{"id":63763,"date":"2018-04-21T07:56:27","date_gmt":"2018-04-21T07:56:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.biphoo.com\/bipnews\/?p=63763"},"modified":"2018-04-21T07:56:27","modified_gmt":"2018-04-21T07:56:27","slug":"nfl-draft-2018-offensive-line-rankings-notre-dames-quenton-nelson-mike-mcglinchey-head-class","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.biphoo.com\/bipnews\/sports\/nfl-draft-2018-offensive-line-rankings-notre-dames-quenton-nelson-mike-mcglinchey-head-class.html","title":{"rendered":"NFL draft 2018 offensive line rankings: Notre Dame’s Quenton Nelson, Mike McGlinchey head class"},"content":{"rendered":"

NFL draft 2018 offensive line rankings: Notre Dame’s Quenton Nelson, Mike McGlinchey head class<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

The top interior offensive line prospects entering the 2018 NFL draft:<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Quenton Nelson, Notre Dame (6-5, 325): The top blocker in the draft, he will likely buck a recent trend of guards not going in the top 10. Nelson has ideal size and strength for the position and a reputation of finishing blocks with nastiness. He\u2019s explosive off the snap, excels in particular while run blocking and has excellent vision and assessment of where pressure is coming from. Has ideal mentality that should make him a hit with teammates. Immediate starter with potential to become perennial Pro Bowler. Projected: potential top five<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Will Hernandez, UTEP (6-2, 327): He threw up 37 bench press reps at the scouting combine, third most of any player and best among offensive linemen. Has a thick frame yet he\u2019s surprisingly fluid and agile with his footwork. A four-year starter, he has all-conference and All-American honors to back up his billing as a plug-and-play starter. Projected: Round 1<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Isaiah Wynn, Georgia (6-2, 313): If he were taller, Wynn would be a bona fide tackle prospect. Though he can slide outside in an emergency given his experience at tackle, Wynn’s natural pro position is probably guard. He could add more bulk to compete with NFL defensive tackles, but Wynn boasts clean and efficient technique and is athletic for his build. Run blocking is his forte, and his pass protection is more than sufficient to make him a candidate to start right away. Projected: Round 1-2<\/span><\/p>\n

4. James Daniels, Iowa (6-3, 306): He comes from a tradition of quality Hawkeyes blockers. If placed in the right system, likely one that features zone blocking, he could excel immediately. His best asset is field awareness, which allows him to get off the snap and help seal blocks. He possesses excellent knowledge of opponents and doesn\u2019t shy from finishing his first block, then taking on linebackers. May need to develop more bulk and power. Projected: Round 1-2<\/span><\/p>\n

5. Billy Price, Ohio State (6-4, 305): He suffered an unfortunate pectoral injury while benching at the combine. Still, his college tape suggests he could be the best center in this draft. His ability tPplaying guard, where he also has experience. Projected: Round 2<\/span><\/p>\n

6. Austin Corbett, Nevada (6-4, 306): Played his entire college career at left tackle, but because of sub-optimal height and length for the position, Corbett is likely ticketed for guard in the NFL. He was a team captain in his sophomore and junior years, before the Wolf Pack switched to game-by-game captains. Despite walking on, Corbett became a four-year starter. Will likely have a learning curve given his expected position switch. Projected: Round 2<\/span><\/p>\n

7. Frank Ragnow, Arkansas (6-5, 312): A three-year starter with experience at both center and guard, he held his own against the Southeastern Conference’s most imposing defensive linemen, including projected first-round pick Da’Ron Payne of Alabama. Ragnow has the size and power to create a push at the next level, though he too often finds himself off balance. Projected: Round 2<\/span><\/p>\n

8. Martinas Rankin, Mississippi State (6-4, 308): Teams suffering injuries at either tackle spot could use him there in a pinch. Despite that versatility, Rankin is definitely best suited at guard or center at the next level. Although he missed four games with a high ankle sprain last season, his overall play was good enough to earn first-team, all-SEC honors. Projected: Round 2-3<\/span><\/p>\n

9. Braden Smith, Auburn (6-6, 315): A four-year starter who earned first-team All-American honors as a senior, Smith has the ideal size NFL talent evaluators are looking for. He fends off defensive linemen with power upon initiating contact, but Smith’s film does reveal some inconsistent play and sometimes inadequate quickness \u2014 especially against top-level talent. Projected: Round 2-3<\/span><\/p>\n

Teams in need of guards and centers<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Bills: After losing C Eric Wood and G Richie Incognito to unexpected retirements, they suddenly have a huge void.<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Colts: No team gave up more sacks last season (56), and this group will be under significant scrutiny amid QB Andrew Luck’s expected return.<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Bengals: The O-line was Cincinnati’s Achilles’ heel in 2017, a unit that still appears especially vulnerable between the tackles.<\/span><\/p>\n

