NFL Scouting Combine Overview: Offensive Lineman
While many people will marvel and awe at some of the 40 yard dash times and other testing results from many different prospect of the different skilled positions groups participating at the NFL Scouting Combine, some of the best athletes are found amongst the various 300 pound offensive lineman. As the level of athlete has improved throughout the entire league, the quality of athlete on the offensive line has also been raised. Those who follow the NFL were left in awe when John Ross III broke the previous NFL Scouting Combine 40 yard dash record, posting a time of 4.22 to beat the previous record of running back Chris Johnson who ran a 4.24 in 2008. While that was a tremendous feat without a doubt, now Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle, Aviante Collins running a 4.81 last year at 6'4, 295 pounds may have been equally as impressive considering he weighed in at over 100 pounds more than Ross. However, his top 40 yard dash time for offensive lineman last year at the combine didn't receive nearly as much notice, as he went undrafted before signing and sticking with the NFC North Champions last season.
While the attention paid to the numbers offensive lineman post at the combine may not garner much attention outside of their usually high numbers on the bench press, in their show of strength, athleticism is still of tremendous value for the guys up front. Current member of the New Orleans Saints Terron Amstead raised his draft stock and the buzz around his name when at the 2013 NFL Scouting Combine he posted a 4.71 40 yard dash time, the fastest amongst offensive lineman since the inception of the event. In doing so, while also showing his high level of athletic ability, he went from a little known offensive tackle prospect coming out of small school Arkansas Pine-Bluff, competing in D1-AA and the SWAC, that was projected to be taken in the back half of the draft of 254 players selected, to being selected by the Saints with the 75th overall pick in 2013. During that same year, Lane Johnson posted a 4.72 40 yard time, before being selected fourth overall by the Philadelphia Eagles, having come into combine already recognized as one of the best tackle prospects in that year's draft class. A few years previous to that, center prospect Jason Kelce posted a 4.14 short shuttle time, used to evaluate a player's quickness and change of direction, which outpaced notable skilled position players that year in Demarco Murray, Mark Ingram, Julio Jones, AJ Green, Richard Sherman, and Colin Kaepernick. Both Kelce and Johnson were voted to the 2017 NFL All-Pro first team while helping lead the Philadelphia Eagles to the Super Bowl over the New England Patriots.
Film evaluation is still key and most important when assessing an offensive line prospect as it is with every position. However, an excellent show of athleticism can either confirm what scouts and NFL personnel think of a specific prospect or make them go back and look at what a player put on film and study them more diligently, should their performance at the combine seem to conflict with the level of athleticism they showed on film. Following in this post, I'll examine ten offensive line prospects who came into the combine with an opportunity to solidify their potential draft selection with their showing at the event, while others looked to evaluate the buzz surrounding their name by outpacing some of the top prospects in the various drills and workouts that they went through on Friday.
Orlando Brown, Tackle (Oklahoma)
Few prospects, let alone offensive lineman came into the combine with a more divided opinion on where they would and should be taken in the upcoming NFL Draft than Orlando Brown. The son of former NFL offensive lineman who shared the same name and was appropriately nicknamed "Zeus, Brown possess the same gigantic size (6'8, 345) that his father had. While he looks the part of a potential all-pro left tackle on film at times, the two time Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year and All-American still had concerns by evaluators about his movement skills and natural strength follow him into the combine. Brown's results in the bench press (14) as well as in the broad (6'10) and vertical jump (19.5") were disappointing as they ranked at the bottom of all lineman in this year's combine and subpar to the average offensive lineman at the combine, so did his 40 time of (5.85). The end result of his combine performance will only make Brown more of a fascinating prospect of interest as the draft approaches and a true assessment of his value is sought. He can potentially still be drafted in the first round, though an early first round selection, as some were predicting seems rather unlikely at this point.
Austin Corbett, Guard/Tackle (Nevada)
Being the youngest offensive line prospect at the combine, the former walk-on turned four year starter had a lot to like coming into the event. Though he played left tackle throughout his entire career at Nevada, Corbett is expected to transition to the interior of the offensive line (most likely to guard) once in the NFL, similar to former Nevada offensive lineman Joel Bitonio, whom Corbett replaced after he graduated and was selected in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft. Corbett presents tremendous initial impact when he fires his hands into the body of defensive lineman, which he does effectively both in the pass and run game. At the combine Corbett's testing numbers across the board were more or less average ranking 32nd of the 65 lineman in the bench press (19), while his vertical jump of 28" placed him tied for 17th of the 38 lineman that completed the drill. Where Corbett stood out was in the short shuttle drill as his time of 4.50 tied him for fourth of all offensive lineman and first amongst guard prospects. He also posted a solid 40 yard dash time of 5.15, which tied him for eighth amongst all offensive line prospects. His short shuttle number looks even better when compared to Kolton Miller (4.49) and Brian O'Neill (4.50), two of the better tackles and more athletic offensive lineman in the draft and — if not most — who are considered to be potential first round picks. With that being said, Corbett did nothing but help himself with his combine performance as he proved he has the athletic ability to potentially play tackle while also looking like a natural fit at guard, or even possibly center.
