2012 NFL Draft: Final Offensive Tackle Rankings

Posted by Brad On April – 20 – 2012
  • Sharebar

"2012 NFL Draft prospect, Matt Kalil"The 2012 NFL Draft is quickly coming upon us.  With less than ten days until  Andrew Luck’s name is called by Roger Goodell, we will be offering our position-by-position rankings with final grades on most of the draftable prospects.

Today we look at offensive tackles in the 2012 NFL Draft:

Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Height: 6064  Weight: 306

Kalil is the cream of the crop in this tackle class.  I wouldn’t put him in Joe Thomas territory but he will sit right outside it.  He’s athletic with the polish to handle the NFL’s best edge rushers.  Weighing in at 306 at the Combine helped because of questions about the bulk to overpower in the run game.  He’s an immediate starter that will be drafted in the top 5.

2012 NFL Draft projection:  Top 5

Final Grade: 7.1

2. Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

Height: 6070  Weight: 323

Mike Adams may be the most frustrating prospect in this draft.  He has all the physical tools (minus lacking a little in the strength dept).  His consistency, mental focus, and general want-to seem to be lacking at times.  This became more evident with yesterday’s report of a failed drug test at February’s Combine.  All that said, I think he has the skills to be a starting left tackle in the league.

2012 NFL Draft projection:  1-2

Final Grade: 6.4

3. Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Height: 6055  Weight: 313

The former defensive end has made the transition into a top tackle.  Most are really high on Reiff because of his combination of athleticism and work ethic.  I, however, see significant holes that make me believe he will have to play RT in the NFL.  That said, his athleticism and solid technique will allow a team to take him in the first round.  He’s an end of day one guy for me.

2012 NFL Draft projection:  1

Final Grade: 6.2

4. Cordy Glenn, OT/OG, Georgia

Height:  6051  Weight:  345

The reason Glenn has a higher grade than Reiff but listed below on the tackle rankings is because he’s my second rated guard in this class.  Glenn is a massive human being that has a shot to play RT in the NFL.  I don’t think you can go wrong with Glenn because of his ability to move inside in the NFL.

2012 NFL Draft projection: 1-2

Final Grade: 6.3

5. Bobby Massie, OT, Ole Miss

Height: 6056  Weight: 316

Many will point to the fact that Massie played mostly RT at Ole Miss as a downgrade.  It may be true but he’s a pretty good one.  For a team with a RT need, he makes a ton of sense early on day two and could wind up late on day one with teams like the Giants needing a Kareem McKenzie replacement.  Massie is a long-armed tackle that is light on his feet and plays with excellent balance.  If you want to be impressed with Massie turn on the Alabama tape and it will have you thinking round one.

2012 NFL Draft projection:  1-2

Final Grade: 6.2

6. Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

Height: 6051  Weight: 312

Martin is a three-year starter in Stanford’s pro-style offense which should bode well for him in scouts eyes.  The problem with Martin is that he lacks the pass protection skills to be considered a starting caliber LT.  He could and should step in at RT immediately with an eye on competing.  Expecting Martin to take over at LT early on would be a monumental mistake for the team willing to take that risk.

2012 NFL Draft projection:  1-2

Final Grade: 6.1

7. Mitchell Schwartz, OT, California

Height:  6053  Weight:  318

Schwartz was probably one of the most underrated prospects in the draft up until mid-January.  It would seem that most in the media began to catch on with this guy.  I think he’s a RT only in the NFL but he could wind up a really good.  His history of back problems is concerning but if he checks out medically he should come off the board in the early stages of round two.

2012 NFL Draft projection:  2

Final Grade: 6.0

8. Jeff Allen, OT/OG, Illinois

Height:  6040  Weight:  307

Allen is a versatile tackle that may move inside to guard.  He’s a guy that one pass the eyeball test until you turn on the tape.  He possesses excellent feet with a knack for getting into the second level with ease.  Allen’s ability to play multiple positions should find him a spot in round two.

