My breakdown of the top OT prospects

[LinvilleGorge]

Jake Fisher

http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/jake-fisher?id=2552360

Combine Drills:

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-combine/0ap3000000477718/2015-Combine-workout-Jake-Fisher

Game tape:

Can't find anything except highlights.

What to like:  Plays with a nasty streak.  Good balance, good movement.

What not to like:  A little slow changing directions.  Has a tendency to get grabby leading to holding penalties.  Arms are a little short at 33 3/4".

My take:  I like this guy.  Oregon's pass protection absolutely fell apart last season when he went out.  IMO, he has the natural movement you want and his flaws are coachable.

NFL comparison:  Jordan Gross.  He's not going to wow you with athleticism, but he's a good athlete and plays mean.

 

Cedric Ogbuehi

Recovering from a torn ACL, so no combine drill.  Game tape only.

What to like:  Quick feet and a good base.  His kickslide is a little short for dealing with elite NFL speed rushers, but I think that's correctable.  Ideal arm length at 35 7/8".

What not to like:  The biggest flaw I see from this tape is his tendency to play a little high.  At the college level, he can absorb the contact and reset and anchor, but I think he's gonna get dumped on his backside a few times early on in the NFL.

My take:  I like this guy.  I like him a lot.  IMO, he'd be in the running for #1 OT in the draft if it wasn't for his ACL injury, but that ACL makes him a complete wildcard in the draft.

NFL comparison:  Ryan Clady.  Very smooth athlete who plays with more finesse than power.

 

Brandon Scherff

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profiles/brandon-scherff?id=2552353

Combine Drills:  Can't find the drills, only 40 and bench reps.

Game tape:

What to like:  Plays mean.  Just looks physically dominant in college.

What not to like:  Only 23 reps for a guy whose game is based on largely on power is a bit of a red flag.  Built like a guard and moves like a guard.  Doesn't really even have a kickslide, he just kind of shuffles. 

My take:  He's gonna be an OG in the NFL and I think he fits best in a power run scheme.  I'm not as big on this guy as everyone else seems to be.  Not sure his game translates as well to the NFL where everyone is huge and strong.

NFL comparison:  Richie Incognito.  Powerful mauler with attitude.

 

La'el Collins

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profiles/la%27el-collins?id=2552361

Combine Drills:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ghDVIGThS4

Game tape:

What to like:  Nasty run blocker who faced top competition week in and week out.  Moved like a LT at the combine.

What not to like:  Measured like an OG at 6'4" with 33.5" arms.  Kickslide looked much better at the combine than it did during games.  Moves like an OG on game tape. 

My take:  Like Scherff, I think he's getting kicked inside at the NFL level.  Again, like Scherff, I'm only including him here because many are considering him an OT prospect.  Best OG prospect in the draft IMO.

NFL comparison:  Zach Martin.  Everyone is comparing Scherff to Zach Martin, but IMO Collins is the Martin comparison in this draft

 

Andrus Peat

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profiles/andrus-peat?id=2552455

Combine Drills:

http://www.chargers.com/video/2015/03/12/combine-highlight-andrus-peat

Game tape:

Can't find any.

What to like:  Prototype size at 6'7" with near 35" arms.  Very thick lower half.  Comes from a pro style system at Stanford.

What not to like:  Very labored movement with slow change of direction.  

My take:  IMO, Peat is a RT in the NFL and I think he's a really good one in the right scheme.

NFL comparison:  Phil Loadholt.  Huge size, big time power, limited athleticism.

 

Ereck Flowers

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profiles/ereck-flowers?id=2552452

Combine Drills:

http://www.chargers.com/video/2015/03/17/combine-highlight-ereck-flowers

Game tape:

What to like:  Raw talent.  You can't teach 6'6" 329# with 34.5" arms and 37 bench reps.  Natural run blocker.  Gets off quick and finishes with power.  Kickslide looked pretty good on game tape.

What not to like:  Raw talent.  Combine drills were rough.  His kickslide was a mess, he didn't look balanced, and he didn't mirror his lower body with his upper body - a lot of reaching.  Explodes off the ball during runs, but can be slow out of his stance in pass protection.  The raw talent and athleticism are obvious, but the technique is a mess.