James Daniels, Center (Iowa)
While fellow Big Ten center Billy Price of Ohio State has been considered to be a likely first round pick since the season, Daniels name has gained traction as a potential prospect who may hear his name called within the first 32 selections come April 26 in Dallas. Though not powerful as Price at the point of attack, Daniels has been tabbed as one of top center prospects and rising offensive lineman in this year's draft due to his elite movement skills at the position and ability to beat defensive lineman with his quickness off the ball. Those skills and athleticism were confirmed in his performance at the combine as his short shuttle time of 4.40 ranked first amongst all offensive lineman at this year's event and tied him for fourth of players at the position since 2013. His 30.5" vertical tied him for sixth and broad jump of 9'0 was tied for tenth of all lineman who participated. Numbers aside Daniels looked extremely smooth and fluid with his movement in positional drills, with NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock going as far as calling his performance, "textbook". Add in the fact that Daniels put up a respectable 21 reps on the bench press and while already a solidly developed prospect, his best football is likely ahead of him as he'll just be turning 21 when the NFL season begins in 2018.
Desmond Harrison, Tackle (West Georgia)
A transfer from the University of Texas Harrison resurfaced at West Georgia after spending two years away from football since his departure from Austin in 2014. The 6'6 tackle entered the combine with a lot of interest and intrigue surrounding his name after he was chosen to the Senior Bowl as a Division II player, though was unable to participate due to having the flu, which may have been the cause for him to weigh in at 279 pounds, down from the 288 he was listed at during the season and likely too light for to hold up at offensive tackle in the NFL. Before stepping onto the field at Indianapolis Harrison likely impressed NFL teams with his measurables alone coming in at an official 6'6, while upping his weight to 292 pounds, 13 more than which he weighed at the Senior Bowl. His 10 3/8 inch hands also were of note as at that size they show the potential for him to impact defenders upon initial contact. If that wasn't enough to gain attention Harrison then went out in the 40 yard dash, the only workout he took part in, and posted an initial time of 4.75 in his second attempt, which would've been the fastest 40 yard dash time since Lane Johnson and Terron Amstead in 2013, who hold the top two times for offensive lineman in the history of the combine. Though his official time was later reverted to 4.90, Harrison still showed why that he is an outstanding athlete at this size and demonstrated so during positional drills were he moved his feet effortlessly looking a basketball player with his clean kick, slide and lateral shuffle. Questions may still loom for Harrison to answer about his background and uncertainty surrounding his past having been suspended twice at Texas and then being gone from school and the game for two years, but few shall remain in regards to his athletic ability to be a legitimate starting caliber NFL offensive tackle.
Chukwuma Okorafor, Tackle (Western Michigan)
Not too prospects look the part of a ready made NFL offensive lineman more than Okorafor, whose physically imposing stature stands out even in the largest position group in terms of height and weight. At every bit of 6'6, 320 pounds, Okorafor came into the combine as one of the few offensive lineman whose name had been mentioned as a potential first round pick whose performance could sway NFL teams in either way based on his showing. Like Harrison, Okorafor checked off boxes in terms of his physical build and ideal measurements for the position, with 10 1/4 inch hands and a nearly seven foot wingspan (83 3/8 inches). In workouts testing his athletic ability Okorafaor's numbers were relatively modest in comparison to other offensive line prospects, particularly at the tackle position. However, it is obvious to see that Okorafor is more of a football player than pure athlete, as opposed to many prospects at the tackle position. To his credit, he did look solid in positional drills as he was balanced and under control while moving his feet at a decent rate of speed and showing enough lateral agility. Realistically, while Okorafor may not have done much to vault his value and potential draft status upwards, he likely didn't hurt himself either, and will leave the combine more or less the way he came, as a potential late first round pick, who'll likely be one of the first offensive lineman taken in the second day of the draft should he last beyond the first 32 picks.
