Player Profile: Joel Bitonio

Height:  6'4
Weight:  302
School:  Nevada
Position:  Offensive Tackle
Ranking:  #5 Offensive Tackle
Projection:  2nd Round

Strengths
-Experience.  Three year starter.  36 games started
-Good athlete who moves with ease
-Adequate arm length (33 7/8") to push defenders pass the pocket
-Elite Quickness. 2nd best 10 yard shuttle (1.68) for lineman at Combine
-Fires off the ball hard and fast.  Takes it to the defensive lineman
-Stout at the point of attack.  Good functional strength.
-Powerful blocker.  Can move defenders off their spot
-Solid anchor.  Rarely gets pushed off his spot
-Uses his hands to control the defenders. Locks you in when he gets his hands on a defender
-Good footwork and lateral agility to slide to mirror defenders
-Position flexibility.  Has the potential to play all five offensive line positions
-Has shown the ability to pull effectively
-Never gives up on a block.  Always going hard
-Durable.  No injury issues to speak of

Weaknesses
-Size (6'4 302) and may prevent him from playing Left Tackle
-Can be more of a grabber than a punch. Will lead to holding calls
-Will struggle with footwork on deep drops
-Could stand to redistribute some of his weight
-Can get too high at times which affects his power in the run game and balance in pass pro
-Doesn't have that nastiness you would like out of a lineman
-Needs to clean up his pass protection technique

Summary
When you are a tackle and only stand 6'4 you are already getting doubters before they even watch you play. But once you watch Joel Bitonio you are going to leave impressed. Bitonio is at his best in the run game. There he uses his athletic ability to generate power and open up holes in the run game. He has even shown the ability to pull and make blocks in the open field. In pass protection he uses his quickness to shield off defenders and keep them out of the backfield. His biggest weakness is his length and lateral agility causes him to have issues with speed rushers. He did shut down Anthony Barr the first game of the season, but Barr did give him some fits. Bitonio is much better dealing with power rushers and that showed when he didn't allow any pressure against Florida State. Bitonio has the athletic ability to get a chance at left tackle, however his skill set might end up moving him inside to guard or right tackle. I see him going somewhere in the late second round, but wouldn't be shocked to see him go higher.

Player Profile: Morgan Moses

Height:  6'6
Weight:  325
School:  Virginia
Position:  Offensive Tackle
Rank:  #5 Offensive Tackle
Projection:  2nd Round

Strengths
-Ideal size (6'6) and length (34" arms) for the left tackle position
-Experienced.  Over 40 starts in his career
-Versatile.  Played both tackle positions and started at right guard for a game.
-Proven, shut down Vic Beasley and Jeremiah Attaochu this season
-Understands how to use his body to shield defenders in both run and pass blocking
-Has the quick feet to get set up in pass protection and shut down initial rush
-Shows athleticism getting to the second level in run blocking
-Utilizes strength in the run game to move defenders off the ball
-No character or off the field baggage
-Durability isn't an issue.  No injuries that prevented him from playing in games.

Weaknesses
-Doesn't have great lateral agility which can hurt him in blocking double moves
-Bends at the waist too much which affects his balance
-Inexperience at left tackle.  Only played on year at the blindside
-Can struggle to get deep on drops which will be exploited by speed rushers
-Needs to get stronger at the point.  A good bull rusher will get him pushed back
-Not an explosive player off the ball.  Quick defensive ends can get a jump on him
-Has to monitor weight.  Has been over 350.  Needs to redistribute current weight

Summary
Morgan Moses took advantage of the Senior Bowl impressing scouts and coming away with being named the top pass blocking tackle there.  That was huge for Moses who spent most of his career at the right side, but flourished this past season playing left tackle.  Despite his large size, Moses has good quick feet that aide him in pass protection.  He is able to get set up quickly and use his long arms to shut down a pass rushers initial move.  But his lack of good lateral agility and balance issues hurt him with good double moves.  In the run game Moses is very affective overwhelming defenders and moving them off their spot.  But he would really benefit from adding strength that would make him even more effective.  Moses has the tools to be very successful, but he needs to improve his technique and manage his weight better, or he could be nothing more than a swing tackle.  Look for him to go somewhere in the second round to a team that needs tackle help, but don't be surprised if Cincinnati takes a long look at him at the end of round 1 so they can move Whitworth inside to guard..

