After weeks of game tape watching, number crunching, chart making and watching prospects run in underwear, we are where we are today. Rankings should be set for the most part or you should be doing your last tweaking to them. Here at eDraft we have done our collective top-100 players and we will now delve deeper into that and start breaking down each position.
Offensive tackle is the one position in the NFL Draft that seems to go in the top 10 every year and often times top 5. This is a two man race for the top tackle taken in this year with Auburns Greg Robinson and Texas A&Ms Jake Matthews taking those spots. There are a lot of other ones being talked about as a potential first-rounder, as well as mid-round guys who have the potential to start too. Without further ado, here are eDrafts official offensive tackle rankings.
10. Seantrel Henderson, Miami
Henderson came into Miami as a top recruit in the country and was supposed to be a dominant force and he was, at times. However, he never dominates for a whole game and at times will go for games only looking like a mediocre tackle. The talent is undeniable, but the ability to put it all together just hasn’t been there. If a coach can get him to play at the best of his ability however, watch out the kid could be a great one.
9. Morgan Moses, Virginia
While Moses doesn’t have the best technique, he is an extremely impressive offensive tackle prospect. He is a large man at 6’6” and 314 pounds, but he has very good feet for a man his size. When he gets his hands on you he has the ability to latch and move defenders wherever he wants them to go. Uses his long arm well by punching defenders to keep them off his frame and shows a good kick-slide to deal with speed rushers. Has all the tools to be a starter in this league for a long time.
8. Billy Turner, North Dakota State
Turner has the look of what you want your tackle to be with his size and athleticism. He plays the position with a mean, nasty attitude that coaches love to see on their line. He has a good shuffle to get out and protect the edge as well as the ability to get up field and take on linebackers. That being said, there are some concerns with Turner. The main one you have to look at the quality of opponents he faced, which is obviously lower.
7. Jack Mewhort, Ohio State
Mewhort may end up being more of a right tackle in the NFL, but he has the strength and toughness to be a very good one. He has shown good technique and the ability to latch onto opponents and control them to where he wants them to go. He does tend to play high and they will need to be fixed, but he has shown good flexibility and core strength. Doesn’t have elite athleticism or quickness, which is why he may be more suited for the right side in the NFL.
6. Antonio Richardson, Tennessee
Richards is a mammoth of a man, standing 6’6” and weighing in at 336 pounds. Richardson is surprisingly athletic for as big as he is and has long arms that allow him to latch onto a defender before they get into his body. Once he latches on he can take a defender wherever he wants to and he plays on the balls of his feet well, keeping balance. He can over extend at the snap at times instead of letting the defender come to him. If he refines his technique some, he can be a dominant force in the NFL.
5. Cyrus Kouandjio, Alabama
When you watch Kouandjio his athleticism just jumps out at you. He is very light on his feet and has shown the agility to move to his left or to his right depending on what the play calls for. He has broad shoulders and long arms which allow him to get blocks on defenders and sustain them. He has shown good pass blocking ability, but great run blocking ability. Despite the poor showing at the combine, Kouandjio has elite left tackle tools.
4. Taylor Lewan, Michigan
Lewan has the ideal build for an offensive tackle and has shown good athleticism to go along with it. Lewan has a nasty disposition on the field which can be great at times, but has also picked up some really unnecessary penalties too. Has shown good agility to kick out and handle speed rushers at times, but will still struggle in the pass game at times. Really good run blocker who can get to the second level. Struggles when players countered or jab-stepped and went back inside because his technique isn’t great.
3. Zack Martin, Notre Dame
Martin plays low and keeps his feet underneath him well enough to handle both power and speed rushers on the edge. He has the core strength to anchor and plays with good quickness off the snap, even if not explosiveness. He has shown the ability to get to the second level and plays with nastiness on the field that coaches love. That being said, he doesn’t have ideal size or length on the field or foot speed so many think a move to guard may be necessary.
2. Greg Robinson, Auburn
Robinson has the most upside of anyone in this draft with his blend of size, athleticism and power. Robinson has broad shoulders, long legs and tree trunk thighs and can latch on to a defender and drive him wherever he wants with ease. Robinson is already an elite run blocker and can step in day one and be one of the better run blockers in the league. He is still developing as a pass blocker, but he has all the tools to be elite in that area as well. He plays with good flexibility as well as quick out of his stance to stop speed rushers on the edge.
1. Jake Matthews, Texas A&M
Though Matthews isn’t the athlete that Robinson is, but he is still a good athlete in his own right. He has good mobility and strong arms to control his opponent when pass blocking. Matthews greatest strength is his superior technique on the field with his initial quickness off the snap. He is a tenacious blocker who will play with nastiness at times. He is athletic enough to get to the second level and block linebackers up the field. The only time he has problems is when stops moving his feet, he doesn’t have the elite athleticism to recover. Matthews may not have the upside that Robinson does, but he is a plug-and-play tackle who can start day one.