B/R NFL Draft 400: Top Guards for 2015
Each spring, 256 players are drafted into the NFL and roughly another 100 are added as undrafted free agents. With close to 350 new players entering the pros each year, it's tough to keep track of them.
Everyone knows who Jameis Winston, Marcus Mariota and Amari Cooper are. But what about the rest of the class? At Bleacher Report, our aim is to thoroughly cover the draft unlike any other outlet, so we're not stopping with coverage of the top 32 picks or even the top 200 picks. We're covering the top 400 draft-eligible players, with a full scouting report on each one.
The top 400 players have been tracked, scouted, graded and ranked by myself and my scouting assistants, Marshal Miller and Dan Bazal. Together, we have viewed a minimum of three games per player (the same standard NFL teams use), and oftentimes, we've seen every play from a player over the last two years. That's led to the grades, rankings and scouting reports you see here.
Players are graded on strengths and weaknesses, with a pro player comparison added that matches the player's style or fit in the pros. Position by position, the top 400 players are broken down for easy viewing before the final release of a top 400 big board before the draft.
In the case of ties, players were ranked based on their overall grade.
The Grading Scale
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At the end of each scouting report you'll see a Final Grade that falls somewhere between 9.00 and 4.00 on a unique grading scale. This scale comes from the teaching I had from Charlie Casserly, Michael Lombardi and other former and current front office personnel in the NFL. I've tweaked it this year to be more transparent, and the result is each player receiving a number grade as well as their ranking.
This applies to all positions.
| Grade | Label |
| 9.00 | Elite, No. 1 pick |
| 8.00-8.99 | All-Pro Potential |
| 7.50-7.99 | Pro Bowl Potential |
| 7.00-7.49 | Top 15 Player Potential |
| 6.50-6.99 | Rookie Impact/Future Starter |
| 6.00-6.49 | Rookie Impact/Future Starter |
| 5.50-5.99 | Future Starter |
| 5.10-5.49 | Quality Backup |
| 5.01-5.09 | Backup Caliber |
| 5.00 | Draftable Player Cutoff |
| 4.75-4.99 | Priority Free Agent |
| 4.50-4.74 | Camp Player |
| 4.00-4.49 | Not NFL Caliber |
22. Tyler Moore, Florida
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| Height | Weight | Arm Length | 40 | Bench Press |
| 6'5" | 325 lbs | - | - | - |
STRENGTHS
On the hoof, Tyler Moore looks like an NFL offensive lineman. He’s a versatile lineman who played guard and tackle at Florida and flashed good lateral skills in the Gators scheme. He has solid technique with his hands and doesn’t get bent over or lunge when asked to engage defenders. Moore is a patient blocker who won’t panic when pressured.
WEAKNESSES
Moore made the surprising move to enter the 2015 draft as a junior. He wasn’t invited to the combine and couldn’t participate in all-star games due to his junior status. Moore lacks NFL strength and flexibility and is a major project at every level except size.
FINAL GRADE: 4.95/9.00 (Priority Free Agent)
21. Takoby Cofield, Duke
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| Height | Weight | Arm Length | 40 | Bench Press |
| 6'4" | 310 lbs | 34" | 5.19s | 23 Reps |
STRENGTHS
A three-year starter at Duke in a pro-style offense, Takoby Cofield will likely make the move from tackle to guard in the NFL. Cofield does solid work in the passing game and has a high motor and quick, choppy move off the line. He has good arm length and uses it on the edge. As a run-blocker, he’s tough and will dominate one-on-one battles in his spot.
WEAKNESSES
Cofield doesn’t have the speed teams want in a tackle, and that makes his move to guard much more likely. Even on the inside, his slow feet have him projected to be a backup-level player. Cofield is a straight-line mover who doesn’t bend well and has poor timing on his punch when panicked. He misses often on that punch and opens himself up to countermoves from defenders.
