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2016 draft: offensive linemen to watch

Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2015 10:09 am
by dead_poet
Guards:

Sebastian Tretola, Arkansas
Joe Thuney, NC State
Cody Whitehair, Kansas State
Vadal Alexander, LSU
Spencer Drango, Baylor
Jordan Walsh, Iowa
Pat Elflein, Ohio State
Greg Pyke, Georgia

Centers:

Matt Skura, Duke
Austin Blythe, Iowa
Dan Voltz, Wisconsin
Nick Martin, Notre Dame
Max Tuerk, USC
Ryan Kelly, Alabama

Re: 2016 draft: interior offensive linemen to watch

Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2015 1:16 am
by jackal
Sebastian Tretola ..massive upper body mauler plays similar
to the Richard "Richie" Incognito in blocking

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TFIfGFmjZU


Joe Thueny Highlights

really liked his hustle in down the field blocking/ concerned
about his strength versus NFL players.. he uses his lower body
well to generate power

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRf-8t2AIXA


Alexander G LSU

Liked his balance and push downfield

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C79Mp5XjeIM

Re: 2016 draft: interior offensive linemen to watch

Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2015 4:33 pm
by dead_poet
Matt Skura, Duke
Life in the trenches begins and ends with the center. The offensive line’s signal caller and the player that anchors it all, this list wouldn’t be complete without recognizing the best at the position – and this year that player is Duke’s Matt Skura. Through 10 weeks, Skura is PFF’s highest rated center with an overall grade of +37.1. There are few weaknesses in his game, as he’s earned the highest run block grade in the nation (+29.1) and ranks fourth in pass protection (+5.5). Skura hasn’t allowed a sack all year, and has made it through the entire season without once being called for a penalty.
Chase Roullier, Wyoming
Chase Roullier of Wyoming has had himself an impressive year, grading out very well in both run blocking (+26.0) and pass protection (+9.3). In both categories, Roullier ranks in the top ten among all guards. His strength seems to lie in the run game, but not by much – Roullier has an outstanding pass blocking efficiency rating of 99.3 (No. 3 nationally) and has not allowed a single sack this year. His consistency in both areas is what has earned him PFF’s No. 1 overall grade for guards this season (+37.5).
Joe Dahl, Washington State
Joe Dahl remains one of PFF’s highest graded offensive linemen, despite missing two games due to injury. So far this season, he has graded out positively in all but one of the games he’s played. Though reliable in the run game (+5.0), Dahl has performed especially well when in pass protection. Asked to drop back and protect his quarterback a staggering 505 times this year, Dahl has excelled, leading the nation with a pass blocking grade of +15.7.

Re: 2016 draft: interior offensive linemen to watch

Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2015 9:12 am
by jackal
I hope we spend most of our early picks on OL unless something huge just lands in our laps


the only thing I think we need even close to the OL needs is a SS or Big deep threat wide out 6-5 Mike Evans kinda guy

Re: 2016 draft: interior offensive linemen to watch

Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2015 9:45 am
by dead_poet
jackal wrote:I hope we spend most of our early picks on OL unless something huge just lands in our laps
At least one. There are a lot of questions on the offensive line going forward. Will they extend Kalil (I think so but negotiations may be tricky)? Will they choose to keep Loadholt at his $5.4 million 2016 salary? I would think they may re-negotiate and offer him a short extension. What is the status of John Sullivan? Back problems that required two surgeries in one season doesn't exactly inspire confidence going forward. Neither does that UDFA we acquired. I think they have to sign another center this season as a long-term replacement for Sully, preferably one that can also play guard. The question is...how high do they draft one? And I have no idea what they're going to do with Fusco and Harris. Ideally Fusco goes back to RG and we either plop Berger at LG or sign a quality free agent (Boone, Osemele), pushing Harris to a reserve role. The problem with that is in the financials with quite a bit of cash devoted to Sully, Fusco, Loadholt and to some extent Berger. If they extend Kalil, that's even more. Because of this, I can't imagine they'd sign a top FA guard. So I think the most realistic case is that a draft pick will compete with Berger, Fusco, Harris and others and both guard spots become a big talking point going into camp and the preseason.

With Clemmings seemingly the heir apparent to Loadholt and Kalil extended, do we sign a round 1-3 tackle? I would lean towards yes, mostly because I don't trust Kalil to stay healthy for the duration of his next contract. So maybe draft a round 1-3 G/C and T/G then let them all battle it out.
the only thing I think we need even close to the OL needs is a SS or Big deep threat wide out 6-5 Mike Evans kinda guy
Yes, SS is a huge need. Preferably a guy that can cover. What the Vikings decide to do with Newman may play a part in this. If Newman retires or the Vikings decide not to re-sign him, I think we may have another need at corner even if they roll with Waynes as a starter (Josh Robinson is a free agent). If Newman is moved to safety a la Woodson, they may have less of a pressing need at safety in this draft, but it'd be something to address sooner rather than later.

