Elite talent scarce among O-line class
Lamp, Ramczyk stand out as cream of blockers’ crop
As the NFL draft nears, USA TODAY Sports is providing rankings for each position group. Today: offensive linemen.
1. FORREST LAMP, GUARD, WESTERN KENTUCKY 6-4, 309
Lamp had an outstanding collegiate career as a left tackle, and there is a small chance an NFL team could try to keep him outside. But the prevailing opinion about Lamp is that his NFL future is at guard — or perhaps even at center, even though he’s never snapped the ball in a game. Lamp is strong and fundamentally sound, but his frame and arms that measured at 321⁄ inches 4 make him look more like a guard. In a draft that is thin on offensive linemen, Lamp looks like one of the few prospects who can be a Week 1 starter — at a variety of positions.
2. RYAN RAMCZYK, TACKLE, WISCONSIN 6-6, 310
Ramczyk looks like he’ll be the latest Wisconsin lineman to transition easily to the NFL. He is among the most athletic offensive tackles in this draft class and might be the most polished, thanks to the pro-style offense Wisconsin runs. The only red flag heading into the draft is that Ramczyk hasn’t been healthy this spring after having hip surgery after the Badgers season.
3. GARETT BOLLES, TACKLE, UTAH 6-5, 297
Bolles is an intriguing prospect because he looks the part of a starting-caliber NFL left tackle and often played like one for Utah last season. But he has only one season playing at the Football Bowl Subdivision level after transferring to Utah, and next month he’ll turn 25, the age of many players when they get their second NFL contract. With so many teams needing to upgrade at tackle and with this being a thin offensive line class, a team probably will look past those questions and draft Bolles in the first round.
4. CAM ROBINSON, TACKLE, ALABAMA 6-6, 322
No one looks more like a potential star tackle in this class than Robinson, who left Alabama after his junior year. But with Robinson, the scouting process is about more than just his measurables. Robinson has off-the-field questions after a 2016 arrest on marijuana and gun charges (that were later dropped), and his college tape shows inconsistent effort. In the right locker room — with veteran teammates and strict coaching — Robinson could quickly develop into a dependable player.
5. DION DAWKINS, TACKLE-GUARD, TEMPLE 6-4, 314
Another college tackle, Dawkins projects best as a guard in the NFL, at least initially. He started that position switch at the Senior Bowl. Dawkins could be especially attractive to teams that run a power-blocking scheme. That’s because Dawkins’ sheer strength is his best attribute, and he should be able to contribute right away as a solid run blocker while he works to develop in pass protection.
6. RODERICK JOHNSON, TACKLE, FLORIDA STATE 6-7, 298
Johnson is one of the most experienced tackles in this class, having started the last 21⁄ sea2 sons at left tackle for Florida State, yet he is unpolished. Johnson is the tallest of the top-tier offensive tackles, but he needs to develop an NFL body and learn how to better manage his lanky frame.
7. DAN FEENEY, GUARD, INDIANA 6-4, 305
Feeney is the most accomplished guard in this draft class, and his experience playing on the interior line at Indiana should mean a smaller learning curve as he tries to earn a starting job as an NFL rookie. Because of his size (slightly smaller at 305 pounds) and superior footwork, Feeney appears to be best suited for a team running a zone-blocking scheme.
8. ANTONIO GARCIA, TACKLE, TROY 6-6, 302
Garcia’s draft stock started to rise after a strong week of practices at the Senior Bowl, where he could measure himself against top-tier defensive line talent. That reinforced the reputation he built at Troy for being an exceptional pass blocker, allowing three sacks in the last two years. To have similar success in the NFL, Garcia likely will need to add weight. In college, he could get away with playing at under 300 pounds, but he’ll need to be bigger and stronger to hold up against NFL pass rushers.
9. TAYLOR MOTON, GUARD, WESTERN MICHIGAN 6-5, 319
NFL teams scouting Moton likely are poring over his 2015 action just as much as his 2016 play, because 2015 is when Moton spent the year playing guard, the position he projects to in the NFL. Moton had a decent senior year playing tackle, and teams will appreciate that he could fill in at that position if necessary, but he looks like a prototypical NFL guard.
10. ETHAN POCIC, LSU, CENTER 6-6, 310
Teams looking for a center with position flexibility at the line should give Pocic a hard look because of his experience playing not just center but also guard and tackle at LSU. Though he’s slightly taller than the NFL standard at center, he’s athletic enough to make up for whatever leverage he might lose because of his stature. The fact that he has experience playing against some of the best college defensive lines in recent seasons should help speed up his NFL development.