Combine Review – Offensive Line

Combine Review – Offensive Line

To see color coded combine results chart for offensive linemen click here

Barrett Jones – Current Rank 1 / Previous Rank 1

Jones continues to be the top center on my board. However, he was unable to work-out at the combine because he recently underwent foot surgery, his recovery is on track and he should be ready by May mini-camps. Jones measured out very well at the combine and has excellent arm length for the center position. Jones is versatile and has played at guard, tackle and center for the national champions Alabama. His college experience and track record are exemplary. He can potentially be looked at as an offensive guard or center in the NFL.

Brian Schwenke – Current Rank 2 / Previous Rank 3

Schwenke sustained his upward trend after an outstanding performance at the Senior Bowl. Schwenke is a powerful interior blocker who is able to anchor and hold his ground versus large interior power rushers. At the combine he showed his superb movement skills and athleticism. His combination of power and fluidity will elevate his stock into the 2^nd round and possibly the late first. Look for Green Bay and Dallas to take a close look at thiskid.

 

Travis Frederick – Current Rank 3 / Previous Rank 2

Wisconsin linemen aren’t known for their finesse or movement skills, so we never expected Travis to run well at the combine. Travis was viewed coming into the combine as a power player at the center position, so it was a surprise that he weighed-in lower than expected at 312lbs, down from his advertised playing weight of 330+lbs. He also had average results posting just 21 reps in the bench press while being one of the slowest players at the combine. Travis’s combine was not a disaster but he may get dinged a bit from the lack of measurable power, but his tape is good and he has sound technique. He is only a fit in an MBS system.

Khaled Holmes – Current Rank 4 / Previous Rank 4

Holmes combine started off great. At just 6’3” he measured up with 35in arms, which is tackle worthy length for an interior player. Disaster struck as Holmes was injured on the bench press. The injury does not appear to be serious and teams will have to take a closer look at him on his Pro Day.

Chance Warmack – Current Rank 1 / Previous Rank 1

Warmack measured in smaller than advertised, and did not have particularly great results in the quantifiable test such as 40yard dash, but once the O-line drills began he showed why he is considered the best guard in the class. The Tape, the level of competition and his drill work will keep his stock elevated. I think he is an excellent player, however, I am not one of those who believe that he is the best player in this draft at any position, I can see Tennessee, San Diego and Dallas having interest in the mid first.

Jonathan Copper – Current Rank 2 / Previous Rank 2

Cooper tore up the combine; he had a great showing in the quantifiable test and qualitative drills. He came in to the combine expected to showcase his excellent athletic ability and he did not disappoint. But he had questions about his overall strength and power, he answered those by posting a 35 rep bench press. Between Cooper and Warmack, the margin is very small. It’s hard to see him slipping past Dallas in the middle of the first round.

Larry Warford– Current Rank 3 / Previous Rank 3

Man Blocking Scheme! This big boy is what he is! I saw him go up against John Jenkins at the Senior Bowl and it was like watching two Bison’s fighting during mating season. He is a massive cog on the O-line that will not be moved, Warford slides his feet very well in pass protection for a guy his size, but Larry is not a guard who can pull out and make plays at the second level because of his limited speed. Warford is a scheme based player and will not fit in every offense. Look for JAC, SD, DAL and CHI as potential landing spots in the 2nd or 3rd rounds.

Others

Alvin Bailey, Earl Watford and Kyle Long should garner interest from ZBS teams in the 3rd and 4th rounds. Many are raving about Kyle Long’s athletic ability, but I am here to say it’s a lot of hype. I saw him this season and during the senior bowl, where he was unimpressive at the tackle position, he may be getting by on his name recognition. A move inside to guard in a ZBS should be beneficial for him.

Teams that have a Flex or MBS system will be very pleased with their options later in the draft with Hugh Thornton and Eric Herman.

Eric Fisher – Current Rank 1 / Previous Rank 2

Fisher #1. Should not be a surprise, I think most analysts out there are maybe thinking the same thing. Eric Fisher has not only excelled at every step of the evaluation process, he has dominated! He conquered the best pass rushers in the country at the Senior Bowl, and showcased his athletic ability at the combine, Fisher is a fluid player with a mean streak, and he has shown me everything I need to see from an elite LT prospect. He is a #1 pick in my books.

