Player Profile: David Yankey

Height:  6'6
Weight:  315
School:  Stanford
Position:  Guard
Ranking:  #4 Guard
Projection:  Day 2

Strengths
-Ideal size (6'6) and bulk (314) to play guard or tackle in the NFL
-Experienced.  Started every game for three years
-Has played both Left Tackle and Left Guard
-Uses size to overwhelm defenders
-Very physical blocker.  Is gonna hit you
-Understands angles, leverage, and how to use his body to shield defenders
-Shows the ability to drive opponents off their spot when using proper pad level
-Does a good job blocking in space.  Rarely misses a block while on the move
-Utilized in pulling and trapping frequently
-Uses good footwork to make up for lack of elite athletic ability
-Finishes blocks.  Once he locks in, your done

Weaknesses
-Lacks a strong anchor in the pass game.  Can be pushed back by a good bull rush
-Can be more of a grabber than a puncher
-Inconsistent pad level.  Can get too high at times which causes him to lose leverage
-Lacks good balance.  Tends to lunge
-Struggles to sustain blocks

Summary
Andrew Luck helped bring Stanford back, but it's the play of the offensive line that has done most of the work.  A big part of that is David Yankey.  A three year starter, Yankey has been the backbone of the line.  He's played both left guard and tackle and excelled at both.  Yankey uses his size and strength to overwhelm defenders and open up holes in the run game.  He's very physical and will hit you in the mouth, but he isn't overly strong and won't move defenders off their spot.  Yankey isn't a great athlete, but has good footwork and Stanford took advantage of that by pulling and trap blocking with him on 90% of run plays. Yankey uses that same footwork and length to keep defenders at bay in the pass game.  He completely shut down Pac 12 Defensive Player of the Year Will Sutton in two games this past season.  Now Yankey has a lot to like, but his big weaknesses is his balance.  Yankey often gets too far out in front of himself and often falls down or looses his balance.  If he gets that fixed he could be even better.  But for interior lineman, their balance is key.  Yankey should likely be a 2nd round pick but I wouldn't be surprised to see him go at the end of the first round or even fall to the 3rd round.

Player Profile: Xavier Su'a-Filo

Height:  6'4
Weight:  307
School:  UCLA
Position:  Guard
Ranking:  #4 Guard
Projection:  2nd Round

Strengths
-Ideal size and frame for the guard position
-Experience.  Started 40 games in the Pac 12
-Has experience playing both Left Tackle and Guard
-Displays good quickness off the ball
-Moves well in space when pulling and getting to the second level
-Elite athlete for a guard (3rd best shuttle for an offensive lineman at Combine)
-Does a good job of always moving his feet and adjusting to the defender
-Uses his hands well in pass protection to keep defenders off his body
-Able to use his body to wall of defenders to open up holes in the running game
-Uses his speed and quickness to mirror pass rushers
-High character guy.  A Eagle Scout
-Durable.  No injury issues to be concerned with

Weaknesses
-Inconsistent pad level.  Will get too high
-Not an overpowering blocker.  Fits more of a zone blocking scheme
-Lateral agility is average.  Can be beat when a DT makes a double move inside
-Will struggle to adjust to twists and stunts and miss a guy being passed off to him
-Lacks a strong anchor.  Will get pushed back against a bull rush
-Can be more of a grabber than a puncher in pass protection
-Will struggle to sustain blocks
-Will be 23 years old when drafted

Summary
Xavier Su'a-Filo is a name that is starting to climb up draft boards.  Su'a-Filo has a ton of experience playing Left Tackle for the Bruins, but because of his size and lack of length he's much better suited for guard in the NFL.   He is a very good athlete for somebody his size, he moves with easy and is very effective trapping and pulling in the run game.  Su'a-Filo is at his best in the run game where he uses his athletic ability to do a good job of positioning his body and shielding off defenders in the run game.  He'd be an excellent fit in a zone blocking scheme, but could also have success in any scheme.  In the passing game he shows a lot of promise.  When playing left tackle he had good footwork and was able to mirror defenders.  However when playing guard he often had trouble with is lateral movement and was beat at times.  That being said he keep Pac 12 DPOY Will Sutton in check, but when he moved to tackle Sutton was able to beat the new guard.  Su'a-Filo has some weaknesses, but nothing that is going to really scare teams off.  Having him work strictly at guard should only make him better.  Look for him to go somewhere in the second round, but don't be surprised if a team like Seattle falls in love with him and takes him at the end of round one.

