One of if not the most loaded
tackle classes in years with as many as 4 tackles selected
in the first round topped by Virginia's massive left tackle,
D'Brickashaw Ferguson.
Top
Offensive Tackles
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. D'Brickashaw Ferguson, 6-6, 312,
Virginia :
There is no question as to who the best
tackle is this year, the only question
may be is he the best player in the
draft period. He dominated against the
best at the Senior Bowl. While he isn't
overpowering, his footwork and balance
are so good that he keeps his man in
front of him and keeps his opponent off
balance with his long arms and large
hands. Should be an almost unmatched
pass-blocker after a few years in the
NFL with his technique. Ferguson was
talked about for months as being a
potential first-round draft pick in the
2005 NFL draft, but Ferguson elected to
stay with Virginia for his senior season
and did nothing but improve his
standing. Plus he has the best name for
an offensive lineman.
He is the most
athletic offensive tackle in this year's draft
class, as well as the most efficient in pass
protection. Thanks to his good height and long
limbs, Ferguson has the frame to continue to get
bigger and he has recently eclipsed the 300-pound
plateau. What separates him from most is his
exceptional quickness, agility and body control for
the position. As it stands right now, Ferguson
grades out as the top offensive lineman and one of
the top-five prospects overall in the 2006 class. He
has all the physical and mental components necessary
to develop into an upper-echelon starting left
tackle in the NFL
FoxSports:
Long-armed,
picture-perfect left tackle blessed with agility,
balance and quickness to go along with great size.
Cemented his status as the top offensive lineman and
a likely top-five selection at the Senior Bowl.
Easily handled the competition in Mobile, including
likely first-round pass rushers Tamba Hali, Mathias
Kiwanuka, Kamerion Wimbley, Manny Lawson, etc.
Beaten for only one sack during the entire week.
2.
Winston Justice,
6-6, 319, USC (Jr.): If you wonder how one
program can produce both Reggie Bush and LenDale
White in the same year, look no further than this
man who has all the talent in the world at the
tackle spot. He has played RT his entire career, but
that is Matt Leinart’s blind side, so he has
experience protecting the QB’s backside. Justice is
a very good athlete, with the ability to adjust to
counter moves by defenders. In the run game, he
shows the ability to control his man at the point of
attack to open up holes for his backs. If he can
overcome his baggage he could overshadow even
Ferguson eventually.
Justice's minor durability issues are completely
overshadowed by his major off-the-field baggage. On
the flip side, Justice's film shows a future
perennial pro bowl offensive tackle in the NFL. He
also displayed a great deal of maturity over the
course of this past season, as he worked his way
back into school and remained healthy as QB Matt
Leinart's blindside protector throughout USC's
entire 2005 season. That's what makes Justice
perhaps the biggest risk-reward prospect in the 2006
draft class
FoxSports:
Only underclassman who is a surefire first-day
offensive line prospect. Started 12 games at right
tackle as a true freshman and earned All-Pac 10
honors after freshman and sophomore seasons.
Suspended for the entire 2004 season when he was
found guilty of a misdemeanor for exhibition of a
replica weapon. Trained with noted boxing guru
Freddie Roach and the results are obvious. Didn't
run at the Combine due to a pulled hamstring, but
performed other drills, most notably a 35" vertical,
and impressed mightily at USC's Pro Day
3.
Eric Winston, 6-7, 310, Miami
:
Eric has
great size and the intelligence to play the tackle
position, on the left or right. He is an all around
athlete with great agility for his tall stature.
Winston has great speed and quick feet. His big
problem is still coming back from the ACL injury
that cost him most of 2004 and affected his play in
2005. The question is what will be the long
term effects?
Winston was not the same dominating player in 2005
as he was prior to his 2004 season-ending knee
injury. He still needs to improve his leg drive when
blocking in the running game and he lacks ideal base
when anchoring versus the bull rush. He must also
become a nastier and more aggressive blocker in
order to make it in the pros. Following a strong
showing at the combine, Winston may work himself
back into the first round mix of the 2006 NFL draft.
If not, Winston should come off the board early in
Round 2
FoxSports:
Before tearing the ACL in his left knee in 2004,
Winston was considered one of the elite prospects in
the country. Eased injury concerns with 40-yard time
of 4.94 seconds at the Combine. A former tight end,
Winston displays fluid athleticism at the left
tackle position and has worked his way back into his
pre-injury form. Won the Jacobs Blocking Trophy,
given annually to the ACC's top offensive lineman, a
surprise since Virginia's D'Brickashaw Ferguson,
considered by most to be the top offensive lineman
in the draft, also plays in the ACC and enjoyed a
statistically stronger senior season
4.
Marcus McNeill, 6-8, 336, Auburn:
Marcus is
a
colossal tackle who would rather lay his man out
than contain him. Even if someone manages to survive
the first contact on his feet, McNeil has the
ability to hold them at bay with his massively long
arms. He is quite possibly the best run blocker
coming out this year although he occasionally has
trouble against speed rushers that avoid his first
shot.
McNeill has found an ideal playing
weight for him (332 pounds) and he has adjusted his
workout routine in order to limit the affects of his
spine condition. McNeill has impressive athleticism
for his rare size and he has developed into an
efficient all-around blocker at the highest
collegiate level. If McNeill is cleared physically,
we consider him worth selecting late in the first
round of the 2006 draft.
FoxSports:
As the blindside protector for first-round pick
Jason Campbell in 2004, demonstrated superior
athleticism for his monstrous frame and earned
second-team All-American status. Has great speed and
lateral agility for his size, but isn't really
explosive. Gets a late jump off the snap and tends
to bend at the waist as he tires, leaving him
susceptible to interior spin moves. Diagnosed with
stenosis in his back (narrowing of the spinal
column).
5.
Jeremy Trueblood, 6-8, 316,
Boston College
:
Jeremy Trueblood, a three-year starter for the
Eagles, is known as a physical and tough player with
a nasty demeanor on the field, something that
translates very well to the NFL. He isn't very
mobile though and may end up as a guard in the NFL.
ESPN/Scout:
Trueblood's biggest asset is his size. He also is a
technically sound player who knows the angles and
shows good footwork and hand-placement. In our
opinion, Trueblood is a good player but not a great
player. He lacks ideal athletic ability and he has
not yet shown much explosiveness as a run blocker.
He has played left tackle throughout his collegiate
career but we think he's better suited for the right
tackle position in the NFL. As such, Trueblood
grades out as a late-first day prospect in the 2006
draft.
FoxSports:
In
a year chock full of elite offensive tackles,
Trueblood might be the most underrated. Blessed with
prototype size and surprising athleticism, Trueblood
has manned the left tackle position for Boston
College each of the past two seasons, but projects
to the right side in the NFL.
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