Offensive and Defensive Line Rankings w/ Scouting Blurbs

1. Brandon Scherff, OG, Iowa

Better Guard than OT. Great functional strength and technique allows him to be a dominant run blocker and solid pass blocker inside. Should be an instant starter with Pro Bowl potential.

2. Lael Collins, OT, LSU

Mammoth with functional strength and the feet to play offensive tackle. Could be elite at OG. Not consistent enough to be a top 5 pick, but has the skills to be a dominant offensive line player.

3. Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford

Big anchor and limbs. Has functional strength and great kick slide. Technique can slip and times and can be pushed around. Inconsistent but big blindside protector upside.

4. Ereck Flowers, OT, Miami (FL)

Dominating run blocker but has pass protection issues. Physically looks the part and could be drafted highly in a power scheme to be developed.

5. Cameron Erving, C, Florida State

Can play any position on the line, but showed how good he can be at Center this year. Good physical tools but often has sloppy footwork. High football IQ makes him a starter in the NFL.

6. Jake Fisher, OT, Oregon

Bit undersized but athletic and strong. Would fit in zone blocking scheme best. Uses his hands well but can be caught flat footed at times or overextend. With a little development, could be a solid starting lineman.

7. Laken Tomlinson, OG, Duke

Dominant run blocker with a high football IQ. Reminiscent of the Lions’ Larry Warford. Gets great leverage and has a killer instinct. May not be much of a pulling guard or pass blocker, but fits in a power scheme.

8. AJ Cann, OG, South Carolina

Solid all around talent with little weaknesses but not many major strengths either. Good functional strength and technique. Gets solid leverage. Not super athletic. Won’t carry an offensive line himself but can be a starter in a solid unit.

9. Jeremiah Poutasi, OT, Utah

Underrated player with big size and a killer attitude. Plays finesse despite the attitude. Likely will move inside to guard, but has some OT skills. Good kick slide for his size but can’t always mirror as well as one would hope. Interior starter with big potential in a finesse scheme.

10. Cedric Ogbuehi, OT, Texas A&M

Tons of upside with a lot of experience. Injuries hurt him, but he has flashed dominant potential, especially with a mobile QB. Has great range and makeup speed when he whiffs. Will stick with lesser talents longer than many college OTs. Seemed to try to do too much this past year. Potentila starter if he reaches his potential.

11. DJ Humphries, OT, Florida

Humphries has dealt with lower leg injuries but he an athletic marvel at his size. Moves his feet very fluidly and has ideal size and talent for a blindside protector. Moves enough for a zone scheme, but doesn’t always carry the lower body strength to finish blocks. Potential starter if he can stay healthy.

12. Hroniss Grasu, C, Oregon

Very good upper body strength and gets leverage over bigger players. Great at snapping and immediately engaging. Not the best athlete and can be beat by better athletes in the middle. With a little development, could be a starting center.

13. Ty Sambrailo, OT, Colorado State

Big, rangy athlete but he doesn’t always play up to his athleticism. Moves very fluidly but is a poor run blocker. Doesn’t have the functional strength yet to start in the NFL. Back-up who has great tools.

14. Donovan Smith, OT, Penn State

Ran very hot and cold at Penn State. Often caught offbalance and his technique is very sloppy with hand placement and how he punches. He does have a lot of driving power and gets to the 2nd level well. Has shown potential in both zone and power run schemes. Could be a developmental fit.

15. Tre Jackson, OG, Florida State

Doesn’t wow you, but he is a solid all around OG. Plays very low to the ground and is rarely caught off balance. Strong anchor. Doesn’t do well against speed and better defenses gave him fits. Should turn into a starter at some point.

Defensive Line:

1. Leonard Williams, DE, USC

Only elite player in the draft. Tremendous upper and lower body strength with the first step and athletic ability to give offensive lines fits. Gets up to speed so quick and has solid pass rush moves. Run and Pass stuffer. Sometimes can play too high and get caught off balance. Still needs to improve his football IQ, but if he does, could be a top NFL player.

2. Malcolm Brown, DT, Texas

Huge and athletic with good leverage. Decent run stuffer with the athletic ability to collapse the interior of the pocket on the QB. Moves fluidly for his size. Can play a bit soft and gives inconsistent effort. Starter that offenses have to stop.

3. Arik Armstead, DE, Oregon

Powerful pass rusher with a great bull rush. Can set the edge against the run with long wingspan. Not much of a pass rusher but he has the athleticism to do it. Leverage can be a major issues. Not overly dynamic and could drop, but should be a solid NFL starter.

4. Danny Shelton, DT, Washington

Mammoth run stuffer that will fill two gaps. Has great athletic ability to penetrate and get to the QB despite his size. Has explosion off of the line of scrimmage. Excellent tenacity when his motor is running hot. Doesn’t have the strength you want from a player of his size and be more of a gap filler and run stuffer than dynamic pass rusher in the NFL.

5. Jordan Phillips, DT, Oklahoma

Long armed and fluid for a player of his size. Can plug holes with his size or collapse the pocket with his leg drive and foot speed. Very inconsistent motor with long stretches (almost whole games,) with little effort. Can be tenacious when he wants to be. With 100% effort, could be a stud Nose Tackle, or could bust out if effort or injury issues persist.

6. Carl Davis, DT, Iowa

Excellent lower leg drive and plays even bigger than he is. Top notch run defender and flashed pass rush moves through the season. Can be tenacious in fighting offensivelinemen but doesn’t shed blocks quickly. Great run defender who has complete talent potential.

7. Mario Edwards, DE, Florida State

Very good athlete with a fluid lower body. Good anchor and rarely gets pushed off the line of scrimmage. Good range and contains the edge but doesn’t use his athleticism to shed blocks. Gets stonewalled often when rushing the passer. Tons of potential but has never put it all together.

8. Michael Bennett, Ohio State

Underrated disruptor who gets penetration and disrupts passing routes. Makes QB uncomfortable. Good explosion off the line of scrimmage with good leverage. Uses hands to shed blocks well. Can overpursue RBs. Motor gets cold after a few full effort plays. If he gets in the right fit, can be a great defensive complimentary piece.

9. Eddie Goldman, Florida State

Shows upper and lower body strength. Punches with his hands and can get linemen off-balance who try to overpower him. Uses strength to combat the run. Very stiff and is extremely inconsistent in how he gets pressure. May not be the athlete he looks like against smaller offensive lines. Does not shed blocks very well and can be neutralized with good technique. Could develop into a starter but may be a bit overrated.

10. Grady Jarrett, DT, Clemson

Excellent bull rush skills. Short but allows himself to get leverage and drive offensive linemen back. Has a good first step and explosion off of the snap. Tenacious with a good motor. Lacks an array of pass rush moves and isn’t quite big enough to be a dominant run defender. Very good player with technique who will make it in the NFL.