NFL Draft 2017 - Offensive Tackles
We will now be moving on to look at offensive tackles. This list is not intended to be exhaustive, so please share analysis, commentary and gifs of your favorite prospects in the comments section.
Jets Needs: Offensive Tackles
While this was viewed as perhaps the biggest need for the Jets heading into the offseason, they've already addressed it to some extent. Kelvin Beachum received $12 million in guarantees and Ben Ijalana was re-signed for $11 million over two seasons.
With Brandon Shell coming on strong at the end of the year and Brent Qvale faring reasonably well whenever he was called upon in reserve, the Jets may have sufficient depth to get by. Shell may end up starting at right tackle, but how things will shake up is unclear for now.
Clearly the Jets would like to find their next D'Brickashaw Ferguson who can lock down the blind side for the next decade, but this seems like a weak class, both at the top end and in terms of depth, so they might be happy to roll with the group as it is and then re-assess in 12 months. It could be a good time to invest in a project that might be too raw to get on the field for a year or two but has eventual starter potential.
First round prospects
For most of the year, it's been assumed that Alabama's Cam Robinson would be the top tackle prospect; possibly even a top five pick. However, Robinson - a long-armed three year starter for the Crimson Tide - has been projected as an elite tackle prospect for some time and ultimately had never really lived up to it.
He has the potential to be a dominating run blocker, but he's too inconsistent and probably too slow-footed to play left tackle in the pros. As a result, he's now expected to drop into day two.
We're left with two players who are expected to go in round one, each of whom has just one year of top level college football experience; Ryan Ramczyk from Wisconsin and Utah's Garett Bolles.
Ramczyk is coming off postseason hip surgery but is still regarded by most as the top prospect in this weak class. Here are a few examples of what he can do:
Bolles is interesting because of his athleticism which means he projects to left tackle. He's a little undersized though and had 17 penalties in 2016.
One other potential first round tackle is Western Kentucky's Forrest Lamp. The only thing holding him back is that many teams won't view him as a tackle due to his short arms. While there have been NFL tackles with that lack of length before - Breno Giacomini springs to mind - it's rare.
Lamp's technique and footwork mean that he mirrors as well as any lineman in this class so that gives him a shot at being able to cope at left tackle. An excellent performance against legitimate NFL talent in the Alabama game reinforces that idea. However, he looks so good as a straight-ahead run blocker, teams might be tempted to put him inside despite the dearth of available tackles because they feel he has the potential to be elite there:
Non-first rounders
Another collegiate left tackle who a lot of people are projecting at guard is Temple's Dion Dawkins. However, unlike Lamp, Dawkins does have good length. If he is going to remain at tackle, he'll need to work on some of his techniques in space, but he did a good job of limiting pressure in 2016.
Antonio Garcia from Troy is other decent pass protector who could potentially play on the left. He's not as impactful in the running game and had 10 penalties in 2016, but he shows good ability to counter pass rushing moves:
Roderick Johnson from Florida State is another raw left tackle that needs to refine his footwork. However, he is 6'7" with long arms and has been an effective run blocker.
Finally, Western Michigan's Taylor Moton managed to get through the season without giving up a single sack having kicked outside to tackle in 2016. He's another who could be a guard or tackle at the next level.
Late round sleepers
Texas A&M's London-born Jermaine Eluemunor's stock has been rising but he's inexperienced so still might be available in the late rounds. Once again, he might be a candidate for a move inside, but his athleticism at over 330 pounds made him effective against the pass rush from right tackle down the stretch last year.
With 36.5" arms, Julie'n Davenport was a hot prospect during the off-season, but teams had concerns over his level of competition at Bucknell and he looked a little out of his depth at the Senior Bowl. He has a high ceiling, but anyone drafting him will need to show patience.
Jerry Ugokwe is another small school prospect from William & Mary. He has a big frame and long arms, but needs to work on his athleticism.
Finally, Clint Van Horn was a three-time all-conference performer at right tackle for Marshall and is a tough competitor with good technique. He may struggle with more athletic pass rushers, but doesn't have any experience of playing inside.
Let's have your views in the comments! Who is overrated, who is underrated and who did we not mention that interests you?