2011 NFL Draft: Power Ranking the Top 15 Offensive Lineman In the Draft
The 2011 NFL Draft is slowly becoming the most important topic in NFL circles. Only one team can win the Super Bowl and only four remain with a chance.
The other 28 NFL franchises have long begun doing their homework for the next potential franchise player.
For some teams a first round pick could be the one missing link to elevate them to the next level, for others, it is just a stepping stone in a long line of things that need to happen before they can be successful.
With all underclassmen declarations in, the NFL Draft boards have started to shake out and rankings are starting become hot topics of debate.
The offensive line rankings are of no exception and it is hard to say if there is a consensus No. 1 tackle, guard, or center on the board.
With that in mind, here is a look at the top 15 offensive lineman prospects in the 2011 NFL Draft.
15. Danny Watkins, OT/OG, Baylor
1 of 15
6'4", 310 pounds
An intriguing prospect with a lot of upside to look forward to. He possess great athleticism with light feet and agility.
He is tough with a great motor, nasty streak and has great leadership qualities with only four years of organized football under his belt.
He will be a 27-year old rookie though.
He is extremely raw technically with only average size and arms.
Likely facing a position change, he's a bit of a project, but he could be a starter down the line.
14. Clint Boling, OT/OG, Georgia
2 of 15
6'4", 305 pounds
Boling is extremely durable with the versatility to play multiple positions on the line.
He has fantastic awareness on the offensive line and is technically sound.
He possesses good enough quickness and agility to compete at the next level and is a hard-worker with good experience against top talent.
Could face positional change though and he lacks ideal size for the tackle position.
His run blocking is not as effective as it should be and he will have to add bulk and strength at the next level to succeed.
Durability and experience give him a shot at making an impact.
13. Jason Pinkston, OT/OG, Pittsburgh
3 of 15
6'4", 308 pounds
Pinkston displays above average athleticism for the position with good quickness, agility, and balance.
He is very aware and has great natural instincts on the on the line and has effectively shown the ability to recover when beat.
He is also versatile enough to handle multiple positions.
Has only average size for the position with short arms and has dealt with injuries in the past.
His footwork could use refining, he needs to get better with his hands, and his worth ethic and desire to excel has been challenged.
Has starting caliber potential but needs to work for it.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
12. DeMarcus Love, OT, Arkansas
4 of 15
6'5", 315 pounds
Has prototype size for the position with a good frame and is fairly athletic with good feet, agility, and balance.
Uses his hands well and has a great initial punch along with a ton of versatility on the offensive line.
Needs some refining work technically though, and does not excel at finding targets on the second level or in space.
Does not always show the killer instinct to finish off blocks either.
Starting caliber prospect who has enough ability to develop in a good player with the right coaching.
11. Marcus Cannon, OT/OG, TCU
5 of 15
6'6", 350 pounds
Massive frame coming from the right tackle position and likely moving inside; Cannon is very competitive and plays with a nasty streak.
Has a good natural push in the run game and has good quickness for a prospect his size.
Lacks natural instincts and awareness though and needs to keep his weight under control at the next level.
Will have issues with speed off the edge if he plays tackle.
A big, nasty offensive line prospect that will need time to learn the NFL game.
10. Orlando Franklin, OT/OG, Miami
6 of 15
6'7", 315 pounds
Is a very durable prospect who played a lot of football at the "U" in his three seasons there.
Big frame with solid build to go with it and is an extremely tough player with a ton of competitiveness.
Excels in run blocking and showed the ability to succeed on the outside as well and also displayed very good awareness.
Can get blown backward on initial charge though and lacks lateral speed and quickness.
Big bodied, hard working prospect with starting potential.
9. Ben Ijalana, OT/OG, Villanova
7 of 15
6'4", 320 pounds
A fantastic athlete for the position and possesses great lateral agility and quickness.
Is very strong and extremely powerful overall and has been very durable.
Has great inside punch and does a good job of locking onto defenders and has displayed toughness with still more to work towards.
Lacks ideal height for the tackle position though and his instincts and awareness are questionable along with the lack of competition he has faced.
Needs to refine technique and footwork.
An extremely raw prospect with the potential to be a starting caliber player if coached correctly.
