- Joe Thomas - Wisconsin
I know Troy Smith won the Heisman, but Joe Thomas was the best player in college football last season. He is the only offensive lineman I have ever watched who dominated every single game, every series, every snap, the only one who ever jumped out at you during the course of a normal game. In most years he'd be far away the #1 player on every board, but that Calvin Johnson guy messed that up for him this year. Will get bumped up a spot or two in the overall rankings because he loves to fish. Could be a Lion on draft day, any team in the league would love to have this guy. Sure fire top 5 pick.
2. Joe Staley - Central Michigan
Could be the fastest tackle ever to enter in the draft, 4.8. Staley's physical abilities, and relative newness to the position, give him a ridiculously high ceiling. According to Bill Parcell's "Planet Theory" huge, athletic, dominate tackles (on both sides of the ball) are so rare that they are immensely valuable. Staley isn't all potential though, he plays with a great motor and good technique. Tremdously naturally strong, Staley still can add 15-20 pounds of muscle to his frame in his first year or two in the pros which will ameliorate scouts major consern, size. He will sometimes be beaten by bull rushers (but adding muscle and staying lower will correct the problem.) The 6'6'' 305lb Staley is by no means a small man, but adding the extra size and strength without compromising his greatest assest (speed/lateral quickness) will make Staley a standout for years to come. The left tackle position requires guys who can move well in space while occuping defensive ends and linebackers. Guys like Staley and Thomas who can be left one on one allow for tight ends and backs to take on other responsibilities (routes/blocking other defenders) which hugely helps an offensive. Staley would be perfect for the Denver Broncos who value smaller, mobile linemen. However they seem to have their sights aimed else where. Joe seems to be one of the prospects moving up teams boards the quickest in the days before the draft so pinpointing where he will go is hard. He is definately be the highest selected Central Michigan alumnus since the unfrozen caveman center. Staley will be a great pick for any team in the mid to late first round.
3. Levi Brown - Penn State
Brown is #2 on most boards, but I've flip flopped the normal 2-3, not because I don't like Brown (as you will soon see I do) but only because I have a bit of a hetero man crush on Staley. This large Nitny Lion was a four year starter who continuously played at a high level for some very good Joe Pa teams. Brown plays with a large base and uses his very long arms to engulf opposing rushers. Despite what his fourty time, 5.4, might lead you to believe, Brown is quick off the ball virtually never let a collegiate speed rusher beat him off the edge. Prototypical size, 6'5'', 320, and strong. In college he dominated by being much bigger and stronger than everybody else. He does need technical work, his hand placement is a problem and will cause him to get beat by vetern pass rushers at the next level. Brown's footwork can get whaupi-jawed from time to time, causing him to lose balance and one on one battles. Has the size, quickness and strength the play on the left side of the line in the pros. Brown could go as high as #10 to Houston (think they need a tackle?) and would be very nice value for any team in the mid to late first round.
4. Tony Ugoh - Arkansas
After the big three is a precipitous drop off, which if you follow Parcell's theory will make perfect sense. Ugoh is one the few other prospects in the draft that has a chance to be a real good player. This Razorback moved way up the draft charts this year on the strength of a very good senior year, paving the way for future top 5 pick Darren McFadden. Ugoh has good size, 6'5'' 300, though he will have to bulk up some. One of the strongest players in the draft, Ugoh, really jolts defenders and can knock people back. He does have good enough lateral movement to pass block from the tackle position but speed and athleticism aren't Ugoh's strong suits. He has a problem running downfield, getting to the second level. A terrific run blocker when his man is right in front of him. Ugoh does play a bit high and needs his technique refined (as virtually all o-line prospects do, well maybe except Joe Thomas.) Maybe most problematic is that Ugoh comes with somewhat of a repuation for not loving the game, a cardinal sin in NFL circles, and it may take a master motivator to the Ugoh to be as good as he can be. Ugoh will most likely be a late second round pick, but could easily slide into the third.
5. Doug Free - Northern Illinois
Free has combinations of size and speed, 6'6'', 325, 5.17, that make him a stud. He's very good in space and great at getting to linebackers during run plays. Free started 49 consecutive games for the Huskies, including two at tight end his freshman year. Free plays with good overall technique and dominated at a lower level of competition. The biggest knock against Doug is a lack of strength. Bigger defenders caused him some problems. He needs to work on upper body strength. Free will have a big adjustment coming from NIU to the NFL. Free could be a third round pick who if he spends a year bulking up may develop into a nice player, along the lines of another NIU great Ryan Diem.
6. James Marten - Boston College
Marten comes from a program known for develping solid lineman, and he's just that a solid lineman. At 6'7.5'', 310, Marten shows great speed for his size, 5.09. Marten is a pretty similar to most BC linemen; he plays hard, has been very well coached in college, and is smart. Marten has played some guard in his collegiate career. Kind of guy who does everything well, but nothing great. Is athletic enough to play in space, but will get overmatched physically by stonger defenders. Needs to bulk up, and definately has the frame to add muscle mass without sacrificing anyting. He has the tools to turn into a starter in the league. Should be a late Day 1 pick, or very early Day 2 worst case senario.
7. Ryan Harris - Notre Dame
The same criticisms that Harris heard out of high school he's hearing now, he's not big or strong enough. Harris, 6'4.5'' 305, is unquestionably athletic enough to play the tackle position. He plays with very good technique and has been a starter on the Irish line for 3 and half years. Extremely smart and dedicated, Ryan won't get beat around the edge by a speed rusher. Was on MTV's True Life: I want the perfect body coming out of high school, the episode focused on him trying to add mass to quite those who said he wasn't big enough to play at Notre Dame. After an excellent 4 years in South Bend, Harris will need to again prove he's big and strong enough to play at the next level. Is considered a bit of a project by some teams, as he may very well have to sit for a year while he lives in the gym. Will probably be availabe in round 4 when some team with some the benefit of waiting on him could get a real player in the future.
Coming up soon will be the interior linemen and then the defensive side of the ball.
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