NFL Draft Prospect Comparisons: Offensive Linemen

Finding comparisons in each position is both an entertaining way to get some final thoughts on these prospects as well as get a good indication of what they could actually be once they get to the NFL.

While these offensive line comparisons are not likely shared by everyone and it may not be an exact match, these are who the top offensive linemen on our board remind me of.

Clint Boling, Georgia – Carl Nicks
Boling isn’t as high on other boards as he is ours, but I really like his base as a guard or right tackle, his versatility as a lineman, and his ability to not be out of his element at the second level, though it isn’t a strong suit. Carl Nicks has developed into one of the league’s best right guards for the Saints, but if need be he could play both guards and right tackle, a skill Bolin I believe has as well. Because of that ability, I wouldn’t be shocked to see Boling go in the 40-50 pick area on draft day.

James Carpenter, Alabama – Vernon Carey
A late riser on my board, when it comes to finding a road grader who’s either going to be a great right guard or potentially even a fringe left tackle, guys like that are worth moving up. Carpenter didn’t wow me on film with his pass blocking, but his ability to drive in the run game and engage and lock on with both speed and power rushers reminded me of former first rounder and right tackle/guard hybrid lineman in Carey from the Dolphins.

Nate Solder, Colorado – Joe Staley/King Dunlap
Judging by this list alone, you can probably tell I’m not a huge Nate Solder fan. But, based on his size, his athletic ability (former TE), and his dominance at times this season, it’s understandable to see that teams view him as a first rounder and a potential left tackle. Though Staley isn’t as long, not many prospects are, he does share the need for further development, the tight end athletic ability skill set, and will likely share the same struggles early on. Dunlap has similar length and size, and he’s struggled to stay on the field because he’s gets eaten up against many power rushers, like Solder got eaten up by Ryan Kerrigan at the Senior Bowl.

Mike Pouncey, Florida – Maurkice Pouncey
First off, these are an obvious comparison, and they actually really do have similar skill sets that makes them comparable. However, despite stating how they’re similar, I think Mike is actually a lesser prospect by a lot. Mike isn’t as ready as a center as Maurkice was, as he struggled with the snap all season. He’s not as quick out of his stance. And I’m not sure he’s the same athlete that his brother is. Still, I believe that both Pouncey’s will end this weekend as first round picks.

Danny Watkins, Baylor – Marshall Yanda
One of the more intriguing prospects because of his background and age as a prospect, Watkins still has the ability to sneak into the backend of the first round because of his versatility, athleticism, and ability to fit into multiple systems. One of my favorite guards in the NFL, Yanda is a bit more set as a guard than Watkins is as a prospect, but both could be excellent in-line blockers and slide well against rushers.

Ben Ijalana, Villanova – Jeff Otah
Former Top 20 pick, Otah has battled through injuries thus far in his career but has shown flashes as being one of the league’s best right tackles. Like Otah, Ijalana is ranked as either a guard or tackle on boards, but could have a great career at either one. He’s got a good understanding of the game, can handle all types of rushers, doesn’t get driven back and uses his hands well, and could be a sleeper to watch rise at the draft and in his NFL career.

Anthony Castonzo, Boston College – Michael Oher
While Castonzo may be a Top 15 pick, I’m not sure if he’ll ever be the type of franchise left tackle that teams are looking for. He has the sliding ability, the hand usage, and base to be successful, but he doesn’t jump out to me as a guy that I’d be sold on as my left tackle. Oher has yet to develop there but has the potential to, and while Castonzo may be even more pro ready than Oher is now, both are just missing that little bit to being franchise left tackles.

Gabe Carimi, Wisconsin – Brian Bulaga
Carimi is ahead of Castonzo in these rankings because of how dominant I think he’ll be as a right tackle in the NFL. Usually a “right” tackle doesn’t jump out to you as a Top 20 pick, but he might be the safest tackle in this draft as you know exactly what you’re going to get. Bulaga fell on draft day because teams worried if he could play the left tackle spot, and so far he won’t be asked to do so, but he was able to be a road grader and a great left tackle all last year.

Tyron Smith, USC – Ryan Clady
Smith has been able to bulk up since he played at USC, which is crucial for him to be successful, but it’s unclear how he’ll be able to handle and block with that weight once he gets to the NFL level. He does have the potential to be a Ryan Clady type athletic left tackle though with time. Clady, who was drafted as a fit for Mike Shanahan’s zone run blocking scheme but still works as one of the league’s best left tackles, could end up proving that Tyron Smith, with time, could fit and be very successful in any system in the NFL.

Derek Sherrod, Mississippi State – Marcus McNeil
Maybe a surprise to some, Sherrod seems now like the sexy pick as this draft’s “top offensive tackle”. He’s got the size, the high football IQ, the signs of further development, the quick feet, and the anchoring ability to be a franchise left tackle with additional coaching in the NFL. Marcus McNeil wasn’t viewed that out of college and thanks to a back injury, he fell on draft day, but he has become one of the league’s best left tackles as both a run game blocker and a more than sufficient pass protector.