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: Ja'Wuan James

Height:  6'6
Weight:  311
School:  Tennessee
Position:  Offensive Tackle
Ranking:  #7 Offensive Tackle
Projection:  Top 50

Strengths
-Experienced.  Started every game since true freshman year
-Ideal height (6'6) and weight (311) for a tackle in the NFL
-Does a good job of using his length (35" arms) to keep defenders off his body
-Uses good footwork to mirror defenders and keep them in front
-Does a good job of redirecting and adjusting to the pass rush
-Has a good base which allows him to anchor in and not get pushed back off his spot
-Uses active heavy hands to knock defenders back
-Understands how to use his body to shield defenders off and overwhelm smaller defenders
-Able to get to the second level and make a block
-Durable. No injury issues to speak of

Weaknesses
-Only played RT at Tennessee.  Can he play LT?
-Will cross legs or turn his shoulders when having to do a deep drop in pass protection
-Isn't an over powering blocker. Doesn't drive defenders off their spot
-Strength is an issue.  Soft upper body.
-Struggles vs quick defenders.  Can get beat by quick moves inside
-Tends to be a waist bender, not a knee bender.  Causes balance issues
-Will tend to grab when run blocking.  Could be called for holding a lot
-Only an average athlete for the position. Doesn't show much explosion
-Struggles in the run game. A wall off blocker only

Summary
When you think about Tennessee offensive lineman you probably think of Antonio "Tiny" Richardson.  But it's Ja'Wuan James who people should be talking about.  He's the Volunteers best offensive lineman and will easily go higher than Richardson.  James is at his best when he's pass blocking.  He isn't a great athlete but instead uses his size and length to keep defenders off his body, while his footwork allows him to stick with defenders as they make their pass rushing moves.  James lack of athleticism shows up when he has to take a deep drop and will lung or turn his shoulders which can cause him to get beat.  Now for as good as he is in the pass game, he really doesn't offer much as a run blocker.  His lack of power and strength doesn't allow him to create a push on defenders.  Instead he's a wall off blocker who uses position to open up holes and occupy blockers.  Just by watching James play you have to wonder why he played right tackle all four years instead of playing the left side since he was their best tackle?  He looks like he could make the switch and if an NFL team thinks the same he could go higher than expected.  But look for him to go somewhere in the mid to early second round to a team that needs a plug and play right tackle.  Carolina, Miami, and Atlanta are all logical landing spots in that area.