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: 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. 

Position Breakdown: Offensive Tackles

For the longest time the offensive tackle has been one of the most important positions in football.  Keeping the quarterback upright and opening holes in the run game 

Elite Prospects
Luke Joeckel, Texas A&M
Eric Fisher, Central Michigan
DJ Fluker, Alabama

Luke Jockel and Eric Fisher are the top two tackles in this draft.  Both are elite level tackles who have everything NFL teams want out of a left tackle.  Fisher is a better athlete and a little bit longer, but Joeckel is a better run blocker and more proven against top level competition.  Joeckel is the safe pick where as Fisher might have the more potential.  Also fitting into this group is DJ Fluker.  Fluker isn't my third ranked tackle and probably will never play left tackle in the NFL.  But despite that, he is still an elite level player.  Fluker is a massive man who has great strength and is a better athlete than people think.  But he just doesn't have that lateral quickness that you need to man the left size.  He'll be an instant starter and the potential to be a Pro Bowler.

Boom or Bust
Lane Johnson, Oklahoma
Menelik Watson, Florida State
Terron Armstead, Arkansas Pine-Bluff

Every year we see players that come into the draft with a lot of raw talent.  They have the physical skills to be great, but run the risk of becoming a huge flop.  The dreaded Boom or Bust label.  This year we have three players that really fit into this category.  Lane Johnson is the third rated tackle in this class and has a great chance to go in the top 11 picks.  A former quarterback he has the size and athletic ability teams like.  But teams worry about his strength and experience at the position.  Menelik Watson is a former basketball player whose only played two years of football.  He picked the game up pretty quick and footwork is top notch.  He's only played right tackle in college, but has the skills to be a left tackle.  Terron Armstead was the star of the Combine breaking all sorts of records, but he is more than a workout warrior.  He uses that athletic ability as a top level pass protector.  But the way he run blocks isn't going to get it done in the NFL.  He is going to need some serious coaching up.

Right Tackles
Brennan Williams, North Carolina
Chris Faulk, LSU
Ricky Wagner, Wisconsin

The top guys is who everybody wants to talk about, but for years teams have been able to find quality starters in middle to late rounds.  Mitchell Schwartz was a second round pick and started at RT day 1 for the Cleveland Browns.  J'Marcus Webb was a 7th round pick who has started the past two years at LT for the Chicago Bears.  This year we have a few guys here that have the potential to become starters either right away or pretty soon.  Brennan Williams has the athletic ability of a left tackle, but his pass blocking skills keep him on the right side.  But if a team that runs a zone blocking scheme that needs a right tackle could insert him in right away.  Unlike Williams, Chris Faulk and Ricky Wagner both played left tackle, but that's not where they project in the NFL.  Both Faulk and Wagner are big strong powerful blockers.  They uses their size and strength to move defenders off the ball.  They lack the elite athletic ability and footwork to succeed at left tackle, but teams that run man blocking schemes will look to them to open up holes on the right side in the running game. 

Question Marks
Justin Pugh, Syracuse
Vinston Painter, Virginia Tech
Luke Marquart, Azusa Pacific

Much like the boom or bust category, the players that fit into the Question Marks are prospects who could be good, but there are just too many question marks about them.  Justin Pugh is a familiar name to some because he is getting a lot of attention from some experts.  However I see a lot of question marks.  Pugh has good athletic ability and looks like he could be a good LT.  However he has short arms and lacks good strength.  Pugh is going to have to find the right fit and scheme to be successful.  Vinston Painter is another name that stood out at the Combine with a good showing of athletic ability and raised some eyebrows.  However Painter was unassuming at Virginia Tech.  Was he a poor scheme fit?  Or just a workout warrior?  Luke Marquart is a mountain of a man (6'8 315) but coming from Azusa Pacific nobody really knows anything about him.  Maybe that's why 29 teams came to watch is Pro Day.  Marquart is a former basketball player who is still learning the position.  However he was coached by NFL Hall of Famer Jackie Slater and provides a lot of intrigue to NFL team.s

Player Profile: Brennan Williams

Brennan Williams

Height:  6'6
Weight:  318
School:  North Carolina
Position:  Offensive Tackle
Ranking: #6 Offensive Tackle
Projection: 3rd / 4th Round

