Tag: nfl draft offensive tackles

NFL Draft Offensive Tackle Rankings 2021: From The College Perspective

Which offensive tackles will matter in the 2021 NFL Draft, and what’s the college perspective on all of the top prospects?

Which offensive tackles will matter in the 2021 NFL Draft, and what’s the college perspective on all of the top prospects?

2021 NFL Draft Offensive Tackle Rankings

– Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

It’s a terrific year for offensive tackles with at least three expected to go in the top 15, a superstar who should go in the top three – but will drop because people go crazy for quarterbacks – and a whole slew of good options to take later on to work around.

From the college perspective, the top offensive tackles in the 2021 NFL Draft are …

[mm-video type=playlist id=01f1343a1wt7q817p7 player_id=none image=https://collegefootballnews.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

15. Brady Christensen, BYU

Size: 6-5, 302

The Good: He’s got an interesting look and style. He might not be all that bulky, but he carries his weight where needed and can move just well enough to be a nice pass protector who can work on either side. The power is there to be tough for the running game, but …

The Not-So-Good: The length isn’t there for a 6-5 tackle. He could be a left tackle, but he’ll likely have to work on the right side and he isn’t really a guard unless he bulks up a bit.

NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: While he’s not that old, he’ll be 24 when he starts his career. He’s ready to be a starting tackle at the next level – he did his part to keep Zach Wilson in one piece – and don’t be shocked if he turns into a better run blocker than he’ll get credit for.

Projected Round: Fifth

14. D’Ante Smith, East Carolina (OG)

Size: 6-5, 305

The Good: He bulked up in a big way over the last few yeas, adding 30 pounds of mass to go along on a frame that had no problems supporting it. He’s a good athlete for his size and has good quickness to be a left tackle right out of the box. However …

The Not-So-Good: He’s a bit of a tweener, and he might be maxed out a bit on his bulk. He got banged up early last year and skipped the rest of the campaign. Now he has to prove he can thrive at his current weight, and …

NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: He’s going to have to find a home. Some team will draft him as a Day 3 left tackle option with a shot taken for the stars, but he’ll likely start out on the right side and could end up kicking in at guard in the right offense.

Projected Round: Fifth

[lawrence-related id=530759]

13. Alaric Jackson, Iowa

Size: 6-6, 321

The Good: Very big and very experienced, he’s a left tackle who’s been a mainstay on the Hawkeye line over the last few years. While his blocking style might not be out of a textbook, he gets the job done. An all-star on the field and in the classroom, he’s a producer.

The Not-So-Good: It’s really, really odd that he’s so unorthodox coming from Iowa. He’s got the athleticism and the quick feet, but he’s not always balanced and he gets away with his style because he can move.

NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: Love him on Day 3. Early on in his Hawkeye career he seemed like a lock to be a top draft pick when ready, but he never really progressed technique-wise. Again, the production is there, but he might need to be broken down to be build back up. The skill is there to be a fantastic value no matter where he plays on the line.

Projected Round: Fifth

12. James Hudson, Cincinnati

Size: 6-4, 302

The Good: The former Michigan Wolverine had to fight through too much red tape to get to Cincinnati, but the payoff was huge. He turned into the main man for the Bearcat O line in the great 2020 season, showing off his upside, athleticism, and the power to work with as versatile option for and NFL front five.

The Not-So-Good: He needs a whole lot of work. The raw tools are there, but he didn’t play all that much and might be just getting started. A technique problem, he needs to get his balance down, the finer points right, and …

NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: It’ll happen. He just needs more time, more experience, and just enough patience to expect something special on the other side. He’s way too good of an athlete and has way too much talent not to develop.

Projected Round: Third

11. Spencer Brown, Northern Iowa

Size: 6-9, 314

The Good: Really tall with rare length and athleticism for a tackle of his size, he’s a nightmare to get around with the raw tools to be ready right out of the box at a tackle spot on either side. Even though he’s built to be a top pass blocker, he’s able to blast away for the ground game, too. However …

The Not-So-Good: He’s going to need time in an NFL weightroom to get a whole lot stronger and maybe add even more weight to his frame. He’s been able to dominate with his length and quickness, but the craftier NFL pass rushers will eat him up early on.

NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: Guys this big and this athletic have to go in the top 100. He might still need a while to harness all he brings, but he’s able to move well enough to overcome a slew of technique issues.

Projected Round: Third

NEXT: 2021 NFL Draft Offensive Tackle Rankings Top Ten

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5, Page 6, Page 7

NFL Draft Offensive Tackle Rankings 2020: From The College Perspective

Who are the offensive tackles who’ll matter in the 2020 NFL Draft, and what’s the college perspective on all of the top prospects?

Who are the offensive tackles who’ll matter in the 2020 NFL Draft, and what’s the college perspective on all of the top prospects?