My take:  This is the Kelvin Benjamin of OTs in this draft.  There's so much to like, but so many question marks.  I have a feeling this guy is all over the place on draft boards.  He's kind of a love him or hate him type prospect.  I don't think he can start out at LT in the NFL.  I think he has to start out on the right side, but I think he has the raw talent to potentially move over to LT after a season or two. 

NFL comparison:  Jeff Otah.  I meant this as mainly a good thing.  Hulking OT with crushing power and underrated athleticism.

 

D.J. Humphries

 

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profiles/d.j.-humphries?id=2552626

Combine Drills:

http://www.redskins.com/media-gallery/videos/2015-Combine-workout-DJ-Humphries/3d812bb6-c0b4-4dec-b247-f0708f88e2ff

Game tape:

What to like:  Faced top competition every week.  Versatility - played both at LT and a C in college.  Nasty player who finishes blocks and plays to the echo of the whistle.

What not to like:  Marginal measurables, marginal athleticism, marginal movement skills.

My take:  I don't like him as an OT.  IMO, he's a backup NFL OT.  I think he's the best C prospect in the draft though.  Looks really good in a phone booth.  Doesn't look comfortable in space.  A little tall for a C.  Mid-round prospect as an OT

NFL comparison:  Max Unger.

 

T.J. Clemmings

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profiles/t.j.-clemmings?id=2552365

Combine Drills:  Can't find it, but here's this...

http://www.vikings.com/media-vault/videos/NFLN-Breaking-Down-Pitt-OL-TJ-Clemmings/9b7b61a2-6ae4-4b3c-b656-72c08a1953c6

Game tape:  Can't find it.

What to like:  Great physical measurables at 6'5" 309 with 35" arms. 

What not to like:  Very raw as an OT.  Has only played the position for two seasons and both seasons were at RT.  Doesn't look powerful to me and only had 22 bench reps. 

My take:  Pure developmental pick IMO.  Just too raw and too inexperienced to even look at prior to the 3rd round.

 

 

Laurence Gibson

http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/laurence-gibson?id=2552665

Combine Drills: 

http://www.redskins.com/media-gallery/videos/2015-Combine-workout-Virginia-Tech-offensive-tackle-Laurence-Gibson/861f4975-8aa6-4eb1-99e9-46869fc2d720

Game tape:  Can't find anything.

What to like:  Ideal NFL measurables at 6'6" 305# 35" arms and 10 3/8" hands.  That's how you draw them up on paper.  Good raw athleticism and movement skills. 

What not to like:  Doesn't show great power and his 24 bench reps reflects that.  Movement skills show promise, but they're very raw.  He's not ready to play in the NFL as a rookie.

My take:  Possibly the most intriguing LT prospect in the draft.  Ideal measurables and very good athleticism.  He was a late bloomer showing up at VT at only 255# and added 20# in the last offseason.  If he can put on another 15-20# in an NFL weight program and beef up his playing strength, this guy could be the real deal.  Pure boom or bust IMO.  Very interesting developmental prospect.  I'm only including him here because we've been connected to him in the pre-draft process.

 

How I rank them (OTs only):

1. Cedric Ogbuehi - in terms of pure talent and NFL prospects, obviously won't be the #1 OT selected since he's coming off of an ACL.  I'd be ALL OVER this guy if his knee checks out and he's there in the 2nd round.
2. Eric Fisher - safest LT prospect in the draft IMO, but I don't know if he's ever anything more than an average to above average NFL LT and I think he'll struggle some early.  I would absolutely consider him at #25.

3. Ereck Flowers - a bit of a boom or bust IMO if you're taking him as a LT, but at worst I think he's a solid RT, at best he becomes a dominant LT.  Definitely in consideration at #25, just not sure if we love him or hate him.  His measurables scream "blue goose".

4. Andrus Peat - safest RT prospect in the draft IMO, I just don't think he has the athleticism to play LT but I think he's a day one plug and play RT.  I wouldn't take him at #25.

5. T.J. Clemmings - I'm not in love.  Not in the least.  Developmental prospect and even though he's further along at this point, I'd actually prefer Gibson as a developmental prospect. 

