The 2020 NFL Combine on-field workouts begin Thursday, February 27th in Indianapolis but the offensive linemen won’t take the field until Friday, February 28th.

This is the latest in a series of articles leading up to this year’s NFL Combine, where the Lions Wire team has identified players they will be tracking in order to determine potential fits within the organization.

If you missed the previous articles in this series, be sure to check out our quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends previews.

Offensive line traits to evaluate

There are several on-field drills that emphasize a player’s abilities and the main areas Lions’ scouts will likely be focusing for the offensive line are:

• Balance through the player’s hips
• Knee bend, bending at the waist is a red flag
• Kick slide: Is it smooth? Do they cross their feet when shuffling?
• Mental processing: Do they react/respond to coaching or are they guessing and trying to anticipate? Do they follow directions?

Mekhi Becton, Louisville

Suggested by: Max Gerber and Bryce Rossler

Becton has been one of the biggest “risers” throughout the draft process, working his way up to be considered among the top offensive linemen in this class. He is a massive human being (est. 6-7, 365 pounds) but is surprisingly light on his feet. He has three year’s starting experience and looks comfortable playing at right or left tackle (he’s played both). If he gets a hold of a defender it’s over, but intelligent EDGE rushers will use his overaggressiveness against him.

Austin Jackson, USC

Suggested by: Erik Schlitt

An upside left tackle, who if he returned to college would have been in the top-of-the-first-round conversation. He needs to be more consistent in his technique — especially in the run game — but he has NFL traits and his upside is going to get him drafted, likely early on Day 2. He’s athletic enough to play guard, but for teams willing to give him a season to develop, he could be a longtime starter at left tackle with proper coaching.

Lloyd Cushenberry, LSU

Suggested by: Jeff Risdon

Cushenberry will battle Michigan’s Ceasar Ruiz for the title of top interior offensive line spot in this year’s class. Cushenberry’s game is drenched in power and he will be able to handle his own against NFL nose tackles. LSU scheme asks its center to be able to work on their own, which should help him if a team wants to switch him from his natural position over to guard. His experience playing in the middle should afford him the opportunity to play on both left and right guard.

Matt Hennessy, Temple

Suggested by: Matt Urben

A technique technician from the middle, Hennessy uses his intelligence and hand placement to put himself in the correct position to execute his assignment. He will get knocked for his struggles against power, but his balance and movement skills will help him find success at all three interior offensive line spots, especially in a zone-blocking scheme — which the Lions lean on more often than not.

Ben Bredeson, Michigan

Suggested by: Scott Warheit

A 51 game starter at left guard for the Wolverines, Bredeson was a rare 2-time team captain in Ann Arbor. For a team looking for experience and leadership, he will be near the top of their list. He loves to compete, showing a mean streak and toughness when squaring up against power rushers. He is well-balanced as a blocker but isn’t as athletic as some of the other interior offensive linemen in this class, which will limit his scheme flexibility.

Jonah Jackson, Ohio State

Suggested by: Zack Moran and Sonja Greenfield

Between his time at Maryland and Ohio State, Jackson started five games at center, 11 at right guard, and 13 at left guard, giving him multi-positional appeal. He is significantly more polished as a pass protector, handling one-on-ones and switches easily, but his lack of impact as a run blocker could cause him to start his career as a position flexible reserve.

Tyler Biadasz, Wisconsin

Suggested by: Ty Finch and Derek Okrie

Yet another experienced Big Ten interior offensive lineman, Biadasz is highly intelligent and technique sound, which makes him more NFL ready than other linemen who will be drafted around the same time. He plays with good balance overall, but can overextend at times, and will struggle with elite power and speed rushers.

Matt Peart, UConn

Suggested by: Scott Bischoff

A swing tackle who could potentially push inside in a pinch, Peart played right tackle on the Lions coached North squad at the Senior Bowl. Strength is an issue but he has the frame to add muscle, and showed lots of promise as a run blocker this past season. Peart would fit in the Lions scheme in a very similar way to Tyrell Crosby, and like Crosby, he could spot start early in his career and potentially develop into a starter.