NFL Draft 2012: Ranking Matt Kalil and the Top Offensive Linemen

As we saw in the Super Bowl, offensive lineman are the key to building a championship roster. Both the New England Patriots and New York Giants have built stellar offensive lines through the draft, and if a franchise wants to become a title contender, getting elite linemen on board must be a priority.

Here is a look at the top five offensive linemen available in the 2012 NFL Draft.

1. Matt Kalil, Tackle, USC

If not for Andrew Luck, USC offensive tackle Matt Kalil would be the best player in the 2012 NFL Draft. And after watching film on him, I have no doubt in my mind about that fact.

At 6'7" and 295 pounds, Kalil has elite size and athleticism for a left tackle in the NFL. He is easily the best offensive lineman in this class, and I don't expect him to last past the top three when the draft kicks off in April.

Kalil has everything you'd want in a franchise tackle. He is stellar in pass protection and is an absolute mauler in the run game. He has enough speed to get to the second level quickly and punish defenders, and has long enough arms to keep pass rushers at bay. 

He has an impeccable pedigree as well, considering that his brother Ryan is a Pro Bowl center for the Carolina Panthers and his father Frank played professionally as well.

Whoever takes Kalil will be getting a stud. He may be this draft's guaranteed true can't-miss player. 

2. Riley Reiff, Tackle, Iowa

While Kalil is the elite offensive lineman in this class, Reiff is the most technically sound. 

Reiff is 6'6" and 300 pounds, and after being tutored by offensive line guru Kirk Ferentz, you know he'll be well coached and disciplined. 

The 23-year-old is fully developed physically and is probably the most consistent lineman on either side of the ball in the 2012 draft. Reiff also has outstanding athleticism, as he played tight end and defensive end in high school, while he was also a three-time South Dakota state wrestling champion, losing just one match.

He appeared in every collegiate game and started all but two of them. 

Whoever takes Reiff will be getting a consistent performer who should be a starter in the NFL for years and could develop into a Pro Bowler.

3. David DeCastro, Guard, Stanford

DeCastro ranks third on this list only because of the relative value of guards to tackles. He was easily the most dominant interior lineman in the nation in 2011.

The Stanford product checks in at 6'4" and 314 pounds, and is impressively physical and nasty. He will be a starter from the first day of training camp in the NFL and should become a consistent Pro Bowler very soon.

DeCastro could easily develop into one of the best players at his position at the NFL level in a very short amount of time. Again, if he played a more highly valued position he would definitely be gone in the top 10. As it stands, he should be off the board in the top 20.

4. Jonathan Martin, Tackle, Stanford

DeCastro's linemate Jonathan Martin checks in next, and at 6'6" and 304 pounds he is a load at offensive tackle.

Martin played left tackle for Stanford, protecting Andrew Luck's blind side, but I think he will best fit as a right tackle at the next level. I don't think he is currently good enough in pass protection to project as a left tackle right now. He is solid, but not spectacular against the pass rush.

Where Martin excels is in the running game. He has an outstanding burst off the line and is very good at leading backs to the second level. He takes outstanding angles and seems to relish contact. As he develops, he will get even stronger, and that could be a scary proposition.

Martin will definitely be a top-20 pick and a few good workouts could push him even higher. If he works on his body, gets a little stronger and puts on some good weight, he could jump over Reiff as the second-best tackle on the board. 

5. Mike Adams, Tackle, Ohio State

Adams has jumped up draft boards thanks largely to his size and a decent performance at the Senior Bowl. 

At 6'7" and 323 pounds, Adams is massive and consistent but doesn't play with the kind of edge you'd like in a franchise tackle. He is good on his feet and has a ton of experience as a four-year contributor at Ohio State. 

He is adequate in pass protection and is good with his initial burst at the run game, but has problems identifying where to go at the second level. 

Adams has benefited from the lack of depth at the tackle position in this draft, but he is slowly climbing up boards also because of his size and how he moves. He should be a late first-round pick.