Tag: offensive tackle

Packers draft preview: Finding future starter at RT should be top priority

Breaking down the offensive tackle position for the Green Bay Packers in the 2020 NFL draft.

The Green Bay Packers will go into the 2020 NFL draft with a chance to use the team’s 10 draft picks to build on a roster that finished 13-3 and advanced to the NFC title game in 2019. GM Brian Gutekunst has three picks in the top 100 selections and seven Day 3 picks.

Packers Wire’s position-by-position draft preview rolls on at offensive tackle:

On the roster

David Bakhtiari, 28, signed through 2020
Ricky Wagner, 30, signed through 2021
Alex Light, 23, signed through 2020
Yosh Nijman, 24, signed through 2020
John Leglue, 24, signed through 2020
Cody Conway, 23, signed through 2020

Short term need

Moderate to high. The Packers decided they weren’t going to be able to re-sign long-time starter Bryan Bulaga, so they added Lions castoff Rick Wagner on a cheap, two-year deal. Almost 31 and coming off a terrible year in Detroit, Wagner is nothing more than a patch over the hole. In fact, the Packers probably want to acquire someone who can legitimately compete with Wagner to start in 2020. Behind Wagner, the depth is shaky at best, especially if free agent Jared Veldheer isn’t retained. Alex Light looked in over his head as the swing tackle in 2019. Nijman, Leglue and Conway are big projects.

Long term need

High. By 2021, the Packers will likely need a brand new starter at right tackle. And don’t forget: All-Pro David Bakhtiari has an expiring contract following the 2020 season. There’s a good chance the Packers will get a new deal done there, but it’s going to be costly, and Brian Gutekunst has to be prepared should the negotiation get out of hand. Taking a future starter in this draft would ensure there’s at least one offensive tackle in place for 2021.

Chances of drafting position

High. Offensive tackle is a premium position, the Packers have short term and long term needs and the draft class is strong. That mix of factors should guarantee the Packers draft at least one tackle. Taking one or more offensive tackle prospects isn’t out of the realm of possibility, especially considering the Packers have an abundance of Day 3 picks to play with. It’s been four years since the Packers drafted a true offensive tackle.

Depth of draft class

It’s very strong at the top, with as many as six or seven players with first-round potential, and there should be some appealing developmental options on Day 2 and in the middle rounds. Expect the Packers to tap into a deep class and extract a player they believe can eventually start on the left or right side.

Potential options

– Josh Jones, Houston
– Austin Jackson, USC
– Ezra Cleveland, Boise State
– Lucas Niang, TCU
– Jack Driscoll, Auburn
– Ben Bartch, Saint Johns (MN)
– Matt Peart, UConn
– Hakeem Adeniji, Kansas
– Jon Runyan, Michigan
– Cameron Clark, Charlotte

Last OT drafted

2016. The Packers took Jason Spriggs out of Indiana with the 48th overall pick.

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Potential offensive tackle prospects for Chiefs in each round of the 2020 NFL Draft

A look at some of the offensive tackles the Kansas City Chiefs could add in each round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

Looking to the 2020 NFL season, it feels like the Chiefs are set at the offensive tackle position. They have a pair of bookend’s in Eric Fisher and Mitchell Schwartz as starters. They have Mike Remmers as a valuable backup on the right side. They even have several developmental options like Jackson Barton and Greg Senat.

Looking just a year down the road to 2021, the Chiefs could get out of Fisher’s contract with minimal dead money, saving $11.5 million against the salary cap. That could be valuable money if the team has Patrick Mahomes signed to an extension or money tied up in a fifth-year option.

With that in mind, Kansas City could draft an offensive tackle for the future. This draft class happens to be loaded with talent at the position and Veach believes he can get value in each of the first four rounds. Here is a look at some of the offensive tackles the Chiefs could consider in each round of the 2020 NFL Draft:

AP Photo/Butch Dill

Round 1: Houston OT Josh Jones

Jones was the No. 28 overall player on Chiefs Wire’s top 50 prospect rankings. He started a total of 45 games at the left tackle spot for the Houston Cougars over the course of four seasons. Jones is a high-caliber athlete with a nasty streak. In 2019, Jones played in just nine games and racked up a total of 325 pass-blocking snaps. During those snaps, he was charged with just two total pressures according to Pro Football Focus.

I’ve said before that Jones reminds me of current Houston Texans OT Tytus Howard. He was a riser in the pre-draft process after a strong performance at the 2019 Reese’s Senior Bowl. Howard ended up being selected at No. 23 overall in 2019. Both are similar players in the sense that they have desirable traits for a starting tackle, but they’re still a little raw in their overall technique, fundamentals and body development.

This is a player that we know the Chiefs have some level of interest in. With the ability to develop into a high-quality NFL starter, Jones could very well be the pick if they stay at No. 32 if he’s there.

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Projecting Broncos’ OL depth chart before the NFL draft

Here’s a look at the Broncos’ offensive line depth chart going into the NFL draft.

