2010 Offensive Tackles

Outside of Quarterbacks, Left Tackles are arguably the most important players on an NFL team. This was common thought even before rules slowly developed to favour the passing game this decade. That is why OT's are always in such high demand. This class features 6 likely first round guys, and a handful of intriguing mid round options. With that much talent at such a premium position, teams needing OLine help must be very happy.

The first prospect I want to look at is Charles Brown. He is one of my favourite prospects in the draft and I feel is most likely the most underrated prospect regadless of position within the draftnik community. If I was to tell you that there was a 6'5 305 lb LT, who comes from one of the best programs in the country, played in a pro style attack, just completed most likely the best college season of any OT in 2009, and is also probably the best natural pass protector in the draft you would think I'm talking about a top 10 pick. But for some reason Charles Brown has been pushed down draft boards until the end of round 1. Ridiculous. I don't think he's on the same level as Russell Okung or probably Bryan Bulaga, but thats because of Browns lack of power running ability. Lucky for Brown, left tackles aren't paid for their power run blocking, they're paid for their pass protection skills. Brown has those. Great feet, quick lateral movement, great use of hands... and he's also fantastic in certain run situations, likely those featured in a zone blocking scheme, such as sweeps and tosses. He also gets to the second level as good as any lineman in this draft. Brown is extremely similar to D'Brickashaw Ferguson the prospect but for some reason doesn't get the same level of respect. If a team needing a LT, such as Green Bay, Arizona, or Indianapolis gets him at the end of round 1, I think we'll be looking at a huge steal.

Moving on from my mancrush on Charles Brown, I want to look at easily the most overrated OT in the draft in Trent Williams. Williams had a pretty bad year for the Sooners at LT. His stock is mostly based on his fantastic athleticism and the potential he flashed as a junior on the right side. He also has some work ethic questions and his motor runs hot and cold at time. In other words this guy has bad tape on the left side, work ethic questions, but good tape on the right side and athleticism. I think hes worth a pick in late round 1/ early round 2, but Williams is talked about as a potential top 10 pick. I think that'd be a waste because I don't see him as an NFL starter at LT.

Shifting to another OT whos stock is based on pure potential, lets look at Bruce Campbell. He's got insane measurable's to go along with a kick-ass name. Those two things alone should get him drafted in round 1. He was the talk of the combine after blowing up pretty much every drill and running a 4.8 40 at 6'6 315. He's probably the freakiest athlete in the draft. So he's got elite measurables and all-world athleticism, we know that. What about his tape? Well thats where most people have questions with him. I think his tape is under rated personally. He shows he has the feet and quickness to be a blind side protector, and hes got the strength to be a beast at the point of attack. He does have some problems in space, is fairly raw in terms of technique, and is still relatively inexperienced. His upside more then makes up for it. Campbell has better athleticism and upside then Williams and his left side tape is actually on par with Williams' tape from 2009. Campbell is definitely a boom or bust type of prospect but I would have no problem gambling on him in the top half of round 1.

When all is said and done there may be 2 OT's go in the top 5 of the draft. Russell Okung and Bryan Bulaga. Okung isn't on the same level of Joe Thomas or Jake Long as prospects, but he is still the #1 guy in the draft. He's a very good run blocker with every trait you look for in a pass protector as well. He isn't as dominant as Thomas is as a passblocker and hes not the stud in the run game like Long... he's more of a 'jack of all trades but master of none' type of player. I think he is still worth a very high pick because he has a low bust probability as well as the potential to be the LT of a franchise for the next decade.

Bulaga is a guy who is a very good technician, who uses proper leverage, is very good in the run game, and ideal measurable's for the position (except his short arms). Bulaga is a relatively safe pick, because he's pretty much developed already and from his tape we know he possesses every trait that you look for in a starting tackle. He doesn't have the upside of the other guys but it's safe to say you could plug him in at a tackle spot and know what you're getting a solid starter. He's ranked ahead of guys like Brown and Campbell because hes so developed as a technician and hes solid across the board in every aspect.

Here are my rankings for the OT's... interior linemen are next.

1) Russell Okung, Oklahoma State (Top 5)
2) Bryan Bulaga, Iowa (Top 10)
3) Charles Brown, USC (Round 1)
4) Bruce Campbell, Maryland (Round 1)
5) Anthony Davis, Rutgers (Round 1)
6) Trent Williams, Oklahoma (Round 1)
7) Roger Saffold, Indiana (Round 2
8) Jared Veldheer, Hillsdale (Round 2)
9) Vladimir Ducasse, UMass (Round 2)
10) Jason Fox, Miami (Round 3-4)