The2008 NFL Draft was very deep with offensive tackle talent and as we saw this past season, some of those rookie tackles really stepped in and played very well in 2008 giving hope to many NFL teams that they can find good starting offensive tackles, guys that can come in and start virtually right away. The 2009 NFL Draft may not be as deep at the offensive tackle position but at the top, it does have some very good performers who could help some teams out a lot to start.
The following is a look at the top five offensive tackles going into the 2009 NFL Draft. These rankings were compiled shortly after the offensive tackle group went through their drills in the 2009 NFL Scouting Combine.
1. Jason Smith-Baylor-Following a pretty solid performance at the combine (33 reps on the bench press with a 5.22 40 yard dash) and with some issues happening to a few of his counterparts at the position (see Andre Smith), for now, Smith has been thrust into the top spot at the offensive tackle position. Smith is a former tight end which shows that he is athletic. He does well getting up into position and moving his feet from side to side staying with the defender. While he doesn’t have a lot of experience at the position (just two years) he does have room to grow and prosper and could be one of the best offensive linemen in the NFL in the very near future. Experience at the position may be his downfall however and he will have to prove to scouts that he has the ability to play the tackle position and play it well despite his lack of experience. Smith needs to get stronger and add some weight as well.
If Smith can prove that he can handle experience NFL defensive lineman well enough he should be able to crack the top five of the 2009 NFL Draft and could even quite possibly go first. He just has to prove that he is far along in his development at the left tackle position and that he has the skills needed to keep up with the top defensive ends in the NFL. He will be a very interesting prospect to watch for the next month and a half.
2. Eugene Monroe-Virginia-Monroe should have increased his positioning in the 2009 NFL Draft fairly well after having a solid showing (5.16 40 yard dash, 23 reps at 225 and came in at 6’5” and weighed 309) and right now sits as the number two rated offensive tackle in the 2009 NFL Draft. What Monroe offers at the position is the skill set needed to become a successful NFL offensive tackle. He is built very well for the position and is a fine enough athlete. He is able to mirror the defender using his feet effectively and even keep up with quicker defenders. Monroe works well blocking for the run and can dominate there. What Monroe lacks is the ability to make it though without getting hurt. There have been some concerns over his knees and he will have to prove that he is over those in order to get selected high enough in the 2009 NFL Draft. If he can prove he will make it the sky is the limit for Monroe.
Right now, coming out of the 2009 NFL Combine, Monroe is typically thought of to be the second or third rated offensive tackle. Thanks to some issues with other offensive tackles Monroe has a chance to be selected very high in 2009 NFL Draft, possibly even in the top five to seven. He just has to prove that he won’t succumb to injury and his stock will skyrocket.
3. Michael Oher-Mississippi-Oher enters the third spot although this is a little tentative while the issue with Andre Smith and his problems gets sorted out. Oher had a decent combine showing (5.32 40 yard dash, 21 reps at 225 weighing in at 309 pounds stating 6’4” ½ ) Smith would be my third offensive tackle had he not pulled what he pulled at the combine. Oher has been through a lot in his life and will come full circle when he hears his name called in the 2009 NFL Draft. When you first look at Oher, you will see that he is very well built for the position standing at 6’6” weighing 322 pounds. He has long arms which help keep defenders as far away from him as possible and he can move them around at times with ease. He has good footwork and has experience playing both tackle and guard. The quality of competition that he has played against also makes him a very valuable player. The concern about Oher is his ability to lean a complicated offense quickly. His ability to grasp an offense will be tested. Some may also question his upbringing but he has been through a lot and he is sure to want to make it in the NFL and won’t be one to mess things up.
While some may question Oher’s smarts and his upbringing, this is a guy who although given many second chances, won’t want to mess things up. His story is a true rags to riches type story and he should be a great success in the NFL. Look for him to go somewhere in the top ten of the 2009 NFL Draft.
4. Andre Smith-Alabama-Smith hangs on to the number four spot despite his antics at the combine recently but while he had something to prove at the outset, he has even more to prove after his behavior now. Smith is a great prospect with a ton of talent but in a league that is getting tougher on trouble makers, Smith is going to have to prove that his problems at the combine were a one time deal. Smith did weigh in at the combine and ended up tipping the scales at 332 and stood 6’4” tall. What Smith brings to the table is size and athletic ability. For such a big guy he gets around very well and plays much lighter than he actually is. He gets his feet and body in position quick enough to help block effectively against the pass and keeps the defender at bay. On the downside, besides his mysterious attitude and actions at the combine, Smith has had some issues keeping his weight in check and will have to keep that under control in order to be effective in the NFL. He is also shorter than ideal for the position but has made up for that problem at the combine.
Smith has a lot to prove after the incident at the combine but also with his weight. He will most certainly attract a lot of attention and get a lot of workouts and if he can overcome the issues that he has he could be one the top tackles taken in the 2009 NFL Draft. Look for him to go somewhere in the top 15.
5. Eben Britton-OT-Arizona-Brimming with consistency and potential, Britton comes into the 2009 NFL Draft as one of the higher rated offensive tackles and could potentially move up in the rankings with some solid pro day and individual workouts. Britton had a decent showing at the combine (5.16 40 yard dash with 24 reps at 225 pounds and came in weighing 309 pounds standing 6’6”) What Britton will bring to the NFL is a model of consistency with no history of serious injury. He is also ideal for the position in terms of his height (he stands 6’6”) and is strong and very aggressive. He has good mechanics and can really manhandle the defender. Britton needs to work on his pass blocking skills because if he has a fault, it’s blocking for the pass. This is a result of poor footwork and he should be able to learn how to move better in the NFL. He also needs to add a little more power at the point of attack.
Britton will be someone who gains a lot of steam heading into the 2009 NFL Draft thanks to his skill and attitude and it shouldn’t surprise anyone if he goes somewhere between 20 and 32 in the 2009 NFL Draft with good workouts. The reality, though, is that he will probably go somewhere in the early second round.
By Bryan Dietzler
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