Luke Joeckel – Current Rank 2 / Previous Rank 1

Joeckel is an excellent player, the difference between him and Fisher is minimal. Both are deserving of high draft selections. Joeckel is a technically sound player with exceptional footwork, he is able to slide effortlessly in pass protection and impressed with his ability to neutralize pass rushers trying to get to the edge, he has the complete package and will contend with Eric Fisher for the #1 spot.

Lane Johnson– Current Rank 3 / Previous Rank 3

Johnson was a Quarterback, turned Tight-End, turned Left Tackle. Lane continued to build upon is outstanding performances and showed that he is truly an exceptional athlete posting a 4.72 40 yard dash and a 34in vertical at 303lbs. ARZ, SD,MIA, STL, PIT, NYG and CHI are all looking for either left tackle or right tackle. Johnson will not escape the TOP 20 of the draft.

Others

David Quessenberry looks to be a steal if he goes as projected in the 3rd round. After his solid performances over the past two months, I don’t believe he hangs around until the 3rd round though. I really like this kid. He has the potential to play Left Tackle but would be suited to starting out on the right side and transitioning over to LT once he has NFL experience.

Terron Armstead impressed with his blazing speed, and it’s sure to send many teams back to the tapes to have a second look at him. He blew up the combine and will be talked about in the late first round to early second. Possible landing spots are IND, NE, ATL, BAL, ARZ, and NYJ.

David Bakhtiari is another prospect who solidified his place in the 2nd round by dispelling concerns about his strength, Bakhtiari does need to pack on some more weight to help with his leverage on first contact against power rushers and he has the frame to do so.

I was disappointed that Brennan Williams did not participate in drills and as a result I will continue to see him as a RT prospect. Rather than over draft Armstead, teams should consider Quessenberry as an option in rounds 2 or 3.

DJ Fluker – Current Rank 1 / Previous Rank 1

Fluker to me has Pro Bowl potential at the RT position. However, he is a fit only for man blocking schemes. Fluker is a mauler similar to Andre Smith and will no doubt be on STL and BAL shopping list. However, with the league becoming more pass dominant, teams that have been running traditional man blocking scheme systems are now showing more interest in linemen that can be versatile. Fluker’s Achilles-Heel will be his liability in pass protection versus edge rushers and he could possibly slide into the 2nd round as result.

Others

Oday Aboushi stock has been dropping since the senior bowl, once referred to as the 4th overall tackle on the board, he has underwhelmed at various stages of the process. He is unfortunately gifted with short arms which will preclude him from being considered at LT. His poor combine performance in just about every quantifiable drill will see his stock slide even further. There were mixed reviews about his overall status, but Oday may not hear his name called until round 3.

Brennan Williams looks to have Left Tackle potential with his athletic ability but he did not work-out at the combine. He needs to be more disciplined at the line of scrimmage, I am not sure he has a full understanding of the position, and he does need coaching but his potential is high. He is a firm 2nd round pick at right tackle and has tremendous upside.

Justin Pugh has had a good draft process thus far, but those genetics that gave him 32in arms will hamper him from being considered at left tackle and may even hamper him from being drafted at RT, he may be asked to move inside at guard.

Ricky Wagner was the 4th RT on my board early in January but at the senior bowl he showed a lack of flexibility and seemed rigid in his movements, I am worried about him versus the league’s speed rushers, Wagner salvaged some of his stock with a decent combine, but he remains a 3rd round prospect on my board.

Xavier Nixon has been solid and may be a sleeper pick on some teams draft boards, he has flashed elite level potential but has been inconsistent and undisciplined at the line of scrimmage.

Menelik Watson has gotten a lot of attention for his raw ability and upside, he is still learning the position and needs a lot of coaching, both Nixon and Watson may go as early as the 2nd round.Watson is not the answer for a team that’s on the cusp of a super bowl, he may need a season or two of developing before he can be consistent at the NFL level. I expect the first couple years to be up and down for him, especially if placed on the left side, but his natural ability should help cover up some of his inexperience. Best fit for him is with a team that has a simplified blocking scheme and preferably a young team that’s in re-building mode.

Chris Faulk and Dallas Thomas are candidates for late 2nd or 3rd round consideration. Dallas Thomas may be looked at to play the guard position as well, while the talented Faulk needs to show that injury concerns are behind him. BYU’s Braden Brown is not ready to start at the NFL level, but he had a terrific combine and can be a late round value as a developmental tackle.

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Max Lukas

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