1. Laremy Tunsil – 6’5” 310 Lbs. 5.15 40-time Mississippi Junior Age 21 – 6.25
Overview: Regardless of how you look at it, Tunsil has off-field situations. Regardless of how his college career went, the time he has on the field was used to the fullest potential. Off the field he was not the most ideal of candidates for a first round pick, however each time that he was on the field he showed why he was and always will be a high valued target.
Strengths: One of the most highly recruited players out of high school. Laremy was also one of the highest acknowledged collegiate lineman ever. He has ideal length along with the upper body strength to go with it. His foot quickness is the quality that has offensive coordinators hoping for his service. He shows a great ability to use proper bend in his lower body to reach ideal pad level. Uses his length and strength properly in pass protection. Has a good ability to mirror his assignment during passing downs. Plays well off of the ball on screen plays and runs outside. Approaches second level blocks with balance and smarts. Played up to the level of his opponent.
Weakness: He needs to add some bulk to his frame. On passing downs he tends to lose focus at times. Durability is a legitimate concern of his. Once a power move gets to the outside of him, he seemed to be beat on that play. At his best in the running game at this moment, he is an average run blocker. So long as his feet and quickness can overcome his lack of power he can become one of the best offensive lineman in the NFL.
2. Ronnie Stanley – 6’6” 312 Lbs. 5.20 40-time Notre Dame Senior Age 22 – 6
Overview: Ronnie stayed in school last season for a chance to win a college championship. Although his team did not make to the playoff this season, it was not his fault. Instead of showing any faults this past season, Stanley showed why he is a highly rated offensive tackle. He is durable, experienced tackle, that can get the job done at either tackle position in the NFL.
Strengths: Plays with an excellent motor throughout all of the game. His long arms make pass blocking easy for him. Displays excellent an hand punch in both arms on every play. Does not stop until he hears the whistle. Shows the ability to be effective in pull situations. His footwork showed improvement this year compared to last season.
Weakness: Needs to get stronger overall. Bigger edge rushers will get the better of him at times. Does not have the strength to overpower in the NFL. Average at recovery moves. Often gets beat by bull rushers. Does not have quick twitch power.
3. Jack Conklin* – 6’6” 310 Lbs. 5.00 40-time Michigan State Junior Age 21 – 5.9
Overview: Conklin is a three year starter, he spent most of his collegiate career at left tackle in a premier program. He displayed the toughness and dedication to go from a walk-on to a house hold name in the big-ten. Jack played a major part in overcoming their conference rivals Ohio State to a Big-Ten championship.
Strengths: He plays with a sense of desperation that helps him against all kinds of defenders. He shows a solid ability to utilize his natural strength to overcome his assignment. Shows good power in his punches. Shows a good tendency to punch within the numbers. Shows a good ability to climb to the next level. As a run blocker he has the ability to eliminate his initial target. Displays a solid base during pass plays to mirror his blocker. Bull rushes do not affect him.
Weakness: He could be beaten by some of the speed in NFL pass rushers. At times, he will play his hand too early against pass rushers who have savvy moves. Jack has a tendency to favor his upper body strength than his foot work.
4. Taylor Decker – 6’7” 310 Lbs. 523 40-time Ohio State Junior Age 21 – 5.8
Overview: Taylor has proved that he can lead an offensive line. With one year left of eligibility, he opted to stay in school instead of coming out last season. Playing this past season at Ohio State showed that he was an obvious 1st round prospect at left tackle. Taylor was acknowledged as the best offensive lineman in the big-ten.
Strengths: Decker has the ideal frame of a left tackle in the NFL. On top of his frame he has displayed good overall strength. During his collegiate career he showed mental toughness, and off field qualities to become a leader. Ability to keep his feet moving through the whistle. Taylor does not waste his opportunities to rip a second level defender. Great ability to mirror his assignment on passing downs. Does not waste energy or space in his initial movements. Proven himself more than worthy of a left tackle that will continue to improve.
Weakness: A decent percentage of plays he stands up straight, when he does this it seems as if he is taking the play off. His knees could be a long term issue, he tends to use his length too much. Since he uses his upper body so much, Decker has shown that his lower body skills are not where they need to be. Since he does not play as well with his lower body, he is susceptible to double moves, as his lower body is not as quick as the defenders he will face. Top heavy, makes him a prospect to fail on the left side unfortunately.
5. Germain Ifedi – 6’6” 325 Lbs. 5.27 40-time Texas A&M Junior Age 21 – 5.75
Overview: Germain has an ideal build for tackle in the NFL. At 6’6” and nearly 330 Lbs., his frame is already an ideal size. Ifedi is a mauler, his technique is not the prettiest, however he has and will be one of the strongest men on the field. He could have stayed for one more season, but it would not have helped his NFL worth.
