BlackGold4vr
02-14-2008, 09:33 AM
NFL Scouting Combine Preview: OTs
By Chris Steuber
NFL Draft Analyst
Posted Feb 13, 2008
The 2008 offensive tackle draft class is led by Michigan's Jake Long, who is destined to be a top-five selection. With the Scouting Combine right around the corner, Scout.com's NFL Draft Analyst Chris Steuber previews and ranks the offensive tackles who will perform in Indianapolis.
1. Jake Long, Michigan
Long is the best offensive tackle available this April and is a sure top-five selection. He’s a durable, versatile lineman who can line up at left or right tackle. He will be drafted as a left tackle and anchor an offensive line for many years to come. Scouts will monitor Long’s lateral movement and explosion off the line in Indianapolis.
2. Ryan Clady, Boise State
Clady is the second best tackle in the nation next to Long. He has a world of potential and is still developing his game. Entering the NFL after his junior season, Clady faces a major learning curve. But he’s a mature individual and should handle the transition well. His aggressiveness is questionable, and he has to be quicker off the line in running situations and initiate contact. Scouts want to see a mean streak out of Clady at the Combine.
3. Jeff Otah, Pittsburgh
Otah is a massive tackle who has a huge upside. He has freakish strength and is surprisingly mobile for a man of his size. He uses his hands well and delivers a vicious punch. He has to continue developing his lateral mobility and will have to lose some weight. But he has good athleticism, and that’s what will stand out to everyone in attendance.
4. Chris Williams, Vanderbilt
Williams really improved his draft stock in Mobile. He moved extremely well and displayed excellent technique. He played inside and outside but appeared uncomfortable when he played at guard. He even showed a mean streak when he got into a scuffle with Texas A&M DT Red Bryant. That aggression wouldn’t be applauded in a game, but it scored points with team personnel and scouts because it showed his passion. Williams will continue to shine at the Combine.
5. Sam Baker, USC
Baker is a savvy veteran who knows how to play the game, but doesn’t possess great athleticism. He’s dealt with some injuries during his career at USC, and that will be a concern as he moves forward. He played well at the Senior Bowl, but didn’t stand out during practices or in the game. He will have to show better mobility and strength at the Combine.
6. Gosder Cherilus, Boston College
In his first three seasons at Boston College, Cherilus started every game at right tackle. He switched to left tackle this past season and was good, but didn’t have the same success as he did on the right side. However, Cherilus played well in Mobile and shined against some of the top DEs in the country. Cherilus will have to continue to show that he can play on the left side at the Combine, because if he projects as a right tackle that will hurt his draft stock.
7. Carl Nicks, Nebraska
Nicks is an enormous tackle who has tremendous strength. He really impressed scouts in Mobile with his instincts and leg drive. He can completely knock defenders out of a play and he finishes hard. Nicks has to improve his quickness. He looked slow and winded on occasion at the Senior Bowl, and teams will address his conditioning with him during interviews in Indianapolis.
8. Anthony Collins, Kansas
Collins is one of the nations more polished tackles. He had an outstanding season for Kansas and helped the Jayhawks to an incredible 12 – 1 record, which included an Orange Bowl victory over Virginia Tech. Collins has good technique and moves well laterally, and he is an intriguing prospect heading into the Combine.
9. Oniel Cousins, UTEP
Cousins is a versatile lineman who didn’t play particularly well at the Senior Bowl. He got overpowered inside when he went up against the likes of Sedrick Ellis and Trevor Laws. And when he played outside, his short arms didn’t help him against fast DEs. But he’s very nimble on his feet and moves well laterally. He will have to improve his strength and show scouts that he can handle bigger, faster defenders.
10. Heath Benedict, Newberry
Benedict surprised a lot of scouts in Mobile with his nasty style of play. He has great strength and is quick off the line. He can play inside and outside and has the ability to dominate. He has to improve his footwork, and that will be monitored at the Combine
Chris Williams is still my first choice in this years draft. I think he is even better than Jake Long but gets knocked down a few slots because of where he plays. I know he played in the SEC, but he played for a team that is not known as a football powerhouse. I believe Long playing at Michigan helps his draft placement. There are two things that really standout to me about Williams. First off, he is a lean 315lbs. unlike some of the others on this list who look like lardasses. Williams looks like he could be a defensive end. Second, because he is lean he has incredibly quick feet which is paramount at LT. I don't like that Clady doesn't show much aggression. I don't like that Otah is fat and slow. Long will be long gone by the 23rd. Cherilus has potential but some think he might be a better RT. Williams is the guy I want. I watched him a lot at the senior bowl and I was impressed! :yesnod:
Cousins sounds like he might have some potential to be our next center.
