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http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000487896/article/ots-jake-fisher-donovan-smith-could-go-late-in-first-round
OTs Jake Fisher, Donovan Smith could go late in first roundBy Mike Huguenin
College Football 24/7 writer
Published: April 24, 2015 at 09:37 a.m.
Updated: April 24, 2015 at 10:38 a.m.There is no clear-cut pecking order among offensive linemen in this draft, and NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah said two surprising names could sneak into the first round.
Fisher (6-foot-6, 306 pounds) was a three-year starter for Oregon; he was a reserve guard as a true freshman in 2011, started at right tackle in 2012 and ’13, then started at left tackle last season, when he missed two games with a leg injury. He never played offensive line until he arrived at Oregon; he was a tight end and defensive end in high school in Traverse City, Mich.
» Zierlein: Top five draft needs for all 32 NFL teamsSmith (6-6, 338) surprised a few analysts by leaving Penn State following his junior season, but he already had graduated and it appears the move is going to pay off. After redshirting as a true freshman in 2011, he was a three-year starter at left tackle for the Nittany Lions. He missed two games in 2014, but Penn State never released information about his injury.
NFL Media analyst Lance Zierlein said Fisher would seem to fit best in a zone-based scheme, but touts his athleticism and his ability to play both tackle spots and even guard if needed. Smith is a powerful player, but he might lack the athleticism to be a left tackle, meaning a move inside — or to right tackle — could be in his future.
Numerous teams likely would be interested in an offensive lineman late in the first round or early in the second: Denver at pick 28, Indianapolis at 29, New Orleans at 31, New England at 32, Tennessee at 33, Tampa Bay at 34, Oakland at 35, Jacksonville at 36, the New York Jets at 37, Washington at 38, Chicago at 39 and St. Louis at 41.
Mike Huguenin can be reached at mike.huguenin@nfl.com. You also can follow him on Twitter @MikeHuguenin.
AgamemnonCapabilities of ’15 O-line draft class align perfectly with what Rams need: versatility
Howard Balzer
FOX Sports MidwestAPR 24, 2015 11:28a ET
http://www.foxsports.com/midwest/story/capabilities-of-15-o-line-draft-class-align-perfectly-with-what-st-louis-rams-need-042415
LSU’s La’El Collins and Iowa’s Brandon ScherffST. LOUIS — Rams offensive line coach Paul Boudreau has often said he’d love to have all tackles starting on his five-man unit. That, of course, rarely happens, but Boudreau’s point is that the all-around ability and athleticism of tackles will often translate to other positions and provide a team with the best possible blockers.
With this year’s draft less than one week away, Boudreau might be getting closer to his wishes. After all, as the group stands now, the only sure starters are left tackle Greg Robinson and left guard Rodger Saffold, who was drafted as a tackle and switched to guard last season. To say the Rams need to solidify their offensive line with three months remaining until the start of training camp is a massive understatement.
Obviously, whoever starts at right tackle will make it three tackles on the line, but the biggest mystery of this offseason, now 45 days after the start of the league year on March 10, is the status of right tackle Joe Barksdale. Expecting to get a contract in the range of $7-8 million a year, Barksdale saw doors closed quickly on him and he remains unsigned.
If he doesn’t sign in the next week, the Rams will be in the market for a tackle, guard and possibly a center during the draft. If he does, at this point it would likely be a one- or two-year contract at best, so the Rams would be well advised to draft a tackle anyway.
While there has been a lot of chatter about the Rams selecting a quarterback or wide receiver in the first round with their 10th overall choice, it’s difficult to imagine them passing on an offensive lineman, and they could well add more blockers in two of the next three rounds.
The good news for the Rams is that this is a deep group of offensive linemen who also have significant position versatility. It’s not hard to picture Boudreau licking his chops in the team’s war room.
“Because this year’s class lacks an obvious Pro Bowl left tackle, it has been miscast as a below-average group,” says Rob Rang of NFLDraftScout.com. “In reality, clubs looking for help on the interior or right tackle can find players capable of competing for starting positions as rookies throughout the top 100.”
That’s music to Boudreau’s ears, and he knows it — especially since the Rams already have their left tackle, which means the available crop perfectly matches their needs. They can mix and match and be covered no matter what Barksdale does. Even if the Rams entertain thoughts of signing Barksdale after the draft, they just might get a tackle and guard in two of the first four rounds, possibly setting them up for the next four or five years and allowing them to move on from a steady but unspectacular player.
If they draft a tackle such as Iowa’s Brandon Scherff or LSU’s La’el Collins in the first round, and then still sign Barskdale, either of those prospects could immediately be placed at right guard. There’s that versatility at work.
Scherff started the last three seasons at left tackle but is viewed as either a right tackle or guard in the NFL. “He has enough skills to survive on the edges in the NFL, likely at right tackle,” NFLDraftScout.com’s Dane Brugler, who rates Scherff as a guard, wrote in his draft guide, “but his best position at the next level is inside at guard, which fits his skill set and mindset. (He’s a) safe player who can’t be drafted too early in the first round.”
