Player Profile: Taylor Lewan

Height:  6'7
Weight:  308
School:  Michigan
Position:  Offensive Tackle
Ranking:  #4 Offensive Tackle
Projection: 1st Round

Strengths
-Has the ideal size, length and frame that teams look for the tackle position
-Experienced.  48 total starts at left tackle
-Good athlete despite his massive size
-Effortlessly drops into pass protection
-Agility and footwork allow him to slide side to side to mirror pass rushers
-Good anchor that allows him to stand his ground against the bull rush
-Strong hands that allow him to lock and and shield in the run game
-Does an excellent job picking up on twists, stunts, and other movement by pass rush
-Has a nasty streak that you like out of offensive lineman
-No durability concerns

Weaknesses
-Not a powerful run blocker at the slightest.  Can't move guys off a spot
-Needs to get stronger.  Should help run blocking and improve anchor even more.
-Doesn't always finish blocks.  Will stop after a little bit.
-Inconsistent pad level causes him issues from time to time
-Can take his aggression too far.  Will twist face masks and take dirty shots and get flagged

Summary
After coming back for his senior season there were high expectations for Taylor Lewan.  But a disappointing season by the Wolverines for some reason has dampened some people's view of him.  However it's not anything Lewan did or didn't do that caused Michigan to struggle this year.  Lewan is arguably the top pass protector at the tackle position in this draft.  He is a very good athlete and does a great job sliding and moving with defenders to keep the quarterback clean.  The downfall that Lewan has though is his run blocking.  He's not awful, but improving his strength would go a long ways.  The blocking will hurt him from being a top 15 or higher pick, but still look for Lewan to go somewhere in the first round and no later than the early second.  He has left tackle skills.  A team to really watch is Arizona who under Bruce Arians loves seven step drops and needs somebody like Lewan at left tackle to keep their QB clean.

Player Profile: Cyrus Kouandjio

Height:  6'6
Weight:  310
School:  Alabama
Position:  Offensive Tackle
Ranking:  #6 Offensive Tackle
Projection:  Day 2

Strengths
-Ideal size (6'6) and length for the tackle position
-Experienced.  Started two years (28 games) at left tackle in the SEC. 8 more games played in 2011
-Does a good job of getting set up in pass protection
-Good footwork allows him to slide side to side to mirror pass rushers.
-Active hands helps to keep the defender from getting to his body.
-Does a good job of locking a pass rusher down when he gets his hands on them.
-Understands how to use his big body to shield defenders from the ball
-Fires off the ball in the run game getting to the defender
-Does a good job of getting into position in the run game and creating holes for the running backs
-Is able to lock down a defender in the run game once he gets his hands on them.
 
Weaknesses
-Not the overpowering run blocker you would think.  Does more walling off
-Isn't a great athlete.  Struggles against speed rushers
-Inconsistent pad level.  Will get too high
-Doesn't have a great anchor.  Can be pushed back
-Has a hard time getting blockers in the open field.  Will whiff at times
-Does have some durability concerns.  Past knee and shoulder injuries
-Failed his medical testing at the combine

Summary
Cyrus Kouandjio does a lot of good things that NFL teams are going to want out of their offensive tackles.  Despite not being a great athlete, Kouandjio is a talented pass protector.  He makes up for a lack of elite quickness and agility with good footwork to mirror defenders and knowledge of how to use his body to shield defenders.  A common misconception about Kouandjio is that he is a powerful run blocker.  That's not the case as he won't move most defenders off their spot.  Instead he does a good job of getting leverage and walling off defenders to open up run lanes.  This might mean he would be a better fit in a zone scheme.  Overall Kouandjio is a talented tackle, but he isn't going to really wow you.  He has the ability to be a quality left tackle in this league, but I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up playing only right tackle. He was thought to be somebody to go in the late first round, but his performance at the Combine and the fact that he failed medical tests puts up some red flags. With all that said it's a true mystery where he'll be drafted.  He could still go in the late 1st to a team like Carolina.  Or he could fall all the way to the 3rd round. 