Strengths
-Ideal size height and bulk for an offensive tackle.
-34" arms that he uses to keep defenders off his body
-Good athlete who moves well
-Very strong punch that jolts defenders
-Quick first step in the run game that allows him to make first contact
-Good strength that makes him able to move defenders in the run game
-Uses good athletic ability to get to the second level
-Great overall strength
-Has that nasty streak that you love out of a lineman
-Family history.  Dad played in the league for seven seasons

Weaknesses
-Very inconsistent in pass coverage.
-Lacks a strong anchor.  An average bull rush gets him off balance.
-Slow feet that don't always move.  Cause him to get beat by faster ends
-Poor footwork
-Durability.  Knee and labrum issues
-Not a natural knee bender.  Leads to him being off balance at times
-Isn't quick to recognize blitzes and stunts
-RT only at UNC

Summary
When you have an offensive tackle with the ideal frame (6'6 318) and good athletic ability he's going to be coveted by almost every team.  Brennan Williams fits that bill.  He has the height, length (34" arms), and quickness that you need to play LT in the NFL.  However Williams just can't translate those things into becoming a top tier LT.  Let alone play LT for the Tar Heels.  His biggest issue is his poor slow footwork.  Because of that he struggles in pass protection and gets beat by quicker defensive ends.  Add in that he doesn't have a high IQ when it comes to blitzes and stunts and he can get a QB hit a bunch.  But when asked to run block it's a totally different blocker.  Williams is aggressive, hits hard and is a force.  No wonder why Giovanni Bernard was able to run so successfully.  Williams fires off the ball and can move defenders off their spot to open the run lanes.  If Williams can get the pass protection figured out he could be a long time starter in the league.  Otherwise he'll be an above average right tackle or possible a swing tackle.  But because of his potential, some team (possibly a zone blocking team) looking for somebody to come in and compete for the starting right tackle spot will take him somewhere in the 3rd-4th round range.

Player Profile: Menelik Watson

Menelik Watson

Height:  6'5
Weight:  310
School:  Florida State
Position:  Offensive Tackle
Rank:  #5 Offensive Tackle
Projection:  2nd Round

Strengths
-Very athletic.  Was a former college basketball player
-Does a great job getting set up in his pass pro
-Average arm length (34")
-Does a great job of locking guys down in pass protection
-Gets to the second level and does well finding and making blocks in space
-Does an excellent job of taking away pass rushers to his outside.
-Has a strong initial punch to jar back defenders
-Uses good athletic ability to slide side to side to mirror defenders
-Able to slide off double teams and move to the next level in the run game
-Always keeps his feet moving
-Good footwork.  Shows his basketball background
-Strong Work Ethic.  Strives to improve

Weaknesses
-Inexperienced and Raw.  Only 2 years of football experience.
-Looks lost at time.  Might struggle in a complex blocking scheme
-Not overly powerful.  Relies more on athletic ability and position
-Struggles to maintain blocks in the run game.  Let's guys get off him.
-Struggles with speed rush to the inside
-Was a RT only at FSU
-Plays at too high of a pad level
-Still developing a good anchor
-Gets off balance at times
-Isn't overly aggressive or possess a mean streak

Summary
Menelik Watson is a former college basketball player who came to football after watching a Florida State game and falling in love with the sport.  He didn't see much of a future as a 6'5 post player and thought that football could be the key to a better life for his family.  Watson played one season at Saddleback Community College and then this past year at Florida State.  Watson is still very raw, but flashes a lot of skill that has already impressed scouts, coaches, and general managers.  He is a good athlete and uses that in pass protection to keep defenders in front of him and off the quarterback.  He has room to improve as a run blocker but was used in pulling to get out and attack defenders in the open field.  Watson does have a lot of areas he needs to improve on, but most of those concerns are all from inexperience and adding more strength.  Because of his lack of elite strength and good athletic ability Watson might be best suited to play in a zone  blocking scheme that can highlight those strengths.  But with some good coaching he should be able to fit into any scheme.  He has the size and athletic ability to be a left tackle in the NFL.  Watson will likely go in the second round, but don't be too surprised if some team takes a chance and picks him in the late 1st round.