Player Profile: Cyril Richardson

Height:  6'5
Weight:  343
School:  Baylor
Position:  Guard
Ranking:  #4 Guard
Projection:  Day 2

Strengths
-Experienced.  Three year starter with over 40 starts in his career
-Accomplished.  2013 Unanimous All American
-Has played both left tackle and guard for the Bears
-Massive size that can be used to overwhelm defenders and tough to move off his spot
-Good length (33 7/8") that allows him to keep defenders off his body
-Uses strength to push defenders off spot and open holes in the run game
-Surprisingly good athletic ability for somebody his size.  Used to pull and trap block
-Light on his feet which is rare for somebody his size
-Strong punch that will knock back defenders
-Plenty of potential for improvement.  Still growing within the game
-Will show the nasty side you want out of interior offensive lineman
-Durable.  No major issues during Baylor career
-Has succeeded despite facing a lot of personal adversity with being a Katrina refugee

Weaknesses
-Is he too big?  Can he control his weight at the NFL level.  Would he be better at 315-320?
-Doesn't always finish blocks.  Will either get beat or stop blocking
-Inconsistent pad level.  Will get too high in his blocks which causes him to get beat
-Has trouble makes blocks in the open field.  Will whiff and miss blocks
-Inconsistency.  Will look great one play and awful the next
-Balance.  Tends to lunge which gets him beat
-Lacks good lateral movement needed on pass protection.

Summary
After finishing a year where Cyril Richardson was named a unanimous All American and helped pave a way for one the most dynamic rushing attacks, there is a lot to like about him.  Richardson is a massive man who for his size is very nimble and moves around well.  He's a beast in the run game where he uses that size and good strength to move defenders off the ball and open up running lanes.  Richardson has also shown the ability to pull down the line and have success. But Richardson does have some big flaws, mainly in pass protection.  He does a great job of getting set up and delivering a strong punch.  However his lateral movement isn't very good and he often will get beat by counter moves or quicker defenders.  With the NFL being a passing league this could hurt his ability to go high.  Richardson is likely a right guard in the NFL and will be at his best in a power man blocking scheme.  Look for him to go somewhere in the late second to early third.

Player Profile: Zach Martin

Height:  6'4
Weight:  305
School:  Notre Dame
Position:  Offensive Tackle / Guard
Ranking:  #1 Guard
Projection:  Late 1st Round

Strengths
-Experienced.  Started every game for four years (52) all at left tackle
-Great size with the ability to add weight for the guard position
-Quick off the ball in pass protection
-Does a great job blocking when in a phone booth
-Has the upper body strength to redirect pass rushers
-Good footwork allows him to slide side to side and mirror pass rushers
-Able to sink hips and anchor down if getting pushed back
-Strong anchor that allows him to withstand a bull rush
-Does a good job of recognizing stunts and blitzes and adjusting
-Solid run blocker that understands leverage and how to use his body to seal of defenders
-Does show the ability to move defenders off the ball
-Shows the athletic ability to get to the next level in the run game
-Shows the potential to play multiple positions along the offensive line
-Will be able to play in either a man or zone blocking scheme
-Very Durable.  Hasn't missed a game or had any significant injury
-Leader.  Was a team captain for the Irish this past season.

Weaknesses
-Lacks ideal size for the left tackle position
-Short arms (32") will make it hard to stick at left tackle
-Struggles when he has to take deep drops in pass protection
-Speed rushers give him a problem
-Only an average athlete for the position
-Doesn't explode off the ball in the run game like you'd like

Summary
After a strong performance at the Senior Bowl, Zach Martin's name is going to become very familiar.  And there are many reasons to see why.  Martin is all around offensive lineman who can hold up in both pass protection and the run game.  He is a technician when it comes to blocking and it's show with good technique and learned from all the experience he's had.  In the run game he would excel in a zone scheme, but still has the strength to do well in a man blocking scheme.  Martin does show the characteristics of being a left tackle in the NFL, but his lack of length and inability to drop deep into pass protection raise concerns.  Instead Martin is better suited to play guard where he excels in a phone booth and can use his strength to his advantage.  That was shown at the Senior Bowl where he was the only lineman to have success against DT Aaron Donald.  Now I wouldn't be surprised to see Martin has success at tackle, but he has the makings of an All Pro Guard.  Martin will likely go in the first round with a chance to play tackle.  A team like Miami could be all over him because of his position flexibility.

Player Profile: Kyle Long

Kyle Long

Height:  6'6
Weight:  313
School:  Oregon
Position:  Guard
Rank:  #4 Guard
Projection:  2nd Round

Strengths
-Ideal Frame for an offensive tackle.
-Huge hands (11") used to control defenders
-Very good athlete for his size.  Ran the third fastest 40 time for an offensive lineman (4.94)
-Does a excellent job pulling and trapping.  Uses athletic ability to attack defenders in space.
-Uses good quickness to fire off the ball and attack defensive lineman
-Active feet that never stop
-Finishes blocks.  Plays through the whistle
-Displays that nasty demeanor you love from a guard
-Uses good technique to get the job done.
-Good conditioning.  Isn't going to wear down over the course of a game
-Very coachable.  Takes stuff like a sponge
-Good linage.  Brother and father both play(ed) in the NFL

Weaknesses
-Shorter arms than you'd want from a tackle (33")
-Left Florida State because of off the field issues
-Needs to get stronger.  Lacks a strong anchor
-Inexperienced.  Started college career as a baseball player
-Was moved from tackle to guard because of struggles