With the NFL draft a little more than one week away, here’s a look at the Broncos’ projected offensive line depth chart as it stands right now:

Left Tackle Left Guard Center Right Guard Right Tackle
Garett Bolles Dalton Risner Patrick Morris Graham Glasgow Ja’Wuan James
Calvin Anderson Tyler Jones Austin Schlottmann Elijah Wilkinson Jake Rodgers
Ka’John Armstrong Nico Falah Quinn Bailey

Many fans will point out that Bolles is a weak link but he has done a good job staying healthy and he still has a year left on his team-friendly contract. Denver will probably draft a tackle but the team could select a mid-round prospect to groom behind Bolles instead of drafting an early-round prospect.

The Broncos also need a longterm answer at center (or a right guard, if Glasgow ends up playing center). It wouldn’t be surprising to see Denver select another center/guard, a player similar to Glasgow.

To recap: the Broncos need help at center and left tackle on the o-line.

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Albert Breer: Broncos ‘investigating’ possibility of trading up in NFL draft

Sports Illustrated reports that the Broncos are considering trading up in the first round of the NFL draft.

The Denver Broncos are “investigating” the possibility of trading up from No. 15 overall in the first round of the NFL, according to Sports Illustrated‘s Albert Breer.

“The Bucs and Broncos, I’ve heard, could be going up for one of the top four linemen ([Mekhi] Becton, Jedrick Wills, Tristan Wirfs and Andrew Thomas), making Jacksonville’s slot, at No. 9, a potential hotspot, given the needs the Browns and Jets have at 10 and 11,” Breer wrote on Monday.

It’s hard to imagine Denver actually trading up for an offensive tackle. Garett Bolles isn’t a great left tackle but he has stayed healthy and still has a year remaining on his contract. The Broncos seem more likely to groom a mid-round left tackle prospect than to trade up for one of the top tackle candidates.

In an article looking back at John Elway’s drafts in Denver, KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis noted that trading up would “be rolling against his personal historical trend,” suggesting that the Broncos would be wise to stay put at No. 15, or perhaps trade down.

With three picks in the third round, Denver might trade back into the first round after picking at No. 15. But it’s hard to imagine the team trading up in the first round for an offensive tackle.

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Broncos select OL Ben Bartch in 3rd round of new NFL mock draft

The Broncos select offensive lineman Ben Bartch in the third round of this 2020 NFL mock draft.

In his latest three-round 2020 NFL mock draft for Draft Wire, Luke Easterling has the Denver Broncos selecting St. John’s offensive lineman Ben Bartch in the third round with the 77th overall pick.

Bartch (6-6, 309 pounds) is a former tight end who transitioned to left tackle while in college. He earned MIAC Offensive Lineman of the Year honors following his senior season.

“He’s an enticing left tackle prospect who continues to evolve, but a step up in competition and a need for continued physical development will require patience and could determine whether his final calling is swing tackle or starter,” NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein wrote of Bartch.

Easterling has the Broncos selecting South Carolina defensive lineman Javon Kinlaw in the first round (No. 15) and Penn State wide receiver K.J. Hamler in the second round (No. 46) of his mock.

After selecting Bartch, Denver goes on to also add Oregon linebacker Troy Dye (No. 83) and Louisiana Tech cornerback Amik Roberton (No. 95) in the third round of Draft Wire’s mock.

To view Easterling’s complete three-round NFL mock draft, click here.

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Broncos will have pre-draft call with OT Ezra Cleveland

The Broncos have scheduled a pre-draft video call with offensive tackle Ezra Cleveland.

The Denver Broncos have scheduled a video call with Boise State offensive tackle Ezra Cleveland, according to KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis. NFL teams are making calls instead of inviting prospects for pre-draft visits because of COVID-19.

Cleveland (6-6, 311 pounds) ran a 40-yard dash in 4.93 seconds and bench-pressed 225 pounds 30 times at the combine earlier this offseason. NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein described him as a prospect who “has the athleticism to play swing tackle for a zone-based offense but needs to get much stronger to hold up as a starter.”

Cleveland is the 10th-best offensive tackle in this year’s class, according to Luke Easterling’s post-combine rankings on Draft Wire.

Denver appears content to enter the 2020 season with Garett Bolles and Ja’Wuan James as the two starting tackles but it wouldn’t be surprising to see the team draft and groom a young tackle prospect this year. Cleveland will be among the team’s options later this month.

The Broncos will have 10 picks to use in the NFL draft (April 23-25).

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Broncos land OT Andrew Thomas in Todd McShay’s latest NFL mock draft

In Todd McShay’s latest NFL mock draft for ESPN, the Broncos land Georgia offensive tackle Andrew Thomas with the 15th overall pick.

In his latest two-round 2020 NFL mock draft, ESPN’s Todd McShay has the Denver Broncos selecting Georiga offensive tackle Andrew Thomas with the 15th overall pick in the first round (subscription required for link).

With star wide receivers Jerry Jeudy (No. 11; New York Jets), CeeDee Lamb (No. 12; Oakland Raiders) and Henry Ruggs III (No. 13; San Francisco 49ers) all off the board, McShay has the team addressing the offensive line.