FINAL GRADE: 4.99/9.00 (Priority Free Agent)
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20. Terry Poole, San Diego State
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| Height | Weight | Arm Length | 40 | Bench Press |
| 6'5" | 307 lbs | 33 1/4" | 5.09s | 25 Reps |
STRENGTHS
A big man with long arms and surprising quickness, Terry Poole turned heads at the combine with his 5.0-second 40-yard dash and 113-inch broad jump. Poole played left tackle at San Diego State after transferring from Monterey Peninsula Community College, and he looks like an NFL guard. In the run game, he shows NFL-caliber hands and locks onto defenders with ease. From there, he can control them and shows very good toughness. You won’t catch Poole ducking or lunging at pass-rushers.
WEAKNESSES
Poole played left tackle, but he doesn’t have the agility to stay there in the NFL. He doesn’t have pro-level strength on the field and needs to improve his base to play with more power and better balance. He’ll get too narrow and lose battles he shouldn’t because of his technique. Poole ran well in Indianapolis, but his feet aren’t smooth or fast on film.
FINAL GRADE: 5.00/9.00 (Backup)
19. Al Bond, Memphis
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| Height | Weight | Arm Length | 40 | Bench Press |
| 6'4" | 303 lbs | - | 5.57s | 22 Reps |
STRENGTHS
A right tackle at Memphis, Al Bond projects best to guard in the NFL. With good size, good length and big hands, Bond has the prototypical look for the position. He’s a fighter in the trenches and loves to get his hands dirty. He’s strong enough to hold his ground when engaged and is able to control defenders with his hands. He uses his length well and can stun defenders with his punch. He’ll churn his feet and push the pile on rushing downs.
WEAKNESSES
Bond isn’t a flashy, quick athlete, and that’s backed up on film and in testing. He struggles to block in space, and a move to guard will be required to protect his poor movement and slow feet on the edge. He’s scheme-limited to power offenses since he’s not able to move well enough to execute a zone-blocking scheme. He’s surprisingly heavy-footed and stiff for a 303-pound player. A lack of athleticism is the biggest factor holding Bond back.
FINAL GRADE: 5.00/9.00 (Backup)
18. Aundrey Walker, USC
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| Height | Weight | Arm Length | 40 | Bench Press |
| 6'6" | 318 lbs | - | - | - |
STRENGTHS
A versatile athlete along the offensive line, Aundrey Walker was a top prep player before signing at USC. When he’s engaged in the game, Walker can flash dominance. He’ll blow out of his stance and get into a defender in a flash while showing good, wide feet and power to move them. He’s big enough to engulf defenders and own his spot.
WEAKNESSES
Walker is often found on the ground after the play, and that’s not where you want him. He’s inconsistent and can look uninterested in the game. When asked to move, he can be very slow off his spot and struggle to get into space on time to meet linebackers. His lack of attention cost USC quarterbacks a ton of hits, as Walker is delayed in reacting to the defense at times. He has battled injuries throughout his career and has to prove he’s durable.
FINAL GRADE: 5.00/9.00 (Backup)
17. Arie Kouandjio, Alabama
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| Height | Weight | Arm Length | 40 | Bench Press |
| 6'5" | 310 lbs | 34 1/8" | - | - |
STRENGTHS
The brother of 2014 draftee Cyrus Kouandjio, Arie was a productive starter for Alabama and brings elite size, length and hand size to the guard position. He’s a power player who uses his length well and has good hand placement and strength on impact. In pass protection, he shows good bend in his hips and knees and will sink to absorb power-rushers. He can use his length to tandem block with a center and is a smart football player.
WEAKNESSES
Kouandjio is not a mover in space and will struggle to execute simple pulls and traps. He’s fine holding down his spot—just don’t ask him to get off it. He’s scheme-limited to a power-blocking system and is far too robotic and rigid as a blocker. Kouandjio doesn’t have many games where he looks like an NFL-caliber player—and that’s tough to change since his frame isn’t carrying bad weight that limits his flexibility and explosion.