Brian O'Neill, Tackle (Pittsburgh)
Few, if any, offensive lineman came to Indianapolis with the curiosity and intrigue than O'Neill did entering into the NFL Scouting Combine. Though O'Neill displayed excellent, if not elite, athleticism and ability at Pittsburgh, having experience at both tackle spots, the converted tight end noticeably struggled throughout the Senior Bowl, in both practice reps and the game itself. During that week in late January, his technique and strength lacked against quality competition from across the country, after O'Neill had arrived at the event in Mobile, AL being talked about as the potential top offensive tackle prospect in this year's draft. Still, the former Delaware Boys Basketball Player of the Year entered the combine largely considered a first round pick according to most mock drafts due to the athleticism and upside he possess as a future starting NFL left tackle that he displayed on film. O'Neill didn't disappoint his believers and supporters of his, as his combine performance was nothing short of outstanding. Measuring in just short of 6'7 (6'6 7/8), and 300 pounds (297), O'Neill put together one of the most complete offensive lineman performances at the combine in history. His 4.82 official 40 yard dash time was first amongst all offensive lineman at this year's event, while ranking fourth in the position's history, as was his 3 cone drill time of 7.14, which placed him second all time amongst the big boys up front. He was also ranked ninth amongst the current group of players at his position in the vertical jump (29.5") and tied for the fourth fastest time in the short shuttle (4.50). O'Neill went along way into not only solidifying his profile as an high quality athlete for the offensive tackle position, but put himself into the category of the elite based on the composite of his testing numbers. Teams around the league will definitely take notice and it should go a ways in assuaging some of the concerns that may have surrounded his showing at the Senior Bowl and further solidifying himself as a potential first round pick.
Frank Ragnow, Center (Arkansas)
Despite being a potential first round selection Ragnow didn't enter the combine with the type of chatter through football and draft circles that one might expect with a prospect of his caliber. Having extensive experience at both right guard and center, Ragnow began the 2017 season as one of the top interior lineman in college football, along with Quenton Nelson and Billy Price. Despite not allowing a sack in three years and being rated as the best overall offensive lineman in all of college football by Pro Football Focus through its thorough grading system, Ragnow's name hasn't been mentioned as often as some other prospects when it comes to the potential of him being taken in the first round of the draft. Unfortunately for Ragnow, he was just recently cleared for football activities two weeks ago as he recovered from an ankle injury which ended his season prematurely in October and decided to wait until his pro day at Arkansas to perform in all the workouts, aside from the bench press where he put up 26 reps of 225 pounds. Still Ragnow was present at the event where he was able to show his described outstanding leadership ability in meetings and interviews with team, which should give them a good gauge on him as a person prior to his performing as a player at Arkansas Pro Day later this month, on March 26.
Braden Smith, Guard (Auburn)
A four year player at Auburn in the ever-talented Southeastern Conference (SEC), Smith hasn't had much, if any, first round projections tied to him despite being a consistent and outstanding player during his career. Still, the four time All-SEC honoree entered the combine as one of the better offensive line prospects best suited to play immediately in the NFL. If Smith was looking to have his name mentioned amongst the offensive lineman with first round projections by his performance at the combine then he did an excellent job of doing so, with the numbers he produced in the different physical testing. With a ready made starting NFL offensive guard physique (6'6 1/4, 315 pounds), Smith showed his brute strength tying for second amongst all offensive lineman in the bench press (35) along with Quenton Nelson and just behind Will Hernandez (37), both of whom are considered first round prospects at guard. He also tied for second in the vertical jump (33.5") and his broad jump (9'5") resulted in him placing third amongst offensive lineman, exhibiting his sound lower body explosion. All in all, Smith put together a positive performance at the combine and may have helped himself in terms of elevating his draft stock enough to be considered along with some of the other offensive lineman teetering on the edge of the first round.
Wyatt Teller, Guard (Virginia Tech)
Despite some questions and concerns regarding the consistency in his play going from 2016 to 2017, Teller entered the combine with a reputation as one of the most physical and nasty players in the trenches. Even with the questions surrounding his performance in 2017, Teller was recognized as a first team All-ACC selection after not giving up a sack the entire season and a limited amount of pressures from his left guard spot. On film Teller displayed very strong hands at the point of attack, capable of controlling defenders, if not manhandling them to the ground with sheer force after initial contact. For those that were down on Teller prior the combine, he may have given them a different feeling in the aftermath with the way he acquitted himself in both the athletic testing and positional drills. His 30 reps on the bench press and 7.45 time in the 3 cone drill placed him fifth overall amongst offensive lineman, while his solid 29" vertical ranked 11th. Beyond his physical testing, Teller moved very well in positional drills, displaying fluidity in his lower half that resembled more of an agile tackle than that of a punishing guard. Teller's performance combined with his solid measurables for the position definitely bode well for his draft stock and should ease some of the concern that may have been had with regards to his performance in 2017.
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