Nate Potter Scouting Report

Nate Potter

Position: Offensive Tackle
School: Boise State
Year: Senior
Height: 6'6
Weight: 303
Draft Stock: #7 Offensive Tackle / Late 2nd - Early 3rd

Strengths
-Very good footwork that allows him to move side to side and mirror defenders

-Good athlete that can get to the 2nd level with ease

-Good quickness to fire off the ball

-Sound technique with good hand placement

-Very experienced. 28 total starts.

-High football IQ. Always knows where to be and knows angles.

-Natural knee bender and good agility.

-Good student and citizen

-Good frame with the ability to add weight

-Strong at the point of attack

Weaknesses
-Needs to improve strength. Can be pushed back against a good bull rush.

-Could stand to add weight.

-Could stand to add weigh

-More of a finesse blocker who walls off defenders

-Lacks a mean streak

-Struggles to maintain blocks. Defenders can get off from time to time.

-Not an immediate starter at Left Tackle.

Summary

Nate Potter is one of the most accomplished offensive lineman in college football over the pst three seasons. He's been Kellen Moore's blind side protector for all three of those seasons and helped the Broncos reach remarkable feats for a non AQ school. Potter is at his best when he is in pass protection. he is a good, but not great, athlete who has good lateral mobility that allows him to mirror defenders and wall them off from getting to the QB. Potter is also very technically sound. He knows angles and uses that to get to the next level and open up lanes for the running backs. He has good hand placement and is rarely out of position. Pair that up with this high football IQ and it's very hard to beat Potter. In the run game Potter is solid, but not spectacular. He has good initial quickness and can win match ups a the point of attack. But he isn't a dominant blocker and won't be confused as a mauler. He uses his large frame to wall off defenders rather than push them off the ball. Because of that he's a much better fit in the Zone Blocking Scheme that will utilize his athletic ability and strong technique. Potter projects as a late 2nd or early 3rd rounder mainly because he isn't considered a Day 1 starter. Much like William Beatty and Charles Johnson from the past couple of drafts. But because of his potential and the value teams put on LTs and there won't be a shock if he goes higher. Teams like Kansas City or Houston who are looking for tackles could take a look at him.

Nate Potter is one of the most accomplished offensive lineman in college football over the past three seasons. He's been Kellen Moore's blind side protector for all three of those seasons and helped the Broncos reach remarkable feats for a non automatic qualifying schools. Potter is at his best when he is in pass protection. He is a good, but not great, athlete who has good lateral mobility that allows him to mirror defenders and wall them off from getting to the quarterback. Potter is also very technically sound. He knows angles and uses that to get to the next level and open up lanes for the running backs. He has good hand placement and is rarely out of position. Pair that up with this high football IQ and it's very hard to beat Potter. In the run game Potter is solid, but not spectacular. He has good initial quickness and can win match ups at the point of attack. But he isn't a dominant run blocker and won't be confused with a mauler. He uses his large frame to wall off defenders rather than push them off the ball. Because of that he'll fit much better in a Zone Blocking Scheme that utilizes his athletic ability and strong technique. Potter projects as a late 2nd or early 3rd round prospect mainly because he isn't considered a Day 1 starter. Much like William Beatty and Charles Johnson in the past couple of drafts. But because of his potential, there will be no surprise if he goes in the middle of the 2nd round. A team like Houston or Kansas City who are looking for depth at tackle will take a long look at him.

Zebrie Sanders Scouting Report

Zebrie Sanders

Position: Offensive Tackle

School: Florida State

Year: Senior

Height: 6'5

Weight: 308

Draft Stock: 2nd Round / #5 OT

Strengths

-Good frame (6'5 308) with the ability to add more weight

-Uses length to force defenders wide and overrun the pocket.

-Plays with a mean streak. Looks to finish all blocks.

-Quick footwork that allows get good drops and to mirror pass rushers

-Good athlete who can get out and move in the run game and get to the next level

-Gets off the ball and in the right position in the run game.

-Experience. 4 year starter. Played both Left and Right Tackle

-Hard worker, good student, and good citizen.

-Durable. No injury issues.

-Good football IQ. Always prepared. Student of the Game.

-Good potential. Best football is in front of him.

Weaknesses
-Doesn't anchor in the greatest. A good bull rush can get to him.

-Needs to get stronger. More of a finesse blocker. Doesn't drive defenders back on run plays.

