Top Offensive Linemen Prospects

Ryan Ramczyk
Wisconsin T #65

Player Profile

Height: 6'6"
Weight: 310 Lbs
2016 1st-Team All-American
2016 1st-Team All-Big 10
2014 1st-Team All-WIAC
2013 2nd-Team All-WIAC

Strengths

Prototypical height and weight for an NFL tackle.  Dominated his competition at every level in college.  A rugged blocker in the run game.  Wins at the point of attack (POA) and drives his man off the ball.  Locks his hips on contact and can flip them to seal off the defender.  Does a great job of washing his man down the LOS (line of scrimmage) and flashes the ability to finish.  Strong hands in pass protection.  Positions himself well and walls off defenders outside the pocket.  Able to reset his hands and re-anchor feet when overpowered at first contact.  A technician that rarely got beat in hand fighting battles.

Weaknesses

Got offers out of high school to play at big Division I programs, but decided to play at a school near home.  A single year of top line production that he will need to duplicate in the NFL.  Not the best athlete.  Feet are average and struggled when beat athletically off the snap.  Michigan's Taco Charlton gave him trouble.

Final Verdict

Ramczyk is a pro ready tackle that teams can plug in and play day one.  He can move players off the ball and creates a wall in pass protection.  Farmer strong player that imposes his will throughout the course of a game.  In a thin offensive line class, a player like Ramczyk will benefit a good team in need of pass protection.

Draft Projection: Late 1st-Round

Forrest Lamp
Western Kentucky T #76

Player Profile

Height: 6'4"
Weight: 309 Lbs
2016 3rd-Team All-American
2x 1st-Team All-Conference USA (2015-16)

Strengths

Thick built player with a filled out frame.  An athletic tackle that showed up in the biggest games of his career.  Played well opposite LSU's Arden Key in 2015 and held his own in 2016 against Alabama's best pass rushers.  An explosive kick slide to reach athletic pass rushers.  Quick out of his stance and has an effective initial punch.  Adequate feet in pass protection to mirror rushers on the edge.  Does a nice job identifying late twists and blitzes from the second level.

Weaknesses

Lack of arm length could be a problem in the future.  Struggled to keep long armed defenders off his body.  Can be controlled once he loses the advantage.  Lacks the recovery quickness when beaten off the LOS(line of scrimmage).  Won't move players off the ball.  Improvement needed in his lower body power and ability to drive through contact.

Final Verdict

Lamp may lack elite athleticism for the tackle position, but he makes up for it with play recognition and technique.  His short arm length may trigger a move to guard at the next level.  In order to succeed he will need to improve his overall power in the run game.  Look for Lamp to be a late day one draft pick.

Draft Projection:  Late 1st-Round

Garett Bolles
Utah T #72

Player Profile

Height: 6'5"
Weight: 297 Lbs
2016 1st-Team All-Pac 12

Strengths

Long lanky frame.  Swift movement skills that rank at the top of the class.  Smooth scrapes to the second level off of double teams.  Takes good angles to defenders on the second and third levels.  High motor player that runs downfield to throw a block.  Plays with a mean streak and finishes defenders to the ground.  Easily laterally movement in pass pro.  Shows the ability to re-anchor his lower body when pushed back in the pocket.  High ceiling player that has the potential to become a top left tackle.

Weaknesses

His build could use a bit of work.  Skinny lower half that lacks power to move defenders off the ball in one-on-one situations.  Needs to consistently lock his hips in and drive drive his legs through contact.  His height and high center of gravity create a leverage disadvantage at the POA.

Final Verdict

Garett Bolles has arguably the highest ceiling of all prospects at the position.  His high level movement skills allow him to excel in space.  A versatile blocker that can be useful in the screen and outside run game.  If Bolles can put on more muscle, he can be a great addition to any offensive line.  A wild-card prospect that has a lot of raw skills to work with.