2020 NFL Draft Offensive Tackle Rankings

– Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

It’s a fantastic year for offensive tackles with at least five good enough to go in the first round, and a whole slew more ready to go off the board soon after. If it’s not the strongest position up top, it’s not far off.

From the college perspective, here are the top offensive tackles in your 2020 NFL Draft, starting with the ones who’ll be in the mix, and then diving into the five who’ll actually matter over the next ten years of the pro football world.

BetMGM: Bet on the 2020 NFL Draft

15. Tyre Phillips, Mississippi State (OG)

Size: 6-5, 331

The Good: The versatility is there to play about any position on the line. He’s got left tackle potential and a relatively cheap value price, but he’s got the body type to become a killer of a guard. He can blast away as well as any offensive lineman in the draft.

The Not-So-Good: He’s a true tweener. He moved well at the combine, but he’s going to have massive problems against NFL speed rushers if he ends up working on the outside.

NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: He’s going to fall because he doesn’t have a set position, but he can be a starter at four different spots. Assume he’ll start out as a right tackle option, but expect him to have a solid career as a powerful left guard.

Projected Round: Fifth

14. Yasir Durant, Missouri (OG)

Size: 6-6, 331

The Good: A massive blocker, he’s a tough blocker with the run blocking skills to work out just fine as a huge guard if he doesn’t settle in as a right guard. A left tackle for most of his Mizzou career, he was a good veteran for a strong passing offense.

The Not-So-Good: He’s just not athletic enough to trust as an NFL left tackle on a regular basis. He’s got the size and the frame, but he’ll have a rough run against the flashy pass rushers who get off the ball in a hurry.

NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: A good all-around blocker, he might not have elite next level tackle tools, but he can be tried out at left tackle and might stick. At worst, he’ll be a reliable right tackle or a high-end guard, but he’ll start somewhere.

Projected Round: Fifth

CFN in 60: 2020 1st Overall Draft Pick Odds
[jwplayer L7IIotpc]

13. Ben Bartch, St. John’s (MN)

Size: 6-6, 309

The Good: One of the best athletes among the draft’s offensive lineman, he’s got the feet, he’s a great fit for a fast-paced offense, and he’s a great fighter. Pumped up, he’s a former tight end and sprinter, and it’s all translating into a potentially great value pick with all the quickness tools.

The Not-So-Good: This is as maxed out as he’ll get. It took everything to pump him up to over 300 pounds, but he’ll never be a next-level mauler and he’ll need a whole lot of time to build into a consistent starter. He’s going to be a project.

NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: It’s going to take a while before he’s reliable enough to throw out there and not worry, but he’s too athletic and has too much upside to not develop into a good all-around blocker with enormous upside.

Projected Round: Fourth

[protected-iframe id=”ab46fdcf4a4560031232bfa03474a6bf-97672683-92922408″ info=”https://omny.fm/shows/college-football-news/cfn-will-there-be-college-football-april-9-4-9-20/embed” width=”100%” height=”180″ frameborder=”0″]

12. Charlie Heck, North Carolina

Size: 6-8, 311

The Good: All of the tools are there. He’s got an NFL tackle size, he’s lean, he’s got decent power for his frame, and he’s one of the better all-around athletes among the tackles. With the experience to go along with the abilities, he’s got everything a line coach would want to develop.

The Not-So-Good: He’s an okay football player. There’s the willingness to get nasty, but he’s not an elite pass protector considering his tools. Yeah, he’s got great size and a nice frame, but he’s not going to get low – he’s better on the move.

NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: It’ll be interesting to see what kind of a team takes him. He’s got the upside to be a great value left tackle, and he’s fine at just about everything, but he’s not going to be for everyone. There are more than enough positives to develop into a good-value starter.

Projected Round: Fourth

11. Lucas Niang, TCU

Size: 6-6, 315

The Good: With excellent size and good enough feet to get by, he’s got the upside to be a fantastic starter taken outside of the top 50. A pounder of a run blocker at times, he can bring the thump to go along with the quickness for his bulk to operate in a variety of schemes.

The Not-So-Good: He doesn’t really look the type – he carries his weight in up top and doesn’t necessarily have the NFL frame. Yes, he’s athletic, but he’s not a rock against speed rushers. The biggest problem, though, is his health question marks after suffering a hip injury – he’s just going to be getting back up to speed this offseason.

NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: There’s a whole lot to like. He’ll fall because he doesn’t fit the cookie-cutter idea of what an NFL tackle should look like, but he was a productive anchor in college and he should be a long-time home somewhere on a line.

