FanPost

Offensive Guard Draft Class Sucks This year...

I originally wanted to go OG with the 1st pick this year. In fact I'm on a certain list, saying Grubbs is gassed.

That said, the OG draft class this year sucks. Grubbs is looking better and better.

WalterFootball has no one rated as a 1st round talent

Draft Scout has only one rated as 1st round talent and one as 1-2nd round talent.

1. Xavier Su'a-Filo**, G, UCLA Height: 6-4. Weight: 307. 40 Time: 5.04.

From Combine

ANALYSIS

STRENGTHS

Quick out of his stance. Effective pass blocker -- can bend his knees, extend and mirror in short area. Generates movement in the run game. Can work his hips and maneuver to gain positioning. Good foot athlete. Can pull, trap, combo block and step to the second level. Durable three-year starter. Has played guard and tackle.

WEAKNESSES

Lacks ideal length. Missed two years of strength training while serving a LDS mission and has a bad body. Could stand to play with better pop and power in his hands. Bends at the waist, gets overextended and falls off blocks. Heavy-legged -- slow to shift his weight and adjust to stunts and quick inside moves. Gets beat across his face. Needs to play with better awareness -- gets short-circuited by complicated defensive movement. Struggled mightily at left tackle.

DRAFT PROJECTION

Rounds 2-3

BOTTOM LINE

Does not look the part and was miscast when forced to play left tackle for the Bruins, but Su’a-Filo is more effective than he is pretty. Projects best at left guard, where he has starter-caliber ability in a power scheme, though he is athletic enough to appeal to zone teams, too.

2 -A Gabe Jackson, G, Mississippi State Height: 6-3. Weight: 336. 40 Time: 5.51.

Combine

ANALYSIS


STRENGTHS

Excellent size with long arms and a thick lower body. Fundamentally sound with advanced technique. Quick out of his stance. Good anchor. Strong, efficient punch (can pop and recoil). Keeps his hands inside and controls defenders. Mirrors in pass protection. Walls off running lanes. Understands positioning and angles. Athletic enough to short pull effectively -- nice balance and body control for a big man. Good eyes, awareness and reactions. Smart and tough. Durable four-year starter and two-time captain. Professional makeup.

WEAKNESSES

Lacks explosive power to shock defenders. Does not blow defenders off the ball in the run game. Average overall athletic ability and lateral agility. Is unsudden and lacks elite recovery quickness. Occasionally fails to dig his heels in and gives ground vs. strong bull rushes. Stressed to cut off fast-flowing linebackers.

DRAFT PROJECTION

Rounds 1-2

BOTTOM LINE

Big, thickly built, relatively polished blocker who brings a steadying presence to the interior offensive line. Dependability and effectiveness blocking for pass and run combined with sterling intangibles, including football intelligence, make him capable of starting as a rookie and holding down a position for years to come.

2-B David Yankey, G/OT, Stanford Height: 6-5. Weight: 311. 40 Time: 5.48.

ANALYSIS

STRENGTHS

Very good size -- has sheer mass to lean, wall off or cover up defenders. Solid base in pass protection -- gets his hands on rushers, anchors and slides to fan pressure. Effective short puller. Durable three-year starter. Has played guard and tackle. Smart and dependable. Team captain.

WEAKNESSES

Average hip snap -- does not roll off the ball and overpower defenders. Stiff, lumbering movement. Needs to improve contact balance, particularly on the move -- tends to get out over his skis and slip off blocks. Could struggle to corral quicker interior defenders -- lacks ideal athleticism, lateral suddenness and recovery ability.

DRAFT PROJECTION

Rounds 3-4

BOTTOM LINE

Big, physical, smart, serviceable offensive guard who will not score many style points, but generally gets the job done. Has starter-caliber ability and fits best in a power scheme that takes advantage of his size and pulling ability.

I'm sure someone will stretch to take one of these, but I don't think it should be us.

3. Brandon Thomas, OT/G, Clemson Height: 6-3. Weight: 316. 40 Time: 5.09.

ANALYSIS

STRENGTHS

Good size with very long arms and big hands. Quick out of his stance. Knee bender with good balance and body control. Solid base. Places his hands inside and can pop and recoil. Strong-handed puncher with good grip strength once he latches on. Athletic, efficient mover. Light on his feet to step to the second level or pull. Can maneuver and throw his hips in the hole. Climbs to the second level. Three-year starter who played tackle (two-time first-team All-ACC at LT). Held his own against Jadeveon Clowney without help. Team captain.

