2012 NFL Mock Draft: 3 Offensive Line Anchors Teams Can Build Around

We all know the importance of offensive linemen in the NFL. Thanks to the ridiculous salaries being paid to quarterbacks these days, protecting those investments has become increasingly important. Luckily for the NFL teams looking to improve their offensive lines, there are three extremely good linemen likely to be available in the 2012 NFL draft. 

All three are very good tackle prospects who, as redshirt juniors, have separated themselves from the pack and look like safe bets to be headed for outstanding NFL careers.

Here is my list of the three draft-eligible guys who will almost certainly be anchors along NFL offensive lines for years to come.

Matt Kalil, USC

Simply put, Matt Kalil has it all. The redshirt junior may be the best offensive lineman to enter the draft since Jake Long was the No. 1 pick back in 2008. 

Kalil is the definition of a franchise left tackle. At 6'7" and 295 pounds, he has a great frame, but he also has room to add bulk. He has fantastic feet, possesses excellent balance and is both outstanding in pass protection and a mauler in the running game. For a guy his size, he has outstanding speed and agility as well.

He grades out as "exceptional" in pass protection, run blocking and toughness on Scouts Inc.'s scale, while his awareness gets a mark of "above average." 

Having watched all of Kalil's games this season, I can tell you that I haven't seen a more well-rounded tackle in years. He is smart, tough and is a leader along the line.

If that isn't enough, he also has fantastic bloodlines, as his father Frank was an offensive lineman in the USFL, and his brother Ryan is a Pro Bowl center for the Carolina Panthers.

I firmly believe that if Andrew Luck wasn't in this draft, Kalil would be the No. 1 pick. 

Jonathan Martin, Stanford

While he's not as quick and athletic as Kalil, Jonathan Martin is a fantastic run blocker who is above average in pass protection. While he has spent the season protecting Andrew Luck's blind side, Martin's future in the NFL is likely to come as a right tackle. 

At 6'6" and 304 pounds, Martin has prototypical measureables. He has remained healthy throughout his entire career as well. Martin is the kind of kid who devours football information. He is passionate about the game, respects the team aspect of it and has become a leader along Stanford's offensive front. 

While he isn't exceptional in pass protection, that likely won't be as big of an issue on the right side in the NFL. He is an absolute beast in the running game, though, and has cleared paths for running back Stepfan Taylor all season long. 

Martin is an intelligent player who has outstanding instincts and can adjust on the fly when things break down. 

There is no reason he should last beyond the top 10 picks in this April. He is a ready-made right tackle and with the right kind of coaching can develop into an even better pass protector.

Riley Reiff, Iowa

While Kalil and Martin are clearly the rock stars of this class, Riley Reiff is probably the most consistent performer. 

Reiff is a massive 6'6" and 300 pounds, but based on his body type, I could see him adding a solid 15 pounds to that frame. He possesses outstanding speed for his size and has appeared in every game of his collegiate career. 

He was a three-time South Dakota state wrestling champion and played defensive end and tight end in high school, so he's obviously a very athletic guy for his size. 

Reiff is solid across the board, and no individual blocking skill or style jumps out at you. He's good in pass protection,s but not overwhelming or intimidating for defenders. He's great in the run, but not a big-time mauler, and he has good awareness. He appears to have developed a lot of toughness this season and has emerged as a leader for Iowa despite a disappointing season for the Hawkeyes.

The ability is certainly there, and, at worst, he should be a starting left tackle for a long time in the NFL. At best, he could turn out to be a Pro Bowler.

Don't expect him to be on the board past the 15th pick in April.

2012 NFL Mock Draft

2012 NFL Mock Draft

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck	17. Cincinnati Bengals: Lamar Miller
2. St. Louis Rams: Alshon Jeffery	18. Chicago Bears: Michael Floyd
3. Carolina Panthers: Matt Kalil	19. Baltimore Ravens: Luke Kuechly
4. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III	20. Cleveland Browns: Nick Toon
5. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin	21. New York Giants: Janoris Jenkins
6. Minnesota Vikings: Morris Claiborne	22. Philadelphia Eagles: Dont'a Hightower
7. Cleveland Browns: Vontaze Burfict	23. Cincinnati Bengals: Chase Minnifield
8. Jacksonville Jaguars: Justin Blackmon	24. San Diego Chargers: David DeCastro
9. Seattle Seahawks: Matt Barkley	25. Houston Texans: Jerel Worthy
10. Miami Dolphins: Landry Jones	26. San Francisco 49ers: Devon Still
11. Kansas City Chiefs: Riley Reiff	27. Dallas Cowboys: Stephon Gilmore
12. Denver Broncos: Trent Richardson	28. New England Patriots: Courtney Upshaw
13. Tennessee Titans: Melvin Ingram	29. Pittsburgh Steelers: Cordy Glenn
14. Buffalo Bills: Zach Brown	30. Detroit Lions: Alphonzo Denard
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Dre Kirkpatrick	31. New England Patriots: Quinton Coples
16. New York Jets: Alameda Ta'Amu	32. Green Bay Packers: Brandon Jenkins