2018 NFL Draft by Position: Offensive Tackles (5/11)
Offensive Tackle is the first position group where there isn't one standout top prospect. On the left, you have Mr. Consistency in Mike McGlinchey. On the right, you have hit-or-miss star Connor Williams. Orlando Brown was on their same level until a historically awful combine. Then there's Kolton Miller, who's built for the job but much more raw than the three aforementioned Tackles. In a relatively weak Tackle class, some teams will look to find a mid-round gem, and there's a good chance one or two names on this list could be exactly that. Let's get started with the top two...
1. Mike McGlinchey, Notre Dame - Mid 1st/Early 2nd Round
That's right, even the top Tackle prospect isn't guaranteed to land in the first round. Mike McGlinchey weighed in at 312 pounds, a bit leaner than scouts wanted considering he stands at 6'8". His blocking techniques and instincts are definitely NFL ready, and he could start at Left or Right Tackle right away. How McGlinchey handles bull rushers and explosive defenders at the point of attack will be the difference maker between being an average starter and a great starter in the NFL.
2. Connor Williams, Texas - Mid 1st/Early 2nd Round
With Connor Williams, some scouts really love the guy, and others want their teams to avoid him entirely. His 6'5", 320-pound frame doesn't fit well as a Left Tackle, so he's best fit as a Right Tackle/Right Guard for his rookie season, depending on how teams want to use him. His mean streak and toughness bears well for him and his great run blocking ability, but in 2017, he lost some lateral quickness and made far too many mistakes in pass protection. If he can find his 2016 form, he has the potential to be a quality starting Right Tackle or Guard, but if his 2017 continues, his ceiling is capped as an average plug-and-play O-Lineman.
3. Kolton Miller, UCLA - Late 1st/Mid 2nd Round
Standing at 6'9", Kolton Miller is a prototypical Left Tackle prospect. He needs to bulk up (310 lb.) to truly be successful at the next level. Miller also lacks flexibility in his hips, leading to him losing leverage, blowing technique and weakening his base far too often. Those are all reasonable concerns, especially covering the Quarterback's blind spot, but Miller's crazy athleticism given his height makes up for it. His physicality, stature and athleticism makes him an above-average starting Left Tackle in the near future; however, if he betters his pass protection skill set and his finishing ability as a run blocker, he could easily become the best Tackle prospect in this draft. His most realistic comparison is Nate Solder, and the Patriots at #23 and #31 need a new Left Tackle...
4. Brian O'Neill, Pittsburgh - 2nd/Early 3rd Round
Brian O'Neill is a former Tight End who switched to Right Tackle, and he kept his skill-position level of athleticism. He's 6'7" with a long, 305-pound frame perfectly built to be a swing tackle. He had a shaky Senior Bowl week, almost panicking at times when overwhelmed on the edge. Some scouts see this as an indicator that he'd transition to the NFL better as a pulling Guard. He's a classic zone scheme blocker, and he's ready to be a versatile swing tackle right away, but that might be his ceiling if he doesn't bulk up and calm his nerves.
5. Orlando Brown, Oklahoma - Mid 2nd/Early 3rd Round
Orlando Brown had debatably the worst combine ever. His 5.85 40-yard-dash and 14 bench reps would kill your everyday prospect's chances at being drafted. However, Brown is not your everyday prospect. First off, he's huge: 6'8" and 360 pounds. That size proves to be a major advantage in next-level pass protection and a disadvantage in the run game. He bends his waist too much, has poor footwork and plays straight-legged far too often. However, he somehow finds a way to use his skills and get guys blocked on a consistent basis, and if he keeps that up against bigger, faster defenders, Brown will develop quickly into a quality starting Right Tackle. He definitely has to keep that weight in check, though.
6. Tyrell Crosby, Oregon - Mid 2nd/Mid 3rd Round
Scouts are torn between keeping Tyrell Crosby as a Right Tackle or moving him inside. He doesn't gain enough ground against edge rushers, and his hips are alarmingly tight for a Tackle. Crosby is 6'5" and 325 pounds, a decent build (especially if he switches to Guard). He also has long arms and is an absolute bulldozer of a run blocker. If he betters his body control, he should develop into a decent starting Guard or Right Tackle. That's about as high as his ceiling goes, though.
7. Chukwuma Okorafor, Western Michigan - Mid 2nd/3rd Round
Chuks Okorafor's biggest draw is his 6'6", 330-pound frame. That a lone will have him picked higher than what his tape would suggest. When looking at film, Okorafor seems to struggle often with basic blocking fundamentals and instincts. He makes up for some of it with quick feet, and Okorafor should probably handle edge rushers more than most other Tackle prospects at the next level, but pass rushers with multiple moves may trip him up. Okorafor needs to add consistensy and toughness, but he has realistic potential as an a decent starting Left Tackle in the NFL.