FINAL GRADE: 5.05/9.00 (Backup)
16. Ben Beckwith, Mississippi State
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| Height | Weight | Arm Length | 40 | Bench Press |
| 6'3" | 306 lbs | - | - | - |
STRENGTHS
A fighter at the guard position, Ben Beckwith has the mentality offensive line coaches covet as a former walk-on. He’s tough and plays with strength in his lower and upper body. He has the bulk you want in a guard and uses his natural leverage well to get under the pads of defenders at first pop. He’s a feet-chopper when engaged and will get good push upfield in man situations. He understands combination blocks well and can execute a down block with power.
WEAKNESSES
A non-combine and non-Senior Bowl player, Beckwith is on the fence as a draftable prospect. He’s a motor player who could be overwhelmed by the power and speed of NFL defensive linemen and may be too small to hold up in man situations. Beckwith doesn’t move well laterally and isn’t a good candidate for a zone-blocking scheme. If he can improve his punch and hand placement in passing situations, his chances of making a team are much greater.
FINAL GRADE: 5.10/9.00 (Quality Backup)
15. Miles Dieffenbach, Penn State
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| Height | Weight | Arm Length | 40 | Bench Press |
| 6'3" | 303 lbs | - | - | - |
STRENGTHS
Miles Dieffenbach didn’t start his senior season until the ninth game of the season due to ACL and MCL injuries suffered in the spring, which makes evaluating his 2014 film tough. He looks the part, with good arm use and good natural power in his upper body. When his feet are right, Dieffenbach can play with power and shows good momentum when asked to get upfield. His instincts and understanding of the offense are very good.
WEAKNESSES
Injuries are a concern for Dieffenbach, who also left the team’s bowl game early with a knee injury. He’s a lean, narrow player who will struggle to anchor in one-on-one situations unless he can improve his strength and footwork. He’s a bit stiff-kneed and becomes a waist-bender when he has to reach. The player on film in 2014 (post-injuries) didn’t look like an NFL-caliber lineman, as he was beaten often and struggled to make effective, sustained blocks.
PRO PLAYER COMP: Shelley Smith, Denver Broncos
An average mover with high effort and good potential, Dieffenbach is a mirror image of Shelley Smith as a prospect.
FINAL GRADE: 5.10/9.00 (Quality Backup)
14. Adam Shead, Oklahoma
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| Height | Weight | Arm Length | 40 | Bench Press |
| 6'4" | 338 lbs | 33 3/4" | 5.74s | 26 Reps |
STRENGTHS
A massive road-grader of a blocker, Adam Shead can clear a path in the run game. A battle-tested left guard with starts in all four years at Oklahoma, Shead has big, long arms and massive hands to control defenders. He has a surprisingly lean build given his weight and plays with ideal leverage and pad height throughout his block. Shead can get under his pads and roll up defenders. He’s a lunch-pail blocker and a bit of a throwback in his mentality.
WEAKNESSES
Shead is big and he knows it, but he’ll rely on that size too often while forgetting his technique. He did a poor job controlling Texas’ Malcom Brown in combination blocks and was spotted on the ground too often this season. He’s not a second-level threat and struggled to stay balanced and controlled in space. Shead was injured often even though he didn't miss serious time at Oklahoma.
PRO PLAYER COMP: Zach Fulton, Kansas City Chiefs
A mauler and a grinder, Shead doesn’t have eye-opening athleticism or any one elite quality, but he’s willing to outwork the competition, and that’s where the Zach Fulton comparison comes in.
FINAL GRADE: 5.10/9.00 (Quality Backup)
13. Robert Myers, Tennessee State
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| Height | Weight | Arm Length | 40 | Bench Press |
| 6'5" | 326 lbs | 33 3/4" | 5.44s | - |
STRENGTHS
A big man from a small school, Robert Myers has the look of an NFL guard after starting at both guard and tackle in college. A solid technician, Myers wins with footwork and toughness in the trenches and in space. He has the movement skills to pull and trap and has shown he can get out of his spot and make impact blocks. He’s tough and plays with the instincts and football IQ coaches love. Myers looks like a future NFL starter if he realizes his potential. He looked like an NFL player beating up on poor competition at Tennessee State.
