While the 2014 draft may not have as much depth as last year, the amount of impact players at the top of the draft is still quite high. There are a few blue-chip prospects in the bunch, with plenty of solid talent to be had later as well. With offensive line play a weak point for several teams, the fact that the past two drafts have been a "fatty" mine has to be a godsend to the NFL (not to mention the quarterbacks they protect).
Here's my rankings for the 2014 Offensive line draft class. Note that 40 yard dash times are not listed for the lineman, because if you've ever watched football, you know that you never have a lineman run 40 yards on a play.
1. Greg Robinson, Auburn (So.)
Measurements: 6'5, 332
Robinson clocked in with an official 4.92 40 time at the combine weighing 332 pounds. The exact time should not matter in his draft evaluation, but it should tell you what a freak the man is. Robinson has almost limitless potential, and with his speed and strength he will immediately be one of the best road graders in the NFL. He is raw is pass protection and needs work, but line coaches have to be salivating at his upside.
Draft Projection: Top 10
2. Jake Matthews, Texas A&M (Sr.)
Measurements: 6'5, 308
Son of NFL Hall of Famer Bruce Matthews, Jake Matthews projects to be a plug-and-play starter for possibly the next decade for whatever team takes him. Matthews has experience as both a left and right tackle, which should only make it easier for him to slide in and play right away. He is not the freak athlete that Robinson is, but he's likely going to be a high-end starter for many years to come.
Draft Projection: Top 10
3. Taylor Lewan, Michigan (Sr.)
Measurements: 6'7, 309
Another high-end blindside protector, Lewan is an experienced, athletic tackle with a very nasty demeanor. Lewan should be a day one starter, and any quarterback should feel safe with him in front. The one thing that may hold back Lewan's career is his off the field issues, as he was connected to an abuse case a few years ago. Nastiness is appreciated in a tackle, but Lewan might need to learn to keep his aggression on the field.
Draft Projection: 1st Round
4. Zach Martin, Notre Dame (Sr.)
Measurements: 6'4, 308
One of the most versatile players in this draft, Martin is a potential Swiss Army knife on the offensive line, able to play all five positions. Martin was a left tackle in college and projects to be a serviceable starter there in the NFL, though some think he is a potential Pro Bowl at guard. The flexibility Martin offers should make him very attractive to NFL teams, even if he may only stay at tackle for a few seasons.
Draft Projection: 1st Round
5. Cyrus Kouandjio, Alabama (Jr.)
Measurements: 6'7, 322
The blindside protector for the current dynasty of college football, Kouandjio helped pave the way for two national championships. His tape does show some inconsistencies, however. While he is a good run blocker he can have sloppy technique in pass protection. His best fit in the NFL may be on the right side. He also reportedly failed a few medical exams at the combine, a major red flag that could send his stock tumbling.
Draft Projection: 1st-2nd Round
6. David Yankey, Stanford (Jr.)
Measurements: 6'6, 315
A pro-ready guard, Yankey will not blow anybody away but should be ready to slide in and contribute early in his NFL career. Yankey was one of the best run blockers in college football last year, and was a great fit in Stanford's power running system. No slouch in pass protection either, Yankey is probably not going to cost any general manager their job.
Draft Projection: 1st-2nd Round
7. Xavier Su'a-Filo, UCLA (Jr.)
Measurements: 6'4, 307
Originally a starter at left tackle as a freshmen, Su'a-Filo switched to guard his last two years of college football after serving a two year Mormon mission. Su'a-Filo has great speed and athleticism, and was targeted as a potential breakout star at the combine by legendary Cowboys' personnel man Gil Brandt. Brandt said in his piece that he expects him to be a day one starter at guard. That's good enough for me.
Draft Projection: 1st-2nd Round
8. Morgan Moses, Virginia (Sr.)
Measurements: 6'6, 314
Moses is a rare athlete with a big frame but quick feet that could lead him to becoming a solid tackle at the next level. He has all the physicals tools to be a potential starter, but his technique in the run game needs work if he is going to consistently pave holes. Moses is still a very solid prospect however, and has quietly been generating some buzz for himself which could possibly lead to a day one selection.
Draft Projection: 1st-2nd Round
9. Gabe Jackson, Mississippi State (Sr.)
Measurements: 6'3, 336
Jackson is in many ways the prototypical guard, a large, athletic mauler with quick feet to lock onto pass rushers. Jackson has great strength and is often able to push forward in the run game, though once he breaks into the second level he seems to get lost when looking for someone to block. While he needs to work on extending his game, Jackson is a very good player around the line of scrimmage, which is his primary job.
Draft Projection: 2nd Round
10. Antonio (Tiny) Richardson, Tennessee (Jr.)
Measurements: 6'6, 336
Tiny has seen his stock dip a bit lately, due to injury concerns and some sloppy play on tape. There is concern about his knees, as NFL.com analyst Charles Davis said that Tiny might have to "redshirt" his first year in the NFL for it to heal. Tiny is a massive man (ironic) and can blow defenders back, but he can lose balance and leverage too easily, something he'll need to refine if he wants to stick at the next level.
Draft Projection: 2nd-3rd Round
That wraps up the breakdown of the top offensive lineman in the draft, stay tuned as we continue to break the draft down position by position before free agency!
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