Today’s NFL is a passing league, which means you needs offensive tackles on both sides who can protect the quarterback. When scouting the tackle position, I look for: Height, arm length, athleticism, power, explosion, nastiness, toughness, lateral quickness, agility, leverage, hand placement, vision, knee bend vs a waist bender. Depending on what I see on film from these prospect will determine how I rank them, and if they could or should bump inside to the guard position.
1. Jake Matthews 6’5 308 lbs Sr. Texas A&M Grade: 1st Round
Arm Length: 33 3/8 inches Bench Press: 24 reps Vertical Leap: 30.5 inches Broad Jump: 8’9
Strengths: 46 Career starts under his belt, 13 at left tackle as a senior, the other 33 at right tackle. Comes from elite stock, his father is Hall of Fame offensive lineman Bruce Matthews, who played tackle, guard and center, making the pro bowl at the interior positions. He displays perfect technique, great hand placement, agile, with good lateral quickness. He’s a natural knee bender, his a good punch, gets to the 2nd level with ease, and is a factor in the screen game. Plays with a good pad level. He’ll be able to come in and play from day one.
Weaknesses: Not a roadgrader as a run blocker, more of a positional blocker who fits better in a zone blocking scheme then a power blocking scheme. Can be driven backwards when facing the bull rush, but also shows the ability to re-anchor.
2. Greg Robinson 6’5 332 lbs rSo. Auburn Grade: 1st Round
Arm Length: 35 inches Bench Press: 32 reps Vertical Leap: 28.5 inches Broad Jump: 9’5
Strengths: Freakish athleticism for a man his size. Great lower body explosion, which allows him to be a devastating run blocker. Prototypical NFL tackle size. Mauls the man in front of him, can also get to the second level, and get down the field to make blocks in the screen game. Very good feet, has the lateral quickness to stop the speed rush, along with strong base to stop the bull rush. Natural knee bender. Can start out at right tackle, then move to the left side once coached up properly. Walter Jones type of potential.
Weaknesses: Only a two year starter, has only played offensive line for 4 years in his life. Not very technically sound as a pass protector, due to limited reps because of the offense they ran at Auburn. Could have a learning curve learning pass protection at the NFL level.
3. Taylor Lewan 6’7 309 lbs rSr. Michigan Grade: 1st Round
Arm Length: 33 7/8 inches Bench Press: 29 reps Vertical Leap: 30.5 inches Broad Jump: 9’9
Strengths: Surprising athleticism for a man his size. Very agile, quick, and light on his feet. Has the ability to constantly get to the 2nd level to block linebackers and make blocks down the field in the screen game. Not a mauler, but a decent run blocker who would excel in a ZBS because of his athleticism. Bends at the knees, has really good hand placement, and a nice punch during pass protection. When caught playing high, he shows the ability to drop his hips, re-anchor and stop the defender in his tracks.
Weaknesses: He’s 6’7, so at times he gets caught playing a little high. Will need to work on consistently playing with good leverage and a lower pad level. Occasionally has some issue with speed rushers.
4. Morgan Moses 6’6 314 lbs Sr. Virginia Grade: Late 1st Round
Arm Length: 35 3/8 inches Bench Press: NA Vertical Leap: 21.5 inches Broad Jump: 8’10
Strengths: 43 career starts, 12 as a senior at left tackle. Mammoth size, very long arms. Surprising agility for a man his size, good knee bend. Performed very well vs Clemson’s Vic Beasley, Georgia Tech’s Jeremiah Attaochu, and Pitt’s Aaron Donald who spent time lined up over Moses during their game in 2013. Shut the three of them out. Not an great athlete, doesn’t always look pretty, but he gets the job done. Solid one on one run blocker, drives his legs and opens holes for ball carriers. More of a fit in a MBS. An experienced player who could come in and start right away at RT.
Weaknesses: Can play high at times, got away with it in college, but could be an issue if not cleaned up as a pro. Struggles to get to the 2nd level when asked to do so in the run game. Allows hands to get outside of the defenders frame at times in pass protection.