Regarding a 6-5 Mike Evans kind of guy, I'd highly doubt they spend a top draft pick on a WR, especially with the emergence of Diggs, who should be a starter next year (he already is now). But if you want a huge, fast WR, you might be disappointed in this particular draft. There's no stud 6'5 guys. The best of guys 6'3 and above might be Josh Doctson (6'4), Michael Thomas (6'3), Mike Williams (6'3) and Tajae Sharpe (6'4). Of those, Doctson & Thomas may be the only round 1/2 guys.

Re: 2016 draft: interior offensive linemen to watch

Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2015 10:26 am
by jackal
At least one. There are a lot of questions on the offensive line going forward. Will they extend Kalil (I think so but negotiations may be tricky)? Will they choose to keep Loadholt at his $5.4 million 2016 salary? I would think they may re-negotiate and offer him a short extension. What is the status of John Sullivan? Back problems that required two surgeries in one season doesn't exactly inspire confidence going forward. Neither does that UDFA we acquired. I think they have to sign another center this season as a long-term replacement for Sully, preferably one that can also play guard. The question is...how high do they draft one? And I have no idea what they're going to do with Fusco and Harris. Ideally Fusco goes back to RG and we either plop Berger at LG or sign a quality free agent (Boone, Osemele), pushing Harris to a reserve role. The problem with that is in the financials with quite a bit of cash devoted to Sully, Fusco, Loadholt and to some extent Berger. If they extend Kalil, that's even more. Because of this, I can't imagine they'd sign a top FA guard. So I think the most realistic case is that a draft pick will compete with Berger, Fusco, Harris and others and both guard spots become a big talking point going into camp and the preseason.

With Clemmings seemingly the heir apparent to Loadholt and Kalil extended, do we sign a round 1-3 tackle? I would lean towards yes, mostly because I don't trust Kalil to stay healthy for the duration of his next contract. So maybe draft a round 1-3 G/C and T/G then let them all battle it out.
I am not sure we keep Kalil, Loadholt or Sully, as a long term option. Kalil has played better but is not dominant, at all. Loadholt has missed this entire season and a good chunk last year
and Sullivan pretty much missed this whole season. I would love for us to pick an OL C/G in round one. Berger is not the answer and Easton I am guessing isn't either with him not getting
a shot. So I would like three OL before round five is over at least. With a SS in round two and a project Mike Evans guy in four or five. IMO body control and hands should be just as important
as speed. Look at Diggs he isn't our fastest wideout but he gets to the ball and catches it..

Re: 2016 draft: interior offensive linemen to watch

Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2015 12:09 pm
by dead_poet
jackal wrote:I am not sure we keep Kalil, Loadholt or Sully, as a long term option. Kalil has played better but is not dominant, at all. Loadholt has missed this entire season and a good chunk last year and Sullivan pretty much missed this whole season.
Yeah, but they're by far the best options and players at their respective positions. I'm certainly not going to trust a bunch of rookies to protect Teddy next year (or a second-year guy like Clemmings), I don't care what round they're drafted in.
I would love for us to pick an OL C/G in round one. Berger is not the answer and Easton I am guessing isn't either with him not getting
a shot.
Berger is actually playing pretty well and has been more than competent when forced to play guard. It would not surprise me (nor would I be upset) if he ended up at LG in 2016 (for one year only). He's obviously not the long-term answer at any position. A line of Kalil, Berger, Sully, Fusco, Loadholt is acceptable, providing all are healthy. Is it ideal? Probably not. But rookie linemen rarely are assets in their first year.
Look at Diggs he isn't our fastest wideout but he gets to the ball and catches it..
4.43-40 isn't anything to sneeze at.

Re: 2016 draft: interior offensive linemen to watch

Posted: Wed Nov 25, 2015 2:16 pm
by dead_poet
Alex Redmond - G - Bruins

NFL Scouts are telling TFY Draft Insider's Tony Pauline that UCLA junior G Alex Redmond has "one foot out the door and will enter the draft."

"Redmond has been described to me as a physical freak with upside but someone who needs to pull it together," Pauline wrote. The 6-foot-5, 305-pounder has been an All-Pac 12 Honorable Mention pick in each of the past two years. CBS ranks the former four-star recruit as the No. 9 junior OG prospect.
Source: TFY Draft Insider

Re: 2016 draft: interior offensive linemen to watch

Posted: Thu Nov 26, 2015 2:13 am
by jackal
I assumed we would keep Kalil and Sullivan and draft several guys early

I know we have to improve our OL if we want to move up in the NFL

Re: 2016 draft: interior offensive linemen to watch

Posted: Thu Nov 26, 2015 1:19 pm
by PurpleMustReign
Which of these do you think will be available around pick 18? I am guessing that is where we will be... give or take.

