Nate Solder to Tyron Smith: Comparing the 2011 NFL Drafts Top Offensive Tackles

What do you look for in an offensive tackle? Ideally, he has the strength to create running lanes. He must also have the intelligence to play within his scheme. Can he pick up stunts and blitzes? Perhaps most important of all: does he posses the ability to keep his quarterback standing tall in the pocket?

Here is a look at the top offensive tackle prospects in the 2011 NFL draft.

Nate Solder

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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)

At 6'8" and 319 lbs, Nate Solder not only passes the look test, he is the prototype.

He has the size to match up against the best in the NFL. He is a superior athlete with the strength to dominate in the run game and the quickness to shutdown elite speed rushers.

Solder is a safe pick with a high ceiling as well as a high floor because he is ready for the NFL.

The only problem with his game is his balance. Double moves seem to set him up too easily as he has trouble redirecting. Luckily for him, it is a problem that NFL line coaches can probably fix.

If your team drafts Solder in April, you can feel safe about your quarterback's health.

Derrek Sherrod

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MOBILE, AL - JANUARY 29:Offensive lineman Derek Sharrod #79 of the South Team during the Under Armour Senior Bowl on January 29, 2011 at Ladd-Pebbles Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images for Under Armour)

When it comes to fluid pass protectors, Derrek Sherrod is the best of the class.

No one in the 2011 NFL draft moves quite so easily while keeping edge rushers at bay.

Unfortunately, for power running teams, he is not your guy. Sherrod does not play with great strength or aggressiveness. He can wall-off defenders while run blocking, but he does not consistently push level one defenders off the line of scrimmage.

Fortunately for him, many say the NFL has become a pass-first league.

Teams like Indianapolis and New Orleans might have him very high on their boards.

Anthony Costanzo

Anthony Costanzo playing at Boston College

When you draft Anthony Costanzo, you know you are getting three things: experience, technique and a guy who plays hard to the whistle.

If you watched the Senior Bowl, then you could see those three qualities on display.

Unfortunately, you also saw his slow feet dominated by the competition. Costanzo had trouble keeping defenders out of the pocket all game long. Playing left tackle against Kent State and Duke is one thing, playing it against NFL level talent is something completely different.

Costanzo will have to play right tackle or guard to be successful at the next level.

Gabe Carimi

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TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 1: Lineman Gabe Carimi #68 of the Wisconsin Badgers sets to block against the Tennessee Volunteers in the 2008 Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium on January 1, 2008 in Tampa, Florida. The Volunteers won 21 - 17. (Photo by Al Mess

As we have come to expect of top tier linemen from the Big 10, Gabe Carimi is a powerful blocker who is well coached.

Carimi mauls defenders in the run game and recognizes stunts and blitzes as well as anyone in the Big 10. He has shown the ability to set up and protect the pocket, but is very inconsistent due to high pad level and sometimes sloppy footwork.

Carimi can be a great right tackle and might be able to move to the left side if his technique improves.

Tyron Smith

Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 26: Quarterback Matt Barkley #7 of the USC Trojans throws a pass as Tyron Smith #70 blocks Jesse Feagin #98 of the Washington State Cougars during the second quarter of the college football game at the Los Angeles Memorial C

Tyron Smith may have the highest ceiling of the offensive tackle class this year.

Smith is very quick, agile and nimble on his feet, but he does not play with great strength and lacks football IQ. With only two years of starting in college, his inexperience shows in picking up blitzes and stunts.

Smith has a ton of potential, but will need a good line coach in the NFL to make him the player he can be.