Draft Projection: Late 1st-Round

Cam Robinson
Alabama T #74

Player Profile

Height: 6'6"
Weight: 322 Lbs
2016 Outland Trophy Winner
2016 Jacobs Blocking Trophy
2x 1st-Team All-SEC (2015-16)

Strengths

Massive physical specimen with long arms and thick legs.  Overpowers defenders at the LOS.  Uses his mass to physically abuse defenders.  A strong punch with heavy hands at the POA.  Locks hips and drives his legs through contact.  Elite blocker in a phone booth.  Moves mountains when blocking north and south.  In pass pro, his hands shock defenders at the point of initial contact.  Wide frame and long arms act as a wall to ward off defenders on the edge.

Weaknesses

Average foot speed might kick him inside to guard at the next level.  A better physical blocker than technician. Takes poor angles in space and won't make it to the second level defender on a consistent basis.  Needs to keep a lower center of gravity.  Will lose the leverage battle against smaller players with superior technique.  Top pick Myles Garrett won his share of one-on-one battles against Robinson in 2016.  In head up situations, Robinson failed to drive Garrett off the ball.

Final Verdict

Cam Robinson is a big man that wins with his size and strength.  A position change to guard may be the best thing for his career.  High level player that could slip out of a crowded first round.

Draft Projection: Early 2nd-Round

Pat Elflein
Ohio State C #65

Player Profile

Height: 6'3"
Weight: 303 Lbs
2016 1st-Team All-American
2015 2nd-Team All-American
3x 1st-Team All-Big 10 (2014-16)

Strengths

A veteran leader that switched positions for the team.  Versatile player that has high level experience and production at multiple positions.  Ideal height and weight for an NFL center.  Underrated athleticism in the run game.  Is able to quickly flip hips and pull down the line.  Plays with a mean streak and finishes his blocks.  Stands his ground in pass protection and keeps a clean pocket for the QB to step into.  Head is always on a swivel looking for work when he is free.

Weaknesses

An average athlete.  Foot speed is adequate but not great.  Fails to jar/shock defenders with initial contact in the run game.  Technique needs refinement.  Lunges at defenders on reach blocks and takes bad angles when scraping to the second level.  Lowers his head into the defenders chest and loses spacial awareness.  Late to recognize delayed blitzes and stunts. 

Final Verdict

Elflein enters the draft as one of the most notable and decorated prospects at the position.  He is an unselfish player that switched positions for the greater good.  Effort is never a question with him.  A battle tested leader that can play day one as an NFL center.  Blocking technique needs a bit of work, but his grit and determination will serve him well early on.

Draft Projection: 2nd-Round

Dorian Johnson
Pittsburgh G #63

Player Profile

Height: 6'5"
Weight: 300 Lbs
2016 1st-Team All-American
2016 1st-Team All-ACC
2015 2nd-Team All-ACC

Strengths

Converted high school tackle.  Active feet allow him to mirror defenders on the inside in pass protection.  Long arms keep interior lineman off his chest.  Resets his hands and actively battles for good position.  Takes quick choppy steps to reach his blocking assignments at the second level.  Locks in his hips and drives his legs after contact.

Weaknesses

Plays too high at times.  Limited knee bend obstructs his ability to win the leverage battles at the LOS.  Has a good initial pop at the point, but his feet can't convert the initial power into a driving force.  Takes poor angles to defenders at the second level and will often whiff his block attempt.  Will need to work on his strength.  Can be pushed back in the pocket by brute strength.

Final Verdict

Johnson is a guard with tackle skills.  Elite movement skills coupled with great length give him a chance to win on the inside.  At the end of the day he is a plug and play guard that has a lot of upside.  Refinement of his leverage is key to his future success in the league.

Draft Projection: Early 3rd-Round

Dion Dawkins
Temple T #66

Player Profile

Height: 6'4"
Weight 314 Lbs
2016 1st-Team All-AAC
2015 2nd-Team All-AAC

Strengths

Heavy set upper body frame with long arms.  Pops out of his stance and delivers a nice punch in pass protection.  Understands that length is his key advantage.  Utilizes his long arms to keep defenders off his frame.  Resets his hands quickly and is able win most hand fighting battles on the edge.

