Which offensive tackles will matter in the 2019 NFL Draft, and what’s the college perspective on all of the top prospects?
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It’s been a soft run for offensive tackles over the last few years, and this one is ultra-light. There isn’t a sure-thing killer at left tackle – unless you correctly believe that Alabama’s Jonah Williams is going to get a shot on the outside instead of instantly moving to guard – but there are a whole bunch of mid-level blockers.
There’s going to be good value after the top 50 picks with a slew of promising starters, but the superstars just aren’t there. The top guys will start and be good, but in this draft with so many amazing defensive prospects, you’re better served to grab your tackle later on.
15. Bobby Evans, Oklahoma
6-4, 312: You’re doing something right if you’re Lincoln Riley’s left tackle. A veteran who has been through it all for a high-powered offense, he’s not all that long considering his height, and he’s not going to be a left tackle at the next level. He’ll end up as a guard someday, but first he’ll work on the right side with the pass protection skills to make someone fall in deep like in the mid-rounds.
Projected Round: Fourth
14. Isaiah Prince, Ohio State
6-6, 305: Athletic enough for his size – at least in the offseason workouts – he’s a true right tackle who moves more than well enough to be liked as a sleeper pass protector with a little bit of time. He needs to get stronger, isn’t quite big enough, and he’s not a sure-thing at any one spot, but he has the versatility to find a job.
Projected Round: Fourth
13. Tyler Roemer, San Diego State
6-6, 312: An interesting prospect for a variety of reasons, he’s got the talent to be a starter, and he could be a massive Saturday value pick as a possible starting left tackle, but a late-season suspension is a concern. Consistency is an issue, but he’s a nasty run blocker who can move more than well enough to be groomed into an eventual terrific starter.
Projected Round: Sixth
12. Derwin Gray, Maryland
6-4, 320: Very big and productive at a high Big Ten level, he can move well enough to be tested out on the left side, even though he’ll end up on the right or at guard. He’s not going to be the most athletic of options, but he’s a tough run blocker who could grow into a blaster in the right role. He’ll slide way too far.
Projected Round: Fifth
11. Dennis Daley, South Carolina
6-5, 317: An okay left tackle prospect with a good frame and nice upside, he has been through the wars and handled himself well. A little bit off the scouting grid, he has grown into a sleeper prospect with good size and agility. Consider him a nice Day Three left tackle option who’ll likely live on the right side and be fine.
Projected Round: Fourth
10. (OG) Max Scharping, Northern Illinois
6-6, 327: Fantastic at NIU as the main man blocker for a good line, and with the size and skill to be tried out anywhere but center, he’s a tough guy blocker who worked both tackle spots and excelled. Experienced, he has seen it all, was good against the Power Five teams, and he’s got the make-up to start on Day One at right tackle and be given a long look on the left side. Even so, his long term money will be made at guard.
Projected Round: Third
9. David Edwards, Wisconsin
6-6, 308: Too slow in workouts and not quite athletic enough to be a left tackle, he’s simply a good football player and a solid all-around blocker. He’s not quite the road grader you’d think a Wisconsin lineman would be, and his future will be at guard, but for a few years he’ll be a terrific value pick who’ll start early on at right tackle.
Projected Round: Fourth
8. Chuma Edoga, USC
6-3, 308: A wee bit undersized, he’s a talented right tackle option who moves well and is good at this whole playing football thing. There isn’t enough power and he has to be far more consistent than he was in college, but he moves well enough to be a killer zone-blocking guard or live as a quick pass protector on the right side.
Projected Round: Third
7. Yodney CajustE, West Virginia
6-5, 312: A mega-strong pass protector who looks and plays the part, he’s got the length, size and tools to be a starting right tackle from Day One. He might not be a blaster of a run blocker, but he’s talented enough to be tested out on the left side and potentially shine with a little tweaking and technique work.
Projected Round: Third
6. (C/OG) Dalton Risner, Kansas State
6-5, 312: As a tackle, he’s a great guard prospect. He’s not all that flexible and doesn’t move all that well, but he’s good enough to be tried out on the outside. His worth is his versatility to play anywhere on an offensive front and be a very good starter. Rock solid no matter where he works, there’s no bust potential considering he’ll find a starting spot. It might not be as a tackle.
