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The first offensive lineman taken in this year's draft was Greg Robinson out of Auburn. The Rams were extremely familiar with this player, as head coach Jeff Fisher's son Trent was a teammate of Robinson's (as well as tailback Tre Mason, another Rams draft pick). Robinson is a rare athlete, with once in a decade physical gifts and is known as a mauler. On third and short, this is a player to run behind. Robinson doesn't just wall off defenders in run blocking, he buries them. Robinson is slated to start his career at left guard. Robinson actually has experience at this position, as it was where he played as a prep. However, it could take a while before he learns the nuances of pass protection, as this was a short coming of the system he played in at Auburn. Robinson is prone to hold, or just flat out tackle his opposite man, and this is another area of concern. This pick is exciting but not without risk. At best he's Jon Ogden and his one year at guard is just a stepping stone to left tackle greatness. At worst the Rams could have a Robert Gallery situation on their hands where this player is a very solid guard starter (or even a great guard) but simply isn't an NFL left tackle. I don't think that will happen. For my money, he projects most like Jason Peters. Hugely talented athlete, with real All-Pro potential, but has a ton to learn and will need multiple seasons of hard work before he lives up to that potenial.
T Jake Matthews, Atlanta - Round 1, Pick 6
A rumor surfaced after the draft that Atlanta Falcons' general manager Thomas Dimitroff was willing to trade up to the three spot (Jacksonville) to draft Jake Matthews. As it turned out, this wasn't necessary. But still, it speaks to the value of this player, a consensus top five selection for most of the draft process, falling to the sixth spot. As most fans will know, Matthews comes from a famous football family (son of Hall of Famer Bruce, cousin of Clay) and he has been schooled in the family trade since he was young. I was going to say "since he was small," but let's be real Jake Matthews probably was never small. Matthews is actually the highest drafted of his clan, which is a notable accomplishment. Matthews is not the road grader type like Greg Robinson, he is more of a technician who wins his battles with leverage and agility. Matthews is a trusty pass blocker and is ready to start right away. Matthews will likely start his career at right tackle (where he played at Texas A&M until his senior year) but he's more ideally suited to the quickness game that occurs on the left side. That switch should occur quickly as Sam Baker has never been an above average player. While he's not going to physically overpower people, Matthews is an extremely safe player who should enjoy a long and productive NFL career.
T Taylor Lewan, Tennessee - Round 1, Pick 11
Taylor Lewan is a tremendous prospect, actually my personal favorite of the "big three" this season. He comes from Michigan which is historically one of the best programs for finding NFL offensive linemen. Lewan is incredibly quick and agile but also has that mean streak needed for destructive run blocking. He's an accomplished technician who sometimes holds but rarely gets called for it. It's not all great news as he's known as kind of a jerk off the field... but that's the league, it can't all be nice guys. The problem with projecting this player (at least this year) is that the Titans don't have a clear path for him to get on the field, (except maybe as a jumbo tight end). Currently, Michael Roos is the left tackle starter, with one year left on his contract, and still playing at a very high level. Former Baltimore Raven Michael Oher was just signed for big money to start at right tackle (and Lewan is a not a true fit at right tackle anyway). It seems nutty to project the 11th overall pick to sit a whole year (or play only on the field goal team) but currently that's the situation. There will likely be more to this story as the year unfolds, as the Titans have to find a way to get Lewan on the field. What might end up happening is the Titans could trade Roos to a contender who suffers a key injury (and is willing to give Roos an extension) and Lewan can play his position. Whenever Lewan does get on the field, look for instant impact.
T Zack Martin, Dallas - Round 1, Pick 16
After drafting a center last year, the rebuilding of the interior of Cowboys' offensive line continues with the selection of Zack Martin in the mid first round. This player isn't a rare or flashy athlete but there's a ton to like about his game. He's tough, aggressive, versatile, and reliable. An accomplished technician, Martin is a smart player who can start right away at either guard spot or right tackle. He could even feasibly fill in at left tackle (where he played last year) in an emergency situation. Martin is slightly undersized for the tackle positions and will likely be a guard in the league. Martin is already making headlines this offseason, for injuring Sean Lee during organized team activities. It was not a cheap shot or anything like it (and Lee has proven himself injury prone in the past) but it's notable that Martin is bulldozing opposition, even without pads. Overall this is a move that strengthens the offensive line as Martin is likely to start right away and improve the previously awful play at guard. The Cowboys can use an upgrade at either guard spot, but just to predict an outcome, Martin seems likely to work in at left guard as a rookie.
