A look at the top prospects available at the offensive line positions in the upcoming NFL draft (x-denotes early entrant):
OFFENSIVE TACKLES
Position outlook: A lack of clear left tackle prospects and some tackles who might have to move to guard.
Mike McGlinchey, 6-8, 312, Notre Dame
Strengths: Good athlete, solid technique and team leader.
Weaknesses: Could use more bulk and might be better suited for right tackle.
Fact: Four-year starter.
Gone by: Top-20 pick.
x-Kolton Miller, 6-9, 310, UCLA
Strengths: Length, quickness and effort.
Weaknesses: Pass protection technique needs work.
Fact: Only played one season at left tackle in college.
Gone by: Middle of second round.
x-Connor Williams, 6-5, 320, Texas
Strengths: Good footwork and strong technique with his hands.
Weaknesses: Size and power issues have led to projections as a guard.
Fact: Missed much of last season with a knee injury, but played like an elite prospect in 2016.
Gone by: Late second round.
x-Orlando Brown, Oklahoma
Strengths: Massive man who plays with a healthy mean streak.
Weaknesses: Lacks athleticism across the board.
Fact: Brown’s late father, Orlando “Zeus” Brown, played 11 seasons in the NFL.
Gone by: Bad combine. Better pro day. Difficult to predict when he goes. Late Round 1? Day 3?
Tyrell Crosby, 6-5, 325, Oregon
Strengths: Gets good push off the line as a run blocker.
Weaknesses: Pass protection technique could land him at guard.
Fact: A foot injury cost him much of his junior season or he would likely already be in the NFL.
Gone by: End of Day 2.
Others to watch
- Martinas Rankin, Mississippi State
- x-Brian O’Neill; Pittsburgh
- Chukwuma Okorafor, Western Michigan
GUARDS
Position outlook: Not a position that NFL teams see as great draft value, but the top players here are probably better prospects than the top tackles.
Quenton Nelson, 6-5, 329, Notre Dame
Strengths: Maybe the most likely to succeed of any player in this draft class. Powerful, tenacious and sound.
Weaknesses: Not much to complain about. Could do better at getting off the line and getting to second level.
Fact: Watch Nelson block and expect to see plenty of defenders being pushed to the ground.
Gone by: Pick 10. And that would probably be about five picks too low.
Will Hernandez, 6-2, 345, UTEP
Strengths: Quick feet for a massive and powerful player.
Weaknesses: A little short in height and arm length.
Fact: Four-year starter.
Gone by: Top-40 pick.
Isaiah Wynn, 6-3, 313, Georgia
Strengths: Good athleticism and attitude.
Weaknesses: Power to drive defenders off the line could use improvement.
Fact: Played left tackle last season and did it well, but that height makes him an NFL guard.
Gone by: Versatility gets him off the board in top 75 picks.
Others to watch
- Braden Smith, Auburn
- Wyatt Teller, Virginia Tech
- Austin Corbett, Nevada
CENTERS
Position outlook: A few low-risk prospects who could step into starting roles right away.
Billy Price, 6-4, 312, Ohio State
Strengths: Very strong. Very aggressive. Played at lot of guard with the Buckeyes, too.
Weaknesses: That aggressiveness can lead to sloppiness.
Fact: Started a school-record 55 games at Ohio State.
Gone by: End of second round.
x-James Daniels, 6-3, 295, Iowa
Strengths: Quick off the line and into linebackers.
Weaknesses: Straight-up, one-on-one power could be a problem.
Fact: Played with brother, running back LeShun Daniels, during first two seasons at Iowa.
Gone by: Early second round.
Frank Ragnow, Arkansas
Strengths: Big and powerful with good awareness.
Weaknesses: Lacks great athleticism.
Fact: Ragnow’s father, Jon, died of a heart attack during the 2016 football season. Frank managed to play, and play well, through the season.
Gone by: End of third round.
Others to watch:
- Bradley Bozeman, Alabama
- Mason Cole, Michigan
- x-Will Clapp, LSU
