The first interior lineman I believe should come off the board

 In this article I am following up OT's with the best Interior Lineman of this draft.  As mentioned previously, linemen have to be very versatile.  Both run and pass blocking proficiency will be dissected throughout this article... so here you go!  


Mike Pouncey of Florida                  
40time:          5.28                 
Bench:           DNP
Height            6'5"
Weight           303
Arm Length    32 & 1/4  
Hands           9 & 3/4

Pouncey is arguably this class' top interior offensive line prospect. He has outstanding football IQ and the ability to become a pro-bowl starter at guard or center. Has great feet needed to mirror pass rushers and pull down the line. Uses his hands well when battling in pass protection. Shows his understanding of the game when recognizing blitzers and effectively combo blocking with teammates. Should keep working on improving his strength to go along with his great feet.  Plays with passion and aggressiveness. Defensive tackles with more size and strength than Pouncey can be his kryptonite but there aren't many holes in his game.  Pouncey has a great work-ethic that is going to enable him to keep growing as a player.  If he is anything like his brother the team that lands him should be very happy.

Danny Watkins of Baylor                 
40time:          5.4                 
Bench:           29 reps
Height            6'3"
Weight           310
Arm Length    34 & 1/4  
Hands            10 & 1/8

Watkins has taken a very different path to the NFL, but has the strength and athleticism to play at the next level. He does not have the arm length and or outside technique to play tackle, however he projects to be a quality starting guard. He plays with terrific balance and has the foot quickness to hold in pass protection. Despite his limited football experience, he engages very well with his hands and maintains a strong position.  Watkins has good size for the guard position.  Generates a good push in the running game and has the athleticism to make blocks in the second level. Plays mean and always finishes blocks.  Even with the limited time playing football Watkins has a ton of upside and should make a good guard in the NFL.  

Ben Ijalana of Villanova                 
40time:          DNP                 
Bench:           DNP
Height            6'4"
Weight           317
Arm Length    36  
Hands            10 & 1/2

Ijalana starred for Villanova at the FCS level and he has enough talent to make the jump to the NFL. He projects as a guard (but has the versatility to play right tackle) at the next level and his strength and finishing attitude will make him a powerful drive blocker. He makes good decisions in pass protection and has quick feet and long arms to handle athletic defensive lineman. Ijalana still stands too tall and needs to stop taking so many false steps, many athletic pass rushers could make him pay if his technique doesn't improve; however, I still believe Ijalana has the potential to develop into a starting guard.

Marcus Cannon of TCU                
40time:          5.27                 
Bench:           33 reps
Height            6'5"
Weight           358
Arm Length    34  
Hands            9 & 5/8

Cannon is a huge man with sneaky athleticism that could develop into a starting right tackle at the next level; however I think he fits into a physical guards role much better. He shows good initial quickness and can really push around defenders once he gets his hands on them. His athleticism allows him to mirror defenders in pass protection and shows the ability to pursue moving targets in the second level on run plays. Plays with an aggressive mean streak and goes out to finish blocks.  His bulk allows him to take on two defenders at the same time.  The biggest concern is his inability to consistently recognize blocking assignments, primarily on stunts. Has too many false starts and has been warned to watch his weight.  If he can improve his instincts and understanding of the game he could be a force to be reckoned with for years to come.

Orlando Franklin of Miami(Fl)                  
40time:          5.2                 
Bench:           26 reps
Height            6'6"
Weight           316
Arm Length    35  
Hands            11 & 1/8

Franklin's got a chance to emerge as a starting right tackle but could also be a great guard. Has very impressive measureables, HUGE hands and long arms. Outstanding run blocker who gets off the ball quickly and is capable of holding up at the point or pulling and getting to the second level.  Never-ending motor and wants to finish every block like it's his last!   Does a good job locating blitzers, staying home against stunts or helping out when not covered up. Has a slight problem when asked to mirror quicker pass rushers.  Franklin physical gifts and on-field smarts that are sought after in an NFL prospect.  He has an extremely high NFL IQ and will make a great addition to any NFL team.

A look into the Elite OT of this draft

  So let me say this first, I do believe that the NFL is becoming a pass first league; however, the only way that this philosophy works is if the team can also run well.  Not every team has a Peyton Manning that can carry the team on their shoulders.  This being said; when looking at the prospects OT I like to take a close look at their run blocking ability, along with their pass blocking.  
  Here are the OT that i believe have the talent to go in the 1st round of the upcoming draft.  I have put them in the order that i believe that they will be taken.  It was very hard for me to decide who was #2 and #3.  My personal preference would be Carimi because of his incredible 'mean-streak' that he possesses in the run game, but i feel he will be a Pro-Bowl RT for years to come.  But i believe that Castonzo has a better overall combination of abilities, and the possibility of LT in his future.
 