Projected Round: Third

NEXT: 2020 NFL Draft Offensive Tackle Rankings Top Ten

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5, Page 6, Page 7

PFF: Isaiah Wilson going in first round “absurd”

There’s been recent buzz of Georgia Bulldog right tackle Isaiah Wilson going in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. PFF doesn’t think so.

Ahead of the 2020 NFL Draft there’s been recent buzz of Georgia Bulldog right tackle Isaiah Wilson going in the first round. Wilson, who is from Brooklyn, was a two year starter at Georgia. He started in 24 games over the last two seasons for the Dawgs.

He has excellent size (6-6, 350 pounds) and lots of experience against elite competition in the SEC. That didn’t stop Pro Football Focus from bashing his chances at going in the first round:

PFF emphasizes Wilson’s slow 3-cone and short shuttle times at the NFL Combine as reasons why he won’t be picked in the first round. No tackle with similar times has gone in the first round in the last twenty seasons. They additionally express concerns over his pass-blocking ability.

Some NFL teams don’t value the combine as much now. Wilson’s mobility will be questioned at his massive size, but smart NFL general managers will care more about his film than any cone or shuttle drill he ran at the combine.

Baltimore Ravens Pro Bowl offensive tackle Orlando Brown is a prime example of an overlooked prospect (third round pick) with massive size and poor NFL Combine testing. When GMs look at Isaiah Wilson’s tape they’ll see a right tackle that was a key piece in UGA’s dominant offensive line (15 sacks allowed — 5th lowest in FBS). Wilson will continue to improve his technique in the NFL. He may be a first round pick, but NFL Draft rumors aren’t always true.

[lawrence-auto-related count=1]

Solomon Kindley has advice for former Georgia football teammates

Georgia football offensive guard Solomon Kindley has advice for his former UGA teammates while at the NFL Combine.

Georgia offensive guard Solomon Kindley is in Indianapolis this week for the NFL Combine.

Viewed anywhere from a first to third round draft pick, Kindley is meeting with teams, undergoing body measurements and eventually will partake in on-field drills.

Related: Solomon Kindley a classic NFL guard

Kindley said he has already met with the Packers and Patriots and has plans to meet with the Falcons and the Chiefs.

Since 2017, he started 10 games at right guard and 26 at left guard. He left Georgia with one year of eligibility remaining, and during an interview at the combine he mentioned that he misses Athens and his teammates back in Georgia.

“I’m not going to lie, I miss my teammates,” Kindley said. “I miss my little brothers. I miss them UGA Dawgs.”

When asked what he missed most about Kirby Smart, Kindley noted that it was Kirby’s drive and constant motivation that he has missed the most.

He also went on to give advice to the younger Bulldogs in Athens.

“Take it all in. Just soak it all up because it feels like I had just got there and now I’m here already. Don’t waste no time. The time is short at Georgia. Everything you do, you gotta pay attention to.”

“Do everything the right way.”

[lawrence-related id=23279,23270,23262,23247,23240,23215]

Busy week for Solomon Kindley, including possible meeting with Falcons

Former Georgia football OT Solomon Kindley says he has meetings with multiple NFL teams, including a potential one with the Atlanta Falcons.

Could the Atlanta Falcons finally snap the streak of refusing to select former Georgia payers in the NFL Draft?

This year could be the year, especially with the high volume of Georgia players in the draft. Is it possible that the Falcons will be left no choice but to draft a former Bulldog?

Solomon Kindley, Georgia’s offensive guard who is viewed as a 1-3 round draft pick, said that he believes he has a formal interview with the Falcons this week.

He also added that he has met with the Packers and Patriots, and also thinks he has a meeting with the Chiefs coming up.

Kindley to the Falcons would excite Georgia fans, and it would surely excite Kindley, who would stay close to home. Kindley grew up in Jacksonville, Florida.

And then there’s the Chiefs, who Kindley also said he believes he has a meeting with this week. Kindley, if taken by Kansas City, would pair up with speedster Mecole Hardman on the Super Bowl champs.

But the possibility that excites me the most is Kindley to the Patriots. The two parties have already met at the NFL Combine, and it’s a known fact that Pats head coach Bill Belichick is a big fan of drafting Dawgs.

If Kindley does wind up in New England, he would join an offensive line that already features two Georgia guys — David Andrews and Isaiah Wynn. Additionally, he would join his fellow Dawgs in blocking for another Georgia boy, running back Sony Michel.

In Indy, Kindley measured in at 6-foot-3 and 1/4 inches tall and weighed in at 337 pounds.

Since 2017, Kindley started 10 games at right guard and 26 at left guard.

Kindley left Georgia with one year of eligibility remaining.

Georgia football RB D’Andre Swift to meet with two AFC East teams at NFL Combine

Georgia football RB D’Andre Swift is scheduled to meet with two AFC East teams at the NFL Combine.