-Played mainly at Right Tackle in college. Only played a few games at the end of the season.

-Does a lot of cut blocks

-Doesn't always sustain blocks very long.

-Inconsistent pad level

-Lacks a strong punch to keep defenders off balance.

-Might only be a fit in a Zone Blocking Scheme.

Summary

After spending a majority of his career at Florida State at Right Tackle, Zebrie Sanders got the chance to play Left Tackle when teammate Andrew Datko went down with a season ending injury. Sanders took this opportunity and ran with it. Sanders showed good athletic ability and footwork that you need to protect a Quarterback's blindside. Add in that Sanders has a good frame and long arms and there is no denying why NFL scouts want to take a closer look at him. However for all the physical tools that Zebrie Sanders has, there are some weaknesses. His biggest weakness is his lack of strength. This causes Sanders to struggle to push defenders off their spot in the run game and causes him to get pushed back while in pass pro. But Sanders is a hard worker and student of the game and he'll only get better. Sanders' best fit will be with a team that runs a Zone Blocking scheme that can utilize his athletic ability and help mask some of his strength issues. Sanders has Left Tackle capabilities, but could use some time to get stronger before coming a weekly starter. Because of that he'll likely go in the 2nd round. A good place could be the Texans who are looking to add tackle depth and a future LT. But with a good combine, pro day, and the need for Left Tackles he could slide his way up the draft board and to a team like the New York Giants at the end of the 1st.

Mike Adams Scouting Report

Mike Adams

Position: Offensive Tackle

School: Ohio State

Class: Senior

Height: 6'7

Weight: 323

Draft Stock: Late 1st / #4 OT

Strengths

-Great size that allows him to overwhelm defenders

-Good length. Has the arm length to keep defenders off his body

-Good footwork that helps him slide side to side in pass protection and reset feet when he needs to.

-Experienced. Three year starter

-Does a good job in pass protection mirror defenders.

-Good punch that can knock defenders back and off their rush.

-Good athlete that can get to the next level in run blocking.

-Very strong. Once he get his hands on a defender they are done.

Weaknesses

-Lacks a killer instinct

-Not a powerful run blocker like you would think. Tends to wall defenders off.

-Injury concerns. Has had shoulder, knee, and foot issues that have caused him to miss games.

-Because of his large size he can struggle to sink hips.

-Can get lost at times. Doesn't always know who to block.

-Plays too high at times in both run and pass blocking

-Will struggle with speed rushers. (Mercilus got 1.5 sacks on him)

-Inconsistent. Can dominate at times, and then look lost the next.

Summary

The best way to describe Mike Adams is inconsistent. At times Mike Adams looks like he is a top 10 pick and a dominant NFL LT. Then the next time you watch him he looks lost and seems to be best suited for the RT spot. However, there is no questioning that Adams has the physical talent to excel in the NFL. That was clear when he returned from suspension and Ohio State offense vastly improved. He opened up running lanes for their running backs and gave QB Braxton Miller time to throw. Then at the Senior Bowl Adams looked like the best tackle there. He shut down the draft's top pass rushers Quentin Coples, Courtney Upshaw, and Melvin Ingram during the game. But in true Mike Adams fashion, he was inconsistent during the week of practices. Adams is a mountain of a man, but has good athletic ability and good footwork teams look for in their Left Tackles. He uses the footwork very well in pass protection sliding side to side and walling off the defender from getting to the QB. He has active hands that allow him to keep the defenders off his body. If their is a weakness in pass pro it's speed rushers. Because of his large size, speedy rushers can get under him and get to the QB. Whitney Mercilus from Illinois was able to get 1.5 sacks against him this past season. In the run game he shows good initial power, but doesn't have the leg drive to consistently drive opponents back. Adams definitely has the potential to be a LT in the NFL, but might be best suited to start his career at RT while he works on his technique and then can slide over the left side in year two or later. But look for Adams to go somewhere in the late 1st, but shouldn't last too long into the 2nd round if he falls.

Jonathan Martin Scouting Report

Jonathan Martin

Position: Offensive Tackle

School: Stanford

Class: Junior

Height: 6'6

Weight: 304

Draft Stock: Top 15 / #3 Offensive Tackle

Strengths

-Very strong run blocker. Able physically move defenders around in the run game.