By Chris Steuber
NFL Draft Analyst
Posted Feb 13, 2008
The 2008 offensive tackle draft class is led by Michigan's Jake Long, who is destined to be a top-five selection. With the Scouting Combine right around the corner, Scout.com's NFL Draft Analyst Chris Steuber previews and ranks the offensive tackles who will perform in Indianapolis.
1. Jake Long, Michigan
Long is the best offensive tackle available this April and is a sure top-five selection. He’s a durable, versatile lineman who can line up at left or right tackle. He will be drafted as a left tackle and anchor an offensive line for many years to come. Scouts will monitor Long’s lateral movement and explosion off the line in Indianapolis.
2. Ryan Clady, Boise State
Clady is the second best tackle in the nation next to Long. He has a world of potential and is still developing his game. Entering the NFL after his junior season, Clady faces a major learning curve. But he’s a mature individual and should handle the transition well. His aggressiveness is questionable, and he has to be quicker off the line in running situations and initiate contact. Scouts want to see a mean streak out of Clady at the Combine.
3. Jeff Otah, Pittsburgh
Otah is a massive tackle who has a huge upside. He has freakish strength and is surprisingly mobile for a man of his size. He uses his hands well and delivers a vicious punch. He has to continue developing his lateral mobility and will have to lose some weight. But he has good athleticism, and that’s what will stand out to everyone in attendance.
4. Chris Williams, Vanderbilt
Williams really improved his draft stock in Mobile. He moved extremely well and displayed excellent technique. He played inside and outside but appeared uncomfortable when he played at guard. He even showed a mean streak when he got into a scuffle with Texas A&M DT Red Bryant. That aggression wouldn’t be applauded in a game, but it scored points with team personnel and scouts because it showed his passion. Williams will continue to shine at the Combine.
5. Sam Baker, USC
Baker is a savvy veteran who knows how to play the game, but doesn’t possess great athleticism. He’s dealt with some injuries during his career at USC, and that will be a concern as he moves forward. He played well at the Senior Bowl, but didn’t stand out during practices or in the game. He will have to show better mobility and strength at the Combine.
6. Gosder Cherilus, Boston College
In his first three seasons at Boston College, Cherilus started every game at right tackle. He switched to left tackle this past season and was good, but didn’t have the same success as he did on the right side. However, Cherilus played well in Mobile and shined against some of the top DEs in the country. Cherilus will have to continue to show that he can play on the left side at the Combine, because if he projects as a right tackle that will hurt his draft stock.
7. Carl Nicks, Nebraska
Nicks is an enormous tackle who has tremendous strength. He really impressed scouts in Mobile with his instincts and leg drive. He can completely knock defenders out of a play and he finishes hard. Nicks has to improve his quickness. He looked slow and winded on occasion at the Senior Bowl, and teams will address his conditioning with him during interviews in Indianapolis.
8. Anthony Collins, Kansas
Collins is one of the nations more polished tackles. He had an outstanding season for Kansas and helped the Jayhawks to an incredible 12 – 1 record, which included an Orange Bowl victory over Virginia Tech. Collins has good technique and moves well laterally, and he is an intriguing prospect heading into the Combine.
9. Oniel Cousins, UTEP
Cousins is a versatile lineman who didn’t play particularly well at the Senior Bowl. He got overpowered inside when he went up against the likes of Sedrick Ellis and Trevor Laws. And when he played outside, his short arms didn’t help him against fast DEs. But he’s very nimble on his feet and moves well laterally. He will have to improve his strength and show scouts that he can handle bigger, faster defenders.
10. Heath Benedict, Newberry
Benedict surprised a lot of scouts in Mobile with his nasty style of play. He has great strength and is quick off the line. He can play inside and outside and has the ability to dominate. He has to improve his footwork, and that will be monitored at the Combine
Chris Williams is still my first choice in this years draft. I think he is even better than Jake Long but gets knocked down a few slots because of where he plays. I know he played in the SEC, but he played for a team that is not known as a football powerhouse. I believe Long playing at Michigan helps his draft placement. There are two things that really standout to me about Williams. First off, he is a lean 315lbs. unlike some of the others on this list who look like lardasses. Williams looks like he could be a defensive end. Second, because he is lean he has incredibly quick feet which is paramount at LT. I don't like that Clady doesn't show much aggression. I don't like that Otah is fat and slow. Long will be long gone by the 23rd. Cherilus has potential but some think he might be a better RT. Williams is the guy I want. I watched him a lot at the senior bowl and I was impressed! :yesnod:
Cousins sounds like he might have some potential to be our next center.