5. Zack Martin 6’4 308 lbs rSr. Notre Dame Grade: Late 1st Round
Arm Length: 32 7/8 inches Bench Press: 29 reps Vertical Leap: 28 inches Broad Jump: 8’10
Strengths: Experienced, started 52 games at Notre Dame, 2 at right tackle. Very technically sound football player. Not an overpowering guy, but gets the job done with proper hand placement, leverage, and toughness. Possesses great feet, impressive lateral movement. Smart football player, great sight adjustment on the go, picks up stunts and blitzes very well. Show ability to get to the 2nd level.
Weaknesses: Not the ideal size for a tackle, shorter arms then the prototype has. Could be a better fit at guard, but I would allow him to show that tackle isn’t a fit for him. Has some issues dealing with power, which could be an issue if he’s bumped inside to guard.
6. Antonio Richardson 6’6 336 lbs Jr. Tennessee Grade: Mid to late 2nd round
Arm Length: 35 inches Bench Press: 36 reps Vertical Leap: 24.5 Broad Jump: NA
Strengths: Prototype height, weight, and arm length. Very light on his feet for a big man, good agility and lateral quickness. Solid one on one blocker in the run game. Nice vision,makes good adjustments on the move. Two year starter at Left Tackle, could be a day one starter at right tackle with some work on his technique.
Weaknesses: Plays with an inconsistent pad level, Erratic hand placement, gets sloppy, allowing hands to get outside on the defender. For a man his size, should be more of a mauler in the run game.
7. Cyrus Kouandijo 6’7 322 lbs Jr. Alabama Grade: Late 2nd-Early 3rd Round
Arm Length: 35 5/8 inches Bench Press: 21 reps Vertical Leap: 27.5 inches Broad Jump: 8’0
Strengths: Very huge, long arms, very well built. He’s a mauler in the run game, plays with a nasty attitude, likes to bury his opponent. When he’s sound technique wise, he looks like a first round talent, impossible to get around in pass protection. The has the strength to withstand the bull rush. A prefect fit at Right Tackle in a MBS.
Weaknesses: Multiple teams gave him a failing physical at the NFL Combine because of an arthritic knee issue after his ACL surgery in 2011. This drops him on my board, and teams most likely has taken him off of their boards. Inconsistent technique, plays to high, isn’t elite athletically, has issues with quick pass rushers.
8. Jack Mewhort 6’6 309 lbs rSr. Ohio St. Grade: Late 2nd-Early 3rd Round
Arm Length: 34 inches Bench Press: 28 reps Vertical Leap: 26 inches Broad Jump: 8’5
Strengths: Good size, smart football player with good vision, makes adjustments on the go. 25 career starts at Left Tackle, along with 13 starts inside at the guard position. Tough run blocker who plays right to the whistle. Showed the ability to make blocks in the open field in the screen and swing pass game. Not an elite athlete, but gets the job done with consistent effort. Has added value as a prospect because of his versatility.
Weaknesses: Gets caught playing high at times, leaving himself open to be bull rushed. He also loses patience in pass protection, gets caught leaning allowing himself to be beat inside.
9. Billy Turner 6’5 315 lbs Sr. North Dakota St. Grade: 3rd Round
Arm Length: 34 inches Bench Press: 25 reps Vertical Leap: 28 inches Broad Jump: 9’0
Strengths: Four year starter at LT. Played very well in upset victory over FBS opponent K-State. Good athlete who shows the ability to get to the linebackers on the 2nd level and make blocks. Pretty good run blocker, drives his legs, plays with an attitude. Was a standout at the FCS level. Potential to be a starter at left or right tackle at the next level with the proper coaching.
Weaknesses: Got away with playing with an high pad level and sloppy mechanics at times because he was athletically better and more physically imposing then his competition. Some reported that he didn’t look to well playing tackle during one on one and team drills at the Senior Bowl and think he could be a better fit at guard.
10. Joel Bitono 6’4 302 lbs rSr. Nevada Grade: Mid to Late 3rd Round
Arm Length: 33 7/8 inches Bench Press: 22 reps Vertical Leap: 32 inches Broad Jump: 9’6
Strengths: Overcomes lack of size and elite athleticism with toughness, relentlessness, and attitude. Nice run blocker. Decent athlete who really played well vs Florida St. Held his own vs future pro Mario Edwards. Doesn’t have typical NFL tackle size, could be asked to move inside to guard. Worked out at T, G, and C at his pro day. His versatility raises his stock.
