Scouting Combine Offensive Linemen Who Have the Ravens' Attention
The Baltimore Ravens had one of the league's worst offensive lines in the 2013 season. As a result, the Ravens averaged a dismal 3.1 yards per rushing attempt and quarterback Joe Flacco was sacked a career-high 48 times.
Because of this—and because certain 2013 starters on the offensive line are soon to become free agents—the Ravens need to find linemen who are reliable and talented and can fit the zone-blocking system of new offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak. This is best accomplished by the upcoming draft.
The NFL Scouting Combine provided the Ravens with a closer look at some of these linemen. Let's see which performers caught the Ravens' eyes enough to make it on the draft board for May.
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OT Cyrus Kouandjio, Alabama
Alabama's much-hyped offensive tackle Cyrus Kouandjio was among the players the Ravens met with at the scouting combine. However, based on his performance at the NFL's biggest yearly audition of rookie players, they may not be meeting with him again.
Kouandjio completed just 21 reps in the bench press and had a disappointing 5.59-second 40-yard dash time. His blocking and agility drills were horrible, and he looked slow and out of shape. Even worse, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that several teams failed him on his physical because of an arthritic knee that came as a result of a surgery gone bad.
The only thing that could keep him in play for the Ravens is if they are convinced that Kouandjio is the type of player they saw on his tape and not the one who showed up at the combine. The poor showing could also push Kouandjio into the second round, where the Ravens would be more likely to select him.
| 5.59 sec. | 21 reps | 27.5" | 96.0" | 7.71 sec. | 4.84 sec. |
Kouandjio could be moved to right tackle in the NFL—which could mean he'd be an ideal replacement for Michael Oher, who is an unrestricted free agent. He could also have some potential at guard.
Still, his out-of-shape performance at the combine could remind the Ravens of Bryant McKinnie, who routinely showed up to training camp overweight and whom the Ravens traded to the Miami Dolphins during the 2013 season. Kouandjio just doesn't seem reliable, which is what the Ravens need most out of any would-be rookie lineman.
OT Zack Martin, Notre Dame
Notre Dame's Zack Martin should be more in line with what the Ravens are looking for in an offensive lineman, though he's not without his drawbacks. Martin did not run the 40-yard dash at the combine, but he did have 29 reps in the bench press. He was slower than most in the three-cone and 20-yard shuttle drills, coming in 14th in the former and 12th in the latter among linemen.
Martin is very athletic, a good trait to have in a zone-blocking scheme. But more importantly, he's versatile.
NFL Network's Mike Mayock says, per Andy Fenelon of NFL.com, that "he can play all five positions [on the offensive line] in the NFL." Draft analyst Russ Lande, who spoke with Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun, agrees: "When I watch Martin, he reminds me a lot of [current Ravens guard Marshal] Yanda, as far as being able to play both guard and tackle, having a nasty streak and being a technician."
Nolan Nawrocki of NFL.com says that Martin's intangibles are "sparkling" and praises his fundamentals. He believes Martin can be an instant starter in the NFL, although guard may be the better position for him based on his size. There's one caveat to this: Martin has never played guard, but he may be better suited than most to make this transition.
| DNP | 29 reps | 28.0" | 106.0" | 7.65 sec. | 4.59 sec. |
If the Ravens are more interested in boosting their offensive line in the first round than focusing on other needs, such as wide receiver, Martin would be a good choice. There are a lot of questions surrounding the Baltimore line for 2014, with tackles Eugene Monroe and Michael Oher both free agents and Kelechi Osemele returning from back surgery.
A starter-ready player who has the skills to be able to play both positions will go a long way to turn around their poor line. No character-related red flags is an added bonus.
OT Taylor Lewan, Michigan
Michigan offensive tackle Taylor Lewan had the fastest 40-yard dash time of any offensive lineman at the scouting combine, running it in 4.87 seconds. He had 29 reps on the bench press, and he had the fastest three-cone drill, the highest vertical jump and the longest broad jump among the linemen.
Unsurprisingly, Lewan is a very athletic offensive tackle and can take on defenders on both the inside and the outside. NFL.com's Nawrocki notes Lewan's impressive balance and that he's rarely knocked down during plays.