Numerous mock drafts have him going to the New York Giants, one spot in front of the Rams at ninth overall. If that happens, the Rams couldn’t go wrong with Collins. “Any power-running team would love to have La’El Collins,” says Charles Davis of the NFL Network.
Wrote Brugler: “He is a wrecking ball in the run game. He has enough talent to survive on the edges, projecting as a starting swing tackle at the next level, but might be ideally suited inside at guard.”
At center, a lot depends on how much Boudreau and Co. truly like Barrett Jones and Demetrius Rhaney, but there could be temptation to add Florida State’s Cam Erving or even Mizzou’s Mitch Morse.
MORE ON THE RAMSBreaking down Rams’ best-case scenarios for ’15 NFL Draft
Take this virtual tour of the proposed Rams riverfront stadiumErving played, you guessed it, tackle for the first 37 starts of his offensive line career after switching from defensive tackle, and then moved to center for the final five games last season. That’s where most scouts project him in the NFL, but some believe he could also play guard.
Morse started games for the Tigers at center and both tackle spots while also practicing and playing some at both guard spots. “He is patient, balanced and competitive with the high football intelligence desired,” Brugler wrote.
That’s not unlike former Mizzou lineman Justin Britt, who some said Seattle reached for in the second round last year. But Seahawks line coach Tom Cable knew what he was doing and Britt started every game as a rookie except for the NFC Championship Game because of a knee injury.
Other names to watch for the Rams include tackles Andrus Peat (Stanford) and Ereck Flowers (Miami of Florida) and guards Ali Marpet (Hobart), A.J. Cann (South Carolina), Tre Jackson (Florida State), Laken Tomlinson (Duke) and Jamon Brown (Louisville).
Becoming fast starters is the way of the world in the NFL. Last season, 26 linemen (10 tackles, 11 guards and five centers) were drafted in the first four rounds and 22 in the top 100. Five tackles started a total of 65 games, seven guards started 87 games and the five centers started 55 games.
Two guards, two tackles and one center started all 16 games, while another two guards, one tackle and one center started either 14 or 15 games. The Rams’ Robinson started 12.
Odds are, once all seven rounds are in the books, a few of the linemen discussed above will be Rams and could be expected to start Sept. 13 against the Seahawks.
Welcome to the NFL.
Howard Balzer can be heard daily on Lunchtime Live with Howard Balzer from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. weekdays on TalkSTL.com 1380 AM.
Agamemnon“Because this year’s class lacks an obvious Pro Bowl left tackle, it has been miscast as a below-average group,” says Rob Rang of NFLDraftScout.com. “In reality, clubs looking for help on the interior or right tackle can find players capable of competing for starting positions as rookies throughout the top 100.”
Hey. And the Rams are interested in obtaining OL. That works out nice for them.
CFF Overview: OT – Top of the Crop
Michael Renner | April 23, 2015
https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2015/04/23/cff-overview-ot-top-of-the-crop/
CFF-overview-OTWith all the talent at the tackle position this year it was quite the contest to make our top four. For one to make this list they had to show a proficiency in both run and pass blocking with flaws that we deemed either correctable or mild.Tackle is the most highly coveted position on the offensive line and we’ll see that play out come draft day. All of the following players, and even some others we didn’t put at the top of the class, have the potential to be first round selections.
La’el Collins, LSUOur own Khaled Elsayed gave a full breakdown of Collins’ skillset earlier this week, but what specifically makes him the top of the crop? With offensive line it’s not necessarily about the most pros, but the fewest cons and there just aren’t many knocks against the LSU left tackle. The biggest issue was how he dealt with speed to power as he can sometimes be low and late with his hands in pass protection, but even that showed up infrequently. Strong hands, smooth hips, and quick feet, there’s not much to dislike about La’el Collins game.
Signature Stat: Led the SEC in run blocking grade and Pass Blocking Efficiency (98.6).
Cedric Ogbuehi, Texas A&MCFF-inset-ogbuehiIf you were putting together the ideal frame and movement skills for a left tackle in the NFL it might look a lot like Cedric Ogbuehi. 6-foot-5, 306 pounds with freaky 35 7/8” arms, Ogbuehi was as quick to mirror pass rushers with his feet as any tackle in this class. It looks so effortless for him in pass protection that it’s almost as if he’s not even trying.
When he got himself into trouble it was because he tried to time his punch too perfectly to swat a defenders hands away. What inevitably happened was Ogbuehi mistimed it and let the defender into his body. While Ogbuehi has almost the ideal frame for a tackle, his strength is definitely lacking and he doesn’t do as well as someone like Andrus Peat when the defender gets into his chest.
