Offensive Tackles
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Offensive Tackles
1. Eugene Monroe – Virginia
Height: 6′5″ | Weight: 309 | 40 Time: 5.23 | Bench: 23 Reps | Projected: Top-5
Upside: Tough disciplined player who will continue to get better, as he is self motivated. Runs with great balance and is a driving force in the run game. Comes from a large family, as he has 15 brothers and sisters.
Downside: Leaves inside angles exposed at times when he over extends bends at the waist. A knee injury slowed Monroe early in his college career but other than that, he’s been fairly durable.
Bottom Line: A blue chip athlete from a great program. Monroe is a much better prospect than last year’s 1st rounder Brandon Albert and has a lot of upside. Monroe can stick with his man and shows solid technique. One of the safest picks in the draft.
2. Jason Smith – Baylor
Height: 6′5″ | Weight: 309 | 40 Time: 5.22 | Bench: 33 Reps | Projected: Top-5
Upside: Great athlete, as he’s a converted Tightend. Terrific base strength and can anchor down in pass protection. Has a mean streak and is very physical in the run game.
Downside: Lacks discipline and is still very raw. Doesn’t play with consistent pad level and stands too tall at times. Did not play in a pro style offense and his technique will need some work.
Bottom Line: Smith is a better athlete than a football player but he shows a ton of upside. Enough that he may be selected before Monroe. Smith could develop into a very solid pro, as he possesses both the mentality and the toughness to be a good football player.
3. Andre Smith – Alabama
Height: 6′4″ | Weight: 325 | 40 Time: NA | Bench: NA | Projected: Top-15
Upside: If we isolate all of our conversations about Smith to his game tape, then he’s a legit top-5 pick. Smith is aggressive, very physical, and just down right nasty on the field. He is an exceptional run blocker and reminds me a lot of Shaun Andrews.
Downside: Showed up at the combine over-weight, then he gave some poor interviews, and ultimately opted not to work out. The move probably knocks him down about 10 picks but his stock somehow maintains stable with his on field play being ‘that’ good.
Bottom Line: He’s tried to shoot his own foot off but it just stays on. Smith is still going to be selected in the 1st round and whatever team gets him will have a potential steal of the draft. Smith is a lineman’s lineman, as he dominates whoever lines up across from him.
4. Eben Britton – Arizona
Height: 6′6″ | Weight: 309 | 40 Time: 5.16 | Bench: 24 Reps | Projected: 1st Round
Upside: Rising up a lot of draft boards with his outstanding measurables. A solid technician with good natural strength. Excels in the run game but has a some potential protecting the passer.
Downside: Is a little stiff in his movements and will struggle against edge rushers with a ton of speed. Doesn’t have great footwork.
Bottom Line: Britton strikes a lot of scouts as a lump of clay for a great offensive line coach to mold but he has nice size, functional strength, and the attitude to be a great starter at the pro level.
5. Michael Oher – Mississippi
Height: 6′5″ | Weight: 309 | 40 Time: 5.32 | Bench: 21 Reps | Projected: 1st Round
Upside: 4-year starter at a quality program. Can pull, trap, and run his man out of the play. Possesses good feet and plays with great balance at times.
Downside: Is still raw and does not have a lot of football intelligence. His passion for the game have come into question. Will need a ton of coaching up at the next level.
Bottom Line: Oher is athletic enough to line up at left tackle but some folks think his best spot may be on the right side. I like his ability to handle edge rushers and he has the potential to be great if his head is in the right place.
6. William Beatty – Connecticut
Height: 6′6″ | Weight: 307 | 40 Time: 5.12 | Bench: 27 Reps | Projected: 2nd Round
Upside: Great foot speed and showed up at the combine in supreme shape. Good in pass protection. Has a great frame to grow into with long arms.
Downside: Pretty lean frame. Does not have a mean bone in his body, as both his parents are pastors for their church. Needs to have a fire lit under him.
Bottom Line: Needs to add some more bulk and develop a mean streak between now and training camp because he could be great if he develops into a more aggressive player.
7. Jamon Meridith – South Carolina
Height: 6′5″ | Weight: 304 | 40 Time: 5.03 | Bench: 31 Reps | Projected: 2nd Round
Upside: Has really soared up draft boards and has great strength to go along with his terrific frame. Meridith possesses a strong hand punch and is an above average athlete.
Downside: Passion has been questioned and durability needs to be evaluated. Meridith missed time with an ankle injury last season and was on the shelf early in his career.
Bottom Line: Self motivation is a question mark, as some scouts think Meridith will fall by the waist side as soone as he gets his pay day. Meridith has the potential to be a solid starter in the NFL if refines his technique and moves to guard.
8. Gerald Cadogan – Penn State
Height: 6′5″ | Weight: 309 | 40 Time: 5.12 | Bench: 26 Reps | Projected: 2nd Round
Upside: Good athlete with prototype size. Cadogan displays great quickness and understanding of angles. A smart player that uses leverage and balance to his advantage.
Downside: Plays a bit soft at times. Can be beaten to the edge by speed rushers and often over extends cause reach blocks and big wiffs.
Bottom Line: Cadogan comes froma solid program but he’s still very raw with his technique. He does have unique athleticism for a big man and possesses great upside.
9. Phil Loadholt – Oklahoma
Height: 6′8″ | Weight: 332 | 40 Time: 5.53 | Bench: 24 Reps | Projected: 2nd Round
Upside: Immense size and frame to grow into. Long arms and great feet. Standout forward on his high school baketball team. Has surprising strength.
Downside: Bends at the waist too often and does not have great technique. Maturity and intelligence will need to be investigated, as Loadholt has a had a string of not qualifying academically at LSU and Oklahoma. Has had brushes with the law as well.
Bottom Line: Loadholt was projected as an early 2nd round pick before the season but may fall as far as the 4th round now. Not agressive enough and struggles with his technique. Would be best on a solid line playing around veterans to show him the way.
10. TJ Lang – Eastern Michigan
Height: 6′4″ | Weight: 312 | 40 Time: NA | Bench: NA | Projected: 3rd Round
Upside: Dominated Texas vs Nation practices. Lang has proven to have the ability to play any position on the line and might be best at guard. Great pass protection skills and an excellent physical pressence.
Downside: Needs to improve his overall strength and could do better to handle the interior rush. Can be late to shuffle in space and can’t hold the point for long.
Bottom Line: A try hard do whatever it takes type player. Lang will be a coaches favorite because of his attitude and football players’ mentallity.
