NFL Draft Watch: Eugene Monroe, Best Offensive Lineman in '09 Draft

Once one of the top high school offensive line recruits in the country, Monroe progressed from a part-time starter as a sophomore to becoming the primary reason Virginia was comfortable in keeping 2008 first-round pick Branden Albert inside at left guard, as opposed to left tackle where Albert started 15 games as a rookie for the Kansas City Chiefs.

Despite Albert's obvious tools, Al Groh was wise to keep Monroe on the outside if his play as a senior was any indication. Named an All-American and the recipient of the Jacobs Blocking Trophy as the best blocker in the ACC, Monroe looks the part of a top-10 prospect.

NFL offensive coordinators and quarterbacks would love to have his length and strength in pass protection. Had an arm span of 33-7/8 inches and a hand span of 11-1/8 inches at the combine.

Some of his positives are he is a prototypical left tackle who is built for the position he has good long arms,He is really tall, and he has a thick lower body.

He rarely gets beat by the defensive lineman and he keeps them moving during pass protection to make them fatigue.

He does well against Defensive Lineman that try to use inside or outside moves. He is quick for someone who is 6'5'' 309 pounds.

He has great balance for a offensive lineman of his size. He sometimes will shift to Tight end on some strong side running plays.

He plays to the whistle and on plays on the move he might have two or three people he is blocking.

This year at the NFL Scouting Combine he ran a 5.23 seconds on the 40-yard dash, he also did good on his vertical jump with a height of 28.5.

He was in the top three of the broad jump with a height of 9'3''. We will see how good he does on the field when the next season come around.

On the other hand his negatives are he is a little too big to be playing in the middle of the Offensive Line.

He tends to catch Defensive lineman when they are on the rush instead of using his skills to keep the defensive lineman off balance.

His last thing he needs to work on is his Awareness when looking for the blitz and late pass rushers.

I have him going second overall to the St. Louis Rams in my new mock draft.