Jordan Laube
Apr 14 min
With offensive line play slowly getting worse throughout the NFL, this class has some special trench dogs across the board. The interior offensive linemen in this class aren't as talented as the tackles, but man there are still some studs who aren't getting talked about enough. Today, we'll review my top 10 guards and centers, and even some tackles who will move inside in the pros. Let's get into it!
Photo: Jacob Reiner/NDSU Athletics
With good athleticism, great strength, solid footwork, and a nastiness to him, Sundell has a chance to be a solid starter in the league. He does need to work on his pass protection and second level work a bit, but he's got the juice to be a starter for some time in the NFL.
Pro Comp: Ted Karras
I think Kingsley is a better center than what he gets credit for. He plays patient and has good footwork, also has some decent mauling ability to pancake guys and clean out pass rushers. He'll need to work on his vertical game when peeling off doubles and get better at picking up stunts to have a chance as a starter.
Pro Comp: Austin Corbett
A solid IOL prospect with good tool, Haynes has violent hands and fast footwork, upper end athleticism, and can move guys out of gaps. With that being said, I think he'll struggle from a strength perspective against the better half of defenders in the league. He had reps where he was benched backwards by linebackers and edge players. Overall, Haynes needs to play lower and use his legs more.
Pro Comp: Cam Jurgens
Photo: Bryan Lynn/Icon Sportswire
Zak is a pretty well rounded lineman. He's just above average at everything, but makes his money as a dominant puller. He'll excel in a gap run scheme system, but he needs to get better in pass pro with his footwork and hand fighting.
Pro Comp: Graham Glasgow
Overall, Cooper is a solid prospect. He has good footwork, good strength, and good blocking prowess. He could stand to improve against more nuanced rushers and taking better angles when blocking in the run game, but he should be a solid addition to any OL in the NFL once those improve.
Pro Comp: Will Hernandez
If you want a project lineman who is stupid strong and really only needs to work on footwork, Christian is your guy. He'd thrive in a gap scheme where he can pull and down block 60% of the time, but his pass protection needs improving, especially with his footwork. He could be an anchor at guard if coached up correctly.
Pro Comp: Trai Turner
Photo: Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire
Hunter is a damn good center with some great tools that will help him in the NFL. He's an exceptional run blocker, his pass blocking is nearly as good in 1v1 scenarios, and he uses some advanced techniques that most college players don't use. He does need to get better at picking up stunts and staying in control at second level, but he could be a starter within his first season.
Pro Comp: Tyler Linderbaum
A good athlete for his size, Zach has superb footwork and is great on outside zone plays, his lateral movement is smooth, and he's good in pass pro. He needs to get better at picking up free rushers and improve his base blocking in the run game. He didn't reset the LOS often, but either way he'll do best in a Shanahan-style offense.
Pro Comp: David Andrews
A great prospect as a tackle, Barton trends even better as a guard or center. Graham resets the LOS on a consistent basis, holds his own against most pass rush moves, and he remains calm throughout his process. He does need to shoot his hands a little tighter and not get so grabby, as well as staying square throughout the entire rep, but he should be a first rounder regardless.
Pro Comp: Teven Jenkins
JPJ is your typical corn-fed white boy on the offensive front. He's a really sound player with great lower half power, he moves fluidly, and isn't afraid to drive guys into the turf. He needs to work on some blocking progression, but overall can start day 1 in the NFL and will be the first IOL off the board.
Pro Comp: Diet Jason Kelce
Photo: Brandon Sloter/Getty Images
Final Notes:
Some guys who slid down my board towards the end of the process were Tanor Bortolini, CJ Hanson, and Trevor Keegan. All possess some good qualities, and they could find decent playing time depending on how they progress as rookies.
Tune back in throughout the week for my second mock draft, as well as a breakdown of the best linebackers in this class!