T Ja'Wuan James, Miami - Round 1, Pick 19
When Ja'Wuan James was drafted, it was widely seen as a reach selection. However, digging deeper, there's alot to like about this player, and how he fits with the Dolphins. James started 49 consecutive games at Tennessee, the bulk at right tackle. That's essentially showing up as a true freshman and starting, not an easy task in the SEC. In fact, James holds the school record for offensive linemen starts. Even though he could have left early (and followed teammate Dallas Thomas, now also a Dolphin), James stuck through another coaching change and stayed for his senior season. As a senior, James was a team captain, and gained a reputation as a smart, hard-working player. In the Senior Bowl, he proved himself athletic and aggressive, both traits required for the Dolphins' blocking scheme. At the combine, he put in good times and showed above average body control for a player of his size. James is also known as a high-quality person, which might be a throw away fact, if we were talking about a different team. For the Dolphins, a team that was ravaged by the Richie Incognito vs. Jonathan Martin bullying scandal, James is both tough enough to handle life in the NFL and decent enough to not relentlessly abuse his teammates. Overall, the Dolphins' line is undergoing a huge transition but James should be a cornerstone of that unit for many seasons to come.
G Xavier Su'a-Filo, Houston - Round 2, Pick 33
Taken with the first pick of the second round, Xavier Su'a-Filo is capable and versatile player, ready to contribute early in his career. Although he is often knocked as a below-average athlete (pear-shaped is an oft used description), Su'a-Filo actually had a nice workout at the combine, with an exceptional 10-yard split time. Su'a-Filo is known as a rugged and tough player who excels getting to the second level in run blocking. Although currently absent from organized team activities due to UCLA being on the quarter system, Su'a-Filo will likely start this season for the Texans. Su'a-Filo can play at every position except center, and could even work himself into the right tackle conversation, should things get bad over there. Still, he is likely to start his career at left guard, where the Texans appear to have have a position available. Su'a-Filo is slightly older than most high round picks (he's 23) due to a Mormon mission, and perhaps because of this, he has tremendous strength. This strength and explosion, along with his agility and experience, all adds up to him being among the most talented and pro-ready guards in the entire draft. If all goes to plan, Su'a-Filo should make the Texans' line better from day one.
T Joel Bitonio, Cleveland - Round 2, Pick 35
A former college left tackle, Joel Bitonio has been working with the Browns' first team offense at left guard during organized team activities. Bitonio is a mobile and aggressive player, and reportedly fits well into the zone blocking scheme favored by new offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan. Bitonio had a mixed week at the Senior Bowl but really tore the roof off at the combine. Although lacking the arm length and height for true left tackle, Bitonio has the agility for the position, and could play there in a pinch. At Indy, Bitonio was one of only five linemen to break five seconds in the 40 yard dash. With Cleveland, Bitonio will have the good fortune to play between Joe Thomas and Alex Mack, two of the best at their respective positions in the entire league. He has some sort comings to his game right now (raw strength at the point of attack could be an issue early in his career) but Bitonio has the tenacity to work through these issues and become a solid starter for the Browns.
C Weston Richburg, New York (NFC) - Round 2, Pick 43
The Giants took the highest rated center in the draft when they selected Weston Richburg in the second round. There's alot to like about Richburg's game. He is tough, mobile (good at pulling), long (arms over 33 inches), smart and aggressive. The Giants had a disastrous offensive line last season and made several moves this offseason at the tackle and guard positions (signing Charles Brown and Geoff Schwartz). However, they still needed someone to replace David Baas and drafted Richburg with that intention. In organized team activities, Richburg is currently being used as insurance behind current starting center J.D. Walton (who hasn't played since 2012 due to injury), and current right guard Chris Snee (recovering from offseason surgery). It's hard to see both of these players making it to week one without injury, and Richburg should make the starting lineup early in his career. Overall Richburg should be a stalwart for the Giants in the seasons to come, he's got starter ability and could even have the upside to be among the league's better centers, once he is fully acclimated to the professional game.
