1. Joshua Garnett – 6’4” 312 Lbs. 5.32 40-time Stanford Senior Age 22 – 6.0
Overview: Joshua has NFL bloodlines as his father had a lengthy career playing for multiple professional teams. It is rare that a one-year starter is as praised as he is. Nevertheless, Garnett earned All-American honors along with the Outland trophy. Plug and play starter at the next level.
Strengths: Garnett has ideal height, weight, and athleticism. Teams were surprised to see him line up as the H-back in some short yardage situations. He has vines for arms (nearly 34 inches) and put up 225 Lbs. 30 times. His build is already that of a seasoned NFL interior lineman. Once Garnett has his defender going backward, there is no stopping his momentum. Although he only started one year, he was a good leader during that time. His lower body is strong and he knows how to use his strength to the fullest.
Weakness: If you had to give him a weakness, it would have to be his ability outside of the guard box and in the open field. Plays out of control at times. He can be beat on double moves in pass protection. Has a tendency to lean due to forgetting about technique and depending on his sheer strength.
2. Cody Whitehair – 6’4” 301 Lbs. 5.08 40-time Kansas State Senior Age 23 – 5.9
Overview: Cody can potentially play both tackle and guard positions at the next level. His versatility is his biggest asset. Unfortunately to a top rated guard that may not be a good thing. Whitehair went down more than a notch at the combine. Granted he ran fast and he has ideal height, weight and speed. The area of concern was on the bench where he lifted 225 Lbs. a measly 16 times. Cody won Big 12 honors last season.
Strengths: Another four-year starter. Few players can match the motor that he brings to practice and in games. Displayed some of the best balance in this year’s draft class. On film, there are few wasted movements. Able to dance with defenders in pass protection, sliding to his left or right with ease. One of the better blockers you will see this year in terms of blocking in space on running plays. Knows how to use his hands, once they are on a defender it is difficult for his assignment to disengage. Showed good ability to hold up well against bull rushes.
Weakness: Upper body is a concern. Terrible performance on the bench at the combine. Most lineman with arms his length do good on the bench due to less distance to cover. Could have issues against lengthy players that will have a much stronger upper body than he does. His lack of upper body strength will put a big spotlight on his footwork and technique.
3. Christian Westerman – 6’3” 298 Lbs. 5.17 40-time Arizona State RS Senior Age 23 – 5.75
Overview: Transferred from Auburn to Arizona State his sophomore year. Two year started for the Sun Devils. Honorable Pac-12 mention his junior year and second team Pac-12 honors last season. Christian has a solid skill set that should translate well in the NFL.
Strengths: Christian improved his stock at the NFL combine. His 40-time put him in the elite category for straight line speed as an offensive lineman. He also has good size for the position. His bench performance was also top notch as he posted 34 repetitions at 225 Lbs. He has quick twitch ability and uses it well at the beginning of plays. Westerman could be the best offensive lineman when it comes to blocking in the open field, whether it is outside of the tackle box or in the second level. Constant leg drive throughout plays shows he has a solid motor and also helps him win on some plays simply due to effort. Some of the biggest hands you will see at nearly 12 inches.
Weakness: Could benefit from a year on the bench while he adds body mass. Even with weight room strength he struggles sometimes on short yardage plays. Seems content to block a defender on passing plays than dismantling his assignment. Must learn how to use his weight room strength to his best ability. May not have the toughness you would like to see in an interior lineman.
4. Connor Mcgovern – 6’4” 306 Lbs. 5.11 40-time Missouri Senior Age 23 – 5.4
Overview: Another top performer at the combine for offensive lineman. Usually guards are the slow, overweight type whereas this year’s class seems to be faster and in better shape than the tackles. He ran tremendously and had 33 repetitions at 225 Lbs. on the bench. He loves the weight room, plain and simple. He is a three-year starter that had the ability in college to play eight tackle or guard position.
Strengths: He has great height, weight and speed for the position. His strength is difficult to match. He also knows how to use angles and hand placement to get the most out of his brute force. When Connor is playing guard, he shows a tremendous ability to stay in front of his assignment. He packs a heavy punch with both hands which helps him in pass protection. Does not get fooled by second moves too often.
Weakness: Short arms for a tackle, however they should do fine when he plays on the inside. Does not always play with the same tenacity on every play. Needs to learn how to play with better leverage which will make that much more of brute force in the middle. Not the best blocker in the open field.
5. Sebastian Tretola – 6’4” 314 Lbs. 5.45 40-time Arkansas Senior Age 23 – 5.35
Overview: Sebastian was a two-year starter for the Razorbacks. He helped pave the way for two 1,000 yard rushers in 2014 and another 1,000 yard rusher last season. Tretola started his career at Nevada before transferring back to a community college, than making the jump to Arkansas. He earned all SEC honors last season.