Ogbuehi wasn’t asked to do a whole lot of run blocking in the Aggies’ scheme (63% pass-37% run), but when he did, the results were impressive. His long arms came in handy here as well, gaining ground on the edge and not allowing defenders back over the top. It’s a shame that Ogbuehi’s health is uncertain after an ACL injury in Texas A&M’s bowl game, but based solely off his tape, Ogbuehi belongs in this group.
Signature Stat: Was downgraded on just 5.6% of run plays last season, the fifth-lowest rate among Power 5 tackles.
Andrus Peat, StanfordPeat is another player that we’ve already profiled. At 6-foot-7 with 34 3/8” arms, he has the frame of a Top-10 tackle, but he doesn’t have the natural feet or change of direction ability of one. The problem is that you can’t teach change of direction so it’s likely an issue Peat will have to deal with over the course of his career. There’s still so much to like, though, as he’s only 21 and already has prodigious lower body strength. Peat was born to play in Stanford’s offense and caved in the left side of the line with down blocks routinely. That strength held up in pass protection as well as he allowed one pressure from a bull rush all season.
Signature Stat: Yielded six pressures in Pac-12 play against a slate of Leonard Williams, Hau’oli Kikaha, Nate Orchard, and DeForest Buckner.
Ereck Flowers, MiamiCFF-inset-e-flowersFlowers is the most curious prospect in the class with possibly the highest ceiling of any tackle in the draft. The Miami left tackle is an ox that can flatten a downblock on one play and then beautifully kickslide out and stone a speed rush on the next. He was extremely productive in both run and pass blocking, but Flowers is about as raw as they come — while some guys have problems in one area or another, he had head-scratching issues sprinkled throughout his entire game.
The biggest concern is that Flowers’ form will completely break down for no apparent reason and it’s like you’re watching a different player altogether. There is no better example of this than his pass blocking effort with 6:55 remaining in the first quarter against Nebraska.
On that play he’s bent so much at the waist upon first contact with Randy Gregory that his upper body is almost parallel to the ground. Flowers then ducks his head and tries to wrap his arms around the Nebraska end. This allows the 235-pound Gregory to gain leverage on Flowers and walk the 329-pound tackle all the way back to the quarterback for a hit.
He got away with that kind of sloppy play far too often in college because of his tremendous strength (37 reps at combine) and length (34 ½” arms), but that won’t be the case if he continues it in the NFL.
Signature Stat: Had one negatively-graded game all season and didn’t allow a sack.
Agamemnonhttps://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2015/04/21/cff-player-profile-lael-collins-ot/
CFF Player Profile: La’el Collins, OT
Khaled Elsayed | April 21, 2015The quiet man.
During the season it didn’t feel like our analysts were talking much about La’el Collins. In a lot of respects that must have been the dream scenario for LSU because Collins was so rarely beat in critical junctions (the passing game) that you had to double check he was on the field.
Yet he was and for 334 snaps he was asked to pass protect and would give up just four hurries the entire year (with an additional one in the Senior Bowl). Quite the return, and while his pass blocking snaps were lower than his rivals to be the top lineman taken (LSU had about 1.6 times as many running plays as passing plays) he certainly put himself in the frame to go early.
CFF-profile-laelcollins-1
Run GameWhen you first watch Collins in the run game you get a bit annoyed by him. Upfield penetrators playing one gap can leaving him flapping his arms about as he heads knees first for the turf, with a tendency to lean exploited. At the second level he doesn’t always look interested or showcase great targeting skills. While Andrus Peat has no problem identifying targets and lots of problems engaging them, Collins is the exact opposite. He struggles to find a guy (blocking nobody far too often) but when he does it’s a joy to behold.
And that’s when you start realizing the good he does in the run game. He demonstrates good leg drive while working down the line and doesn’t settle for just setting the edge, but rather widening the B-gap on his inside shoulder. He also demonstrates the kind of first-step quickness that he can get across a defensive lineman’s face and seal once he gets there. When he gets the advantage off the snap he is bound to win and it’s no surprise that 16.2% of his run blocks ended with a positive grade (fifth-highest of all draft-eligible tackles). That’s largely down to how good his hands can be in the run game, with an ability to latch on to defenders and eliminate them from the play.
collins table 1
Pass ProCFF-profiles-inset-laelcollinsThe numbers with Collins really do tell a story of a tremendously reliable pass protector. For much of the year it was a snooze watching him with him pitching shut outs in 11 games. That’s an eye-catching number that saw him shoot to the top of our Pass Blocking Efficiency rankings.
There are some things to remember. He wasn’t put in as many deep drops as other tackles (he pass blocked on 73 seven-step drops compared to Andrus Peat and Brandon Scherff both going over 125) and he did avoid some of the more explosive rushers as well. It leaves him a little untested against true speed, but Collins did display good feet, getting good depth and width on his kick step that allowed him to mirror rushes and counter any inside moves.