T Cyrus Kouandijo, Buffalo - Round 2, Pick 44
Buffalo Bills head coach Doug Marrone is a former offensive line coach. It's clear, from the selection of Cyrus Kouandijo (and later in the draft, guard Cyril Richardson), that Marrone values truly massive human beings in his vision of what an offensive line should be. A one time five-star prep, Kouandijo had a stellar career at Alabama. At 6'7" and having 36 inch arms, Kouandijo is in a word, huge. The hallmark of this player's game is run blocking, where he is truly a force to be reckoned. In pass blocking, his size makes him tough to get around but he is a bit slow footed and can be beaten by speed rushers. To paint with a broad stroke, his game is not that different than Cordy Glenn's, who currently plays left tackle for the Bills. Considered a first round prospect early in the process, Kouandijo's draft stock took a hit as rumors of a balky knee cropped up. This joint bears further observation, as large players often have chronic medical problems that can limit their longevity (Marcus McNeil comes to mind). Still, this player should start right away and contribute toward improving the Bills' offensive line this season.
T Jack Mewhort, Indianapolis - Round 2, Pick 59
The Colts did not have a first round selection this year, and Jack Mewhort was their first pick of the entire draft. Mewhort is an interesting player, both in good and bad ways. First the bad news, he's beatable, and some of his "lowlights" were featured during coverage of Buffalo linebacker Khalil Mack (now with the Raiders). Mack came from a school that didn't play alot of top teams, but had a beast of a game versus Ohio State. It seemed like every time you turned on the television, there was Mewhort, missing a cut block on Mack. He's big but not a special athlete by any measure. The good news is he's not that player all the time. Mewhort has versatility, starting at three positions at Ohio State, and even playing center in high school. With the Colts' tackle situations pretty well established, it's unlikely Mewhort will play those positions early (but it's good to know he could). As Donald Thomas works his way back from injury, it's most likely Mewhort could get his start at guard this preseason. Mewhort is probably not ever going to be considered among the league's best players but he's certainly able to start in the league and help the Colts get better early in his career.
T Justin Britt, Seattle - Round 2, Pick 64
When the Seahawks lost last year's starting right tackle Breno Giacomini to free agency, it was widely assumed that Michael Bowie, who started eight games when Giacomini was injured, would take his place. While that is probably still a safe assumption, the second round selection of Justin Britt could provide another option at that spot. Looking at Britt pre-draft, there were many who said he lacked the natural gifts for the left side, and would have to play on the right side. Assuming that's true for the sake of argument, that is exactly the position the Seahawks needed to bolster this offseason. This team has a habit of stockpiling good young talent and the drafting of Britt is an act to refill that stockpile. Although unlikely to play right away Britt is a solid bet for the future: a work-hard type that should fit right in with what the Seahawks are trying to accomplish in their system.
T Morgan Moses, Washington - Round 3, Pick 66
Another team without a first round pick, Washington actually traded down before selecting Morgan Moses in the third round. Moses is a gifted player with size, who comes from a Virginia program that is outstanding at developing tackles (D'Brickashaw Ferguson and Eugene Monroe are recent alums). The team is just about done with current right tackle Tyler Polumbus and it appears they will give Moses the inside track on winning that job. Whether this replacement occurs this year or next will come down to Moses. Head coach Jay Gruden recently tried to dial down expectations, saying that Moses had much to learn, moving from the left side in college, and picking up the zone blocking scheme. While fans have high hopes for this pick, this player might be one to remember for next season.
Other rookies to watch
T Billy Turner, Miami - Round 3, Pick 67
C Travis Swanson, Detroit - Round 3, Pick 76
G Spencer Long, Washington - Round 3, Pick 78
G Gabe Jackson, Oakland - Round 3, Pick 81
G Chris Watt, San Diego - Round 3, Pick 89
G Trai Turner, Carolina - Round 3, Pick 92
G Brandon Linder, Jacksonville, Round 3, Pick 93
T Michael Schofield, Denver, Round 3, Pick 95
T Brandon Thomas, San Francisco, Round 3, Pick 100
C Bryan Stork, New England - Round 4, Pick 105
C Russell Bodine, Cincinnati - Round 4, Pick 111
T Dakota Dozier, New York (AFC) - Round 4, Pick 137