The OL Draft Prospects thread

The OG Tiers per NFP





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Breaking down the tiers of offensive guard prospects…

Tier 1
http://cdn.cloudfiles.mosso.com/c191...splayimage.jpgICONGlenn looks more like a guard than tackle to me.
David DeCastro: Stanford (6-5, 310)
The best offensive line prospect I've evaluated since Maurkice Pouncey in 2010. He showcases the ability to get a push in-line and is a dominant move player as well. He's fluid/natural in pass protection and with a little more power in his base he's got the skill set to become on of the leagues best guards early in his NFL career.

Tier 2

Cordy Glenn: Georgia (6-5, 348)
Has had some struggles in space as a tackle prospect, but in tighter areas where he can get his hands on linemen quickly as a guard he showcases the ability to dominate. Looks like a starting caliber OG early in his NFL career.

Tier 3

Amini Silatolu: Midwestern State (6-3, 324)
He has some technique flaws that needs to be fixed and will need to kick inside at the next level. However, he's a wide-bodied athlete with a powerful/explosive frame, good foot quickness and can really pull from the backside. Might need some time, but is one of the top guards in the class with as much upside as any.

Brandon Brooks: Miami (Ohio) (6-5, 343)
Is a big, strong kid who has some lateral quickness for his size but needs some technique work. Nevertheless, has some upside and can win consistently in the run game and pass game and looks like an NFL starter in an angle scheme to me.

Kevin Zeitler: Wisconsin (6-4, 315)
A tough, strong in-line guy who you can run behind and also has some coordination on the move. Not as effective in the pass game, but can mature into an average NFL pass blocker if he learns to get off the ball more consistently. Looks like a gritty type starter early on in his NFL career to me.


Tier 4

Kelechi Osemele: Iowa State (6-6, 347)
A big, thick kid with natural strength, athleticism and flexibility. Has improved his technique and overall range off the edge, but is better suited to play inside or on the right side at the next level.
http://cdn.cloudfiles.mosso.com/c191...yg/washrun.jpgICONWashington is another lineman better suited to play guard.
Brandon Washington: Miami (6-4, 320)
The talent is there for this guy to mature into a guard you can win with consistently inside at the next level. He needs to improve his pad level in the in-line game and tighten up his footwork in all areas. However, with a year of seasoning he certainly should mature into an above-average guard in the NFL with the talent to start at right

Jeff Allen: Illinois (6-5, 315)
He's not an overpowering run blocker, but can bend, gain leverage and seal inside. He's smooth and coordinated in pass protection, can keep his base down and warrants a higher grade because of it. Needs to play inside at the next level, but looks like a guy who can start in the league.

Lucas Nix: Pittsburgh (6-6, 310)
A good athlete for the position who can win in the pass game and seal lanes inside as a run blocker as well. Has some upside as a power play moving lineman off the ball and looks like a capable starter in the NFL.

Tier 5

Tony Bergstrom: Utah (6-6, 315)
A big, strong tackle/guard prospect with some short area quickness for his size. But struggles with flexibility in pass protection and looks limited in what he can offer an NFL offense. However, looks more coordinated and plays lower as a guard and looks like that is where his future lies in the NFL.

Senio Kelemete: Washington (6-4, 301)
A gifted athlete with a strong base, strong hands and a passion for the game. Needs to clean up his footwork and his body type makes me think he's more of a guard only prospect.

Derek Dennis: Temple (6-5, 328)
Is worth a mid round pick because he moves so well for a 325-pound lineman. Needs to learn to play lower though if he ever hopes to be anything more than a reserve. However, his fluidity on the move says he has a chance to mature into a starter.

http://www.dabears.com/image/png;bas...AAAElFTkSuQmCChttp://www.dabears.com/image/gif;bas...A7AAAAAAAAAAAA

Now, the NFP OT Tiers



http://cdn.cloudfiles.mosso.com/c191...c/hotsheet.pngBreaking down the tiers of offensive tackle prospects…

Tier 1

Matt Kalil: Southern California (6-7, 295)
There are some negatives concerning his overall anchor strength. However, you have a "plus" athlete at the position with good foot quickness, natural change of direction skåills who knows how to bend. Might need a year to get stronger. But has the skill set to play in year one and develop into one of the leagues better offensive tackles as he matures physically.