Strengths: Good thickness for the position. He has no trouble anchoring against a bull rush. He has the size of an NFL interior offensive lineman as a college player. Wins often on running downs, pushing his defender and creating running lanes. He has the tenacity you want in an offensive lineman and when he locks on to his assignment, there is usually no recovery. His play against top talent boasts well for him in terms of making the transition to the next level.
Weakness: At his best when asked to stay in his area. Limited to guard play only at the next level. Short arms. Plays out of control when asked to reach the second level. Must learn how to stay under control and take better angles. Tends to lean in pass protection and seems to struggle more with quicker defensive tackles than he does against strong defensive tackles. Limited in the schemes he can play in.
6. Joe Dahl – 6’4” 304 Lbs. 5.18 40-time Washington State RS Senior Age 22 – 5.3
Overview: Played the past two seasons at left tackle and did a tremendous job at the position. Can play any position on the offensive line. Earned all Pac-12 honors and second team all American honors. Most still see him as a guard, however I would not be surprised to see him add depth at left tackle. His quickest route to playing time is at the guard position.
Strengths: Versatile is his best friend. Good lower body strength and he knows how to use on running downs. Quick twitch athlete that shows a strong hand punch. Hard worker and student of his craft. Does not give up when he is beat by his defender, and often times he makes the necessary recovery move. When double teaming a defender, he wins.
Weakness: Small hands at nine inches. Has trouble reaching the second level effectively. Needs to work on his footwork and angles if he is going to be anything more than a phone booth type of blocker. Below average arm length. Seems to get sloppy at times and he is susceptible to bull rushes at times due to his tendency to block with his hands outside of the numbers.
7. Parker Ehinger – 6’6” 310 Lbs. 5.26 40-time Cincinnati Senior Age 23 – 4.9
Overview: Another lineman who played left tackle in college but clearly does not have the skill set to stay on the left side in the NFL. Started both guard and tackle positions in college. Two time ACC first team player at left tackle.
Strengths: His strong suit is pass protection, he sets up with a solid base and uses good balance to stay in front of his assignment. Does not lean, ever. Show good angles in run downs that isolate his defender from the play.
Weakness: Overall strength must be improved if he is ever going to start in the NFL. Susceptible to bull rushes. Does not keep his legs driving on running plays and is content with simply standing in front of his defender. Not an asset in blocking in the open field.
8. Willie beavers – 6’5” 321 Lbs. 5.28 40-time Western Michigan Senior Age 22 – 4.9
Overview: Yet another left tackle in college that will need to transition to guard in the NFL. Willie has played left tackle for Boise State for the past three seasons. Second team MAC honors in 2014 and first team honors in 2015.
Strengths: Dare I say it; Willie is a dancing bear. His movement looks natural on film and he does not have to think of proper technique. Nasty blocker that loves to punch and dominate his assignment. Plays very well in space. Does not get beat by double moves easily. His legs are extremely strong. Good motor. He does a good job on staying on his block. When Willie faced elite competition, he played up to their level.
Weakness: Plays out of control at times. Sometimes he moves too much to get the job done. Willie needs to learn how to take better angles, and conserve energy. Has a tendency to lean when he is overly excited. Stands up straight at times during running plays. Needs to learn how to punch between the numbers. Luckily most of his flaws can be corrected, he needs to go to a team with a strong offensive line program.
9. Vadal Alexander – 6’5” 326 Lbs. 5.57 40-time LSU Senior Age 22 – 4.8
Overview: He has played both guard and tackle in college. Vadal will be asked to remain at the guard position in the NFL. First team all SEC honors in 2015. Believe it or not, he used to be much heavier than he was at the combine.
Strengths: Perhaps the biggest body in the draft. Vadal has the ability to become a massive, unmovable lineman in the NFL. His arms are vines (over 34 inches). Heavy hand punch. Should have no problem standing up to bull rushes.
Weakness: His feet are a victim of his massive size. Vadal rarely displays good foot work. He can be beat by savvy pass rushers with good double moves. Must play guard in the NFL due to his inability to be effective outside of a confined area. Is not good at blocking in the second level. Needs to work on hand placement, and keep his punches inside of the numbers.
10. Rees Odhiambo – 6’4” 314 Lbs. 5.00 40-time Boise State RS Senior Age 23 – 4.75
Overview: Kenya native who has impressed scouts with his ability to play. Second team all-conference player in 2014 and first team all-conference player last season. There will be some team that is willing to take on the project due to his potential to be an every day starter in the NFL.
Strengths: Has the versatility to provide depth at both guard and tackle positions. Rees has a muscular frame and has the strength to play at the next level. He uses great pad level for someone his size. He has good balance and a strong lower base, which enables him to defend against bull rushes effectively. Rees has the ability to make blocks outside of the tackle box. Good ability to stay in front of his defender on passing downs. Strong hand punch.
Weakness: Durability is a concern. He has not been able to complete a whole season of play. He is still raw and needs time to develop. Sort of a tweener, he has good traits for both guard or tackle positions, however there are concerns regardless of the position he is to be slotted at. He can be beat by double moves. Needs to be able to isolate his assignment better.
