Draft’s top O-linemen may spark block party
The 20th pick in the NFL draft rarely is prime real estate for selecting the most highly regarded offensive lineman. In 2016, for example, five offensive linemen had already gone off the board by that point. Yet, last year, an unusually thin group of so-called elite prospects at that position group gave the Broncos an opportunity to select Utah tackle Garett Bolles as the draft’s first lineman at that spot.
Fast forward to the predraft portion of the NFL calendar this year, and it appears the run of offensive linemen — at all three positions — will come much earlier and more frequently. And that could be good news for the Broncos, who this year have the No. 5 pick and are still very much in need of help along the offensive line.
Right tackle remains an unsolved problem. Menelik Watson, a free-agent acquisition for the Broncos last season, was injured much of 2017 and was inconsistent when healthy. Center Matt Paradis, who has played every offensive snap over the last three seasons for Denver, is a restricted free agent. Ron Leary, a free-agent pickup from Dallas, was a strong performer, particularly in the running game, before a back injury ended his season after 11 games.
Though Broncos coach Vance Joseph praised Max Garcia’s improvement down the stretch last season, left guard remained an up-and-down position. And Bolles took his fair share of lumps during his rookie season at left tackle.
Those synopses of last year’s starters say nothing of the depth the Broncos have struggled to cultivate along the offensive line. Whether they secure a new quarterback in free agency or in the draft, the Broncos likely will be on the lookout for an impact player along the offensive line to help protect their new asset. Here are five offensive linemen to watch in Indianapolis at the NFL scouting combine, which starts this week:
Quenton Nelson, guard, Notre Dame Nelson’s tape at Notre Dame, his size and agility are enough to shoot him up mock draft boards as a top-10 prospect. He was a bulldozer at Notre Dame who paved the way for the Irish’s running game, which ranked seventh in the country at 269.3 yards per game. Adding to the intrigue about Nelson is the possibility that he could play tackle. He is a mashing run blocker, but his overall competence on the line could make moving him into the tackle position, which he did play at times in college, an enticing experiment.
Orlando Brown, tackle, Oklahoma
If you watched the Sooners play last season, you couldn’t have missed Brown. At 6-foot-8 and 345 pounds he is the most massive tackle in this draft class. And yet, he was quick enough to handle the talented pass rushers in the Big 12 and keep them off Heisman Trophywinning quarterback Baker Mayfield. His length alone makes him a coveted prospect, and the Outland Trophy finalist is regarded as a strong finisher of blocks. Brown comes from an NFL pedigree. His father, the late Orlando Brown, played in the NFL for 11 seasons.
Mike Mcglinchey, tackle, Notre Dame
The 6-7, 310-pound lineman, like his teammate Nelson, was excellent blocking for the run last season. After playing right tackle as a redshirt freshman, Mcglinchey seamlessly moved over to the left side. He could have been a first-round selection in 2017 if he had decided to enter the draft, but he decided to return for his final season of eligibility and showed further improvement at left tackle. Scouts would like to see Mcglinchey, whose cousin is Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan, add more mass as he enters the NFL, but he’s still near the top of a strong group of tackles. Kolton Miller, tackle, UCLA
Miller is an interesting case because he missed sizable action due to injuries during his redshirt and sophomore seasons. But Miller was healthy in 2017, starting all 13 games while making the shift from right tackle to left tackle. That versatility should benefit him, but not as much as his 6-8, 310-pound frame. Like Mcglinchey, Miller will need to add more weight as he prepares for his rookie season.
Will Hernandez, guard, UTEP
Even as a two-time All-american, Hernandez was a relatively well-kept secret until his standout performance at the Senior Bowl last month. Now he’s rising up draft boards, and another strong performance at the NFL combine could have him positioned to slide into the first round. Hernandez, whose college coach was new Broncos offensive line coach Sean Kugler, doesn’t fit the perfect-size mold of an NFL offensive lineman at 6-2 and 340 pounds, but he’s well-regarded for his toughness and ability to finish blocks.