The Cleveland Browns are getting to be addressing the offensive tackle position early, but they are also going to be looking to add another contributor to the interior. This year’s guard class is weaker than most, but there are a few players who are ready to contribute immediately.
Just a reminder that I grade generously and optimistically.
Most writers only rank 20-25 first-round grades and that is probably more indicative of their talent rather than where they are selected. I rank prospects based on the highest I could possibly see them be snagged.
Just a reminder that I grade like I make love: generously
Most writers only rank 20-25 first-round grades and that is probably more indicative of their talent rather than where they are selected. I rank prospects based on the highest I could possibly see them be snagged.
1st Round
1. Robert Hunt, Louisiana-Lafayette, 6-5, 323 pounds
Hunt is an already large individual and he looks like he could potentially add even more weight while still maintaining his surprisingly quick feet. He also provides versatility as he could play tackle if need be. The biggest obstacle for Hunt is that he struggles against counter-moves.
2. Netane Muti, Fresno St., 6-3, 315 pounds
Muti is an absolute stud and showed off his versatility, dominating at both guard and tackle while in college. He has immense potential, but he is a polarizing prospect due to concerns about his health. Muti only played two games in 2018 due to an Achilles tear and three games in 2019 due to a Lisfranc injury.
3. Ben Bredeson, Michigan, 6-5, 315 pounds
Bredeson was the true star in the Wolverine offense as he rarely had a bad game as a four-year starter. His strength and size allow him to thrive on the inside and this should allow him to see time sooner rather than later. A few teams maybe turned off by Bredeson due to his lack of ideal athleticism.
4. John Simpson, Clemson, 6-4, 321 pounds
The All-American dominates in the run game and loves to find work in the second level. He looks like how a GM would create a mauling guard and he plays with that style as well. Simpson has missed one or two blocks, but that can likely be chalked up to sloppiness, but there are athletic concerns too.
5. Damien Lewis, LSU, 6-2, 327 pounds
Lewis is a former JUCO stud that once he found his footing at LSU started 27 games in a row at right guard. All-SEC player who was vital in helping the Tigers win the Joe Moore Award for the nation’s best line. Lewis has the ideal body size for an immovable object. Lewis is a bit rough in the passing game and that will need work at the next level.
2nd Round
6. Shane Lemieux, Oregon, 6-4, 310 pounds
Lemieux loves to drive opponents into the dirt, but also has quick enough feet to work in space and can be special when asked to pull as a lead blocker. Like Lewis, Lemieux is not the most ideal pass protector and this will need to improve for him to start at the next level.
7. Solomon Kindley, Georgia, 6-3, 337 pounds
Kindley is a three-year starter with 32 starts under his belt. He was recruited as a tackle, but made the transition early in his college career and saw extensive minutes on both the left and right side. He loves looking for working until the whistle blows. Kindley is still fairly raw as he often just needed his strength to win in college. He may need a red-shirt season.
8. Logan Stenberg, Kentucky, 6-6, 317 pounds
Stenberg is arguably the best in the class in working in close quarters and has the ideal strength that should allow that trait to transition to the NFL. He has a powerful initial punch. Stenberg would be ranked higher on this list, but he is not the ideal athlete teams look for.
9. Ezra Cleveland, Boise St., 6-6, 311 pounds
Cleveland is a three-year starter at tackle for an extremely fast-paced offense and he only helped himself with a fantastic Senior Bowl week. He also has great size with the potential to add more weight. Cleveland had a very impressive combine, but I don’t see that athleticism on film and believe he gets beat by more athletic edge rushers if he remains at tackle.
10. Ben Bartch, St. Johns, 6-6, 309 pounds
Bartch thrives when moving to the second level and maybe the best in the class at attacking downfield. This is likely due to his tight end roots as he only made the transition to tackle in college. Bartch is still a raw prospect with a ton of room to grow, but he is still learning the position and his level of competition did him no favors.
11. Jonah Jackson, Ohio St., 6-3, 306 pounds
Jackson has impressive hands with the strength to hold onto a defender as long as needed. His hands are also very active and quick and he can reset them when needed, especially against counter-moves. He also has excellent ability to mirror defenders. Jackson is not the best athlete.