If there’s one area he did struggle with (and one that Trey Flowers exploited) it was with his blocking of a speed to power move, where he showed he might need to improve his strength if he’s going to anchor against the behemoths of the NFL. But all things considered he was the most impressive pass blocker of the class and the numbers show that up.
collins table 2
Collins looks the safest pick of any offensive tackle in this draft and by a decent margin. He can get better against the run — and might need to add some strength to deal with the power of NFL pass rushers — but he looks like a pretty polished prospect who should slide in from Day 1 and represent an upgrade on an average tackle with the capacity to be so much more. Recent years haven’t seen many tackles take the league by storm, but Collins is the best bet in the 2015 draft class to do so.
AgamemnonCFF Overview: OT – Buyer Beware
Michael Renner | April 24, 2015
https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2015/04/24/cff-overview-ot-buyer-beware/
CFF-overview-OT-bewareThere is no perfect player coming out in the draft. Everyone has weaknesses that need to be addressed in the NFL. With data from every single play from every single college game we have the unique ability say how often those shortcomings actually affected a player’s performance. The following players’ issues caused them to grade well outside the elite tackles in one area or another and that is why we are wary of projecting them so highly to the next level.
Brandon Scherff, IowaAfter grading all of Scherff’s plays in 2014 and then reviewing those positives and negatives, we just couldn’t see Scherff as a tackle in the NFL. His problems on the edge in pass protection don’t look fixable and he’ll likely never be better than average in that respect. That’s not to say he can’t be a successful player at guard, he has more tools than any other interior offensive linemen in the draft, we just haven’t seen him play there yet. Investing a high pick in a non-premium position for a guy who hasn’t played there in years seems like far too risky a proposition.
Signature Stat: Allowed seven pressures in the Maryland game alone and 24 on the season.
T.J. Clemmings, PittsburghCFF-profiles-inset-clemmingsAll you need to do is watch the Senior Bowl to understand why Clemmings makes this list. In Mobile he gave up five pressures in 28 pass blocking snaps playing left and right tackle. Even with his 35 1/8” arms he almost never got first contact and looked like he’d never had to deliver a punch in pass protection before. Basically, his pass set is broken and he’ll need an overhaul in that area by whatever team drafts him.
The intriguing thing about Clemmings is that for how poor his pass blocking form was, his work in the run game was the exact opposite. Explosive and fluid in space, Clemmings showed the ability to execute any run block asked of him in Pittsburgh’s varied attack. I could see Clemmings being a guy who starts off as a guard to protect him in pass pro and makes his way out to tackle after he gets more technically sound.
Signature Stat: Was beaten in pass pro four separate times against Virginia. Not by Max Valles or Eli Harold, but by Mike Moore.
Jake Fisher, OregonCFF-profiles-inset-fisherTackle is one position where ‘winning’ the combine is nearly meaningless. Losing the combine can be a red flag, but all running a fast 40 and having solid drill numbers says is that you’re likely athletic enough for a zone scheme. Fisher’s great numbers in Indy weren’t a fluke.
He is quick on the go and has a natural feel for working off double teams to the second level, but the Oregon tackle often plays too high when moving and wasn’t even as good as the two tackles above at engaging linebackers consistently. Strength in the run game is a serious issue for Fisher as he was not a people mover by any means. He drives through with his chest instead of locking out his arms and can get shed far too easily.
Like Clemmings and Scherff, Fisher also has technical issues in pass protection. He keeps his hands low and his punch too wide causing a myriad of problems for him. Despite his athleticism he opens the gate far too easily and allows defenders to bend the edge on him. 60% of Fisher’s pressures yielded came to his outside. This is extremely concerning considering Fisher pass blocked for just nine seven-step drops (or five-step from shot gun) all season long. Fisher is definitely another guy who could benefit from kicking inside to guard early on in his career.
Signature Stat: Fisher was only graded positively on 10.8% of his run blocks; that figure coming in 107th out of 241 tackles in the NCAA last year.
Agamemnonhttp://www.si.com/more-sports/2008/04/04/oline-rankings#
Building blocks
by Ross Tucker
Posted: Fri Apr. 4, 2008Browns fans ridiculed my thought process. Wall Street financial analysts suggested I incorporate the Monte Carlo method. Multiple NFL scouts want to discuss the quantitative analysis of NFL players with me.
Last week’s article struck quite a chord with many readers. My thesis was simply that I do not believe the exorbitant amount given to a left guard like Alan Faneca is worth it in regards to the impact his performance will have on the win/loss column.
If a team is going to pay a huge premium for the increase in performance that a good player delivers over an average one, that player should play a position that has a greater opportunity to significantly impact the outcome of a game. In order to clarify my beliefs regarding the salary structure among offensive linemen, I decided to list in order the positions among the front five that I feel are most worthy of receiving big money. Having played all five positions at different points in my career, and starting at least four games at all three interior spots, I am uniquely qualified to assess the difficulties associated with playing these positions. Just to be safe and unbiased, however, I solicited the opinions of several other linemen around the league.