Tyron Smith of USC                   
40time:          4.85                  
Bench:           29 reps
Height            6'5"
Weight           307 
Arm Length    36 & 3/8  
Hands            11

Smith is blessed with an ideal NFL frame and has the fantastic feet and athleticism necessary to be a starting left tackle; however, when and if he plays this year I believe he will be at right tackle due to his need to still learn the game. Does a great job staying in front of speed rushers, locks on and sustains, and can anchor against the bull rush. Shows solid power in the running game and is really productive out in space. His football IQ is still seriously lacking. Fails to find his target at times in the running games and is a tick slow recognizing blitzes. Smith should come off the board early in the first round due to his rare physical gifts and the fact that he should be a force to be reckoned with in the foreseeable future.

Anthony Castonzo of Boston College
40time:          5.23                    
Bench:           28 reps
Height            6'7"
Weight           311   
Arm Length    34 & 1/2   
Hands            10 & 5/8

Castonzo has the potential to develop into a top left tackle capable of shutting down top speed rushers. Started his first game as a true freshman and didn't leave the field during his four years at BC.  Holds the record for most games started for BC. His mobility and positioning partially mask his lack of strength.  Would be a good fit in a zone-blocking scheme or on a club that loves the screen game. Will probably never be a favorable matchup when facing bigger, more powerful NFL defensive lineman. Needs to add bulk to his overall physique.  He gets himself is good position in the running game; however, does not do a good job pushing people off the line of scrimmage.  Needs to develop an aggressive attitude to become a force in the run game. 

Gabe Carimi of Wisconsin
40time:          5.27                   
Bench:           29 reps
Height            6'7"
Weight           314   
Arm Length    35  
Hands            10 & 3/8

Carimi was the 2010 Outland Trophy winner, and it appears likely that he will have continued success at the next level. Carimi is simply a "bad man" who looks to punish defensive ends on every play. His non-stop motor, coupled with his ideal size, make him a terror in the running game, and he has enough athleticism to hold his own in pass protection.  He still could add some more bulk ideally.  Like all tall linemen, Carimi struggles at times with leverage and may have to make the move to right tackle in the NFL. I believe that RT is the best possible option for Carimi.  He will have to work on his technique in the passing game to be the best overall football player possible.  Overall, Carimi is a beast who should be picked in the middle of the first round.

Derek Sherrod of Mississippi State
 40time:          5.28                    
Bench:           23 reps
Height            6'5"
Weight           321   
Arm Length    35 & 3/8  
Hands            11

Sherrod could be a future starting tackle if he can add quite a bit of bulk and strength. A nice blend of length and good feet, he can slide laterally with pass rushers and push them by the launch point but struggles to anchor against the bull rush.  Showed great technique and footwork in pass blocking throughout the year in a tough conference and had a fantastic Senior Bowl.  Could benefit from improving awareness against pressure looks. Uses positioning and instincts as a run blocker to create running lanes but isn't an effective drive blocker and won't push defenders backwards. Needs to be much more aggressive in the run game to be a good starting tackle at the next level.

Nate Solder of Colorado
40time:          5.05                    
Bench:           21 reps
Height            6'8"
Weight           318   
Arm Length    35 & 1/2   
Hands            9 & 7/8

Solder possesses rare height, and length and impressive mobility.  He is one of the true left tackle 'prospects' in this class with the size, strength and athleticism needed to succeed on Sundays.  I put emphasis on prospect due to the lack of playing time at the position and the need to further learn the game.  I still think that he has a year or two till he is a starting tackle in the NFL. Saying that, Solder is very sound in pass protection, not as susceptible to the bull rush as you might think given his leaner build, just needs to continue to develop his game against complete pass rushers with a vast array of skills and moves. Very complete in the running game as well, firing off the ball, gaining leverage and moving his feet inline and in space. Understands assignments, locates his man at the second level or on the edge and recognizes and reacts to blitz packages.  Needs to put additional bulk onto his already impressive frame... would be great to see him at 330.  Would like to see him play with a sense of aggressiveness throughout the entire 4 quarters.