Summary
Kyle Long is one of the  most intriguing prospects in this draft.  Long has the length and athletic ability that you need to play Left Tackle in the NFL.  However is best suited to play guard because he doesn't have the longest arms and has struggled to mirror defenders which caused Oregon to move him inside to guard.  At guard he seemed more natural and uses his quickness and athletic ability to beat defenders and create a clean pocket and open up running lanes.  Long also had surprisingly good technique for somebody with less experience and used that technique to take defenders out of the play.  Oregon also took advantage of that and pulled Long on a consistent basis.  Long does a great job of getting out and finding defenders in the open field and making good contact with them.  Look for whatever NFL team lands him to do much the same.  The biggest draw back to Kyle Long is his lack of overall strength.  But he should get stronger since he is still developing.  Look for Kyle to be drafted somewhere in the early 2nd round, but it may not be a shock to see him go in the late 1st if a team feels they can move him outside to tackle.  However Kyle's best fit may be in a zone blocking scheme that could take advantage of his athletic ability.

Player Profile: Larry Warford

Larry Warford

Height:  6'3
Weight:  332
School:  Kentucky
Position:  Guard
Ranking:  #3 Guard
Projection:  2nd Round

Strengths
-Good bulk to play the interior (332)
-Experienced with 47 games played in the SEC.  37 starts at RG.
-Powerful run blocker who moves defenders off their spot
-Strong anchor.  Tough to move back
-Better athlete than you think.  Moves really well for his size.  Shows good straight line speed.
-Does a good job of pulling and trapping and attacking defenders in the next level.
-Shows good balance in pass protection
-Good punch that can jar defenders.
-Always moving his feet.
-Good overall IQ.  Understands angles and assignments-
-Has the mean streak you want out of a lineman
-Great character.  No off the field issues.

Weaknesses
-Shorter arms than you would want (33")
-Not the ideal body frame.  Short (6'3) and squatty
-Struggles against speed rushers.  Especially at the 3 technique
-Weight could be an issue.  Weighed 350 lbs at one point.  Conditioning is an issue.
-Doesn't move well laterally.  Can be beat by double moves.
-Not overly quick.  Can be beat off the ball
-Needs better hand placement.  Doesn't lock down defenders when he makes contact.
-Tends to lung in run blocking

Summary
Which ever teams are wanting to draft Larry Warford they are going to get a power run blocking machine.  Warford uses his size to advantage to physically maul defenders but uses his strength to push defenders off their spot and open up running lanes.  But Waford isn't just a physical imposing player, he can also move pretty well for his size.  He surprisingly moves well for his size and is able to pull and trap effectively.  In the open field Warford rarely misses and is able to hit those moving targets.  While run blocking is his strength he isn't a slouch in pass protection.  With his size it's no surprise he has a strong anchor and makes it really hard to knock off his spot.  He does an effective job mirroring defenders, but need to improve his lateral movement which could hurt him against speedier rushers.  Another negative for Waford is that he doesn't have great quickness which hurts him against quicker defenders who could blow past him.  You'd also like to see Warford drop a little weight or redistribute the weight because he tends to wear down over the game and could improve his quickness.  However Warford should be able to step in right away and challenge for a starting spot on Day 1.  Look for him to go somewhere in the late 2nd round, but no later than the early 3rd. A team like Atlanta could be an option.

Player Profile: Jonathan Cooper

Jonathan Cooper

Height:  6'3
Weight:  320
School:  North Carolina
Position:  Guard
Rank:  #2 Guard
Projection:  Top 25

Strengths
-Experienced.  Started and played every game (except 3) since redshirt freshman year.
-Very strong and powerful blocker.  Moves defenders off their spot.
-Does a great job of keeping defenders in front of him.
-Moves well latterly in pass protection
-Strong anchor and doesn't get pushed back
-Uses quickness to fire off ball and attack defenders
-Active feet that never stop
-Does a great job of recognizing blitzes and stunts
-A scrappy player who plays through the whistle
-Very good in pass protection.  Good drops and active hands
-Strong punch that jars defenders back.

Weaknesses
-Doesn't have great size.  Only 6'3
-Can get too high
-Could be more consistent in run blocking
-Can struggle to sustain blocks in the run game

Summary
When most people think about the guard position in the 2013 draft they tend to go right to Alabama's Chance Warmack.  However Jon Cooper is not too far behind Warmack.  Cooper is a very talented guard who excels both in run and pass blocking.  He's at his best in pass protection where he uses his athletic ability to keep defenders in front of him and keep the pocket clean.  He does a great job recognizing what the defenders are doing and react and help where ever needed.  As a run blocker he could get better, but he has good mobility and is able to pull and get the second level.  He does provide a good initial hit which allows him to gain an early advantage.  Cooper is an outstanding prospect and will go somewhere in the middle of the first round.  He could go as early as St. Louis at #16, but shouldn't fall Colts or Packers in the 20s.  If teams feel that Cooper could possibly play center, that could raise he stock even more.  The Cowboys and Bears are very logical landing spots for him.