6. Laurence Gibson - pure boom or bust.  This guy either adds the necessary strength and cleans up his technique or he doesn't.  Can't play as a rookie or he's gonna get absolutely manhandled and abused.  Starting in the 4th round, this guy becomes intriguing.  Wouldn't shock me a bit if we took him.  This guy could be one of those comp picks.

 

*Edited to add Clemmings

 

 

 

[Mr. Scot]

Eric Fisher?

[Mr. Scot]

Good research and writeup other than the name

[stirs]

We know he meant Jake

 

 

My mock had Cedric in the second.  Think he would be under no pressure to be on the field this season by could step in the next for sure and be your 10 year LT

[LinvilleGorge]

Eric Fisher?

 

Damn it!!!  I did it again!!!  I cannot get over this mental block I have of calling Jake Fisher "Eric Fisher".

[LinvilleGorge]

you ain't Mel Kip baby

 

Yet, my evaluations carry just as much weight as his.  Namely zero.

 

No clue why ESPN allows that guy to steal money from them.  I hate the way he and McShay speak in absolutes.  They speak as if they're reciting the gospel, they're wrong all the time (as are all evaluators) and they never go back and re-address their picks unless they were actually right about something.

[JawnyBlaze]

I like your effort and am not knowledgable enough to disagree with anything. Good job!

[Mr. Scot]

Damn it!!! I did it again!!! I cannot get over this mental block I have of calling Jake Fisher "Eric Fisher".

I remember that happening before. Didn't realize it was you

[chknwing]

no Cameron Erving?

[bababoey]

Agree so much on Gibson.  He has no power at all when I watched him in the bowl game and he blocks with his he down a lot.  But he moves really good.   If he had to play as a rookie he would be on his back so much he would know where every cloud in the sky was.  But, if you gave him a year or 2 he might be real good.  I would not even look at him before the 5th. 

 

You should also look at Donovan Smith from Penn State.  A lot of power in his lower body and can really roll his hip and explode into defenders.

[LinvilleGorge]

no Cameron Erving?

 

I actually really like him athletically, it just scares me taking a college interior prospect and kicking him outside at the NFL level.  Worked out with Branden Albert, but it still scares me.  A lot easier to shift inside than move outside.  Looks the part, has pretty good measurables, and showed good movement skills.  Where do you play him in the NFL?  His measurements say OT.  His movements say OT.  He played both LT and C.  I think he can play LT in the NFL.  If I re-did my rankings, I'd put him at #4 and bump Peat, Clemmings, and Gibson down a notch.

 

 

 

Combine Drills:

http://www.stlouisrams.com/videos/videos/2015-Combine-workout-Cameron-Erving/0ae115d7-8d2b-4683-8b17-475e162e25dd

[Pox2]

I actually really like him athletically, it just scares me taking a college interior prospect and kicking him outside at the NFL level.  Worked out with Branden Albert, but it still scares me.  A lot easier to shift inside than move outside.  Looks the part, has pretty good measurables, and showed good movement skills.  Where do you play him in the NFL?  His measurements say OT.  His movements say OT.  He played both LT and C.  I think he can play LT in the NFL.  If I re-did my rankings, I'd put him at #4 and bump Peat, Clemmings, and Gibson down a notch.

 

 

 

Combine Drills:

http://www.stlouisrams.com/videos/videos/2015-Combine-workout-Cameron-Erving/0ae115d7-8d2b-4683-8b17-475e162e25dd

 

 

Huh? What?

 

 

Cam Erving started at LT for FSU for 2 years and only played Center the final 5 games of his Sr year. The only reason he is being mocked as one of the top interior lineman in the draft is because he was so damn good at Center in only 5 starts.

[*FreeFua*]

If you want to see Jake Fisher cut ups just watch Mariota's cut ups

[LinvilleGorge]

Huh? What?

 

 

Cam Erving started at LT for FSU for 2 years and only played Center the final 5 games of his Sr year. The only reason he is being mocked as one of the top interior lineman in the draft is because he was so damn good at Center in only 5 starts.

 

I understand that and I said that he'd played both positions.  It's also fair to mention that FSU's OL was much, much better with Erving at C than it was with Erving at LT.