WEAKNESSES
An upside prospect, Myers needs to work on his strength to hold his ground against NFL defenders. He doesn’t show up on film or in testing as a top-tier athlete, and that was really solidified at the combine and his pro day. Myers’ hands weren’t impressive on second contact, and he struggled to maintain blocks. NFL coaching will help, but Myers’ ability to impact with leverage and timing on punches isn’t good right now. He’s too often a narrow base player and is found on the ground after plays.
PRO PLAYER COMP: Austin Howard, Oakland Raiders
A right tackle or right guard, Robert Myers has the positional flexibility that’s made Austin Howard a value in the NFL.
FINAL GRADE: 5.15/9.00 (Quality Backup)
12. Antoine Everett, McNeese State
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| Height | Weight | Arm Length | 40 | Bench Press |
| 6'2" | 328 lbs | - | - | - |
STRENGTHS
A big mauler who dominated smaller competition, Antoine Everett has played tackle at McNeese State but looks like a guard in the NFL. He has big power and can collapse the line when asked to down block. Everett has shown the ability to stun defenders with his punch, and he uses his length well. He’s a strong anchor in the trenches and doesn’t lose his balance on the move or when working through traffic. He’s a tough finisher who plays to the whistle.
WEAKNESSES
Everett wasn’t a combine or Senior Bowl invite, which usually limits a prospect’s chance of being drafted. Everett can be inconsistent at sustaining blocks and needs to play with stable feet. Everett will get caught bending at the waist instead of sinking his knees and hips when engaged. While talented, Everett needs work on technique so he’s not trying to win with pure power every time. His hand placement and angles must improve.
PRO PLAYER COMP: Brian Winters, New York Jets
A college tackle with the toughness of a guard, Everett is a poor man’s Brian Winters.
FINAL GRADE: 5.15/9.00 (Quality Backup)
11. Jamil Douglas, Arizona State
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| Height | Weight | Arm Length | 40 | Bench Press |
| 6'4" | 304 lbs | 33 3/8" | 5.25s | 28 Reps |
STRENGTHS
A four-year starter with experience at left guard and left tackle, Jamil Douglas passes the eye test with great height, length and hand size. As an athlete, Douglas will flash with first-step quickness and good flexibility. Douglas is good in pass protection and is smooth enough to reset and redirect when he encounters speed. He’ll get out in space and can make blocks to spring runners at the second level. Douglas is athletic enough to play left or right guard and could fill in at tackle in a pinch. He does project as a future starter.
WEAKNESSES
Douglas is a finesse player who doesn’t pack a punch on the field. He’ll benefit from an NFL-style strength program if he buys in. He won’t survive long in the NFL with his existing power and playing style and will need to adapt to the trenches. Too often, Douglas likes to watch the play after his first contact and doesn’t play through the whistle. He’ll get put on skates against bull rushes and needs to learn to anchor his feet and fight for positioning.
PRO PLAYER COMP: Davin Joseph, St. Louis Rams
An impressive athlete with length, size and strength, Douglas has the metrics of Davin Joseph but has to learn to play tougher to realize his potential.
FINAL GRADE: 5.25/9.00 (Quality Backup)
10. John Miller, Louisville
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| Height | Weight | Arm Length | 40 | Bench Press |
| 6'2" | 303 lbs | 33 1/4" | 5.33s | 29 Reps |
STRENGTHS
John Miller is short, but he has long arms and big hands and uses his length well in conjunction with his power base. He swings his hands like a boxer and will knock defenders off balance with his punch. He uses his length to his advantage and won’t let defenders get into his body. Miller played both left and right guard at Louisville thanks to its system of switching between strong and weak sides. Miller has enough movement laterally on pulls and traps and has shown he can get upfield.
WEAKNESSES
Miller’s height will be a concern for some teams, and his lack of quickness in his feet will be an issue for everyone. Miller doesn’t get power in his base and will get walked back off the line of scrimmage too often. He has built-in leverage but doesn’t play with good bend when engaged. He’s likely to be limited to zone schemes.
