Top Offensive Lineman

Let’s talk parameters of this list. Two tackles, two guards, and one center will be ranked to fill the top five. Each position is unique, so it is important to touch base on each of them. Let’s put our GM hats on and analyze.

Tackles: Let’s tackle the tackle position first (HA.) The first guy is near the top of everyone’s draft board and that’s a guarantee. Will Campbell from LSU has been turning heads since he stepped foot in Baton Rouge. With Campbell, you’re getting a proven talent. Here’s some vital numbers. Over three seasons, he only allowed five sacks in 2,553 snaps! He also went 24 games without allowing a sack. He was the heart and soul of this LSU team this year. He has phenomenal recovery, incredible hand placement and grip strength, and he’s got an unbelievable football IQ. His ability to pick up blitz schemes and rush packages is really something to behold. He does have a shorter reach and an occasional tendency to overset, but that will not enough to dissuade general managers. Coming in right below him is Ohio State Buckeye Josh Simmons. The player he reminds me of his Tristan Wirfs. He is so quick in his lateral movement, super athletic, but has incredible power as well. His first hit power is incredible. He seeks out defenders in the screen game and drives them downfield. His technique is sound and can anchor down at the end of the line. And he’ll beat edge rushers to their spot. He does have a history with some injuries, and a little more concerning, he accumulated 25 penalties over two seasons. That’ll need to be cleaned up, but his combination of power and speed has heads turned.

Guards: Tyler Booker from Alabama is the first name on my list. This guy is a menace in the pass game. He has down blocking power that is superhuman, he is lengthy, and brings a violence and aggression to the offensive line. He plays through every whistle and has a phenomenal football IQ. He will anchor down your interior and pick up any blitz or double team in the pass game. Booker’s issues comes in the run game, where he is a little more of a liability. He struggles getting to the second level and often misses blocks doing so. He’s a tree trunk, but he’s limited laterally. He’ll need to refine the run game protection in the NFL, but his pass protection is enough to take him. Then there’s Tate Ratledge from Georgia. Ratledge is also a powerful player who plays with real grit. He maintains composure with interior pressure looming and anchors down with phenomenal timing. He picks up blitzes well and can recover when beaten very nicely. Ratledge does has some injury histories, and sometimes he can be over-aggressive, but the biggest issue is his exclusiveness to right guard. While he has mastered that position, his lack of versatility may hurt his stock. Still a phenomenal player that will be starting probably by the middle-end of the season.

Center: There were some players up for consideration for the one center on my list like Grey Zabel, but I believed an exclusive center should make this list. That’s when I landed on Seth McLaughlin. After transferring from Alabama to OSU, McLaughlin found his stride as he became a consistent starter. What makes him so appealing his ability to pick up blitzes and how well he transitions from snap to blocking. He has a sky-high IQ and can play outside center as well. While center is his main position, it certainly helps your stock if you can play multiple positions. He is very long and can pull really well. He may have an issue with strength and snap placement at times, but his IQ and overall ability is going to make some team very happy.