Picking the left tackle at the top of this list was not as easy as one might think. Most teams in the NFL often slide their protection to the quarterback’s blind side, which is almost always the left. The center is able to provide inside help for the left guard and the left guard is able to protect the left tackle’s inside as the three work in concert to block the two defensive linemen while eyeing their other responsibility, the weak-side linebacker. That often leaves the right guard and right tackle one-on-one. For this reason, I briefly considered putting the right tackle at the top of this list.
Ultimately, however, the left tackle still has to block the elite pass rushers around the NFL play after play, week in and week out. If the left tackle makes a mistake, it can result in not only a sack but also quite often a fumble as the defensive end strips the quarterback from behind. Turnovers always play a big part in determining the outcome of a game, increasing the importance of the blind-side protector.
Certain offensive lineman, like Chris Samuels of the Redskins, can provide enormous additional value by rarely receiving any help from his interior linemates. This allows them to solidify the interior of the offensive line. The Redskins’ confidence in leaving Samuels on an island without typically receiving any help whatsoever is a luxury many teams cannot afford.
The consensus among the linemen with whom I spoke reinforced my belief in the importance of right tackles. The position, in most offenses, receives less aid from fellow linemen than the left tackle. This is somewhat balanced, however, by the reality that right tackles are more likely to have the tight end on their side of the formation, which can create an additional obstacle for a defensive lineman to consider.
Though right tackles go up against top-flight rushers like the Seahawks’ Patrick Kerney and the Packers’ Aaron Kampman, there is not the same consistency in terms of quality of opponent as there is for the left tackle. Right tackles also are more likely to receive help from a running back in the form of a “chip.” Finally, the likelihood that their mistake will cause a game-altering turnover is somewhat lessened since the rusher is usually in the quarterback’s line of sight.
Without question the most difficult of the interior line positions, right guards are most likely to be left one-on-one with an elite inside rusher. The predominance of teams to slide their center to the left to protect the quarterback’s blind side creates a greater value for the right guard position. Fourteen-year veteran Todd Steussie, currently available on the free agent market, says, “Right guard is definitely harder than left guard.” Recently-retired lineman Todd Fordham, a 10-year NFL vet, agreed: “The left guard always has help.”
Though the difference in value between the two guard spots is lessened somewhat in an offense that rarely slides the pass protections like the Colts, the strength of the formation often dictates that the right guard has the wider alignment, and thus more difficult assignment, on his side.
Because the left guard position is generally less difficult than the right guard position, I have been consistently perplexed the last couple of seasons by the amount of money teams are investing in the position.
Steve Hutchinson, Kris Dielman, Eric Steinbach, Derrick Dockery and Faneca lead the parade of left guards that have received contracts in excess of $40 million. Though I am not sure either guard position is worth that much of the salary cap, I would be much more willing to pay those dollars to a right guard given the greater difficulty in his assignment. I think the Browns got a relative steal by signing right guard Rex Hadnot to a two-year, $7 million deal this offseason.
The greatest reason why left guards are cashing in these days? There are two: 1) The grading system for offensive linemen; and 2) General lack of understanding among some NFL personnel people concerning the difficulty inherent with the different positions.
All of these players are considered upper echelon and likely grade out among the highest linemen on their respective teams. Part of that is because they are good players, but a lot of it has to do with the fact they are much more likely to receive help from the center and thus less likely to create a negative play. The formula is simple: Less one-on-ones against defensive linemen means less chances to give up a sack or pressure. Their consistently high performance given the lower risk at the position tricks many personnel people to assume they are worthy of that money. I disagree. I believe they are all outstanding players but think they would have a tougher time if they played right guard.
There is a reason why most of the interior guys getting paid the big money are left guards and not right guards and the sooner teams can figure it out, the sooner they can begin to allocate more of their money to a position that creates a greater value proposition.
Centers are paid more for their intelligence and experience than they are for the difficulty associated with their physical assignment. Though some athletic centers can create additional value with their ability to pull or effectively block at the second level, the greatest reason centers get paid well is the fear among coaches that their pivot man not be able to readjust the blocking scheme depending on a certain blitz look or audible. Make no mistake about it: A center that cannot make the right decisions at critical junctures could have a huge impact on the outcome of a game.
That being said, it was unanimous among the four offensive lineman that I polled that center was the easiest position, at least physically, along the line. The center is rarely in a one-on-one pass blocking situation, which as we have noted, is the most likely situation in which an offensive linemen could have a large impact on the outcome of a game.
Centers are often the ones providing the help in pass protection so it is surprising to me that teams like the Buccaneers value the position highly enough to reward a player like Jeff Faine with a contract that guarantees him $15 million. Most centers go through an entire season without giving up any sacks and are rarely credited with even being responsible for a pressure.