PRO PLAYER COMP: J.R. Sweezy, Seattle Seahawks
An impressive mauler with a huge punch, Miller could be an under-the-radar starter like J.R. Sweezy in year one.
FINAL GRADE: 5.35/9.00 (Quality Backup)
9. Quinton Spain, West Virginia
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| Height | Weight | Arm Length | 40 | Bench Press |
| 6'4" | 332 lbs | - | - | - |
STRENGTHS
Quinton Spain didn’t get a Senior Bowl or combine invite, but he showed at his pro day that he’s an elite athlete at the guard position. Spain posted a 5.02-second 40-yard dash and 28 reps of 225 pounds on the bench, showing off speed and strength. He’s a mean mauler at guard and looks for a fight after the snap. He has the size, length, athleticism and toughness to make an impact in the NFL. Spain is naturally strong and wins in the trenches with power and leverage. He can get to the second level and beats up linebackers when he gets there. He has the ability to be a starter very early in his career.
WEAKNESSES
Spain’s strengths are in his natural gifts, but his weaknesses are coachable. Currently, he has poor hand placement and timing of his punch. Spain is more confident in his body than his ability to keep defenders off him with length. He will move without bringing his feet with him, which sacrifices his base and makes him weaker than he should be when a power rush meets him.
PRO PLAYER COMP: Justin Blalock, Free Agent
A mauler with a mean streak and natural power, Quinton Spain and Justin Blalock are similar prospects and have a similar ceiling.
FINAL GRADE: 5.35/9.00 (Quality Backup)
8. Mark Glowinski, West Virginia
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| Height | Weight | Arm Length | 40 | Bench Press |
| 6'4" | 307 lbs | 33 1/8" | 5.20s | 31 Reps |
STRENGTHS
A two-year starter at right guard, Mark Glowinski is a high-motor worker who impressed with 31 reps of 225 pounds on the combine bench press. He started his career at tackle and still looks the part in pass protection. Glowinski is as powerful on the field as his bench press shows, and he pulls power from his chest and legs. He has the hands of a tackle and uses his power well to compensate for technique that he’s still developing after the move inside.
WEAKNESSES
Glowinski can be stiff in his movements and is definitely still learning how to move like a guard and handle the position. His pad height is that of a tackle, and he has to learn to play lower at guard. He can get high and stiff when met with a pass-rusher and is susceptible to spin moves or a good rip. Glowinski relies on strength too often and must learn technique to compete in the NFL.
PRO PLAYER COMP: Brandon Linder, Jacksonville Jaguars
An underrated blocker with good movement skills and impressive power, Mark Glowinski could easily have a Brandon Linder-like impact as a rookie.
FINAL GRADE: 5.40/9.00 (Quality Backup)
7. Josue Matias, Florida State
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| Height | Weight | Arm Length | 40 | Bench Press |
| 6'5" | 309 lbs | 33 1/8" | 5.52s | - |
STRENGTHS
A three-year starter at Florida State, Josue Matias looks like a tackle playing guard. He’s long, lean and has experience playing inside and outside for the Seminoles. Matias is like a tackle in pass protection, showing good use of length and his hands to keep defenders at bay. He has a quick, fluid first step and can get depth or get into a defender to seal off rushing lanes in a hurry. Matias is a balanced, controlled pass protector with excellent foot and hand placement. He could be a starter at guard from day one.
WEAKNESSES
If Matias is asked to redirect or account for a secondary pass-rush move, he’s in trouble. He doesn’t move his feet well enough to reset and shows surprising stiffness for a lean player. Matias is an average athlete on film—especially in his hips and feet—and that was proved at the combine. He will improve dramatically once he learns to play with better pad height and to not bend at the waist as much.
PRO PLAYER COMP: Alex Boone, San Francisco 49ers
A tall, strong guard who is built like a tackle and has experience there? That sounds like Alex Boone.