4. Vikings: Joe Berger’s retirement was a further blow to what may be the primary area of the depth chart that could undermine Minnesota’s Super Bowl aspirations.<\/span><\/p>\n

5. Seahawks: Different season, same story \u2014 especially at guard.<\/span><\/p>\n

More: Patriots-Steelers rematch among 10 NFL games we can’t wait to see on 2018 schedule<\/span><\/p>\n

More: NFL revenge games 2018: 49ers CB Richard Sherman’s reunion with Seahawks tops slate<\/span><\/p>\n

The top offensive tackle prospects entering the 2018 NFL draft:<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Mike McGlinchey, Notre Dame (6-8, 309): He’s quite athletic for his size and actually played tight end in high school. McGlinchey is a sound blocker but should probably add a bit more bulk. Not a dominant finisher, his best assets are proper technique and natural form. He has plenty of experience on both sides of the line. A two-time captain, he ought to be a valuable addition to his next locker room. McGlinchey is a cousin of Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan. Projected: Round 1<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Connor Williams, Texas (6-5, 296): A relatively short wingspan could cause some teams to consider moving him to guard. Perhaps more concerning was a dip in his play, evident on game film from 2017. Still, Williams provides plenty of power and excellent technique, displaying a solid understanding of leverage and hand placement to finish blocks. But he’ll have to quickly prove he can handle speedy edge rushers to make a living on the blind side at the next level. Projected: Round 1-2<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Kolton Miller, UCLA (6-9, 309): He should reap the benefits following a strong performance at the scouting combine. Miller’s tape, however, sometimes shows him struggling against strong and quick pass rushers, and he may not have the athleticism \u2014 despite his nifty feet \u2014 to survive on the left side in the NFL. Projected: Round 1-2<\/span><\/p>\n

4. Brian O\u2019Neill, Pittsburgh (6-7, 297): A basketball player in high school, his football background includes stops at defensive end and tight end, providing an idea of the athleticism he brings. Pitt coaches even used him as a running back, and O’Neill scored two touchdowns in his college career. He has prototypical size for an NFL tackle but will need to get stronger. His best traits are most evident when he can get into space and use his mobility to engage blockers at the second level. What’s concerning, however, is O\u2019Neill’s tendency to abandon his technique when he struggles. Projected: Round 2<\/span><\/p>\n

5. Tyrell Crosby, Oregon (6-5, 309): Injuries limited him to three games in 2017, so there may be some rust to knock off when he gets to rookie minicamp for his NFL team. But Crosby is strong, boasts long arms (35\u00bc inches) and offers experience at both left and right tackle. Projected: Round 2<\/span><\/p>\n

6. Orlando Brown, Oklahoma (6-8, 345): He labored through one of the worst combine performances ever, generating significant concerns about his sub-par athleticism. After running a 5.85-second 40-yard dash and repping 225 pounds 14 times in Indianapolis, Brown managed only slight improvement to his depressed stock at the Sooners’ pro day. Still, he has ideal size and length \u2014 and he used them at times to compensate for poor technique and sloppy footwork. If he can redistribute his weight and take to NFL coaching, Brown could develop into a solid pro like his late father, Orlando “Zeus” Brown. Projected: Round 2-3<\/span><\/p>\n

7. Geron Christian, Louisville (6-5, 298): His 35-inch arms give him the requisite length to fend off pass rushers. Another former basketball player, Christian\u2019s footwork is fluid and natural, and he\u2019s well-balanced in his stance. Though he played on Lamar Jackson’s blind side for the Cardinals, Christian likely projects to start on the right side, with the potential to eventually blossom into a reliable left tackle in the NFL. However his experience blocking for a mobile quarterback could serve him well in a place like Seattle. And after snapping to Jackson during their pro day, maybe Christian can even fill in at center in a pinch. Projected: Round 2-4<\/span><\/p>\n

Teams in need of offensive tackles<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Texans: They struck out in their bid to get Nate Solder in free agency. The need remains, especially with QB Deshaun Watson on the mend from knee surgery, but Houston might have to get creative given the team’s first pick is in Round 3 (68th overall).<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Browns: With five of the draft’s top 64 picks, ample opportunity to find retired Joe Thomas’ successor.<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Patriots: With Solder gone, good chance they use one of their two first rounders on a new blind side sentinel for soon-to-be-41-year-old Tom Brady.<\/span><\/p>\n

4. Bills: In addition to losing Wood and Incognito, Buffalo also traded LT Cordy Glenn to Cincinnati to move up the draft board.<\/span><\/p>\n

5. Jets: They’re certain to take a quarterback with the draft’s No. 3 pick. They’ll need to think about protecting their new franchise passer, though GM Mike Maccagnan’s next pick doesn’t come until Round 3.<\/span><\/p>\n

Source:-https:\/\/www.usatoday.com\/story\/sports\/nfl\/draft\/2018\/04\/20\/nfl-draft-2018-offensive-line-rankings-notre-dame\/493865002\/<\/span><\/p>\n

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