12. Tremayne Anchrum, Clemson, 6-2, 314 pounds
Anchrum was All-ACC this past season and has been the starter at right tackle for the Tigers the last two years. He has been a vital part of the team’s 29-1 record the last two seasons and his versatility will help at the next level as well. Anchrum best projects to guard due to his severe lack of length.
3rd Round
13. Simon Stepaniak, Indiana, 6-4, 313 pounds
Stepaniak has a ton of experience as he started 31 games for the Hoosiers and has obvious leadership qualities as he was named team captain. He also provides versatility as he played extensively on both the left and right sides. He does have the ideal size to go with the requisite strength, but lacks the length most teams are wanting and is not an option as tackle.
14. Calvin Throckmorton, Oregon, 6-5, 317 pounds
Throckmorton is arguably the most consistent and versatile lineman in this class as he has taken snaps all across the line. He has a good frame to land on the inside at the next level. Throckmorton doesn’t have the explosive initial get off needed to stay at tackle and this isn’t ideal at guard either. Browns fans will remember former 2016 fifth round selection, Spencer Drango and Throckmorton shares a lot of the same traits as Drango, but with a tad higher ceiling.
15. Kevin Dotson, Louisiana-Lafayette, 6-4, 310 pounds
There is a lot to like about Dotson, he is built like the prototypical guard and he plays with ideal strength. He also has the length needed to play at the next level and can thrive in space and land body blows when on the move. Dotson likes his job and takes joy in putting dudes in the dirt. The problem with Dotson is he is not the smoothest pass protector.
16. Jon Runyan, Michigan, 6-4, 306 pounds
Runyan plays like a prospect with NFL bloodlines as he is a fairly technical player and he provides instant versatility considering that he played tackle in college. Runyan can play in the NFL for ten seasons as he has the football IQ to remain on rosters. He projects best at guard though due to his struggles in the passing game.
17. Terence Steele, Texas Tech, 6-6, 312 pounds
Steele was red-shirted in 2015 and immediately became the starting left tackle in 2016 and eventually started 37 games in a row at right tackle. Don’t let the lack of post-season honors fool you. Steele was one of the better linemen in the Big -12 and has the ideal length with a wingspan of 85 1/8 inches and 35 7/8 inch arms, which were some of the best numbers at the combine and Senior Bowl.
Steele is a waist bender and this bad habit needs to change and makes it hard to project him at tackle as edge rushers will eat that up. Steele has a similar profile to that of former Houston Texan, Chris Clark. That has made this a common comparison, but Steele has a higher ceiling than the ten-year veteran.
18. Steven Gonzalez, Penn St., 6-4, 341 pounds
Gonzalez plays with great strength and was named All-Big 10 after having another dominating season. He has plenty of experience as he has been the starter at left guard the last three seasons for the Nittany Lions. Gonzalez doesn’t have the quickest feet even for someone of his size they are a bit underwhelming.
19. Daishawn Dixon. San Diego St., 6-5, 330 pounds
Dixon is a prime candidate to be an immediate impact player and is the potential sleeper in this group. Dixon has dominated his competition as a three-year starter at left guard in a pro-style offense and has the right body type; all these combined means an easy transition to the NFL. Dixon isn’t ranked higher due to his lack of ideal athleticism and time will tell how much this hinders him.
4th Round
20. Gage Cervenka, Clemson, 6-3, 325 pounds
21. Marcus Keyes, Oklahoma St., 6-4, 315 pounds
22. Kyle Murphy, Rhode Island, 6-3, 316 pounds
23. Tre’Vour Wallace-Simms, Missouri, 6-5, 330 pounds
24. Michael Onwenu, Michigan, 6-3, 344 pounds
25. John Phillips, Boston College, 6-6, 305 pounds
26. Scott Frantz, Kansas St., 6-5, 303 pounds
7th Round
27. Zack Johnson, North Dakota St., 6-6, 310 pounds
28. Dallas Warmack, Oregon, 6-2, 310 pounds
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