Weaknesses

Plays with a high center of gravity.  His heavy upper body works against him.  Can be tossed off balance by defenders that can get their hands on him.  Average lateral foot quickness on the edge.  Leans forward and can be susceptible to the counter move.  Struggles with the inside swim move and can get put on skates by defenders that can convert speed to power. 

Final Verdict

Dawkins is a big strong tackle with solid in the AAC conference.  A good player with quality athleticism and length.  When his lower body begins to fill out his frame, Dawkins should be able to unload more power in the run game. 

Draft Projection: 3rd-Round

Dan Feeney
Indiana G #67

Player Profile

Height: 6'4"
Weight: 305 Lbs
2016 1st-Team All-American
2016 1st-Team All-Big 10
2015 3rd-Team All-American
2015 2nd-Team All-Big 10

Strengths

Good size for an interior lineman.  A very good pass protector.  Gave up one sack in his last two years at Indiana.  Great awareness off the snap.  Identifies stunts and twists with ease.  Looks for work and stays busy when free.  Throws good down blocks in the run game.  Shows on tape that he understands how to get good angles and leverage on defenders.

Weaknesses

Not an explosive athlete.  Won't take anyone by surprise when he fires out of his stance.  Plays top heavy and can be thrown off balance when defensive lineman get their hands on him.  Average foot speed.  More comfortable inside where he doesn't have to work in space.  Lacks the explosive kick slide to guard the edge against explosive rushers.

Final Verdict

Dan Feeney is a very productive and highly competitive prospect.  A very solid interior pass protector that rarely gives up a sack.  One of the most experienced linemen in this class.  He's not going to win any beauty contests, but he gets the job done.  Look for Feeney to slip a bit in the draft due to his limited explosion.

Draft Projection: 3rd-Round

Antonio Garcia
Troy T #53

Player Profile

Height: 6'6"
Weight: 302 Lbs
2016 1st-Team All-Sun Belt

Strengths

Former basketball player.  Sweet feet.  Fluid change of direction and lateral movement.  Mirrors athletic pass rushers on the edge.  Long arms to keep defenders off his chest.  Basketball experience helps his balance as a pass protector.  A raw prospect with a lot of tools to work.

Weaknesses

Very lean frame that has room for growth.  Has yet to develop his lower body and convert it into a driving force.  Engages and drives his feet, but gets little to no push off the line.  Limited knee bend in his pass set.  A high-cut blocker that can be put on skates when he is overpowered.  Hasn't shown on tape that he can re-anchor his feet and reset his hands consistently.

Final Verdict

Garcia has had limited experience as a football player, but he shows some promise.  His thin upper body may not allow his frame to take on more weight.  He may never be an elite run blocker, but pass protection looks to be his calling.  A potential mid round gem and developmental tackle prospect.

Draft Projection: 4th-Round

Issac Asiata
Utah G #54

Player Profile

Height: 6'3"
Weight: 323 Lbs
2016 2nd-Team All-Pac 12

Strengths

Massive upper body.  Plays with solid functional strength.  Paves the way in the running game.  Able to drive defenders off the ball and create a running lane.  Shows the awareness to slide and seal defenders when he doesn't win at the POA.  A stiff jab at the LOS in pass pro.  A disciplined blocker in blitz pickups.  Stones second level defenders at the line with ease.

Weaknesses

Poor balance as a run blocker.  Finds himself on the ground more than a top prospect at the position should.  Ducks his head down into defenders and loses his leverage rather quickly.  A strong pop at the point, but isn't able to maintain blocks for very long.  Motor runs hot and cold.  Can be nasty at times, but will also take it easy when he is tired.

Final Verdict

When engaged, Asiata can move mountains.  The potential to be a very good run blocker in the NFL.  Needs to clean up his balance issues in traffic and his effort on every play.  If he joins a team with an established line, he could develop into a quality lineman in the future.

Draft Projection: 4th-Round
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