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
