFL.com lists offensive line as one of the team’s biggest needs, and that the unit needs to be “tightened up.” New Orleans is also reportedly showing significant interest in Etienne and has hosted him for in-person meetings.
San Francisco is another team identified as needing to invest in the offensive line in the 2025 draft, especially with incumbent tackle Trent Williams nearing retirement. The 49ers have shown interest in Caleb and were among the list of teams who interviewed him at Big 12 Pro Day.
Update: OT Caleb Etienne also held in-person meetings at @Big12Conference Pro Day w/ #Dolphins, #Raiders, #Chargers, per source. #49ers virtual meeting. #Saints virtual + local day invite (in-person). #Seahawks virtual.
— Justin M (@JustinM_NFL) March 19, 2025
40: 4.96/4.97
VJ: 30"
BJ: 9"6'
6-7, 86" WS, 329 pounds 👀 https://t.co/MyOT6zRV69
When it comes to the NFL draft, the reality is most teams are essentially scratching lottery tickets by the sixth and seventh rounds, hoping to defy the odds and find a player who can contribute in some way.
Investing one of those lottery tickets in a massive left tackle with superior athleticism who’s coming off an All-Big 12 First Team season could be a late-round risk worth taking.