-Great pad level. Stays low and that allows him to be a good run blocker

-Uses good footwork that enables him to be in a good blocking position

-Natural knee bender

-Good size. 6'6 204lbs and long arms

-Experienced. Has protected Andrew Luck's blind side for the past three years

-Good balance

-Strong anchor that won't get him beat by a bull rush

-Once he gets locked on a defender their done.

-Has a big nasty streak that allows him to bury his defenders in the run game.

-Very high IQ (should he went to Stanford) Always puts himself into the proper position

-Very consistent. Rarely makes a mistake.

-Good athlete that allows him to move to the next level in the run game and mirror defenders in pass protection.

Weaknesses

-Can be beaten by speed rushers because he doesn't get deep enough on his drops.

-Not an elite pass blocker.

-Not a great punch in pass protection. Doesn't really jolt back defenders to keep their hands off him.

Summary

Jonathan Martin is one of the top offensive lineman in the 2012 NFL Draft. Martin has been the starting LT for Stanford the past three years and done a great job of protecting Andrew Luck's blind side. He is at his best in the run game where he can use his athletic ability and strength to physically move defenders where he wants. In the passing game he is good, but not elite. He has the good footwork to get back into his stance and sheild off defenders. Martin also uses his upper body strength to lock in on defenders once he gets his hands on him. However he does struggle with his depth which can allow speed rushers to go right by him. He can also struggle to give a strong punch and keep the defenders hands off of him. But the thing to remember is that despite having Andrew Luck the Cardinal are a running team, so Martin hasn't had a ton of experience dropping back. So when he gets to the NFL and with a good line coach he could develop into a much better pass protector. As far as a prospect, Martin is the 3rd best tackle in the class but is right there with #2 Riley Reiff. Reiff is more of a pass protector where as Martin is more of a run blocker. So it won't be a surprise if he does go ahead of Reiff depending on the team. Martin should excel in a power man blocking scheme but should also be able to have success in a zone blocking scheme also. Jonathan Martin should go in the top 15 of the draft. He could go as high as #6 but shouldn't last past the Cardinals at #13.

Riley Reiff Scouting Report

Riley Reiff

Position: Offensive Tackle

School: Iowa

Class: Junior

Height: 6'6

Weight: 300

Draft Stock: Top 15 Pick / #2 Offensive Tackle

Strengths

-Does a great job of getting off the line and setting up blocks

-Good athlete. Allows him to get to defenders in the second level

-Good footwork. Can slide to either side to mirror defenders

-Does a good job of sealing off defenders in run blocking.

-Great initial punch in pass protection that knocks defenders back

-Should be able to add some weight and not lose any athletic ability

-Very consistent. Rarely makes a mistake.

-Good (but not great) size. 6'6. Long arms.

-Very good technique

-Takes good angles and is able to seal guys on the backside

-Experienced. Has started since his red-shirt freshman year.

Weaknesses

-Not a powerful run blocker. Isn't going to be able to bowl defenders over.

-Will struggle against a good bull rush.

-Isn't that nasty blocker. More of a finesse guy.

-Inconsistent pad level. Can get too high at times

-Doesn't finish blocks the greatest. Guys can get off and make plays.

-Was arrested for alcohol related issue. Also obstructed the police during the incident.

Summary

Riley Reiff has a lot of the tools to be successful playing the left tackle position in the NFL. He has good size (6'6), long arms, and good footwork. Reiff is at his best when he is pass blocking. He is able to get out of his stance quickly and set up to mirror the defender. He has a solid initial punch which allows him to keep defenders hands off him. Reiff also uses his quick feet to move from side to side to seal of the pass rusher. However Reiff struggles to really anchor in can be beat by a bull rush where he has been driven back and given up sacks. In the run game Reiff does a good job in his blocking assignments, but is more of a finesse blocker where he will seal of guys rather than physical move them. Because of that Reiff projects to be a better fit in a Zone Blocking Scheme. There Reiff can use his athletic ability and technique rather than have to man up on defenders who could over power him. Riley Reiff has a lot of talent and has the potential to be a Left tackle in the NFL, however he juts isn't on the same level as #1 OT Matt Kalil. But because Left Tackles are so valued in the NFL, Reiff should go relatively early. He could go as high as #6 to Washington, but I find it hard for him to fall past Kansas City at #11. Both are ZBS teams.