NFL Draft 2026 Scouting Report for Kentucky IOL Joshua Braun

Joshua Braun is a thick, wide-bodied guard with very good length, adequate play strength, and a consistently urgent play style. He shows good feel for threats, spacing, and timing — routinely securing first-level defenders before releasing on climbs and finding work when uncovered. Braun also brings steady effort to finish, run to the ball, and assist ball-carriers. However, below-average quickness, an upright posture, and a tendency to absorb contact into his frame cap his ability to generate displacement and sustain. He projects as a reliable interior swing backup with spot-start potential.

Braun is a 6'6", 325-pound offensive tackle prospect who entered the Florida program as a 4-star recruit in the 2020 class. He spent three years in Gainsville before transferring to Arkansas for the 2023 and 2024 seasons. Braun ended his career transferring a second time to Kentucky for the 2025 season.

The former Wildcat started 43 career games (seven at Florida, 24 at Arkansas and 12 at UK) at both guard spots (24 RG & 19 LG) before participating in the 2026 Shrine Bowl.

Brandon Thorn: Brandon is the author of the Trench Warfare newsletter, which focuses exclusively on offensive and defensive line evaluation. He also contributes as an analyst to Establish the Run, serves as the scouting coordinator for OL Masterminds and is a selection committee member for the Joe Moore Award. 

Highlights

Joshua Braun Highlights

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Where He Wins

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- Thick, wide-bodied frame with very good length and big hands.

- Adequate play strength with a stiff punch in pass protection.

- Good feel on combination blocks to secure adjacent gaps before climbing.

- Alert, urgent play style shows up when uncovered looking for work and consistently running to the ball to finish.

- Extensive experience at both guard spots boosts utility at the next level.

Areas of Improvement

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- Tall frame and upright play style with middling athletic ability result in shaky control and sustain skills.

- Will play short, negate length and allow defenders into his chest.

Grade, Rank and Pro Comparison

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GRADE: 5.8 (Backup/Draftable - 7th Round)

COMPARABLE GRADE: Garrett Dellinger (5.5 in 2025), Keaton Bills (5.6 in 2024), Andrew Stueber (6.1 in 2022)

OVERALL RANK: 263

POSITION RANK: IOL35

PRO COMPARISON: Andrew Stueber

Measurables and Testing Data

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Height: 6'6"
Weight: 325
Arm: 34 ⅝"
Hand: 10 ½"

40-yard dash: NA
10-yard split: NA
Vertical: NA
Broad: 8'5"
Shuttle: 4.82
3-cone: 7.62
Bench: 23