Kadyn Proctor open to potential career altering move in the NFL

Change rarely feels comfortable in the moment. It can feel like stepping off and trusting that what's ahead will be stronger than what's behind. But history shows that growth often demands adjustment, whether it's a company pivoting its strategy, an artist reinventing their sound, or an athlete reshaping their body to meet the standards of the next level. The willingness to evolve is often what separates those who arrive from those who endure. For former Alabama offensive linemen, Kadyn Proctor, that mindset appears to be taking center stage ahead of this April's 2026 NFL Draft.

At 6-foot-7 with rare power and length, Proctor has long been projected as a potential cornerstone tackle in the eyes of league talent evaluators. But in today's NFL, versatility is currency. Teams value linemen who can slide inside, adjust to different blocking schemes, and refined body compositions to maximize quickness without sacrificing strength. For the three-year Alabama starting tackle, embracing that possibility isn't a sign of uncertainty — it's a sign of maturity. This is why Proctor told reporters on Saturday in Indianapolis at the NFL combine that while he prefers to stick to his primary position, he is open to a potential career-altering move when asked about the possibility of moving inside to guard at the next level. 

"I feel more comfortable at left tackle, because that's where I've gotten all my snaps, but if I do need to move inside, then there's no problem with that. If I'm playing then I'm happy," Proctor said. 

Kadyn Proctor is willing to move inside to guard in the NFL, if necessary

A move to guard wouldn't simply be a positional adjustment; in my opinion, it could be a recalibration of his professional ceiling. Moving inside, with Proctor's massive frame, natural anchor, and raw power, he would immediately become a weapon in tighter fronts.

I say this because the job of an every down NFL guard is to win with leverage, hand placement, and brute strength in confined spaces. For a player of Proctor's size and wingspan, that could translate into overwhelming interior defenders rather than consistently matching up against elite speed edge rushers. This is why many evaluators believe that while Proctor has the tools to remain at tackle, his traits could truly flourish at guard, where his physicality and finishing ability as a strong run blocker would be highlighted even more snap after snap. Instead of being judged primarily on lateral quickness at tackle against premier pass rushers on Sundays like Myles Garrett, Micah Parsons, Will Anderson Jr, Aidan Hutchinson, Nik Bonitto, and countless others.

This potential move would simply allow the Iowa native to lean into what he does best — displacing defenders in the run game, collapsing pockets from the interior, and setting a firm wall in pass protection. 

All in all, in many ways, Proctor's draft journey isn't about proving he belongs. It's about proving how adaptable he can be once he gets there. The league already sees his size, strength, and the pedigree that comes with starting at Alabama for three seasons. What evaluators are now studying is refinement, a trait he'll need to have for the sake of his longevity and impact on Sundays. And as April approaches, that mindset may ultimately matter to teams with interest in his services, just as much as any measurables he'll post in Indianapolis this weekend.