8. Rodney Hudson, OG/C, Florida State
8 of 15
6'2", 280 pounds
Highly productive player with a ton of experience; Hudson is technically sound in all areas of the game leaving little to be desired.
Gifted athletically with great quickness and agility and top-notch instincts and awareness.
Strong leadership skills on and off the field.
Lacks height and has short arms though and there is a slight durability concern with his knees.
Is not overly powerful or dominant in pushing people around either.
Starting caliber prospect with the tools to excel.
7. Stephen Wisniewski, C, Penn State
9 of 15
6'3", 295 pounds
Very durable with a lot of experience inside against good competition.
Is technically sound with good hands and feet and displays great toughness inside.
Is a hard worker, with elite awareness and NFL bloodlines.
However, only has average height and lacks bulk.
Is not an elite athlete and will not overpower anyone.
Does not possess great lateral movement either.
Has potential starting ability with awareness and work ethic alone.
6. Mike Pouncey, OG/C, Florida
10 of 15
6'5", 310 pounds
Extremely durable prospect with high level of experience against top level competition.
He possess ideal size and frame for the position along with good athleticism.
Is light on his feet, has elite awareness and instincts on the offensive line as well as NFL bloodlines.
Has issues snapping the football if he is going to play center.
Needs some work technically and does not possess a dominant punch or great hands and does not always get leverage.
Has the ability and tools to start in the NFL, but is not his brother.
5. Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin
11 of 15
6'7", 325 pounds
Above average height and size for the position.
He is good enough athletically to move around and has above average speed, solid instincts on the line and is technically sound.
Has a ton of experience against top level competition and is a hard worker with toughness to finish.
Lacks ideal athleticism to play on the edge though and does not have great knee bend often causing him to play higher than he should
Has some durability issues.
Starting caliber player at the next level although not likely on the left side.
4. Tyron Smith, OT, USC
12 of 15
6'5", 290 pounds
Solid size for the position with room to grow; Smith has top-notch athleticism for tackles and has very good quickness and agility.
Possesses long arms and a good kick step allowing him to handle speed rushers off the edge rather well.
Has Sound footwork with strength enough to anchor; has arguably the most potential of all tackles in the class.
Needs to get stronger going into the NFL and does not have an elite first punch along with inconsistent hands.
He is not an experienced drive blocker and will need to learn more.
Elite starting-caliber tackle with some coaching; the top of prospect some could prematurely fall in love with right off the bat.
3. Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College
13 of 15
6'7", 295 pounds
Has above-average height for the position with large frame and long arms.
Is a highly productive player who started all 41 games as a Golden Eagle is very athletic with good feet, agility and quickness.
Technically sound in almost every way and is the picture of a hard-working leader.
Awareness and instincts are incredible and is extremely competitive.
Struggles with speed rushers off the edge though and can still get stronger at the point of attack.
Is not a always consistent with his leverage.
Typical Boston College type lineman prospect; not flashy or exciting but rather highly effective with potential to be so for a long time.
2. Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State
14 of 15
6'6", 305 pounds
Prototypical height for the position; Sherrod has above average athleticism and is quick on his feet.
He has tons of experience against top competition with great instincts and awareness on the line.
Mature leader with toughness and work ethic on his side.
Lacks ideal power and strength though and can play high at times forcing him to lose leverage.
Has not always shown the killer drive you look for out of tackle either.
Completely sound prospect who does nothing great, but everything well; most complete blocker of the group.
1. Nate Solder, OT, Colorado
15 of 15
6'8", 300 pounds
Incredibly large size and frame for the position and has impressive athleticism for a man his size with remarkable quickness and agility.
Durability has never been an issue and is still getting better at the position.
Is an elite pass protector with good overall instincts and awareness and is a hard worker with a lot of upside left to work towards.
Struggles with leverage at times due to height and is also not overly strong or powerful.
Still very raw in what he does.
Has learning to do, but has the most potential to become an elite left tackle in the Draft class.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
.jpg?w=600 "Post-June 1 Trade Candidates ☎️")
.JPG?w=600 "TO Talks Cowboys Relationship")
.jpg?w=600 "Taylor Heinicke Retiring")
.jpg?w=600 "49ers OC Hypes Mike Evans 🤩")