Weaknesses: Could possibly be overmatched at tackle in the NFL. Shorter then usual arm length, along with a lack of great lateral quickness could be and problem.Will be moved inside if he shows to not have the physical tools to play tackle.
11. Ja’Wuan James 6’6 311 lbs Sr. Tennessee Grade: 4th Round
Arm Length: 35 inches Bench Press: 22 reps Vertical Leap 29 inches Broad Jump: 8’7
Strengths: A four year starter at RT, battle tested in the country’s best conference(SEC). Smart football player, good vision, makes adjustments on the go, picks up the stunts and twists very well. Big man with long arms, strong, handles the bull rush very well. Hard to overpower him. Works hard to sustain blocks in the run game. Far from a great athlete, but fights, makes up for it with good technique.
Weaknesses: Plays with inconsistent pad level, allows himself to be jacked up by the opponent to often. Struggles vs the speed rush, which leads to him opening up to quick, allowing himself to be beat with inside counter moves.
12. James Hurst 6’5 296 lbs Sr. North Carolina Grade: 4th Round
Arm Length: 33 3/4 inches Bench Press: 23 reps Vertical Leap: 22 inches Broad Jump: NA
Strengths: 49 career starts at left tackle. Very good run blocker. Not a mauler, but does a good job with head and body placement. Good pass protector, plays with great effort that makes up for physical limitations. Always on the same page with his fellow linemen, does a good job passing off d-lineman and picking up stunts. Played very well vs Jadeveon Clowney in the season opener this year. Fits well at the next level in a ZBS. Didn’t play guard in college, but could be asked to bump inside at the NFL level.
Weaknesses: Suffered a displaced leg fracture in December, wasn’t able to workout at the NFL Combine. He did perform at his Pro Day on 3-25-14, but clearly wasn’t 100%. Was a 3rd round pick in my opinion before the injury. More of a waist bender then knee bender. Is impatient in pass protection at times, leaving himself open to get beat with counter moves inside.
13. Seantrel Henderson 6’7 331 lbs Sr. Miami Grade: 5th Round
Arm Length: 34 5/8 inches Bench Press: NA Vertical Leap: 24 inches Broad Jump: 7′ 11
Strengths: A Physical Specimen with surprising athleticism. When sound technically, he’s nearly impossible to get around with the combo of size, height and length. Looks light a 2nd round pick at times. Reminds me of Vikings RT Phil Loadholt, but a bit more athletic. I also see the late Orlando Brown as well.
Weaknesses: Sloppy Technique, bad hand placement, plays to high. Suspended multiple times during his college career. His off the field issues have pushed him down draft boards and completely off of some teams boards. He has to convince teams that he will keep his nose clean and come in and work hard.
14. Cameron Fleming 6’5 323 lbs rJr. Stanford Grade: 5th Round
Arm Length: 34 inches Bench Press: 26 reps Vertical Leap: 23.5 inches Broad Jump: 8’1
Strengths: Very good run blocker with heavy hands that pack a powerful punch. Devastating one on one run blocker. Stones pass rushers who try to overpower him.
Weaknesses: Heavy legs and feet, struggles vs pass rushers with speed and quickness off of the ball. Struggles to make it to the 2nd level and make blocks. Might be best fit as a guard in a MBS.
15. Michael Schofield 6’6 301 lbs rSr. Michigan Grade: 5th Round
Arm Length: 34 inches Bench Press: NA Vertical Leap: 24 inches Broad Jump: 7′ 9
Strengths: Two Year starter at RT, also has 10 starts at LG as well. Added value as a swing player. An average athlete who gets the job done via great effort. Could be moved inside at the next level. Shows the ability to sit and anchor, not getting beat by the bull rush.
Weaknesses: Has issues getting to the 2nd level to make blocks. Gets beat frequently with the speed rush due to lack of lateral agility and quickness.
Five more to look out for: Charles Leno Boise St, Justin Britt Missouri, Donald Hawkins Texas, Matt Patchan Boston College, Wesley Johnson Vanderbilt