Projected Round: Second
5. Tytus Howard, Alabama State
6-5, 322: Playing at the lower level is of course going to be a bit of an issue and a concern, but he’s got the NFL size and the upside to grow into a literal huge get in a light class of tackles.
While he mostly worked at right tackle, he’s more than athletic enough to get tried out on the left side – even if the offseason workouts didn’t quite look like it at times. He’s a potentially elite pass protector to go along with the size to power away when needed.
He has to get stronger to match up to his big body and frame – he bulked up 20 pounds from his normal playing weight – and it’s going to take a whole lot of tweaking and work, but get him in an NFL weight room, get the technique down a bit better, and he’s a starting tackle halfway through his rookie season.
Projected Round: Second
Real Value: Late Second
NEXT: No. 4 NFL Draft Offensive Tackle
4. (OG) Kaleb McGary, Washington
6-7, 317: The hype was and probably will be over fellow Washington O lineman Trey Adams – who has to get 100% healthy and regain his form – but McGary turned into a killer when needed for a strong Dawg attack.
With his amazing frame and with good enough all-around athleticism to be tried out at left tackle, he’s a good pass protector who’s tough to get around. The power is the key – you have to be able to run block with force for Chris Petersen – even if he doesn’t look like a typical NFL road grader body-wise.
The big concern in his draft stock will be his position. Is he a slightly-too-rangy guard, or is his a Right Tackle Only?
He’ll always bring the 100% effort, and he can be a nasty tone-setter for a line, but there’s an upside to surprise and be a rock on the outside, or he can be a solid starter with enough versatility to find a home somewhere.
Projected Round: Second
Real Value: Second
NEXT: No. 3 NFL Draft Offensive Tackle
3. Andre Dillard, Washington State
6-5, 315: One of the high risers in the process, he has a great frame and great size with sub-5.0 speed and good enough quickness to be a killer pass protector.
He’s got the frame, but is he maxed out? He had to beef up to get to 315 pounds, but he’s long, he did a great job as a longtime starter for Mike Leach, and he can move. What he can’t necessarily do is blast away for the running game, but that’s not why you’re getting him.
He’s hardly the perfect left tackle prospect – yeah, he’s sort of a finesse blocker, his arm length is just okay, and the raw strength needs to get better – but in this draft without a true No. 1 guy for that spot, he’s going to be able to fill in, start from Day One, and bring the effort and work to get better.
He’ll keep your quarterback in one piece.
Projected Round: First
Real Value: Early Second
NEXT: No. 2 NFL Draft Offensive Tackle
2. Greg Little, Ole Miss
6-5, 310: If you want the guy who looks like an NFL tackle – and has from the start of his college career – here you go.
He slimmed down a little bit this offseason, but he can play at 320ish without a problem on a great frame. The tools are all there – even if he didn’t show them off too much in the workout circuit – with great feet, good quickness, and the upside to do even more, but his stock is all about his run blocking ability.
Being a blasting blocker isn’t necessarily a must now, and Little is a strong enough pass protector to sit at a left tackle and be there for the next ten years.
There are flaws – there’s a question mark about just how powerful he can be at the next level – but considering there just aren’t that many sure-thing guys for the left side in this draft, he’ll be a great value pick.
Projected Round: Second
Real Value: Late First
NEXT: No. 1 NFL Draft Offensive Tackle …
1. Jawaan Taylor, Florida
6-5, 312: The best offensive tackle in this draft might be Alabama’s Jonah Williams – and he’s going to end up working as a guard.
So the real best offensive tackle in this draft might be for the right side, and that’s okay.
Taylor showed up for the workout process in excellent shape and down from the 330ish weight he normally played at. If he gets back up to that weight, he’ll likely end up at guard at some point, and he’s not a normal NFL left tackle, but on run blocking alone he’s worth a first round pick.
No, he’s not bad in pass protection and can move well for either tackle spot, but in this draft with a loaded first round, do you really want to drop a top 20 overall pick on a right tackle?
Yeah. In today’s NFL, all five spots up front need a star, and Taylor will be a Pro Bowl talent.
Projected Round: First
Real Value: First