Strengths: Germain’s arms are the perfect definition of vines. His athleticism helps his worth at tackle. Punches are strong and effective. Good ability to recover, that gives enables him to cancel out his assignment. Solid footwork for a man his size. A double move does not affect him. On running downs, Germain shows good ability to not only beat his man, but block more than one player.
Weakness: Although he shows good ability off the snap, sometimes he loses the quick battle. Sometimes he is caught leaning for his initial move. During passing downs, he does not always take the best angle. Does not have the best kick block. His pad level is not ideal.
6. Jason Spriggs – 6’5” 300 Lbs. 4.94 40-time Indiana Junior Age 22 – 5.5
Overview: Spriggs has the ideal size, strength, and athleticism to play Left Tackle in the NFL. This highly decorated, four-year starter plays with the type of effort that coaches love to see. Jason is a steal any later than round three.
Strengths: One of the strongest offensive line prospects. Sprggs also has nice length for any position on the offensive line. Mirroring his assignment is natural to him and most times he has a speed advantage. Good blocker in space. He has the tenacity to finish blocks. Strong punch with both hands.
Weakness: If I had to point one out, it would have to be Jason does not use his weight room strength to its fullest potential. He is a little top-heavy. His pass rushing technique is also in need of good coaching. With a solid year of the NFL lineman life style, Jason could turn out to be one of the best lineman in this year’s draft.
7. Shon Coleman – 6’5” 308Lbs. 5.30 40-time Auburn Senior Age 23 – 5.4
Overview: Shon is a cancer survivor that best won the battle six years ago. Coleman has been LSU starting left tackle for the past two seasons. Few players have won a battle similar to Shon, now the second team all-conference tackle is going to take his shot at the big leagues.
Strengths: He has ideal size for the position. His arms are perfect size at 35 inches. Best of all, he knows how to use his length. Coleman has the mean streak that is coveted in offensive lineman. When his jab makes contact, the defender knows it. Shon shows good versatility, being able to block in multiple ways on running downs.
Weakness: With his tenacity, comes a loss in technique. His balance is off multiple plays a game due to his tendency to lean forward. Needs to learn how to move all four limbs at once. Seems to be content with simply blocking an assignment. He will hit his target hard, however he does not show the ability to defeat one assignment then move onto the next.
8. Le’Raven Clark – 6’5” 320 Lbs. 5.30 40-time Texas Tech Senior Age 23 – 5.25
Overview: Clark was a four-year starter in college, most of that time was spent play left tackle. He is one of the most decorated offensive lineman in Texas Tech history. Le’Raven could wind up anywhere on the offensive line, he plays the game it was meant to be played.
Strengths: at 36 inches, his arms are some of the longest in this year’s draft and in the NFL. His overall frame is excellent as well. He moves extremely well for his size. Plays with steady balance, that allows him to mirror his assignment. Quick feet, double moves stand little chance against him. His strength allows him to recover well when beaten. He has the anchor to play inside if needed. Knowledgeable in the running game in terms of: angles, schemes, and style.
Weakness: Like most offensive lineman that play with his level of tenacity, Le’Raven tends to lean at times, especially when he is beat. Plays out of control at times. Needs to use his hands more effectively. After he is engaged if Clark does not feel that he can dismantle his assignment, he will settle for staying in front of his man. When on the move, Le’Raven is upright which makes blocking in space difficult.
9. Jerald Hawkins – 6’6” 305 Lbs. 5.23 40-time LSU Junior Age 21 – 5.0
Overview: The only junior from LSU to leave for the draft this year, the three-year starter seems poised to earn a starting role in the NFL in the next few seasons. Jerald played left tackle the past two seasons for LSU.
Strengths: He shows a great ability to use his feet/lower body effectively. Ideal arm length for an offensive lineman. Once Jerald grabs hold of a defender, he will hold his block for an exceptional amount of time. Good body balance allows him to play well on passing downs. Hawkins’ foot quickness allows him to own double moves. Battle tested against some of the nation’s best college talent, Jerald shows his ability to be versatile on running downs along with shutting down assignments on passing downs.
Weakness: Hawkins will benefit from some time bulking up. When he does lose, it is not due to technique but is a result of his power. Needs to get stronger all over. Cannot push his blocker back with his own two feet. Must improve on blocking in space if he is going to be more than average. Must get faster on his punches.
10. Caleb Benenoch – 6’5” 310 Lbs. 4.98 40-time UCLA Senior Age 23 – 4.8
Overview: Versatile offensive lineman that could find his home at either tackle or guard in the NFL. At either position Caleb will be best suited as a two-year project with the upside to become an above average starter.
Strengths: Caleb’s biggest strength is his athleticism, long arms, and overall body control. Benenoch plays well in space, and he also shows the ability to mirror his defenders. He could be better off sitting for two seasons and then being placed at guard.
Weakness: Will always be a finesse blocker. Tends to lean at times. Seems to overcompensate for strength with leaning too much. His punches are too wide to be effective. Caleb has shown a tendency to be beat on double teams.