Tier 2
http://cdn.cloudfiles.mosso.com/c191...1214192354.jpgICONReiff is natrual on the move.
Mike Adams: Ohio State (6-8, 320)
He's a talented kid with a big frame, long arms and natural movement skills. He can bend and if he can put it all together and continue to improve his footwork he could certainly mature into a starting caliber left tackle in the NFL.

Tier 3

Riley Reiff: Iowa (6-6, 300)
Showcases the ability to bend with good foot quickness and range in pass protection. Also displays an explosive element to his game as a run blocker. Needs to be more consistent with his footwork and would like to see him develop a bit more as a puncher in order to keep himself clean. Nevertheless, has the athleticism, flexibility and pedigree to mature into a solid starting left tackle in the NFL.

Jonathan Martin: Stanford (6-6, 304)
He's got the NFL size, length and overall athletic skill set. However, he's not a natural anchor player and doesn't strike me as a guy who is ever going to be real physical at the next level. He can mirror in space, but struggles to stick through contact and isn't real heavy handed. Looks like a finesse tackle who will get over drafted because of athletic talent, but is going to have a hard time keeping the edge clean at the next level.


Tier 4

Mitchell Schwartz: California (6-6, 318)
Displays solid athletic ability, but looks better suited to play on the right side in the NFL vs. less speed. A nice early/mid round type draft pick who should eventually fight for playing time.
http://cdn.cloudfiles.mosso.com/c191...tatBoiseSt.jpgICONPotter has been impressive all post-season.
Nate Potter: Boise State (6-6, 300)
Potter, in my book, is a poor man's version of former Boston College LT Anthony Castonzo, as he has the talent to earn a starting job in more of a zone scheme, but is going to need a year or two before he's ready physically to mature into the player he's capable of becoming.

Matt McCants: Alabama-Birmingham (6-7, 295)
McCants possesses a great looking frame that has the ability to get bigger and mature physically. Athletically, all the tools are there for this kid to play left tackle in the NFL, he just needs some time to make the jump in competition and mature physically.

Brandon Mosley: Auburn (6-6, 305)
A tough kid who plays hard, likes to finish and understands angles in the pass game. Has some upside down the line coming from a JUCO program in 2010, but as of now looks like a roster guy in year one who could fight for playing time down the line. Reminds me some of former UVA OT Will Barker.

Tier 5

Andrew Datko: Florida State (6-6, 321)
He's a solid athlete who can bend, re-direct and block in space. However, he's had some struggles with power when trying to stay engaged and hasn't been able to stay healthy throughout his career. Nevertheless, in a weak offensive tackle class, he's one of the few prospects that possess the skill set to start in the NFL.

Markus Zusevics: Iowa (6-5, 300)
A "plus" run blocker who more than held his own in the pass game. He quickly gets off the football, generates a snap into contact and improved his pad level into/out of his stance as the year went on. Zusevics looks like a potential starting caliber offensive lineman -either at guard or tackle- in the NFL with a year or two of seasoning, but has limited upside.

Zebrie Sanders: Florida State (6-6, 307)
A natural athlete who can bend and is athletic. However, struggles with power and makes too many lineman look like good pass rushers toward the edge because of it. Needs to get stronger to have a chance.

Osemele is closer to tier two than he is tier four. Guy has some fantastic tangibles and tape.

To me it looks like there's enough depth at either position to be able to shore up the line with a draft pick. Unless DeCastro fell into our laps I'd take our pass rusher in one and wait until round two at the earliest for a lineman. Now that we have Marshall I believe we could by pass a WR in round two in favor of one of the top OG's. The immediate need may not be there as much as other positions but after this season we'll have some decisions to make about who to extend of re-sign so a forward thinking move wouldn't be a bad idea.