Here are the top 10 offensive line prospects (with projected draft round) for the 2016 NFL draft, which is set for next April 28-30 in Chicago:
1. Laremy Tunsil, 6-foot-5, 310 pounds, tackle, Mississippi (first): An elite prospect, who's expected to protect the blindside of a NFL quarterback for the next decade. He's big and powerful. He's considered the prototypical NFL left tackle. While he's no longer considered to be the top pick in the draft, he won't stay on the board long. He credits facing Timmy Jernigan (Florida State/Ravens) in high school on a daily basis with helping develop into a strong football player. He played in 29 games and started 26 at Ole Miss.
2. Ronnie Stanley, 6-5 3/4, 312, Notre Dame, tackle (first): He was Notre Dame's offensive player of the year and was chosen an All-American. He's a big man with quick feet and that's a winning combination to NFL scouts. Had a left wrist injury and was excluded from bench-pressing at the scouting combine. He was penalized 11 times in 2015.
3. Jack Conklin, 6-5 3/4, 308, Michigan State, tackle (first): If selected in the first round he will become the first Michigan State lineman drafted in that round since Tony Mandarich in 1989. He's developed into a fine player after receiving just one offer coming out of high school, and that was from Wayne State. He helped the Spartans reach the College Football Playoff title game and was named an All-American.
4. Taylor Decker, 6-7, 310, Ohio State, tackle (first): He was originally headed to Notre Dame, but Urban Meyer got him to change his commitment after he was hired by the Buckeyes. He started the last 42 games for the Buckeyes, splitting time between left tackle and right tackle. He controls the point of attack with discipline and power.
5. Germain Ifedi, 6-5 3/4, 324, Texas A&M, guard/tackle (late first/second): His brother Martin was drafted by the Rams in the seventh round last season. He'll go much higher. He played right tackle for the Aggies, but is projected as an NFL guard.
6. Cody Whitehair, 6-3 3/4, 301, Kansas State, guard: He played both tackle spots and some left guard for the Wildcats. He started 13 of 15 games at left tackle last season. His short arm length (32 3/8-inches) makes him a guard prospect for the NFL.
7. Ryan Kelly, 6-4, 311, Alabama, center (second): He took over for Barrett Jones and emerged as the top center prospect in the nation. Several opposing coaches praised his style of play and how he functioned in the middle of the line. He can make all of the blocks and climb adroitly to the second level.
8. Shon Coleman, 6-5, 307, Auburn, tackle (second/third): He was diagnosed with leukemia in 2010 and went through 30 months of chemo treatments. After being declared cancer-free, he was redshirted in 2012. In 2014, he took over at left tackle and started 25 games over the past two seasons.
9. Jason Springs, 6-5, 301, Indiana, tackle (second/third): He was incredibly nimble for the Hoosiers. He gave up only two sacks on 431 pass attempts and had 72 knock-down blocks over 972 snaps. He's considered a fit for the for the outside-zone blocking scheme the Falcons and Broncos run.
10. Evan Boehm, 6-2, 302, Missouri, center/guard (third/fourth): Boehm started a school-record 52 straight games at center for the Tigers. He's a solid shot-gun snapper and dominates at the point of attack. A former high school wrestling champion, he knows how to handle himself in tight spaces.
Top five seniors for the 2017 draft: 1. Zach Banner, USC. 2. Connor McDermott, UCLA. 3. Adam Bisonwaty, Pittsburgh. 4. Dan Skipper, Arkansas. 5. Erik Magnuson, Michigan.
Alabama’s Ryan Kelly, the top center available, should hear his named called early in the NFL draft, which will be held April 28-30 in Chicago.
“Whether you’re drafted or not, where we’re going to go in the draft, no one really knows,” Kelly said. “This is just a great opportunity, and you can only control what you can control.”
As the draft is approaching and two mega-deals already made at the top of the first round, Kelly likely needs to focus on the back half of the first round. The Falcons own the 17th pick, but appear to be leaning toward defense after spending lavishly on the offense in free agency.
The team’s biggest free-agency pickup was center Alex Mack.
Seattle, which is revamping its offensive line, may be a cushy landing spot for Kelly.
“Where they are picking, down there at 26, a guy like Ryan Kelly from Alabama makes a lot of sense for them,” ESPN analyst Louis Riddick, a former NFL front office executive. “I believe he can play center or guard at a very high level. He doesn’t have a lot of flaws.”
Kelly took over for Barrett Jones in 2013 and helped pave the way for running back Derrick Henry, who won the Heisman last season. He also was key in pass protection and didn’t give up a sack over the past two seasons.
Some teams believe he can play guard in the NFL.
“In high school I played center, guard and tackle,” Kelly said. “Ultimately, in college I only played center, but obviously I can play different positions, as well.”
Kelly had to deal with Alabama defensive tackles A’Shawn Robinson and Jarran Reed every day in practice. Both Robinson and Reed are slated to be selected in the first round of the draft.
“Those guys are incredible,” Kelly said. “Going against those guys every day made us a better offensive line, made me a better player.”
Kelly knows that he’ll have to pay his dues in the NFL.
“I’ve always been the kind of guy that wanted to walk the walk before I talked the talk,” Kelly said. “By leading by example, I think, you can earn the trust of other people.”
Kelly is from suburban Cincinnati. He wasn’t recruited by Ohio State, but picked Alabama over Michigan, Florida, Florida State and Tennessee.
Kelly’s proud that he became a three-year starter and won a national championship last season.
“I think when you’re young, especially coming into college, too, the game is so fast,” Kelly said. “You don’t have the reps, you don’t have the experience, but once you get starts underneath your belt, once you start playing in games, and realizing things, seeing things, it becomes fun.”
Kelly considers himself a student of the game.
“You get to dissect defenses and see what advantages you have that week,” Kelly said. “As a center, I think it’s even more of a crucial position because you really do control the offense, you and the quarterback. A lot of times that’s what our offense relies on is a good center, so I always felt the challenge was there (every) week.”
In the NFL, the center normally is in charge of making all of the pass-protection calls and identifying the defense for his linemates. Kelly believes he can handle those duties.
“As far as run game, all the time,” Kelly said. “I’ve been very fortunate because I got to work with a lot of great quarterbacks. A.J. McCarron taught me a lot of things when I first came in on how to work in a team. Working with the quarterback because a lot of his reads are my reads as well, and they’re all tied together. So we did a lot of checks at the line of scrimmage.”
Now, it’s just about the wait.
“Ryan Kelly’s not a name you’re hearing a lot about, but he could be the next Nick Mangold, Alex Mack,” ESPN analyst Mel Kiper said. “At worst a second-round pick, and I think Ryan Kelly’s going to play a long time in the NFL and anchor an offensive line for a number of years.”
About the Author