Unlike some of the other college offensive tackles trying to transition into the NFL, Lewan won't need to be moved to guard. He's a true, professional-level left tackle, which should put him squarely on the Ravens' draft radar if they cannot re-sign Eugene Monroe.
| 4.87 sec. | 29 | 30.5" | 117.0" | 7.39 sec. | 4.49 sec. |
There are a few off-the-field concerns about Lewan, including an assault accusation and claims that he intimidated a sexual assault victim. These were likely discussed when Lewan met with the Ravens at the combine. How that conversation went will influence whether the Ravens invite him for a visit, let alone draft him. His on-field performance, however, is very convincing.
OT Morgan Moses, Virginia
Virginia offensive tackle Morgan Moses also met with the Ravens at the scouting combine. At 6'6" and possessing an arm length of 35.375", he's a beast of a tackle who won't need to move to guard in the NFL.
However, Moses may stick at right tackle rather than left, where he played for just his senior season at Virginia. That's good news for the Ravens, however, who may have to find someone to replace Michael Oher if he leaves in free agency (or even if he doesn't). His pass protection was lacking as a right tackle, but his one-year shift to the left helped him hone this skill.
| 5.35 sec. | DNP | 21.5" | 106.0" | 7.93 sec. | 4.95 sec. |
Moses has some conditioning issues—it takes a lot of work for him to maintain the ideal weight for an offensive tackle. That means the Ravens will have to watch him, potentially including workout bonuses in his contract, should they draft him.
OT Joel Bitonio, Nevada
Though he's not large enough to play offensive tackle in the NFL, Nevada's Joel Bitonio has a very specific skill set that can benefit the Ravens greatly: his run-blocking. According to WalterFootball.com, Bitonio was a great run blocker for college's second-leading rusher in 2013, Stefphon Jefferson. Considering the Ravens had a terrible run game in 2013, owing greatly to their offensive line's failings, Bitonio makes for a great addition in Baltimore.
Bitonio had a great combine performance, with a 4.97-second 40-yard draft, a 7.37-second three-cone drill and a 4.440-second 20-yard shuttle. However, he only had 22 bench press reps—yet another reason he'd be better suited on the inside of the offensive line. This followed a strong Senior Bowl performance, which has his draft stock on the rise.
| 4.97 sec. | 22 reps | 32.0" | 114.0" | 7.37 sec. | 4.44 sec. |
NFL.com's Nawrocki notes that Bitonio has the perfect intangibles for an NFL offensive lineman: tenacity, endurance, a mean streak and a great work ethic. A temperament for the job along with excellent run-blocking skills make Bitonio a player to watch. He could easily be a second-day pick for the Ravens.
OG Xavier Su'a-Filo, UCLA
Though UCLA's Xavier Su'a-Filo played some left tackle in 2013, his natural position is guard, where he works best as a run blocker. However, his pass-protection skills make him a good candidate to start in his rookie season.
Su'a-Filo had a solid combine showing, which peaked with his 4.44-second 20-yard shuttle time. He is a bit sloppy in his technique, but as NFL.com's Nawrocki points out, he's "more effective than he is pretty."
| 5.04 sec. | 25 reps | 25.0" | 102.0" | 7.60 sec. | 4.44 sec. |
Nawrocki also notes that Su'a-Filo may be best in a power-run type of system but that his athleticism makes him a candidate for a transition to a zone-blocking line, such as the Ravens'. While he may not wind up being one of Baltimore's draft picks, the odds are good they will give him a look in the months leading up to the event and change their minds.
OG Cyril Richardson, Baylor
Baylor's Cyril Richardson is an intriguing prospect. On the one hand, he's a massive run blocker who can also seal off would-be pass-rushers. On the other, he doesn't seem like he's lived up to his potential and was manhandled at the Senior Bowl. He also had a pedestrian combine showing.
However, Richardson is strong and powerful and has the capability to fill in as a right tackle if need be. There are as many knowns about Richardson's game as unknowns, which means the Ravens might want to take a closer look at what he may have to offer.
| 5.36 sec. | 25 reps | 25.5" | 91.0" | 7.70 sec. | 4.83 sec. |
The question with Richardson is whether he can stop the extra-fast pass-rushers of the NFL. His run-blocking talent is clearly there, but if he cannot protect the quarterback, he's of no use to the Ravens. Joe Flacco simply cannot be sacked nearly 50 times in 2014 if the Ravens want to get their offense back on track.
All NFL Scouting Combine data via NFL.com's official tracker.
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