WEAKNESSES

Power element missing. Limited hip snap -- not a road-grading mauler. Susceptible to bull rush when he sets tall. Could stand to improve lateral slide and inside punch to shut down strong inside moves. Inconsistent second-level sustain. Is better with simple assignments and effectiveness wanes in space. Can do a better job playing with his head on a swivel. Still learning what it means to prepare like a pro.

DRAFT PROJECTION

Rounds 3-4

BOTTOM LINE

Strong-bodied, dependable gap blocker who played left tackle in college but will likely slide inside in the pros. Showed improvement as a senior and has the potential to be a long-term fixture at left guard. Ability to play tackle in a pinch adds to value.

4. Cyril Richardson, OT/G, Baylor Height: 6-5. Weight: 329. 40 Time: 5.36.

Combine

ANALYSIS

STRENGTHS

Outstanding size and girth with legitimate NFL strength. Sturdy base and heavy anchor -- squats a small house and is dependable in pass protection. Generates movement in the run game. Can work his hips and gain positioning. Walls off and seals. Packs a jolting punch and plays with a load in his hands -- latches on, controls and steers. Wins in a phone booth and can manhandle smaller linemen. Enough balance, coordination and foot speed to pull and trap effectively. Has played tackle and guard. Conditioned in an up-tempo, no-huddle offense.

WEAKNESSES

Average arm length. Bad body -- has a fleshy midsection and could stand to shed some bad weight. Lateral agility and recovery quickness are just adequate. Gets in trouble when his feet stall or he bends at the waist (slips off blocks). Intermittent intensity -- does not play violently or impose his will physically as often as he should. Could stand to become more of a nasty finisher. Has underachiever traits. Questionable motivation and passion for the game.

DRAFT PROJECTION

Rounds 3-4

BOTTOM LINE

Massive road grader with grown-man strength which enables him to reestablish the line of scrimmage in the run game and thwart the rush. Versatility to play right tackle adds to value and he has plug-and-play capability in a power scheme, though bust factor cannot be ignored.

5. Dakota Dozier, G, Furman Height: 6-4. Weight: 313. 40 Time: 5.42. Also a possible Center

Combine

ANALYSIS

STRENGTHS

Outstanding overall body mass and thickness, especially in the lower body. Strong power base with a very stout anchor. Locks down and dominates lesser competition in pass protection (pancake machine). Plays with vinegar and finishes blocks. Rose to the occasion vs. better competition (see LSU). Plays with good knee bend and generates movement off the ball. Experienced, four-year starter.

WEAKNESSES

Raw technician. Footwork is not clean. Shuffles instead of kicksliding and can get overextended attacking defenders. Carries his hands low and does not replace them. Oversets and gives up inside counters. Rolls slowly to the second level under control and can be beaten to the block point by speed. Can get complacent and play down to the competition level.

DRAFT PROJECTION

Rounds 3-4

BOTTOM LINE

Small-school college left tackle best suited to kick inside in the pros. Has the girth and enough athletic ability to compete as a guard or center and ornery football disposition desired in the trenches. A tough, gritty, road grader capable of paving the way in the run game, Dozier will require some technique refinement in pass protection, yet possesses clear starter potential with continued development. Draft status could ascend if he proves he can play center.

6. Jon Halapio, G, Florida Height: 6-3. Weight: 323. 40 Time: 5.34.

ANALYSIS

STRENGTHS

Naturally thick with big hands. Can drive block and is effective when he has an angle. Functional anchor. Provides adequate three-step drop protection. Has a warrior’s mentality -- played through an 80 percent tear of his pectoral as a senior. Made 43 career starts. Highly respected team captain.

WEAKNESSES

Tightly wound -- struggles reacting to movement, changing direction and recovering. Does not generate power through his hips. Poor contact balance. Empties the chamber with initial punch and cannot recoil. Hands and feet do not work in unison. Opens the gate in pass protection. Unsudden to clear his feet and pull. Limited blocking range.