8. Geron Christian, Louisville - Late 2nd/4th Round
Geron Christian has a strong 6'6", 318-pound build frame with long arms, a coveted attribute at the next level. He has three years of significant reps at both Tackle positions, but never really became an anchor. Christian's upper body strength needs work, and he needs to finish off his blocks better overall. He has the upside to become a decent starter at both Left and Right Tackle, but without getting stronger and tougher, he'll stick as a swing tackle for most of his career.
9. Jamarco Jones, Ohio State - 3rd/Early 4th Round
Jamarco Jones isn't a standout player, and he really isn't great at any one thing, but he gets the job done. His long arms and upper body strength makes up for his mediocre 6'5", 310-pound frame. Jones is quick on his feet and consistently boasts lateral agility. His body control needs work, and if his athleticism doesn't improve, he won't see many starting reps at either Tackle spot.
10. Martinas Rankin, Mississippi State - 3rd/Early 4th Round
Martinas Rankin is the only player in this draft who could realistically see NFL reps at all five positions. He played the most reps at Right Tackle, but some scouts think his best position could be Center. He isn't great with edge speed, disqualifying him as a left tackle, and he doesn't run block well enough against power rushers to be comfortable at Right Tackle. He has great instincts and a high IQ, pushing teams to encourage him shifting inside. He has the ceiling of an average starter at Tackle, but he could be a quality player if he shifts inside.
11. Desmond Harrison, West Georgia - 4th-6th Round
Desmond Harrison was an absolute monster on tape for West Georgia. His 6'6" height is good, but he weighed in at 279 pounds for the Senior Bowl, raising concerns. He's definitely an athlete, but he also didn't have to learn technique considering he battled against much weaker opponents. Off-the-field concerns are present, and the lack of technique makes him a boom-or-bust prospect that's a major gamble.
12. Brandon Parker, North Carolina A&T - 4th-6th Round
Brandon Parker is built well at 6'7" and 314 pounds, but he has an alarmingly high center of gravity. He's physical and athletic, making him a great get on day three, He's still raw, especially where technique and core strength are concerned. Parker is a natural Left Tackle, and there aren't a ton in this draft, meaning he could go higher than his Senior Bowl practices would suggest.
13. Joseph Noteboom, TCU - 4th-6th Round
Joseph Noteboom has the rare, incredible combination of great technique, hand usage and athleticism. If only he could finish his blocks in the run game. Noteboom also struggled with both gaining and securing his ground throughout the season. He tested very well during the combine and had a great Senior Bowl week, so his "late day three" tape should be discarded. Noteboom has the chance to earn reps right away, and eventually develop into a decent Left or Right Tackle.
14. Alex Cappa, Humboldt State - 4th-7th Round
Alex Cappa has fantastic height (6'7"), but desperately needs to put on more weight (305 lb). He's tough and moves very well for his height, and both traits were on full display during Senior Bowl practices. Cappa's good run-blocking technique should translate well, but he'll struggle is pass protection. He might be better suited for guard, and he still has yet to face an edge rusher who can actually test him. Cappa could develop into a low-end starting Right Tackle, but for now he sits as a decent swing Tackle with the possibility to switch to Guard.
15. Will Richardson, North Carolina State - 4th-7th Round
Will Richardson's character issues are a big red flag. In 2017, he got suspended for a second time for his second DWI offense. At 6'6" and 304 pounds, Richardson is built more like a guard. His foot quickness is good enough to handle speedy edge rushers, but his technique is wildly inconsistent. A boom-or-bust project of a prospect, Richardson has the upside of an average starting Right Tackle, and possibly an ever better Guard, but his career will end before it starts if he doesn't get his act together.
16. Jaryd Jones-Smith, Pittsburgh - 5th Round-Undrafted
Jaryd Jones-Smith's biggest asset is his body. He's 6'6", 320 pounds with long, muscular arms. At the same time, Jones-Smith's biggest red flag is ALSO his body. He's torn a few knee ligaments, shattered a tibia and almost lost his leg in a Zach Miller-like fashion. JJS isn't athletic, and his run blocking is rough all across the board, but teams could see his frame as a major upside. He has the potential to develop into a decent starting Right Tackle, and depending on how flexible the franchise is, Jones-Smith could be molded into a quality back-up Guard and swing Tackle too.
17. Matt Pryor, TCU - 6th Round-Undrafted
Matt Pryor is built for success at 6'7", 332 pounds and long arms. His versatility at both Right Tackle and Guard is a major plus for scouts. Pryor's not a horrible athlete, but he's had a big problem managing his weight: he enrolled at TCU weighing in at 390 pounds. The only part of his technique that will transfer well is as a drive blocker, so a move inside may be best for him. Pryor's weight has to be maintained if he's to develop into anything more than a roster filler.
18. Ike Boettger, Iowa - 6th Round-Undrafted
Ike Boettger has a great combination of size (6'6", 310 lb.), in-game strength and experience all across the line. Boettger's athletic limitations may end up forcing a move inside, and his technique is a long way away from being starting-worthy. Durability is a huge concern, and it may just be the difference between Boettger being a decent backup down the road or just a practice squad bum.
Other Offensive Tackles with training camp chances: Brett Toth, Army; Zach Crabtree, Oklahoma State.