Though every team wants to have a highly-regarded player at every position, the economics of the game do not allow that to be the case. That is why the money invested in the offensive line should be given first to the tackles and then to the right guard, since those are the positions that could potentially make the greatest difference between a win and a loss.
AgamemnonNFL Draft
Added Flexibility: Versatile Offensive Line Prospects Offer Better Draft Value
By Brent Sobleski , NFL Draft Analyst Apr 20, 2015The more a prospect can do at the NFL level, the more valuable he becomes. This is particularly true along the offensive line.
In the NFL, teams are mandated to maintain a 53-man roster. On game days, the number is reduced to 45. Teams generally keep eight offensive linemen on their final roster and only seven active on game days.
Teams are sometimes placed in drastic circumstances due to unforeseen injuries. A lineman with the ability to play multiple positions as a starter or backup is absolutely vital to a team’s ability to withstand injuries.
At one point last season, the Atlanta Falcons were forced to play starting tight end Levine Toilolo at right tackle for half a game due to multiple offensive line injuries. While this is an extreme case of what can happen on game day, the overall value of a lineman increases by being able to shift seamlessly to other positions along the offensive front.
The 2015 offensive line class is truly unique. The top two prospects, Iowa’s Brandon Scherff and LSU’s La’el Collins, are generally considered guard prospects even though they played left tackle for the bulk of their careers.
Scherff in particular is strongly viewed as a guard prospect, according to NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah (via NJ.com’s Jordan Raanan):
Former NFL scout @MoveTheSticks just said he believes that Brandon Scherff is "100% a guard." Not the same as Zack Martin. #NFLDraft
— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) April 13, 2015
The reason Scherff projects well to guard is his build at 6’5″ and 319 pounds with less-than-ideal 33.375″ arms. The reigning Outland Trophy winner also displays an explosive lower body to uproot bigger defensive linemen, as evidenced by a 443-pound hang clean, and absolutely nasty disposition as a run-blocker.Projecting Scherff to guard, where he played 11 games as a redshirt freshman, doesn’t completely rule out the possibility of his eventually playing offensive tackle, though.
His lateral movement and ability to change directions are actually better than that of two former Iowa products, the Green Bay Packers’ Bryan Bulaga and the Detroit Lions’ Riley Reiff, who developed into legitimate starters at offensive tackle in the NFL.
Pro Football Focus graded Reiff as an above-average blind-side protector in 2014, and Bulaga signed a five-year, $33.75 million contract in free agency to remain the Packers’ starting right tackle.
Scherff’s tape during his senior season didn’t always reflect his overall agility, because the offensive tackle suffered an MCL injury during the season that required surgery. The Iowa native returned to practice later in the week and never missed a game.
Also, Scherff’s arms are actually longer than both Bulaga’s and Reiff’s.
A team selecting the latest product from Iowa’s assembly line of offensive line talent may decide to let him play left tackle until he proves he can’t. Or they could groom him at guard to eventually take over at left tackle. Both options are open, since Bulaga displayed enough physical ability to possibly start at four of the five offensive line positions.
And he isn’t the only first-round prospect with similar potential.
La’el Collins
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
The LSU product’s plight is very similar to Scherff’s.
After becoming a starter at guard, Collins spent his last two seasons on campus at left tackle. Yet he’s often projected as a guard prospect despite a first-round grade.
Teams have asked Collins numerous questions about where he will actually play.
“They’ve asked me if I could slide to the right side, and then in two years go to the left,” Collins said at the NFL combine, via Sports Illustrated’s Doug Farrar. “I feel very confident in what I do, so it wouldn’t be a problem. They’ve asked me about playing guard and I could play either spot, right or left side. I love the one-on-one matchups. Being out there, one-on-one with a guy and having my way with him.”
The transition from offensive tackle to guard is all about speed and quickness.
Does an offensive tackle display nimble enough footwork to handle some of the world’s greatest athletes, who will be using their speed and natural athleticism to get after the quarterback?
Or is that prospect better suited to play inside, where he has less room to operate, but the defenders gets into the block much quicker, and they’re stronger at the point of attack?
Collins didn’t adequately address either question during the evaluation process.
At the Reese’s Senior Bowl and NFL combine, the Baton Rouge, Louisiana, native showed up at 305 pounds. Collins, who was listed at 321 pounds on LSU’s official site, impressed at both events with his movement skills. It was enough to warrant consideration as a legitimate left tackle prospect.
Collins then showed up at LSU’s pro day and weighed 320 pounds a month after his combine workout, according to the team’s official release.
His weight fluctuation automatically brings the earlier performances into question and raises doubt as to whether or not Collins can legitimately play left tackle at the next level.
There is, however, no question about Collins’ dominance as a run-blocker, courtesy of OL Watchdog:
La'el Collins with about as good a rep of OL as you'll ever. 3 pancakes in 1 play at LT https://t.co/8uYAoBKwfd
— OL Watchdog (@OLineScout) April 5, 2015
As a tackle or a guard, Collins should be able to step in immediately and contribute as a physical presence along the offensive front. He might be better suited for man-gap schemes instead of zone-heavy systems, but the LSU product has previously shown an ability to do both, whether he maintains a certain weight or not.
