NFL Draft 2011: Nate Solder and the 10 Tallest Guys in the Draft

It's a shame that the Oakland Raiders don't have a first round draft pick this season.

It's always fun to watch Al Davis select a player who was predicted to go in the third round, just because of his height, weight and speed.

This season there are some real quality players who stand out in terms of height-weight combination.

Here are 10 of the tallest players in this year's draft class.

J.J. Watt: 6'6"

Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Defensive lineman J.J. Watt #99 of the Wisconsin Badgers walks off the field after losing 21-19 to the TCU Horned Frogs in the 97th Rose Bowl game on January 1, 2011 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty I

Wisconsin defensive end J.J. Watt is the tallest defensive end in the draft. He also weighs more than any player at his position at 292 pounds.

Watt had a great junior season, racking up 62 tackles and seven sacks. He decided to forgo his final season at Wisconsin to enter the NFL Draft.

Early projections have Watt going somewhere in the late first to early second round.

Kyle Rudolph: 6'6"

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

SOUTH BEND,IN - SEPTEMBER 13: Ethan Johnson #9 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish yells during the game against the Michigan Wolverines on September 13, 2008 at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Tight end has transformed into a versatile position over the last few years. Players used to just have to be able to block, but now, they are expected to help in the passing game as well.

Size is important at tight end, and Kyle Rudolph will have the upper hand in that category. He is listed at 6'6" and 265 pounds.

Rudolph had an injury-riddled 2010 season, but is still projected to be the top tight end in the 2011 NFL Draft class. Most mock drafts have him falling to the bottom of the first round.

Cam Newton: 6'6"

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Cameron Newton #2 of the Auburn Tigers scrambles against the Oregon Ducks during the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Peters

You had to know Cam Newton was going to be on this list.

There may have never been a more physically gifted quarterback than Cam Newton, who measures in at 6'6", 250 pounds and runs the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds.

Based completely on his physical attributes, Newton is likely to be drafted somewhere in the middle of the first round. If it's determined that he has a good head on his shoulders, he should shoot up the charts even further.

Chris Hairston: 6'7"

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

AUBURN, AL - SEPTEMBER 18: Chris Hairston #61 of the Clemson Tigers against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Chris Hairston starts the list of the really big boys, the offensive linemen.

Hairston is listed with a fifth to sixth round grade, but that doesn't mean he lacks the physical attributes to be a future starter in the NFL.

Hairston comes in a 6'7" and 333 pounds. To go along with his height, he is also one of the heavier offensive tackles in the class.

Zach Hurd: 6'7"

Zach Hurd will likely be the heaviest offensive guard taken in the draft.

To complement his 325 pounds, Hurd has a 6'7" frame that will make him a hassle for defensive tackles to deal with.

Hurd was injured and missed the opportunity to perform in the Senior Bowl, but he insists he will be ready to go for the NFL Combine.

His stock is currently in the later rounds. Most projections are around the fifth.

Orlando Franklin: 6'7"

Doug Benc/Getty Images

MIAMI - OCTOBER 25: Offensive lineman Orlando Franklin #74 of the Miami Hurricanes drops back to block while taking on the Wake Forest Demon Decons at Dolphin Stadium on October 25, 2008 in Miami, Florida. Miami defeated Wake Forest 16-10. (Photo by Dou

Born in Jamaica, lived in Canada and played in Miami, Florida.

Franklin measures in at 6'7" and 315 pounds. He is a late second round projection on his size alone. There are a lot of questions when it comes to the technique of his game.

He has decent initial burst and strength, but needs to develop his footwork.

Would you take the chance to have this monster of a player anchoring the interior of your offensive line?

Gabe Carimi: 6'7"

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Offensive lineman Gabe Carimi #68 of the Wisconsin Badgers warms up prior to playing the TCU Horned Frogs in the 97th Rose Bowl game on January 1, 2011 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Gabe Carimi was the leader of the Wisconsin offensive line the last few seasons. This year he helped Wisconsin establish arguably the best running game in the country.

His 6'7", 315 pound frame is perfect in the run game. Some scouts question his ability to remain at offensive tackle due to his footwork.

Carimi may be better suited at guard in the NFL, but whoever takes him is going to get a monster of a player for years to come.

Carimi is projected to be drafted in the late first round.

Anthony Castonzo: 6'7"

Elsa/Getty Images

CHESTNUT HILL, MA - OCTOBER 06: Andre Callender #32 of the Boston College Eagles is congratulated by teammates Anthony Castonzo #74 and Ty Hall #78 after Callender scored touchdown in the second quarter against the Bowling Green Falcons on October 6, 20

In 2007, Anthony Castonzo lined up as a true freshman to protect Matt Ryan.

At the time Castonzo was a little shorter, and only 260 pounds.

Now when he takes the line, defensive ends stare at a 6'7", 305-pound offensive lineman who may be the quickest in the NFL Draft.

Castonzo has great quickness and speed to go with his large frame, making him the perfect projection at left tackle for an NFL team.

Castonzo's stock is fluctuating at this point. Some mock drafts have him as the top offensive lineman taken, while others have him going in the second round.

Rich Lapham: 6'8"

The other Boston College offensive tackle that many people don't know about is Rich Lapham.

He doesn't have the skill of Castonzo and may not even be drafted, but he can still be on this list.

Lapham is 6'8" and weighs 323 pounds. Do I need to say anything more?

Having physical attributes that stand out may help Lapham's stock. A team may look to take a chance on him in the seventh round.

Nate Solder: 6'8"

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

BOULDER, CO - OCTOBER 04: Brian Orakpo #98 of the Texas Longhorns rushes against Nate Solder #78 the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field on October 4, 2008 in Boulder, Colorado. Texas defeated Colorado 38-14. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

When somebody talks about size pertaining to the 2011 NFL Draft, your mind should automatically shift to Nate Solder.

The Colorado offensive lineman measures in at 6'8" and 314 pounds. What makes him stand out is not just his freakishly large frame, but he also has all the abilities needed as a blocker.

There is little doubt that Solder will be the top offensive lineman taken in the draft this year. Expect to hear his name called out somewhere between eighth and 14th overall.