FINAL GRADE: 5.45/9.00 (Quality Backup)
6. Jarvis Harrison, Texas A&M
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| Height | Weight | Arm Length | 40 | Bench Press |
| 6'4" | 330 lbs | 33 1/2" | 5.19s | 26 Reps |
STRENGTHS
A former star prep basketball player, Jarvis Harrison is a three-year starter with the lateral quickness and size to step in and contribute right away in the NFL. Harrison wows with technique, and he understands leverage and angles while showing good hand placement in the pass and run games. He’s controlled, patient and balanced on the move or when asked to hold his ground. Harrison was an accurate puncher for A&M and was often asked to play in space due to the Aggies' spread-out schemes.
WEAKNESSES
Harrison struggled early in 2014 after undergoing shoulder surgery in the offseason and sat out the first two games of the year because his conditioning wasn’t up to par. He’s stout enough to sit down on bull rushes and not lose ground but is too often pushed back and bent back by power-rushers. Harrison doesn’t always play with fire or strength and could stand to be more aggressive firing off the ball. Expect to hear that Harrison loves basketball more than football, as that came up often in our talks with scouts.
PRO PLAYER COMP: John Greco, Cleveland Browns
Big, strong, burly offensive guards who are well-versed in pass protection and the run game, Harrison and John Greco are very similar.
FINAL GRADE: 5.50/9.00 (Future Starter)
5. Ali Marpet, Hobart
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| Height | Weight | Arm Length | 40 | Bench Press |
| 6'4" | 307 lbs | 33 3/8" | 4.98s | 30 Reps |
STRENGTHS
A college offensive tackle, Ali Marpet dominated the Liberty League and allowed zero sacks in 2014. He projects best to guard in the NFL with his size and length, and when you look at his movement skills, it’s easy to place Marpet in a power or zone scheme. Marpet stood out at the Senior Bowl and handled Division I athletes after playing in Division III for his career. He’s agile and can easily get to the second level. He has success there with his length and hand placement. Marpet could play guard or center in the NFL and even bump out to tackle in a pinch. Marpet is a big-upside prospect who could take off with NFL coaching and strength training.
WEAKNESSES
Marpet was able to beat up on lower-level competition without great technique, and you can see that show up on film. He has a tendency to lose his center of gravity and try to control defenders with length. You’d like to see him keep his feet and not lunge or reach as much in pass protection. He’s not a big or long player and needs to learn to play with body control and balance in pass protection.
PRO PLAYER COMP: Brandon Fusco, Minnesota Vikings
FINAL GRADE: 5.55/9.00 (Future Starter)
4. Tre' Jackson, Florida State
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| Height | Weight | Arm Length | 40 | Bench Press |
| 6'4" | 330 lbs | 32 5/8" | 5.52s | - |
STRENGTHS
The MVP of the South Team at the 2015 Senior Bowl, Tre’ Jackson has been turning heads for years at Florida State. Jackson has good balance, good body control and is strong enough to stonewall defenders. He’s experienced and started for three years in a pro-style offense. Jackson has the body to play left or right guard. He gets out in space well and shows patience when engaging defenders. He has a strong, hard punch and will stand up to defenders and chicken fight for position. He’s able to pull, trap and can close down on defenders in a hurry. He’s a mauler who can play with toughness for four quarters.
WEAKNESSES
Jackson seemed to regress in 2014 and didn’t capitalize on a very good junior season. He looked heavy and plodding when asked to move and needs to focus on finding a comfortable playing weight and work to reach that goal. Jackson loves to duck his head and initiate contact with his crown, and doing so is a health risk and causes him to lose sight of his man. He doesn’t bring his feet with him as a mover, and because of that, he’s pushed back more often than he should be given his size.
PRO PLAYER COMP: James Carpenter, New York Jets
A big, powerful offensive guard with the upside to start early in his career, Jackson has some of the same strengths and weaknesses as James Carpenter.