Player Profile: Greg Robinson

Height:  6'5
Weight:  332
School:  Auburn
Position:  Offensive Tackle
Ranking:  #2 Offensive Tackle
Projection:  Top 15

Strengths
-Has the size and length that is needed for the left tackle position
-Battled tested.  Played two years in the SEC against some of the top pass rushers.
-Explodes off the line and makes first contact
-Powerful run blocker.  Moves defenders off the ball.  Has the ability to man handle a defensive end
-Delivers a strong punch that can jolt a defender back
-Ability to get out in the screen game and to the second level
-Strong anchor makes him near impossible to move off his spot
-Good footwork that puts him in the right spot.  Also has his feet moving.
-Has the ability to adjust to the defender he is blocking
-Shows the potential to develop into a good pass protector
-Never lets up on blocks.  Always playing to the whistle
-Shows a nasty streak that you want out of an offensive lineman

Weaknesses
-Young and inexperienced.  Only a redshirt sophomore.  Don't see too many come out at this position
-Pass Protection Inexperience.  Played in a run heavy offense.  Rarely asked to do so
-Needs to improve his kick step on drops.  Doesn't get back far enough and speed rushers can burn him
-Balance is an issue in pass pro.  Can be a waist bender
-Could clean up footwork on pass protection.  Seems stuck in the mud.

Summary
Ten years ago when the NFL was more of a running game league Robinson would have been a slam dunk top 5 pick.  He is a dominant run blocker whose the best I've seen at tackle in five years.  He physically dominates defenders with his power and technique.  He fires off the ball gets his hands on a defender and moves them off his spot.  Robinson also shows good agility and the ability to get to the second level and in the screen game.  Add in a nasty streak and he's a running backs best friend.  But the problem is he is still very raw as a pass protector.  Mainly because Auburn doesn't throw the ball much and when they do it's usually play action quick passes or screens.  But the few times they do drop back Robinson shows the potential to develop his pass protection skills.  Look for Robinson to start his NFL career at right tackle or possible guard before transitioning to the left side in a year or two. 

Player Profile: Jake Matthews

Height: 6'5
Weight:  308
School:  Texas A&M
Position:  Offensive Tackle
Ranking:  #1 Tackle
Projection:  Top 10

Strengths
-Experienced.  Started since his true freshman year.  33 consecutive starts
-Versatility.  Has played both right and left tackle.  Long snapper in 2012
-Production.  Playing in Big 12 and SEC has faced off against some of the best pass rushers in college
-Good frame for the tackle position who could still add weight
-Does good work understanding twists, stunts, and blitzes and adjusting to the pass rush
-Good athlete who can get out in space and to the next level.
-Excellent footwork combined with lightness on his feet allow him to slide side to side to mirror defenders
-Does a good job of adjusting to the pass rush and keeping defender in front of him.
-Does a good job of locking into defenders when he gets his hands on them.  Hard to get off his blocks
-Does a great job firing off the ball in the run game
-Lineage.  Dad is a Hall of Famer, brother is in the league.  He'll know what to expect
-Great character.  Film Room Rat.  Involved in the Community

Weaknesses
-Not an overly powerful run blocker.  Doesn't necessarily move guys off their spot
-Stronger rushers can get a good push on him.  Needs to improve strength to get a better anchor
-Has a tendency to get beat on moves to the inside
-When beat, he will hold and get called for it.

Summary
If he declared last year after his junior season Matthews could have easily been a top 20 selection, but knowing a season on the left side could only enhance his stock.  And that is exactly what he's done this year.  Playing LT for the Aggies Matthews showed off his athleticism and footwork that makes him one of the best tackles in this class.  Despite being 6'5 305 pounds he moves very easily and A&M liked to send him to go after linebackers and pull in the run game.  But he'll make his hay pass blocking.  Matthews does a great job getting set up quickly and that allows him to counter any move the defender does.  I would like to see him get stronger in both his anchor and his punch, but his footwork and agility allow him to slide side to side against any type of rusher.  Matthews is a lock of a top 10 selection and personally I like him better than Joeckel last year.