We will continue our “Sizing Up the Senior Bowl” series with the offensive tackles. The offensive tackle especially on the blind side can be just as an important piece of an organization as the quarterbacks they protect. At first look, this year’s class isn’t near as talented as last years. As Dane Brugler pointed out, many NFL execs have said “this year’s class is the worst senior bowl group in 20 years”. While there doesn’t appear to be a Luke Joeckel or Eric Fisher, Zach Martin may be the best and he doesn’t even project to play tackle at the next level.
Matt Patchan – Boston College
Patchan has been a real surprise to the Senior Bowl mainly due to the fact that he wasn’t supposed to be competing. If it weren’t for the injury to Ju’Wan James, many would have to wait till the combine to watch him compete. Patchan plays with a mean streak and he comes with an unflattering injury history. For that reason he is my seventh ranked tackle at the Senior Bowl and he is slated to be a day three selection.
Jack Mewhort – Ohio State
Mewhort can play just about every position among the offensive line. He was recruited to play center but soon moved to guard and eventually to offensive tackle. He also projects mainly as a right tackle. His versatility will be very attractive to potential teams. Mewhort is most likely to be drafted on day two.
Brandon Thomas – Clemson
Thomas has good feet quickness for a man of his size, but length could be a real issue. Much like the other tackles at the Senior Bowl, Thomas might be a better guard than tackle. He has also shown the ability to mirror the defender very well and keep him about from his quarterback/running backs. Thomas is projecting to be a day three selection at the guard position.
Seantrel Henderson – Miami
Henderson has the size and length to be a left tackle despite only practicing on the right side. He does show issues with leverage when going against more undersized defensive linemen. Henderson may find himself sliding down on many teams’ draft board or off of them completely due to stating that many of his suspensions at the U were due to marijuana use. Henderson is projected to be a late day three selection.
Billy Tuner – North Dakota State
Billy Turner may just be this year’s Eric Fisher. Not that he is worthy of the number one overall selection but he did play against weaker opposition much like Fisher at Central Michigan. Turner has struggled against the upgrade in talent. It wasn’t in just one area either; it was more across the board. He should still be a day two selection who will benefit from a great position coach and the chance to develop.
Morgan Moses – Virginia
Moses a big man who is really good at one thing, pass protection. He knows his job is to keep his quarterback off the turf. On one particular play Moses stopped Brent Urban dead in his tracks showing that he had a good anchor. Moses has shown a great combination of strength and mobility. He had a very strong showing at the right tackle position and even help his own at left tackle. Moses is projected anywhere from late first round to the second round.
Zack Martin – Notre Dame
Much has been made about the length of Martin but he is one of the very few that has been able to hold his own against Aaron Donald. Martin has shown consistency starting 52 games in his career at Notre Dame, 50 of those coming at left tackle. Mirrors his defenders well and fits both blocking schemes it would seem. What Martin does best is he is quick off the snap, and even quicker getting his hands on the defensive linemen. Martin is projected as a first round selection.