2012 NFL Draft projection:  2

Final Grade: 5.9

9. Kelechi Osemele, OT/OG, Iowa St.

Height:  6064  Weight:  333

Osemele is an interesting evaluation because of his projection of position in the NFL.  He is most likely a RT or G in the NFL.  He struggled on an island at LT at Iowa St. and offers little upside to ever play that position in the NFL.  His struggles continued at the Senior Bowl leaving many to question whether he has what it takes to play on the right side.  At the end of the day, Osemele may have to move inside and could wind up busting out.

2012 NFL Draft projection: 2-3

Final Grade: 5.8

10. Brandon Mosley, OT, Auburn

Height:  6054  Weight:  314

Mosley is a former tight end with an excellent frame.  I see some major potential that would make me think this guy could wind up being a steal in the middle rounds.  He’s a RT only in the NFL that has racked up 35 starts in his career from JC to Auburn.

2012 NFL Draft projection:  4

Final Grade: 5.7

11. Zebrie Sanders, OT, Florida St.

Height:  6054  Weight:  320

Sanders was drawing a lot of attention after he was forced to move to the left side with Andrew Datko’s injury.  Some of that interest has cooled and settled back to a manageable area for me.  There is some upside with Sanders but he needs to pack on some bulk to withstand the NFL bull rush.  Too often he’s caught in reverse and pushed back into the QB’s lap.  I think he’s a RT that could swing to the left side on an as needed basis.

2012 NFL Draft projection:  2-3

Final Grade: 5.7

12. Tony Bergstrom, OT, Utah

Height:  6051  Weight:  313

Bergstrom may be headed for a move inside as well due to his lack of foot quickness.  If he sticks at tackle it will be on left side.  All that said, Bergstrom is a tough, gritty blocker that finds ways to get his man blocked effectively.  I think he’s best at LG in the NFL which should keep the 26-year old in that third-to-fourth round range.

2012 NFL Draft projection:  3-4

Final Grade: 5.7

Best of the Rest:

13. Donald Stephenson, OT, Oklahoma Final Grade: 5.5

14. Matt McCants, OT, UAB Final Grade: 5.4

15. Nate Potter, OT, Boise St. Final Grade 5.3

16. Tom Compton, OT, South Dakota Final Grade 5.3

17. Markus Zusevics, OT, Iowa Final Grade 5.1

18. Jeff Adams, OT, Columbia Final Grade: 5.1

19. James Carmon, OT, Mississippi St. Final Grade5.1

20. Levy Adcock, OT, Oklahoma St. Final Grade: 5.1

21. Andrew Datko, OT, Florida St. Final Grade: 5.1

22. Matt Reynolds, OT, BYU Final Grade: 5.1

23. John Cullen, OT, Utah Final Grade: 5.0

24. Marcel Jones, OT, Nebraska Final Grade: 5.0

  • Jsteppling

    Lots of different opinions on the offensive line class this year. IVe seen McCants in the 2nd round, and Sanders in the 5th. I think only Glenn, Adams, and Massie are worth first round grades and maybe only those three deserve second round. Thats probably an exaggeration, but only slightly. The thing is, there are LT. Glenn is, I believe, a RT before he is a guard. Massie is a RT, period. But Massie could develop….he has the physical attributes to play LT eventually. Adams is a zone scheme RT to my mind….but lots of folks seem as a LT. I actually really like Adams….if he gets motivated he might be the best in this draft, at any OL position. I want to mention two guys…James Carmon. If you saw any Miss St games, you saw this giant pondering kid on the line. I mean GIANT. He looks bigger than he measure. He has the potential….this years david mims. Osemele scares me. He just cant move in space. He has the biggest hands i think Ive ever seen though….if that matters. But he cant move.

  • Jsteppling

    I meant NO LT. Sorry.

  • Bex_R1986

    Wow, I would hope that when you say ” I think only Glenn, Adams, and Massie are worth first round grades” you mean after Kalil!! I seem to be higher on Datko than most, not sure why he’s so low.

    • bradc11

      Yeah, I forgot about Kalil.

      Datko has some serious medical concerns that may drop him out of the draft. I’ve heard from more than one that his physical is not checking out at this point.

  • Follow nflfuture on Twitter
  • Archives