Position Breakdown: Offensive Tackle

1.  Jake Matthews (SR) 6'5 308 Texas A&M
Analysis:  Battle Test vs SEC pass rushers. Ideal size and length. Good athlete who moves well.  Excels in pass blocking. True Professional. Will struggle with speed rushers. Needs to get stronger
Projection:  Top 10

2.  Greg Robinson (RS SO) 6'5 332 Auburn
Analysis:  Best run blocker to come out in years. Drives defenders off the ball. Elite athlete for size. Unfinished Product. Lacks experience in Pass Pro. May have to start career at RT. 
Projection:  Top 10

3.  Taylor Lewan (SR) 6'7 309 Michigan
Analysis:  Best pass blocker in this class. Moves well for his size.  Uses size and length to keep pocket clean. Run blocking is average at best. Needs to improve strength
Projection:  Top 15

4.  Morgan Moses (SR) 6'6 314 Virginia
Analysis: Large man with length who uses his size to shield defenders. Strong run blocker. Good quick feet. Waist bender. Lateral agility may cause him to be a RT only.
Projection:  Top 50

5.  Joel Bitonio (SR) 6'4 302 Nevada
Analysis:  Good athlete who moves well.  Stout at the point of attack.  Physical blocker.  Highly productive vs top competition.  Size will scare some teams off. Struggles vs speed rushers
Projection:  2nd Round

6.  Cyrus Kouandjio (JR) 6'6 322 Alabama
Analysis: Large man with experience vs top completion. Uses technique and footwork to make up for below average athletic ability. Position run blocker. Bombed the combine on and off field.
Projection: 1st Round

7. Ja'Wuan James (SR) 6'6 311 Tennessee
Analysis: Uses ideal size and length to keep himself clean. Good pass blocker.Waist bender. Below average run blocker. Wall of run blocker. Played only RT in college.
Projection:  Top 50

8.  James Hurst (SR) 6'5 296  North Carolina
Projection: 4th or 5th Round

9.  Jack Mewhort (SR) 6'6 309 Ohio State
Projection: Day 3

10. Cameron Fleming (SR) 6'5 323 Stanford
Projection:  Day 3

11.  Billy Turner (SR) 6'5 315 North Dakota State
Analysis: Size, strength, and athletic ability to play tackle in the NFL. Heavy, strong hands. Powerful blocker who move defenders. Raw technique. Balance issues. Likely a RT or G.
Projection: 3rd or 4th Round

12. Brett Van Slote (SR) 6'7 300 Iowa
Projection: 6th or 7th Round

13. Charles Leno (SR) 6'4 303 Boise State
Projection:  6th or 7th Round

14. Antonio Richardson (JR) 6'6 335 Tennessee
Analysis: Ideal Size and Length. Shows good athletic ability for size. Bad lateral agility. Gets beat by quick or double moves. Lacks power and strength. Whiffs on too many blocks. Project player at best.
Projection:  4th or 5th Round

15. Sentreal Henderson (SR) 6'7 331 Miami
Projection:  Undrafted

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. 

2014 Draft Rankings: Offensive Line

Tackle
1.  Taylor Lewan, Michigan
2.  Jake Matthews, Texas A&M
3.  Cyrus Kouandjio, Alabama
4.  Antonio Richardson, Tennessee
5.  Cameron Irving, Florida State
6.  James Hurst, North Carolina
7.  Zach Martin, Notre Dame
8.  Cameron Fleming, Stanford
9.  Aundrey Walker, USC
10. Rob Havenstein, Wisconsin

Guard
1.  David Yankey, Stanford
2.  Xavier Su'a-Filo, UCLA
3.  Cyril Richardson, Baylor
4.  Gabe Jackson, Mississippi State
5.  Anthony Steen, Alabama
6.  Spencer Long, Nebraska
7.  Tre Jackson, Florida State
8.  La'el Collins, LSU
9.  Antwan Lowery, Rutgers
10. Mason Walters, Texas

Center
1.  Brian Stork, Florida State
2.  Gabe Ikard, Oklahoma
3.  Russell Bodine, North Carolina
4.  Tyler Larsen, Utah State
5.  Hroniss Grasu, Oregon
6.  BJ Finney, Kansas State
7.  Travis Swanson, Arkansas
8.  Jonotthan Harrison, Florida
9.  James Stone, Tennessee
10.  Cole Pensick, Nebraska