DRAFT PROJECTION

Priority free agent

BOTTOM LINE

A Tongan-American, Halapio is a hulking short-area guard whose best traits are intangible. Is most effective in a phone booth, but too often looks like he requires max effort to provide adequate blocking. Best chance to stick will be in a slide-protection scheme.

Missed 1st two games with partially torn pec.

7.Chris Watt, G, Notre Dame Height: 6-3. Weight: 310. 40 Time: 5.50.

Combine

ANALYSIS

STRENGTHS

Engages quickly and runs his feet on contact. Effective with an angle and can swing his hips in the hole. Generates movement in the run game and works to finish blocks. Good bend and balance -- plays on his feet. Sound fundamentals in pass protection. Strong, active hands to punch and control defenders. Can shuffle and slide. Good mobility. Works well in tandem. Smart and alert. Praised for his toughness and blue-collar work ethic. Three-year starter.

WEAKNESSES

Lacks ideal arm length and does not have large hands. Needs more sand in his pants. Susceptible to bull rush when powerful tackles get into his frame. Average athlete. Inconsistent connecting with moving targets in space. Missed his final bowl game after suffering a knee injury.

DRAFT PROJECTION

Rounds 3-4

BOTTOM LINE

Good-sized, physical, competitive, bump-and-steer technician with starter-caliber ability in multiple schemes. Has a desirable temperament for the position and is a projectable, low-risk prospect.

8. Trai Turner**, G, LSU Height: 6-3. Weight: 310. 40 Time: 4.93.

combine

ANALYSIS

STRENGTHS

Good overall body mass. Walls off defenders and generates movement in the run game. Can latch on and keep defenders at bay. Has experience locking horns with NFL-caliber defensive tackles, both in SEC games and practice. Will be a 21-year-old rookie.

WEAKNESSES

Lacks ideal length. Has thick hips and a fleshy midsection, which affects his ability to maneuver, position and fit. Ordinary hip snap. Has balance issues. Tends to bend at the waist and let his weight drift over his toes. Body control wanes the farther he travels. Technique needs work.

DRAFT PROJECTION

Rounds 6-7

BOTTOM LINE

Turner is a squarely built interior blocker built for road grading, though he has not demonstrated the ability to dominate as a third-year sophomore draft entrant. Could obviously have used another year of college experience, but has size and run-blocking potential in a power-running scheme.

9. Kareem Edwards, G, Tennessee State Height: 6-4. Weight: 313. 40 Time: 5.25.

Combine

ANALYSIS

STRENGTHS

Outstanding size -- built low to the ground with a thick trunk and vines for arms (big wingspan). Generates movement in the run game and seeks to bury defenders. Surprising balance and straight-line foot speed -- steps to the second level easily. Has crude tools to work with. Motivated and coachable.

WEAKNESSES

Could stand to shed some bad weight. Gets lax with his technique. Needs to play with more consistent pad level. Needs to work on a more efficient short punch. Lets his feet stall. Thick, tight hips -- struggles to maneuver and snap is limited. Is not sudden or explosive -- more push than pop. Lets defenders cross his face. Intermittent urgency. Does not dominate physically inferior competition.

DRAFT PROJECTION

Round 7-Priority free agent

BOTTOM LINE

A soft-spoken, thickly built, long-armed FCS prospect, Edwards is a raw base blocker who must make significant strides with his technique, ratchet up his play-to-play intensity and learn to play with power. Practice-squad candidate.

I left a couple off because of injuries that required surgery.

Anthony Steen, G, Alabama Height: 6-3. Weight: 314. Had surgery for a partially torn lambrum in Dec.

Spencer Long, G, Nebraska Height: 6-5. Weight: 320. Who was having a great season before he tore his ACL. Was

projected to be a top 100 pick before the injury.

You can click both links I provided above to the 2 two sites, or go to the Combine page to look at 7th round or UDFA candidates.

Anyway that's a look at what's available, so feel free to give your thoughts in the comments, or pimp your own candidates. I primarily gave OT or OG candidates, but some of these could also, maybe move inside to the center position.

This FanPost was written by a reader and member of Canal Street Chronicles. It does not necessarily reflect the views of CSC and its staff or editors.