Given that Denver appears set to go into 2020 with Garett Bolles and Ja’Wuan James as the two starting tackles, it’s hard to imagine the team using their first-round pick on a tackle. Selecting a tackle in the middle rounds of the draft might be a more realistic scenario.

After missing out on the top receivers in the first round, the Broncos land Colorado’s Laviska Shenault in the second round (No. 46) of McShay’s mock. Denver fans would probably be thrilled to come out of the first two rounds with a top offensive lineman and a promising receiver.

In his last two mock drafts, McShay had the Broncos landing Ruggs and Lamb, respectively. The draft will be held from April 23-25.

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What are Dolphins’ biggest roster needs after free agent signings?

What are Dolphins’ biggest roster needs after free agent signings?

The Miami Dolphins’ aggressive approach to free agency has accomplished a number of key tasks for the team. First and foremost, the Dolphins possess significantly more flexibility than they did just two weeks ago as it relates to the 2020 NFL Draft. Sure, the roster is better — but this is just the surface level impact that Miami’s moves will ultimately have on their offseason. The team’s ability to focus on drafting good football players in the 2020 NFL Draft is a key domino to follow. Without the team’s aggressive approach in free agency, there was little stopping desperation from setting in on Miami as the team looked to fill holes in the starting lineup.

That’s now been accomplished and instead, Miami can focus on adding talent, no matter where it comes.

But the team needs should certainly be something to be aware of. Where are the Dolphins most thin? Where do they need the most help and which positions are the most dire looking ahead? Here are Miami’s most pressing holes on the roster as of today.

Quarterback

Ryan Fitzpatrick is just fine as a short-term solution. But his ability to fill the void in the long run for the Dolphins is hindered by age — Miami needs to press the issue and come home with a quarterback in 2020.

Offensive Tackle

Julien Davenport and Jesse Davis are currently the team’s starting tackles. That’s not ideal. At least one starter must come from the 2020 NFL Draft if Miami’s offensive line overhaul is to be viewed as a success.

Free Safety

Bobby McCain held this spot for the first half of 2019 and was up and down with his performance. The Dolphins will need stronger, more consistently play out of McCain but even then, he’s ideally suited for a transition back to the nickel. A prowler in the middle of the field would be a big upgrade.

Offensive Guard

Ereck Flowers should suit as a starting guard — not necessarily a star or standout, but he’d be fine if Miami was better around him on the interior. They’re not. As a result, the Dolphins need an upgrade at the right guard position — although that may or may not be coming in 2020.

Nose Tackle

The Dolphins have a bunch of stout defensive linemen, but none that are ideally suited to be occupying the A-gap as a true nose tackle. Getting a big body to man the middle will help keep the Dolphins’ upgraded LB corp free to flow to the football.

Report: the Lions have agreed to terms with RT Halapoulivaati Vaitai

Multiple sources are reporting that the Detroit Lions have agreed to terms with offensive tackle Halapoulivaati Vaitai.

Multiple sources are reporting that the Detroit Lions have agreed to terms with offensive tackle Halapoulivaati Vaitai.

The deal cannot become official until the NFL 2020 new year begins on Wednesday at 4:00 PM, EST, but NFL Insider Adam Caplan was first to report the deal and included the basic terms of the deal — five years, $50 million.

Vaitai has a lot of positional versatility. He has experience playing both tackle spots, can also play guard, but is expected to be the Lions starting right tackle in 2020 and beyond — replacing the recently cut Rick Wagner, who reportedly signed on with the Green Bay Packers this afternoon.

To get an idea of how Vaitai compares to the Lions right tackles from last season here is his Pro Football Focus numbers compared to Wagner and Tyrell Crosby (who is still under contract with the Lions).

Overall Run Block Pass Block
Vaitai 74.4 76.2 64.4
Wagner 59.0 53.9 60.2
Crosby 62.4 64.7 62.5

Vaitai has only started 20 of his 64 career NFL games but as a former 5th round pick out of TCU, that’s not unexpected. He is only 26 years old and had found success on both the right and left sides in Philadelphia — but he has been more successful filling in for an injured Lane Johnson on the right side.

Report: Broncos place 2nd-round tender on OL Elijah Wilkinson

The Broncos have placed a second-round tender on offensive lineman Elijah Wilkinson.

The Denver Broncos have placed a second-round tender on offensive lineman Elijah Wilkinson, according to KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis.

The one-year tender is worth $3.25 million. Other NFL teams will be allowed to negotiate with Wilkinson but if they sign him, they would have to trade a second-round pick to Denver in exchange for the offensive lineman.

It’s hard to imagine any team giving up a second-round pick for Wilkinson so it appears safe to assume he will return to the Broncos for the 2020 season.

Wilkinson (6-6, 329 pounds) signed with Denver as a college free agent out of Massachusetts in 2017. After spending most of his rookie season on the practice squad, Wilkinson emerged as a backup swing lineman in 2018.

Wilkinson has started in 19 games over the last two years and has allowed 11.5 sacks, according to STATS LLC. He is a versatile offensive lineman who has spent time at both guard and tackle. After Denver declined Ron Leary’s contract option, Wilkinson might be a favorite to start in 2020.

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