Francis Mauigoa Reportedly to Have Back Injury Examined at Combine Rechecks Ahead of 2026 NFL Draft

Miami offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa will have "additional imaging" for a back injury he suffered during the 2025 season, according to a report from NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

Mauigoa currently ranks No. 15 on the B/R NFL Scouting Department's latest big board and is considered the No. 2 interior lineman and both the best run-blocker and most versatile.

B/R's Brandon Thorne called Mauigoa a "densely-built blocker with very good play strength, point-of-attack power and a commanding anchor that can generate displacement in the run game and halt the bull rush," though he added that his "range and redirect ability in pass protection grade closer to adequate, creating shorter corners once rushers gain width and exposing his inside shoulder to counters."

In that regard, Thorne believes Mauigoa would hit his highest ceiling if moved to guard, though believes he could still be a "solid-to-good starting right tackle."

Mauigoa is very much in play to be the first offensive lineman on the board, at least pending his medical recheck, after being a Freshman All-American in 2023 and both a first-team Associated Press All-American and the ACC Jacobs Blocking Trophy winner in 2025.

The B/R NFL Scouting Department projected him to go No. 13 overall to the Los Angeles Rams in its latest mock draft, while NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah tabbed him to go No. 3 overall to the Arizona Cardinals in his March mock draft and considers Mauigoa the 10th-best player in this draft class.

He'll certainly be a first-round consideration for teams in need of an upgrade on the offensive line.