Georgia running back D’Andre Swift is viewed as a first round pick in April’s NFL Draft.

He’ll likely be the first running back taken off the board, and there’s two AFC East teams that he is scheduled to meet with this week – the Miami Dolphins and the Buffalo Bills.

The Dolphins hold both the 18th and 26th pick in the draft with the Bills having the 22nd pick.

If Swift does go at 18, 22 or 26, he would be the highest taken running back out of Georgia since Gurley went No. 10 in 2015.

Sony Michel went 31st to New England in 2018 and Nick Chubb went 35th to the Browns.

But Swift has been viewed as a higher draft choice thanks in large part to his versatility.

In terms of what a guy can do with the ball in his hands, there’s nobody who has a wider range of skill than Swift.

Not only can he run you over, but he can blow past you with his speed and he has one of the nastiest arsenals of jukes, spins and cuts that you’ll see from a college running back.

But what really sets him apart is his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield and make things happen. It’s something that Georgia fans may not be too familiar with — and that’s not because Swift could not do it, but because the coaches would not cut #7 loose and let him.

“There are a lot of great backs in this class, but I think I’m the most versatile,” Swift said during his interview session on Wednesday.

“I think I’m a three-down back, and I can do whatever I’m asked to do. God gave me a lot of ability. I don’t take that for granted. I work hard every day, and I’m a leader.”

If Swift does go to the AFC East, that would put him, Chubb and Michel in the same conference. Furthermore, it would place Michel and Swift in the same division, meaning there would be at least two Michel/Swift battles annually.

The NFL Draft begins April 23rd.

NFL Combine measurements: Georgia football RB D’Andre Swift

NFL Combine measurements for Georgia football RB D’Andre Swift.

Georgia running back D’Andre Swift is viewed as one of the premiere backs in the 2020 NFL Draft class.

Swift’s versatility with and without the ball in his hands is what makes him so special compared to other tailbacks.

Not only can he run you over, but he can blow past you with his speed and he has one of the nastiest arsenals of jukes, spins and cuts that you’ll see from a college running back.

But what really sets him apart is his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield and make things happen. It’s something that Georgia fans may not be too familiar with — and that’s not because Swift could not do it, but because the coaches would not cut #7 loose and let him.

Viewed as a late first or early second round draft pick, Swift, who has been compared to NFL great Frank Gore, underwent measurements on Tuesday while at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis.

Swift’s measurements are as follows (in inches and pounds):

Height: 5-8 2/8

Weight: 212

Hand: 9

Arm: 29 7/8

Wingspan: 72

View this post on Instagram

D'Andre Swift NFL combine weigh in

A post shared by Georgia Football Fan Page (@dawgsontop) on

Below is NFL.com’s pre-draft overview of Swift:

Swift possesses the play traits and running style of a skillful NFL veteran and is the latest in an avalanche of talented Georgia backs. Tempo and decisiveness are his calling cards, making him a highly talented inside/outside zone runner. He’s a cerebral runner who understands block timing and uses quick-cut agility and rare spatial awareness to read and react to defenses beyond the second level. Swift isn’t overly explosive as a home-run hitter and doesn’t run with the violence of last year’s top running back, Josh Jacobs. He can step right in and provide early stability and production as an efficient, every-down back with Offensive Rookie of the Year potential.

NFL Combine measurements: Georgia football OG Solomon Kindley

Georgia football offensive guard Solomon Kindley NFL Combine measurements.

On Tuesday, Georgia football offensive guard Solomon Kindley began his week at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, where he underwent measurements, medical exams and partook in interviews.

Kindley is viewed as mid-round draft pick, likely somewhere in the third or fourth round.

In Indy, he measured in at 6-foot-3 and 1/4 inches tall and weighed in at 337 pounds.

Since 2017, Kindley started 10 games at right guard and 26 at left guard.

Kindley left Georgia with one year of eligibility remaining.

View this post on Instagram

Solomon Kindley NFL Combine weigh in

A post shared by Georgia Football Fan Page (@dawgsontop) on

[lawrence-related id=23115,23079,23061,23098,22959,22941]

NFL Combine measurements: Georgia football OT Isaiah Wilson

NFL Combine measurements for Georgia football OT Isaiah Wilson.

On Tuesday, a number Georgia football players began their NFL Combine experience, with the first day consisting of measurements, medical exams and interviews.

[lawrence-related id=23079]

Two year starter at right tackle, Isaiah Wilson, checked in at 6-foot-6 and 1/2 inches tall. He also weighed in at 350 pounds, which is 10 pounds heavier than the weight Georgia released in 2018.

The dude is simply a monster and should go on to have a nice, long NFL career.

View this post on Instagram

Isaiah Wilson NFL combine weigh in

A post shared by Georgia Football Fan Page (@dawgsontop) on