Being able to play four out of the five offensive line positions is only one type of versatile lineman. There are also those prospects capable of playing all three interior positions as a swing player at guard or center.
A.J. Cann
Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
After 51 starts—the second-most for an offensive lineman in South Carolina history—at left guard, Cann already projects well to a certain position.
“I see him as a left guard-only prospect who overcomes lack of height with athleticism,” an anonymous SEC coach told NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein.
However, the Bamberg, South Carolina, native didn’t let his four years of tape simply speak for him. Cann tried to prove he could do more for NFL teams to consider.
At the South Carolina pro day, the guard provided NFL scouts with something a little extra, according to DraftInsider.net’s Tony Pauline:
Interesting note from South Carolina pro-day- guard AJ Cann doing a lot of word at offensive center.
— Tony Pauline (@TonyPauline) April 1, 2015
Cann hinted at the possibility a month earlier at the NFL combine.
“I can play either LG or RG, maybe even center,” the South Carolina product said, via CBSS ports’ Dane Brugler. “I don’t think that would be a problem.”
The second-team Walter Camp All-American already established himself as one of the top guard prospects through four years of play. Yet teams interested in Cann have now seen him in some center drills.
Even as a projected second-round pick at guard, center holds more overall value. The ability to play all three interior spots along with his stellar player at South Carolina makes Cann one of the best offensive line prospects in this year’s class.
While it’s impressive to be able to play three or four offensive line positions, very few can play all five.
Cameron Erving
Maybe the most impressive achievement of any college football player last season belongs to Erving.
The Seminoles product was named to the 2014 All-ACC First Team at left tackle and the Second Team at center.
Erving is only three years removed from playing defensive line after making the transition from defense to offensive line in the spring of 2012.
For two-and-a-half years, Erving served as the Seminoles’ left tackle and played at a high level on the blind side. In 2013, the native of Moultrie, Georgia, was awarded the Jacobs Blocking Trophy as the best offensive lineman in the ACC. He won the award in 2014 as well.
But Erving’s 2014 campaign took a slight detour on his way to the NFL. The blind-side protector was pressed into action at center due to injuries along the offensive line.
It was from this point that Erving’s draft status absolutely soared. The former offensive tackle seamlessly transitioned inside and dominated over the second half of the season. The move seemed absolutely natural for him.
As tackle, Erving was viewed as as second-tier prospect. But his move inside should make him a first-round selection and the highest center prospect off the board.
Teams, though, aren’t overly particular regarding the position he eventually plays.
“The teams I’ve talked to have just talked about me playing offensive line,” Erving told Bleacher Report in a phone interview. “They want to see how well you comprehend offenses and know defenses. They’ve seen the film. They eye in the sky doesn’t lie, and that’s always (something) I’ve been a big believer in. Whatever team picks me, I’ll just have to find how I fit into their system.”
Based on Erving’s answer, some teams may still view him as an offensive tackle prospect, while others lean toward center. Also, the possibility of guard can’t be ruled out of the equation. At 6’5″ and 313 pounds with arms just over 34 inches in length, Erving owns the requisite physical tools and athleticism to play all five offensive line positions.
ESPN’s Louis Riddick even believes Erving’s potential supersedes that of some of the previously discussed offensive line prospects:
OT's get the attention, & many will be over drafted, but OC Cam Erving = best OL in '15 draft. #NFL Starter as soon as his name is called.
— Louis Riddick (@LRiddickESPN) April 3, 2015
The Florida State product is not the only prospect in this year’s class with the ability to potentially play all five offensive line positions.
Ali Marpet
Brynn Anderson/Associated Press
The Division III product from Hobart College remains one of the media darlings in the upcoming draft.
Everyone roots for the underdog, even though Marpet proved to be a bully during his collegiate career while playing against inferior competition.
At the Reese’s Senior Bowl, Marpet didn’t falter against vastly superior competition. Instead, he thrived. The South Florida Sun-Sentinel’s Omar Kelly was blown away by Marpet in Mobile, Alabama:
Ali Marpet was the 2nd best O-lineman at Senior Bowl. He was top performer at the combine. He's super smart,strong,& has a great personality
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) April 11, 2015
Marpet, who played left tackle in college, worked primarily at guard and even saw some time at center, according to FirstRoundGrade.com’s Bryan Perez.
Even NFL.com projects Marpet as a center.
“Marpet has also been impressive in meetings with line coaches,” NFL Network’s Albert Breer reported. “With his combination of intelligence and ability, he might be a center long-term.”
Before the move is made official, though, Hobart might be able to hold up at tackle in certain situations.