Re: 2016 draft: interior offensive linemen to watch

Posted: Thu Nov 26, 2015 9:31 pm
by The Breeze
I want a center before guard. I think Berger can handle either guard position and Harris should backup.
I don't see Sully as being very viable...same for Phil and Clemmings ain't the answer so far.
I hope they change schemes cause this line is a couple years away IMO

Re: 2016 draft: interior offensive linemen to watch

Posted: Fri Nov 27, 2015 4:55 am
by jackal
Which of these do you think will be available around pick 18? I am guessing that is where we will be... give or take.
Traditionally the only OL that go in the early first round are LT's .. Usually the first guard goes at about 20 or so
depending on QB, WR, and CB depth..

If we picked up a FA or two we could rebuild our OL with two picks in the first three rounds...

I am assuming we won't have Greenway, and maybe a few others next season so we could afford
to get some depth on our OL..

If I were the GM I would not carry Greenway, Robison, Wallace, Patterson and ask Rudolf to restructure
his deal some. I would not count on any of OL for a long term option without a heavily weighted deal on
performance. That would would be two FA's and two or three OL drafted before fourth round in the next draft.

That would leave us quite a bit of cap space .. I would like to try for Alshon Jeffery as well, if possible ..

Re: 2016 draft: interior offensive linemen to watch

Posted: Mon Nov 30, 2015 9:36 am
by dead_poet
The Breeze wrote:I want a center before guard.
A lot of the guys that can play center can also play guard.
I think Berger can handle either guard position and Harris should backup.
Agreed.
I don't see Sully as being very viable...same for Phil and Clemmings ain't the answer so far.
While I agree that Clemmings is obviously not the answer (right now), Sullivan has been a top center in the league. He's supposed to be 100% next season ("supposed" is the key word there). If true, he's the no-brainer starting center but I fear his days of being a top center are numbered. Back injuries in offensive linemen are not good. Therefore, he'd be only a short-term solution but he'd obviously be better than whatever rookie we draft -- I don't care if it's a first-round rookie. Rookie offensive linemen are rarely assets (physically or technically, especially in today's college football systems) in their first year or two. But that doesn't mean you don't sign one and develop him for a year or two while we hopefully still get above-average to good play from Sullivan. Signing a G/C makes complete sense.

As for Phil...*sigh*...I wish he got more credit than he does around here. He does have flaws in his game but he's been steadily improving every year. I'm not going to rehash this because I'm frankly tired of defending him but to think Phil won't be our best right tackle option in 2016 (provided he's fully healthy, which he should be) -- and potentially by a country mile -- is foolish. Again, I don't care if they draft a first-round RT. I'd be beyond shocked if they released Phil this offseason. He's a tireless worker, great teammate and a demoralizing run blocker who was steadily improving as a pass blocker. He could at least hold his own without needing TE help every play. It wouldn't surprise me if they instead extended him, giving him a few million in guaranteed cash to lower his 2016 cap hit. Phil is not the problem.

I want this line to be better than it is this year. Getting rid of Sullivan and Loadholt is the antithesis of that. We're seeing the results of those two guys out of the lineup right now.
I hope they change schemes cause this line is a couple years away IMO
I don't know if it's a scheme issue. I think it's a personnel issue more than anything (though I don't really understand why Davidson gets the praise he does. He's the freaking Marcus Sherels of the coaching staff). Losing your top 2 offensive linemen are going to do that to you. We absolutely need to upgrade LG, though. Fusco has no business over there if he can't re-create his above-average ways. If we re-sign Kalil and he can keep up this level of play, upgrade LG, Sullivan enters 2016 fully healthy, competition at RG between Berger, Fusco, Harris and others and re-install a healthy Phil, this should be a serviceable line. That means this offseason drafting a round 1-3 G/C and OT not only to develop but as competition to let the best players determine the guard spots. I want another highly-drafted, talented tackle prospect (preferably LT) in case Kalil's knees give out again in the near-future, which is definitely a possibility given how many surgeries he's had. I want a legit contingency there with the possibility of taking over for him OR Loadholt down the road.

Re: 2016 draft: interior offensive linemen to watch

Posted: Mon Nov 30, 2015 10:02 am
by PurpleMustReign
Phil Loadholt has been the best Lineman on the team for a couple of seasons. I agree with dp, he does not get enough love around here.

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Re: 2016 draft: interior offensive linemen to watch

Posted: Mon Nov 30, 2015 10:06 am
by DK Sweets
PurpleMustReign wrote:Phil Loadholt has been the best Lineman on the team for a couple of seasons. I agree with dp, he does not get enough love around here.

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Me lovey some Big Phil.