FINAL GRADE: 5.75/9.00 (Future Starter)
3. A.J. Cann, South Carolina
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| Height | Weight | Arm Length | 40 | Bench Press |
| 6'3" | 313 lbs | 32 5/8" | - | 26 Reps |
STRENGTHS
A four-year starter at offensive guard, A.J. Cann is pro-ready. He has experience playing center from high school and dominated the left guard position for the Gamecocks. A two-time team captain, Cann has the character and football IQ teams want. He’s an easy mover with good leverage and clean angles. Cann has shown he can get out in space, moving well laterally on screens and outside runs, and he has the hand placement to drive block defenders out of the play. He’s well-coached in pass protection and is able to win with leverage and hand placement. Cann could start at left guard from day one and has the instincts to quickly make an impact. He’s a starter-caliber guard.
WEAKNESSES
Cann has short arms, and that shows up when he tries to reach in pass protection. His lack of height and length may turn some teams off immediately. He may not be agile enough laterally to succeed in a zone-blocking scheme, which could limit him to pure power schemes only. In pass protection, Cann regularly tries to wait for the defender and ends up giving up his chest and letting him hit his body. It’s like he’s trying to absorb the defender instead of using his arms to maintain separation.
PRO PLAYER COMP: T.J. Lang, Green Bay Packers
Maulers with high football IQs and great instincts, A.J. Cann and T.J. Lang have very similar strengths and have had very similar careers.
FINAL GRADE: 5.75/9.00 (Future Starter)
2. Laken Tomlinson, Duke
22 of 23
| Height | Weight | Arm Length | 40 | Bench Press |
| 6'3" | 323 lbs | 33 5/8" | 5.33s | 25 Reps |
STRENGTHS
Among the most eye-opening offensive linemen at the Senior Bowl, Duke guard Laken Tomlinson turned heads in Mobile, Alabama. Tomlinson was a four-year starter at right guard and has the compact, powerful build teams want at the position. Tomlinson is only 6’3”, but his 33 ⅝-inch arms are exceptional, and he uses them well. Tomlinson has a natural leverage advantage, and he plays with controlled height and power in his base. He’s strong when defenders are engaged and has the strength to drive from his hips through a defender. Tomlinson moves well enough to pull and trap, and he can shuffle and slide in pass protection to get needed depth.
WEAKNESSES
Tomlinson did not test well athletically, and that is backed up on film, despite his good showing in Alabama. Tomlinson’s squatty style of play will be a transition in the NFL where defenders are longer and will be able to shed his hands. He’s a motor player, not a top-level athlete, and his ability to move and reach defenders in the NFL is questionable. He’s not suited for a zone scheme and has shown issues getting to the second level. If he can improve his agility through conditioning, Tomlinson could be a starter-caliber player.
PRO PLAYER COMP: Ben Grubbs, Kansas City Chiefs
An experienced, smart, compact blocker who didn’t allow a sack in the last two seasons, Tomlinson has upside that is easily comparable to that of Ben Grubbs.
FINAL GRADE: 6.20/9.00 (Rookie Starter)
1. Brandon Scherff, Iowa
23 of 23
| Height | Weight | Arm Length | 40 | Bench Press |
| 6'5" | 319 lbs | 33 3/8" | 5.05s | 23 Reps |
STRENGTHS
A starting left tackle at Iowa, Brandon Scherff has the athleticism and technique to play any position along the offensive line. Scherff is a powerful mauler in the run game and plays with an explosive pop off the line of scrimmage and with a wide, strong base to roll through defenders. He uses his hands well to lock inside the shoulders of defenders and is strong enough to maintain blocks. Scherff is strong in pass protection and moves well enough laterally to reach backside defenders and control the edge. He redirects well and when healthy has the quickness and fluid kickstep needed to get depth.
WEAKNESSES
Scherff lacks the length most teams want at left tackle and struggled with lateral movement in 2014, but that may be related to a knee injury he suffered early in the year that resulted in a quick knee scope. Scherff will struggle to reach defenders on the edge and can overextend when trying to beat speed-rushers to the edge. He counters well to protect his inside shoulder but can be double-moved and baited into reaching for a blocker.
PRO PLAYER COMPARISON: Zack Martin, Dallas Cowboys
A productive college left tackle with the skill set to be an All-Pro at guard, Scherff compares easily to Zack Martin. Martin was better in pass protection coming into the NFL, but both are high-quality, versatile blockers.
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