At 6’4″ and 307 pounds with 33.375″ arms, his measurements are less than ideal. But not all tackle prospects fit the mold. The Hobart product is certainly a top-notch athlete with top-five finishes at the combine in the 40-yard dash, three-cone drill and 20-yard shuttle.
Marpet will likely be drafted sooner rather than later based on his raw athleticism and potential to play all five positions in a pinch.
Versatility equals value
What do each of the aforementioned prospects have in common?
They’ll be selected by at least the end of the second day of the draft. Scherff, Collins and Erving will, in some order, likely be the first three offensive linemen off the board.
Cann and Marpet are second-day options, but their ability to play multiple positions only enhances their natural value. Teams wouldn’t be quite as high on Cann as a pure guard prospect. If Marpet didn’t show well at the Senior Bowl or offer position flexibility, the Division III product wouldn’t even be considered in the first three rounds.
The ability to competently play multiple positions on a limited NFL roster is simply too tempting for teams when comparing these prospects to position-specific options.
Usually, the ability to play more than one position can even be what differentiates one prospect from another. Beyond those mentioned, Oregon’s Jake Fisher, Missouri’s Mitch Morse and Utah’s Jeremiah Poutasi also provide similar flexibility and value.
Talented big men are hard to find. Big men athletic enough to do multiple things are highly sought-after commodities.
In this year’s draft class, it’s not a coincidence that some of the best overall talents among the offensive linemen present the best value due to their position flexibility.
AgamemnonFind this article at:
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000488130/article/scout-slams-overrated-stanford-ot-andrus-peat
Scout slams ‘overrated’ Stanford OT Andrus PeatBy Chase Goodbread
College Football 24/7 writer
Published: April 25, 2015 at 10:50 a.m.
Updated: April 25, 2015 at 01:08 p.m.With a couple of the top offensive linemen available in next week’s NFL draft possibly ticketed for a switch from college tackle to pro guard, Stanford’s Andrus Peat might be the first pure tackle prospect chosen in the first round.
And at least one NFL scout doesn’t understand why Peat’s stock is so high.
Among a collection of comments from NFL scouts gathered about Peat by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, one was anything but flattering.
“I saw him get thrown around like a rag doll,” the scout said. “I respect what people think about the guy, but every defensive player I saw against Stanford kicked the (expletive) out of the guy. If you’re asking me who was the most overrated guy I saw, it was that guy.”
2015 NFL DRAFT
(April 30-May 2 on NFL Network)Another scout acknowledged Peat as the No. 1 player at his position, but still offered a strong a critique of him.
“He’s got damn good feet but … the last bowl game against Maryland he looked like (expletive),” he said. “He’s the No. 1 guy but he’s never been pushed. He doesn’t have any core strength. He doesn’t take hard coaching.”
Several offensive tackles are expected to be chosen late in the first round, Peat among them. Pittsburgh’s T.J. Clemmings, Florida’s D.J. Humphries and Miami’s Ereck Flowers are others, although NFL Media analyst Mike Mayock said on a Thursday teleconference that there are questions about each.
“After (Iowa’s Brandon Scherff), there are an awful lot of question marks. That doesn’t mean there’s not a lot of talent, because there is,” Mayock said. “But I could take, for instance, Ereck Flowers, D.J. Humphries, Andrus Peat, and T.J. Clemmings — all are gifted first-round tackles — but I could poke a hole in every one of those kids, either from a technique perspective, or an off-the-field perspective, or whatever.”
While Peat failed to impress one scout that spoke to the Journal Sentinel, another was very positive in his review, comparing Peat to one of the top offensive tackles in the NFL.
“So smooth. Really impressive physically. I compared him to (Dallas Cowboys OT) Tyron Smith. Great pass protector. Just not that powerful at this age,” the scout said.
Projections on Peat’s draft standing vary wildly among NFL Media mock drafts, ranging from as high as No. 9 overall to the New York Giants to as low as No. 25 to the Carolina Panthers.
AgamemnonOn all but a few players, I find opinions to vary widely, even among the experts, on the value of the players in this draft. It is going to be a wild ride Thursday. 😉
AgamemnonYup. Exciting draft.
How would you Mock
the top four, Ag?w
v
Tampa Bay
Tennessee
Jacksonville
OaklandWashington
New York Jets
Chicago
Atlanta
New York Giants
St. Louis1 Tampa Bay QB *Jameis Winston
2 Tennessee QB – BPA *Leonard Williams
3 Jacksonville pass rush – BPA *Dante Fowler
4 Oakland WR – BPA *Amari Cooper
————————————————————–
5 Washington pass rush – QB *Marcus Mariota (trade – Cleveland or Eagles)
6 NY Jets QB – LB Bud Dupree
7 Chicago QB – ILB – WR Kevin White
8 Atlanta PRush – BPA Vic Beasley
9 New York Giants Def – OT – BPA Devante Parker
10 St. Louis OT/G/C/WR La’el Collins/Brandon Scherff Agamemnon
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